11 months

I am guilty of this post being a bit tardy, but it's been a busy month.  First and foremost, Ellie has started walking!  She took her first steps a few days before she turned 11 months and has been walking ever since. It's only been two weeks and she is already acting like a pro.  She can even gear up and get some real speed behind her. For the first week she walked around like a zombie but now the hands are down and she paddles around quite proficiently.  The only time she really falters is when she is tired or if she steps on a book or toy. Ironically, she learned to walk before she learned to stand on her own but it only took about a week or so of walking before she figured it out. Clever girl!

Ever since this happened I feel like she has forged her way out of infancy and into toddler hood.  I'm not exactly sure when this phase takes place but Google tells me it's when they turn 18 months or when they start to walk or "toddle".  So I guess that's...now? We have a toddler! Part of me is sad that my little baby is no longer a baby. That phase just seemed to go by so fast although I know it was masked by sleep deprivation and the whirlwind of new parenthood. I only got 11 months and now I feel like I live with another adult. Only she can't talk and screams at you when she doesn't like something you're doing to her (and even then, some adults do that too). Ellie is proving to be fiercely independent. In kind of a scary-you're going to regret when I'm a teenager- kind of way. I am glad she has taken such a curious and inquisitive approach to the world.  I would much prefer this than the opposite. But it is a little scary when she puts up a fight at 11 months old.

Ellie is in the midst of cutting her 3rd tooth which is big news in our world.  She hasn't gotten any more teeth since her initial two and it's been a few months.  I often wonder how she is able to eat the things she does when she only has two little vampire teeth.  I know it's mostly the gums at work, but still.  She can put down crackers, bread, vegetables, meat...anything. She is very determined and patient to grab that one little speck of food. Two other characteristics I love about her. She'll even go out of her way to dig through a pile of food to find the one little piece she wants. She is starting to get picky and especially loves cheese, bread and fruit right now.  Her new favorite game is to throw all of her food on the floor and then wants eat it off the ground. I gave up trying to stop her and figure I'm teaching her how to help me clean up, right?! ;) She has also started to "feed" herself with a spoon.  I say this in quotation marks because most of it gets on her face, hair, highchair, etc. It's a messy business!  She also just now learned how to use her sippy straw cup.  For the longest time she just chewed on the straw but we were hanging out at Great's house this week and it was very hot outside.  She must have been thirsty because all of a sudden she was slurping down her water.

She has learned to hand you a toy or object when you ask her for it which has been really cute and helpful. She most definitely recognizes people she knows, even when we FaceTime and it doesn't take her long to warm up and put on a performance. She has started to open up drawers and can reach into our pantry.  Time to baby proof...again.  She is still very tall and is already wearing 12 month clothing. I have had to buy her new shoes now that she is walking and it seems like her feet are already getting crowded. This is going to get $$$.  Luckily thus far we survived on mostly hand-me-downs although I cannot resist myself when I'm at Target. Damn Target! Here are her stats for this month:

Head circumference: 45cm   
Height: 29.5''   
Weight: 20lb 6oz

We are getting ready for her 1st birthday party next month.  We have invited both of our families plus some friends from my mom's group.  The "theme" of her party is going to be yellow and pink which I am telling myself are her favorite colors. It will be fun to see the little kiddos playing in the kiddie pool and sprinklers - another one of Ellie's favorite activities. Rosa is having a piñata made for the occasion, although I realize that with this age group it will mostly be adults partaking in that activity.  I still have yet to decide on the menu, but it will likely include BBQ chicken and lots of fruit.  Ellie's favorites!  And of course no party would be complete without a guava cake.  But I'm giving it all away, so you'll have to wait for the pictures.  Here are some of my favorites from last month.

Waiting at the airport.

....and waiting.

Rainy walk in Seattle

Low tide on Alki

Typical meal time behavior.

Japanese Gardens

Holding on.

Yes mom, teach me to walk on tables...

Already getting into Papa's wallet!

Tissue?!

Hanging out at the park.

Planning her escape.

Keep calm and carry on.

Spaghetti face

Computer time at the library.

Love this face!

Children's Discovery Museum with Poppy & Grandmanina

Water!