365 Days Old

One year ago on March 4, God gave Andrew and I a perfect bundle of pink joy to love.  And we love her more than words can explain, more than we ever thought possible, more with each moment that passes.

12 Months 19 pounds 4 oz and 29.5 in 

Ellie is such a big girl now!  She loves walking!  She has to wear shoes when we are outside now; so far she doesn't seem to mind them too much.  She likes to wear her shoes in the house too; I think it's the sound they make on the hardwood that she enjoys.
She is able to stay focused on a specific toy/task for longer periods of time.  For example, for 15-20 minutes she had one triangle that she was trying to rock on her rocking horse.  She would pick it up each time it fell, place it back on the horse, rock the horse, then squeal as it would start to slide off!!
She is showing more interest in her shape sorting toys.  We take all the shapes out and she will set each shape on top of the toy, as if asking me to help her put them in.  She has even attempted pounding a few shapes in on her own.
She still LOVES reading!!  Some of her favorite books are: Everywhere a Moo, Moo, Peek-A-Who?, Where is Baby's Belly Button?, Where is Baby's Puppy?, and Moo, Baa, Oink, Quack.
She is getting a bit better about diaper changes.  Sometimes she won't cry at all through an entire change!  She still has a few fits, but there's been improvement!
If it's possible, she loves Bailey more than ever!  She is starting to follow her around (squealing all the while) and she points her out all the time.  She will also stop whatever she's doing when she hears Bailey barking.  I can see her little brain thinking, "Hmmm, what's Bailey barking at?"

It's funny.  Whenever there's an unfamiliar noise she will stop to listen.  I love how attentive she is to the changes in her environment!
She has been doing much better in the car.  She doesn't scream the second we strap her in!  She actually made a trip to Waco (about 45 min) and a trip to Round Rock (about 45 min)  without getting overly fussy!  We both think that a forward facing carseat is going to help her even more!  We will probably get one soon.
Outside...oh, this girlie just LOVES it!  To a fault actually, she has started throwing tantrums when it's time to come inside (oh my, pray for a patient heart!).  No longer do the acorns go in her mouth.  She will now sit and inspect them very carefully and then carry them around with her while she explores.
Her acceptance of food seems to be increasing, YAY!!!  Some of the new foods that she has willingly eaten are: spaghetti, meatballs, baked chicken nuggets, meatloaf, sweet potato fries, manicotti, nectarines, plums, grapes, blueberries, cucumbers and cheese.  I really hope this trend continues because it certainly makes mealtime happier for all three of us!

Enjoying some Spaghetti

She is drinking whole milk now, but still refuses it out of a sippy cup and refuses it cold.  She has been more willing to drink juice out of a sippy though; rejoice in the little things!!
She has learned that her loud, ear-piercing cry will get her what she wants (usually to be picked up).  This is something that I really want to discourage.  I try so hard to ignore her when she is using it that way, but it is SO hard to see those tears pouring down her cheeks (especially hard on her daddy).  She screams like she is being pinched all over...oh my.  It. Is. Awful. (more prayers for patience!)
Watching my sweet neighbor's little boy grow has been so amazing.  It's like a mirror into my future.  He is almost exactly one year older than Ellie.  While he helps me to have some idea of what the next year will hold, I know there will be many fun surprises waiting for us!!  I am so thankful that the Lord has entrusted His sweet child to us.  What a year of blessings it was.