Presenting The Frog Prince and the Bug: A Play by Ella Majoli

You can hear a bit of her made-up language which we call "Ella Speak". Enjoy!

Airlie's Nine Months Old

It's hard to believe she's been around as a living breathing creature as long as she was in my tummy. Our Airlie Jane is just as sweet and calm as ever. It's impossible to be around her and not want to hug and kiss her...she's just that sweet.

She's showing no real signs of wanting to crawl but she is more upright on her arms during tummy time. We think part of the delay in crawling is that she's just so chubalicious! But we've both noted that either she's gotten longer or she's taking in fewer calories because she seems to be getting a bit leaner. This is either our imagination or nature's way of helping her to move.

She's eating more and more baby food and sweet potatoes are her absolute favorite!

I snapped this picture just a short time ago...while she was napping...peacefully. Happy nine month birthday little peep!

Digestive Diction

Ella has been drinking Soy milk since she was about 16-18 months old because regular milk seemed to upset her stomach. More and more we've noticed the regular milk (drank at restaurants, friends houses) didn't seem to bother her very much. So, seeing as regular milk is much cheaper, albeit not quite as healthy, we decided to make the switch. She didn't really seem to like it much at first. I think that's because Soy milk is naturally pretty sweet and Ella loves sweets. But she accepted it after a few days...but her stomach did not. She started having some constipation. We started telling her she really needed to drink lots of fluids and eat her fruits and veggies because she was having constipation.

A day or so later I ran by the grocery/pharmacy on the way home from work after Matt called saying Ella was complaining that her bottom hurt and she could not go to the bathroom. I think he was re-living in is mind the story his mother tells of having to "help" our niece when she had similar problems as a toddler. Long story short, she drank the apple juice and ate some frosted mini wheats as suggested by our pharmacist; problem solved.

Then just the other day we were dealing with another one of Ella's ongoing problems; paying attention and following direction. As I sat on the floor roping the calf that is my four year and trying to stuff her into her pants as she pulled away I told her she needed to focus. "Ella, please concentrate and help Mommy!" I pleaded. After a few minutes I was sweating but she was dressed. She looked at me innocently and said, "I'm sorry Mommy, I'm having trouble constipating."

Sharing the Wealth

So...now that I have two daughters I'm facing a dilemma. Who gets what from my childhood? For instance, I kept my Barbie doll house my dad built for me when I was little. It was in serious need of repair and TLC when we pulled it out of an out-building at my mom's house. It's been sitting in our basement for almost three years and this Christmas I called upon Santa's elves to help me fix it up. It turned out great. It still needs a few touch-ups of paint and it could use some carpet or wallpaper but it looks great. All new furniture helps any house, right?

The problem? It was given to Ella for Christmas. I don't have a single other thing to give Airlie of that same size or significance. The bookshelf my dad built is in Airlie's room right now and I suppose someday down the road she could inherit that but let's face it...it's not a toy. And at some point Ella will have to share the dollhouse with her sister. But my concern is when they are adults and have their own children...how do I pass these things down?

I guess for now I'll just give things as I see fit and hope for grandsons.

Airlie Update!

Our little sweetie is 8 1/2 months old. I can't believe the better part of her first year is over!!

She's a happy 18 pounds and showing no interest in crawling. She's sitting up on her own, for the most part and is happy to sit in the floor and play with her toys or watch Ella dance around like a princess...or fairy...or a mermaid princess with wings...I lose track by the day.

She doesn't fuss much unless she's tired or hungry or has a stinker in her diaper...but who could blame her on that one. In fact...she had two ear infections in December and I did not detect either of them...Mother of the Year...I know!

Here's one of my favorite pictures of her from Christmas...her first. She was so sweet and just sat playing with her toys all morning.

Little Adult

I'm amazed every day at the things that come out of Ella's mouth. And when I say amazed I mean sometimes I'm amazed as in, "whoa, where did you learn that?!" and other times, "hey...when did you become so grown-up?" =(

Yesterday after school Ella sat down next to me and asked, "So mom, how's your day going?" I said it was going pretty well. Then I asked how her day was going. "Oh, my day is brilliant!" Is she hanging out with a group of Brits and I don't know it? Seriously...where did she hear brilliant. The best part it she really enunciates....BRILL-ee-unt!