Niagara was a-fallin'

Before school started in August we took the opportunity to drive to upstate New York. We had never been up that direction, but always wanted to plan a trip there. It was a long drive, but Ella was a trooper! Our first stop was Niagara Falls. It was incredibly impressive to see! We decided to take a ride on the Maid of the Mist. We weren't sure how Ella was going to do with the sound of the roaring rapids, since a month prior to our trip she started to not enjoy the sound of the faucet filling up the bathtub. Thankfully, she had no problems. I carried her in the Bjorn and she was content to simply gnaw on my finger.

Ella had on her own baby poncho, but was also covered up by mine. She was able to stay completely dry. I can't say the same for Skyler and me. 

We took out Ella's binky since we were convinced she'd throw it overboard. My finger had teeth marks in it for a few hours after. :) 

Months 7 and 8

It's crazy to look at Ella everyday and see just how much she has changed and how much she has grown! After going back and looking at all these pictures it's even more apparent! Ella now has 2 little chompers and we know a few more are on their way. She has the biggest, brightest smile, and the realization that her tongue is very fun to stick out of her mouth. Ella has also mastered the art of taking off her socks, and still has the flexibility to stick those bare little piggies directly into her mouth. She is now 8 months old and is more fun than ever!!

 Ella is wearing the dress that my great-aunt Dot made for me when I was a baby. 

Ella decided to add her own signature touch to the dress (the drool down the front).

Testing out her new winter hat to prepare for the "cold" Virginia winters. 

This is almost always how we find Ella sleeping. It reminds me of the 

how the stepsisters in CINDERELLA sleep.  

Ella loves when Daddy works from home, and even offers to help. 

Ella is a very good reader, and she always has a very captive audience.

I'm ready for my close up, world!

Up close and personal with our Ella Rose!

Queen of the Piano Palace

Music is, obviously, a huge part of our lives, and we wanted Ella to be able to make music of her own. She loves when we sing to her, I'm assuming since she spent months hearing us sing and music of choirs. She LOVES to dance with her Daddy, and she loves to play in her piano palace. She's able to play music with her feet and her hands, which brings an immense amount of joy to our sweet girl.

 Ella was introducing her friend Lamby to the piano palace.