Day 2,346

The Tenth Month of Ella Mae

.TEN.

That's right - she's ten months already and we can't get over the endless amount of joy this smiling ray of sunshine has brought into our lives! Her smile is unmatched. Her giggles, the best. She's always laughing, rarely crying, and makes the recipient of those grins feel like a million bucks. Ella Mae Kate, you, my dear, are wonderful. Truly.

Catch this babe either laughing, yelling, or sucking on a toy. There's really nothing else to her. Just one happy babe with a personality that leaves you constantly wanting more of it! Her giggles are high pitched, her cackles are hilarious. Dad likes those the best and daily tries to get her to make the funny noise.  

MaterSack (new nickname compliments of Amelia) has grown up a lot this month. 

Our babe is 22.8 pounds and learned how to high-five, how to do the "duh" hand (I don't know how better to explain it), and how to squat. She can also whistle a whistle, tear pages out of Bibles, and drink from a straw (which is her new favorite thing).

She loves crawling into bathrooms from any room in the house. Her favorite "toy" in there is the plunger, of which I've repeatedly almost pulled a hamstring (and my voice box) in a rushed attempt to dodge her out of the way of sure calamity. Like, seriously, kid? Sicko! I've now learned to shut every bathroom door in the house that's not in use. And you bet she laughs at me (and then yells at me) every time too. 

She's been on the move since last month and most often crawls sideways in an adorable bear crawl scoot. She's also learned how to squat, which has since taught her how to stand up on things. She can even stand up with use of only the wall! However, if I'm holding her up or holding her hands, she more or less refuses to continue standing. "All by myself" at ten months, Ella Mae? Not so fast, missy!

The baby girl is easily amused, loves Miss Cheddar (our rolling mouse on a stick), and thinks her Dad is the very best. He is. Dad loves his Mater. And though we better resemble Uncle Eddie and the Griswolds most days (Amelia is literally wearing Ella Mae's Christmas pajama pants paired with a hot pink Under Armour tank top on BACKWARDS and disheveled, unbrushed hair, Bearett is wearing his Tuesday undies with a monster face on the butt and nothing else, and Dad...well Dad has a mullet and I'm not sure I need to say more), we're really really happy.

This month, Ella Mae attended her first bon fire, celebrated her first New Year, and witness her brother play on his first t-ball team. 

She can hold and drink out of cups, loves sucking out of straws, and especially likes spitting as much water out of her mouth as I'll clean up. She wears probably at least three outfits a day and has ruined countless onesies with her perpetual slobber that sees no end in sight. 

Most noticeably, she's grown the cutest curls I've ever seen and makes the funniest oooooooooh face that exists. 

But probably her biggest accomplishment of the month came in the form of two white specks...

...that morphed into to two little teeth! Her first ones!!!

She's now the proud owner of one bottom right tooth and though the second one hasn't "cut" through yet, it's visible and definitely unappreciated when clenched down on while nursing. 

We are CRAZY ABOUT YOU ELLA MAE!

You're as sweet and as cute and as fun and as squishy and as radiant as can be. We love you unlike we ever knew we could and cannot imagine our days without you. What a precious treasure and blessed gift you are, my daughter. Ah! Can I just go to bed now so I can cuddle and squeeze you?!! You're the best hug-giver ever!

Thought we were done?! NOT SO!

Because look who's learning how to swim!!!

Ella Mae started ISR swim lessons yesterday and did AMAZING! She's a natural and we're looking forward to her learning this life saving skill!! Good job Bubsie!