11-3-11-9 - Sharing!

This week, Ellie learned about sharing... I guess it was a continuation from last week's Halloween experience when we shared her candy with our neighbors! My mom introduced us to a sharing game last Saturday while my parents were visiting. We were in the car and were playing with a little rubber duck. My mom said "Can Nana have the duck?" and she held her hand out. Then, Ellie surprisingly gave the duck to my mom. Then I said "Can Mommy have the duck?", and my mom passed it to me. Then I said "Does Ellie want the duck?" and Ellie took the duck from me. We played this for several rounds, and then we decided to switch the order...so the duck went from Ellie to me to my mom - and Ellie caught on perfectly! We were amazed! 

Throughout the week, we continued sharing lots of toys...and Ellie even decided to share her cheerios with Clara! Just this morning, she popped a cheerio into daddy's mouth during breakfast :) This game has worked when Ellie has had something in her hands that I don't want her to play with...I say "Can Mommy have the ___________?" and she hands it to me - every time! Wow! 

As for walking... the main thing Ellie wanted to do this week was practice walking while holding on with only one hand. She also practiced standing up without holding onto anything - in fact, while I was at the park with her this past Monday, she surprised me and my friend by pulling herself up from the blanket into a standing position - ALL BY HERSELF... as soon as she realized she was standing, she collapsed, and she hasn't done that since... but we believe she will be walking soon!

My favorite moment of the week - I gave Ellie the remote control that turns on the light in our room. She doesn't like me to guide her fingers, but she watches what I do - so I showed her what button to hit that would allow for the light to come on - and sure enough, in two tries, she could do it all by herself!

 Another favorite - she is starting to come to me when I motion to her with my hands...

Ellie tried new foods this week - chunky peaches and pears! She can pick them up all by herself and this definitely helps us get through dinner! 

One thing that continues to amaze me and make me happy - something I've noticed about Ellie since the beginning - is the way she really studies new things - whether it's the environment around her or a toy in her hand, she really takes it all in. 

And lastly - another high point of this past week is the hugs that Ellie has been giving to me and daddy. She's been cuddling with us more and more. Just yesterday we sat on the sofa and watched Baby Einstein Newton - it's all about shapes. Ellie really seemed to enjoyed it - this was our first time watching it. After a little while, she fell asleep cuddled in my arms - it was the sweetest thing and it felt wonderful! 

The videos:

Ellie playing

Ellie and daddy - peek-a-boo

Ellie and Nana - peek-a-boo

Ellie and mommy - peek-a-boo 

This picture was taken at the doctor's office a few weeks ago during Ellie's 9 month check-up. She had her finger pricked to test for iron. She didn't cry at all, but seemed fascinated by the bandaid. She kept it in her mouth until it was moist enough to fall off! 

Ellie loves playing peek-a-boo with Nana!

She's not quite fond of the piggy-back ride yet, but she definitely loves to crawl around with PopPop!

We had a yummy bite to eat of cheese and fruit at the Tulare Outlets. Ellie enjoyed the napkin very much!

She seems to like our mouths a lot...

Jeremiah has been the best daddy this week - my musical opens next weekend and we have had a lot of rehearsals. Ellie and Jer have had lots of wonderful bonding time together

A typical night in Ellie's bedroom - books pulled from the shelves... and then off to play with something else! 

I adore this skirt - makes her seem all grown up! 

Ellie continues to like having something in her mouth as she plays around the house - this week's preference was this duck! 

Again - she looks all grown-up, this time in overalls! 

Yesterday, Ellie fell asleep in her swing and I covered her with this same blanket that I used to cover her newborn body with. It's the first time I've pulled it out this season as the weather just suddenly turned cool.

There's that duck again!

This picture was taken after Ellie drank lots of water from her sippy cup and then spit it all out - a common practice :) 

The amazing remote control! 

She's very proud of her new-found skill!

Ellie left me a note in my lunch yesterday! 

Daddy helped her trace the letters :) 

The below pictures show Ellie on my favorite blanket at 3 weeks and 9 1/2 months!