Although Mommy has neglected this blog for such a long time; neglecting you, sweet Ellenor, I have not.

Ellenor is a bright, ray of sunshine! She has grown into her big personality, much like her long, dark hair that keeps growing. It is getting slightly lighter/more red in the sun. Ellenor likes to flap her arms. She likes to “grrrr” and “ahhh” and say “hey”, “mama”, “wawa” (water), “bbbbbuh” (she wants Mommy’s milk, or bed), and “oooo”.

At her 9 month check-up she weighs 17 lbs. 4 oz. Her weight is in the 25%, but her height is in the 50% for her age and she has always had a large head (trying to keep up with all that hair). She gets TONS of comments about how pretty she is with her dark hair and blue eyes. She has always been interested in food. She is not a picky eater and eats anything we do. We call her “2-egg Oh-nor” (because she eats 2 scrambled eggs every morning) and usually an applesauce or Nutri-grain bar with it. David comments that this is approximately his breakfast size. I’m convinced that she could eat an entire All-Star Breakfast at Waffle House if she chooses. She likes those applesauce and fruit-blends “on the go” in those squeeze pouches as well as eggs, cooked veggies and mandarin oranges and bananas.

If Ellenor could jump up and run, she would. She is interested in EVERYTHING Miriam does. She is a proud little sister to sit next to M in the double stroller that we were gifted. She has taken an interest with other babies and enjoys her playdates with Gabe, Ruby, Evy (even though Evy is claimed by Miriam) and Natalie. She can “rock” back and forth in the crawling position, although she has not mastered crawling. She likes to test the waters of standing up, but cannot pull up yet. She does like sitting up (since about 6 months) and can scoot around on her bum or lean all the way forward in a split to shimmy around. This month she outgrew her LulaGo Bassinet (the greatest travel bassinet there is, in my opinion) and we put her in the crib, in Miriam’s room. They are great roommates (although Ellenor sleeps in the office/guest room for afternoon naps so that Miriam can have “Miriam time”).

She really loves that she is “a big kid baby” now and can look around, sit up and now trying to be mobile to be a part of whatever we are doing. She still loves the baby carrier and the stroller and loves car rides as long as Miriam is back there with her. She loves being around people she knows and as long as she’s fed, she smiles and talks a lot. She loves to travel with us, as a family. We’ve been to the year-round indoor pool (W.L. Stephens Pool) THREE times now and she takes to water like a fish. We have taken her to the mountain house with Grammy and Pops and enjoyed Santa’s Land. We have gone to Rock Hill a few times. We have gone to stay in a cabin at Lake Jocassee. And she loves being outside (as long as we are there of course).

We love you so much Ellenor! You are becoming such a sweet little girl. When Mommy packed up the bassinet for the final time this week, I cried a little. When did you get SO big? You have Daddy and I wrapped around your finger (and Miriam too, although Miriam is the bossy boss, right now).