New tricks

It may not seem like a big deal to you, but chewing solid food takes a lot of concentration. So does getting food in my mouth. Luckily, I get lots of help from Mom and Dad.

Practicing my walking.

Trouble - My Middle Name

An excellent hair day. No, this is not static.

Mom and Dad got me this little table to stand at so that I would use this instead of other objects (like potted plants, where I like to eat leaves) for my standing practice. I liked it for about 10 minutes and then went straight for the ficus tree.

Yay! I DVRed Sponge Bob. Seriously, people, I did! Mom and Dad were amazed and have no idea how I did it (and to tell you the truth, I have no idea how I did it either).

Hold on a second, Dad! I know you think you are master and commander of the remote, but there's a new chief in town.

And I love coming over to my clothes hamper to search for treasures. I have also discovered that this is a very unstable object for standing support, but that doesn't stop me from trying it frequently anyway. I make sure to scream plenty loud when I fall.

I can even pull up on Brody, as long as he doesn't move on me.

Here I'm crawling over to pull myself up on Mom (and to try to eat the camera).

Now that I can crawl, I've decided I'm too cool for crawling. Instead, I'm going to pull myself up on everything and start walking. (Bumps and bruises from frequent falls are a small price to pay.) Also, I need to be ready to walk in the March for Babies this April. I'm walking with Mom and Dad for the March of Dimes and fundraising to try and help all the other preemies out there. Thank you so much to all those who have already donated! We've exceeded our goal! Hooray!!! For anyone else interested in donating, here's a link to our fundraising page: http://www.marchforbabies.org/thefettersfamily

Quick clips

I haven't totally gotten the hang of walking with my stoller yet, but I'm working on it.

I don't need to use any baby supports to keep me safe in the tub anymore. I wouldn't stay put in them anyway! Now I like to crawl and splash and explore. I even figured out how to drain the water - and how to stop the water from draining so I won't have to get out.

I found out how to make myself even more adorable, if that's possible. I discovered a new way to greet Mom and Dad when they come to get me in the morning or after a nap. (Note to Mom and Dad: I'm on my knees now, but kneeling turns to standing pretty quickly. It's time to put my mattress down another level.)

I like cameras (and drool).

Laura's doggie, Sadie, likes being close to me just like Brody does.

Remember just a week ago, when I couldn't hold myself up on my knees because of the slippery wood floor? Well I dedicated a little extra work-out time to my core muscles. How's this for results? I can crawl really well on the wood now, too. In fact, just this weekend I completed my first circuit all the way around the couch and dining table.

I am becoming quite the little percussionist.

Just like cousin Miller... He liked this spot last time he was visiting, and now it's my favorite, too. I make sure to come here everyday, usually while Mom and Dad are getting ready for work. Don't know why, but this white noise machine is just so interesting!

10 months old!

Yaaaayyyy, Ella!

Only 2 months until my birthday!

I refuse to be still on my changing table. There are too many fun things to check out.

I like to try pulling myself up on things, but as you can see, it's not really working out on the wood floors.

Bath time is still my all-time favorite activity.

Most of my toys are all over the floor, but I'd better check my toy bin just to see if anything more exciting is in there.

Sometimes I need to give my knees a little rest. They are getting very red.

Tupperware drawer!

Brody supervised me very closely. He even put "Frank" down so he could focus.

Now that I'm crawling I'm able to explore many fun things. #1 was the fireplace. #2 was Brody's water bowl - empty, to Mom's delight. #3? Electrical outlets, of course!

I'm getting faster!

The toy across the room was playing Uncle Karl's favorite song (he sang it to me over and over up in T.C.). I didn't want the music to stop, so I hustled over there to take care of business.

My Christmas Vacation - I may have photos to add later after aunts and grandmas share some of theirs...

I started out sitting and then pulled myself up on this mirror all by myself. That's fun because then I got to hear Grandpa say, "Yaaaaayyyy, Ella!"

Miller and I on a sled. Weeeeeee!

How do I look?

Mommy and Daddy were going to go ice skating with Uncle Micah for his birthday. Mommy said, "No way!" to the idea of me going out on the ice, but Grandpa thought this helmet was a good safety solution.

Grandpa likes to "have a talk" with me when he gets home from work.

Thanks! This will keep me warm.

On to Christmas #3 - back at Grandma and Grandpa C's.

Uncle Dave made me laugh and smile a whole bunch. Christmas #2 was at Uncle John's house.

Bye, Uncle Karl. I will miss you!

And to shake around.

More presents to put in my mouth!

My festive pup.

Off to dreamland! Nice pants, Dad.

A drum! These drums from Kate, Karl and Kitty were a show stopper. We had barely begun the unwrapping, but Miller and I (read: our parents) spent a good 30 minutes opening and playing with our new noisemakers. Then we both got cranky and had to postpone the rest of the presents until after our morning naps.

What do you suppose is inside this big thing?

Woohooo! A stocking just for me!

Family photo 2010

Christmas Eve meant lots of exciting things. I got to wear this pretty dress to church, look at lots of pretty candles, and stay up way past my bedtime.

I was so happy that Daddy made it to T.C. so that we could experience this momentous occasion together. ;-)

And I did too! And apparantly I'm so cool that a random stranger decided to take my picture, too (notice the girl in the background).

Miller bowled.

Uncle Paul's lap is nice and big. I wonder if my legs will ever be this long.

We went bowling, so it only made sense to wear some sweet fancy shoes.

This is what two arms are for!

Miller pulled himself up on this basket (which turned out to be almost more fun than the toys inside), and Grandma helped me get up there too.

I couldn't crawl yet, but I still had a good time rolling around.

Miller and I spent lots of time on the floor playing.

This one's for you, Aunt Kate! Kitty drooled all over the floor by the cookies. He made a huge pool. It was very funny.

I ruined our snowflake design, but I guess Mom wasn't too upset about it.

... but I just wanted to smear that frosting all over the place.

Mom and I were going to decorate a Christmas cookie...

I want vacation to last forever!

Bradon wanted to play with this ball. I wanted to eat it, naturally.

Wow! I have a lot of relatives.

Cousin Jerod played on the floor with me for a long time.

This is what two knees are for!

I tried out a rocking chair and a sock monkey that were around when Mom was a little girl.

Also, our tree at home did not have these cool presents underneath.

This tree is much bigger than the one at my house in Chicago.

This is Kitty. And this is my best bulldog face. Grrrrr!

Mom and I went to Grandma C's office and then took her out to lunch. It's fun to go out with just the girls.

But they always keep us entertained.

Sometimes Grandma and Grandpa Mac run off with Miller and me.

It was super cold when we got to Traverse City, so Miller and I bundled up to go out to lunch.

Miller and I enjoy all laps!

With Great Grandma and Great Grandpa MacIntosh

Great Grandma MacIntosh and Miller and Me

Mommy with Miller and me with Grandpa

My Great Grandpa Muilenburg

My Great Grandma Muilenburg