What's the point?

What's the point in this blog? Well, for starters, we have oodles and oodles of out of town family and friends and instead of me bombarding email accounts with new pictures and updates, I figured a blog would be a good way to share our happenings. If someone wants to know what's going on down here, they can check the blog on their own time. Secondly, I am a bad mom and *gasp* am not keeping a baby book for Elise. "Oh the horror!!!!!!" I'm actually using this blog as a type of baby book for her. There are programs that turn blogs into books and I plan on doing that and having them printed at the end of each year. I like to think Elise will enjoy looking back at this someday. I like my monthly "letters" to her, but I have decided they are waaaaay dorky sounding. Those of you that know me well know I don't talk like that. But something about that little girl makes me melt and I get all nerdy sounding. I do promise to work on that for next month. Finally, it's a type of journal for me. Not every blog post has to do with little Miss E. Matt and I do have a life ya know. No seriously, we do! And I think that I'll enjoy looking back on these posts when I'm chillin' on the patio, sipping a glass of wine in 20 years.

:)

Elise- 7 months!!!

Dear Elise,

Today you are 7 months old. You are becoming so much fun!!!!!!! Though you have been scooting around for a while now, this past week you have officially mastered crawling. You go everywhere and climb the stairs with no problem. You haven't totally figured out how to get down them yet. You love to crawl to me and to Jaws. As soon as I sit down on the floor, you get that great determined look on your face and you crawl right to me and into my lap. It just melts my heart! You also crawl to and all over Jaws. He rarely minds, even as you poke his eyes and tug on his ears or tail. You are also pulling up on everything! Daddy and I are amazed at how strong you are, and actually so is everyone else. I took you to a Gymboree Play Class, and even though you were the youngest baby in the class, you were the only baby that could crawl! You're pretty awesome. You have such a fun personality and when you recognize someone your whole face smiles! You still take a while to warm up to people you don't know; you really like to study other peoples' faces and expressions. You are also very good at "communicating" (which is what your Aunt Bobbie calls it- I say you have a temper) when something doesn't go your way or isn't just right. You have no problem letting us know! You crack up at Jaws when he gets silly and runs around the house and outside; it is hilarious to watch you belly laugh!

This month you began eating solid food. I am making all of the food that you eat and am having so much fun cooking for you. So far you have tried avocados, sweet potatoes, zucchini, summer squash, bananas, prunes (this I did buy,) pears, and peas. You love it all! Once you figured out the concept, solid foods were a hit! You also love "drinking" water from a straw. It's a great way to entertain you at a restaurant.

Tidbits about you this month:

• Your first tooth has just cut the surface this week. It's very hard to see but I can feel it! It didn't seem to bother you much and I hope the others come in just as easily.
• You have now been on 10 airplane rides and in 6 different airports.
• I don't think you've grown much from your 6 month doctors appointment. In fact, you may have even lost a little bit of weight because you have become so active.
• You are in 6-9 month clothing.
• You can crawl, go up stairs, and get into the sitting position and hold yourself steady.
• You still dislike being on your back (which makes diaper changes a challenge) and still sleep on your tummy or side.
• You love the pool and have been underwater countless times and have never minded!
• You like your "exersaucer" but will only stay in it for about 15-20 minutes max.
• You are still a cloth diapered baby and both Daddy and I love them!
• You are still nursing and I adore that time with you.
• You don't mind being in your car seat and are very good in the car. You always have been.
• You love sitting in the grass and swirling your feet into the dirt.
• I work on Tuesdays and Thursdays and Daddy takes care of you all day long. That's a wonderful time for you both and you usually just watch him as he works on little projects around the house.
• You love bath time, but most recently you love showers. I put you on the floor while I take a shower and you crawl all around and splash. Water in your face doesn't bother you one bit.

Your sleep schedule has gotten so predictable. I try and keep you up until at least 7:00pm and (hooray!!!!) you usually sleep until 7:00am without waking!!! If you do wake in the middle of the night, you just babble and then put yourself right back to sleep without crying. It's wonderful! You are still taking a morning and afternoon nap. After you wake and nurse each morning, we go on a nice hour long walk. You take a morning nap around 10am and an afternoon nap around 2pm. We try to get our errands run in between.

We've had so much fun with you this month. Daddy and I love you to pieces and can't wait to see what the next month brings!

Loving the pool!
Shower time is great fun! Plus, the cutest bum ever!
With her Uncle B!

7 Month Pics- The Rejects

These monthly pictures are getting harder and harder to do by myself.

"Who needs solids when you have yummy paper?"

"This sign is the best toy ever!"

"Look everyone, I can stand!"

"Baby got back"

"Sure I'll smile! NO I will not look at the camera!"

She crawls!

It is official- Elise is crawling and is quicker by each day! She has mastered going up stairs (not a full flight obviously but she can get up the two to our dining room.) She can also go down... sometimes. We can't leave her alone for even 1 minute. Here's some video I captured after our morning walk this morning. Enjoy!

"Jaws, may I have that?"

"Mom, Jaws said he didn't care if I took his bone."

"Yes, I asked and he said it was okay. I promise!"

"Fine, I'll close my eyes. If Jaws wants it back, he can take it."

"I told you so."

Elise's new "trick"

Oh Lordy, right when I think we've got naps and bedtime down, Elise throws a curveball right to my face!!! She has learned to pull up and pulls up on everything she possibly can. Problem is, at the young age of 6 1/2 months, she doesn't know how to get herself back down. Her most favorite thing to pull up on, it seems, is her crib, while inside of course. Matt lowered it last week and I thought it would buy us a few months. Not so, my friends, not so. We put Elise down drowsy, but still awake. Sometimes she pulls at the bumper or rolls around a bit, but she usually falls asleep pretty easily. Until now. Now, when I lay her down, nice and drowsy, her eyes fly open, she gets a big smile on her face, and she begins pulling up. It was cute the first 2 times for her morning nap last week. At 3am, Saturday night it wasn't quite as cute. She can get herself up but then gets stuck and can't get herself back down. It can imagine that would be a bit scary to a 6 1/2 month old (I keep telling myself.)

Thankfully, Matt gets home tonight and can move the crib down to it's last level. Certainly by the time she can reach, she'll know how to get herself down, right? Right???

Happy Father's Day!

Just wanted to say Happy Father's Day to the most wonderful husband and dad in the world!
We love you!

Lori's Getting Hitched!

One of my closest friends, Lori, is marrying Adam July 11 in Ft. Worth. Matt and I adore this couple and we are so excited for them!!!!! This past weekend, we had Lori's bachlorette party in Austin. I drove up Saturday and stayed overnight. It was my first time to leave Elise, and since Matt was working, she stayed with my parents. Thankfully, she did great!

On our way to dinner.

Ashley met us out!

We ate dinner at Maria Maria.

It was such a fun weekend and so nice to get away and pretend I didn't have any responsibilities. Matt and I are looking forward to Lori and Adam's wedding in July!

Elise is *seriously* on the move!

Wednesday Elise took a nice long nap. She woke and happily babbled for about 10 minutes. Usually she'll babble for about 5, and then she gets impatient and wants us to come get her. So I figured something must be up. Sure enough, I walked in and found her standing in her crib! Matt lowered the mattress that afternoon.

Yesterday Elise figured out how to navigate the stairs (okay, fine, 1 stair)! This girl is moving and moving fast!

The bait this time? Why my travel size shampoo bottle, of course!!!!!

Springfield in June

Sunday morning after the wedding, we drove to Springfield where we celebrated Granny's (Matt's grandma) 90th birthday! She is an amazing lady and we were thrilled we were able to be there to celebrate with her! Happy birthday Granny!

We had a wonderful time hanging out with Matt's family. Brett and Elise were much more interested in one another this time... I can't wait to see them play together when they're older! Elise also got to spend some time with her other cousins, Jack and Preston.

Elise and Preston

Jack, Brett, Elise, and Preston- they're a tough group!!!

On the way home, Elise completed her 10th flight. This girl is a seasoned traveler!!! And no, sorry, she will not share her frequent flier miles!!!

Erin's Wedding Weekend

Last weekend we flew to St. Louis to celebrate my cousin Erin's wedding. We had a blast! We stayed with my cousin Jen, her husband, Joe, and their darling 7 week old, Drew!

Proof that Drew is darling!

First we went to the bridesmaid luncheon where Elise got to meet all her cousins. (Well, really they are *my* cousins and her second cousins.... whatever :) She especially loved being held by sweet Cara!

The rehearsal dinner was at Rigazzi's on The Hill. Matt and I were in heaven! We left the babies at Jen's to chill over a 6-pack (of breastmilk people- geesh!!!!!) and we enjoyed amazing Italian food. You just can't get food like that in San Antonio!

Rigazzi's famous fishbowls o' beer.

(Random tidbit- my parents' first date was at Rigazzi's)

Saturday Elise and my mom met up with two of her very dear friends in St. Louis. Elise loved chillin' with Diane and Sharon!

Finally, Saturday night was the night we had all been waiting for. Erin and Michael were married at Erin's grandparents' estate; it was the perfect setting for a wedding!!!

(excuse my hair, it was a wee bit windy!)

Elise with MY Aunt Kathy. Aunt Kathy's too young to be called "Great Aunt Kathy!!!!" Elise's middle name is Kathleen, after this lovely lady!

Finally- the reception! Fun times were had by all!

Matt & Brett

My dad, Jon, Brett, Matt, & Jim

2 hotties

My cousin Katy, her husband Matt, my mom, and Aunt Wendy

We all had such a wonderful time and we can't wait to see everyone again! If not sooner, then next July in Maine for Mark's wedding!!!!!

6 Month Pics

Get ready for some serious cuteness!!!!!!!! Elise's 6 month pics....

Holy Moly Guacamole!! Elise's first taste of solid food.

We waited until the day before Elise turned 6 months to let her have solid food. And we skipped right over crappy cereal (no fillers for my baby!!!!) and went straight to avocado. Did ya know that avocado is considered the perfect baby food? It has the right amount of fat, high in vitamins, and good texture. Plus, there aren't many avocado allergies out there. Okay, enough of my rambling... here's what you want to see- video of the first bite! It wasn't really planned.... we were just chillin' on the patio and decided to give her a slice. Hence why she is still in her jumperoo and doesn't have a bib on. Thank gawd I had the camera!! ;)

Look out, here comes Elise!

As you can see, Elise is getting quite mobile. I'm not really sure if we can call it crawling but she can get anywhere she wants to go! She "crawls" all over the family room. When she sets her eyes on something, nothing can stop her!

Video #1. Just today I introduced the sippy cup. She doesn't really "get it" and that's okay. However, she's very interested!!!!!

Video #2 Not really the best video but you get the picture. She was being so cute, doing downward dog, squealing and laughing... until I pulled out the camera. Then she stopped, go figure :)

So, what do you think? If this crawling? If not, (which I don't really think it is) I think she's pretty close! 

PS- I still haven't baby-proofed the house. I need to get on that!