Almost 6 months home

Friday will mark Ella being home for 6 months.  Wow, it has been a busy p, crazy 6 months.  Life with a toddler is more than I expected in some ways and not in other ways.  Ella is growing....she has grown to 33 inches tall and is now 22 pounds.  She loves to talk and exert her opinions and wants.  Usually these are in 2-3 word phrases.....sometimes she will use more words.  She loves daycare/preschool!  She is always happy and excited when I pick her up.  She is even starting to participate during circle time answering questions correctly!  She identifies her name and a few other letters.

One of the biggest things to me was when she started actually cuddling with her dolly at bed time!  When Ella first came home she would throw everything out of her bed.  She didn't want any comfort items or even a blanket.  Slowly she began requesting more item and now closely hugs her dolly to her while she is falling asleep.  It is quite cute to see.  We have struggled on and off with sleep.....Ella tends to scream and cry while in bed.  I have wondered if it was growing pains, muscle spasms, and nightmares......nothing really worked.  Due to the lack of sleep we made the change that Ella's bed is now set up in a different room of the house.  This is working better for all of us.  She is sleeping better and not waking up crying and we are getting the much needed sleep we need too.  

Ella continues to be very attached to the whole family!  She seeks out cuddling time with me.  Frequently requests Maria to pick her up and hold her.  Loves her time with grandma, seriously she is becoming quite the grandma's girl.  She also is learning how much fun her cousin Kru is.  She finds him to be very funny and he loves making her giggle.  And oh does she giggle!

Ella pretty much will eat anything.  She continues to love all soups and pastas.  Oh and if she asks for "mms" she is wanting M&Ms.  She is a good eater, but likes to eat slowly and I have learned I have to make her eat specific things (usually protein) first.  

I'm so proud of the changes and ways that Ella has come out of her shell.  I frequently get comments on how cute she is and how well behaved (so glad she knows when to behave).  We love Ella so much....even when she cries.

Our first family picture last year on trip one....Obviously Ella wasn't as sure about this whole family thing as we were.

Ella and her dolly

Playing at grandma's house

Hanging out while Maria was skiing

Frequently she requests that we brush her hair