10 Months Old!

I can still hardly believe it's October, let alone my baby's 10 month birthday! I am really having the time of my life with her these days as I watch her new funny faces, see her goofy antics in her highchair, hear her crazy noises that come from who-knows-where...? It's almost a laugh a minute around here. We have no new "mobility" milestones to report, but I'm sure those days will come... right? :) Her vocab consists of "da-da," "dee-dee," "ya-ya," "ma-ma," "ba-ba," "ta-ta," "ga-ga" (rarely), and lots of uninterpreted jibberish. Her favorite foods are cottage cheese, pasta, cheddar cheese, graham crackers, pears, and carrots. She will eat her foods on her tray in order of preference. Graham crackers or bread always come first, then any cheese or fruit, followed by those disgusting vegetables. Elyse does not enjoy meat, yet, but I think she'll develop a taste for it. She loves to drink from a real cup, and she's beginning to get the hang of her sippy cup. Lately, her sign of "please" is confused with clapping, so I'm not sure if we'll master that one again for a while. The evening nap is officially GONE (unless we're having a rough afternoon) but she still can't stay awake past 6 or 6:30pm. Her hair is getting longer and thicker, and the back is full of little curls. She's into pinching everything with her thumb and index finger & that includes our noses & ears :) Here are some of my current fun's and not-so-fun's for this month:

fun's:

* I love the random bursts of clapping. She'll clap when she coughs or when she likes her food, and it never ceases to make me laugh.
* A scrunched up little happy face always accompanies the claps :)
* She claps her feet together very often, especially when she's on her changing table, which makes for some interesting diaper changes!
* She's getting more interactive with our games. From tickling to peek-a-boo, I actually am starting to think she's playing!
* I could be wrong, but I swear she's saying "da-da" to Jordan more and more! Yes, I'm "da-da," too sometimes.
* Story-time at night is still quite funny. She has her favorite books and favorite parts in each book that always yield a smile! She has also learned to close the book when she's bored. Um, I don't think so!
* Kids and animals make her laugh, HARD. She also loves her teddy bear from Dad. In the grumpiest of moods, that bear will get a belly laugh out of her!
* One of the songs I sing over and over to her at night as we rock is Karen Carpenter's "Close To You." I've been singing that song to her since I was pregnant with her, and she always gives me a huge smile when she hears the opening line. If that doesn't melt your heart...?

not-so-fun's:

* Elyse is definitely experiencing some frustration at her lack of mobility. Hmm... I can think of a solution!
* Thankfully, most of the whining has disappeared (for now, right?), but it has been replaced by a strange fake cry that can often mimic a tiny, pathetic puppy.
* She is into yanking on any jewelry with all her might. NOT okay with Mom.
* She is also into yanking on hair with all her might. NOT okay with Mom. (Who really believes that short hair prevents that problem?) :)
* She is SO nosey when it comes to computers or remotes or cell phones. She is not allowed to play with any of these so as not to create future problems when she's a toddler, but she doesn't quite get that yet :) What is it about buttons?
* And the BIGGEST not-so-fun is watching my baby grow up. Shouldn't I always be able to cradle her in my arms? Don't worry, I'm not giving that up yet :)