Ellis at 8 months

Well things have been a little crazy around here (more about that later) but I'm determined to at least get Ellis' 8 month post on before she's 9 months! She continues to have such a sweet and fun personalityand is changing and growing every day! Here are some fun things that she's up to at 8 months.

Ellis you:

• Are at least 15 pounds but I'm not sure exactly how much you weigh because we didn't go to the doctor this month
• Are Sitting unsupported for long periods of time, you're a pro now!
• Love the jumperoo at daycare, we really need to get you one for home
• Are moving forward! Not crawling yet but you are getting close
• Love your stuffed hog, "Sue". You give her tons of kisses & wrestle with her on the floor
• Have a new sound: "bababa" and a few times have said "mamama"
• Have the cutest "fake" laugh. We can laugh at you and you'll do it back
• Patty cake and Peek a Boo are still your favorite games
• Started to notice music recently, you stop and look for it every time you hear it

Here are some pictures of our cutie!

"C'mon mom, my feet are hanging over the edge"

"Mom, I'd really rather sit than lay"

Patty cake is the secret behind this smile

"Whoa, this chair rocks?!?"

Not quite sure about the chair rocking but she did get the hang of it

Ellis,

You are such a beautiful little girl and you bring us so much joy. We love learning new things with you every day. We are so glad that God gave us such a sweet girl.

Love,

Mommy & Daddy

Ellis at 7 Months, 2 weeks

I kept putting this post off because Ellis has had a cold with a constant runny nose on and off for the last couple of weeks. It seems like she'll seem better for a day or two and then gets congested again. So, we've been to the doctor once a week for 3 weeks and as of right now she only has a cold. Finally on Sunday I told Matt that we'd just have to take her pictures, even if she wasn't feeling 100%. To our surprise she perked right up and this is the first time we honestly could've used every single picture for the blog (but I don't think it'd be practical to upload the 100 that we took). I get a little carried away with the continuous shot mode... Anyway, here are some pictures of Ellis and what she's up to at 7 1/2 months!

Ellis you are:

• 14 lbs, 10 oz
• Sitting unsupported for at least 5 minutes (you need a pillow behind you though because you can't catch yourself if you fall backwards or sideways)
• Blowing raspberries
• Playing patty cake. You have the clapping part down!
• Rolling ALL OVER! 
• Turning yourself in circles while laying on your belly 
• Scooting backwards
• Curious about everything. You love playing with new toys. If we put an old toy and a new toy out, you pick the new one to play with every time.
• Giving sloppy, wet, open mouth kisses and they are the sweetest thing we've ever experienced
• Recognizing when we call you by name and your many nicknames
• A creature of habit... you know when to eat, play and sleep all day long. You're our little alarm clock
• A joy to everyone around you. You started a new daycare last week and they told Mommy and Daddy that you are "false advertisement" because they haven't had a baby that's as good as you

Ellis,

You continue to be the happiest, sweetest baby that we know. You are such a joy and we are so thankful that God made us your parents. You already have a contagious smile and make us laugh. We are so blessed to have such a smart, loving little girl.

Love,

Mommy & Daddy

Ellis at 6 months

On Friday, November 30th, Ellis was 6 months old! I just can't believe she's been here for half a year! We took her for her 6 month check up on Wednesday and she was 12 lb, 13 oz and 25 inches long. She is growing so fast and really is picking up new skills every day! 

Ellis these are a few thing you're doing at 6 months:

• Rolling from back to tummy
• Eating cereal, sweet potatoes & squash
• Briefly sitting up by yourself
• Your favorite sounds to make are "yaya, hi & dadada"
• You are wearing 3-6 month clothes
• You mimic laughing
• Your favorite toy is "Betty the Butterfly"
• You won't let us skip story time before bed

Ellis,
You are the sweetest little girl we know. You love to give out smiles and open mouth kisses! You love to play with your toys, softie, and mommy and daddy (of course). We pray that you are always this sweet and loving.
Love,
Mommy & Daddy

Thanksgiving

For Thanksgiving we went to Kansas to visit Matt's dad and Grandpa and Grandma DeMott. We had a great time seeing everyone and of course ate way too much food! We are so thankful to have healthy grandparents that we are able to spend time with. Ellis was such a good little girl while we were there and was perfectly content to be passed around all day. We are very blessed to have a baby that is so flexible, cuddly and overall just good natured.

Our little "turkey" 

 These were the few pictures where she wasn't trying to eat the ribbons on her shirt

 Grandpa giving Ellis raspberries on her tummy

 "Grandpa, let me look in your mouth"

Ellis was pretty cozy on Great Grandpa DeMott's lap

Ellis waving and saying "Happy Thanksgiving!"

Baby Dedication

On Sunday, November 4th we had a baby dedication for Ellis and two other babies at Northgate Church.  It was nice to have a public way of showing that we will raise Ellis to love and serve God and that we will try to set a good example of this for her on a daily basis.  The dress that Ellis wore for the dedication was the dress that my mom, me, and my sisters wore when we were baptized.

 Us praying with Brian (an elder) and Amy Wood

 Bill asked our families to come up and pray over Ellis

It was a special day and we were blessed to have family join us. 

Catching Up: Halloween

I have no excuse for why this post is so late but I still wanted to put up a few pictures of our sweetie pie from Halloween. We went pretty simple with Halloween this year. We stayed at home and handed out candy to trick-or-treaters. My grandparents were actually driving through on their way to Conway so they stopped and ate dinner with us and met Ellis for the first time.

 Our Little Zebra

Who knew zebras could fly? 

 Ellis with Great Grandpa & Grandma Solberg

Ellis at 5 Months

So as of Tuesday we have a big five month old at our house! Since then we have been busy with Halloween, family coming into town and baby dedication at church (more posts on all of those things later)! Ellis has been so much fun this month. She is continuing to learn new things everyday and is really starting to get a little personality. She makes us laugh all the time with her funny faces and "talking". Ellis, here are some fun things about you at 5 months:

• I think you weigh about 13 pounds
• You are continuing to find your voice (sometimes loudly). You are starting to mimic sounds and a few times it has really sounded like you've said, "I love you" after we've said it first
• You are wanting to sit up all the time. We just started putting you in the bumbo chair at the end of the month and you don't quite know what to think about it yet.
• You are starting to notice when people walk into and out of a room. The first one is normally greeted with smiles and leaving is accompanied with crying. (We might be in trouble)
• You can pick up your pacifier and put it in your mouth, even if it takes you a few tries
• You are starting to giggle when we give you multiple kisses or act silly, it's the sweetest sound
• You smile at complete strangers and everywhere we go people like to talk to you

Happy Girl

 "Are you talking to me?"

I'm getting so long!

This picture and the one below are my "talking faces".

Ellis,
We love being your mommy & daddy. You are such a happy baby and are pretty easy going. We love that you scrunch up your nose when you smile. You smile at everyone you meet and are really starting to be social. We love you!
Love,
Mommy & Daddy