5 Months

This month has been full of suprises, both positive and negative, and our focus has been to just take one day at a time. One new challenge is that our duplex sold and the close of escrow date has been a moving target. It looks as if we will have to be out by January 15th so the new owners can occupy the property. As much as I am not looking forward to moving with a 6 month old, I am a believer that everything happens for a reason and maybe this move will open up new opportunities for us. Luke's mother Sally stayed with us last week and it was really nice for her and Ella to bond since Ella knows my side of the family so well. She cooked and cleaned for us every day. I'd be lying if I didn't admit loving that my laundry was always taken care of. Ella had to visit the doctor several times last week due to her excessive spit up and heat rash. We now switched her formula to the Gentleease which has helped tremendously. We just started feeding her oatmeal cereal (at the doctor's request) since our little one is already 18 pounds 2 ounces and wearing 6-9 month clothes. This has been super exciting. We just ordered her high chair and I can't wait for it to come (oh how we love & appreciate the little things)!
Ella has changed so much this month and has become a little person! She is really reaching and grabbing at everything in sight (especially cell phones- she is one huge fan of the iphone!) She absolutely loved Halloween and we had so much fun taking her to the pumpkin patch and photographing every moment :) She talks constantly & loves looking at herself in the mirror (kind of like daddy! j/k) Her bumbo seat is her new best friend and she loves putting absolutely everything in her mouth. We just put her swing in the garage because we weren't really using it anymore and it really made me realize how insanely fast these past 5 months have flown by. I look at her and just cry out of pure joy all the time. Despite numerous challenges, I've never been happier and feel so unbelievably lucky.