D.C., Christmas and 11 months old

Happy girl!!

Elli Bell-
You are a world traveler these days. You took your fifth airplane ride as we traveled to Washington, D.C. in early December for a conference that mom was in charge of running. Yet again, you traveled like a champ. Fortunately we had Gigi's help this trip. You spent lots of time loving on Gigi in our hotel room and exploring a few sites around the city. We visited the new African American History Museum (wow, just wow) and we went to the spy museum. During your time in D.C. you took 11 unassisted steps and Gigi just knew you were going to take off walking there--you know she always claims she taught your brother and sister how to crawl, so it was only appropriate for her to take credit for you walking too.

World traveler ready to go

I'm ready mom...let's get this trip started

you have mastered the selfie game now...three generations ready for some fun.

You sure do have a sweet smile.

Scenes from your trip to D.C.

You also celebrated your first Christmas--and it was a blast. You loved ripping the presents open and pulling out all of the tissue paper from the bags. We had to put up a gate around the Christmas tree because you also loved to play with the ornaments. You were none too happy about that. For Christmas you got several new light up toys that sing and play music which is great because you have developed a new found love of dancing. You do this precious little shoulder shake when the music comes on and now are starting to do a little knee bending when you get really into it. I pray that you continue to love music and that you have more musical ability than your mom. You started walking about 10.5 months or so and there's nothing stopping you now.

we took the gate off and you didn't know what to think. It's a free for all.

you love bath time and your brother and sister do too.

Merry Christmas!

You also love being outside. You love to go for walks and play in the grass. Here you were watching daddy put together the playscape we gave you guys for Christmas.

You were finally introduced to a family tradition, dreamsicles for breakfast at Gigi's. Bubba was all too excited to introduce you to this special tradition.

At 11 months, you are on the move--walking like a champ. In fact you're almost running these days, especially when we call your name or start to chase you. You have mastered climbing up the stairs, but not coming down. And you are into everything--small toys, legos, breakable dishes, dog food, dvds. You are very curious and very determined, which means we are constantly having to make sure doors are closed so that your fast little self and tendency to act like a vacuum don't cause any problems. At 11 months, you weigh just a bit over 18lbs and have 6 teeth.  You have a precious little gap between your top two teeth which makes it precious when you smile. You now shake your head yes and no--more often no than yes :). Elli love to eat--pretty much anything, but especially carbs. You still enjoy mommas milk and makes the most excited sound when you are about to nurse. You're still very tiny, which makes it really funny to see you walking around everywhere. You love playing peekaboo and chase with your brother and sister. They love to come wake you up in the morning, because you give them the best smiles when you wake up. You can say momma, daddy, and are starting to say hi. You also wave hi and bye, clap on command, and sometimes will blow a kiss. My sweet girl, you are also very opinionated these days and not afraid to whine, cry or scream to get your way. Of course, your big open mouth, full face grin doesn't make it easy to say no either. You love your momma and you love being held and for that I am most grateful. You sleep from 7p-8a, but still like to visit with momma a few times during the night. 

You are a true joy, an answer to prayer, and a beautiful child and we love her so very much.