I'm 5 months old!

Such a happy little blessing

I don't know why I continue to be amazed at how time flies by, each and every month, but I swear it continues to speed up.  I think the days getting shorter seems to only increase this perception.  Have I mentioned how much I don't like the cold, dark days of late fall, heading into winter?  But back to what I do like, is my sweet girls!

Big sis was being really funny behind the camera

Love her!

K at 6 months - funny how they are starting to look alike

Our little Elliana is "gettin' big" as her big sis would say.  She now weighs 15 lbs, 6 oz and is 26 inches tall.  She is still wearing 3-6 month clothes and we are finishing out the last of the size 2 diapers for daytime.  Just this week we bumped up to size 3 night time diapers.  We knew we were on the verge of a diaper size change, due to the increased frequency of blowouts occurring.  Just trying to use up the supply we have before switching though!

Life is so hard at 5 months

Ellie joined big sis in bed

Hugs

These two love each other so much

Aftermoon siesta with Pops

So sweet

Love getting some snuggle time with her

Ellie bug is becoming such an incredibly awesome baby with her own little personality.  Beginning at about 5:30 am every morning she is just happy as a lark and just wants to be with you, cooing/talking away.  She is a pretty easy going baby, and only really gets upset when she is hungry or tired.  She would go to bed at ~7 pm if we let her, and sometimes we do, but she only likes to sleep {not solidly through} for about 10 hours so we try to monitor this when evaluating when to lay her down for the evening.  She is still getting up throughout the night, usually just once or twice.  This is okay most nights, but when she is going through a growth spurt, she will get up every two hours.  That is hard on this Mama and leads to walking zombie mode.  Although, sometimes challenging, I really do enjoy getting up with Ellie.  I view it as my time with her one-on-one.  A lot of times, as much as I hate to admit, she somewhat takes a backseat, especially when Daddy travels.  I feel like I get to make that up to her a little bit, by getting to snuggle with her at all hours of the morning.  She's a wonderful little snuggle bug, and sleeps so peacefully in my arms.  She won't be little forever, so I try and cherish those moments while I can.

Finding her voice

Talking to sis

I wonder where Ellie will most likely learn to talk from
Or more likely, to sing!

Elliana loves to "talk" and is increasingly finding her voice.  No words, just sounds.  But Mama does practice "ma ma" with her frequently.  I figured Kherington said "da da" first, so this time its my turn. :)  We shall see.

First time in the high chair - just with toys

Loves this little ball

The infamous portable parlor
It's a love hate relationship

Sometime this month we will enter a whole new realm and introduce solid foods.  We are still evaluating how this will work exactly, but will figure it out.  For right now, Ellie is happy drinking "Mama's milk" and Mama is happy with this too.  Nursing has gotten significantly better, but still not as comfortable as it was with K.  Obviously it is fine overall, because we have successfully made it this far.  And I am almost to my new goal of 20 gallons in the freezer!  I have started {very early stages} researching how and where to donate milk to.  My goal is to help premature babies, and believe I have figured out a path forward to do so, but still need to do some research.  Selfishly, I am not quite ready to initiate the process, because I do want to have enough for E for at least the first year.  But thankfully, we are well on our way.  Also, there is quite a bit of screening that has to occur first, rightfully so, and I just have to find the time to do this too.  

Big sis is always good for some distractions

We have also started being distracted very easily while nursing, especially when it comes to paying attention to what K is doing.  It is easiest to go upstairs and hang out in the nursery for mealtime to speed up the process.  

Strengthening her core muscles

K insisted on Ellie joining her for her pictures

Sitting with Nana

Elliana wanted in on the book reading action

This just makes me smile

Ellie continues to be quite strong and is practicing her sitting up skills.  I'm afraid she is going to be on the move sooner rather then later.  And then the fun will begin! :)

She is a rolling machine

Mid roll

Exploring a book 

Rolled over waiting on the doctor

She loves being on her belly

She rolls so much she often gets herself stuck

Rolling and chewing - two favorite past times

"Who is this pretty baby in the mirror?"

Checking out the shape turtle while bis sis finished a bath

I know I am completely biased, but ....
Could she seriously be any cuter?

Bright eyes

Elliana loves to roll everywhere, and absolutely loves being on her belly, just watching the action happen around her.  She increasingly loves to play with toys and is fast figuring out how to use those little hands.  She has gotten a hold of sis's hair a couple of times.  Which we then have to explain that Ellie doesn't know what she is doing and not to put her head where Ellie can reach.  But we also reinforce with Ellie that pulling hair is not nice either.  We try and balance out the reprimanding where we can, for K's sake more than anything, at least at this point.

K is always pinching her cheeks

And giving her kisses

They both just love being next to each other
I'm sure this will change

Grandma and her girls

Teaching Ellie how to play peek-a-boo

Love these two

K was singing away - typical

I think she was patting her head

I also continue to be amazed at the incredible sister bond that is forming between these two gifts we've been blessed with.  They are both absolutely smitten with each other.  Ellie watches everything that her big sis does, which we try and reinforce from a behavior standpoint with K.  And Kherington loves helping Ellie, and insists on unbuckling her from her car seat everyday.  I am trying in embrace the love relationship that we have going on now, because from my own sister relationship experience, I know that doesn't last forever, and the fights will most likely be frequent in the future.  It absolutely melts my heart to see them interact.  Long after Mama and Daddy are gone, those two girls {and hopefully a couple more siblings in the future - wink, wink Jared} will have each other.

Ms. Amber had to get some snuggles in

Diaper change in the back of the Explorer

"This pumpkin is very interesting"

Happy girl despite the crappy weather

One a lighter note, Elliana got to celebrate her first Halloween.  It was less than exciting, considering it rained, sleeted and snowed!!  Luckily we celebrated the night before with the ice "scream" social at Goddard.  Ellie got to stay in her Halloween jammies and helped Mama wash bottles and pass out candy.  Sorry sweet girl it wasn't more exciting.  Maybe next year!

At least she likes baths
I'm not sure I could handle two in tears

Ellie bug still loves her baths.  I wish she'd teach her sister to.... Maybe someday?  And her hair has gotten better about laying down.  It may be because Mama blow dries it, but I think it is also growing too.  Either way, we love her, crazy stick-em-up hair or not.

Smiling on the activity mat

She is such a chill baby

Wakey wakey

Hanging out with Mama while she got ready

So ... Stinkin'... Cute

She looks mischievous here

Happy to be bouncing

Daddy sure was being funny

You wouldn't be so sleepy if you'd
sleep while Mama gets ready in the mornings

Just hanging out in the jumperoo

Gas or a smile?
Either way she's cute

Building that leg strength

Coloring a picture

See how mild her hair looks?!

Love those delicious cheeks

It's a rough life
But somebody has to do it

Drooling away

Bright eyes

Such a Ellie expression

I'm afraid she is going to be my sneaky one

Reach for the stars

Chilling in the stroller like a big girl
for the first time

"My fingers sure are yummy"

The world is her oyster

Unless Elliana is hungry or tired, she is just the happiest, sweetest little baby.  And even when she is fussy, she is still sweet.  This month the belly laughs have really started and it is the best.  My heart melts when she laughs at or with K.  

Love me some toes!

And lastly this month we have officially discovered our toes and feet.  Those are so darn interesting that the consume a lot of Ellie's time holding on to them and looking at them.  It's the little things in life!