"A" is for August, "B" is for Busy!!

Oh, how wonderful it feels to finally be caught up! August so far has been jam-packed with different activities/events/birthdays, so forgive me if I don't spend time on every one of them, (Hey man, I am trying to do this blogging thing when little one takes her nap or after bed time, so you know, I am working with borrowed time here!)

Of course, Ellie still loves her walks through the neighborhood, when it's not raining or scorching hot outside! She rocks back and forth and kicks her little legs as fast as she can, almost as if shes trying to make the stroller move faster by her shear energy alone, it's the cutest thing!

The beginning of the month was a bit rocky to say the least, Ella had a double ear infection, a cold, and started to teethe her top 2 teeth, all at once! Mommy and Daddy made sure we gave her extra cuddles!

We hit a big milestone! Ella was pulling herself up now, but that also meant more head boo-boo's, she was trying so hard to start standing that she would just topple over and "bam!" Angie would tear up every time and cross her fingers that people wouldn't think her baby was being abused because of the scratches and bruises! (Brad wouldn't let Angie wrap the house in bubble wrap, maybe we could get her a helmet instead?)

Dadda's 27Th Birthday came and went, we had so much fun spending time together, even though Daddy doesn't like to acknowledge that he's getting older...

I swear those two have a secret plan when it comes to taking pictures together, they turn out so perfect! Ella-Bella loves it when Daddy puts on a hat!

Ella hung out with her Cousin Emily, she loves to try and crawl on her and play with her hair, Emily loves to help out with Ella any way she can, and she loves to hold her!

She is 9 months OLD! We can't even believe it! Her favorite things to do are: Biting anything that she can fit into her mouth (Including toes, and I don't mean just her own!), feeding herself, drinking water from a water bottle, any sort or acrobatic maneuver daddy can shape her into, dancing, watching Baby Einstein, reading books (then taking them away and turning the pages herself), crawling across the living room while making a purring/cooing noise, stealing the TV remote, looking at pictures of herself, blowing raspberries, and playing with kitchen utensils.

Brad's sister Alicia, her Husband Aaron and their kiddo's Trevor and Cameron will be moving this month to Italy for 3 years! The whole family gathered at Silver Lake Park, to wish them goodbye! We will miss them greatly, and can't wait for them to come and visit!

1 Record Hot Day + 1 Missed Nap + 1 Teething and an Overstimulated Baby = The above photo, a complete crash and burn in the stroller! That day we also noticed the tiny birthmark on her right shoulder is in the shape of a heart, so cute! (Ang is sure this is supposed to mean something!) Cousins Trevor, Cameron, and Emily, having fun in Papa and Nana's backyard.

Brad's Cousin Lynn and her Husband Scott also came up from Oregon to visit with Alicia and Family. Everyone had a great time swimming in the lake, even Ellie, once she got used to it!

The many faces of Ella, she just started to get this really menacing look on her face when you are doing something that she doesn't like, such as taking pictures of her after being tricked her into eating all of her carrots!
It's official!! Ella can now stand on her own and BOY is she an expert at it already! She just popped up one day and hasn't stopped since, we are so proud of her and can't wait for her to start walking! She's also started to cruise around the furniture, all in one day! (the down side is that she's so excited now to stand, that she doesn't want to wait until morning, she wants to do it in the middle of the night and wake up mommy to play!)

Her favorite view of the TV now that she can stand! (of course she gets told "no!" but when we're not looking she just climbs right back up to the TV)

August has been very busy so far! Ella has grown so much, and she continues to make us laugh and surprise us everyday! We are afraid she has also become our dictator, she's already conquered us, now she's working on ruling us! (Daddy's head is her royal throne) Make sure to check back in for updates! (If queen Ella let's me back on here...)