We're in double-digits people.

Ella James is 10 months old. That's right, 1-0. Two numbers. We've already marked the date for her 1st birthday and I've already started a secret pin board for all my planning/daydreaming. I've also already cried. I'm simultaneously telling Dustin that I want to be super laid back about it. Ha. Jokes on.....him? me? Both of us.

I just re-read her 9 month post and remembered fondly how we spent that month coaxing her to get moving, which she totally did, but nothing like she's doing now. EJ is basically not sitting still, always standing, and cruising circles around anything that's stationary. Yesterday she was crawling all over Charlie and then just stood up...on her own...not holding onto anything...long enough for Dustin to call my attention and for her to look a little shocked and promptly sit down. I've made a few mis-calculated predictions since becoming a mom, but I'm going to confidently predict that this girl's going to be walking in a month or so.

Pray for us.

This month she stayed the night with grandparents while we celebrated our fifth anniversary. She's been away from us once before when we went to California, but this was the first time I didn't feel uneasy about it. I got home from dropping her off and Dustin had flowers, chocolate, and a cocktail waiting for me. Happy Anniversary, indeed. The next morning it was rainy and cloudy. We didn't have any coffee in the house so we ventured to a local breakfast cafe, ate biscuits and gravy, and returned home where we promptly got back into bed and watched Netflix like the hot couple that we are. It really was so nice to sleep in and just be the two of us, but by noon we were both sort of puttering around the house waiting for Ella to come home.

I remember when Ella was only a few days old and we were in the thick of it at home. I had this moment where through sheer exhaustion I asked Dustin if we would ever be able to sit and watch TV together or eat dinner at the table together at the same time. I felt like my whole world was not my own (time, mind, body, sleep, routine, all of it) and the only way to feel normal again would be to watch The Office for twenty minutes on the couch with Dustin. It's funny to think about that now. Yes, we watch TV together and we even eat dinner together at the table. Our routine is different now and there are still a lot of days where I feel like my life is not my own, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

Ellagirl, your Mom and Dad have been married for five years, but the last ten months have been one heck of an adventure. You are by far the best thing we've ever done. Thanks for getting us off the couch and shaking things up around here. You are so loved!