Day Seventeen: Don't sit down, Mum, I'm about to get up to no good!

Okay, so I know that it's not technically day seventeen, yes, I have

missed another day. The reason for this I cannot share at this point,
maybe at a later date depending on how things go.

For now, pictures of my cheeky monkey using her toy box to stand up.
She will give anything a go, even if it's just a soft toy lying on the
ground ('Maybe it'll hold me'). She is no longer content to just crawl
and play, now she is constantly on the hunt for anyplace to stand up.

Today I have noticed she's become super speedy with crawling. Where before I had time to say no and see if she would respond (I know, very wishful thinking!), now I need to be going to her almost as soon as she decides what she's going for!

Another big thing that's happening is teeth. Ellie has little white buds under her gums and is really very whingy. It's soo much fun!

Hopefully they'll come through soon and I'll get my little angel back!

Ellie's CD player came yesterday and it's making her day sleeps easier. I put on her music, put her to bed and barely hear a peep out of her. Now, if it would just stop her waking so much at night...

We have decided to find some ocean sounds to play at night, I feel like they are more soothing, consistent and hopefully able to stop her waking when she's not hungry. If she only woke when hungry she would only be getting me up once if that! Imagine!!

***

Less than a month until James and I celebrate our very first wedding anniversary. I can't believe the time has gone so fast.

Crazy.

Anyway, I must go and think about dinner. I really wish it would cook itself right now and then clean up after itself!!

RedBubble Work

Day Sixteen (not counting weekend):

On the weekend we went up to see my Nan for her 75th birthday. Ellie
quite enjoyed her time with so many people giving her their undivided
attention. She is such a social butterfly and really doesn't mind being
passed around from person to person.

Due to the weekend's festivities I have fallen behind in my daily pics but I will make up for it in days to come.

Tonight I thought I would post a piccie or two from the weekend,
starting with proof that Ellie is taking after my Aunty Meredith in the
posing department (as mentioned in a previous entry)!!

                                                                       
                                                                       
              
See! If Ellie had teeth they would practically have the same smile!! :)

This was the first time any of the cousins (except Casey) have held Ellie and I think she was quite enjoying it!

Last night when we got home last night Ellie was playing with her toys while daddy watched her and I did... something that I can't remember and when I came back this is how I found her...



... Sitting in her toy box!!

Day Fifteen: 6 Months Today!

Ellie is 6 months old today! I can't believe how fast the time has gone, it's craziness.

Daddy and Ellie are the cutest...      
Last night Ellie sat up from her belly for the first time, she's getting so so clever. I love to see her doing new things. It's very exciting but a little sad that she's growing up so fast. I want her to stay a baby a bit longer because I am just enjoying her so much, it's a beautiful stage.                                                                                                                                                           

Day Fourteen: Smarty Pants

Ellie’s really into standing at the moment. Today, as soon as I would sit her back down she would lunge at me and pull herself up and whine every time I wouldn’t let her because I was going through the junk in our wardrobe. She’s getting so old and her hair is finally starting to grow, have you noticed that she’s almost always wearing a headband in the photos? That’s because people ask me if she’s a boy or girl EVEN when she’s wearing a dress! She’s found that she can take the headbands off now and while she normally leaves it on (probably to appease Mummy) sometimes she will pull it down over her face or flick it off then try to eat it.

She’s really gotten quite tall, too. When I stand her on the bathroom cupboard to see herself in the mirror, she is almost as tall as me!

Well, it looks like it might rain, so I should get the clothes off the line.

Red Bubble Work

Day Thirteen??: Cuteness in the Cot

I've kind of become obsessed with redbubble.com. It's addictive, so instead of concentrating on getting my entries in here done I have been creating t-shirt designs and playing around with photos. Oops. But, I am back. Go me :)

Okay, so they're for yesterday's slack off. Today's photos are also in the cot. She's such a poser. I stick her somewhere and have the camera close by just in case and she just goes into what I like to call "Aunty Meredith" mode. Those of you who don't know what that means... I wish I had a photo, but basically - you point a camera at Aunty Meredith and she strikes a pose. It's probably a good habit to be in because if you're comfortable and getting into it then you rarely look like a dork.

Shameless Self Promotion

I may have mentioned sometime before that James and I worked out that we can afford for me to not go back to work until our kids are at school if we have them relatively close together. We worked that out before at least two rate rises and long before we realised it was going to take longer than we thought to get pregnant. So, now I am looking at easy things I can do to maybe make a little bit of extra cash to give us a little bit more of a cushion. I really don't want to have to go to work and leave Ellie, that would absolutely break my heart. I feel very strongly about being here for these important developmental years for my children and the thought of not being here as much as possible makes me sick.

For now I am trying some things that don't take away from my time with Ellie, house work and looking after James. Basically, I am hoping my current hobbies, which I indulge in when Ellie's having naps and the house work is done, will create a little money for us. Realistically, though I am not holding my breath but while we're not desperate for the money it doesn't hurt to give it a go and see what happens.

Here, dear reader is where you can help!! Firstly, I have been writing on Helium and your articles are paid on various aspects and views of your articles count, so if you have the time and love to read I'd love you to drop by my profile by clicking the button below and check out what I have written.

Secondly, I have just joined redbubble.com where you can upload and sell art, photography and t-shirts.  I'm not asking you to buy my creations (though I wouldn't discourage you either ;), what I am hoping you can do for me is go to my profile, check out my art and t-shirts and give me feedback. I want to give myself the best possible chance to sell some work. Or maybe you have a t-shirt idea and would like me to (try) create it for you.

I am also open to any other suggestions you may have about making a little extra cash.

Maybe I will find something that will work enough to keep me at home with my baby girl.

Ellie's starting to wake up, so I had best get going.

Day Twelve: Gorgeousness

I didn't get around to posting yesterday's picture, so I will do that now and do today's pic later.


This is Ellie looking lovingly at James as he was eating his dinner last night. It's so adorable how she'll just sit there and stare at him!

Oh! I have the cutest story from the other night; Ellie received a Crush toy from Aunty Helen for Christmas and on Saturday night we were all watching Finding Nemo because James hadn't seen it. Ellie was on the floor with her toys and when Crush came on the screen she got him out of the toy box!  There were heaps of other toys but she wasn't interested in any others. It was very cute.

Day 11: Funniest Pic Ever

All the pictures of Ellie that I have posted have been mega cute (in MY opinion) and today I took a not-so-cute one but it's sooo funny that I have to post it...


So funny!!

Day Ten: Green Girl

Ellie absolutely loves going out the back with James and I in the early evening. She gets her hat on and out we go. She loves to watch the wind in the trees, the birds flying past, the colour change in the sky as the sun starts to set.

Ready to go outside

The other day I wrote about Ellie crawling really well and getting where she wants to go, well, now we're in trouble. While once she would stay on the rug, crawling from one end to the other but never venturing off, she is now getting very adventerous and going where ever she pleases!! This morning when I got her up I watched her go from her room into the hallway looking for Daddy, she could hear he was up and wanted to see him.

Today's layouts I whipped up:

Forever Valentine
by Beckyandjames
Scrapbook.com

Mummy's Little Bookworm
by Beckyandjames
Scrapbook.com

The paper for the second layout I created myself, I am still unsure as to whether it's actually what I want or not.

I'm really looking forward to a weekend with my lovely hubby and baby girl :)

Day Nine: Mummy's Little Book Worm

Ellie has a bath book which she received from Granny before she was even born. Lately she has become very interested in it. At first she just liked to chew on it, then she liked turning the page and having me read her the funny lines (Pop, pop, pop and bob, bob, bob). Today when she got up from a particularly short nap I laid her on the ground with her book and she 'read' it to herself for sometime. I tried to get some video of it because she was 'reading out loud' but every time I turned on the camera she stopped. I'll put a video on youtube anyway.

                                                                                                   

                                                                                        
Happy Valentine's Day everyone! I hope you've all had a wonderful day :) I made a love heart cake, chocolate coated strawberries (some white and some milk) and some chocolate bites. And for dinner I made Lasange, which he loves. We both made each other a card, I love the one James gave me, it's beautiful. I'm going to make a scrapbook page with piccies tomorrow (my ScrapDay) and I will post it here so you can see his creativity. I'd love to hear what you guys got up to today.

Day Eight: A Moment in Time

I believe my mother requested (in a 'round about way) that I post a picture of Ellie and Mummy. Because I a the kind of daughter who ALWAYS does as she is told, today I will oblige.                                                                                                                                                              

                                                                                                                                          

 I love how it looks like she's telling me a secret in the second one!! Just yesterday she started pulling herself into a standing position, she only uses me to pull up at the moment, I don't think it will be long before she's trying the lounge, bookcase, coffee table or anything she can.

I wish I could look at the world with as much intrigue as Ellie does. I love to just sit and watch her explore. I love the look she gets on her face when she sees, hears or touches something new. I love how she'll literally climb over me to see things if I get in the way. It's so precious.

Anyway, I should get going.... Below is a layout I made with today's first photo, you like?                                                                                                                                                               

One more thing, thanks for all the comments! I really appreciate them and am glad you guys are reading!

Day Seven: Yoga - Ellie Style

Lately Ellie has been crawling really well, she is able to get to where she wants (generally the Wii games), it just takes some time and patience on her part. She likes to try and crawl with her bum way in the air and often looks like she's trying a yoga pose!

She looks really quite comfortable, don't you think?

Just recently I had been noticing a strange little head thing she was doing and I was wondering what it could be until I was saying "No" to her and shaking my head - and she copied! Too cute. I don't know if she knows what it means when she does it though. She certainly doesn't know what No means yet!!! Or she pretends she doesn't.

My cousin sent me a message yesterday saying I should go to the playgroup I used to work at on Wednesday and just lately, after having made contact with another new mum in town who and seeing piccies of her little boy meeting other babies, I had been thinking about how I would like her to meet other children. The youngest person she has met would be one of my younger cousins who is, like, 11. I would sooo love to go but right now I have a car that I don't trust to get me there or to start again once I am there. Plus, I have an issue with it not having air conditioning. It gets really very hot and I worry about Ellie when we're traveling for longer than 5 - 10 minutes. I am a bit sad that I can't go. I'd love to go and see all mums there, my Aunt and cousin.

I have finally found a place I like to post my layouts, if you want to have a look at my profile click here. I've only just signed up today but already I feel like part of a community, it's so great. So, if you're looking for somewhere to upload your layouts click here and sign up!

Okay, got to go make some dinner.

Day Six: Messy Eater

Day Five: Oh My Gosh! We Have Blinds!!

I took some lovely pictures of James and Ellie in front of our newly-put-up lounge room blinds but this is definitely my favourite. They're so adorable together!

It's very exciting to finally have blinds up on all our windows instead of our newspaper. It's funny to not be able to see out the back but it's nice to know other people can't see in.

Day Four: 'As Long as We've Been Married' Plant and Ellie

James recently bought a Blackboy (Xanthorrhoea australis) to grow through our years of marriage as something to mark time (and because he really likes them). Today's picture is of Ellie with our 'As Long as We've Been Married' Plant.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
I mentioned in my last post that I would like comments/interaction, If you have previously tried to comment but found you were only able to if you signed in, it's now fixed and you can leave a comment without having to sign in.                                                                                                                                                          

Day Three: Cot Standin' ~ Get Involved and My Very First Scrapbook Paper!

Cot Standin'

James commented on my A Picture a Day saying I wasn't really doing that because I was putting up more than one photo a day... I know! It's just sooo hard to choose, but I will attempt to be strong and only post ONE photo from the day.

Today's photo is of Ellie standing up in her cot, she loves when I put her in standing up.                                                                                                                                                            

Get Involved!!!

I'm really wanting my blog to be more interactive, so I'd love anyone out there who is reading to get involved in A Picture a Day, whether you want to comment on the photo, give me an idea for a photo theme or even send me your favourite photo of the day.

***

My Very First Scrapbook Paper

Yesterday I found the time to create my very first scrapbook paper in Photoshop. I'm amazed at some of the papers and elements that are out there and available; there must be some very clever, very creative not to mention patient women out there!


 

                                                                                                    Here's my paper and the page I made with it. I hope I am able to get better at creating papers and elements as I muck around with the program. I really enjoy it. I don't ever expect to be as good as some of the others out there, luckily a lot of them are very generous with their kits. I've also made some heart embellishments and brads (can be seen 'attaching' the journaling to the page).

My favourite digital scrapbook creator at the moment is LilyBelle I think she has an amazing talent and if you're into digital scrapbooking you should check out her blog!

Telling Tales credit.txt

Day 2: Cheeky Chops

I love how Ellie hams-it-up as soon as I get the camera out. I don't know what she thinks I'm pointing at her but she sure likes it! She's so photogenic, I would love to find some baby competitions to enter her into. Not to be a psycho mum who hates to win and pushes her child into things, just for fun. I know all mothers think their child is the prettiest, smartest and best, I'm no exception!

Before I go, we've got blinds!! After 18 months of having newspaper on our windows we've finally bought and put up blinds (just three to go). It's amazing the difference it makes! I'm so in love with them right now.

Ellie sleeps longer in the day because it's just a little bit darker with the blind partially open, it's good, she needs it!!                                            

Day 1: Telling Tales

*** For photo description see previous entry***

I've finally figured out that it was my own stupid fault that the photos weren't uploading, after much fiddling and grumbling! Silly me.

A Picture a Day

I have been really slack with updating here, I do love to write here but after a time I start to get despondent because I feel no one reads and then I stop writing for awhile. However, to pick up my desire to update I have decided to take and post a picture a day of Ellie for a month. It's so easy to take a few (million) pictures of her and I love to share them so this is the perfect project :)

Today's piccies are gorgeous (in my unbiased opinion!). We were playing on the rug and I had the camera ready when she pointed out the back door and started telling me a story. It was so cute, she had facial expressions and hand gestures, she had me in hysterics which encouraged her more. I just wish I knew what she was telling me.

Okay, for some reason putting the pictures in isn't working - I'll get James to have a look and post them asap.

Tummy Sleeping

Since Ellie's found the joys of rolling from her back to her belly she has started sleeping on her tummy. At first I was really worried and wanted to turn her over, but she sleeps so lightly that me even going in makes her rouse. I still don't really like it. I watched her this morning, while taking these photos and she's really very safe, she moves her head alot and is able to get into a safe position to breath. It's very cute, though stressful. The biggest problem with it is she kicks off all her bedding - as can be seen.

She seems to sleep much better like this.

Smell The Flowers

My beautiful baby girl loved the smell of the flower Daddy gave her. She loved it so much she wanted to eat it, unfortunately it didn't taste nearly as good! She persisted, however!!

I've edited this photo in photoshop to give it a 'dreamy' effect, you like?

I think Ellie looks like a Darling Princess in this one, I love it.