Ten months

We started out this month by doing a little baby-proofing, but we still have a long way to go. Eleanor has gotten to be a pro at walking using her push walker, so she is all over the house now. This month she also learned how to stand unassisted and can clap while standing. She learned how to give high-fives and how to wave bye-bye (which she still doesn't do that consistently, but she's capable). She finally learned how to use a sippy cup, but only the one where you suck through a straw. In fact, this month she had her first daddy-daughter date to Tropical Smoothie where she got a Jetty Jr. and sucked it up through the straw. She still has only two teeth (and no signs of any more coming yet), and we're guessing she jumped past the 18 pounds mark this month. Her hair is lightening in the sun (still very brown) and her eyes are a mix right now of a touch of blue (which I believe will disappear at some point), some green, and brown. Her hair keeps growing and is very much in her eyes these days, so ponytails and clips have become a must. Eleanor is also in an all-out rebellion against silverware, particularly her own. She wants to put everything in her mouth with her hands, including oatmeal. She will occasionally eat off an adult spoon or fork, but never her own.

Her babbling is becoming a bit more defined and she occasionally repeats sounds that you make. For example, if I say "Eleanor, do you want milk?" She starts giggling and saying "muh, muh, muh." We have been signing with her since she was a baby and she is starting to recognize signs now - particularly the signs for "milk," "more," and "all done." When we ask her if she wants those things she either giggles and gets excited if the answer is yes or starts flailing her body and turning her head away if the answer is no.

I thought taking pictures of her last month was hard, but this month was far worse! She won't stay down for one second now, so I did my best.

Eleanor at one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, and nine months.