Ella Miss Bella

Of all the nicknames we've ever used for Ella, "Bazooka" seems to capture her right now. Here is what my little Bazooka has been up to lately:

• At dinner last week, Ella got a hold of the salt shaker and dropped it into my large glass of water. Despite my attempts to chisel out the salt crystals, I will be getting a new salt shaker. My siblings and I used to lick the top of the salt shaker after we used it, but Ella has us all beat with this one.
• Ella now folds her arms during prayers and gives a resounding "Amen" at the end. Given her typical exuberant behavior at church, this accomplishment is soooo meaningful to me.
• Ella can undress herself and take off her own diaper. (I know because she did it the other morning and then climbed into the shower with me...SURPRISE!!)
• Ella is always in motion (even when she's asleep). She runs (does not walk), jumps (whether or not someone is there to catch her), and climbs (Russ found her perched on the corner of the kitchen counter the other day).
• Ella prefers standing on her head on the couch instead of sitting (this has carried over to the pews at church too).
• I love her jack-o-lantern smile. I will miss it when those last teeth come in.
• Ella loves to dance. Her monkey dance is my favorite. (Will post video when available)
• Ella is a helper. She loves to empty the dishwasher. Everything gets put away in the same kitchen drawer whether it's clean or dirty (or whether it fits or not).
• Ella loves to talk with people. She doesn't have many words, but she talks non-stop. She even walks around with the toy cell phone on her ear and chatters like crazy.
• Ella likes to ride in the car with her window down. She rolls down the window with her toes because her arms can't reach when she's got her seat belt on.
• Ella loves to give kisses and puckered up today when a total stranger got off the elevator and said good-bye to her.Ella loves wearing her coat. She won't leave the house without one...no matter what the weather is.