Shoes, shoes and credit cards

My little protege....lately your favorite things are shoes and credit cards. It is so cute. You bring your shoes with you everywhere you go. Most kids like to bring a toy or two on their walk - you bring your patent leather mary janes.
You know so many words these days. You can say the following:
mommy, daddy, Bailey, Cassy (you say Sass), Cissie, Natalie, GG, Papa, Sanna (you say Sa-Sa), credit card, banana, please, more, cracker, baby (that is also your yogurt) and bye-bye. I am sure there are so many more on the list. You can also say Moo when you ask what the cow says and quack, quack for the duck.
Books are still a hit with you. You love Goodnight Moon (you call it Hush), I Kissed the Baby, The Lady with the Alligator Purse, and Chicka Chicka ABC.
We are getting ready for our second Christmas with you. You are still the best present we could ever ask for!!! We have tried to see Santa twice and both times you cried. You are definitely a mommy's girl. I try and tell you that your dad is really cool and much more fun than I am, but you still are very clingy with me.
Next week we are headed to Jackson Hole to see your Uncle Brian. It will be your first trip to the mountains. It is so hard to believe how much you have traveled in your short life!
We love you Miss Ellen G.

So Many New Things

So much has happened since the last time I made an entry in your blog, Little One.
Your dad left us for almost three weeks the end of September/beginning of October. It was a wonderful time for us to bond and have some very quality mother/daughter time. During this time, you really decided that it was time for you to learn how to walk. You took so many little steps. I was sure you were going to be able to walk while your dad was gone. It has been a slow process, but I officially call you a walker. You look so cute wobbling around the house...getting in to everything.
You had your 15 month check up today and weighed 22 pounds and 30 inches long. Your growth is coming along rather nicely. Mom likes to take credit for continuing to serve mother's milk at your liking. Food is not one of your favorite things so am glad you get your nutrition from me. You eat bananas (some times), avocados (most of the time), cheese (this is your favorite), yogurt, goldfish, o's and ice cream.
Your doctor said you are very advanced when it comes to your speech. You can say mama, dada, baby, hush (you got that from Good Night Moon), cheese, bye bye, hi, Jim, and try to say Bailey and Cassy.
You went to Chicago in October. It is amazing that in your short life you have been on an airplane three different times - Austin, Mazatlan and Chicago. This trip was the most challenging as you did not want to sit still. You were all over the airport. I found it rather disgusting and washed your hands many times. We spent time with my friend Carrie. She found you absolutely adorable - you are.
Halloween is tomorrow. You went to a Halloween party on Saturday with Quinn at the Minnesota Children's Museum. You dressed up as Dumbo. You were SO DARN CUTE. The cash register was your favorite part of the museum. You didn't want to leave.
It is so much fun watching you evolve from a baby to a little girl. You light up everyone's life that loves you. You are an amazing little girl.

Elle's sign language skills

It is truly amazing to watch a baby grow. Each day she learns how to do something new. Last night she gave us the "more" sign when she wanted another spoonful of food. How exciting!! Hopefully this will reduce the pointing and whinning.
We are looking forward to a restful holiday weekend. The weather is not supposed to be nice so hopefully we will find enough to do inside to be happy.

A New Approach to Discipline

Our sweet little Elle has a little devilish side to her. She knows when she is going to get in trouble and gives us a HUGE smile. I don't want to turn in to the mom that yells all the time. Plus, "no" clearly is not working for her. It was time to check out my resources...I found that kids under the age of two need a different kind of discipline. Basically they know they are doing something wrong and just want attention. They explained that instead of getting angry, you should give them a hug and tell them, I love you, but I do not love what you are doing. As she was turning the TV off this morning and driving her dad nuts, I tried it and it seemed to work. Let's see if it continues. I just want to raise a calm, secure and well behaved beauty.

Comment from Grandpa Chuck

Your Grandpa Chuck wanted to leave a moment but was not able to do so. Here is what he asked me to post:
"the little doll Elle is the best part of the everyday loving life I live...gc(grandchuck)"
I know your G/G Groseth feel the same. Your Grandma always lets us know if we haven't posted new photos of you up on your website. I know she likes to start her day drinking coffee and looking at you!

13 Months Old

It is so hard to believe our little baby is 13 months old!!! I look at her today and can't believe how much our life has changed since she was born last July. She started out as a helpless little baby who was not able to do anything for herself. She has grown into an active little toddler who enjoys getting in to trouble and keep her parents on her toys.
Height - approximately 29.5 inches
Weight - approximately 20 pounds
Mode of mobility - crawling yet walking is soon to come
Current words - mama, dada, "What's that?", "What's this?", bye bye and pants
Favorite toys - water bottles along with items with which she is not supposed - i.e. remote controls, phones, cords, etc.
Latest thing that drives us crazy - she likes to turn the TV on/off

Ellen Grace Groseth

Ellen Grace Groseth

Visit From Auntie Sanna

Sanna came on Thursday August 24th and stayed with us until the 27th. She hadn't seen Elle since December so it was like meeting her all over again. So much can change in a baby's life in 8 months!!! She was a tiny little baby who couldn't roll over on her own who is now an active little toddler - crawling like crazy and finding trouble around every corner she can! Elle warmed up to her immediately and by the end of the weekend, we were convinced her "sa-sa" sounds were Elle's version of Sanna.
Unfortunately, the weather was cool and rainy for half of her stay so we weren't able to do too many outdoor activities. Brent and Elle were able to walk with Sanna to the park on Saturday and we made a last minute trip to the State Fair on Sunday.
We miss Sanna already. We are looking forward to our next Groseth visitor - Grandma:) very soon. I know Auntie Sanna can't wait to see her niece (and maybe her brother and s-i-l too) in December in Jackson Hole!