Happy 5 Month Birthday Ella!

Wow. That's all I can say today. Wow...I mean WOW!! How do I have a 5 month old daughter?!?! Didn't I just revel at the fireworks at my wedding to the hubs?? And to top it off, E is sitting up. Yeah, like all on her own. The other day she just started sitting up by herself but just for a few seconds. Today, she woke up and must have decided today was the day. This is it, now or never. And she did it. Ella can sit up for as long as she pleases. Without my help. My head is spinning thinking of all the possibilities! Highchairs and pictures...She can sit up to watch TV.

As far as the monthly picture with the frog...well E has discovered that there is a whole world around her. Usually she can't take her eyes of the camera (Camera shy? No!! Not my child!). But today, the smiles and looking at the camera were not happening at the same time. I mostly got one or the other. I finally accepted it. But I got lots of pics of the new 'old man' face.

That frog isn't looking so huge anymore!

Sitting up on the floor

Just lovin that tutu

Think she's gonna be a ballerina??

Again with the tutu

Sassy took E in to see Poppy, hard at work in his office. She sat on the pool table and decided to give Poppy some of her arsenal of faces.

The 'your so silly Poppy - side eye version'

The 'Huh?'

The 'I Know!!! I was just thinking that!'

The 'You can't fool me, I wasn't born yesterday Poppy...'

Practicing her plies. Look at that little pinkie finger up in the air!

Then she turned to look at Sassy. Look at that adoration!! (well, mixed in with the old man face)

I think I can now safely say that we got lucky and the 4 month wakeful period passed us by. This dreaded time in an infant's life is when they realize there are things still going on as they sleep. Ans so they want to stay up and partake in the fun. Ella is just so darn tired that she still sleeps through the night. However, I think we got the 3 month-no nap ever-or really short nap-period. At about three months E stopped napping. The pedi just gave me a "Well, I guess she's just a poor napper." And told me I should be grateful that she sleeps so well at night. And don't get me wrong, I totally am. It would just be nice to get something done during the day instead of having to wait until little one is asleep. Whatever no-sleeping affects your baby, it's supposed to get better at about 6 months. So I'm keeping my fingers and toes crossed.

However, don't you know that Miss E just woke up from a 2 hour nap!! Yep TWO WHOLE HOURS!! She must have known today is a very special day and wanted to get her beauty rest. But now she is up, sitting in my lap as I type this, drooling and chewing on my arm, talking to Moose A. Moose and Zee on the TV. And I couldn't be any happier.

At 5 months Ella:

Weighs 14 lbs, 2 ounces

Is almost 24.5 inches tall

Wears all her 6 month clothes and a few 9 month sizes

Sits up all by herself

Drools all.the.time (I think some teeth are right around the corner)

Has her Daddy's personality...stubborn and easily frustrated

Loves her cereal! Today she actually fed herself...brought the spoon to her mouth and opened wide!

Holds onto things to stand herself up

Loves Jack-in-the-Box, not the food...the game

Plays with cups, plates, whatever she can get a hold of on the table

Like to watch video of herself

Plays with and types on the phone...She has sent text messages to Daddy

Loves to be read to, especially rhyming books

Still trying to crawl when you put her on her belly

Likes to stare at other kids

Seriously loves the dogs, especially Maggie the Poodle. Its a mutual affection. Ella 'rides' Maggie and pulls her ears and hair and Maggie just loves it

Will hold your face in her hands and concentrate on your features

Silly Faces, Sophie and "Ma"

I think Ella has discovered all the things she can do with her face. Meaning she is nothing but silly faces these days. The latest is the old man face. Yeah, the toothless, sucking in her bottom lip look. What's even funnier is that she tries to talk with her mouth like this. It comes out as a muffled, full of bubbles 'Ppppfffffttthhhh'. Here it is.

And baby girl has rediscovered Sophie the Giraffe. She LOVES her!! Well, I think she loves her...if you consider Ella's little fingers wrapped around Sophie's neck, squeezing the air out of the giraffe, love. She holds Sophie in front of her face, squeezes until her arms shake and then shoves a foot, or two, in her mouth.

Sophie in one hand, foot in the other

And I just love this one, melts my heart. Apparently Ella wants to give Sophie to me and says 'Ma'!!!

Angel with an Attitude

Wow, this kid is getting so big! She is fitting into one of the very first outfits she received when I was pregnant. It's from Tia, and it so very accurately describes my little piece of heaven. Most of the time...check out the attitude in the video below. And guess what??? This little angel is sitting up!!! It didn't last too long, but still. She sat up all by herself 3 different times. We had a couple of head butts to the floor though. See..that's why I got that super plush rug Daddy.

Gangsta lean, homie

Yep, all by her big self!

Wow, look at those little pink things down there...I think Mommy calls them piggies and they go to market and other such craziness.

And that one cried 'wee wee wee, all the way home'

Look at me Mom!! I am such a big girl already!

The cutest part of this little angel...a ruffle butt.

She wouldn't turn and look at the camera...that owl toy was just too interesting.

And tasty too apparently.

I'm sorry, where you talking to moi??

So she may be an angel, but she's got an attitude. And I'm terrified. I've been checking her gums for signs of teeth because of the insane amount of chewing she does. I've always been able to pull down on her lower lip and say "Let Mommy see." The other day she decided she only wants Mommy's fingers near her mouth when SHE chooses to put them there. So she forms her mouth into an 'O' and won't let me see. And it didn't happen just once. It's her thing now. Isn't a bit early to be exhibiting signs of stubbornness? Doesn't that hit at oh, say...13?!?!? Well apparently not this girl. Wonder who she gets it from?

Driftwood Winery

The fam got together tonight and had dinner at one of my fave restaurants, Trattoria Lisina at Mandola Estate Winery in Driftwood. It's amazingly beautiful and the food and wine are delizioso!

Getting a ride

The gardens

The view of some of the grape vines from the front of the restaurant. Minus the cars, you almost feel like your in Italy.

Ella grabbing onto Daddy's head. She loves to wrap her hands around his noggin and pull on his ears.

I want down, I want down!!

Ella has taken a liking to food and drinks. She loves to watch you as you eat and drink and reaches out for glasses, bottles, plates, silverware, food...basically anything on the table or in your hand. She decided she wanted to share Sassy's drink at dinner.

Hmmm. that looks mighty delish Sassy...

Bring it up here!

Now let's see, how do I get it in my mouth??

Maybe if I just open my mouth and face plant on the glass??

Oh heck Sassy, just pour it down my kisser!!

First Memorial Day

Gotta start the day cheery and bright in a yellow Ralph Lauren onesie with navy blue bows and a white Ruffle Bum.

Gosh darn, I'm a fabulous preppy baby!

We had a BBQ at the house with dogs and burgers. Our good friends Elizabeth, Marcos, Catherine, Joe and their son Joshua and Brandy and Rey and their daughter Katie Marie joined us for the festivities. Elizabeth and Marcos are expecting their own baby boy in September. She is one of the cutest little pregnant people I've ever seen!!!!

Elizabeth wrangling Joshua around her cute baby bump as he was trying to take the chair somewhere...not sure where.



He's got his bib in his mouth. Num Num Yummy!

Awwww.....the kiddos checking each other out. Joshua held out his hand to hold Ella's. Looks like Ella found a friend!

Look at all this cuteness!! I just love his teeth!!

The parents-to-be. Ella took an immediate liking to Marcos. Can't wait to see little Bamo (Baby Morales)!!

Getting to know Katie Marie. The gals were matching in pretty purple. Great minds think alike. Check out that cute lil bump on Elizabeth!!

Lacey and Mike came over and brought their new bundle of joy... an English Bulldog named Max. He is just the most precious little puppy. He played a bit, ate a bit and napped. Just like the babies. Check out this face! OMG to die for!!!

Rex was all up in Max's business. I think he just wanted to play with the roly poly puppy. While Max napped in his crate, Rex stood unwavering, waiting patiently for baby to wake up. I can see him doing this to Ella in a few years, him just thinking, "Wake up, wake up, wake up, wake up...I want to play fetch!!"

Lacey lifted up the blanket to give Boo and Rex a peek. So cute!! Can't wait until Max is a bit bigger so these three can play together.

What She Wore...

This sweet little outfit came courtesy of Aunt Jess. Ella is wearing 6 month clothes, mainly because she is so long. She's a little over 2 whole feet! As I was looking through all the cuteness, excitedly pondering what Ella would wear today, I rediscovered this green and white gingham cutie. And it fit!

Ella is starting to walk when you hold her up. Yep, that's right...one foot in front of the other, all by her big self! Here she is stompin her way on over to me.

Just so darn cute! Thanks Jess!!

A few hours later...

I just can't believe she is getting so big. She is sitting up with just a little support. Not too long and I think we'll have a fully independent sitter!