A Big Week For Firsts

This past week feels like months of activity and new accomplishments. I almost feel like I can't keep up with all the new discoveries and changes Ella is making; it is amazing how rapidly she is changing.

Here are Ella's firsts that took place last week (in order) right around the 7 1/2 month mark:

• Ella will kiss her reflection in the mirror.  Grandpa Art said to her, "Give Ella a kiss" while she was looking at herself in the mirror and she did it!  We were aware that she knew her name, but now we know she also recognizes her own reflection. She has repeated this kiss in the mirror several times so we know it wasn't just a coincidence.
• First two bottom teeth finally made their grand entrance!  We suspected they would pop out any day, and on Thursday morning, when Ella gave me a big smile, I finally saw white.  They are short and stubby, but are on their way to becoming full-fledged baby teeth! 
• Crawling almost.  I know I keep saying this, but really, she keeps getting closer and closer each day.  She gets up on her hands and knees, and up until today, would move her hands forward followed by one knee.  Then today,  Grandma Carolyn and Grandpa Art saw her move her knees forward three times!
• First plane ride.  We took a family trip to the Smoky Mountains in North Carolina last week.  See next post for details and pics. 
• First Halloween!