Happy 10 Month Birthday, Ellie!!

Eight months ago, we sang Happy Birthday to Ellie in an orphanage on the other side of the world. Today, we sang to her as I sat on the living room floor and she crawled and pulled up and even stood alone for a few seconds. She is a girl on the move. I am a mom who is tired. *smile*

Here's some updates on the "Princess" and where she is developmentally. It's nice for me to keep track on the blog because then I can refer back when I ever get a chance to do a baby book or scrapbook or any of that other "crafty" stuff.

• Crawls commando style and also some on all fours; she started the all fours after watching J. this past weekend.
• Pulls up on everything and cruises around. Can sometimes stand a few seconds by herself.
• Babbles a lot; says "kkkccckkk" every time a cat comes around; says "mama" but I don't know if she means anything by it; says "bababababa" which might or might not mean brother; I've heard her say "dada" but, again, who knows?; says something that sounds like "eahyee" which I think is "Ellie"; and says something that sounds like "baby" -- who knows if these things mean anything, but it's obvious that she is developing her language skills;
• Can drink from a sippy cup with handles and often can do it herself;
• Eats full jars of baby food and pretty much any kinds of table food we will share with her
• Has cut back to about 30 ounces (or maybe even a little less) of formula a day;
• Has three teeth: two on the bottom and one just coming through on top.
• Has a lot more hair but still not enough to put a clippy bow into *sigh*
• Slings her hands around and says "Hi" and "Hey" when she wants to and occasionally to other people -- especially likes to ride in the cart at Wal-Mart yelling, "HI!!!" at the people who go by. Yes, this is great fun for me for they ALL feel the need to stop to talk to her.
• Still continues to "dance" anytime she hears music
• Measured her at home and she appears to be about 26.5" long. We go to the doctor on Monday and we'll get a new weight., She is still in 3-6 month clothes (Gymboree) and 6 month clothes (all other) but not in 6-9 month clothes (I've found there are differences in all three of these regardless of the fact that they ALL have "6 months" in them).
• Is much more clingy with her mom than she used to be;
• Is sleeping better usually only waking up once a night for a bottle and sleeping from 9-6 (or sometimes 7)
• Naps two or three times a day: 1.5 hours once and two power naps that are about 15-30 minutes long.
• Loves Curious George, baby dolls and the babies on the Pampers box, in the mirror and on the Huggies bath wash.

I'm sure there is more, but it's bedtime around our house. Happy Birthday Ellie!