Our Elsa-Bells

I just went in to check on her.  Little lady with her arm around piggy and bum up in the air.  I could not stay long or get too close; we have a light sleeper on our hands these days.  I remember when Addison was like that and now love that I can go into him and kiss him and re-tuck him in and he'll not stir.

She turned a year and I didn't document it on here.  I didn't document it anywhere really, except for in pictures.  I just sat down yesterday and updated her baby book from where I left off when she was 9 months old.  I never thought I'd be one of those moms who neglects record keeping for their children!  Poor Samuel has no chance.

She turned a year with full force.  As I was reading back over the notes I had made between birth and 9 mo. it was fun to see her little personality showing itself from the beginning.  "She doesn't love to be held."  "She reaches constantly for things."  "Everything's in her mouth."  "She loves her baths."  "She bores easily."  "She tries so hard to keep up with her brother."  "She's loud."  "She crawls FAST."  "She has her eyes on the stairs!"  ...That's Eliana Abigail!  We recently went on vacation to Oregon and the nursery worker at Clair and Gloria's church called her a little Force of Nature.  Perfect Decription!

Our force of nature is quite particular.  She know what she likes and definitely what she does not like.  She learned early how to push Addison's buttons and she succeeds quite nicely at it.  She can even find mine from time to time!

She is loud, fast, curious and head strong.  Eliana Abigail is joyful, daring, energetic.  She is messy, beautiful, crazy, and friendly.

On her first birthday, she took her first steps to her Aunty Cheryl (exactly as her brother had done on his first birthday!)  She kept on trying after that and had mastered walking at 13 months.  Now today, on her 14 month mark, she is quite capable of going up and down stairs, keeping up with Addison at a good pace, climbing all sorts of things she shouldn't and getting into the tub with no assistance.

She has 6 teeth and is cutting her 7th, 8th and 9th.  She has recently started to REALLY enjoy books.  She will actually sit and "read" through them herself or bring you one if you ask her to.  It is quite lovely to have her get a book, give it to you and try to climb up into your lap for some reading time.  Her favorites right now are any that involve animals (she is learning the sounds animals make and can do quite an adoreable cat) or word books such as picture dictionaries.  

Her vocabulary is increasing constantly and she will often repeat things she hears if asked to.  Tonight she said her version of please after being prompted.  I am starting to think she may be just as observant as her brother.  Today when I got her up from her nap, she pointed to the fabric on her quilt.  "Yes, Eli, flowers!"  Then she pointed to the fabric banner hanging in her room that had the same material in it.  "Yes!  Those are the same flowers!"  Lastly, she pointed to her curtains, which yes, were made of the same fabric.  Pretty smart, huh?  

Eliana Abigail, you have captured our hearts.  You entertain us to no end.  You keep me busier than I thought a little girl would.  You bring joy to your brother's heart and also a little terror.  

We love you for who God has made you and love what you have done to this family.  You are truly an answer to our prayers and the joy of your father.  Happy first year, sweet girl.