Six month old army crawler

Such a big girl at 6 months!

Happy half birthday to you.  Happy half birthday to you.  Happy half birthday dear Ellie bug.  Happy half birthday to you!

Chillin'

How in the world are we six months into this new and wonderful adventure?  It is also crazy to think that in six short months we will be celebrating your sweet life with some family, friends and cake smashing!  I cannot wait, but at the same time want to cherish every single second of you until then.

Oh...my...goodness!  Love those chubby cheeks!

Look at her!

Not a flattering angle, but still adorable

You are now 26.5 inches tall and weigh 16 lbs, 5.5 oz.  You are wearing size 3 diapers for day and night.  You are in a mixture of 3-6 and 6-9 month clothes.  I can't tell you what size shoes you are in, because you never wear any! :)  You have your six month check up on the 16th, so we'll see what your stats are looking like these days.

Bright eyes

This one is going to be sneaky and trouble
Notice the unrolled paper towels in her hand

Such big eyes

She's going to steal some hearts with those baby blues

Is she going to be a blondie?

Her hair is lightening for sure

I had to do a double take on this one with such blonde hair
under all that dark top layer

You still are sporting those strikingly beautiful blue eyes.  They are almost the same color as Kherington's but both of you have different shaped eyes.  There are moments that I see resemblance in you two, but other times I can't make you look alike.  Your hair is also lightening, which I think is helping the resemblance.  Still much darker than K's, which I love.  I love that you are you!

Could she seriously be any more cute?

Smirk

Happy as a bug in a rug

Always smiling

And laughing

This is her ornery face I think

Don't mind my sock is beside me and not on my foot
Sock ons helped until she learned to pull them off :)

Ms. Leslie or Traci must have been funny

I don't think she could have a bigger smile if she tried

You still are the sweetest baby on earth, I swear.  You really only fuss if you are really wet or dirty, are hungry or are tired.  Otherwise you are content to be down on the floor exploring or sitting on your lap interacting with big sis or us.  You almost always have a smile on your face.  You love to belly laugh and we love to hear you belly laugh equally as much.

Loving on Ms. Michelle

Snuggling with Mamaw

Riding the horsey like a big girl with Nana

Anyone that is around you for any amount of time, falls in love with you simply because you are adorable and so well-tempered.  Although living in our crazy household, I'm sure you'll pick up on some habits over time.  We are all working to lessen the crazy!  Sorry sweet girl!!

She splashes way to much to have her like this now

Doesn't mind water in her face
.... unlike big sis

Love her little rolls

Exploring something

You still love your baths.  Most nights it is in and out without much time for play, but as you are strengthening your core muscles, this will soon be changing I bet.  You liked the change of pace with a couple of sink baths at Grandma and Pops house over Thanksgiving.

Elliana and Jameson, who was born September 5th

Between these two and cousin Clay, we are going to be in trouble soon

You have had a big month.  You met cousin Jameson for the first time.  You experienced your first Thanksgiving.  You got your first, two bottom teeth.  We started some solid food.  You learned to army crawl.  And you are trying oh so hard to talk.

Hanging out with Uncle Derek

Your first Thanksgiving was an exceptionally off day for you.  I think your poor little teeth were getting the best of you.  You just were not yourself, as you cried and screamed most of the day.  Your amber teething necklace was delivered the next day to our house, and we were in Southern Indiana celebrating with the Marshall's and Mama forgot your Tylenol at home.  Overall I think the necklace is helping, if nothing else, the drooling has decreased significantly.  As far as pain or inflammation relief, I am not sure I can answer that.  You probably could, but haven't found the words yet! :)  I figure it cannot hurt and you never seem to mind it or even notice it.

Tried sneaking a peek of those pearly whites

She was licking the book
Who knows?

Always a chewin'

Bibs were a must before the teething necklace

Still happy, despite teething
P.S. don't mind her cleavage :)

Fingers sure are tasty

So are toys

You got those two bottom teeth this past month, so you can officially sing "all I want for Christmas are my two front teeth!"  Your bottom right one popped through first, followed by the left.

Big stuff

Waiting patiently

First bite

Not so sure

Pleased with the sweet potatoes

Yummy!

The food situation.  I probably have been more lax with you then I should have, so I am committed to kicking it into high gear.  We have done some rice cereal, which you seemed to like at first and then you tolerated.  Then Mama made you some sweet potatoes to celebrate Thanksgiving.  You have really enjoyed them.  Mama was going to make you some avocado to celebrate your half birthday {we sure know how to party!} but the avocado was spoiled, so I decided not to go that route.  Another day!

Can't ever get her to lay still these days

Loves being on her belly

Mid roll

Caught ya

Scooting before learning to army crawl

Must ... get .... that ... bear

Stinker

Who me?

Poor Lucky dog thought he was safe
Look at that smirk

Showing off her new trick to the big boys at school

Instantly off the mat

Reach!!

Somehow you managed to figure out how to be even more mobile by learning to army crawl.  Such a little stinker.  I thought we had more time.  Guess not.  Short of getting out the duct tape, I think it is safe to say our lives will never be the same.  You are determined to explore and learned that you can use those appendages to help get you places.  You still love to roll, but crawl too.  You are all over the place.  Time to go through big sis's toy bins and baby proof.  You are going to be our sneaky one I think!

Slowly getting better at sitting

Daily practice at school

I simply love this face!

Practicing in the table too

Ms. Priss showing off her skills

You still are not quite sitting, but love to sit with support as well stand with support.  This lends itself to you being in the jumperoo to learn to use those legs.  It amazes me how different you and your sister are.  She was sitting at six months, but hated using her legs to the point of drawing them up.  And you are just the opposite.

Daddy and Ellie watching football

Jabbering away

Although your Daddy swears you've said "dada" no one else has heard it.  I am still working really hard to get you to say Mama first, and occasionally Kherington helps me out by practicing with you, but she switches allegiance sometimes and practices Dada too.  You love to jabber away and I know those words are soon to follow.  We also started adding some sign language practicing with "more" and "all done" in there too.  No signing from you yet, but it will come soon too!

Such a peaceful princess

The jewelry party was just too much 

Sleepy eyes

This is what happens when you wake up at 4 am
You fall asleep while Mama gets ready for work

Sleep....or lack there of.  Some nights are "wonderful" with you only waking up once to eat.  Other nights, are not so great with you waking every ~2 hours to eat.  Those nights are tough and make me question the decision {very, very briefly} to breastfeed.  I would be lying if I said, I didn't slightly despise your sawing-logs, snoring Dad while I get up to feed you.  But in that same breath, I still love to snuggle with you, and often fall asleep with you while nursing, burping or just plain rocking you.  I know the moments of you needing me in this way are fleeting, so I try and remind myself to cherish them.  I feel so blessed to get to nourish you and our nursing relationship has comes leaps and bounds from where we started.

These two have my heart

Such a wonderful baby

Simply smitten with each other

Love her more than I ever knew was possible

We love you sweet girl.  You have made our lives so much richer.  I cannot imagine life without you {or your sister}.  Thank you for making life with two kids as easy as it could be.

It may look small, but looks are deceiving
8' tall and about 5' in circumference

Next up .... Christmas time!  Can't wait for Christmas with the girls!!