Perfect Progress

We have really noticed that Ella has been making great progress in the last couple of weeks. She may not be meeting growth chart standards or hitting the age-appropriate developmental milestones, but she is making progress every day at what seems to be the perfect pace for her.  I like to think that she is marching to the beat of her own drum.  Here are some new pics of her progress...

This is her new game where she likes to make this sound with her lips back and forth with us. She thinks it is so funny and I know she feels proud of herself for figuring out a way to communicate with us and make us laugh! 

Two teeth!

She loves her oatmeal cereal, but she managed to take a break from eating to strike a pose for this picture (hmmm...that reminds me a lot of her big sis)!

I think she was saying to me, "Hey...why did you put that toy out of my reach?"  Well, it is all a part of my plan to encourage her to crawl and it is starting to work!

Notice the lifting of the bottom... she is starting to pull her knees up under herself in the attempt to move forward and crawl!

She is also using her feet to scoot...so cute!

almost there...

"I've got it..."

"Oh no... I lost my balance...I'm doing the rollover to my back!"

"Ahhh, mommy to the rescue.  Now I can practice sitting up and I get to have my toy!"

In the last couple of days, she has been sitting all on her own without the assistance or protection of a pillow (a little scary for mommy), but she is doing great!  She can stay in this position for about 2 minutes at the most so far.

Sophie was actually getting nervous that her baby sister would fall over and hit her head so she decided to sit behind her to keep her safe.  What a protective big sis!  

Sophie's love for Ella is so sweet!

7 things I love about my 7 month old ...

(in no particular order)

- the way she lights up the room when she smiles

- the way she grabs my face and pulls me close for a snuggle

- the way she kicks her legs when she is excited

- the way she gazes into her daddy's eyes

- the way she giggles when we play baby games 

- the way she watches her big sister with amazement

- the way she observes the world around her and soaks it all in

 This old Billy Joel song comes to my mind when I think of her...

She's got a way about her 

I don't know what it is 

But I know that I can't live without her 

She's got a way of pleasin' 

I don't know why it is 

But there doesn't have to be a reason anywhere 

She's got a smile that heals me 

I don't know what it is 

But I have to laugh when she reveals me 

She's got a way of talkin' 

I don't know why it is 

But it lifts me up when we are walkin' anywhere 

She comes to me when I'm feelin' down 

Inspires me without a sound 

She touches me and I get turned around 

She's got a way of showin' 

How I make her feel 

And I find the strength to keep on goin' 

She's got a light around her 

And ev'rywhere she goes a million 

Dreams of love surround her everywhere 

She's got a way about her 

I don't know what it is 

But I know that I can't live without her any way 

I am totally smitten with my precious baby girl!  

Fabulous at Five!

Warning:  this blog entry contains lots of bragging and gushing from a very proud mama!

Five seems to be a magic number for Sophie.  All of the sudden she has turned into a young lady.  She is more polite, more helpful, and sweeter than ever.  She is taking the initiative to do things on her own (without me having to ask a dozen times).  She cleans up her room and turns out the light when she leaves it.  She gets herself ready in the mornings and stays on task.  She cleans up the dinner dishes for me and the other day she folded a basket of clean laundry that I had sitting in her room!  She said, "I knew you would appreciate the extra help since you are busy with the baby today."  Wow! I am so proud of the little lady she is becoming!

my little helper

Sophie constantly amazes me with her intelligence as well.  She understands many concepts that should be well beyond her developmental level.  Her preschool teacher said she is by far the brightest student of all of her classes.  She also said Sophie is emotionally, physically, and socially superior as well.  I was a little surprised at first by her teacher's comments, but very pleased!  At church, Sophie has been the "Rainbow of the Month" for her responsible and respectful behavior twice.  I am so proud of her!

Sophie has endured many life changes and some heavy heartache for a five year old.  I have always worried that these things would somehow impact her negatively, but so far she is thriving!  It reminds me of this passage in the Bible, "²Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. ⁴Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." - James 1.  I am seeing new levels of maturity and growth in Sophie and I know that God has used what was intended to harm her for good; to strengthen her and develop her character. 

Here are some of my favorite Sophie pictures from 2008 and her favorite things:

she loves playing sports

she loves to hunt for treasures

she loves kitty

she loves to bake

she loves to make mud balls :)

she loves the beach

she loves to pose for pics...

... and another

she loves roasted marshmallows and camping

she loves to run around in the sprinklers

she loves teaching Kindermusik class :)

she loves showing off her mud balls

she loves fireworks and popcorn

she loves being a big sister

she loves her preschool

she loves to "project" with her Clinty

she loves dressing up like a princess

she loves her snuggle bunny

she loves playing in leaves

she loves to make crafts

she loves to use tools

she loves to catch snowflakes...

...and I love her!