10 Months and Counting!

Ellie turns 10 months old today!

I say this every month, but I really can't believe it.  Everyone warns you that it goes by so quickly, but you can't really imagine it until it's happening.  There are only 2 months left until her birthday.  I'm starting to plan the party and everything.  It's just unbelievable.

Snuggly Bunny towel that Grampy bought me in Maine!

We're not sure about her measurements right now.  She was at the doctor for her 9 month check-up in the middle of October and she weighed 17 lbs. 3 oz. and was 27 inches tall.  She goes back on the 15th of November for the other half of her flu shot, so they might weigh her again then.  She waves bye-bye now and seems like she's working on trying to stay it, too.  And she shakes her head 'no' when she doesn't want to eat whatever you're trying to feed her.  AND she claps her hands, which is the cutest thing ever.  Except she doesn't know what it means.  She'll be laying on the changing table screaming for some reason, but still clapping her hands.  At least it makes the screaming a little more adorable!  She's crawling around like a speed demon and is into absolutely everything.

Um, mama, can you put down the camera and help me get un-stuck?!

It's great developmentally, but it sure does make life more difficult!  I can't go anywhere without her following, but I can't take my eyes off of her for one second to do anything.  So our morning routine is basically me trying to get ready while chasing her at the same time.

You can't find me!

By the time I get myself ready and her ready and both of us out the door and do our respective destinations, I'm exhausted and need a nap!  But again, all of this is par for the course that everyone warned me about.  So I don't know why I'm surprised, but I am.  This past month has been full of fun firsts.  Take a look...

Ellie started eating cereal puffs and yogurt melts this month!

Mmmm tasty!  I think I'll save this one on my face for later!

It sounds like a small thing, but I'm pretty excited about it.  I can now put her in the high chair and pour some puffs on the tray and have at least 3 minutes to myself where I don't have to chase her around the house.  It's glorious.  It is amazing how much I can accomplish in those 3 minutes!  Next stop: cheerios!  But we're not quite there yet.  She needs to get a little better with the puffs before I trust her with something more dense.

Oh, and we have a tooth!  It's still only about half-way up, but at least it is through the gum.  And with just the one, it's not too painful for me just yet.  I'm starting to think she's working on the second one though, with all the drooling she's been doing.  And no, I couldn't get a picture of it because she just wanted to stick her tongue out at me and then turn her head.

Another big milestone was our first FAMILY trip to camp!  Their Fall Festival was a few weekends ago and we spent most of the day there.  Ellie had a great time!  I have a ton of pictures and need to do a whole post dedicated to it, but here are a few highlights...

Soft bunny!!

I am SO EXCITED to be here!!!

Ellie also went trick or treating for the first time!  And the second time!  First, we went to the local state park to their Halloween in the Park event.  It was really family oriented and fun.  They rent out the camp sites and the campers decorate for Halloween and then the public is invited to come trick-or-treating through the park.  There's fun vendors and demonstrations and even a hay ride!  My parents and my sister came down and we all went together.  It was cold, but I think we still all managed to have a good time...

Grandma, Pappy, & Auntie came trick-or-treating with me!

*meow!*

The next day, we got a surprise call from Ellie's Great Grandparents (my mom's parents) saying that they were just down the road at a woodcarver's show and thought they might pop in for a visit!  So they stopped by and we had a good time visiting...

I'm the only one who noticed the camera was out!

It's hereditary!

Thanks for visiting!!

Then the following Tuesday, our church hosted a Trunk or Treat for the very first time.  We couldn't get there until close to the end, but it was still fun to go and see how people had decorated!  And they were kind enough to give lots of candy, knowing that Mommy and Daddy were the ones who were going to be eating it...

Watching the magician at Trunk or Treat, who is actually a family friend who performed at Mommy's sixth birthday party!

A few days later, Ellie celebrated her first actual Halloween, although we stayed in that night to welcome any potential trick-or-treaters in our neighborhood.  There weren't any, but at least now we know what to expect in the future!

And that was our month!  November is shaping up to be pretty eventful to with holidays and birthdays coming out of our ears.  I've also been working on a project in the nursery that I hope to show you someday, whenever I get a free moment to finish it!  HA!

Also, I wanted to let you all know that my church is doing a Yankee Candle Fundraiser to help raise funds for some building repairs that are become more and more urgent.  For one, we need a new roof that is going to cost well over $70,000 because of the unique design of our building.  So, head over here and see what Yankee has to offer.  These are really high quality candles - not junky stuff that loses its scent after you burn it a few times.  Online orders are due by November 12 and they will ship directly to you and should arrive in time for Christmas.  We keep 40% of the sales, so your purchase will do a lot to help us repair our building!  Thanks!