Ella Update – 11 Months!

What I can do

• I take steps!  Yep – I will go from sofa to chair to mommy taking a step or two without holding on to anything..
• My vocabulary is expanding everyday!  If you ask me to point to some thing — i will do it!  I will also point to an object just so you can tell me the name.
• I am the belly-button inspector. If anyone is near me wearing a shirt – I will walk up (crawl or grab) and lift up their shirt to see if they have a belly button!
• I will initiate tickling session.. I will start rolling on the floor laughing mumbling something that sounds like “tickle tickle” until you tickle me!

What I
like/don’t like

• I still love my books — but not I like to bring them to mommy or daddy, sit on their lap, turn the pages and mumble to myself..
• I am the ultimate climber!! I can climb up onto the sofa and all over it and throw a fit if you try to restrain me!
• I no longer tolerate being feed mushy things from a spoon.. If I can’t feed it to my self — then don’t bother.  I will throw half of my food to the dogs — just accept it.  I will let you know when i want something else.
• I am starting to play “sike” with mommy and daddy.  Daddy will hold out his hand for me to give him something and I will start — and then pull my hand back last minute and laugh.  and then repeat…

Nicknames this
week:

• Ella Bean
• Danger Mouse
• Fussy Baby
• President of the universe AND Ruler of
  the Galaxy

I have a new tooth!!! Yep — I know have all my front teeth in..
I still love my music — but am kinda over the theme music to Fox news–and I have started singing along–and will let you know that i want to hear a song by singing it myself!

So – mommy and daddy have had lots of “parent” meetings between themselves lately .. and I just know that something big is in the works — but I have not been told all the details yet.. As soon as mommy and daddy explain to me — I will update this blog..

That’s all for now (until next time — my 1st Birthday!!!)–

xoxo – Ella!

Ella Update – 10 MONTHS!!!!

What I can do

• Wow – I can move all over the place! I crawl at lightening speed and am starting to experiment with this whole walking thing I have heard soo much about.
• I can speak!  Granted – I have a limited vocabulary right now.. But I can say Mama, Dada, Baba and a few other choice words.  I know more words than I speak and am adding to my vocabulary every day!
• I have teeth and I am not afraid to use them! (and if your fingers get too close to my mouth — i will prove it!)
• I can start to do something I am not supposed to do — like touch the radiator — when mommy or daddy calls me on it — i turn to look at them and give them the “I am too cute to be responsible” grin..
• I LOVE climbing — anything – dogs, people, furniture – you name it!

What I
like/don’t like

• I LOVE books!  I will bring a book to mommy or daddy- climb into their lap and expect them to read the book to me over and over again! (Mommy note — I am sick of IgglePiggle and Goodnight Moon (is that blasphemous)!
• I am starting to enjoy brushing my teeth every night after bath time.
• I HATE anything with green beans or spinach! I will spit it all back out and demand something else!
• I  am getting the hang of the whole –”drinking from a glass thing at dinner time”
• I LOVE my new stroller and going for walks!

Nicknames this
week:

• Ella Bean
• Danger Mouse
• Miss Bean
• Boo Bah
• President of the universe AND Ruler of
  the Galaxy

I am such a big girl now! I am wearing mostly 12-18 month sizes and outgrow shoes faster than anything else!

I am really into music these days — even if the music is only on my toys and I will start head-banging to make mommy proud!  My current favorite songs include — Bohemian Rhapsody (both the Queen and the Muppet version); Twinkle Twinkle Little Star; the transition music on Fox News; the theme song to “Two and a Half Men” and the GoCompare Commerical.

Mommy wanted me to tell everyone she is sorry that she did not keep this updates for 5 MONTHS — but we have been super busy!  Since my last post – i have taken the train to London a ton of times, gone on airplane to Atlanta, been christened at St. Thomas Aquinas, moved house, had my first christmas and a bunch of other big things..

So — I will make sure that this site is updated again soon!!!!

xoxo – Ella!

New and Improved (lower in fat..etc)

Welcome to the new and improved McCoysAbroad blog! We moved everything from the old blog and will be adding updates as soon as we can!

4 months already!!

Grab things even more things!! I now have complete
control of the pacifier! I can put it in – take it out – and play a game
all by myself doing this.  I can
grab mommy’s glasses off of her face and hold on to a shirt with a vice-like
grip!  I have to have two burps
clothes now – one for me to hold onto and the other for my parents.
I am a chatter box!
I will carry on conversations with everything – last night – I was
trying my hardest to say ‘daddy’ – so mommy had to spend an hour or two
trying to get me to act like I was saying ‘mommy’.  I will let you in on a little secret – I
can talk – and know everyone’s name – but just don’t want every one to
know yet But, shh-its just between us for now.
Sadly, my liaison with Mr. Skylight has come to an end
– I always felt like he was looking down on me- – so I instead transferred
my affections the birdy men (funny looking bird like bright colored
toys).  I will actually scoot closer
to them during tummy time – and, if mommy or daddy wiggles them  – I will break out in a smile.  They also fit into the mobile over my
crib – so every time they come around, I smile because I recognize them!I can sleep in my crib!! Mommy would not let me sleep
on my tummy without a few rules – 1 – serious burping before sleep, 2 –
AngelCare monitor (yes – mommy is now into baby gadgets more than
ever).  I have been doing for this
almost 2 full weeks and have spent a good portion of most nights sleeping
away soundly.. I kinda like that I can make mommy loose more sleep by
being silent and sleeping myself than I ever did by staying awake.  My crib is right next to the bed – and mommy
is waking up every 10-15 minutes to check on me .. seems she does not trust
the gadgets she bought I can roll over – all the way  – back to front.  I have only done this a few times – but find
that things are more fun just rocking rather than doing the full monty.I can kick up a storm!
When it is time for a diaper change – I will kick wipes off the
table, play catch the booty and wiggle in general.  If I am not happy with something – I will
kick my legs.  I am just warming up
for when I have a serious tantrum when I am two. I play – kiss my foot!!! I will hold my foot up and
kick my parents until someone kisses my foot .. then I giggle – and repeat!I can grow teeth!! I am in the beginning stages of teething – and when my gums hurt – the world knows!  Mommy found some granules called teetha
(dried camomile) and I like when she gives me some to soothe my gums. I
don’t really like the teething gels yet – and mommy is holding back on
them until I seriously need them!I bodysurf!!! When mommy is lying down – I will pick
up my legs, arms, and raise my head and surf all over her by wiggling
around !!  I surf on daddy too – but
there just aren’t the same size of waves!

I am ambivalent about my bouncy seat thingy – I wore
out the vibrating seat feature and will still be occasionally entertained
by the disco ball.
I love my bath time!!!
I will splash and get all relaxed as soon as I hit the water (that
is – if I don’t pee first – causing daddy to get me fresh bathwater and
then I get a little cranky).I like tummy time on mommy’s yoga matt!  I know my parents bought me a special
baby-mat – but I prefer mommy’s.
There are no annoying toys hanging down and I can scoot pretty far
across the mat!

I like mirrors.
There is another baby in the house – and I see her every time I look
in a mirror –  she even makes the
same funny faces that I do.  Whenever
I go by a mirror – I have to stop – look and see what the other baby is
doing.

I am becoming much more independent and will happily
entertain myself for up to 1 hour – chatting with the birdy men and
playing with the burp cloth.

I am learning to enjoy my swing!!! I am taking the occasional
nap in it – and must say – the music is superb!

I don’t like loud noises at all anymore!  If someone sneezes – I startle and when Omaha barks – I jump
in my seat!

I play superbaby with daddy – he will fly me around
the house and I will giggle up a storm!

I have started to work out with mommy.  Mommy has found a way to modify some of
the yoga moves to include me!  I am
particularly found of the bicycle with me surfing on mommy!

I like when mommy makes up stories (remind me to tell
you about the Baby Ninjas of Wargrave)…

I don’t like some of the books they try to read to
me.. I prefer flashy colors and bright words – but, Goodnight Moon is
becoming a favourite of mine…

Nicknames
this week:

• Ella Bean
• Boo Boo
• Giggle Monkey
• Super Baby
• President of the universe AND Ruler of
  the Galaxy

I am making my neighbourhood debut later today at the luncheon following the
tennis tournament – so this should be interesting!  I have seen some of the neighbours a few
times – but others I have not met at all yet!
Tomorrow, I am going with mommy to meet a friend and her new baby (a
month older than me) for coffee and a walk around the park!  This should be fun!

Daddy is my current favourite – and I will
break into giggles and huge smiles when he walks into my field of vision.

Back to the talking thing – so, in the
movie Meet the Fockers (or something like that) there is a scene where the baby’s
first words are ‘ass-hole’.  Daddy
thought this was too funny – and has been joking about the way the baby said it
from day one.  Mommy told daddy to stop
it – because that is likely to be my first word if he keeps it up .. well –
mommy was helping me type this up – and guess what sound I made .. yep – ASS HOLE.  Mommy laughed and looked horrified – so I did
it ten more times in a row!  Ha ha ha
(the Baby Ninjas of Wargrave would be soo proud).. I think Daddy is going to be
in trouble when he gets back from the park with the dogs J

The digital camera that my parents wave
in my face all the time has finally broken (shh—don’t tell – I broke it so they
would break down and get a better camera — ).
So – the new one will be here next week and hopefully – the picture
quality will be worth the price tag!
Speaking of pictures, we are all going to have our portrait done in
about 2 weeks time.  I will let you know
how I do with that!

Milton and Omaha are getting more friendly every day and
I will giggle if they lick me .. and I will kick Milton if he gets too close to me.  Harvey
is starting to notice that there is a lot of milk around when I am eating and
has started sniffing burps rags…

I will write more as soon as I get the
chance – but for now I am going to play with birdieman and think of new ways to
scare mommy – maybe I will find a new word to really push her buttons!

102 days – yippee!!

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What I can do

• Grab things!! I can grab the mirror on my playmat and
  pull myself towards it.  I like the
  feel of different textures – and if my clothing has any embroidery on it
  at all – I will keep touching it.  Plus
  – I can now grab a toy and hold it! Last night – I surprised mommy and
  daddy and decided  that I could hold
  my paci in my hand and put it in or out of my mouth as I desired.  I can also spit it across the room if I feel
  like it!
• I can stand on my own power – granted, for short
  bursts and with daddy holding me up with 2 fingers for balance, but every
  day I am getting better at it.
• Carry on conversations with everything around me.  I have a routine now with mommy.. I go
  through an inventory of people/animals/things to say hello to in each
  room.  And I have an affair going on
  with Mr. Skylight over the changing table.  I giggle and coo at Mr. Skylight then
  turn, giggle and coo and smile at mommy, then Milton, then the mobile in
  my room.. the same order each time.
• I can force mommy and daddy to give in and let me
  sleep on my tummy.  I won’t settle
  at night anymore – until daddy picks me up and lets me sleep on my tummy—I
  win!
• I can try to get both hands into my mouth at the same
  time – and grunt while doing it..
• I roll over halfway – stop – find something
  interesting to look at – and stay there.

What I
like/don’t like

• I love my Fisher Price Sensory thing (whatever it is
  called — it takes a lot of batteries). Just got it on Saturday and I am
  already calling it baby crack. I will fuss until I am put in the seat –
  and then I will spend a good hour or two talking to the disco ball that
  hangs down over it. Before this – I had an orthopedic pillow for back pain
  (yeah mommy’s preggo-PGP pain) that vibrates. Daddy would put that
  touching my feet and I would be asleep in seconds.. Figures — a fortune
  in baby products and a $5 pillow soothed her!
• I like baths now – the new bathtub is a bust – so now
  it stores my dirty clothes.  The old
  bath tub can be fun – and I am beginning to splash.
• I am undecided about my Bumbo seat (check
  out the link).  I will sit in it –but
  am a little uncertain about it.
• I like naked-baby time and wiggle my butt all over the
  play playing catch the booty!
• I enjoy my new wardrobe – I outgrew all of my 0-3 and
  most of my 3-6 month size clothes – so now I am into the big girl sizes.  Mommy even put me into an outfit for 6-12
  months – and it fits!! (No pictures available because it is pink)
• Baby Einstein DVD – If I am in a calm mood – mommy will
  let me watch a few minutes – and I love it.  The baby Mozart puts me to sleep!
• I LOVE it when Daddy sings to me – ‘who knows better than
  the muffin man – the muffin man – nobody else but Daddy!’
• I like looking into every mirror I can find trying to figure
  out who the ‘other baby’ in the house is.

Nicknames this
week:

• Ella Bean
• Boo
• Miss Bean
• Fussy Baby
• President of the universe AND Ruler of
  the Galaxy

I have grown soo much that I wear 6 month + sizes (just for the length mind
you).. I have another new wardrobe – and decided I don’t like dresses that much
(like mommy).  I am very strong and
leaning towards the athletic type (like Daddy).  I can grab mommy’s shirt and move it to one
side.. I can wiggle my way in a complete circle and I can use different cries
for my different needs now – not bad for someone whose adjusted age is only 2
months!  I am ahead of the curve for a 3
month old!  

Mommy and I have taken drives
together (yes – the sidewalks will never be safe again now that mommy is
driving). I can keep myself entertained in the backseat and coo along to the
music.. Current fav – Ziggy Marley!

Daddy and I have reached an
understanding – I am in charge.  As long
as he remembers that – we are cool J .  

Milton is trying to get closer and closer
every night.. Last night – he tried to sleep with his face next to mine – but mommy
wouldn’t let him.  Harvey is getting a little more curious about
me now – and will sit close to me if I am really quiet.  Omaha
is taking a lot more interest in me now – he even licked my face last night!

 I will write more later –
when mommy and daddy aren’t looking!

 

Ella Update

I am a little over 10 weeks (2.5 months) old and I am the
ruler of my domain!

What I can do
Suck my thumb.  I can find my hand and
intentionally place it in my mouth! (I still like my pacifier though)
Dance—actually – if Daddy holds me up and puts my feet on
the ground – I will dance a little
Smile, coo, giggle and all the cute stuff (mommy is still
trying to get a picture of one of my grins )Cry like there is no tomorrow.  But I have different cries now so it is helping
mommy and daddy with the guessing gameChange my sleeping patterns just because I want to<
Wiggle when someone is changing my diaper – keeps them on
their toes!

What I like/don’t like

• 
  Don’t like loud noises anymore.  At
  first – I was like mommy and could sleep through a parade, but now, I am like
  daddy and wake up at the sound of a door closing.
• Don’t like going to sleep when I am supposed to
• I decided baths are OK.. (Note:  mommy and daddy bought me the “new” bathtub
  and I will try that out tonight and let you know)
• I am OK with my swing now – and can take it in small doses
  and once –I even went to sleep in it!
• I like my bouncy chair (and am getting soo big my legs are
  almost over the edge)
• I enjoy my daily tummy time workout
• I will tolerate my crib now – for play.  If the mobile is going, the sound machine
  pumping soothing ocean noises – I will stare into space for a good 20 minutes

Nicknames this week:

• Ella Bean
• Butter Bean
• Dumpling
• Boo
• President of the universe AND Ruler of the Galaxy
• Angel (usually said while I am sleeping)

I am growing so much that am now into 3-6 or even 6 month sizes!  I am chunking out – but in all the right
places and definitely have mommy’s legs.  My hair is the same texture as Daddy’s – and alternates
between whitish blonde, strawberry and red (yes – red hair).  Mommy and Daddy are trying to figure out which
color it will be – but, like everything else – I keep changing it to keep them
guessing.  One thing that is not changing
is that I have blue eyes – just like Daddy and Mommy.  They are nice cross between the two – just like
me!

Mommy has been sick with mastitis over the weekend and was
miserable until Tuesday when the fever finally stopped! Daddy had to put in
overtime to help out since mommy was sick.  But, I was good J Actually, I fussed a
lot on Sunday just because I could.

Poor Mommy and Daddy – thanks to the NHS – the only choices
to make mommy better over the weekend were to tough it out and see the local
doctor on Monday or (per NHS recommendation) go to the Royal Berkshire
emergency maternity unit.  Since they are
diagnosing swine flu cases every day at the A & E department there – mommy and
daddy decided to tough it out and wait until Monday.   Fortunately – mommy is on the mend now!

Me – let’s see.. I like music now!  I know – it surprised me too! If mommy or
daddy sings  – I will smile (mostly
because daddy sounds good and mommy is too awful not to laugh at her).  If someone puts on a sing – I will listen for
a few minutes.

I will write more later – when mommy and daddy aren’t
looking!

Ella update

am 7.5 weeks old today and I am in charge..

What I can do
* stay awake long enough to get a real attitude when things don’t go my way
* Pick my head up to look around – and smile at funny things.  I also do this smile and giggle thing in my sleep..
* Turn my head to face who ever is speaking and follow them around and then switch to the next person talking
* Have my first play date with Hannah (she is two weeks older than I am!)
* Change my sleep schedule all on my own to keep everyone guessing
* I can go to the office with mommy so I can be adored appropriately
* Experience diaper blowouts when my parents are least expecting it!

What I like/don’t like
* I like when daddy tries to burp me and i go to sleep instead
* I like when mommy sings and dances with me (even though she cannot carry a tune in a bucket.  Let’s hope I inherited daddy’s singing talent)
* I don’t like having my diaper changed this week
* I like sitting in mommy’s lap and staring at the computer
* I like only my specific pacifiers — don’t even thing about changing them on me!
* I don’t like when Omaha or Milton bark and go nuts
* I like my tummy time now
* I like taking cat naps on the sofa — but don’t think about putting me in the crib!
* I still like my bouncy chair — in small doses..

Mommy is hijacking this thread..

We had a busy week last week.  Ella and I had our ’6 week post natal” appointment.  Ella is perfect (but we all knew that).  I am fine and even back into all of my pre-pregnancy clothing..and (bragging rights here) not a stretch mark anywhere! Okay – some of the blouses don’t fit — but that is OK with us!

I took Ella into my office last week and there was almost enough adoration of Ella to satisfy even me. This week, I am back to working part time and having a hard time not running into the other room every 5 minutes just to look at Ella.  Next week will be the real test when I go back full time.  

David is taking to fatherhood like he was born to it… even calling me a mommy nazi for worrying too much.  Ella can tell the difference between mommy and daddy and has her preferences at difference times of the day.  Mostly — she prefers who ever will feed her by whatever means necessary.  David is definately Ella’s favorite sleeping place

Omaha and Milton did us proud when we brought Ella home — they are interested in the bald puppy but not put out too much.  When Ella cries — they will get a little upset but that is about all.  Harvey just wants to check everything out once a day and then disappear..

Ella has her likes and dislikes and is changing every day.  She is the center of our universe and makes each day an adventure — we never know what she will do next! She is more alert now and her facial expression change when you are talking to her.. I will try to get the video camera out and take a few quick moments..

ella’s 5 week update :)

I am 5.5 weeks old today and I am ruling the house! 

What I can do
* hit toys on my play mat and act surprised when they move
* Pick my head up to look around
* Turn my head to face who ever is speaking and follow them around
* Gain enough weight to be within 1 pound of doubling my birth weight!!
* keep mommy and daddy busy buying me more clothing.. I have long legs (like mommy)
* Wrap daddy around my little fingers
* Use a pacifier (thanks grandma..(NB:  Grandma introduced a pacifier (supplied by Sarah and Kenny..and I like it — but they don’t sell those pacifiers here!!! (I am trying to be difficult.  Where’s the fun if it is easy to get!))
* Cry to show my displeasure
* Like something one minute and hate it the next…just to keep my parents on their toes

What I like/don’t like
* I like the ocean sound on my sound machine..i don’t like the birdsong
* I don’t like my doomoo this week
* I don’t like being put anywhere to sleep..I am ruler of this universe and therefore – I use everyone as a sleeping pad.
* I don’t like cold changing mats
* I like smiling while nursing — it is an evil little smile that makes mommy laugh
* I love sleeping on daddy (and make warning sounds every time he thinks about moving…)
* I like my daily playtime on my play mat..but do not even think about putting the nursery rhyme music on — its Mozart or jimmy buffet…period
* I don’t like my lamb skin sleeping pad .. its not like sleeping on daddy
* I like my bouncy chair–and one of these days i will be able to catch the toys on it and tell those rabbits what I think of them

We interrupt this post for a message from mommy

WE NEED PACIFIERS SENT TO US… PLEASE ASK GRANDMA FOR THE SPECIFICS. 

Ella’s 3 week update!!

I am 3 weeks old today!!! I am week shy of my original due date but doing great.. So far I…

What I can do
* can stare at my hands and suck my thumb (or stuff my whole hand in my mouth)
* Pick my head up for short periods of time
* Turn my head to face who ever is speaking
* Put on a quarter of my birth weight (go Team McCoy)…not bad for a little one who arrived early!
* Outgrow my preemie clothing and diapers (thank you Aunt julie)
* Wrap daddy around my little fingers
* Use Grandma as a human sleeping pill
* Imitate my cousin Henry (ala narcoleptic eating… )
* Use Mommy as a pacifier

What I like/don’t like
* I like the sound machine Aunt Julie sent over…
* I don’t like it when Omaha barks
* I love my doomoo!!!!
* I don’t like even thinking about sleeping on anything that is not super soft
* I love making mommy and daddy loose sleep …
* I love sleeping on daddy (and make warning sounds every time he thinks about moving…)
* I don’t like cold changing tables or a dirty diaper… I will wake up from a deep sleep to tell everyone how unhappy I am at a dirty diaper
* I am ambivalent about about tummy time/activity center.. its ok in short spurts.
* I like my swing — but on my terms only
* I will tolerate the sling — if essential
* I love ruling the house!!!

Sad News

Sad news to pass along….A friend and neighbor of ours, Reito Nicolai has passed away unexpectedly.  The memorial service is Saturday and grandma will be babysitting so david and I can both attend.

Reito truly made Hennerton a neighborhood and was the first to welcome us over  2 years ago to our new home.  Reito was the kind of person who made everyone welcome and always had time for friends and neighbors.  Rest in peace Reito — you are deeply missed.