Check out Ella's awesome new hair-do!

Ella's 9-month check-up and wicked Karma....

Friday morning, Ella had her 9-month check-up at the pediatrician. We have such a great pediatrician, and she said Ella was just "perfect" (as if we didn't know). She weighed 21lbs 9oz and was 28.5in long. That is the 90th percentile and 85th percentile, respectively. So, she is still a big girl. Oh well, big is beautiful. We talked to the pediatrician about her eating habits and told her about Ella's refusal to eat veggies. She suggested sneaking some veggies in with meat....something I'm not crazy about. Chuck is insistent that Ella be an omnivore, but I hate the thought. But, I think he will win and we'll give Ella some chicken or something soon. We also told the pediatrician that Ella is doing very well at eating "solid" things like cheerios and chunks of fruit. I believe I said, "She hasn't choked on anything at all." This is where the wicked Karma kicks in...

Saturday evening, Chuck, Ella, and I went to a get-together at Chuck's friend Becki's house. There were several of Chuck's teacher friends there with a couple of kiddos and Becki's new baby. We were having fun, chatting and snacking on the fruit tray. I gave Ella some small chunks of honeydew, as I have done before, and she ate it right up. Then, every mother's worst nightmare came true - Ella choked. There she was, first coughing, then silent and struggling to breathe. I yelled, "She's choking, she's choking!!!" Well, after waiting about 1/2 a second for Chuck to do something (he was holding her), I snatched her up and my super mommy instincts kicked in. I started doing what I remembered from reading something about helping a choking baby. I grabbed Ella and held her face up with her body and head angled down. I then started beating on her chest to try to force the piece of fruit out. I remember yelling, "She's turning blue!" And someone else started yelling for someone there who happened to be knowledgeable about EMS stuff. After what seemed like forever (probably 5-10 seconds), she started coughing. HALLELUJAH!! I knew if she was coughing, she was breathing. I raised her up and checked her out to make sure she was okay. Everything was fine and she wasn't even upset or crying. I think that was probably the scariest 30 seconds of my life! The EMS guy finally came into the house and checked Ella out - of course she was fine.

I just want to insist that everyone who has a baby or child or knows anyone with a baby or child NEEDS to know how to help them if they are choking. Thank goodness my super mommy instincts kicked in and I remembered a little about what to do. Just take a minute and read this webpage about helping a choking baby. It may save someone's life.

MAMA!!!

Out of sheer frustration, Ella finally said "Mama!" She was on the floor, whining because she backed herself in the corner again, and I just sat and watched. No, I'm not a cruel Mommy, but I do want this child to be mobile, so I wanted her to figure out the forward motion on her own. So she whined and whined, then finally she said, "MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!! Mmmama!" She loves me!

Ella walked! Ok, so it was like 5 steps and she hung on to me for dear life, but she put one foot in front of the other and walked all by herself! This girl will never crawl...she is going to just get up and run off one of these days.

Ella's most favorite thing to do in the whole world is to ROCK OUT playing her drum!

Gratuitous cuteness...

Quick! Get the vicious Doberman away from the baby!!!

Oh, No! Now the cat has her!


Watch out! The cat is taking her breath away as she sleeps!!

Ella got her fourth tooth on June 1! So, now she has her top two and her bottom two teeth - now that makes for a cute smile! She also has a new way to smile. Instead of opening her mouth wide and smiling, she just kind of turns in her lips and grins really big - very cute. Her tongue sticks out quite a bit - especially when she is concentrating, and her bottom lip is often tucked in when she is content or playing.

Ella and Chuck seem to be hitting it off this summer because they spend so much time together while I go to class. The house is usually a wreck when I come home because it is nearly impossible for Chuck (or any man, I assume) to multi-task while watching a baby. But, Ella is always happy, well-fed, and has a dry diaper. I guess I can't ask for much more.

Ella loves to give kisses. Let me tell you, she gives the sweetest, slopiest, most violent, ear-ring removing kisses you've ever experienced! She grab your face (and sometimes ears) as hard as she can and pulls you vigorously toward her wide-open mouth. She then either slobbers all over your face or slobbers all over your face while also biting you. Both types of kisses are very sweet, but I prefer the non-biting version.

We have had an extremely eventful weekend! First, our power went out on Thursday night around 8:00pm. Katy, Ella, and I arrived back at our house to find the neighbor's tree laying in our yard with our power, phone, and cable lines beneath it. I was upset that we didn't have power, but relieved because Chuck assured me that we still had hot water for showers/bottles thanks to our trusty gas-powered water-heater.

Friday, still no power. Luckily, Chuck called the electrician and things were under way to get us hooked back up. Nana, Mamaw, Ella, and I had plans to go to the zoo, so we went. No use sitting around all day just because there is no power. Chuck stayed home to supervise the situation and wait for the electrician.

After the zoo, Ella went home with Nana, Chuck went out with the boys, and I went out with the girls (and Travis). We all had a great time.

Saturday, still no power. We were all set to have LG&E to come hook us up, but we were lucky enough to be one of the last 100 customers to get power back after the storm. So, since we had nothing else to do, we went to our friend Chris's house and began what is going to be a HUGE renovation project. Hey, at least we were in the A/C!

Saturday night around 11pm, LG&E finally came and hooked us up! Woo!! The poor dogs were sweltering in the house all day and night, and Chuck and I weren't much better. Unfortunately, we had to throw out all of our food in the fridge and freezer.

Sunday morning, I had to clean. We hadn't been able to clean since Thursday because it was so hot in the house during the day and so dark at night. The house really was a mess. Chuck went to Chris's house again. I cleaned as quickly as possible, then got ready and went to Nana's to pick up my baby girl! I hadn't seen her for 2 days and I missed her! I spent the rest of the day at Ella's Nana and Papaw's.

Monday, Chuck, Ella, and I went swimming with Aunt Katy and Uncle Adam. Ella wasn't sure what to think of the cold water at first, but then she decided it was pretty awesome. We had a great time.

I hope we don't have a weekend quite so eventful in a long time...

Ella is getting really great at standing. I don't know if she will ever crawl, but standing is something she likes. She also likes jumping. Her Nana got her a jumpy-thing (technical term) and after a few minutes of confusion, she figured out what to do to have some serious fun.

Ella thinks everything is funny. Last night, Chuck rubbed his beard on her face - something she never liked before - and she cracked up! She thought it was the funniest thing she had ever experienced. I just don't understand that girl. She is just plain silly.

In other news, my last day at my current job is next Wednesday. I am both excited and reluctant to leave. To be honest, I've never really been stimulated by my current job - by any job really - so I will not miss my position in that respect. However, I will greatly miss all of the wonderful people I have met in the past three years. These people will move from the "coworker" category of my life to the "friend" category, which I think this is an apt change. If any of those people are reading this: thanks for everything - you are all great!

My last day of work also means the last day of babysitting for the summer for Ella's friend Tracy. In some ways, I'm sure the break from Ms. Ella will be welcome. However, in some ways, I know the break will be hard. You see, Ella girl is about the best thing that has happened to many of us in awhile. She makes you smile no matter how you feel, and she always has enough love to go around. She is addictive. Once you know and love her, it isn't an easy task to spend even a few days away from her. I hope Ella's friend Tracy knows that this isn't the last she will see of Ms. Ella!

Ella finally got her 3rd tooth yesterday! It is her top, middle, left tooth. Yeah!

Also, over on Natalie's blog, you can see a picture of three cute babies with their cute mommies.

Well, again it has been over a week since my last update. Seriously, I am too busy for my own good. Luckily, classes are over for the semester and I have a couple of more weeks before I begin my summer classes. I also got the best news last Tuesday afternoon - I will be teaching next year at Presentation Academy! I cannot tell you how excited I am about this job! I have waited for two long years to begin teaching and now it is only a few months away. I am still working on my MAT and I plan to begin my MA in English this fall or spring. I guess I am just a glutton for punishment - or a workaholic...

As for Ms. Ella, she is wonderful (of course)! She hates any food that is green - green beans, peas, asparagus, and avacado have all been tried and summarily rejected. On the other hand, she loves carrots, sweet potatoes, prunes, yogurt, and any fruit - even lemon! She still has just two teeth, and I have no idea when she will get more. Her new favorite activities are standing with support, giving kisses and hugs (too sweet!), touching her plastic easter eggs to anything else, and hanging upside-down. She is one silly little girl. She knows her name, but we hardly ever use it. Mostly, I call her Little Sweetie, The Girl, and Silly.

Ella is getting more fun every day! She is so silly, and she always brightens my day with her shy little smile. Her personality is really beginning to emerge. She loves to flirt with all of the boys. She has her Daddy and Papaw right where she wants them when she flashes them her sweet grin and then coyly looks away. She loves to play and bounce and talk. She is also learning how to bring her knees up when she is on her tummy - crawling isn't too far away for this girl! I can't wait to see will do in the next few months!

(Thanks for the great collage Nana!)

I am sorry it has been over a week since the last update. Hey - Mommies get busy! My classes for the semester came to an end and I had an extremely involved research paper to write. Thankfully, I'm finished and can relax until my summer classes begin in June.

Ella is as wonderful as ever. She still has just two teef, but numbers 3 and 4 are going to pop through very soon. Teething has made her a little cranky, but Cleo was kind enough to cure her grumpiness last night. I'll tell you, that girl baffles us daily. Last night she thought Cleo was hilarious! Chuck would take her little hands and rub them on Cleo's fur and she laughed and laughed. Then, Cleo got up and walked around - that must have been the funniest thing Ella had ever seen! I'll admit, Cleo is pretty funny-looking, but this girl was in stitches over her last night!

Last weekend, Ella had a photo-shoot at Nana and Papaw's house. She took some risque pictures with a beer can that we will use to thoroughly embarrass her when she graduates from high school. The rest of the pictures are adorable. I'm not sure how this girl could get any prettier, but I think it will happen. Luckily, her great-uncle Jim volunteered to come help Chuck fend off the boys when Ella turns 16.

Favorite food: Bananas
Least Favorite food: Green Beans
New likes: tofu, carrots, peaches
New dislikes: green beans, peas

Ella had a big day today!

Ella took her first trip to the Zoo today! Unfortunately, Daddy forgot the camera, so we have no record of the occurance. I guess next time will be Ella's second "first" visit for posterity's sake.

Ella also said her first word...."Da Da Da." I just want to let it be known that I really don't think she knows what "Da Da Da" means, so I don't think it should count in the Daddy hall of fame that she said "Da Da" before "Ma Ma." Besides, the pediatrician said that "Da Da" is easier to say than "Ma Ma." Plus, Chuck spent all last week saying "Da Da Da Da" over and over to her.

Fianlly, Ella is spending her first night away from home tonight. I thought I would be a wreck, but I'm actually having a good time so far. We went out for sushi then went to a friend's house to play a little poker. I know Ella is in good hands with her Nana tonight, so that sets my mind at ease. Now, if I can just make it through the night without her...

Food likes: Apples, Bananas, Pears, Acorn Squash, Sweet Potatoes, Apple slices, teething cookies
Food dislikes: Butternut Squash, Green Beans

Ella actually threw a tantrum the other night when I pulled her cookie out of her mouth! She screamed, cried, got all red, and just plain threw a fit. Don't mess with the girl's cookie!!!

Ella went to visit Nana and Papaw today! She had tons of fun playing with everyone. She thinks she is so cool with her sunglasses on.

Ella had her first injury on Friday. She was outside playing with Daddy and when they were going up the steps to get back into the house, Daddy tripped and fell. Luckily, Chuck received the brunt of the fall on his forehead, and Ella just got a small bruise from bumping her head against Chuck's. She cried for a little while, but is all better now.

Ella also tried a couple of new foods this weekend. We found that she really likes bananas and apples, but she hates butternut squash and green beans are iffy. So, I just threw out all of the butternut squash. She acted like she might die because it tasted so gross to her. It was quite funny, but I didn't want to torture her for my own amusement. She is now eating food two times a day along with her regular bottles.

Ella went to see the Easter bunny on Friday evening! She wasn't very impressed, but at least we got a cute picture.