My Little Grown Up

Ellinor is off the bottle! This is a big day. I honestly thought the transition would be painful - mostly for Bry and I as we juggled Ellinor's emotions about the change; but, Ellinor has done beautifully! For the last two days I have not given her a bottle - before this we were down to just 2 a day - so today I packed them all up and we said goodbye. So far she hasn't seemed to notice their absence and does wonderfully drinking from her sippy cups. I am so proud of our baby girl. She truly has been the easiest, most joyful child to care for. How did I get so blessed?!

Today we went outside to enjoy the sunshine. We walked in the morning, and then decided to practice walking outside this afternoon. Ellinor still doesn't know quite what to do about her big girl shoes. Actual soles make them much heavier than her infant shoes, and until now she has quietly refused to walk in them. But she was so crazy excited when we went out to the front yard that all previous objections were forgotten. There were some spills along the way, but she is doing a great job! Not to mention there are leaves, trees and the neighbor's dogs to take her mind off the practice.

I LOVE having this walking baby in my house. She is so entertaining and fun. The older she gets the more excited she is about doing things with mommy and daddy. At times I really miss my tiny infant, but I would miss this growing girl way too much. She makes me happier every day, even as she practices throwing mini tantrums and asserting her opinion about what I'm trying to get her to do. She is hilarious, smart, adorable and so loving. I swear tomorrow she will be 20 and off to experience her own adventures. But until that time, she is mine and I will try my hardest not waste these precious days.