Warning: I have decided to attempt a new writing format for the Ellis Family Story Blog! Focusing on Lily was such an important thing to do for the first year of her life when things were changing daily, and I truly hope she is able to look back on that with so much joy. I think, however, it might be nice to take a step back and focus on the whole of the Ellis Family in an attempt to preserve all memories. Coincidentally, our life seems to revolve around Lily, so for those who were thinking of giving up on this blog, have no fear; I can assure you will get more than your fair share of Lily news and pictures.
With that said here are some highlights since the last post:
We've been to the Toledo Zoo a few times trying to get our money's worth out of our membership. Plus, who doesn't love a quick trip to the zoo? Lily does, that's for sure. I'm so glad they have the new Elephant exhibit as that seems to be her favorite and we are able to get so close to them now. Her elephant impression is still the cutest thing ever (besides her kitty one).
My sister, Emily's wedding has been front and center in our lives for a little while and I regret to say that the only pictures I have of that event so far are of the Bachelorette party. It also seems we only have this one of her and I, but I can assure you there are many more to come.
We taught Lily how to say "Cheese" for pictures and apparently we close our eyes when we say it because this was her impersonation...
Lily and I had it rough for a few weeks, I think we went through 4 Kleenex boxes and slept more than most people do in their lives. The cuddle time was irreplaceable, however. Here she is with all her comforts: baby, blankie, binki and snacks.
When we named this dear sweet girl, we hoped in our hearts she would be as sweet as her name and that hope seems to become truer each day. She really is such a sweet Lily girl.
We had an impromptu trip to an orchard last weekend. Lily especially enjoyed the animals, namely this goat who she thought was hilarious. She also thought the pumpkins were balls and kept walking around saying, "baa, baa" then trying to pick them up and becoming increasingly frustrated each time she couldn't. It was incredibly adorable.
This is probably the hardest entry I've had to write. I keep procrastinating and thinking maybe if I don't write about it you won't really be one! But alas, you are whether I write this entry or not, so here it goes...
One year ago, on a perfectly sunny Tuesday morning in August I was on my way to the hospital to deliver the most perfect baby girl that has ever existed. I had no idea then how much my life would change once you came (despite the friendly warnings from basically everyone I talked to). Nothing could have prepared me for how happy, loved, proud and crazy you would make me feel. How can anyone truly describe what happens to a heart when it sees their tiny precious baby, made from their own flesh and blood, smile for the first time? How do you explain the feeling you get when a being so tiny and fragile depends on you for it's entire existence? To know I am in this world to make and mold a child is one of the most fulfilling and terrifying emotions I have ever experienced. You have exceeded my expectations in every way and I only hope that some day I might have some of that same effect on you.
I dedicate my life, love, and this blog entry to my very first baby girl, Lily Ellis.
I love you for many reasons, but one of them is for our
shared love of Sophie. I didn't have to tell you to love her,
I didn't force you to crawl into her, I never asked for you
to plant big sloppy kisses on her equally sloppy nose; you just
do. You understand wholeheartedly, and without question
how special Sophie is to our family.
This picture immediately makes me think, "Iiiin West
Philidelphia born and raised..."
We had a little pre-birthday celebration with your Papa Chad
and Uncle Chiz. This is how we learned your fascination with
money that has Mom and Dad trying to save more and more
every day!
Peek-a-boo with Pop Pop
Camping
You had your first "camping" experience this year. We decided it was best if you didn't stay overnight, which proved to be wise as you barely made it through a nap. Otherwise, however, you enjoyed it very much. You loved sitting around the campfire, taking walks to the dock, and trying out all of your camping gear you got from your Great Grandma Sharon and Papa Fred. I was so thrilled to be able to share the great outdoors with my little girl and I greatly look forward to our future explorations.
smell.
Happy Birthday to You!
The Party
What a trooper you were on party day! You ate my lasagna and even seemed to enjoy it, you appreciated each and every single present you got, and you even ate my cake that I labored over for many hours! Watching you enjoy this day with our family made this whole first year come together for me. It showed me through all of our doubts and concerns, we may not have done as bad as we thought when raising a child for the first time. The kindness and love you had for everyone there truly touched everyone's heart and I could not have been more proud of my little girl.
Day of Birth
Sleeping angel.
Your bike from Mom and Dad.
I saw this idea on some parenting blog and had to steal it.
Making pancakes in the shape of their age for breakfast.
You are showing us that you are "sooo big" on your first bday!
We took a trip to the local pool with Grammy.
I wanted to get a picture of you carrying Grammy's bag, and
when she turned you around to face the camera you had
a little bit of a breakdown and I couldn't resist the
opportunity to capture it on film.
Showing off your knowledge of animal sounds.
Well, my dear, this is all for now. The final month-by-month blog for your first year. I am so proud already of everything you are and everything to come. I better keep it at that; we don't need any more sappiness in this post. I love you truly and dearly for all the days of my life!
I technically won't be able to call you that for much longer, so I figure I better get it out while I can (although you will always and forever be my little baby bean!). However, even as I call you baby, it's hard to picture you as one anymore because you've grown so much and act like such a big girl. I try to cherish the fact that you still rely on my to feed you and bathe you and change your diaper because I know it will only last a moment more and then you will want to do it on your own. I must admit that those times of independence are quite exciting, though. I was feeding you breakfast one morning and you went for the spoon with your hand. I put that bite in your mouth, then let you have the spoon to see what you would do with it and lo and behold you put that sucker right into your mouth! So I put a very small amount on the tip of the spoon and let you take it again and you (just barely) got it all in your mouth! You don't do it all the time, but every once in a while you will reach out and want to do it yourself. Who knew such a little thing could make someone so proud?
There are so many awesome and amazing things you can do now, and I can't wait to share them!
4th of July
Your first 4th of July was a blast. We went to our friend's house
from church- the Winter's- to play outside and have a
BBQ.
They had a lot of fun pool toys set out (which was good because
it was probably around 100 degrees, if not more!) and you enjoyed
playing with your friends, Lily W, Drew and Isaiah.
You were also quite fond of the birds on the pool, as
evidenced by this picture where you are giving one a kiss.
Another wonderful picture with your even more wonderful Daddy.
Yuck
You came down with a little summer cold this month. You felt
very bad for quite some time and had a runny nose that did
not agree with you at all. It made sleeping very difficult, but
I have to admit I enjoyed the extra snuggle time.
You know Lily is sick when she lays down
on the floor. You were like this watching
Sesame Street for a good 5 minutes,
which is unheard of for you!
Auntie Em's Bridal Shower We didn't get nearly as many pictures as I would have liked, so they aren't the most flattering, but I had to document it somehow so here you are! I was so proud to have you there as you are just so darn cute. You charmed everyone with your new favorite thing, waving, and your new skill, walking. You kept escaping from Grammy's grasp so you could "help" Auntie Em and Uncle Kyle unwrap their gifts. How thoughtful!
North Carolina!
Another big moment to add to the books this month- a full week long vacation that included airplanes, long car rides, hotel stays and oceans! I will let the few pictures that we took tell the story. (Sorry there aren't more, "vacation" with a baby can get a little hectic!)
You fell asleep in your carrier about a half hour before the plane
ride. I was so proud of you as you are very particular about
how and when you fall asleep (you don't even let me rock you, now.
As soon as we get in your room for a nap, you reach for your crib.
I never though I'd see the day!) The moment I sat down on the plane,
however, your eyes shot open and you immediately started
waving to every person within waving distance. Considering you only
had a half hour nap you did AMAZING on the plane. You played
with your toys, watched some shows, took a quick trip to the bathroom
to look at yourself in the mirror and get up and before we knew it the
flight was over!
We landed in Myrtle Beach and stayed there for a night. Your favorite part of the room was the mirror on the closet door, or more precisely, the image reflected in the mirror on the closet door.
You not only gave yourself kisses in the mirror,
you lathered the whole thing with your drool.
About 2 hours after we arrived the fire alarm went off and we were
all evacuated. As I have been through many fake fire drills, I didn't
think much of it. We were outside for a while and it was hot so
we went across the street to get some ice cream and wait. All of a
sudden 3 fire trucks come zooming up to the hotel and that's when
I started to panic. I hadn't grabbed anything at all- no diaper, no
food, nothing. Your Daddy had the sense to at least bring his phone and
the car key, but that's it. Finally he went to check things out and it turns
out there was just some smoke in one of the rooms, so we were able
to go back in shortly after that.
This is your first AND Daddy's first time in the Atlantic Ocean!
It was VERY windy but that did not stop you from enjoying
yourself thoroughly. Even after that wave drenched your outfit
and we had to take it off!
You especially enjoyed rubbing sand all over your legs.
You are a beach babe for sure!
Sitting at the table like a big girl with no high chair!
At Wrightsville Beach with Mom.
You were particularly interested in collecting
seashells this trip and were probably the
most content I have ever seen you.
Showing off your seashells.
At Uncle Ron's shop on his last day. I regret to say we didn't get
a picture with Uncle Ron or Aunt Diana but they surely
enjoyed your visit.
This is a miracle right here. You had fallen asleep in the
car and Daddy insisted you would stay sleeping in your car seat.
I, however, was not so sure as you don't typically transfer well.
But alas, you stayed sleeping all though appetizers!
Playing in your cousin, Ronnie's, ball pit.
Dance
You have gotten so good at dancing. Anytime you hear any sort of beat you start bopping your head and butt simultaneously. I'm pretty sure it's the cutest thing EVER. Right now you are particularly fond of Michael Jackson's Billie Jean and in this video you were digging Fidelity by Regina Spektor. You also added in extra arm moves this time, probably for the camera.
11 Months!!
Playing with your favorite kitty, Lion. Just another similarity
between you and your Auntie Em. You say kitty by making
the "k" sound and can even tell what a kitty says. You say "yeah"
but in the tone of "meow." I have yet to capture that one on film.
Not only that but when we ask what a bear says, you say "ahhhh"
in growly bear voice.
Kisses from Grampy
Fun with Grammy.
You are happy as long as you have something to hold on to.
Your new obsession is collecting. You love holding onto
as many things as possible with one hand. In this picture you
have clothes pins, but you are also partial to sticks, spoons,
and folded up coin wrappers (thank you, Grampy).
Other notable things this month:
You love playing peek-a-boo and have for a few months now. You will pull a blanket over your head and I will say "Lily! Lily, where are you?!" and you will pull the blanket down quickly and laugh as I say "Peeeeeeeek-a-boo!"
One of the highlights of waking up in the morning, or from your naps, is seeing Sophie. As soon as I pick you up you look for her and if she isn't there right away you call her by clucking. Anytime you want Sophie you just do your clucking noise. I don't think Sophie knows what that means, yet as she hardly ever responds accordingly, but I'm sure she'll get the hang of it.
You started a swimming class last month and are doing so well. You are learning to kick, pull and go under. You got your first ribbon the other week for putting your head under the water! Despite my initial hesitation and anxiety, you did marvelous and are only continuing to improve. As long as I say, "ready, go" before you go under, you do a very good job. The only thing you need to work on is closing your mouth before you go under. You are starting to understand what to do when I say "Kick" but have yet to figure out the "Pull" part.
It's hard to believe my next post will be commemorating your first year of life. Each month you grow so much and I am looking forward to see what new feats you come across before our next post.
