Updates and CNY Celebration 2009

Ellie and I are doing very well. Getting into the swing of things with work is taking me some time, but luckily Ellie stays with my mom (THANK YOU, MOM!) and Ellie adores her. Ellie is still working on those 3-5 steps that the referral papers noted she was doing at 7 1/2 months! Haha. She gets pretty excited about walking or loses her balance and whoops! On the floor. She is still getting over a cold and is sloooowly getting her second bottom tooth so she's been a bit cranky. Or maybe that's me being a bit cranky due to staying up late trying to get my schoolwork completed. =) She loves to dance and will stand up, hold on to something and sway. Lately she's been even swaying while on the rocking caterpillar. Hard to sway left and right when you're going back and forth! Too funny! She understands quite a few phrases and names and is signing more and drink. Only really says "bye" although possibly some other word approximations. She is into EVERYTHING! She constantly shows me how not baby-proofed my house is and that, much to my dismay, the soap isn't as out of reach as I think it is. Hey, what's a little nibble? Groan.
The last weekend gave us beautiful weather and we got to go for walks in the stroller which is the only time she likes being "locked in." Bernie and Gracie (our dogs) are doing well with her and Gracie is Ellie's new BFF. Gracie LOVES that Ellie is so messy with her food! Ellie really wants to feed herself. She wants to do everything herself, when she wants to, how she wants to... My mom says it's payback. Wonder what that's all about?!
We finally got to go to the local F@milies with Child.ren from China Chinese New Ye@r party with Ellie! I've been taking my niece, K with me for a few years and last year I just couldn't bear to go. This year K., Matthew, Ellie and I were celebs! Except for a few bio babies, Ellie was the newest kid on the block! Front table and lots of people wanting to squeeze Ellie's cheeks! I wanted to give a shout out to Delaine and family who are still (not so) patiently waiting for their daughter with an LID of 3/15. We are praying to see you at the Moon Festival with your little one. C. looked beautiful and did a lovely job singing.
Can't leave off without sending you over to Ozimum's site as she travels for Tari Mei!!! Her extended family just miraculously made it through the horrible fires in Victoria and now she is headed to bring her little one home.
Gotta do some more work and here's what you're looking for anyway...without further ado...more pictures of my beautiful Ellie.
My niece K, me and Elllie ready to join the festivities!
Ellie looking at the ribbon stick K. made.
All dressed up!
K. dancing with the ribbon stick.

Zodiac sign. Right next to it was a map of China and the list of each girl from each province. Ellie was finally on it! We took a picture of it but obviously can't put it on here.
This photo was taken by a family that surprisingly lives in the next neighborhood over.
The entertainment was excellent. This was a really cool dragon dance. Ellie and K. really enjoyed the drumming beat. Both girls LOVE to shake their groove thang.
Year of the Ox.
YAY!!!
Cool lion costume with bliking eyes to "eat" the red envelopes.
What? Another picture of moi?!
Ellie feeding red envelopes/money to the lions. They scared away the evil spirits.
K. giving her offering to the lions.
The goddess feeding the lion vegetables in thanks. Guess even lions look for a balanced diet.
Lovely Spring Dance with parasols.