Playmates

Today we got to babysit Layla Geurink for a bit and I had so much fun! The girls were super cute together. Although it started out a bit rocky with Ella following her around trying to steal her paci, and at one point I was walking them both around while they were both crying (Layla crying b/c Ella was invading her space and Ella because I wouldn't let her invade Layla's space:), it ended up being so fun! They shared snacks and toys nicely, watched for birdies outside the window, "chased" each other around the table with a ball, and "rode bikes" together. It was nice to see how great they played together and hear their little giggles! We hope to have many more playdates as playmates in the near future Layla!

Lazy Days

This past weekend I went to visit my parents at a cottage they were staying at with my Aunt and Uncle up north. Brad was out of town for work so it was a perfect time to hang with and catch up with the family, especially my younger cousin Sara! It was crappy weather and not very warm so we basically just spent our time sitting around talking, reading, and napping - not bad at all! Ella had a great time because she always felt she had a crowd to entertain! My family has been going to that cottage every summer since I was born, and although I am all grown up, it is just as special...there is just a familiar nostalgic feeling that I get whenever I am there.

Ella and Sara

Ella spending a little quality time with Grandpa!
(Boy, they kind of look alike in this pic!)

Ella didn't do too well sleeping in her pack n play, especially being in a loft with distractions from below, so she spent her naps and the night with me...on the blow up mattress. She slept like a queen...me, not so much:)Ella was so excited when she woke up each morning and realized that Grandpa and Grandma were there to play!

Weekends at Big Star...so far

Here are some pictures from the past 2 weekends up north at Big Star! (mostly of Ella of course:)

Beach Babe

This past Thursday night while Brad was at Golf League I decided to head out to the beach with Ella. Since I adore taking pictures, I thought it would be a fun time to take some picture of my little girl. It was a beautiful night and we had so much fun...she especially liked bird watching and people watching! At first she wouldn't leave the blanket since she wasn't sure if she really like the sand, but once I blunked her in, she had a good time playing in it and of course eating it. I know that I am with her every day, but there was something special about that night...it was just such a peaceful and playful night that I wish that I could just pause and hold onto...she is growing up too fast!

9 months old!

I know that this is the 4th posting that I have done within 1 day but I just wanted to include Ella's stats now that she is 9 months old! Today she had her appointment and she received a great report!

Weight - 20lbs 13oz (80th percentile)
Height - 29 1/4 in (92nd percentile)
Head circum. 45.3 cm (80th percentile)

Of course here is some more pics!

Watch out!...."I'm A Big Kid Now!"

In Ella's recent journey to 9 months old, she has explored the newfound fun of getting into everything around the house. She is a little bundle of energy and is intent on exploring anything and everything around the house! Although we have done our best to babyproof our pad, she still manages to get into some mischief:) Here are some pics that demonstrate her new sense of independence in the Koning household.

Touching and fiddling with everything electronic

"Uh-oh" getting into Daddy's bathroom drawers

Gotta love that Tupperware!

Trying to scale the crib:)

Scooting around scoping out the next potential location to get into

Playing hide-and-go-seek under the dining room table:)

What a stinker...she managed to find Daddy's buba (it was empty, don't worry:)

For some reason she gets such a kick out of drinking out of my water bottle and is always trying to get her hands on it...we have to be careful b/c if she has it too long sometimes she throws up because she drinks so much water:)

One of her daily favorites is going to our front window, pull herself up, chew on the window crank, pound on the screen and check out the neighborhood:)

Don't be fooled, she doesn't help mommy empty the dishwasher, she just tries to climb into it and pull everything out

She also enjoys watching the cars go by out back and looking for birdies:)

She does get a bit upset when she gets stuck trying to climb under the stools

Although 90% of the time she hits her head when she plays underneath the table, it is one of her favorite places to hide out:)

No matter where I stick the magazines out of her reach, she always manages to find them:)