Luke, Patty, Anna Kate, Caroline, and Eleanor

Luke, Patty, Anna Kate, Caroline, and Eleanor

Sunday, November 30, 2014

Happy 10 months, baby Eleanor!


Eleanor Grace, you are TEN months old today! Your first birthday is just around the corner and I'm not really sure how I feel about it. You just keep growing and changing more and more every day. I think I can honestly say that between your daddy and me as well as your big sisters, you are just about the most adored baby in the world. Here is what you've been up to this month
 
-You took your first long road trip this month. We drove to Norfolk for Thanksgiving and you did fantastic in the car! It definitely didn't hurt that we left at 3am, but you slept almost the entire way there and back and didn't fuss at all. 
-Speaking of trips, you also took your first trip to the hospital this month. Everything turned out to be just fine, but you got your left index finger caught in the hinge side of your sisters' bedroom door as one of them was closing it (I still don't know who did it - they are showing serious solidarity on this one!). In any case, our pediatrician really wanted x-rays to be sure all your little bones were ok, and thank goodness, they were! I was super worried, especially because it's your violin hand!
- You are now officially pulling up to standing! You actually pulled up at the coffee table for the first time last night. You had been pulling up on lower objects (stairs, playroom chairs and table, etc.) for a while, but now you can pull up anywhere.



- Your sleeping skills definitely leave something to be desired, but such is life. Once I nurse and rock you to sleep around 7:30 or 8, you usually sleep a good 4-5 hours. But then you get up a few times between midnight and 8am and either need to be nursed and rocked again, or sometimes Daddy can put you back to sleep by rubbing your back. And then other times you just need the big bed. Oh well, at least you're really cute and snuggly.
- You have become very vocal this month. You still only have one official word (mama), but you've started to say dada too on occasion. You also like to make lots of babbling sounds.
- You know the answer to the question, "What does the doggie say?" now! You make the cutest little "ooo ooo ooo" sound!
- You went through a little mommy-only phase, but you are doing much better going to other people to be held now. You do great going to the nursery and everyone loves to pass you around at church!
- You had a well visit at the doctor this month and you are growing perfectly! You are a big girl, hitting 20 lbs. this month!
- You still just have the two teeth on the bottom, but you have some top teeth about to pop through soon.
- You really love playing pat-a-cake and clapping hands. Anna Kate even taught you how to give high fives this month and you think that is really fun!
- You get really giggly over lots of different things (tickles, daddy's no-shave-November beard, bouncing up and down, peek-a-boo, etc.) and do the best happy squeal. Your whole face lights  up when you do it.


- You really love music. Whenever you hear music, you start to dance and bob up and down and smile.
- You have the cutest new mannerism this month. It's usually when you're being shy, or a little bit coy and flirtatious. You tilt your head down to one side and give a sweet little smile.
- You definitely know the word "kiss" and you love to give big open mouth ones to your mommy and daddy whenever we ask for them!
- I am definitely not counting my chickens here, but I do have to say that you've gone potty on the potty a number of times this month. Call me crazy, but if I go to change your diaper and you've been dry for a while, I'll put you on the potty and you go right away! Obviously you're not telling me you need to go, but maybe it's a good sign for early potty-training!
- Your favorite song for Mommy to sing when I rock you to sleep is Amazing Grace. Maybe it's just in my head, but your favorite verse seems to be the one that starts, "The Lord has promised good to me." Whenever I sing it, I pray that you would one day come to realize that God is good, that He is more than enough, and that he will become your portion forever.

Ellie-belle, we just love you so much. You light up our lives and we're so glad that God gave you to us ten months ago!

And here are your pictures...
One month

Two months

Three months

Four months

Five months
 

Six months

Seven months

Eight months

Nine months
 

Ten months!

And for a little comparison...

Caroline - ten months

Anna Kate - ten months

 



Wednesday, November 5, 2014

Fall Festival 2014

We had another fantastic turnout for our annual MHBC Fall Festival. Over 1500 people came, interacted with our church family, were given multiple opportunities to hear the gospel, and had a great time, too! My girls, of course, were thrilled to dress up and play games and bounce on the inflatables and eat candy!

This was the first year that I haven't had them either matching/coordinating. See, I'm learning to let go of the little things! It's NOT a big deal, Patty. We used costumes of their choice and that we already had, and they couldn't have been happier. Here are a couple pictures I took of my Cowgirl, Pink Poodle, and Cheetah!


 

(No, I did not tell Caroline to stick her tongue out for these pictures...)

Anna Kate wanted me to take a picture of her on the rocking horse, seeing as how she was a cowgirl.

 
Little did she know there would be ACTUAL pony rides at the Fall Festival this year!

 

And then, just because I think it's awesome...I zoomed in on Eleanor in the picture of the three girls.


Remind you of another cheetah four years ago?!?