E is 15 Months Old!

I haven't done a monthly update in so long, but since Ella is doing so many new things, I thought it was definitely time!

Mommy's 1st attempt at pigtails!

Although she is not walking on her own yet, she is - to use the medical term - "cruising"! She stands up at everything she comes to and then holds on and walks around the room as long as there is something to hold on to. It was only just along the couch a few weeks ago, but in just the past few days, has turned into anything in a permanent place. While at her 15 month check-up yesterday, she walked around the waiting room holding onto each chair...needless to say, Lee and I were very proud!

Even though E was one very ticked off little girl at the doctor's office (5 shots plus a finger prick), we had a great visit with a brand new doctor at a brand new clinic. We have been very frustrated with our current pediatrician in that every time we go, all we are told is that there is lots of concern over her delay in walking and that she needs Early Intervention Services and she needs to see a neurologist.

I was taken off guard at a visit we made last month for an ear infection because we ended up staying there for over an hour while they observed Ella and how she moved around. Before they told me that as long as she was pulling up at 14 months, we were okay. So, I was very excited to proudly tell them that she was at that time and all they had to reply was, "But she is not walking yet???". Then it turned into questions like, "Is she getting a balanced meal?", "Can she feed herself?", "Can she say more than 5 words?". I realize they are just doing their job, but I was feeling very attacked and defeated at this point. Ella can do all of those things and plenty more. She just needs practice in walking...I wanted to scream!! She is progressing more and more each day...can no one hear me when I say that?

Anyway, we decided to go to another pediatrician for a second opinion. Lee and I were very impressed by this new doctor who exuded confidence and really listened to us and our concerns and feelings. He didn't act like he needed to rush out the door, he didn't compare Ella to his own children and he paid attention to what we were telling him. All in all, he basically told us the same thing the last doctor told us, but in a much better presentation. That was all we needed.

To make a long story even longer...since multiple conditions exist in Ella's case (multiple hemangiomas present and a delay in walking), he does think a visit to a neurologist wouldn't hurt and the early intervention services wouldn't hurt a thing either. If she is walking before our visit to the head doctor (Oct. 28th), then we probably shouldn't worry about going. She could have therapy to help her walk and when she does start walking, we will never know if it was just Ella's time or if the therapy actually helped her, but what does it matter? This doc just doesn't want us to get to 18 months and then think, what could we have done differently. It's all in the presentation and we liked it and were convinced!

Enough of that and more about little E...

15 months

Weight: 24.8 pounds

Height: 30 1/2 inches

Attitude: 100%

Ella loves to repeat everything we say and we are constantly amazed at the things that come out of her mouth (her mouth that is full of over 14 teeth, I think). We realized very quickly that we desperately need to watch out with what we are saying around her. It will come back to bite us (literally, with all of those teeth)!

Our munchkin LOVES to dance. We are convinced the music lives within her and whether you can physically hear the music or not, when she wants to dance, she will and loves it. Her favorites so far are Classic Rock and Dance music. If you get in the car and there is some AC/DC playing, her head starts rocking...which leads us to her Halloween costume...an 80s punk rocker. It will be awesome!

 DANCE PARTY!!

Even Maggie got in on the dancing...notice the red in her eyes...that's not the camera...she just really doesn't like to dance.

Her favorite thing to do in the morning is put on her shoes! I honestly think she must dream about them, because once we get her diaper changed, she is already reaching for them and says, "Sheewws, Sheewws". She also hates to take them off at night, but sorry kiddo...no one is sleeping in shoes. That comes from Daddy's rule from living in the fraternity house...apparently it was a big no-no to fall asleep in your shoes...bad things would happen!

Ella loves to say "Bye-Bye" to anyone leaving a room and will wave hello on command and give a big kiss to people she likes, especially Maggie. (Mags doesn't run from her anymore, but still gives her a look like, "Who are you again?"...we are making progress).

She is still a big eater, but is starting to get picky. She will shake her head politely no when you try to feed her something she doesn't like. But don't force it, and get her something she likes pronto...it can get ugly, if not. Patience is not a virtue this one year old understands (do any one year olds?).

Notice all of her jewelry...she loves to wear the bling...most especially the bracelets (high up on her arms)

Ella has all of a sudden learned her body parts, which shocked the heck out of us. We had been working on knowing where our nose and ears were for a while (we were a little confused on those), and then randomly Lee started asking her where her hands, nose, ears, mouth, toes, eyes, etc were and she knew them all. We were blown away. Maybe we are doing something right...or maybe daycare is...who cares...its working!

My favorite body part that she knows is my bulging belly. She has finally stopped referring to it as a ball and promptly says "Bebe" when I point to it. She may be a little confused as to her belly though, since she refers to her own as "Bebe" too. Oh well...we will get that worked out soon!

I could go on and on, but no one is probably reading this anymore and if you are, WOW...I am impressed. You rock!