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!

Ellie Meets Tommy Tubs

We had a big Saturday night! Rusty, Ellie, and I all went to Montgomery to see Chad (Rusty's brother) and his Lee Scott Academy girls' basketball team play in the state championship game. The girls beat Taylor Road Academy and are 2009 State Champs!!!! Congrats to Chad and his girls! Also...Tubs was at the game since his boys go to Lee Scott, so as he was walking out I proceeded to tap him on the shoulder to see if he minded taking a quick pic with Ellie. He was very nice about it and let us get a quick shot. As he was handing her back to me he said, "She's a little chunk isn't she?!" I just smiled and agreed. I just like to think she is just "heavy" not exactly "chunky!" I think I'm still in denial about him not being our coach any more. He's just such an awesome guy and always so gracious. I hated to be that annoying person to bother him while he was trying to have a night out with his family, but I knew I would regret not asking him for a picture so I'm glad I did!Tubs telling Ellie she can't have his glasses and to look at the camera!

Lee Scott Academy 2009 State Champs!!
Ellie's cousin Madison getting some playing time!

Ellie with her cousin Mallory.

Ellie was happy during the game as long as she got to sit in MeMe's lap and eat her Cheerios!
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On Friday, we had a visitor all the way from Texas! Our dear friend Katie moved to Dallas last April just a few weeks before I had Ellie. I miss her SO much, and we were so excited to get a short visit in. She met Ellie for the first time back in July so this was her 2nd time getting to see her. Ellie took right to Katie and had a great time playing! Thank you so much for coming to see us Katie, and we hope to see you again soon!!

Look at that smile.

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This is a New One..............

I walked into Ellie's room this morning to get her up from her nap and found her like this...

Yep! She somehow figured out how to take her shirt off before or after her nap! I was so caught off guard, all I could do was laugh. Every day is a new adventure with this rascal!
The shirt was still in the crib with her!

Another new one...she loves to rub her fingers all through her hair after every bite of food...

Makes for a fabulous hair day...

In all the 7 years that I have lived in Birmingham I have to admit I have never visited the Vulcan. So, Rusty, Ellie, She She, Josh, and I all went to walk around and give Ellie a change in scenery while riding in her car. We had fun even though it was freezing, and the wind was kicking up there!

We love weekends around here, and we hope everyone has a great week! I can't believe it's almost March which means this baby is growing up and will be 1 before we know it!

Fun Valentine's Weekend

We had another busy week around here. Ellie has been getting into everything as usual. The other day while I was washing dishes at the sink she proceeded to climb up into the dishwasher, and I was able to catch her in action for a pic!Ellie has also been practicing her walking around here with her new push toy...

On Friday night Jimmy, Kelly & Mallory came over for dinner. The girls had a great time together as usual and even took a bath together! They LOVED it! Ellie kept cracking up because I think she was so excited to have a playmate in the tub with her. Everything was great until Ellie had a little accident in the bathtub. I won't go into any details, but I think you catch my drift. When you gotta go you gotta go!

Next to Ellie, Mallory looks like she's been sunbathing! Poor Ellie has no hope with her fair-complected Mommy & Daddy!

Lollie & Poppy came up on Saturday morning for a short visit. Ellie was so excited to see them, and we all spent Valentine's Day together. Rusty cooked us another gourmet meal, and we had a little vino along with it!

Lollie & Ellie with her Valentine's balloon.

Poppy & Ellie

Ellie looking at her Valentine's treats from us.


Lollie also surprised Ellie with a new outfit she smocked for her! It is SO cute and is Lollie's first thing that she has "picture smocked." We are so proud of you Lollie, and we love it!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Ellie's enjoying her 1st one!

Fun but Busy Weekend

We had a great weekend. Ellie got to go to her first birthday party on Saturday and had a great time. However it was also a very busy Saturday! I got up at 5:30 am and headed to our church to wait in line and try to get Ellie registered for Mother's Day Out starting in the fall. Yes, I said 5:30 am to register for Sept! When I pulled into the parking lot around 6 am I surprisingly noticed there were already several cars in the parking lot! When I went up to the door and got my number to wait in line she politely handed me lucky #14. I was like are you kidding me? I get here at 6 am to be #14 in line! Anyway, everything worked out just fine, and I was able to get Ellie into her class. I was thrilled! I then headed to Lauren Baugh's baby shower at 10:30 and then we had Caroline's 3rd birthday party at 4. Caroline lives across the street from us, and she and her sister, Anna Spencer, have become good little buddies of Ellie's. They are always so sweet to Ellie and play so well with her. I was excited to see how Ellie would do at the party, and she did great. She loves watching older kids and just taking it all in. We got a few pics from the party. It was a Tea Party theme...so cute.Ellie & Anna Spencer

Caroline blowing her bday candle out.

The girls having their tea party!
Ellie & Daddy at the party
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We spent last weekend with the Brien's at Chateau Elan. Sam and Rusty both turned 30 in January so Mandy and I surprised them with a trip to Chateau Elan. They played a little golf on Sat and then were treated to hot stone massages and a nice dinner. We always have a blast with the Brien's and can't wait to see them again soon!