11 Months

I'm blown away by the big girl I now see in my baby's monthly pictures. We are weeks away from her first birthday and I'm just flabbergasted at how quickly time has passed. Seems like just yesterday my husband and I were home waiting and wondering when our little bundle of joy would come to meet us. We thought for sure she'd be a 2012 baby, but this girl has proven over and over that she cannot be predicted.

This month has been a fun one. She's been taking several steps on her own. Not quite going the whole nine yards yet, but it will be very soon, I bet! I admire that this girl has no fear. She will try anything. Even if it means falling on her face or butt over and over again. She just gets right back up and tries again.

Not only is she trying to be more independent, but she's really enjoying playing now. She loves to play peek-a-boo, and when you try to chase her and tickle her. I could listen to her laugh all day and never get tired of hearing it. Every says she's just the happiest baby they've ever met. She's a big flirt. She loves to wave and wink at friendly faces and kiss family and doggies.

This blog, I also wanted to make a list of words she understands and/or tries to use. So here they are:

-Hi
-Hello (this is different from Hi. Hello is when she is "talking" on the phone and she says it like "Ho!". Hi is what she says when she waves at people)
-Yes (nods her head)
-No (shakes her head)
-Doggy (do-do!)
-Daddy (Dada)
-Thank You (also sounds a lot like do-do, but not quite)
-Wink (winks on command)
-Eat/Food (part of baby sign language)
-Milk (sign language)
-Bath (signs)
-All Done (signs)
-BeeBee & Papi
-Nana & Pops
-Kiss
-Bye Bye (waves)

I think that's all! She also runs or crawls away when you chase her and say "I'm gonna get you!" She just loves it. She does "Nosey nosey" with Nana which is eskimo kisses...so precious. She growls at Papi because he acts scared when she does it (also growls at the dogs). She also kisses Daddy on FaceTime.

She talks to herself a lot now and its just so adorable to listen to. I wish I knew what she was thinking about or talking about. You can see the wheels in her brain turning as she studies, walks, and talks. We still have a few night time kinks to and weaning to work out, but my husband and I are really looking forward to our very nearing future. So many wonderful memories ahead for our family and for Elise. We are so blessed.