13 Months Old Today!

This little sweat pea turned 13 months old today.  We just think that she is the cutest thing around!  Ella is fully walking and loving this new phase of life.  In fact, when she gets excited or tries to escape from one of us, she actually tries to run and usually ends up on the ground within a matter of a few steps, but it sure is fun to watch her try.  She is growing up so much.  This past month she has really gotten interested in her surroundings and points at everything.  We now talk about everything around the house--especially pictures of siblings.  She also loves to sit down and have books read to her.  She points to something on every page which is so cute.  Ella loves waving to everyone when it's time to say 'hi' or 'bye' and still claps a lot.  Her favorite game to play right now is to bring us toy after toy after toy (or book after book after book) when we sit down on the floor with her.  We also have noticed that Ella has a very generous side as she loves to share her food or pacifier with us.  For example, if I am bent over her high chair cutting up some food on her tray, she will pick up a little piece and try to put it in my mouth.  If I am holding Ella in her rocking chair in her room, she will often times take out her pacifier and try to put it in my mouth.  Such a funny girl!  She loves playing peak-a-boo, saying "Uh Oh," and cuddling her soft blankets in her crib.  When she is really sad about something, she will sit down on the ground with her head against the floor and just sob.  It really does break your heart!  Ella also has ventured out and played in the backyard several times and on a few different playgrounds, too.  It's going to be a busy summer for me.  Ella is eating table foods 100% at this point and is doing a great job drinking whole milk out of her sippy cup.  She still takes two naps faithfully every day and is doing a great job sleeping at night.  She is down to nursing only twice a day--one when she gets up in the morning and one when she goes to bed at night.  Ella is such a happy, giggly little girl.  We just love her to pieces!