California!

Elena had her first plane ride a couple weeks ago; to sunny California to visit her uncle Keith!  She was a trooper on the plane, sleeping most of the time and when she wasn't sleeping she was making lots of new friends!  The flight attendant on the way out loved her so much, she took her on a little tour of the plane; maybe next time she'll get some wings.  She had lots of fun in the sun when we got to our destination.  She absolutely loved the ocean and got mad when we left the water.  She went on her first merry-go-round and really loved spending time with her uncle.  Here are some of the picuters we took; more to follow as mommy forgot the camera so these photos are just from her camera; I still need to get some from dad's.

 

She was soo excited to get back on the plane to see her uncle!

 

Elena and Keith at the beach

 

In the ocean for the first time

 

Grandpa wrote her name in the sand

 

Mommy and Elena at the observatory

 

Playing in the rocks

 

Playing in the ocean; not wanting to leave

 

Laughing with uncle Keith

 

At the beach with daddy

 

Thinking she might be a California girl....

 

Cuddling with Keith on our last night.

One Year

Hard to believe a year has passed since Elena made us a family of three (4 including Oliver).  I cannot imagine life without our little one; I don't even remember what we used to spend our time doing.  We have learned a lot of valuable lessons over this past year like not to take a diaper off the baby before having a new one ready or getting the baby in the bathtub.  More than anything we have learned what it means to love someone unconditionally.  It doesn't matter if she is crying and throwing tantrums all day if she just turns and smiles at you- that is what it is all about.  She had such a good time celebrating her 1 year birthday with all the family and was so excited that her Uncle Keith flew out to surprise her for her special day!  At her 12 month appointment she weighed 20.15 pounds in the 49th percentile and is 30.51 inches and in the 90th percentile. 

One Year Ago

All tuckered out after a long day!

 

Goofball

There is nothing more to say about our little silly girl! She gets a kick out of being weird; just like her parents!

Eleven Months

Elena is nearly one year old already, and boy has she grown this past month!   She is getting around very well and keeping us busy chasing after her; one of her favorite games.  She has started trying to climb anything and everything that she can which has caused some bumps and bruises, but that is not slowing her down.  Her new favorite thing to do is climb into things and laugh until you notice what she has done.  The bumbo, any basket and her carseat are her places of choice to wedge herself into so far but she has attempted to get into drawers and Oliver's kennel too.  Speaking of Oliver, she is begining to interact more and more with him trying to get him to play fetch and petting him instead of pulling all his hair out; which she still enjoys doing to her mom. 

She also had Buffalo Wild Wings for the first time -

she could not get enough!

Ten months!

So, I am late again getting this up... seems to be a recurring theme lately.  Elena is doing great; she loves to laugh and be chased after.  She has starting making ducklips all the time, its very funny!  She is getting so big- I think she has grown an inch in the past week!  She is getting closer to walking, but is still a bit afraid to let go.  He very favorite thing to do now is climb the stairs- she is a pro at it, although she is still working on getting down from them.  I cannot believe more than ten months has passed since she was born, its gone by incredibly fast, but I cannot remember or imagine life without her.

A bit blurry, but you get the idea...

Duck lips at dinner...

Duck lips at the Olive Garden

Duck lips again!

playing with whipped cream

Enjoying some of mom's lasagna

Weekend Fun

We had a pretty good weekend!  Elena had her first bike ride!  She did pretty good- was not a fan of her helmet, so we did have to take it off so she could sit upright; but she enjoyed looking around and then sleeping for most of it.  She also was showing off her walking skills too which we finally were able to get on video.

9 & 1/2 Months

So, I am a little late posting these this month...  Since Elena has become mobile, its nearly impossible to get a photo of her!

Elena's 9 month appointment went well.  She is 18 pounds 8 oz (43rd percentile) and is 28 1/2 inches long (80th precentile).  She is now starting to learn to walk behind her high chair and the chairs in the kicthen; she is bound and determined to walk before she is ten months!  She is also working on about 4 or 5 teeth right now and seems to be handling it well, however she is constantly griding them so loudly that you can hear it from across the room!  For that reason, I try to keep her nook in her mouth as often as I can.  She is still a funny girl, and loves to stand up and peek at you when you are on the couch, and she still thinks Oliver is the funniest thing in the world.

Trying to keep her in the shade and have a snack on the 4th at the beach.