Getting Taller

Every day that I see Eliza playing with her ball maze, I just think, "Look how tall you are getting!" I love watching her grow, but some days it hits me that it is going so fast. Before I know it, she is going to be walking around it and talking.

Papa Walt got her a glockenspiel for Christmas and up until now, she hasn't really paid much attention to it. I have been learning songs from YouTube and today, when I handed the mallet to her, she started to bang on the keys. Once I heard her play sounds and would praise her, her beautiful little face would light up. By the end of the night, she was really getting the hang of it. Every time I sing or play music, she starts dancing and smiling. I hope she will continue to love music as she grows.

Swimsuit Edition

Eliza's first class of swim lessons were yesterday and I was totally unprepared! I ordered a swimsuit online because I wasn't having much luck in the Arctic finding one in her size. By 3pm yesterday, it hadn't been delivered! Swim lessons started at 4:30. So, I rush to a few stores and none of them have any bathing suits or swim diapers in her size. We finally went to Toys R Us and they had swim diapers that fit her. We rushed to the YMCA and were a few minutes late.

They won't let a baby in the water in just a swim diaper, so I had to talk them into letting me use a clean onesie over the diaper. Finally (10 minutes late), we get into the water and there was absolutely no crying! She was very calm and playing all the games of splashing and kicking. The only time she looked a little worried was the first time that we "looked under the water". Because she is such a little thing, by the end of the class her little mouth was chattering. Next time, the instructor said we can put a little sweater on over her suit to keep her warmer. The swim suit finally showed up at 6:30 pm last night. So, this morning, we did a little swim suit fashion show to make sure it fits. It will fit much better with a swim diaper, rather than a big, bulky cloth diaper.

10 Months Old

 How is my little Blueberry ten months already?! It seems like just yesterday, we were making sure her nursery was put together, her bag was packed and we were ready to meet her. As I told someone the other day, I feel like she should be turning 10 months and 10 years all at once. I can't remember not having her, so it feels like forever!

This little bundle of energy is so much fun to be around. She never sits still, is always finding something to get into and trying desperately to walk. She cruises around the ottoman, the couch and the cabinets with ease these days and watches dreamily at other babies that can walk.

She is a big have of making the 'uh-lul' noise with her tongue (sticking it out and back in while humming). I know you just tried it ;) She loves to play with any electronics that she sees me or Michael using. Her favorite right now is the Play Station controller and the remote. In the rare chance that she can get close to our laptops, she goes crazy!

The last few days, I have been calling her Tornado Eliza because our her destructive abilities on this house! As soon as I get all of the blocks put back in the tub, she hurries over to dump them out. Not to play with them, just dump them out. Once they are laying in the floor, out of the bin, she crawls on about her way. She loves to pull all of the baskets of the shelves in her room and pull out the blankets and burp cloths. As soon as she sees me put them back neatly, we start over.

Her favorite game right now is chase! She will crawl to the corner of the room, sit up and stare at me. When I notice what she wants to do, I stand up and say "I'm going to get you!" She then turns on the turbo boosters and crawls as fast as she can, giggling along the way. I catch her at the end of the hallway and we repeat the process. Today, she was giggling so hard, it woke dad up! Thankfully, it was time for him to get up

More and more I notice traits that she has of ours. She crinkles her nose when she smiles like Michael and she stands on her tippy toes like I did. She is a mess, but I am having the most fun of my life! <3

Little Body, Big Personality

 "Hey, Eliza. Whatcha doing?" She answers back, "Nothing, mom!" This is how alot of our days go. I sit back and watch her experiments. Nothing gets past this little one.

In the above picture, you can tell it was taken early in the day. Her hair is tamed, she has both socks on, and her pants are still relatively down. As the day draws on, her hair reflects that she has been playing, she takes off and loses her socks, and her pants tend to look like shorts! She is full of energy and loves to explore new parts of the house.

Since our basement is getting very close to being done, and my craft room is done, Eliza and I have been spending more time down there. She has a basket of toys that she can play with. While I was sewing, I saw her playing in her toys. When I stopped, I heard her giggling. She was so proud that she was making a ton of noise!

Along with the big personality, she is developing a big appetite. She is mostly over the pureed foods and would rather have food that she has to chew. Even though she only has two little teeth, they magically eat (very soft) chicken, veggies and grains. She is set on feeding herself most of the time, and since we have been cutting up small things for her, she has wanted to eat more. I love my independent baby!

Eliza Loves her Fur-Siblings

I have always liked animals and feel much calmer when I sit on the couch and pet one of my fur-babies. It shouldn't surprise me that each time one of our pets walk into the room, Eliza's sweet face lights up! She loves the cat best. Thankfully the kitty is very patient with Eliza, and when she's done being messed with, just moves to a different part of the house. Eliza gets so excited anytime the cat even moves!

When we first brought Eliza Bug home, Angel didn't want much to do with her. But now that she moves AND EATS, she is the most interesting thing ever! So much so that Angel doesn't leave her side in the high chair. I am walking a delicate line here. I would like Eliza to learn how to share, but I want to make sure she gets enough to eat and the dogs don't have too much. We have had to start fencing the dogs in the other room while Eliza eats. They are always happy to clean up though :)

Dependent Vs. Independent

 Eliza is currently in a stage where she wants to be on the ground walking while being held...WHAT? It doesn't make any sense to me either. She is being very needy and giving great cuddles, but also has an intense desire to be independent. Right before bed time, she gives the best cuddles because she is getting sleepy. I know I need to treasure every second, because soon she is going to be too busy to give cuddles.

 This picture is a great capture of both of our moods at times throughout the day. She wants to be picked up, but wants to stand. I think she is either getting some new pearly whites or going through a growth spurt. I guess we'll know in the next few days.

 While we were getting dressed this morning, Eliza was being a big girl and 'brushing' her teeth. More than anything she was drooling everywhere and slinging a wet toothbrush. But, hey, habits start early.

 After getting dressed and fixing her hair, I opened the door because Eliza likes to look outside. The door is cool to the touch, so I noticed her licking it! Silly baby.

 After I distracted her enough, she remembered to stand up and look out the door. When I would talk to her, she would turn around and wave to me. She looks so big standing up over there. Throughout the day, she stayed in a pretty pleasant, which I was thankful for. 

 

Last night was a baby food night, so I put Eliza in her walker to keep her contained. She was getting frustrated about it and was fussy, so our friend Sarah was keeping her entertained as best as possible. When I looked over one time, she was doing the 'gansta lean' in her walker". She is just a mess. Look at that little arm slung over and her leg up! So darn cute. 

In other news, both of the goldfish have left the building. So, instead of buying fancy $5 fish, we got $0.15 guys and they are doing perfectly. Eliza has not given them names just yet.

Hold On Tight!

 When Eliza woke up this morning, I should have known she was going to be a hand full. When I sat her down by her toys after breakfast, she crawled into the corner and started being a ham like above.

Where's Eliza?

While in the kitchen, I made the mistake of opening her cabinet (the only one without a lock) so that she noticed there were fun things to play with. When I turned around, she was mostly IN the cabinet.

There she is!

 She had a great time taking everything out of the cabinet. Now for the next trick, I need to teach her how to put it all back! I have noticed lately that all of her toys are lame in comparison to a wooden spoon, a spatula or a plastic bowl. I wonder why Toys R Us is so big! I am saving money from here on out ;)

Here little Bug shows us how fun they are to chew on. You can't see it well in this picture, but Eliza stands and cruises on her tippy toes like I used to do. I am going to have to break her of that stat.

Today was the first day that Eliza showed interest in taking the spoon while I was feeding her. So, based on what I've read, you should let them try to feed themselves as much as possible whenever they show interest. Here are the results.In my opinion, she has a bit of work to do :)

Wonderful Hosts

 Wednesday evening, the Thurmers had us over to their house for dinner. We have done lunch once since the kiddos have been born, but this is the first time that we braved a dinner. It went wonderfully! Forrest is such a big boy now compared to the last time we saw him.

 What I found amazing is just how sweet he is. He wasn't jealous at all when Eliza was playing with his toys. He would even bring toys to her to share them. They got along wonderfully! Eliza is very interested in babies that can walk, so she was watching Forrest all evening.

Forrest has a Mozart Music Cube, which I had seen but never considered buying for Eliza. That is until these two cuties were having such a good time with it. At one point, they were so inspired by the music they each were dancing!

We had such a good time with the kids together that Marie, Forrest, Eliza and I did lunch together the today. We hope to see more of these wonderful friends.

Story Time at the Library

 Since Eliza woke up in a great mood yesterday and her first nap finished by 10:15, we packed up and went to Baby Story Time at the local library. Eliza was really excited about the story and the props (she got to help by ringing a jingle bell during the story). After story time was over, we walked around Eiseley Library and found that they had reading nooks with Eliza-height toys.

Not wanting to pass up on free fun, we decided to stay and play for a bit. The two other children that went to story time stayed as well, so Eliza got an unscheduled play date! She looks like such a big girl standing up playing!

These days, changing Eliza's diapers and clothes is getting more and more difficult because she does NOT like to be still. Today, it was a challenge to change her diaper, so I held off on the clothes for a little bit. It is so funny to see her skinny little stomach, skinny little legs and her HUGE diaper.

Eliza and I also have a new game. She tries to go places that I don't like her to go, like playing in the dogs' water bowl, or into the bathroom, etc. When she hears me coming to get her, she turns on her little baby power boosters. So, now, I make a game of it.

The Extremes

Michael showed me a comic similar to this a while back and I thought is was funny and true at the time. This week, it is rings truer than ever! I have never been as happy or as frustrated. One second she is singing and playing and giving kisses, and the next she is throwing a fit because I wouldn't let her eat some spec off the floor! Naps are no longer cool, but waking up talking and happy at 4am is. DAUGHTER!

 Here is an example of a high. She is laughing and talking, looking super cute.

 Another example of a high: Eliza jabbering and hugging the couch.

And then there is a low. She starts giving all the signs of being sleepy: a yawn, rubbing her eyes, being super cuddly (which is wonderful) and getting super fussy. So, I pick her up and start our nap time routine. All is going well, then I put her in her bed. FIT! I walk out like I usually do and she stands up and screams.

Then you have high/low combinations. Eliza got a rocking giraffe from Grandma, Papa and Katie. She loves it, but it slides and isn't stable for standing on. Watching her face is a definite high because of the joy, but it is mixed with the low of worry of her eating the floor. I know, I know... it's all part of learning.

The same for when she is standing on her ball tower. She loves the thing and is getting to where she understands how to put the balls on the track. Because she isn't that steady, I worry she is going to eat it, and sometimes she does, but she always keeps coming back.

Now that she is highly mobile and standing, I have to do another round of proofing. Round 1 of baby-proofing was to tie this vase to the railing so that it couldn't tip over on her. Now, Round 2 is to just move it, because she stands up and tries to pick the flower. When I tell her no or move her, she goes into to full meltdown!

Thankfully, there are more highs than lows, and even the lows are worth it. She is going to be a strong-willed, loving child, so I better just get used to it, practice patience and hold on!

The Cool Life of Eliza Anne

Yesterday, we got a bit more snow in the morning into the early afternoon, so we thought we would try out the new snowsuit that Eliza got for Christmas from Brian and Kimmie. We ended up putting a hat on her in addition to the suit because the wind kept blowing the hood off. Most of the 4 minutes that we were out there, she just sat there and stared like, "What do you want me to do?!"

Since Michael was off last night, he took over bath time. When he took her hair of out the pigtails, she had a baby Ace Ventura thing going on. She is going to love all these pictures when she gets older! ;)

This morning she woke up a bit fussy, but with enough distractions stays pretty happy. Aside from standing up, feeding yourself is the coolest thing in the world according to Eliza.

Coming in 3rd this morning is "Catch the Fishy" and in 4th is jumping!

Being a cute baby is an exciting job!

Eliza's First Fishies

Several days ago, we got the tank ready for our new fish. We decided to get some fish after Eliza had such a good time looking at Mindy and Clarence's little turtles. We have had turtles before and they are a lot of work, so goldfish it was. 

Today, Eliza and I went to get the little fishies. The orange one Eliza named Ulluh-uluh and the one with the brain-like thing she named Arhh-arg. Here her say the name in the video below.

Happy Puffs

 

Today is one of those days that I wish I did not live in Nebraska. Since the windchill has been in the -20s, Eliza and I stayed in the house most of the day. We ventured out once to have lunch with a friend, but ran from the car to the building. The weather in LA sure is looking nice...

In other news, Eliza has been showing much more interest in feeding herself, so we are finally trying the puff cereals. One of our friends call them "happy puffs", so I called them that, too. Eliza was super happy about them once she figured out that she could eat them! She is used to me taking stuff out of her mouth (that she finds around the house), so the fact that she got to put stuff in her mouth, that it tasted good, and that I clapped when she did it made the whole experience thoroughly enjoyable!

Playground

Since Michael had to go back to work tonight, he tried to sleep in, but wasn't very successful. It is hard for him to switch between nights and days. He woke up about 11, so we had a date with dad! When we donated blood last week, we got a buy 1- get 1 meal at Raisin' Canes so we used that. Afterword, we had a few errands to run, one of which being at the mall.

Bundled up in her stroller

Before we left, we stopped by the play area to see if there was anything Eliza could play on. They have little mushrooms that she could stand up by and the floor was super squishy, which she seemed to enjoy. I was slightly nervous though because there were bigger kids running around and rough-housing too close to her, in my opinion.

So, Michael and I moved her to one of the portholes. She thought that was great, especially when she saw me on the other side. She is such a little ham! After a little while, she got bored with the porthole, so we bundled back up and went home.

As I wrote before, if she isn't standing up, she isn't happy these days. This afternoon, she was standing up at the couch and tried to fall to a sitting position, but she got stuck on the ottoman. She looked up at me really confused. "Well, this isn't how it is supposed to work," is what her face read when she looked up at me.

It is so neat to watch her right now because you can definitely see the wheels turning when she is working. Each time her little pinchers get after something, her face has a particular look of concentration. Her personality is getter more fun, too. She likes to laugh, likes people and likes to do things for herself. Sometimes when I try to help, she gets mad. I don't know where she got that from!

Standing Around

1/3/2014

In the past week, it seems that if she isn't standing up on something, then she isn't happy. Crawling is no longer the cool thing to do. Sitting and playing with toys is also not cool. You are only awesome if you are standing up playing with a "toy" that you see mom and dad playing with. Some of these favorite items include the remote, cell phones, game controllers and folded laundry.

Thankfully for Eliza (and my heart) she is beginning to learn how to fall. Before it was standing and then laying. Now, she is able to fall on her bottom and not really hurt herself. There are some exceptions to this. For instance, the swivel chair. 

Her favorite toy to play with in the swivel chairs right now is the cat. Thankfully, the cat has been pretty patient so far and not greeted her cute little baby hands with a paw full of claws. It the above picture, she is going for dad's socks that were just folded. The bad thing about the swivel chairs swivel. She doesn't understand that every time, it is going to end badly. So I have to hold the chair while she's standing on it, or move her. Which brings about the the next newly developed problem.

Standing in the kitchen 'helping' mom clean

She has developed a temper!! I don't know where she got it from... must be from Michael ;) When you move her to a different place and she wasn't ready to be moved, she throws a fit. Same thing with taking something away from her (like a little piece of something on the floor) or telling her no ends in the same results. We are going to have to be consistent and assertive quick, or we could have a real problem. I don't want a diva baby!

Another place that Eliza enjoys standing these days is in her crib. Last night, we had a hard time getting her to go to sleep like usual because she stood up and cried. We had to go in and lay her down once before she would go to sleep. Hopefully this does not become a pattern.

1/3/2014

I don't want to jinx myself, but the last three nights she has slept through the night!!! Three days ago, we started adding a little bit of rice cereal to her baby foods to thicken them up. I think that, combined with her increased mobility is a recipe from success! Now if I could just get myself in bed at a decent hour, I could get some great sleep :)