Crawling Cuteness

The little miss gave herself the gift of crawling on her ten month birthday. I almost cried I was so overjoyed that it finally clicked for her. Our crawling sessions with the PT really paid off. After our initial consult, I worked this gymnast out every morning at our home gym for at least an hour. As you can see from her face in the picture below, it was challenging at times. She wanted to move so badly! Eliza Kate's biggest battle was putting weight on her knees and keeping them under her torso. We kneeled over laundry baskets, the music table, and the couch arm to make the brain body connection. In two weeks time, she went from not initiating movement to taking one to two crawls forward.

We're still going to our every other week appointments to master a good roll. This sweet thing turns into a feisty screamer the entire session. It's work, and she voices her opinion very clearly.

We're basking in the cuteness of our mobile baby. What started out as leaning forward on her hands at nine months turned into a scoot with one leg in front of her which evolved into full fledged traditional crawling. She's a curious little one too! Eliza Kate is really into pulling on lamp cords, and interested in the outlets. She likes to crawl under the kitchen table and cries when she can find no escape route out. It's created quite the drama with big brother. He is not a fan of having his toys stolen when he abandons them on the floor. Between being the referee between the toy sharing and chasing the little miss from room to room, I barely have time to get anything done.

Daring girl racked up two crawling boo boos in her first few days on the go. She managed to crawl over to her book rack and pull it over on top of her head. Then, she bumped the corner of her eye at church on the rocking chair. I can't shield her from all the obstacles, but I'm sure trying to keep her safe. I blinked and all of a sudden she's pulling out some yoga moves such as the downward dog with her legs extended and tush up in the air. She's sure shown us her independence now that she can get around.

Out come the gates and all the baby proofing equipment. It's that season of life again at our house! Video to follow!

Crib Chillin'

Eliza Kate's crib is still positioned on the highest infant setting. I recently showed her that she can actually sit up and look around. Cribs aren't just for laying down, ya know. We're going to lower it soon so she can reach and grab the slats in order to pull up. She loves to bounce up and down on her knees while holding the ledge. Peek a boo games over the top are a lot of fun too!


Popping up and down like "pop goes the weasel". These exercises are so much fun. Big brother likes to hide under her crib and surprise the missy with cat and mouse hiding games. These two are a hoot to watch.

I see you..... sweet thing.

Nine Months

Happy Nine Months, sweet thing. We can definitely see your infancy passing by way too quickly as the weeks are counting down to your first birthday. Not wishing away your babyhood quite yet. We're savoring every ounce of baby girl sweetness that you bring us. At nine months, you are a growin- and- a changin day by day.

Sailing into this month, you dropped your early evening cat nap. You're a great sleeper and rarely protest when I place you in your crib. I can't put you down for your nap without big brother serenading you off to sweet dreams. He loves to sing "Softly and Tenderly" to you at sleep time and say "night night baby girl". Miller has also nominated himself in charge of your nightlight and door keeper of the nursery. He is narrotic about doing these routines and chores to serve the princess. If he gets distracted and misses his little song, he surely lets me know that he is annoyed. When you wake up, you are quiet in your crib. I have to go check to see if you've awakened because you don't let out a peep.

Speaking of servant hood, you really like all this pampering that we give you. We've caught glimpses of your diva like laziness this month. With one slight waaaa, big brother comes to your rescue locating an out of reach toy or popping bits of food into your mouth. It's all to easy to please you sweet thing. We must teach you some work ethic and to serve yourself.

Nine months brought about the introduction of table food. Some of your favorites are mandarin oranges, freeze dried bananas and strawberries(thanks for the tip Miss Paula), crackers, cheese, yo baby yogurt, pear chunks, and turkey. So far, the veggies are still pureed. You've taken to these new foods quite well. You've mastered the pincher grasp, but don't attempt to bring anything to your mouth. Mommy does all the work. I've even tried leaving you alone for 5-10 minutes only to find you happily waiting for more with your mouth wide open. No frustration on your part:) You've had more success holding a spoon and bringing it to your mouth.


You are clearly not interested in getting around just yet. Your laid back personality is surfacing in all aspects of your growing self. Without a care in the world, you don't mind that activities are happening in places you can't reach. You turn around and reach for toys on your tummy, which is encouraging. Somehow, you scoot ever so slowing off your blanket to get to some objects. Your latest trick is sitting up from a laying down position on the floor. When on your belly, you scootch back up with your hands and sit up. You try to get up on all fours, but that one little foot gets stuck and won't go back. Because you're not a fan of rolling over, mommy enrolled you in a weekly PT class to get you moving and shaking. Mommy needed advice for exercises at home. We want to take advantage of every opportunity to make you mobile. Miss Charmain is your "crawling coach". Baby gym will surely work out those muscles and get you motivated to move.

Your latest tricks are clapping and waving. You voiced "Mama" and "Dada" this month. Music class proved to be the highlight of your week. Eliza Kate, you've got the moves! The minute you hear music you sit in a split and sway back and forth to the rhythm. It's too much cuteness for this momma to handle. You love to sit in a split and roll your "giggly wiggly" squeaky ball with your feet.
Mommy can't keep a bow in your hair long enough without you snatching it. Bow boot camp is in order to get you used to this fashion accessory. Short of bedtime, you can be found sporting some variation of hair accessory. And, is there such thing as a bow that's too big? One day, we'll look back and think this beacon of ribbon cuteness looks ridiculous, but for now we're liking
how it disguises all your fly away wispy hairs.

At nine months old, you're wearing some 12 month clothes and just starting to wear 18 months. You're a solid little thing to pick up. With a peek inside your mouth, you have 2 pearly poppers on the bottom and four on top.

Loving our grown up gal!

"LOVE"ly Picnic

Lovely day for a love filled Valentine's picnic with friends on our street. Who would have thought we could celebrate outside on this warm February day?
There's lots of love between this group of neighborhood friends. Miller had a ball dining with his buds. He especially loved the fruit kabobs that he named fruit swords. Love that mommy's girly girl happily played on her blanket entertained by all the running and playing in the backyard. Can you spot her in the background?

Toppings were set out for cookie decorating. The kiddos worked out a whole system of three shakes and a pass to share the sprinkles.

Zoe's our new "girl next door". She is a such blond little cutey. Looks like we have a prearranged double date going on at this picnic table. Such a sweet scene!The pressed lip look is our newest attempt at a smile on the spot. Not sure how long this posed face will stick around. Loving his little bumble bee Valentine holder made at his preschool party earlier this morning. We all exchanged cards after our picnic. Miller sure did rack up on the Valentine loot today.

I'm working really hard to hide all the candy from Miller and the rest of our family. Self control to the rescue. I have a feeling this sugar addict will be hounding me for more sweets after breakfast tomorrow.

Happy Valentine's Day to all our blogging buddies.

Cupid's Cookies

Nothing helps a preschool boy celebrate a "Happy Valentine's Day" better than a little cookie baking with your grandparents. Omi and Papa enjoyed spending one on one time with just Miller when they came into town this weekend. Eliza Kate and mommy were entertained with music and lunch, while Miller enjoyed Omi and Papa all to himself.

It wasn't long before our little grandma's helper was scooting his stool over to the counter to get his hands on the dough. Omi is quite the baker and dessert maker of our family. Everything is from scratch. Slice and bake just doesn't cut it. Miller learned how to roll out the dough into tiny cookie balls. Omi showed him how to press the cookie flat and with a few shake shakes of red sprinkles, these Valentine treats were ready for the oven. Gotta love the red sprinkled mouth in the above picture. There was awholelotta sprinkle sampling from what I hear....