I love this girl...

She keeps us constantly entertained! I can honestly say there is never a dull moment around our house! I knew from the time she was about 4 months old that she was going to be one of those babies that you really have to keep an eye on because she has always and continues to get into EVERYthing! I realize the majority of babies put everything into their mouths, but this child has got to be one of the worst! She cannot go anywhere in the house without something being in her mouth. She literally crawls around with something in her mouth at all times like she's a dog!

I just thought this pic was funny!

I didn't even know we had these balloons, but of course Ellie found them in one of my "junk" drawers in the kitchen.

Daddy didn't believe Mommy when she told him that Ellie was getting very close to being able to open the back door. Well, low and behold she opened it right in front of him this morning! Good job Ellie...your dad and I have lived in this house for over 3 years with him telling me the deadbolt just couldn't be fixed. Surprisingly, after this little incident, Daddy got his drill out and fixed the "unfixable" deadbolt in just under 3 minutes I believe. All of that nagging about the deadbolt, and it's finally fixed!

She's been doing a lot of this...

standing on her own very steadily. It's the cutest thing...she just stands in the middle of the floor a lot of times without holding onto anything. She looks so grown up...like a little person. I'm just not used to seeing it.

She can even bend over, pick something up, and stand back up. Over the weekend she consistently took about 4-5 steps on her own. She's getting very close! I may regret this, but I have to say I'm ready! Maybe for selfish reasons (the crawling is brutal on her clothes!) and for other reasons. I just think she's ready!

We hope you have a great week!

Happy 11 Months Ellie Belly!!

Our sweet baby girl is 11 months old today. It's hard to believe she will turn a year old exactly one month from today. I now understand what people mean when they tell you that time flies once you have children. Rusty and I can honestly say these past 11 months have been the best ones we have ever had. Ellie brings so much joy to our family, and we can't even remember what life was like before her!

Dinner time around here is always fun. The little stinker still thinks it's hilarious to rub food all through her hair, and she has decided bibs just get in her way so I have given up on that! I have learned some things just aren't worth the fight!

On another note...she's been taking a few steps independently so I have been told by other mothers that means she'll be walking soon. We shall see. I'll keep y'all posted!

Outside

Ellie's not actually saying the word yet, but she definitely gets what it means. Every time we say the word "outside" now she crawls (nope, she's not walking yet!) over to the front door as fast as she can and gets very excited! It seems like Ellie has grown up over night. A few weeks ago I noticed a change in her. She is now starting to understand so many things that we say to her and communicating back to us in her own little way. She just doesn't seem like a baby any more. I love watching her grow and change, but I also find myself getting a little sad to think about it. She continues to amaze us every day!

Back to the subject of this post...We have been spending a lot of time playing outside lately enjoying this awesome weather! Ellie got to go over to Katherine's house yesterday. We ventured over to the pond to feed the ducks and after that went to the park for some fun!

Best buds. Ellie doesn't understand why Katherine can't get out of her stroller and come play! Not too much longer, and K will be down getting dirty too!

Ellie watching the ducks.

That dress sure does get in the way of all of her fun!

Katherine being the angel baby that she is...just chillin' in her stroller. She's always happy!

Katherine sure was tolerant of her buddy! Look at that smile!