She's Got Moooves

A catchy tune of any sort gives Ella a need to shimmy. Other songs that made her "dance" today: "Rag Mop" by Lionel Hampton, "Be-Bop-A-Re-Bop Rhubarb Pie" from Prairie Home Companion, and a goofy song Jon made up while he was reading to her. Silly little Girl. 

A Little Behind

My lack of posting shouldn't be confused with nothing noteworthy going on. I could write forever about Ella and how much she has changed. As part of my new job description as a stay at home mom, I would like to post at least once a week. Hold me to that; feel free to leave nasty comments if I fall behind.

A couple contributing factors, (although not good excuses):
1. losing/someone stealing our camera
2. our computer crashing (files recovered for minimal cost, and now we (and by we, I mean Jon) are slowly copying things off the external hard drive, and putting them back on our computer.  This does not yet include photos. It does, however, have the instruction manual for Jon and (brother-in-law) Dave's new (to them) motobacane moped. Priorities. . .

Once I find the pictures, I'll be sure to give an Ella update.

Starting Solids

We were going to wait till Ella was 6 months to start solid foods, but she made it obvious she was ready to start eating. (No, she didn't really eat the carrot or the quesadilla off Oma's plate.) She'd practically drool over bites of food Jon carried passed her. I knew I was ready when she started to get super fussy between sides, and started having shorter spans of sleep at night. Because she is so active, I thought to myself this kid needs more food. . now! So, we started 10 days early.

She has been a great eater all along, and solids are no different. She's had, and enjoyed: rice cereal, peas, sweet potato, bananas (the only one that she seemed between not liking and indifferent on - I thought bananas would be a gimme), pears, zucchini, and oat cereal. The only thing I haven't made from scratch are the cereals. I've decided avocados need to be next because I love them. She can't eat even half an avocado, and they don't last so, I would have to eat the rest - why didn't I start this delicious food sooner? Pears are lick-my-daughter's-face-clean good, and sweet potatoes are better than the all doctored up Thanksgiving staple. It takes a lot more time, planning, and packing for travels than just nursing, but so far has been fun.

If Ella Could Blog. . .

I'm pretty sure she would say, "My dad is amazing!"

This guy loves his daughter. He is present in every part of her life - even during the 1 or 2 feedings she still has at night. He changes diapers and feeds her. He takes her for runs and walks. He can make her light up and laugh. Ella is blessed to have a daddy like Jon. And I am blessed to see a relationship like this grow. Jon being the father he is makes it easy to be a better mom. I love you both!

This One's For You, Tine

I heart Ella.

If I were one to put silly captions on a picture, this one would have one. Maybe something about farting or forgetting her wallet.

Just one of the ways Jon and Ella hang out. (Can you see her feet?)

This girl loves books and her grandma. She now may spend more time tasting than looking (at both books and Grandma.) The Very Hungary Caterpillar has some very soggy corners.

Three Months

Thoughts from a mother at three (and a half) months:

1. I think this little creature is beautiful. I know I am biased. Part of me wonders whether she is "breathtaking" like the baby in Seinfeld, and that I just can't see past my love for her. But I'm pretty sure she's not and that she really is the most gorgeous baby in the world. (Yes. . . in the world.)

2. This is a really fun age. I hate that I have to spend so much of it at work. I have never been so eager to get home, or so excited when she wakes up from a nap. Saturday and Sunday are a gift to look forward to each week.

3. Before we had Ella, many people said, "oh, how your lives will change forever." And I knew everything would be different, but no one mentioned how exhausting and difficult the first month and some could be. I felt as though I was in a fog that miraculously lifted sometime during her 7th week of life. Around that time, she started going to bed at a reasonable time (9:00-ish) and sleeping later in the morning (also 9:00-ish). She still wakes up to eat a couple times during that stretch, but we have been blessed with a quick eater, that goes back to sleep reliably. (Since her first week - maybe second - she has always been back asleep at most 40 minutes after she woke up; now more like 25-30) It is much easier getting out of bed at night when I know I'll be back in it soon.

4. (Feel free to skip this one if you don't want details of bowel movements.) I have never been so interested in poop until I started changing diapers. What color was it? What was the consistency? Did it smell sweet? (Nothing I'd want to eat, but seriously - sometimes it smells sweet.) How many times? I count myself lucky that she only goes once a day at the most, sometimes several days between dirty diapers. I can afford to note each one because they are rare. (I've read, and been told by my doctor that this is normal for breast-fed babied.) I am not going to rush on the solid food in part because I am not looking forward to the stinky poop.

5. Ella and I have had some really long conversations. There is nothing better than coming home to a baby that lights up when she sees me, smiles at the ridiculous faces I make, and talks to me non-stop for 30 minutes. She thinks I'm the bees knees, and I am going to enjoy this while it lasts.

6. Ella giggles on occasion, and I smile so much it makes my face hurt.

7. Ella drools. . .a lot. She has started buzzing her lips while pushing the spit out (are these called raspberries?) It appears to be fun because she can't seem to get enough.

8. Watching Jon with Ella warms my heart. He has an evening ritual of waltzing with her to Tchaikovsky's Sleeping Beauty. (I tried to add a little video of it, but it won't load.) She loves it. Even if she is upset, she can't help but laugh while trying to stick her bottom lip out. It is an added perk when she falls asleep by the end of it.

9. I love, love, love this girl.