Ella is Nine Months Old

Ella weighs: 13lbs 4oz

Ella measures: 25 inches

Milestones this month:
-moves from one spot to another by scooting on her belly! 

-tried her first solid (oatmeal cereal)
-stomps her feet when held in standing position

-cries sometimes if strangers hold her

Ella loves: 
-her orange flower link
-Ellie the Taggie elephant

-anything with tags

-napping on mommy as to avoid being placed elsewhere
-splashing her feet in the bath

-spending time with Grandma and Grandpa

-when mommy and daddy are both home giving her all of the attention

-keeping an eye on everyone and everything happening around her 

Health and Doctors: Ella received her second Synagis shot. Round two was not any easier to watch. Knowing that she is experiencing pain is so tough. We saw Dr. Groves this week. Ella's eyes are showing a little nearsightedness, but this is expected. Dr. Groves will continue to monitor her and keep an eye (haha) on the hundreds of laser scars in her eyes from her ROP surgery. He said no head to head contact sports for her, but I am okay with that. We will see the pulmonologist and cardiologist next month. 

What we have been up to: 

Each day with Ella is full of surprises. The latest surprise was watching her crawl (belly scoot) across her blanket towards some toys a couple of feet away. She propelled herself forward with her legs and then got her arms out from under her to start the process all over again. Over and over again in the NICU we were told all about how feisty she was. When we were told that I sort of shrugged it off, mainly because I thought it was something they told everyone, thinking it was their way of giving us some hope for the one pound baby we had in front of us. Now I see what they were talking about. If Ella wants something she will work to make it happen. Her tenacity is amazing.

There have been a lot of firsts around here. We took our first road trip as a family across state lines to see Aunt Jessa and Brad in Arkansas. Ella received her first Christmas present. She went cross-eyed with excitement as she kicked her feet against the torn paper. The trip was a success! Thankfully Ella enjoys car rides. Ella and I napped through her first bedlam game. She saw snow fall for the first time and watched her daddy build our first fire of the year in the fireplace. She was mesmerized watching the bright flames rise. She spent her first night in her big girl crib. She was like a hamster in a plastic ball rolling all over the place. I'm still not sure how much sleep she actually got that night. Needless to say, crib sleeping has not occurred since, but it is on the agenda for our first Christmas break together. We tried to fit Ella into her stocking, but surprise she is just too big! Ella has experienced a few rounds of oatmeal cereal. She smiles while being fed. Veggies are in her future. Ella had her first night being put to bed my someone other than mommy. I'm not sure who it was harder on, myself or Ella. Although her bedtime routine takes quite a bit of time, by the end of it I am perfectly content to sit and hold my precious girl. In those moments of stillness the to do list fades away and I find myself completely present. Ella's first Christmas was filled with love. She enjoyed opening presents, mostly by stomping on them. At the end of the day she filmed her first GoPro video. Life from the eyes of a baby! She loved it. 

Aside from my husband, there is not a gift in a world that could bring me more joy than our precious baby girl.