7 months!

I know I say it every month but you can just see her mind racing with observing the world and learning so many new things!

She is such a good sitter these days.  She has amazing balance, one of her favorite past times is rocking forward and back.  There is still the occasional tip over, see below.  Now that she knows she can sit and look out at the world, she has little patience for laying on her back or belly.  She has rolled but still doesn't do it on a regular basis.  

Although she can't get her legs under her, she has perfected the backwards scoot.  Time to start baby proofing, baby girl is starting to get mobile.

Her pincher grasp is AMAZING!  She wants nothing to do with the spoon these days as usually she can shovel the food into her mouth pretty efficiently herself.  She can even get small bits of slippery avocado which is amazing to watch!

For sleep it has been the month of opposites!  She went 3 nights sleeping 12 hours!  That, of course, didn't last.  It was followed immediately by 3 nights with 2 am dance parties.  Somehow she was as happy and playful as could be from 2-5 am with no desire to sleep...mom and dad were not pleased :)

Elli likes....
-2 am dance parties :(
-Sitting!  She loves being able to see the world
-Rocking back and forth
-Feeding herself, forget the spoon

Elli dislikes...
-Laying on her back, why would she lay down when she can sit?!?!
-Getting her diaper changed

New developments...
-Pincher grasp!  Its amazing what she can pick up these days
-Rocking, dancing and drumming to music
-Her giggle sounds like old mans cough...its really cute
-Backwards scooting
-WAY more vocal!

Elli wasn't in the mood for pictures this rainy morning.  We got in and out as fast as possible :)

Happy Baby!

Angel eye!

I seemed to have tipped over.

Madison...will you be my friend?

mmmm

Our first run without the car seat.  Elliot LOVED it!  So much she fell right asleep.

Helping dad get ready for Thanksgiving!

Walk selfie

Helping mom do laundry

Touring neighborhoods in Seattle for next year.

Family Photos!

Our good friend Katana came over to capture some family photos.  Once again she did an amazing job!

Seriously parents...am I supposed to like this?!?!

One of my favorites!

Happy 1/2 year birthday Elliot Cascade!!

Elliot is now 6 months old!  This has been the best 6 months of our lives.  Parenthood is exhausting, but sooo rewarding too.  Elli has went through so many changes!

Elliot is now sitting independently.  She has been sitting supported on her hands for about a month, then all of a sudden last week I looked down and realized that she was sitting up straight all on her own!  There have been a few falls and face plants, under both mom and dads watch, oops.  Good thing Elli is tough!  

We started food last week.  We knew she was ready when she would scream bloody murder at the dinner table until she got a taste of what we were eating.  After her constantly reaching for our food, we realized it was time for her to start.  We have been doing steamed and soft whole foods.  She has skipped the pureed stage, she does such a good job of gnawing and toothless chewing.  We usually just put the food cut up into sticks in front of her and let her go to town!  Sometimes she can't get the food in her mouth fast enough that she begs us to feed her with the spoon.  It takes 2 spoons to keep up with how much she wants to eat!  So far she has conquered avocado, broccoli, squash, zucchini, carrots (had to stop those!), banana and pear.  She is such a good eater!  I think it is her current favorite time of day!  She flaps her arms in excitement when she eats!

Elliot is still loving her Music together class.  It is 45 minutes straight of Elli smiles...who couldn't love that.  If you play that CD when upset, she is suddenly calm...its amazing!

Up to now, Elli has taken a lot of rocking and bouncing to get her to bed, making bedtime frustrating for all.  Along with her 6 month birthday we have decided to try a version of Cry It Out.  Wish us luck!

Elli likes....
-Smiling.  Smiles, smiles, and more smiles...keep them coming.
-Broccoli!
-Toes, her toes are still her favorite toy.
-Wood blocks.  See below pictures :)
-Singing songs and dancing

Elli dislikes
-Going to sleep!
-Being away from her parents, especially mom.
-Being hungry.  She definitely has the Cook family "Hanger"

New developments
-Food!  She loves it, she is such a good eater!
-Solid poops, see above :)
-Sitting up unsupported
-LOVING TUMMY TIME

Again too many pictures but I just can't decide!

The blocks are way more fun as toys!

Let me show you my teeth...oh I don't have any :)

Mom, I don't know who keeps knocking over the blocks!

Boy do I love my toes!

Silly dad, he forgot how old I am.  

I already know how to pout my lip!  Wait till I am a teenager!

Grandma book time!

Snuggles.

Do selfies count as screen time?!?