Monday, August 31, 2009

Big Girl Car Seat!

We haven't retired the infant car seat just yet, however, we now have the need for a second car seat. Matt takes Elise to "school" on Tuesday and Thursday mornings and I pick her up; it just makes sense to have one in each car now. She's still quite a bit under the height and length restriction in her infant car seat, so I think we'll get a few more months out of it. But it was also time to buy a convertible car seat. We bit the bullet, took out a second mortgage, and bought her big girl car seat the other day. This thing is huge! I nicknamed it the "Beast." I have no doubt the Beast will keep Elise nice and safe. We are following the AAP's guidelines and keeping Elise rear-facing until she is at least 2 years old. This is a slightly controversial topic in mommy circles. The general rule of thumb (and law!) is to keep your child rear-facing until they are at least 1 year old. Most parents get excited to flip that sucker around as soon as the first birthday party is over. But recently, more research has come out and has persuaded us to keep Elise rear-facing for at least another year. Namely: children under age two are 75% less likely to be killed or suffer severe injuries in a crash if they are riding rear facing rather than forward facing. In fact, for children 1-2 years of age, facing the rear is five times safer. (Pediatrics Journal, 2008)
The fact of the matter is, their necks just aren't strong enough at age one to protect them in a wreck. I urge everyone to do their own research and make this decision for yourself. For us, it was a very easy one. Check out the following videos and links. I'm not trying to sound like a know-it-all mom... I just want the information out there so you can make your own, educated decision. A friend brought all of this to my attention and I just wanted to pass it along. :)




This one's not in English, but you'll get the general idea.





Saturday, August 29, 2009

9 Month Pictures

It's hard to choose a favorite!
My great-grandfather made this rocking chair for my grandpa. It's nearly 100 years old.






Friday, August 28, 2009

Some pictures from this summer.

It's been a blazing hot and long summer, but we've managed to keep busy and have some fun!

Investigating my new toy with Tompa.
Strutting around in my bikini!
Snuggling with GiGi.
Chillin' in the backyard with Jaws.
Bumper Boats with James at the pool.

Traipsing through the woods!

Matt's traipses through the woods are legendary! And Elise now gets to join her daddy and Jaws. We're very lucky to have a big greenbelt behind our neighborhood... Jaws can run off-leash and Matt gets his daily dose of the outdoors. Good times had by all! The greenbelt goes all the way to the elementary school Elise will ultimately attend. I foresee Elise, Daddy, and Jaws blazing the trails on the way to school many mornings!



"I love Myself"

Elise was entertained by herself for a good 30 minutes the other night.


Ahh... to be so easily amused...

Friday, August 14, 2009

Manners We Ain't Got.

Emily Post would be rolling in her grave. Sweet little Elise is seriously lacking in the table manners department. She has been banned from eating inside her GiGi's house- al fresco dining is something we do quite frequently. If you never invite us over for a dinner party again, I'll understand. The only one happy about Elise's Neanderthal ways is Jaws... he happily cleans the floor after every meal.

Elise's First Week of School

Elise started Mother's Day Out this week. She's going two days each week, Tuesday and Thursday. I was a little nervous because she's never really been with anyone else during the day. Elise did GREAT! Matt dropped her off each morning and there were no tears to be seen. As soon as he set her down, she just crawled over to her new friends and toys. Her naps were off schedule, but that's to be expected. She got big smiley faces on her daily report sheet each day. I hope the rest of the year is as successful as the first week!


Not showing any nerves the morning of the first day of school!

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Sleeping Beauty

Sleeping babies are so precious and of course our little Elise is no exception. I finally "caught" her sucking her thumb. It doesn't happen often at all.

And with the click of the camera, she popped it out.
Cuuute!


Monday, August 3, 2009

Silly Jaws

Looks like Matt and I aren't the only ones enjoying the backyard addition. Jaws has a new "spot" when we're outside. I imagine the firebrick feels nice and cool to lay on.



Saturday, August 1, 2009

Patio Redo- The End is in Sight!!

Matt just has to finish laying the flagstone for the patio extension and then we'll be done, for a while at least. We need to do some landscaping, but since San Antonio is in the worst drought in history, we'll wait until we get some rain and/or it cools down. We can't wait to have everyone over for a little happy hour/dinner party; it shouldn't be too much longer!!