Last day of 2007

A couple days ago we had another Christmas celebration. We had a great time and wish we could see everyone more often. Elsa's third cousin Owen from Costa Rica was there. He's exactly 2 weeks older than Elsa. Isn't he so cute?!


Here, Owen whispers sweet nothings while Elsa looks distant.


But that isn't going to stop this little Casanova. While Elsa walks with dad, Owen makes his move. Aww.


The love didn't stop there... he's a curious little fella!


Have a Happy New Year, everybody!

Christmas update

Hello to all - we hope everyone had a Merry Christmas. Or as Elsa says, May Mih Mah! This was her second Christmas and it was very fun. I got sick and almost had to miss it, but thankfully didn't. We enjoyed family, food, and many generous gifts. Elsa made out with the most loot of course, just the way it should be.

The fam on Christmas eve.


Elsa opening a present from uncle John. See what the box says? Yep... 5 piece drum set! Not even two and she has enough instruments to start her own band. I'll post a photo once I get her "practice space" set up.


Opening presents on Christmas eve.


Dear old dad on Christmas morning, wrastlin' with a new toy. Next time we're taking everything out of the boxes before we wrap.


Elsa in her Dora play hut (with tunnel!).


Elsa likes to poke the eyes out on her new baby. We'll have to remedy the situation before the real baby arrives.


This Saturday we have another Christmas to attend. So far she's been the only kid at the party, but at this one there will be four other kids. Cute Christmas cousins photos coming soon...

Baby #2 Official Announcement

For anyone who hasn't heard, baby #2 is on the way! The due date is June 29. We're excited, especially for the ultrasound in February. Hopefully everything will look good and they'll be able to tell us if it's a boy or girl. We really don't care which. We got Elsa a book about becoming a big sister, but i'm sure she has no idea what she's in for. She loves babies, and kisses everything including her own reflection. Hopefully that keeps up for the new arrival. I'm feeling good (now) and can't believe it's going by so fast this time.


We've started putting barrettes in Elsa's hair. If we cut her bangs any more she'll just have a big mullet. Of course that's not really a big deal up here, but I prefer not to go there.

Bad Santa

Last weekend we went to the Wyoming Community Center to see Santa. We waited in line about 30 minutes. The whole time Elsa was waving and kissing in the direction of Santa. She even bellowed out a few "ho ho ho's". Once we got up there she sat looking confused for a few seconds. Then this happened... the classic "crying with Santa" photo. I think she looked out at the 100 or so people and got a little freaked out. She won some toy ducks in a drawing, had a cookie, and got a bag of other goodies, so it turned out pretty good.


Our smoke detector is very close to the kitchen. Pretty much any time you cook something in the oven, it goes off. I taught Elsa to cover her ears when she hears the loud beeps. Now even when it's quiet, she'll randomly shout "beep beep beep!" and cover her ears for a few minutes. Maybe her ears haven't stopped ringing?!


Elsa can hardly wait for bath time. When she hears the bath filling up she starts saying "Bubbo's!" and gets mad if you're slow getting her in there.


Other random Elsa info... her favorite things are books and Dora. Dora books are even better. She sleeps with her blankie, a teddy bear, a deer, and a Hawaiian Hello Kitty doll. Each morning she wakes up and kisses them before she stands up to say hello to me. Here's a photo of the Hello Kitty doll, a very cool gift from uncle John and Melinda. This is a bad photo from the web. It's way cuter in person, I love that it's tan.


Lately Elsa's two favorite foods are - no lie - plain lettuce and grapefruit. Woah. Perhaps a future in modeling is no joke?

Bundled

We had our first big snow this weekend. Today we took Elsa outside and she really seemed to enjoy it.

Standing in boots. After this she got on her knees and attempted to crawl, but soon found out she couldn't move.


We pulled her around the yard in a sled and she stayed upright... most of the time.



Faster, I say!


Our little ruler takes her place on the throne and tells us it's time to go in and sit by the fire.

The Gene Genie

It was a Christmas photoshoot like any other, until out of nowhere, Elsa busted out a Glamour Shots pose. I have no explanation, except that it's all natural skill. I'd say she's still in the running to becoming America's Next Top Model.


Elsa likes to walk around and push her walking toy. I tried to get a side view, but she's too fast.


Here are her 15 month stats:
Height: 31 1/4 inches. (90th %)
Weight: 21 lbs, 14 oz. (25th %)

Tall and skinny, lucky girl. If only we knew who she got it from...

This post will be about Elsa for once

In preparation for winter fun, I put Elsa in the coat we got her last year. It's size 18 months and she wears 18 months, but... it's a little huge on her still! Oh well, it's more of a January coat anyway.


Elsa still doesn't walk, but that's cool. She stands up on stuff and looks cute. Here she is in her wild 60's outfit.


Straight out the bath. She loves bath time, especially ones with "bubbo's".


Peek! Elsa loves to play hide and seek.


She says a lot of words these days, I think I counted around 40. Not all of them are perfect, but I know what she's saying and we're able to communicate well. Much to the delight of our parents, she finally says "ga ga" and "bumpa". She loves ECFE, the park, Dora, her blankies, and eating noodles. Her favorite animals are dogs, fish, and deer. Her 15 month appointment is coming up next week, so i'll post her stats then.
Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Halloween!

Talk about a spooky halloween... I decided to get crafty and make Elsa's costume this year. Ahhh! I think it turned out good though. The hat was $7 on clearance. Then I made a matching cape, which didn't require much sewing and can go on over her jacket. Red turtleneck and sweatpants and we're done. Not sure if I saved any money by doing it myself, but it was a fun project.


(Added vines and bigger leaves to the hat - much better.)


Happy Halloween everyone! More photos to come tomorrow.

A baby, a wedding, and flying objects

Saturday we brought Elsa to her first wedding. She behaved amazingly well during the ceremony - no outbursts requiring us to make a quick exit. At the reception she crawled the halls of the hotel for so long, people swore she put on a couple miles. She wore holes through her tights, but oh well.

Elsa all dressed up at the church.


These photos pretty much sum up the dinner. Everyone duck!

Fall Family Outing #2

Today we went to Pinehaven, and it was everything everyone says it is. There was a lot to see and do. I know people who go every weekend, if that gives you any idea. Highly recommended.
We looked at the animals, saw the pumpkin cannon go off, rode bikes, and went on a tractor ride. It'll be fun to go back next year when Elsa can run around the place.

Elsa with a miniature horse.


In the pumpkin patch.


With mom on a giant tricycle.


Riding on dad's shoulders is always a big hit.

In other Elsa news, she's finally getting her molars. After I put her to bed tonight, she started screaming, "Mumma! Mumm-ahhhh!" I felt back there with some baby Orajel and sure enough, it felt like Legos were trying to push through her gums. Ouch.

Elsa is 14 months old today

And Happy Birthday Grandma Karen!
Yesterday we went to the local pumpkin patch. They had tons of places to take pictures of the kids, face painting, corn dogs and hot cider, tractor rides, etc. I've heard Pinehaven is even better, so we might have to go this weekend. Both are just a few miles from our house.
Elsa continues to love ECFE, even though it starts during her usual naptime. She gets through it pretty well and is becoming more adventurous. She also loves snack time - she's always asking for more. They have to end up hiding the tray of snacks from her!

Happy belated Wyoming Days

This fall we've been busy raking leaves, organizing the house, keeping it real. I found my camera, so there's lots of pics to share. Here's a couple from Wyoming Stagecoach Days on Sept. 30. Elsa had fun up at the fair, and later in the evening the adults had fun at the street dance. As you can see, we had the Gravitron to ourselves. Pictured in the background are our two accomplices. In the foreground is the carnie in charge of the ride, and unfortunately the music. Word!



A couple weekends ago it was unseasonably hot. Elsa enjoyed crawling around in the yard. She'd do it all day if you'd let her.


Last weekend was super cold, but she had a blast anyway. She's an outdoor kid all the way.



Rarr! Chewing on keys is fun.


Here's Elsa today, in a look I describe as New York Cabbie Chic.

Little Monkey

Hi all, it's been awhile. My camera is MIA, but I found one photo on my computer of Elsa in her monkey pj's. They were a gift from cousin Ani.

All is well here with the family and Elsa. She's saying new words everyday. Most recently: "More" and "Deer". The deer were right outside the window eating apples off our tree and she was mesmerized by them. She continues to enjoy her ECFE classes, and I really like them too. We've also been taking lots of walks to the park while we still can, before the really cold weather hits. She isn't walking yet, but she seems close. Napping has gone from 2/day to only 1, and for only 1 hour! Oh well, we had a good run while it lasted.
Last weekend we celebrated auntie Jenny's 28th birthday (which was yesterday). Happy Birthday Jenny!