11 Months old and full of personality!

My daughter turned 11 months old a few days ago.  With each and every passing day, my daughter both impresses and surprises me with her big personality.  This doesn't mean we don't have our challenges!  For about two months now, my daughter has begun to show a true independent streak.  She lets you know when she wants to get up in the morning (think drama queen), pushes your hand away when she has had enough to eat, argues bitterly (in her baby babble sort of way) when it's her naptime, and is quite insistent that she'd rather explore than be held down.  There is one thing I know for certain, and that's that I have a very feisty, curious, determined baby girl, and I love her more and more with each passing day...even if I get frustrated once in a while!

I had a rough day with her yesterday.  For some reason, Elysia woke up grouchy and pretty much stayed grouchy all day long.  OK, I admit it.  This made Mama kind of grouchy too.  Well, 'kind of grouchy' isn't exactly accurate either.  Like Elysia, I was just plain grouchy too.  Just ask Steve!!!  I'm not sure if she was teething, or not feeling well, but it made for a rather trying day.  She woke up screaming, got mad that I wasn't giving her her breakfast fast enough, and complained bitterly about having a morning nap.  Then she woke up screaming, hated getting dressed, and was just little miss grumpy pants.  So we went out!!  Best to share my little ray of sunshine with the world instead of greedily keeping her all to myself at home, don't you think? 

We actually had plans to meet a woman who I went to high school with.  We met at our ten year reunion, became facebook friends, and both of us became first time moms last year.  After chatting back and forth, we decided it would be fun to have a play date.  Her son was adorable!  At five months old, he was wonderfully pudgy, had lots of dark hair, and was a cute and pleasant little boy.  It was really nice spending the afternoon with her and her son.  Elysia enjoyed getting out of the house, I enjoyed her improved mood, and we both enjoyed the wonderful company.  A few hours later, we packed up and headed to Grandma and Grumpa's house for the rest of the afternoon.

This morning was completely different.  Instead of waking up and hearing her crying, I heard Elysia playing in her crib.  When I went into her room to get her, she greeted me with a beautiful smile.  She giggled when I played with her, ate her breakfast without getting mad, and absolutely loved going for a walk with Steve and I.  What a difference a day makes!!
Such personality in a little package...Watch out world, Elysia is most definitely here!