grade eight: 9 Months

Elliot Claire is 9 months old!

I am in shock at how fast my baby is becoming a little girl. Elliot has now been outside my body for as much time as she spent inside me. How crazy is that? I often find myself wishing time would stand still...like when I cuddle her damp little body in a soft towel after a bath or when she strokes my face while I sing to her before bed. While part of me panics at how quickly she is changing, I can't help but be thrilled at what a beautiful, intelligent, sweet daughter Christian and I have.

Here are some new updates of Ellie Bellie in the past month:

She isn't a fan of grass -- too pokey for that soft baby skin. She'll try to crawl on it but doesn't get too far since that requires touching it with her hands. At this point in time, she prefers indoor lounging.

She still takes three naps a day. One in the morning, one in the afternoon, and one in the evening. Hallelujah.

This girl is an animal lover. She yips and squeals at any animal she sees (real or not), especially puppies.

Ellie and her internet dog doppelganger, "Boo." Don't they look alike? In a cute, round face sort of way :)

Ellie loves to cuddle after her bath. Mommy loves it too. Another thing she loves to do in the bath is lick the bottom of the tub when the water is drained. Yuck! We've learned to get her out, THEN drain the tub :)

Ellie babe has finally graduated to her crib full time. It took a little while for her to get used to it but now she's a champ! I love sneaking in on her and seeing what funny positions she ended up in.

This babe is growing so quickly! We put her hair in pigtails for the first time the other day and bam! She was immediately a little girl and no longer a baby. Pigtails are cute, and so is the fuzzy hair aftermath :)

She loves to point to pictures when reading books. Here she is lounging with Daddy before bedtime :)

E-Claire is getting into everything these days. She especially loves the DVD shelf.

Her second tooth finally broke through!

Did I mention she crawls now? Look at her go!

Ellie went on her first train ride! We took Front Runner down to Provo for a play date with some friends the other day. She was a little hesitant at first but soon wanted to get down on the floor and explore. She got mad when I wouldn't let her.

We went to St. George a couple of weeks ago and Miss E went to the sand dunes for the first time! We had to put sunscreen and a hat on her so she wouldn't burn (she has fair skin like her daddy) but we all had a great time!

Elliot Claire got to experience her very first Easter. Her Great Grandma Palmer bought her the cutest little dress to wear on Sunday. Ellie also got some matching sunglasses from Grandma Carnley. Also, Ellie LOVED her hard boiled Easter egg. She wouldn't let go of it and kept putting her little lips on it to kiss it.

Elliot is loving her big girl lunches. Her favorites include PB toast, yogurt, cottage cheese, crackers, any fruit, and of course, Craisins. She loves to feed herself.

Ellie Bellie has the cutest, cheesiest smile. She crinkles her nose, flashes her two tiny teeth, and tilts her big head onto her shoulder. It is THE CUTEST. Too bad I don't have a picture of it because it is reserved for when she's shyly flirting with someone (usually men) at church.

This baby has become such a Momma's girl lately. I'm flattered, don't get me wrong, but sometimes I wish she'd go to other people more easily. We're working on it :)

This babe loves, loves music. And dancing. This video doesn't do it justice, but Grandma and Grandpa bought her a musical car that she totally rocks out to.

Ellie has always been good at copying what she sees and hears. She's a pro at waving, blowing kisses and raspberries, clicking her tongue, "singing" and now...copying mommy when she says "no." (That word has become a lot more common around our house since she learned to crawl).

I have never met a baby so into hygiene as this one. Elliot is a pro and hardly ever puts up a fight when it's time to clip her nails, brush her teeth, or clean out her ears. She's such a girl :)

Mom's favorite part of this stage: Crawling and chasing Ellie around the house! I'll hide behind a corner and she'll crawl after me giggling all the way. Playing is so much more fun now that she's mobile.

Mom's least favorite part of this stage: Lately, Ellie has decided the best time to poop is in the bathtub. I hope she grows out of this quickly...because I am sick of sanitizing and scrubbing the tub every day!