9 Month Update

The family

Elisa loves our church secretary, "Aunt" Flavia!

Army crawling...

Army crawling our way to the TV!

Walkin' around!

Elisa playing with her toys.

Wow! 9 months! It is hard to believe that Elisa is already 9 months old. She is growing and growing. Everyday Jennifer and I say to each other, "Isn't she just the greatest!?" Elisa is so much fun. Her personality is just blossoming. She is so full of life and energy. Here is a list of some of the things she is doing, learning to do, and some of the things that she likes and loves:

• She loves to watch her video "Baby Faith: God Made Animals". The dog and duck puppets make her laugh out loud.
• She learned to clap last week! She is a real pro (claps at good and bad things!).
  
• She is crawling (Army style)! She hasn't quite figured out how to prop herself up on her legs and hands, but she will be there soon.
  
• She walks when you lead her by both hands. It is really cute to watch her go. She loves getting around and doesn't think she needs any help. Once she gets the hang of crawling and walking we are going to have our hands full!
• She loves to feed herself. She mainly does this with just crackers and avocado slices. She loves avocado!
• She loves walks. She could go around in her stroller all day if we had the energy!
• She loves trees and plants. Something about nature really captivates her. I think she may end up being a botanist or something.
• She loves apple juice - especially when she is able to hold her sippy cups herself!
• Lately, she loves nap time. We think this little girl is going through quite the growth spurt. She has been eating everything we give her and takes 2 to 3 (2 to 3 hour) naps! We have hardly seen her in the last week. :(
• Foods she likes/loves: cottage cheese, bananas, apple sauce with papaya and banana mixed in, oatmeal, crackers, avocado, mixed vegetables, and manioc root (trust me, she loves it!)
• She loves to laugh!
• She loves it when people sneeze.
• She loves to be tickled.
• She loves people - it doesn't take her long to warm up to a new person.
• She loves music.
• She loves her mommy.
• She loves story time (books we read: Goodnight Moon, My Goodnight Book, Kittens, Adventures of Peter Rabbit, The Runaway Bunny).
  

Overall, she is a very happy and healthy 9 month old. Jennifer and I couldn't be more proud and thrilled to be her parents! We are very blessed to have this amazing little girl in our lives.