11 Months

I can't believe it's been almost a year... but, Ellie is definitely showing signs of being more like a toddler and less like a baby every day.

This past month Eleanor has concentrated most of her growth toward walking, but the last few weeks have presented a huge milestone in her language development. She's babbling away almost incessantly these days. She's also responding to our questions and adding her "opinion" to our conversations. Of course, we have no idea what she's telling us, but she's usually very serious about it. :) She does have a few real words, though:

"dada" - Daddy
"buh buh" - bye-bye
"ba!" - boo (shouted -- as in "peek-a-boo")
and the occassional "bup" - up

She also plays several "games": Peek a Boo, So Big, Patty Cake, chase

Perhaps the most interesting piece of her latest development (at least in my opinion) is her use of objects as tools. She pulls the magazine that has the cup on it that she wants toward her. She uses a long wooden spoon to scoot her sippy cup from out of reach into reach on the counter. She pokes a spoon handle into a toilet paper tube to shove newspaper out of it (this was totally the best use of a tp tube - it kept her entertained for hours - just shove a crumpled up piece of paper into the tube and watch the wheels in her head turn).

Ellie has also learned how to put objects into bowls, drawers, baskets, etc. We often find strange objects in "her" cupboards in the kitchen. We also find strange things in our shoes. :) I love this stage of her learning because I can put her in her highchair, give her a handful of Joe's Os and a tupperware and she will have a great time putting all the Os into the bowl and then taking them all out over and over again. It makes doing dishes a lot easier!

If I had to give one idea or picture to best describe Eleanor this last month it would be her in someone's arms with her arm out, pointing at all the things she sees or "asking" for things out of reach. She definitely "wants" and shows it! She is also totally noticing/observing much more of the world than she was previously. It is fun to watch her discover dirt, grass, leaves, trees, birds, rocks, deer, elk, bison, people, pictures on the walls, etc.

Along with all these fun developments, however, come temper tantrums. She understands the concept of "no" now and doesn't like it one bit. Several times a day we have crying meltdowns where she will sit down and fold her torso down to the ground, screaming. I'm hoping this will get easier soon - it's already better than when it first began.

Catching Up

For some reason, Eleanor really likes to use avocado as hair gel... silly girl!

Throughout the day today I'm planning on catching y'all up on our week. Hopefully this will really happen in a timely fashion... but here's what we've been doing:

Mommy's Little Helper

Out With Some Girls

Date Night

What Fun! Friends!

Speed Walker

A Little Outing

I didn't take my camera, so I don't have any pictures for y'all, but I was able to leave Ellie with Seth for the morning and head out to hang out with some fellow MOPS moms. I thought I should document the outing because our blog is so often just about Eleanor. :) We gathered in the morning for coffee and chit chat and then headed off to a shopping event. It was really nice to have a morning free and a chance to focus on things other than keeping a busy-body out of trouble. MOPS has been really important for me in adjusting to life as a stay-at-home-mom as well as adjusting to life in a new town. Thanks girls!

Date Night Out

Thank you, thank you, to Amanda, Kayli and Joel for hanging at our place Friday night and watching Eleanor! This meant Seth and I actually went out on a date! Amazing. I honestly don't remember the last time he and I did anything together without Ellie other than watch a movie after she goes to bed. It was really wonderful to get a bit dressed up, go eat fabulous food together and talk. It was nice to have a chance to talk about things we haven't approached for a long time and get to know one another again in this new space in life. And, you can't go wrong with a shared piece of peanut butter pie and ice cream!

Thank you, Seth, for an enjoyable evening. I love you a lot - you are a wonderful husband and friend.

Mommy's Little Helper

The most interesting part of Eleanor's sweeping adventure was that she only "swept" on the hard floors. She carried the broom across the living room without having it touch the floor and without stopping, but she "swept" in the dining room and by the front door.

I'm glad she seems to be an observant little bugger, but this makes me a little bit nervous about what else she might be picking up of which I'm not aware...

What Fun! Friends!

Eleanor's friends, Adeline and Christian, came over to play. All three had a great time - Ellie trying to keep up with the "big kids," Christian playing the piano and Adeline coloring and building a fort/house with me between the couch and chair in our living room. Once our house was built, Eleanor and Christian had a great time playing peek-a-boo in it while Adeline curled up with a pillow and blanket and "went to bed."

Piggy Tail Day!

Happy April everyone!