New Tricks

We. Are. Crawling.

Everywhere.

And to think I was worried. Ella Kate is way ahead of schedule on intelligence milestones, but crawling was lagging. She's been inching along, scooting on her belly. At Mrs. Cheatham's funeral, she put it together and took off after a gentleman's newly shined shoes. Then, she tried to eat Decatur's Commissioner of Licenses' shoes, too. Crazy kid. Good thing she probably won't apply for her driver's license in Decatur.

She's pulling up on everything. She thinks that she can walk, but I keep telling her that 8 months is too early. Slow down. Be Mommy's baby for a while longer.

She's WAY off the charts for length and weight. She's much bigger than most of the babies in the next room up at school. She did NOT get that from her Mommy.

She has two teeth on the bottom that are the cutest thing ever!

She claps, pats the dogs, sings and screams "MAMA" when she needs something. (Never when she's happy, though!)

Each week she has a new strange trick. This past weekend, she continually sucked in her bottom lip like an old man. Her bottom lip was red for days.

Domestic Expert? Not Hardly.

As you may recall, I posted a few months ago that I was learning to sew and smock children's clothes. Since then, I've been busily domesticating myself. The addition of a brand-new sewing machine for my birthday has sealed the deal.

I MADE A DRESS!

I'll pause a few moments for family and friends that knew me in high school/college to stop laughing.

Yes, it's true. I made Ella Kate a dress. Completely by myself.


And, I hand-smocked this dress with her monogram. I can't take credit for making this dress, though.


I hope my Mimmie is smiling down at me for even attempting something so very out of character. She was the queen of all things domestic, as is my mom. I think the genes were diluted by the time they got to me, but maybe I can perk them up a bit...

Eat Mor Chikin

Poppi bought Ella Kate a HUGE stuffed cow, Mr. Moo, when she was only a few weeks old. She loves that cow. And yes, I get the irony of a cow being named Mr. Moo. Ms. Moo just didn't sound right and Mr. Moo is missing certain identifying equipment. We'll have the Mr. Moo/Ms. Moo chat when she's older.

At any rate, it looks as if her affinity for bovine transcends to popular advertising characters.

"This guy's pretty funny, Mom! Can he come home with us to meet Mr. Moo?


"Excuse me, please move your hoof. I'm trying to read your shirt. I believe you misspelled a few words."

Eternal Rest Grant Unto Her

The Lowery Pullen family lost a great friend today. My parents' next-door neighbor of almost 20 years, Elizabeth Cheatham, suffered a burst brain aneurysm yesterday. She and a fellow college professor were chatting, when Mrs. Cheatham gently laid her head on the table. She never woke up.

I will miss her everyday. She adopted my family as her own. She remembered birthdays, took us to movies, baked cookies with us, helped us with Spanish homework, hosted engagement parties, cried with us when I lost our first child and enthusiastly celebrated our pregnancy with Ella Kate. She was a larger-than-life personality trapped in a petite 5-foot frame.

She is currently on life support until her family can travel from Peru. Please pray for her husband, Rex, and their son, Rex II. Losing someone, so young, with no warning, has to be one of the hardest trials to endure.

Her passing is a harsh reminder that our time here is limited. We never know what lies around the next corner. Whatever you are doing today - stop. Take time to call your family and friends and tell them how much you love them.

Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord.
And let perpetual light shine upon her.
May she rest in peace. Amen.

Official Mobility

It finally clicked today. Ella Kate has been inchworming for a few weeks, but tonight she finally put it together to get some forward momentum. This video was taken early in the evening. She got faster and faster as the night progressed. I'm afraid that she'll be running by in the morning.

Fabulous Furbus Blog Stalkers

It has come to my attention that Pullen All Nighters has a handful of regular blog stalkers that never leave comments. This is your official invitation to leave the protective, and somewhat anonymous, shield of the Web and join us! I know who you are now!

To entice comments from my Bama crew, I'm posting a few pictures of the Furbus Extravaganza Part II. Please note that I have three different incriminating videos as well, but decorum prevents posting on a family blog. :) If you are curious, I'll find a way to get them to you. Trust me, it's worth it.

The birthday boy and his beautiful bride.


Richard, Lucky and the birthday boy. This is Richard's standard go-to pose during a night out.


A shot of the luxurious Furbus interior.


The Famous Furbus Back Of The Bus'ers.


And, because this blog is dedicated to Ella Kate joining our family, here is a picture of Ella Kate snuggling with Mommy before the Furbus fun began. She stayed with Poppi, Gigi and Aunt SarSar. Mommy's just plain boring in comparison.

Happy 8 months, Ella Kate!

Another month has flown by. Our baby turned 8 months old on Sunday, August 10th. Here are a few pictures I took on Sunday. She might kill me for a few of these when she gets older!

In Honor of the Olympics

We took Ella Kate to Olympic Centennial Park in Atlanta for a fun family outing in relatively nice weather. She was an awesome trooper the whole day. She never fails to amaze me with her ability to handle new situations.

Getting her accustomed to wearing a hat before we left.

Leonard the big-eyed turtle goes everywhere with us!

Ella Kate loved playing with the grass. The only way we could get her to look up was to hold Leonard in the air.

"Daddy, let me go so I can pull up the grass and eat it!"

Mommy trying to steal kisses. EK wanted to play, not smooch.

Meeting Will

Marty and Paige brought their big boy, Will, to meet Ella Kate a few weeks ago. Will wasn't so sure about his Mommy holding another baby, but loved the idea of climbing stairs. He is as cute as ever. I was smitten when we walked outside and he pointed out every bug and crawly thing on the sidewalk. Such a smart kid.

The first meeting. Will wanted to take a picture to remember the moment.


"Mom, hold me. Why is Aunt Allie chasing me with a camera?"


The forced introduction. Ella Kate loved the turtles on Will's jonjon. Will wasn't pleased with baby hands touching him.


Mommy's being silly and trying to get everyone to smile. It didn't work. Please note the look of confusion on Will's face. He thinks he is in a crazyhouse.


"Get me away from this crying baby!"

Wordless Wednesday