Hanging Out

 Reading a  book with Mom after a run, and before laying down for my nap:)

 Mom and Dad had the their first date night since we moved over here! I had a babysitter (other than grandparents) for the very first time. Mom and Dad put me to bed before they left, but I woke up right after they left, and cried for an hour! Our poor babysitter. He had to try to soothe me back to sleep like Mom and Dad do. I wake up to every little squeak (and the floor is quite squeaky) so he ended up rolling out of the room so I wouldn't wake up again. My goodness! Mom and dad are used to tip-toeing out, but the rolling was a new one! Anyway, I think Mom and Dad had a good time. It was Daddy's work party, but it was nice for them to get dressed up, and have some adult time!

 Hi Daddy. I love you.

 Headed out for a run.

Below is my first time in the grocery cart. I know it seems a little late, but in Houston, Mom was still just usually setting my car seat in the grocery cart, and since we moved here to England, we walk to the grocery store, so I stay in my stroller. We made a big trip to the grocery before all of our family came, so we drove and I got to sit in the grocery cart. I liked it!  I am higher up, so have a much better view!

 Ooooh, the outside. Mom opens the door as she puts on my coat, etc to go in hopes to calm me down.  What can I say? It is really annoying to put a coat on! She learned she can't really do that anymore though because I try to crawl on outside by myself; even if it is wet.

 Eliana's second trip to play group. We went once before about a week before I turned 10 months, and we got sick. Mom was kind of annoyed by the sick looking kids running around, but she decided to try again; especially since it was the Christmas party with a nativity (made up of some of the older kids in the group) and a puppy dog even came on stage!! Eliana crawled right over to the dog, and kneeled by the stage to try to get a better look. She had fun, and didn't seem to mind when a toddler slapped her three times in the face!

 Eliana continues to pull up on everything in sight, and this is a new attraction.

 Well, can we go outside or what?

 Pens, pens, and more pens. So, I LOVE pens. I found them here in this little shelf while I was supposed to be enjoying my toy. I love to pull every single one out, throw it on the floor, and then bang them together. My mom finally moved them out of my reach. Bummer!

 Caught in the act...

 Watching some Sesame Street while mom cooks dinner.

 Fascinating.

 And here it is again. Eliana enjoyed watching the clothes spin in the washer, and then got to see some other clothes spinning around in the dryer at the same time.

 Just finished a run. Ahh, I love you Daddy!

 Eliana loves to climb on us, and over us lately. It is a fun game.

 Miss Eliana climed up the two stairs, and through the gate by herself!

 And then immediately crawled up the wooden stairs. She only got up to two here, but one day recently, mom and dad forgot to shut the gate early one morning, and as mom was doing the dishes, she heard a oohh oohh (sound ellie would make when she wanted to be helped down from standing) and mom found her on the 4th wooden stair! After Mom picked her jaw up off the floor, she was just so glad I called out for help instead of trying to get down myself!  So, around 10 1/2 months, I stood for a few minutes without holding on to anything. Mom was so surprised when she turned around to see that I had let go of the night stand. I also bent over while standing to pick up a pen (of course) and was able to stand right back in the same position. I was also able to turn myself around from holding onto one thing, to holding on to another. Mom couldn't believe when she looked down, and I turned around 180 degrees! Also, mom thought is was really cool that when she said, "Daddy's home," I turned and looked at the doorway. Let's see, I also started to wave hi and bye, and just here in the last several days, I am waving when someone says hi or bye without them waving first. I am still really only saying mama and dada, but mom and dad swear I did say bye once, and up once. I also figured out how to sit down from standing, and can do this consistently now. It is so nice that I can just sit down right away, and I don't have to wait for Mom or Dad! I have also started practicing walking around the round coffee table. Seems to be a perfect place to practice! Mom and Dad just finished 3 weeks of my sleep training, and I have still not figured it all out. Mom says that my dimples sure keep me outta trouble with her:) It is still pretty rough for mom and dad, but it is getting a little better; in some aspects at least:) Oh, and I still have no teeth! I just have the two that popped through on the bottom front when I was almost 9 months, but they haven't grown at all! What is up with this?

 Eliana had her first play date in England. We met another mom at the play group that has a toddler and a baby that is only 4 days difference in age from Ellie! How cool! They had fun playing around with toys and books.

Cutie Patooties. The moms thought it was so fun to see the babies right next to each other that are sooo close in age!