10 months of Eliza

10 months and quite a frisky little thing. 

 She's a mover and a shaker.  NO time for cuddles, sitting, or relaxing.  Move, move, MOVE!!! 

This baby probably has the wiggles because her home life has been such a disaster.  A few months after her birth we remodeled basically the entire house.  Then after all was said and done, the water heater pipe eroded and caused a HUGE flood in our house right before Thanksgiving.  She was snug in our closet, so no water got on her, but the rest of the house was basically destroyed.  Contractor says we need to move out so that's just what we'll have to do! We've decided to stay put until after the holidays, and until then we'll just have to endure the holes in the ceiling and the draft that blows through as well.  I like to think it's making her and all the kids a little more resilient.  The funniest thing is that we remodeled so we could have clean carpet and new floors for her to crawl on.  Now with all this mess, she doesn't have anywhere to crawl at all.  Basically just the master bedroom was unscathed.  So that's where we chill.  

Lots of new teeth and still lots of biting!  This nursing thing is getting harder and harder with Eliza.  Not only do her wiggles prevent adequate feedings, but the pain from her sharp little teeth aren't helping either! 

She's quite an explorer and loves to get into everything.  Her favorite "box" of toys resides in my bathroom.  Tampons are the best!!  As you can see, this new found spirit of adventure makes it pretty hard to do these mini monthly photo shoots.  

Back in the bumbo and NOT happy about it! 

And it didn't take long before she was trying to escape again! 

Why oh why do we have to do this Mom?  I ask myself the same question every time I whip out the bumbo and pink headband.  Why do I start these things that are becoming so hard to finish?  Hopefully it will be worth it when we get to see her progression over the year through these fun pictures.   

The flood basically displaced everything in the house, including things hanging on the walls.  Liza loved being able to play with the other little baby in the mirror who's usually up way too high!

The day after the flood, we took a long walk.  We cried quite a bit on that cool November stroll.  I was just so overwhelmed with how much we had to do all over again, after months of previous uncomfortable renovations.  We walked down to Kiker and noticed this little angel had fallen asleep.  She really did look like an angel.  Made me grateful.  Grateful for my health, the health of my family, and the arrival and joy of this sweet little baby who has forever changed our lives for the better.   Can't say I'm going to enjoy the next months to come, but I will enjoy this little face, my family, a roof over our heads (kind of) and warm beds to sleep in.  It could be MUCH worse.  So I'm just grateful. 

She's a master at standing supported these days.  As well as the scrunched nose smile.  That too has been mastered.  Geez!

Austin always delivered the weirdest weather in the fall.  Sometimes it's down right bone chilling, and other days we can enjoy a day in the 80s.  You never know what your going to get.  Either way, I love experiencing it with this koala bear.    

We've made the discovery that Liza loves Torchy's as much as we do!  She loves the salmon and avocado tacos.  It makes perfect sense since she was basically nourished in the womb on queso.  We ate there at least once a week and as a result her milky skin looks quite creamy and delicious.  

Queso.  

It makes the world go round.  

It also makes beautifully scrumptious babies! 

Sink baths are my favorite.  I love that babies are tiny enough to be cleaned in a sink. George wanted to get in after her and he was just too big.  Even though I think putting them in a sink makes them look even tinier, it just couldn't work in G's case.  

Then, when you think being in a sink can't get any cuter.  Wrap her up in a bunny towel.  Munchkin mummified!

Even though our house flooded, we still went through with the plans to have Pops and CC come for Thanksgiving.  I'm so glad we did. They didn't mind all the random rugs and leftover carpet from the garage laid down upstairs. They didn't even mind the gaping holes in the ceiling.  Having them come was just what we needed.  A wonderful distraction!!

Lots of love from CC!

The main reason we decided to stay in the house over the holidays was because we didn't want to have to worry about moving the tree, the presents, and all our Christmas decor to a different house.  So we decorated even though we knew it would be coming down before the new year.  Whatever it takes to get a little holiday glee in here!  Liza loved playing with the tree and "looking" at the gingerbread house the kids decorated.  

Making friends with cute baby Kate during Relief Society.  

We only had a few cold days after the flood and were blessed with an abnormally warm holiday season.  It was only cold if we sat in a certain place in the living room.  If this place was avoided and we had the fire roasting, we were quite comfortable!  

I just love that in the middle of December, we can go outside and enjoy the sunshine. Perfect weather for our Liza Jane!

One particular afternoon, I took Liza outside and set her on a blanket to enjoy the warm winter weather.  First Jack came over and wanted to hold her.  Then before I knew it, all the kids had gathered together on the blanket to get a good dose of their baby sister.  She's like a magnet.  We all gravitate toward her!

Daddy took the initiative to put her in a cart without her car seat for the first time.  I guess she's graduated. Leave it to Dad! He's way better at letting them grow up than I am! 

At the Circle C holiday party we tried to get Eliza excited about the petting zoo.  Who isn't thrilled with a fluffy little bunny? Eliza couldn't care less!

What's this?  A pig?  I still don't care!

Eliza was quite interested in the white bearded man with the red suit and glasses.  She just stared at him this year, but judging from previous experience we'll probably have screaming and tantrums in the years to come!

She's started climbing the stairs!  We haven't had a fall yet!  

She loves to be outside.  Glorious Austin!  We love thee!

She and George are home together most days so they've become fun little buddies.  They usually leave a trail of destruction in their wake.

Eliza loves going on walks with me, even when it's cold in the morning.  As long as she has her little Mum Mum crackers, she's good to go! She's also started shaking her head while saying "ah".  If she picks up a rattle or hears music, she'll do the same thing.  If you shake the rattle, you shake the head. She also will shake her head when she doesn't want something.  That head of hers is the best little communicator this month!

We've caught her standing for a few seconds too!  Not long enough to be ready for walking but still quite impressed she's strong enough!  

I'm really just enjoying this last baby of mine.  She's truly enough to keep a smile on my face all day long.  Her lips, her smile, her little teeth, her nap time snuggles, her "da da's" and her sense of adventure bring me so much joy.  Love, love , love my little Eliza Jane!