12 Months

Wow!  The last two weeks have just been crazy around here!  As a result, I'm just now getting Eliana's 12 month post up.  Better late than never I suppose!


Let's see...this has been a big month for baby girl!  One of the biggest developments is the arrival of her first two teeth!

The one on the left came in first and about a week later the one on the right popped through.  She did quite well and didn't fuss too much.  It's so fun to see those little pearly whites finally in her mouth!


At her one-year check-up Eliana was 17 pounds (3%) and we recently measured her at 28.5 inches (43%).  The doctor here is from England and very laid back about things.  She didn't even physically check Eliana except to look at a nasty diaper rash she had (it's taken 2 weeks to get it cleared up!).  I asked the doctor if she needed to look at anything else and she just said that she been observing Eliana and thought she looked perfectly normal and healthy.  She asked no questions about her development and didn't even ask about her weight.  She commented that she is small but since she is doing fine didn't say a thing.  I guess that a different between European and American doctoring philosophies.  It's kind of nice to not have to worry about lots of little things.  I just need to be ready to ask questions if I have them!  Eliana had 3 shots and did great.


We had to take new pictures for getting Eliana's visa renewed next month.  It's too cute not to share...

Her hair is getting so long now!  She still doesn't love having a bow in her hair but is pulling it out much less now, which is great since her hair just hangs in her eyes without the bow.  Eliana can wear clothes in 6-9 months sizes still and some things that are 12 months.  It just depends on the brand and the piece of clothing.  She has one pair of shoes that fit and they are size 3.  Tiny feet!  She's not even close to walking yet though so it really doesn't matter.


Eliana has quickly become quite opinionated when it comes to eating.  She used to be so laid-back and easy-going, eating whatever we put in front of her.  Now she will refuse certain things, for some reason doesn't seem to like chicken any more and we have to keep the good stuff hidden (usually the fruit) until she eats the other stuff.  When she's tired of eating or doesn't like something she'll swat it away or throw it on the ground.  Sometimes she won't eat something we're trying to feed her until she tries eating it on her own and realizes it's too hard to eat with her hands.  She also still HATES getting her face cleaned after eating.  It's really amazing how upset she gets!

Eliana got those little house shoes as a birthday gift and really wanted to wear them.  I thought it was too cute!  Her personality continues to come out more and more.  She seems to love music and we have a toy table that plays music and she will stand next to it, play the music and put her hand in the air and dance.  It cracks me up every time!  She'll also look around to make sure someone is watching her.  She loves the people!  She has learned how to shake her head no, to both say no that she doesn't want to do something and to say she doesn't want you to do something.  She seems to really like animals and is fascinated with dogs, as long as they don't bark at her.  She can blow kisses (a skill she's learned from all the Skyping we do with grandparents) and will give you a real kiss if she's in the mood.  She loves her babysitter and she loves her big girl friends and the attention they give her.  She is just a people-person.  Just like her daddy!


We are still nursing four times a day. Eliana has had cow's milk and seems to really like it. However, when I tried giving her cow's milk instead of nursing after one of her naps that didn't go over so well.  I want to let Drew try to feed her some time after she wakes up to see how she does and then see what happens.  I'm not in a big rush to wean her, but am just trying to see how we can do things to make the transition smooth.  She is still taking two naps a day and goes to bed around 7:30.


Eliana talks a lot but really only says da-da and knows what it means.  She is full of things to say though!


The photo shoot with the puppy dog didn't go so well this month because she is just so active now.  I did manage to get a couple of shots though...

I truly can't believe we have a one-year old!  It just blows my mind!  I am continually amazed by God's goodness to us through Eliana.  She is such an amazing blessing.  I love watching her grow and develop and can't wait to see what the next year holds.  She is our little miracle!