Ellie is One!

I'm going to cheat again and share our FB one-year-old birthday post to update on her latest developments:

Ellianna is 1-year-old! We had an amazing family party for her last Saturday in a private room at RR Pizza and took her on two carousel rides; meaningful for us because we all went on this carousel when R's son, J, and his family were visiting us last Christmastime, and the three of us went on a fantastical carousel in Victoria a year ago last March. Ellie has stood for long periods and even taken a step or two to traverse distances but not officially walked yet, unless you count with the new musical walker Mommy and Daddy got her. It's coming soon! She got her first haircut shortly before her birthday, sitting in a yellow taxicab barber chair and playing with a couple of combs the nice lady gave her, which she loved. She's been brushing her teeth with Mommy for a while now - 8 teeth at last count. And she loves to climb on and over both of us and any furniture in which she can get a toehold, making a dash across the bed, only to be pulled back by her legs while she laughs hysterically. Because of this, after her birthday, we decided she needed some foam climbing blocks, so she's exploring those now! She started pointing just before her birthday and clapping just after. She still loves her fruit, especially grapes, and eats a hearty meat and veggie dinner regularly now, too. Oh, she said "mama" on Daughter's Day and is making more and more complex-sounding words and sentences, and though we often know what she's saying, other people probably wouldn't. She had her 1-year doctor's appointment with shots, which were terrible and made us all upset, as usual, but we got some great news that she grew almost two inches in the last three months! Her height, weight, and head circumference are all on the same page now. She is really really strong, and we both feel she will be athletic and successful in whatever physical sport or activity she chooses. She can't get enough of figuring out straps, zippers, and how things are put together in general. So fun to watch her! It's been a busy month. We love you more than words can say, Ellie! Our little 1-year-old 💗 

Ellie's been sick the last few days, and I'm running on fumes. I also had to give the feature presentation in my BNI networking group earlier today (it went fine, in spite of my low energy). We took her to the doctor's afterwards, and he said that it could be the vaccinations, or teething, or a cold or virus (praying it's not the dreaded Coronavirus, but it doesn't seem to be), or a combination. We've been pretty insular, but, of course, RC works in a hotel, and we did have her private-room family bday party at the pizza parlor on the 10th. 

Timing-wise, it seems to me to be caused by her vaccines, though the doctor said he felt molars coming in. Whoa! I knew she was getting more teeth next to her four on the bottom, but I didn't know about molars budding. Anyway, I think teething is probably contributing. Poor girl, I feel so bad for her - and I admit her whiny fussing and crying for longer periods is driving me crazy. We have been alternating Tylenol and Motrin, and that does seem to help. The doctor said to keep track of her symptoms and fever, and to check back in on Monday. If she's still running a fever regularly, then they will do a panel of tests. Please send prayers and good thoughts that she feels better.

Here are some of my favorite pictures from her birthday and, most recently, a local excursion wearing her cousins' hand-me-down pumpkin costume. I love the fall, but RC has been feeling a little down as we change seasons. For me, the holidays are something I look forward to, and I love the lights and festivities. He's not as gung ho. I guess so much of our feelings around events are related to our past history. I hope he can come to feel more positive as time goes on and we make family memories. We are going to Bend for a few days the second week of November, which should be fun, and I look forward to seeing how it will be with her likely walking. She's sooo close to tearing off across the floor but as of now, walks with her walker, along furniture and walls, and has taken just a couple steps between these things. So cute!

Almost One!

 I can't believe Ellie will be one in 10 days! Eek, I'm not ready! She has been feeling more like a mix of a toddler and a baby lately, though she's still not walking/toddling, yet. Here's her 11-month FB update - sorry for my laziness, but I'll add some details...

"Our little Ellie turned 11-months on the 10th, and we finally took her monthly photos. Only one month left of these, thank God, because, at this point, it’s like wrangling a tiger to get her in place. She’s sooo close to taking her first steps unassisted! She crawls, stands, and cruises like a champ, and continues to get into everything she possibly can. And, super fun for Mommy and Daddy, she dances! Her little up and down bop is adorable and sometimes she wiggles with lots of energy. She got to play with quite a few kids this month: her niece/cousins and nephew/cousins in Austin and her cousins in Eugene. She loves watching cars race around a track! as well as her books, eating fruit/oatmeal/toast and pb/meat and veggies/bread, crawling through her tunnel, playing her drum, exploring, and going for the cat dish. One year birthday coming up! We love you so much, Ellie!!!"

I'll add that I am enjoying hanging out with her at breakfast so much. She loves fruit like her mommy, especially bananas and strawberries, and now grapes are a hit, as well. R doesn't eat fruit and is less enthusiastic about it because of his views on sugar. To me, if it's in fruit, with all the vitamins that fruit delivers, it's okay. Nothing like its white sugar counterpart. Anyway, she loves her applesauce pouches, too, and will suck on one of those or munch on fruit while I get something else prepared, usually peanut butter toast, bagel, waffles, and/or eggs (she like hers over easy :), then we sit together contentedly munching on our breakfast and enjoying each others company. I might check out some news on my phone. I hand her her water cup periodically, then take it back when she's done before it flies onto the floor, lol. It's a nice time of the day. 

Also fun: I always spend a couple half hour period in focused play with her on the floor, which is so different than when I'm splitting my attention trying to get little chores done or read something on my phone, etc. It feels good to just totally focus on play with her. There are usually other times, too, but I make sure to get a couple of good chunks of focused play in. 

Walks are really nice now, as well, and she has faced forward in her stroller for quite a while now. She loves looking around and observing all the beautiful plants, trees, and flowers in our neighborhood, as well as the birds and occasional squirrel or butterfly. Oh, and the people. She's a huge people watcher and can be a big flirt. She loves flirting with the servers when we go out to eat, and if they want a tip, they flirt with her back (jk). They usually do and comment on how cute she is and how her gaze can be very intense; one said it was like she was looking into your soul. :) But back to walks, it's a nice time for Mommy, too, because, in addition to enjoying nature and enjoying her enjoying nature, I can get some emails out if needed or make a call, etc. She often takes her morning nap on our walk but doesn't fall asleep until near the end lately, so I end up walking back and forth on our street or the driveway through our complex, then squatting next to her in our carport and reading the news on my phone. 

Speaking of phone, I guess it's not surprising that she always goes for our phones, since clearly they are a big part of our lives. I think she'll get a toddler version for her birthday, so that should be fun. We have planned a "Little Blue Truck" birthday with close family at a local pizza parlor, fingers crossed that COVID doesn't interferes, as it's threatening, too (cases have been on the rise locally). It's hard to balance the desire to give her a fun and connected family experience and also be conservatively safe. The people we've invited are observing protocols, so as of now, I feel the benefits outweigh the risks. I bought some really cool farm animal and Blue Truck balloons we will inflate with helium, a banner, fun personalized cups, theme napkins, a regular cake with a frosting toad and wooden Blue Truck cake topper, and a fun little banana-flavored smash cake with her name in rainbow letters. We have bought some presents (ahem, too many) I'm excited to give her - new toys, yay! R says I want new toys for me as much as her, and it's true! Mommy gets bored, too, lol. 

R's new job has started well. He's still tired, as he had to stop using Daddy's little helper to sleep (thc/cbd), since they tested at the new job. Hopefully, he can go back soon, because Daddy is, understandably but annoyingly and sometimes abrasively, crabby with lack of sleep. Boo. 

I have a few career counseling clients and continue to enjoy using that part of my brain, again. It's tough to set boundaries and get work done at home, but I can do it at night when she's asleep, if needed, and R watches her during client sessions. 

That's all for now, since Little Miss is up. The season has turned, it seems, and we are heading into Fall. And elections...guess that's a topic I'll talk about another time (Debate? What?! Barf). Happy Ellie's Birthday Month!