Amen

Whether out at a restaurant, someone's home or at our own table, we always give thanks to God before we eat our meal. Nate and I hold one of our hands together and grab Elyse's with the other open hand. We want her to be apart of our praying time before we eat.
Well the cutest thing happened last night. Nate decided he wanted to take his girls out to dinner. I was super excited since I love to go out to eat and it's been awhile since all three of us had. Nate and I ordered and while we were waiting for our meal, we let Elyse start eating her banana. Then once our food arrived we decided to let her just keep eating (she had very sticky fingers from the banana) and we would just hold our hands together. With our eyes shut and heads bowed praying, Elyse by herself decided to place her hand on ours and leave it there until we were done. Once finished Nate and I both look at each other and smile, and then turn to Elyse who too was smiling.

Picture is taken in Michigan, but cute picture of Elyse praying :)

Finally....

...Elyse got her first tooth! Most children get their first tooth at around 7 months. When Elyse had her 9 month check-up she was still all gums. Late last night when Elyse was exploring my mouth and trying to touch my tongue, I decided I would do the same, and then all of a sudden I felt something sharp. I was so excited. I then proceeded to lift up the lips to see the new tooth on top. Most children get their bottom two central incisor first, then their top two central incisor. However, Nate and I always knew Elyse was extra special and likes to do things on her own. Elyse's first tooth was not a central incisor but a lateral incisor on her top left side. I love when babies smile only with their two bottom teeth, guess I will have to settle for a smiling baby with a top side tooth instead.

Unsolved Mystery

Our front door use to be painted an ugly gray, so Nate decided to refinish it so the natural wood would show instead. It's looking good so far, but that's not the point of the mystery. Today was raining non-stop so Nate and I had to take the door down and carry it to the garage through the house instead of outside. So we opened Elyse's little step gate and proceeded to take it to the garage. Elyse got a new toy Nate found on Craig's List so we assumed it would keep her busy while we moved the door like it's done in the past. We we wrong! I walked back into the house and found Elyse crawling towards me. She some how made it down the three steps to get to the family room. When I saw her she was smiling. We also found NO marks, bruises, cuts or anything showing she got hurt. Maybe she scooted backwards as we have been working on, maybe she slid on her stomach, maybe she rolled every step, I guess the mystery will never be solved. All we know is we need to keep that gate closed 24/7 from now on.

Elyse with her new toy, distance from Elyse's play room to stairs Nate working on the front door in the garage, see the beautiful wood Spot where I found Elyse after successfully making it down the stairs

With Assistance...

...she's walking :)

9 Month Check-up

So Elyse had her 9 month check-up today and passed everything. The doctor said she looks and acts great. She also told us that we can start her on regular food too. So tonight she had a few bites of cheese, banana and a turkey meatball. It appeared as if she still preferred her vegetable baby food though. She didn't know what to think at first. She continuously kept looking at her hands, I think she was thinking...wow, mom and dad are really letting me get dirty at the table ;) She also was 19 lbs, 3 oz (57th percentile) for weight and 29 inches long (90th percentile) for height. Overall, very successful doctor appointment; plus I think it was Elyse's favorite because she left without any shots.

Below are a few 9 month pictures Nate took.

9 Months Old

Happy 9 Month Birthday Elyse! While Nate and I were talking yesterday about how much we love this little 9 month old, I mentioned I want to freeze her right now. Every month I want her to stop growing, not because I love that stage, but because that just means she's going to be a teenager in no time. However, it's different now. I want her to stop growing because I LOVE this stage. She's crawling, standing, talking, and expressing her personality daily. She will play by herself now but still loves to be around people. I can't get over how beautiful and perfect she is. God really blessed Nate and I with a gift that we love so much!
Elyse is having her 9 month check up on Wednesday, so for grandparents and other interested people the stats and more 9 month pictures will be coming soon.

Mastered the Art of Climbing

Well I've said it many times and many people have seen that Elyse is constantly pulling herself up on things. I feel now that I never got it on video and it's been a month it's old news. So what is new news? Elyse is now pulling herself up the stairs. She climbed all 12 stairs last night. Nate and I can't get over how physically strong and strong willed our child is. It takes her awhile to do it, but at just under 9 months, we are very proud! Oh yeah, my life just got a little more busy, time to add another gate :)

Elyse Stair Climbing from Natalie Klauser on Vimeo.