Power play

Like a tooth-flashing wild animal, Elsa sticks out her lower jaw and stares at us to show us who's boss. This is her daily "mean muggin'" face. Although i've seen meaner, I like the excessive display of teeth and gums in this photo. I think she's saying,"I'm done with tummy time. If you don't believe me, maybe you'll believe it later when I bite you at my next feeding." Tummy time adjourned!

Elsa is 7 months, 1 week old. Earlier this week, she learned to clap her hands. She talks quite a bit, and loves saying "Da!" for everything. If a car drives by, "Da!". If I walk into the room and she's happy to see me, "Da!". Whenever she's playing and happy, or sad and crying, she'll yell out, "Da! Da! Da!". It's so cute - it never gets old. I just wish she'd start saying "Ma".

Earlier this week, we had some lovely 75 degree weather. We took full advantage of it and hung out outside all day. We went for a long walk around town and visited the park. It was so nice to dress Elsa in short sleeves and not have to worry if she was too cold. We're going to have fun this summer!


Last week, Elsa had her first little-kid visitor. It wasn't really a playdate because they didn't play together, but Henry was awfully sweet about sharing toys and giving back the toys she'd dropped. A future prince charming? Aww!

St. Patty's and more

For St. Patrick's day, we went to St. Cloud to visit family. It was sooo nice to see everyone. Elsa got to see her great-grandma and grandpa, great-aunt and uncle, and third-cousin Ani. Ani was so sweet about letting Elsa grab her face multiple times to say "hello".
That night, the band had a show and I was finally able to go see them. It'd been 7 months! I can't put into words how great it was. It was just what I needed! I don't have any pics of it, but... that's probably a good thing.


Today I took Elsa for a walk. It was sunny and the thermometer read 40, but the wind made it feel like 20. Here, I believe Elsa is saying, "Thanks for taking me on this nasty freezing walk, mom!" She was warm, though - the stroller cover blocked the wind, except when I pulled it back to take this picture.


Bath time. She'd been using a simple $3.99 bath sponge her whole life, but now that she's older and can sit up and play, we decided to get her a fun baby tub to sit in. She loves it. The ducky is only in there for effect. For the most part, she ignores the toys and instead prefers to kick and splash. The water itself is her favorite entertainment.


Here's our girl, playing and sitting all by herself. I still pile pillows around her just in case, but she really doesn't need them. She must be looking at the ceiling fan in this photo. She loves looking at fans, lights, cars, and fire. Check out those huge cheeks! Gotta love 'em.

Ice DAMN!

Hey, this is Minnesota - I have to talk about the weather for a second. The past couple weekends have been pretty snowy, and they've created some spectacular icicles around our house. Check it out. Whenever I look outside, it feels as if the house has been swallowed up by one of those creatures from "Alien". Uhh, the aliens. I'd never want my kids to move away from me, but I wouldn't blame them if they moved to a warmer climate.



GO TO JAIL. Do not pass GO, do not collect $200.



You should see the rides they have at Disney World, Elsa! But those rides are so warm, and comfortable... you really wouldn't like them...



Here is Elsa eating some cantaloupe out of her mesh feeder thingy. She loooves it!