It's Almost Christmas

Ellie is helping preparing Uncle Matt and Aunt Kathy's house for Christmas. Victoria did a great job putting the lights on the tree as Mom was getting the ornaments out. Ellie was tasting a Christmas Bell to check it's quality.

I can hear myself

Ellie is talking all the time with many different sounds. She has found that if she covers her ears she can hear herself talk. It is very funny.

Christmas Parade

Ellie was treated to her first Christmas parade. The parade took place on Main Street, in Huntington Beach. It was only 20 minutes long, but Santa did find time in his busy schedule to make it. Ellie love it. She was so excited, she loved hearing the band and seeing all the people. Our nephew, Andrew was busy trying to get as much candy as he could and went home with his pockets full.

We Made It

After a long day and night, we made it safe to my parents house. Ellie had some time to explore, play with her new toy (Thanks Mom!) and look at the dogs. The pictures are of her first meal in LA and also the first time eating turkey.

First Airplane ride

Ellie did so well on the 11 hour plane ride to LA. We found a kid play area in the lounge in New Zealand while we were waiting to board the plane. Ellie was playing with other kids and enjoy all the different toys. Then we made it on the plane with all our bags and Victoria (SuperMum) set up Ellie’s car seat and pulled out some new toys for Ellie to play with. Ellie stayed awake through dinner then fell asleep for the night. She woke for breakfast then fell asleep again and slept through the landing. No crying at all!

Not Feeling Well

Poor Ellie wasn’t feeling too well before our trip to the states. Victoria felt so sorry for her, but was thrilled that Ellie fell asleep on her. That is something Ellie hasn’t done since she was a newborn.

Round Blocks Taste Better

Ellie will always go for the round blocks as she destroys your block creation. I am not sure why that is. If you use a round block in the middle of your tower, she will grab that one and watch the tower fall. She now knows that the blocks make a loud noise when they fall and usually closes her eyes as they are falling.

Nothing but Fruit

Ellie loves fruit. Apples, grapes, oranges, bananas, peaches, kiwi fruit…she doesn’t discriminate. She would eat only that if we let her. She certainly has a sweet tooth. Kinda like her mummy.

Playing in the yard

Ellie, Mum and I were enjoying the sun last weekend. Not only did we go to the beach, but we had a play in the back yard for the first time. Ellie spent most of her time feeling the different textures of the ground and tasting the different grass, weeds, and flowers.

Can I have a bite?

From eating off other baby’s plates to sampling Mum's apple, Ellie always wants a taste. It was amazing to see Ellie’s little teeth marks in the apple after she took a big bite. Thanks Mum for sharing!

This is Not Reading

I have been reading the book “The Incredible Book Eating Boy” to Ellie lately. I think she has been taking it too literally.

Ready for Swimming

Ellie is showing off her new togs (Bathing suit) with Mums help. We’ve had these for about 6 months now and she can finally fit in them. She loves swimming and splashing in the pool. She attempts to blow bubbles, but ends up swallowing the water.

Coffee Group at the beach

Last Saturday our baby coffee group met at the beach. There were babies and toys everywhere. It’s funny to watch the kids as they all go after each other’s toys and food and have absolutely no interest in their own food. In the second picture, I don’t know what was happening or whose foot is on Ellie’s back but Ellie didn’t seem to mind.

Blocks

Last week, Victoria surprised Ellie and me with a box of blocks. Ellie spent the next 20 minutes slowly taking blocks out of the box, one at a time! If you build anything, Ellie will crawl as fast as possible to your masterpiece just knock it over.

Squares, Table or Toy

We have these 3 white tables next to the couch, that until now have been safe from Ellie’s little hands. Just recently she has found that she can move them and even knock the little one over. Nothing is safe any longer!

At the Beach

Victoria went to Nicola’s baby shower leaving Ellie with me for a few hours in the afternoon. With the pram packed with a nappy bag, beach blanket, camera, raisins, toys, and Ellie (can’t forget her, that would be bad parenting) we left for the beach. It was a warm day and the sun was out, but we were lucky and found a place on the sand that was shaded by a large tree. Ellie didn’t want to stay on the blanket and was very curious about the sand. Victoria asked later that night, why Ellie had sand in her ears!

Yard Work

Ellie and I had some chores to start. Mine consisted of chopping away at the wisteria under our deck and Ellie was to supervise. She had the perfect position on a blanket close by me in the shade, while I was in the sun slaving away. In the end, I didn’t get much yard work done but I did get a few good pictures.

Enjoying the Sun

There was a cold wind, but we didn’t care because the sun was out and we were outside. We had a great family lunch sitting on a bench. Ellie and Victoria fed the birds some left over bread from Ellie’s lunch and I enjoyed my time watching them. It is amazing how simple thing make us the happiest.

Toys Everywhere

Ellie was visiting her mate Ethan’s house last weekend. They really get along. Ellie was showing him how to crawl and he was showing her how to climb up on the furniture. In the picture you can see toys everywhere, but Ellie could care less. She just wanted to get in Mum’s nappy bag.

Getting Older

Ellie turned 9 months old on Saturday. She now weights 9.35kg or 20.6lbs and can pull herself up using anything including the wall. If the door is cracked open, she can open it. My favorite is she will crawl next to me or follow me when I am on the floor crawling.

Charge!!

The camera points at Ellie. Charge! Unlike others in the family that duck, turn, or run away from the camera (you know who you are) Ellie goes straight for it. She is fast now that she is crawling on all fours and usually gets to the camera before I can take a picture. I lucked out on this one.

I'm not sleepy

Ellie’s cot has been at the bassinet level since she started sleeping in it. But when Victoria and I went in to her room two Saturdays ago we found her standing up leaning on the bar, all excited about her accomplishment. The next day she was rewarded by sleeping in the cot at the “Big Girl Level”.

My What Big Teeth You Have

With a little coxing from Mum, Ellie shows her teeth to the camera. She now has 4 teeth, 2 on the top and 2 on the bottom. Ellie’s top right tooth was first, and then you started to feel to upper left as you could see the bottom right. They both broke through at the same time, with the bottom left coming in last. Too Mum’s and my enjoyment, Ellie has taken up grinding her teeth.

Pine Needles

There are so many new things to discover outside our house. Ellie wasn’t too sure about the bark on the tree at first but then she found the pine needles and was happy.

Water Everywhere

Splashing, chewing floating animals, rolling over, and any possible way to get me wet makes bath time one of Ellie’s favorite activates. For me, Ellie soaking in the tub is the only way to get all the food off of her.

What Remote?

Ellie now can pull herself up using the couch. Victoria was the first to witness this, and I had my chance this weekend.

Victoria and I were busy cleaning off Ellie’s highchair when I noticed her preparing to stand up using the couch. I grabbed the camera and took a picture.

Then I turned back to Victoria and the highchair, when we noticed the television channel changing. We looked back at Ellie, who was very proud of her accomplishment. She had pulled herself up, standing next to the couch, and was able to grab the remote. If you look closely at the remote, you will see Ellie's slobber all over it.

Finally Sun

The sun is out and Ellie knows that means outside playtime. Watch out, she is very quick and everything ends up in her mouth. Don’t ask how I know that!

Ellie has teeth coming in, but doesn’t like showing them off. I will try again this weekend to get a picture, but no promises.

Black Beans

Sunday night Ellie started eating solid food. Victoria and I feed her black beans while she sat with us at the dinner table. Then she tried to feed herself but not much made it in her mouth. Her reward was a good long bath after dinner.

Crackers

Ellie has finally figured out how to eat crackers. For the longest time, you would give her a cracker and she would chew it, and then take it out of her mouth. Now she is happy sitting in her chair eating crackers while Mum prepares her meal.

Sunday Slide

It was getting late on Sunday when Ellie and I ventured out. We were going on a nice calm walk before dinner and bed. When somehow we ended up at a park! Ellie and I couldn’t pass up the opportunity for a little fun.

I love watching her. She was content sitting at the end of the slide with the sun setting and a slight breeze hitting her side, when I took this picture. I wonder what she was thinking.

Jumping Beans

On Monday, Ellie had her last session of Jumping Beans. I was lucky enough to come along and watch, with camera in hand, Ellie playing on all the fun equipment. She bounced on a trampoline, crawled through a tunnel, climbed down some bars (with assistance) and sat in the blue rocking seat. Only if they had this for grown-ups. She gets to advance to the next Jumping Beans group when it starts again in a few weeks.

Back seat driver

Ellie was born to lead. She sits in her very comfortable seat while giving orders to her staff. If I don’t do what she wants, I get a small kick in my side and if I am being good I get a pat on my shoulder. The problem is I have no idea what she is saying.

Thanks Dad for taking the picture!

Funny Face

Ellie has been making many funny expressions lately including this one. The others she won’t perform for the camera.

Ellie has started to help me get the mail. The first morning we had to explain to Mum why one of the bills had a chewed and soggy corner. She didn’t believe that Ellie and I just saved the mail from being eaten by the mailbox monster.

French Bake House

When visiting Browns Bay, you have to stop in the French Bake House for Latte and bake goodies. One of their specials is French toast, but you can’t go wrong with anything there. If you lucky you will get to sit next to these good looking girls.

Grandma and Granddad’s Visit

Ellie had big smiles for Grandma and Granddad. She show off her new talents to them, combat crawling, sitting, pulling books of the book shelf, and getting into the DVDs. Ellie loved the attention and cuddles they gave her.