Eleanor is One!

Stats

Weight: 18.9 lbs; 16%
Height: 28.5″; 31%
Head Circumference: 17″; 7%
Weight/Stature %: 35

Update

She’s walking EVERYWHERE! Ellie Mae is just sooo happy with her new found FREEDOM from walking. She really started moving on her two feet just a day or two after her first birthday. My theory is that she would have been walking real well before her b-day if she wasn’t struck with a real bad infection/fever that lasted a whole week. What is super cute about Ellie Mae (that we did not see with Hank when he first learned to walk) is that she will walk in circles. She does this because she LOVES walking so much (and having the freedom), but doesn’t really know where to go! It’s super cute.

We had her one year doctor’s appointment on the 26th and I asked if I could wean her off of breastfeeding and have her just drink cow’s milk. They said “yes,” and I received confirmation that I could just do it “cold turkey.” So, on Saturday the 27th I took the plunge and completely stopped nursing Ellie Mae during the day. And we are one day away from being a full week of no-nursing during waking hours (about 12 hours). Night time weaning will be sometime in the future; that is, when I feel Ellie Mae is ready (emotionally).

The daytime weaning was more painful (physically and emotionally!) for me than her. I think it would have not gone as smoothly as it did if I hadn’t spent that past couple of months practicing with her on a straw. She now drinks from one of those Thermos Funtainers (it has a silicone straw) and by the third day she got good at chugging her milk. She drinks roughly 16 ounces of cow’s milk during the day. She still nurses a lot through the night. But – in due time – I know she’ll be weaned and I will have a good night’s sleep!

She hasn’t made much progress on the talking front. I think walking took a priority on her developmental track(?)… we hear her say new words, but she isn’t consistent about it. In other words, she surprised us the other day when she had said “boob” while her right hand grabbed at my t-shirt. This was in the morning while Bob and I were laying in bed. We haven’t heard her say the word again though! She’ll sometimes say “baby” when I give her little, travel baby doll. But it is very infrequent. She will say “hi dad” when he comes through the front door, returning from work, but if we try to get her to repeat it… she won’t. She loves playing with a rubber ducky while she bathes and will say “ducky,” but again it is very infrequent when she does. I get the sense that she knows a lot of words, but is too timid.

On the 26th, I had her “Cake Smash” photo shoot. Yes, I know it is a fad and that it is contrived. But, I love photos. Seeing Hank and Ellie up on my walls always puts a smile on my face… so you gotta do what makes you happy. *shrug shoulders* Anyway, all I can say is that Ellie Mae LOVES sugar and LOVES baths (even in super tiny tubs!)

Photos from Cake Smash