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Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Ella Grace {9 months}

{getting this girl to lie down and take a picture was ridiculously hard this month!}

Dear Ella,

I can't believe you are already 9 months old! Time really does go way too fast! The next time we go to the doctor (hopefully), you will be a whole year old! Ahh!! 

Height: 27.75 inches (55 %ile)
Weight: 17 pounds, 1 ounce (31 %ile)
Head circumference: 16.89 inches (24 %ile)

Clothes: You are still pretty much in straight 6 month outfits. Some 3-6 month stuff still fits you, while some 9 month (like Ralph Lauren brand runs small!) stuff is starting to not swallow you! Unfortunately, about 75% of your wardrobe is 6-12 month clothes from Baby Gap, which I've discovered is a brand that runs big....so you've still got some growing to do. We are making it work, though, and I love that you are still my little peanut! You are wearing size 3 diapers, and I have a feeling you will be in this size for a while. 


Nicknames: Elle Belle, Peanut, Shim/Shim Shim/Baby Shim (as opposed to Kathryn's dog, who is Puppy Shim)

Milestones: Well, I thought last month was crazy in regards to hitting milestones...but that was apparently just a warmup for this past month! You are now clapping your hands (especially after a diaper change...it's like you are saying "yay for my clean diaper!"), waving at everyone, and crawling across rooms like it's your job (which, I guess it is?). You can almost stand totally unassisted, and are really good at pulling up on anything (i.e. the toilet, my leg, your activity table....) and holding onto it with just one hand. You haven't said any real words yet, but you are a very vocal lady and lately, your babbling has been sounding more like actual words. We've tried to get you to say "mama" and "dada" but so far you just like to make a "ggggg" sound. You also respond to us when we say your name or tell you "no" (although you don't always follow directions...but as a kindergarten teacher, I am used to that!). 

You do not want sit still for more than a second!! Such an active girl you are!

Sleep: Sleep at this point is touch-and-go. A few weeks ago, you started waking up in the middle of the night and the only way I could get you back to sleep was if I fed you. You finally stopped doing that, and then you got sick and we had the dreaded time change. So now, you are waking up a few times per night. Your pediatrician told us (at your appointment today) to stop going in and feeding you at night (and just let you cry it out)....so we'll see how this goes. Your napping has also been a little inconsistent because of the swim lessons we had this past month (they were right smack in the middle of your morning nap time!). You are not the biggest fan of the morning nap, and sometimes will skip it altogether, but you always take a solid afternoon nap of at least 90 minutes, if not 2+ hours....so thank you for that! 


Best moment: Watching you wave, clap and crawl for the first time. And our trip to the pumpkin patch was so fun! 

Worst moment: Definitely when you were sick this past weekend. I would not wish a sick baby on my worst enemy. Thanks to everyone for your positive thoughts!! 


Likes: SHOPPING (no one should be surprised here), especially at TARGET (again, no surprise) when you are riding on top of the shopping cart, clapping/waving, watching football with Daddy, us blowing on your face, making farting noises, remotes/cell phones/iPads, putting things in your mouth, grabbing people's faces (especially noses), and Puffs (aka baby crack).


Dislikes: Homemade purees, when you can hear me but not see me, taking naps (sometimes), sitting still.

Health: Like I mentioned yesterday, you had an ugly little virus over the weekend that caused your temperature to hit over 103*. Thankfully, you never developed any other major symptoms (other than a slightly red, sore throat), so we are thinking it was just a random virus and not hand, foot and mouth disease. I hope you will stay healthy this winter!!


Eating: We have continued with solid fruits and vegetables this month, but you are starting to get picky (like your mom)! You really only like the store-bought purees, and even some of those gross you out. If it were up to you, I think you would eat straight Puffs...probably a whole container a day. Too bad you can't make the rules yet. We have also started "baby led weaning," where we give you the actual food, instead of purees. You like bananas, but everything else we've tried, you don't really know what to do with! Today, we were given the green light by your pediatrician to give you pretty much anything (except cow's milk and honey), so I am excited to introduce you to yogurt, meat, and my personal favorite...pasta! You are still breastfeeding every 3-4 hours!


Elle Belle, just when I thought you couldn't get any cuter or funnier, you certainly did this past month!! I am never bored around you! Your little personality is shining through more and more each day, and while you are an extremely strong-willed child, I just love your determination and strength! You are a fierce little peanut! At the same time, though, you are still always up for a quick snuggle (key word: quick). You love people, and anytime someone gives you a hint of attention, you turn up the charm and are such a ham! The cashier at Trader Joe's told you last week that you light up the room....I couldn't agree with him more! 

3 comments:

  1. oh what a cute little bit! She's just precious- and those EYES! Beautiful! Happy 9 months!

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  2. Happy 9 months, Ella! She is so adorable and I just love reading your updates! I love that she is a lil peanut!!

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  3. So cute, Ella! Hope the sleep gets better soon!

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