Recent pictures and Ellie walking

I went to a women's retreat with our church Friday night, so Ellie and Bert spent some quality Father/ Daughter time Saturday morning. Bert informed me that he put Ellie through a walking boot camp, and she really was walking alot more when I came home. The retreat was nice, I got to know some ladies better, but I realized I have become much more high maintenance in my old age. Don't get me wrong- I LOVED camp, camping out, bunk beds- all of it. However, hauling my 6 month pregnant butt into a top bunk is not quite so pretty. They had to shoo raccoons out of bunk room #4 and we found kitty food in the industrial kitchen, which BTW was the stickiest place I have ever been. But I did love getting to hang out with all the girls and there was a wide range of ages there. My small group was another girl my age and 5 women ages 60+. It's always nice to hear what they would have done differently as young mothers looking back now. This is Ellie in what we call "flat tire" position and Charlie looking on as if she is saying, "this just isn't right, you know mother".
I had quite the adventure going to Walmart to get this swimming pool. No where else had it, Target, Toys R US, nada-so Ellie and I went to Walmart one morning to get it. I had a major hot flash while shopping and raided the granola bar aisle, tearing through 3 bars before we even found the pool. As we were checking out the cashier lady asked me if I was still holding on to my baby weight and I quickly informed her that I was 6 months pregnant, thankyouverymuch! Oh yes, Bert did ask me immediately upon seeing this pool in our living room when it was going outside:)

This is Ellie's 1st time feeding herself. It was pretty impromptu. We were eating squash - yes, mom, I know, yogurt would be better, but like I said, it was impromptu. I think she had fun and we are slowly getting the hang of it.

This is Ellie full fledge walking. She started right before she turned one, but now we are really getting somewhere. Heather, Ellie really loves the Women's Exchange cook book and pulls it out all the time- you see it laying on the floor. And Claire, as you see Ellie almost walking over, we found the SkipHop mat/plate and Ellie loves playing with that. We don't use it yet, but we will be ready when the time comes.