Ellison Lee - 11 months

 Yippee! Look at Ella Lee!  Eleven months old today!

You are now 15lb 13.6oz {an increase of a few ounces from last month...yes, I have yet to blog months 8, 9, or 10! As well as several milestones for your brothers as well!  I am getting there...}

You have also increased in length and are now 26" long and your head circumference is 17".  Yay for growth!

You are such a petite little thing and wear an array of sizes, though mostly 6-12mo and 9-12mo.  You do have a few 3-6mo dresses that you still wear though!



You are becoming more mobile and though you have not mastered the crawl {yours is more of a push with the legs while the face gets a nice carpet burn} you like to go places.  Your preferred method of movement is still rolling...just like your big brothers did.



Can you see all that hair in the above picture...it's getting long!  Much more hair than Lynden had at your age, but thankfully you share the same sweet smile.



You still have just two bottom teeth, but your two front teeth are ready to push through.  They haven't caused you much problem though.  And your appetite isn't suffering either.  Your daddy and I played in a benefit kickball tournament a few weekends ago and as I returned from kicking I realized you had gotten hold of a chicken strip and you were chowing down!  You weren't too happy when I took it away.  And just yesterday at WRC, Ms. Lisa watched you for a few minutes while I took care of Lynden and she unknowingly fed you "Goldfish" crackers for the very first time.  She said you LOVED them!  It was hilarious. So now I guess I can add that your list of foods you like. :)



You are still nursing 3-4 times a day and eating baby food.  Bananas are your favorite and I have given you real bananas and real water melon.  You also like to snack on Cheerios.

Most people comment on your pretty smile, your LOOOOONG lashes, and your twisty tongue!  You can roll that thing so many times it's unreal.  Maybe you can use that as a talent in a beauty pageant some day!  ha



You are so very sweet and loving.  It's so hard to believe you're already eleven months old. Your daddy and I are so thankful you're healthy and growing, but we would love for life to slow down just a bit.  It's all going too fast.  Raegen is out of school for the summer and we're making the most of our summer days...lots of pool time, zoo time, and library story time!



You are my precious pearl.



Where is Lynden? Where is Lynden?

Where is Lynden?

Where is Lynden?

I'm right here.

I'm right here.

 
Why is he in here?

I was sleeping?

 
Please help me.

Please help me!

Ellison Lee - Seven Months

Oh, my dear, Ella Lee...you are now seven months old!  It seems like just last week I was at the hospital in labor!  I don't know how time has gone so quickly, but I am so thankful you are healthy and happy.  We are constantly receiving comments on what a happy baby you are...always smiling!!!  Those in the church nursery comment the most, namely Ms. Holly! :)

You have had a busy month!

You traveled to visit family for Christmas...

Rang in the New Year with mommy, daddy, and the 31-40 Sunday School class!!

On Jan. 3rd, Ms. Hannah and Ms. Kim treated your brothers to Chuck E. Cheese while I took you to your six month well child check-up...

{it was so strange to only have ONE child!}

{books are handed out starting at 6mo, so you received your first book!!!}

On Jan. 10th you had your first experience with rice cereal...

On Jan. 20th you welcomed your newest cousin into the world...

And on the 24th you had your first solid...carrots!

Just this past week {1/26} you cheered on the amazing Colt at your first basketball game!

And just today, on your seven month birthday, we went back to story time!  This was your second trip and my first to take you and Lynden by myself!

Ms. Ann had missed us!  I was nervous that Lynden would run around the room while my hands were holding you, but he was perfect.  He loved every second {and of course playing with the toys afterwards}, so we'll definitely go back next week!

You now weigh 16lb 12oz

{.6oz less than your home weight last month and 1.5oz more than your dr visit weight last month...so, obviously you've hit a plateau!!}

Your length is 24.5" {dr had you at 25.75" last month, but I don't think that's accurate} and head circumference is now 16 3/8".  You have a small head, but Dr. B said that's perfectly fine...I have a very small head too and I turned out okay.  {I think...}

You have continued to sleep and nap in your own crib...no more bassinet!!!  You take 2-3 naps a day and sleep 9pm-7am.  You eat 5-6 times a day and have enjoyed trying carrots, sweet potatoes, and apple sauce!  I've given you a cup of water, but you have yet to master holding it.

You are certainly going to be a tough girl.  Lynden tries to share everything with you and "gentle" is not in his vocabulary.  He will try to put a toy in your hand, but if you don't take it, he'll just drop it on you!  And, when you're napping he often grabs his blanket and pillow and crawls in the crib with you!!!  You wake up crying and then you both end up giggling.  It's the sweetest thing.

Most people think you and Lynden favor, but a few think you and Raegen.  The majority also say you have my eyes and your daddy's smile...and dimples!!!  I now know where people get nicknames...every time you smile I want to call you Dimple!!! :)

Another month older, another month sweeter.  What a joy you are, sweet Ella Lee.

Ellison Lee - 6 months

Ellison Lee, you are six months old!  You are growing so fast...already sitting independently too!

You are now 16lb 12.6 oz and 24.25" long.  Your head circumference is 16.25".

{your stats from the pediatrician on 1/3/12 were 16lb 10.5oz, 25.75", 16.25"....length is so hard to get accurate, but I feel confident you are somewhere between 24.25" and 25.75" hahaha}

You LOVE to SMILE!!

You give them freely to everyone that shows you the slightest attention.

You also love to twist your tongue.  It's just the cutest thing...and instead of blowing raspberries, you smack your lips!  Adorable!!!

You are wearing size 6-12mo clothing and size 2 diapers. 

You just light up when your brothers enter in the room...and of course, your daddy!

You received your first doll...a precious doll/snuggie/rattle from your fave sitter, Ms.Hannah.  Yes, she spoils you too. :)

You are feeding 5-7 times a day and sleeping through the night. You slept in your crib for the first time the evening of Dec. 19th. You only woke at 11pm and 7am to feed. You're just too easy.

Your first six months have flown by.  What a blessing you are to us.

Ellison Lee - 5 months

Ellison Lee, you are five months old today!! My, oh my, how the time has flown by! You receive the same comment over and over..."she is such a happy baby"...well, you are and it shows!

You certainly have your moments where you fuss, but generally you're just happy. So easy. We are slowly getting a routine around here. You now go to sleep {still in the bassinet beside our bed!} around 9PM and wake around 7:30AM. {and on that note, you have taken a nap or two in your crib!}  However, the past three nights have been brutal!! Your father asked me this morning if maybe you were teething. Well, why didn't I think of that?! I think he's right. Lynden always slept well, unless he was teething. I was hoping you would make it to 10months like Raegen, before you started teething, but at least you didn't have two at four months like Lynden!! I ended up putting you in bed with me last night and you zonked out. How is that possible? You're not happy in your bassinet, right next to my bed, but move you two feet and sleep beside me and you're out cold. At least it worked...I could be walking the house to keep you happy!

I think you are just too cute and just want to eat you up!!! Oh, stop the cuteness. {but not really...I really do like it} You take several naps throughout the day. You stay awake for 1-1.5 hours then nap for about two hours, eat, and repeat. You are still exclusively nursing and probably will through nine months or so. Your Pawpaw Stain has been visiting often and the poor man gets used and abused while here. He barely makes it through the door and your daddy and I are putting three kiddos in his lap and we're out the door to a movie!! haha It's a good thing you're easy to please because he has his hands full with Lynden!

It's hard to see how much you're growing until I see you in pictures. You're really growing into your outfit from Ms. Heather, above. You wear an array of sizes...a few 0-3mo, but mostly 3-6mo, 6mo, and some 6-9mo. I noticed the other day that you have a "double-cankle" on your left ankle. It's adorable. You just have so much cuteness to squeeze in your little body!

You rolled over from your back to your belly the day before cousin Ashlyn's birthday. Uncle Mike and Aunt April were here to hear me squeal with delight. You haven't done it again since. ha

The past month you celebrated with family and friends at cousin Ashlyn's birthday party, wished a host of others happy birthday...Izzy, Daddy, Honey, Nana, cousin O, and Aunt Jenn. You experienced the play place with your cousins {Benton, Brody, Ashlyn} and Lynden. And "gobbled 'til you wobbled" at the Richardson and Bader-Stain Thanksgiving's.

You are such a good little model for me and don't seem to mind when I play dress up and take hundreds of pictures.  Though it is evident you were getting tired!

Thankfully you don't mind when Lynden tries to get your bow or just gets in your face because he's curious. You just grin.

You have gained 13oz in the past month and now weigh 15lb 13.2oz. You are 23.5" long and have a head circumference of 16". I just love all your rolls and you seem to enjoy them as well.

Of course it's your precious face that just melts my heart. Oh, how sweet you are...

Ellison Lee - Four months

Ellison Lee, you are now four months old. You weigh 15lb 1oz, are 23 3/8" long, and have a head circumference of 15 7/8".

You have a smile for everyone you meet and those big blue eyes just sparkle. You no longer feed at night, but are still in the bassinet next to my bed. Some nights you sleep through and never budge, and other nights I get up a few times to find your paci for you and push the button to make your bed vibrate. You go right back to sleep.

You wear quite an array of clothing sizes...3-6mo, 6mo, 6-9mo...all depending on brand. I'm still enjoying dressing you up and sticking a matching bow on your head! :) You're just too precious. We STILL don't have a set schedule, but you generally feed at 7:30ish, are awake for an hour or so, and then down to nap for about two hours. Then repeat. You feed 5-7 times a day and are usually in bed around 9:30ish.

This month you met a new friend, Izzy, visited the Pumpkin Patch, went on a road trip in search of fall foilage, attended a few baby showers, made your first trip to the Arkansas State Fair!, helped celebrate cousin Izzy's birthday, and were the cutest little cupcake at the church fall festival!

You are so very talkative in the evenings...generally after your brother's have gone to bed! And when you are lying on your back you almost always have your feet pulled up to your hands. It is so adorable. You are so beautiful and we are so blessed.