Ella: Really? Eight months already??

Our baby is 2/3rds of the way to her first birthday. It is unbelievable.

So far she can army crawl, smiles, laughs, and is doing new things every day. We (although some a little more excited than others) are happy to report that Ella said her first word - Mama. She actually has been saying it for a few weeks, but before our grand announcement Dad wanted to make super sure that she wasn't just making noise. He is convinced.

But not only that, she is eating solid food every day. She can pick up tiny things with her tiny fingers and she is even starting to wave hello and goodbye. Plus she is a quick study too - each day our dogs Joe and Mae run to the door when they hear someone coming - now Ella is heading toward the door too waving her arms and getting excited too!

Ella has also learned that even when she can't see something it is still there - yes, our baby understands the complicated concept of object permanence. So - when Mom disappears into the kitchen - Ella is quick to follow.

But don't think that Ella hasn't been busy around town too. She loves to go on errands with her parents. She is a total people watcher. She has started craning her neck around when someone walks by so she can get a better look, and nows turns 180 degrees in her high chair to see what is happening behind her.