Our crazy toddler!

Ellie passed the one-year mark at the end of February and we had a big breakfast party with family and friends. Ellie enjoyed her frosting, as you can see in the posted photos! She is so busy these days - walking around everywhere and chattering away. This week she is especially excited to point out everyone's nose with a "no". It is all so exciting for Kelley and I, as we realize that she understands so much more than we realized. It is truly getting more and more fun everyday!

Winter days

Ellie continues to be a little busy body this week. She had fun today riding in her new Kelty pack. She giggled watching her daddy through snowballs with Andy and Otis!

The big feats this week: clapping, eating banana and apple, enjoying reading books more, and throwing up on mama for the first time - yuck!

Kelley and I are planning the upcoming 1st birthday - it's so wild for us to realize that Ellie has been in our lives for almost a full year. Lucky us!

Game Day

Ellie got dressed in her game day duds today. A true New England Baby!

Auntie Julie and Sophia came to visit this weekend. We went swimming at the Y, attended Colleen's annual Valentine card party, and played, played, played.

It is so interesting to witness the little changes in Ellie day to day. Kelley and I definitely agree that she is communicating with us so much more in just the last few days. She has "no" with the horizontal head shake down really well...we wonder what we are in for!

Snow days

Vermont has continued to be cold & snowy this January. Last week Ellie and I went snowshoeing with Molly & Nathan. The kiddos were both excellent company--riding in their Ergos and snoozing out.

Today Kelley & I both had a snow day. Yeah! We took the snowy opportunity to try out Ellie's new red sled--she loved it! It was such a relaxing day--playing, napping, and taking walks to the local grocery and chocolate shop. What a lucky family we are!

Step one, Step two!

So many exciting things have occurred since my last post. Foremost--Ellie took two steps this week (witnessed by Grandpa Rusty & Kel), and then today Mama finally saw our little El walk (4 steps!) while at Kelly & Crissy's home. We are so thrilled, but realize that this means a whole new level in Ellie-proofing our world!

Last week Ellie started swim lessons at the YMCA. Her bud, Toryn, is also in her class and they have a splendid time. Today Ellie went underwater--yeah!

Ellie continues to be a happy little soul--smiling and chatting with Django and us. Her favorites in the world currently are her baby doll from Aunt Julie, vanilla yogurt, Grandpa Rusty, Hallie, and Django. Oh, and my eyedrops bottle...

I've renewed my goal to post more regularly in 2009!

Best to all--Laura, Kel, & Ellie

Endless Sundays

Sundays are often busy, long days for us. As routine follows, we woke around 6:30am with chatting, petting the cat, and chewing on my eyedrop bottle. We enjoyed bagels and grocery shopping in Middlebury. Just a few weeks ago Ellie starting riding in the cart--what fun! Today, though, she was all about Mama, and that seat in the cart was just too far away. I'm not sure if it's a developmental stage, or what, but Mama is definitely the main attraction these days!

The rest of the day was playing, eating, and walking with Django. And again, and again, and again. Oh, and yes, a nap with Kelley. Ahh, the life...

A day in Ellie's life...

Ellie is such a crazy, crawling monster these days! Her favorite places to crawl are to Django's water and his biscuit box. She loves to pull herself up to a standing position, and yesterday she stood for a good 3 seconds on her own before she plopped down!

Two days a week Torin comes to our home and they hang together. Torin is very interested in Ellie's top ponytail these days! I guess maybe that is payback for Ellie eating his toes earlier this fall...