Dear Ella,
I think now that you are eight months old, it is safe to declare you a blue-eyed baby. Your Grancie thought you were going to go dark like me and three of my four siblings, but you’ve held on. Your dad’s recessive genes really came through for you, although your eyes are darker than his are.
Remember how I mentioned last month how you were just in love with your dad? You still are. The other day we were in your bedroom playing when he came home for lunch. As soon as you heard the door beep, your head snapped up and you started shaking with excitement. It took him a minute or so to come back to where we were and you didn’t take your eyes off the door the whole time, just waiting for him to appear. When you see him, you shake and squirm and squeal, holding out your arms to have him pick you up.
You are not so keen on other men, though. Dad’s cousin and his wife live in our apartment complex with their two little girls and he is a tall guy, with a lot of dark hair and a beard. When they were over here hanging out a few weeks ago, your dad held your hands and walked you over to him. You were pretty reluctant and slow. When he took your hands and turned you around to walk you back to Dad, you walked as fast as I’ve ever seen you. We all got a big laugh out of that.
In general, though, you just love people. At the library or the grocery store, as soon as you see someone, you look at them intently and if they stop and look at you, you wave your arms around and smile and giggle. Pretty sure you got that from your dad too, as he is much more social than I am.
Your ability to interact has really come a long way this month. When I come get you out of your crib, I fold up your blanket and then I hold out my hand for your pacifier. And you’ll either pick it up and drop it in my hand or just open your mouth and lean your head over my hand so it falls out. The first time your dad saw you do that, he couldn’t stop laughing at how cute it is.
On Sunday night, we took you into your room to change your clothes after dinner since you were rather filthy and you got kind of anxious, I’m assuming because you thought it was bed time. When we came back out of your room and went to the door to go for a walk, you burst into spontaneous laughter, which we’d never seen you do before.
You make us laugh all the time. We love you more than you know,
Mama
P.S. I tried to take that brush away from you for these pictures. And I got this winner:
Kelly J. says
I cannot believe she's 8 months old already! I remember the day you told me you were going to have a baby still, and it doesn't feel like it was a year and a half ago. Wow.
She's still the most adorable baby ever. Even when you make her sad by taking away her brush.
Jenny says
THAT is precious.
Kristy says
Adorable, adorable! I just love her!
lifeofadoctorswife says
Adorable even mid-meltdown!
jpetroroy says
I love these. You're such a wonderful mother.
Karen says
What a fun letter. I'm glad you are chronicling her development every month. It will be a treasure for both of you. Can't wait to see you all.
Melinda says
Oh, such a sweetie!!! Love the pics- and the memories in your letter!
heidikins says
I can't believe she's 8 months old! Goodness, what a little charmer!
My niece is 2 and I just discovered that she refers to all men as either Daddy's or Granpa's. The other day she saw a 15-year old washing windows and asked "What's that daddy doing?" 🙂
xox
Mary says
She's a doll! And her eyes might still change. My daughter was born with blue eyes (my husband has blue eyes) and when she was 2 they darkened to hazel, like his sisters eye color. So you never know!
Lonica says
She is such a cutie. The joy of motherhood is watching our babies grow and develop. Soak it up!
McKinley says
hahhahaha Ohhh that sad one is so cute… I feel bad for loving it!!! Was she born on the 23? Z is 5 months today so I am just curious. I love blue eyes!!! What a lucky girl. Gian learned in his genetic class that it takes more than 6 genes to make up the color of the iris. Eye color is so complex they still haven't figured it out exactly.
Rachel says
She is absolutely darling, and what a cute personality!
Bethany says
that is the CUTEST sad face I have ever seen!
Ralphie says
We love her too and feel very lucky that NieNie has already found her best friend. From a very good family, I might add.
Jill says
Oh my gosh, that one of her crying, even though I know it was only temporary, seriously breaks my heart! I hate seeing babies cry! Even though it's so cute at the same time!
She is seriously so gosh danged cute!
Packrat says
What a cutie!
Is it my imagination or just the pictures? Seems Ashley's Addie and your Ella look so much alike – which really isn't all that surprising…
Marie says
She just gets sweeter and sweeter.