In January, at 6 months old, she weighed in at 18.5 pounds and 27” tall (90%). She was trying new foods like butternut squash & fresh blended peaches. She also tried homemade spaghetti (which soon became a favorite). She saw her first snow and spent her first night in her own crib, in her own room (she slept; Mommy didn’t!). She began reaching for anything close enough to her and could roll over easily. She was waking up around 6:30am for her first bottle, napping 3x per day for an hour each, and back to bed at 8pm.
In February, at 7 months old, she weighed in at 19.3 pounds & 28” tall. Her favorite food was applesauce, or Baby Yogurt mixed with cereal. She loved chewing on her toes and began sitting up without support. She played in the playpen with toys for most of the day, and could “stand” with support easily. Her biggest achievement, though: saying “Dada” & “Daddy,“ which is still her favorite word! (She knows how to get what she wants…)
In March, at 8 months old, she weighed in at 22 pounds & 28.5” tall. She had her first pancakes and many of the same dinners Mommy & Daddy eat (chopped in the blender). Finally warm enough to hand her pink swing outside, she got to swing for the first time. And….she got her first tooth! She also starting getting up on her knees while in the playpen & learning to move around more on her own (to get to toys). She loved to play peek-a-boo (still does), especially if we ducked under the playpen where she couldn’t see us. Unfortunately, she also got her first bad cold, which interrupted her sleep routine.
In April, at 9 months old, she weighed in at 24 pounds & 30” tall. She started rolling over in her sleep & would end up sideways or backwards in the crib. She started insisting on feeding herself and mastered her sippy cup. Her favorite foods were texas toast, Gatti’s pizza, and mac&cheese (with pureed vegetables snuck in). She could pick up tiny pieces of cereal with 2 fingers. If we stood her up next to the couch, she could stand there & play. She starting mimicking sounds we made (like zerberts or coughing) and yes….she finally said “Mama!!!”
In May, at 10 months old, she weighed in at 22.5 pounds & 29” tall. She starting sleeping 11 hours (8pm-7am) and taking just 2 naps a day (up to 2.5 hours each, so actually napping longer). She started always sleeping on her belly instead of her back, and began sitting up when she wakes up. Pushing herself up to a sitting position was a big accomplishment for the month, in addition to pulling herself to her feet (but not standing up) in the playpen. She could move around to anywhere she wanted to go, but wasn’t crawling yet. We had to get rid of the playpen & pad the playroom floor with foam mats, as she was much too busy to be kept in one spot. The bottom book shelves became toy-holders so she could sit in front of them & pull all the toys out (Mommy/Daddy put the toys back, Elliot pull them out, Momm/Daddy put them back…) Tooth #2 finally came in, as well as #3, 4 & 5 appearing all at once! She started trying to say “kitty cat” as “kee ca.”
In June, at 11 months old, she weighed in at 24.5 pounds & 30” tall. And she finally did it - she learned to crawl! And boy, she didn’t stop! She was instantly so much happier & less frustrated. Life for her became easier (and consequently, ours too!). She would crawl using one knee & one foot! On the same day as crawling, she pulled herself up to standing using furniture. She also loved to RUN in her walker. She also began taking steps with help. Approaching her birthday, she began drinking whole milk & started only getting bottles at night. She discovered mandarin oranges & fell right in love. At the end of the month, while in Paducah on vacation, she became lethargic with a hoarse voice. We found out she was sick for the first time: a left ear infection & sore throat. Thankfully, Dr. Cecil had her feeling better almost instantly.
July: Her first birthday! She grew another inch & gained a pound. Her new favorite word became “uh oh,” which she used constantly - when she dropped something, threw something or couldn’t reach something. She began walking along furniture or walls, or with helping hands. She got her own pool to swim in at home, and began climbing the stairs on her own! She also got her first potty seat, which she instantly used several times!
In August, at 13 months old, time really began to fly. She began clapping her hands and could stand up and let go without help for a few moments (until she’d realize she was on her own & quickly sit down or grab something). She began going for bike rides on the back of Daddy’s bicycle & sometimes laugh while riding.
In September, at 14 months, she tried taking a few steps on her own one night. But then she stopped. She loved being “walked” with help …and insisted on it most of the day. She went to the aquarium for the first time & had her first biscuits & gravy. She also started learning stacking toys and used her potty several times, before disliking it. We stopped trying to use it until she’s ready.
In October, at 15 months, she grew an inch, lost 2 pounds, and finally decided to start walking on her own! The day she turned 15 months (3rd) she just started walking in the upstairs playroom before bed. The next morning/day, she refused to walk. Finally, on the 6th, again when Daddy was at home before bedtime, she started walking all over the place again. It was wonderful to see. She would even leave the room & come back. She was so excited! She hasn’t stopped since & has never crawled again, either! For a day or two, we would have to stand her up. If she fell on her butt, she’d get mad & cry. I finally taught her to pull herself back up, and soon she learned to push herself up without help of furniture. For her second Halloween, she dressed as Piglet & went back to the mall. The lines for candy were insane, so we spent the time letting her play with other kids on the indoor playground. I think it’s the most fun she’s ever had!
In November, at 16 months, her favorite thing to do was run inside & outside through the door leading to the deck. She learned to stack wooden alphabet blocks, as her Daddy taught her. She started pushing the laundry basket all over the house, so we brought out her doll stroller to put (and Santa might be bringing her a grocery cart). At Thanksgiving, while playing with some colorful shaped wooden blocks at Grandma & Pawpaw’s house, she separated the blocks by color & shape! She’s also getting smarter with shape sorters. Her favorite toys are blocks & Fisher Price Little Peoples (especially the cars). She loves to gather things & put them on the small ledge in front of the TV. This is her favorite playing spot & her little “pack rat stash.” She also loves to play peek-a-boo & tried to say it: “ee-a-oo!” But now, she’s the one moving the blanket in front of her own face (sometimes she waits so long to move the blanket, we think she’s fallen asleep behind it). While in Paducah for Thanksgiving, she was too scared to sleep alone & got to sleep between us each night, for the first time. Sometimes she’d sit up in bed, look around, lay down ontop of one of us & fall back to sleep that way. I have to say, it was very sweet! Although we didn’t get much sleep! :)
Which brings us up to date in December at 17 months. About 29 pounds & 33” tall. And she is running! I took her to the indoor playground at the mall with kids her size, but all she wanted to do was leave through the exit & run through the mall. Everywhere she goes, she grabs attention. People will stop what they’re doing just to watch her run through a store. She has become very snuggly & loves to sit on the couch with us. If she sees you sitting, she will go pick out a toy, bring it to you & have you put her up on the couch. When she’s tired, she scoots closer to her Daddy & lays her head on him. She’s been so incredibly cute & cuddly the past several weeks. This week she has turned into quite a monkey - she has learned to climb up into chairs and sit; or climb onto the fireplace to sit or stand. Luckily she first learned to climb down from things, so she hasn’t fallen yet.
She has already got to play in the snow this winter & loved it. She even thought having snowballs thrown at her was funny. Since she likes sitting on the fireplace, I managed to get a photo of her sitting still & smiling! We’re in transition for naps; I think she’s growing out of 2 naps per day. But she’s still sleeping 12 hours at night; sometimes more! She can sleep til 8:30 in the morning! How lucky are we?
That has truly been the best full year of our lives, thanks to the joy she has brought us each day. :)
Nov 4 - Pushing her doll stroller around the house
Nov 18 - Learned to stack blocks…
She would put her hands up after stacking each blocks, like Daddy would do when teaching her.
Nov 20 - more stroller-pushing
Nov 21 - Cindy Lou Who Times Two (watching the Grinch)
Nov 22 - Pizza!!!
Nov 26 - Thanksgiving Day at Grandma & Pawpaw’s
Nov 28 - Playing at Grandma & Pawpaw’s house
Nov 28 - Crashed for a 3-hour nap at Granny & GrandDad’s!
Dec 2 - Looking pretty in her Christmas sweater!
Dec 3 - About 5 deer at one window, and another getting awfully brave!
Dec 4 - Photo shoot! 17 Months & 1 Day old.
December 5 - First Walk in the Snow!
Dec 5 - Making sugar cookies…and Elliot helped!
Dec 5 - Playing the piano with Daddy
Dec 9 - Photo shoot in front of the tree...
Dec 11 - Reading on the couch with Daddy
Dec 12 - She lined up her alphabet blocks perfectly, color-side up & flush against the TV, on her favorite playing spot...not sure what she spelled...
Dec 12 - Waffles by the Christmas tree...what could be better?
Dec 12 - family photo before Russ' work party
Dec 13 - Russ can't eat a bowl of cereal without being attacked by the girls...
Snuggle-time...
Dec 15 - Elf of the Month dress & some leg-warmers Mommy made
Elliot's Smurf tree & Smurf train in her room
Fireplace
It's christmas-time!
I'm ready...let's get this show on the road! (Christmas Eve at Granny & GrandDad's)
First car! vroom vroom!
Fisher Price Laugh & Learn Chair that Russ found for her. LOVES it! :)
Christmas Eve night at Grandma & Pawpaw's..."All for me?"
I don't know about all these big boxes...just give me my old wooden blocks!
Telephones and Ball Boppers, oh my!
Christmas Eve...done!
Christmas Morning in the "new" house in Reidland. Electrical isn't done for the big appliances yet, so I cooked a few things with electric skillets & my new toaster oven!
Few decorations in the living room, barrowed from Mom.
More presents!! Santa came!!
This photo came out blurry ;(
Love blocks & boxes!!
Yay! Mini soccer ball!
Russ got up, so she picked up her new bead maze & went after him so he'd sit back down & play with her again. :)
Beep, beep!
Stopping by to see Great-Mammaw Simmons before heading home.
Dec 26 - Home in TN with her loot (...with SOME of her loot...WOW...)
December 29 - our 9th Wedding Anniversary. We decided to take Elliot to Chuck E Cheese for the first time! We sat near the stage to eat & she would watch the show, and turn around to grab another piece of pizze once-in-a-while. All the songs were Christmas. It was cute. She loved to stand at the Ski Ball & watch us play - she'd laugh when we threw the balls. I'd count to three before throwin g& she thought that was funny, too. She was not a fan of the bigger rides - some cars rock back & forth & some go up & down. She liked the small Chuck E car & barely-moving ones! She also liked watching Russ play basketball.
