d + b + e

21 Months

2012-02-10T13:19:00.000-08:00

I know I keep saying it, but my little baby is turning into a little girl. She has sprouted up a couple more inches (it seems) in the last few months, and is now wearing all these pants that were way too long at the beginning of winter.

She is pointing out letters, and knows a few of them pretty well; A, B, E, Y, P, I, and O are her favorites. She also knows a few "little" letters, and the number 9. "What's that?" is still her go-to phrase (she is very curious), followed by "no" and lately, "bye byes" when we leave to go anywhere. She is starting to put more words together. "It's a DaDa!" is also a favorite.

We talk a lot about poo poo and the potty, but she's not quite ready to make that leap. She seems to like the princess potty at Yia Yia and Pa Pa's better than the one at home:

Elena is not quite sure about who this "little sister" is that we keep talking about, but she really likes talking and reading about "new babies." She got to meet a little three month old a few weeks back and Elena was very good about not touching and just looking. Leni kept saying, "baybeeee!"

Yia Yia also introduced Elena to colored pencils and sticky dots. I will post a picture of her creation soon.

While in Roseville Elena had her first taste of milkshake. Mocha Java flavor at Mel's Diner. Let's just say we should have given it to her at the end of the meal instead of the beginning!

All in all, we're doing well. I'm feeling better than I have all pregnancy, and haven't had too much back pain in the last couple weeks. We're praising God for his many blessings!

Reading to Dollies

2012-02-01T13:42:00.000-08:00

So this is what Elena does when I take a shower!

playgroup

2012-01-27T16:05:00.000-08:00

Still getting the hang of my camera. I took quite a few photos that were blurry! Here are the good ones:

we're very civilized over here

2012-01-25T18:26:00.000-08:00

Elena can now pick up potato with a fork! She uses the fork in her right hand to stab the food, then uses her left hand to pull the food off and stick it in her mouth. Ha ha!

puff ball head!

2012-01-25T14:15:00.001-08:00

2012-01-24T19:32:00.000-08:00

I've been playing around with my new camera. I can't wait until we take some pictures outside.

This is what I saw right before Elena smudged my lens.

Leni's favorite phrase lately is What's that? It sounds like wusssat?

Christmas Portraits

2012-01-06T13:12:00.000-08:00

'Lena got her Christmas portraits done today. This was our second attempt. She really loved the photographer; it was a great shoot!

So hard to choose, but I chose the one above for the portrait package, then got a couple more 5x7s of the one right below.

This one looks like a 1st grade portrait!

HUGS!!!

20 weeks pregnant

2011-12-30T08:05:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone. Just so you know I'm half way through my pregnancy! Here is a baby update from my newsletter:

By the time you are 20 weeks pregnant, the baby's:

Body is about 8 inches long.
Weight is about 10 ounces.
Lanugo hair covers its entire body.
Eyebrows and lashes appear.
Nails appear on fingers and toes.
Activity increases with increased muscle development.
Heartbeat can be heard with a stethoscope.

Christmas in Roseville

2011-12-27T12:55:00.000-08:00

Train ride outside the church (before Christmas Eve service)

Don't forget the petting zoo!

'Leni love the little goats and wanted to point out their eyes/ears/nose...

Santa got Elena some big girl panties! She decided to try them on over her p.j.'s.

The wagon was a hit.

Many trips around the house ensued.

Of course, all Elena's new toys had to go with her.

Brian sporting my new scarf.

Cousin Angel (and the Karnezis) joined us for Christmas dinner.

'Lena wanting to know where Nic and Jeff went.

castanets take 2

2011-12-16T17:16:00.000-08:00

After an overwhelming negative response (two out of my five reader audience), I have decided to not post images from my phone since they are too small. Here are a couple of 'Leni that luckily I took with my camera. This girl moves so much it's hard to get good ones inside that aren't blurry.

Looking for her castanets

2011-12-15T12:48:00.001-08:00

Thank you Nolans for this adorable dress from Spain!

A ha!

2011-12-14T16:10:00.001-08:00

I think I figured out how to make upload posts with my mobile phone. Let's see if this works.

19 months

2011-12-11T19:39:00.000-08:00

We had a celebration for Natalie's birthday here tonight. I got a little bit of ribbing for my recent lack of blog posts, so here you go...

'Leni with DaDa's sneakers this morning

Happy 28 years Nuttles!

Hey that's for MiMi!

18 mo. checkup

2011-11-21T12:53:00.000-08:00

Elena, with new dollie, "MiMi."

Elena had her 18 month checkup today!

She was a good girl for her two shots. Elena is doing great. We talked about introducing peanut butter, and starting potty training eventually.

Weight: 25 lbs. 15 oz. 71.85 percentile

2' 10.5" (34.5") 98.53 percentile

getting in the christmas spirit

2011-11-15T15:47:00.001-08:00

baby turns 18 months!

2011-11-10T12:51:00.000-08:00

Elena Camille! Brian thinks her name is actually "Elena Come Here." We say that a lot! She understands when she wants to.

Elena is learning all the sounds that animals make. Caw caw, moo moo, woof woof, meow, hoo hoo, duck duck (for quack quack), Rooooar! She learns these from all the books she wants read to her. I literally am unable to sit down for even a couple minutes without Elena coming over with one or two books for me to read to her.

She likes to point to all the lights in a room, and says "WWWWight!" We try to count them.

She also has been saying "poo poo." This is a good sign, in my opinion. It would be nice to have Elena potty trained by the time the new baby comes. One baby at a time in diapers would be great!

We go to the pediatrician on Friday and will let you know how everything goes.

Cal game

2011-11-07T08:30:00.000-08:00

Elena loved the Cal game. The marching band, the pom poms, the rally towel, the beanie, and of course time with family-- she loved it all!

And some pictures from our nice fall walk yesterday.

I had to capture the cutest cowlick this morning. I told her to get her fingers out of her mouth and it became a game. Elena definitely has a sense of humor!

the usual suspects

2011-10-27T13:11:00.000-07:00

17 months and the Pumpkin Farm

2011-10-10T11:13:00.000-07:00

These are my size!

I don't want to be measured right now!

Elena loved the llamas.

17 months....

Elena LOVES to read. I think that's the biggest change in the last month. She wants to read all the time and will sit by herself and read or bring us books to read to her. She loves the books with lots of pictures on each page. The more things on the page the better.

'Leni's got a few more words down. Some harder ones like "strawberries" and "tomato". Also, "meow" and "nose." She tries to sing her ABC's and Patty Cake.

Like her cuzzie, she's loving the dance party. Usually when Daddy comes home from work and turns on the music. Blues, rap, pop... she doesn't discriminate.

Next month she will be 18 months! Not sure were the time went. It seems like only yesterday she was my little blob who couldn't do anything for herself. Now she's Ms. Independent and Opinionated!

dancing queen

2011-09-30T10:07:00.000-07:00

Not sure where she learned these arm movements!

a SLO good time

2011-09-20T13:50:00.000-07:00

16 months

2011-09-15T14:37:00.000-07:00

Well, it's my slightly belated 16 month update. Elena is learning lots of new words, and sometimes puts two words together. Some new words.... "shoes," "eyes," "bir" (for bird), "meow," "teddy," "dolly".... Hmmm there are probably more.

She shakes her head and says "no" to everything! Do you want some fruit? "no, no, no" Then she reaches for it. She sometimes says yes if I prompt her to. "Yesh." If I say "hot" she blows out air, hee hee. (She was surprisingly good at blowing her nose into a kleenex last week when she had a cold.)

Next up, I'm trying to teach her to count 1-2-3. We count buttons and shoes a lot. And kitty cats.

'Leni is understanding so much! She likes to have her dance party when daddy gets home and turns on the music. Just like her cuzzie! She really gets down.

I got her picture taken last Saturday. I get them in another week, but here are the previews! She is in her ballerina halloween costume with her teddy. Oh my gosh, this girl makes me SMILE!!!!

Labor Day Weekend at La Selva

2011-09-06T13:04:00.000-07:00

Elena didn't eat sand this time, YAY!

It was foggy the whole time, but Brian still had a great time.

We celebrated my Mom's birthday too!

Nicole took this opportunity to make sure she didn't have anything in her teeth.

DOG PILE!!!!

2011-09-02T09:35:00.000-07:00

tidbit

2011-08-29T09:10:00.000-07:00

I have been singing to Elena a lot lately because she loves it. She likes to watch my mouth and put her fingers on my teeth. We sing the ABC's and before going to sleep I've been singing "Jesus Loves Me" because that is what her little lamb in her crib plays. Just a few minutes ago I was holding her before putting her in her crib and she says, "Jesus" to try to get me to sing the song to her. Oh happy day! She said our Savior's name!

Jesus loves me this I know

For the Bible tells me so

Little ones to Him belong

They are weak but he is strong

Yes, Jesus loves me

Yes, Jesus loves me
The bible tells me so!

water park

2011-08-27T08:33:00.000-07:00

thumbellina?

Elena has started saying "upee." It started out as UP, then I tried to teach her "up please" and now it has morphed into "upee!"

Road Trip!

2011-08-25T13:14:00.000-07:00

cuzzies!

oh brother

Hey, get back here!

Ginana and baby Abigail (6 mo.)

more summer water baby photos

2011-08-18T12:58:00.000-07:00

after her bath, in the princess towel

at the Fountains in Roseville

she loved watching the other kids

baby got soaking wet!

Yia Yia and PaPa's pool - 84 degrees, perfect!

swim class pool - more like 72 degrees :)

practicing her kicks

and her arm strokes

waving at Yia Yia and PaPa

best friends!

Princess Eating Blueberries

2011-08-16T16:35:00.000-07:00

I could also have titled this, Movie Star Eating Blueberries

15 months

2011-08-10T14:30:00.000-07:00

Yippee! I'm 15 months old!

Baby is talking up a storm. Repeating words all the time. She has said a lot of words once, like "grandpa," "pool," "cheesy," "swim," and "diaper," and has a pretty good vocabulary that she says a lot-- "meme" for I want, uh oh, woof woof, baby, eyes... and "HI!" She says it so loud and in the highest voice to EVERYONE. We end up stopping to talk to anyone who gets near us. I have never lived anywhere else where I have talked to so many neighbors and cashiers and it's all because of my little conversationalist, Elena.

Leni understands so much. "Go show Colin how to touch the buttons," and she does it! "Where's Elena's sandals?" and she finds them! She is really enjoying all her books and will read for twenty minutes by herself sometimes emptying all the books out of her bookcase. Mama loves that.

And she has started waving hello and bye bye, shaking her head "no" and saying "yesh" for yes. We started to get Elena singing her abc's while we were camping. It is so darned CUTE!

Elena is now down to three meals a day and I don't give her snacks that often. The last couple days she hasn't taken her morning nap, but she has gone to bed at night earlier - closer to 6:30/6:45 instead of 7:15/7:30. We'll see if it's a phase or not soon.

I don't think I could love this baby more. Every month I see so much growth and health and beauty in this little girl. We thank God every day for what a blessing he has given us, and such wonderful families to enjoy her with.

Glamping... Elena Puts the Glam in Camping

2011-08-09T14:33:00.000-07:00

Even more exciting than aunties and camping, was Pinto.

We sure know how to hang out and have a good time!

Elena played lots of "patty cake" and has started singing, "a b c d"

The Birthday Boy!

Brian perfecting the art of starting a fire... hey, what's that white bottle?

Our 5th annual camping trip was a blast. Elena got seven mosquito bites, and turned the bathwater brown once we got home. Success!!

My mom and sister took a lot of photos too. I hope to post more once I get them from them.

DAD

2011-08-02T08:36:00.000-07:00

We were in Roseville last weekend to attend my Dad's retirement party. Just a small group of family - about 20 - that have known and loved my Dad for many many years. It was nice to shine the spotlight on Dad and appreciate him for all he's done for our family over the years. He is such a rock for our family. Mom put out pictures of Dad from his first year coaching at Del Oro (he was 24!) and an old yearbook with dad showing his pole vaulting skills. There were toasts and merry making, and it was a great group of people. More reasons why I have the best Dad:

Playing with the swing PaPa set up for Elena:

The playhouse PaPa made for Elena:

it's a wonderful life

2011-07-29T08:55:00.000-07:00

I had so much fun last weekend that I forgot to take pictures. Here is a great one of Gran and Grandpa with Elena.

My pretty cousin Angel modeling one of our blooms that she purchased.

And, to my great disappointment, these tomatoes from my garden were totally without flavor. I think I picked them too soon. Once I looked at them some more, I think they were more orange than red. That's ok though! There are more on the way (that I will wait until they are fully ripe before picking). Aren't they beautiful though?

water baby

2011-07-21T15:42:00.000-07:00

We went to the water park in Antioch for three hours of water and sun! We're pooped now. That sure was fun though. I think we'll go back with DaDa later in the summer.

In the TadPool:

The girls went up and down and up and down these steps. Good practice for Elena.

That's her hooded crab towel.

For fun... this is Elena last summer at the same water park! Elisabeth was there too, but I don't have a photo of the girls together.

bath time!

2011-07-20T09:55:00.000-07:00

Auntie Natalie took these bath photos when she spent the night a few weeks ago.

I really like this one for some reason.

Looking older!

all dolled up!

2011-07-18T14:51:00.000-07:00

14 months

2011-07-10T13:23:00.000-07:00

Elena is 14 months today! New things in the last month...

She has been doing a ton of talking. 'Leni told us a whole story about her sippy cup and her cracker last night, gesturing the whole time. She laughs a lot too and definitely is happy and has a sense of humor. She trusts people and wants to be held all the time. She has started giving kisses to DaDa when we say "night night, kisses". Needless to say, MaMa is a little jealous.

'Leni is still eating small chopped up food (as she only has five teeth!) and now can take bites of graham crackers and her rice rusks. She's drinking from her new sippy cup that has a straw and she can feed herself yogurt and oatmeal with her spoon surprisingly well!

'Leni is walking better and tries to run sometimes, but she falls a lot still and gets right back up again. She started climbing up on our couch and Aunt Dori helped teach her how to get down again, "booty first."

'Leni has been very helpful modeling for Urban Blooms. In these three photos she is modeling some sample editions of new baby headbands and velcro bows we'll be adding to our website soon.

4th of July

2011-07-07T14:44:00.000-07:00

Elena "modeling" for our website! Auntie Nuttles got her these dresses-- so cute!

Notice how Colin ends up with all the flags?! So funny! Yoink!

We had a great time swimming and bbqing!

summer fun!!!

2011-07-03T11:59:00.000-07:00

Guppy class is over! I want to sign Elena up for another class at the end of the summer.

Best Friends!

clip from Benicia

2011-06-26T11:48:00.000-07:00

'Leni really liked this swing. I think because it was a bucket and it wasn't too high off the ground. She makes the funniest squealing sounds!

When I rotated this it made it really low quality. It was either that or watch it lying down. :)

benicia!

2011-06-25T15:35:00.000-07:00

I was reading that Benicia has gotten lots of new restaurants in the past couple years and that they have a walkable pier on the main drag, 1st St. We thought we'd stop by since it's so close and check things out. Unfortunately, mama forgot the stroller, so we didn't get to walk around as much as we'd hoped. We did find a park with a huge play structure though, and the views from the promenade were pretty good - the Carquinez Strait and Bridge, and of Mt. Diablo.

Did you know that Benicia used to be our state capital back in the day? We went and saw the capitol building and that was pretty cool too. Benicia feels a little like SLO.

guppy class

2011-06-23T14:11:00.000-07:00

love this face!

"are you a movie star?"

'Leni and 'Lisabeth want to take the class again! They're doing great and learning how to move about in the water. So far we go around in circles singing songs and splashing and kicking and trying different arm strokes. Then we practice floating on the front and back. Then we blow bubbles and chase the water toys. I'm always surprised when the class is over, the 20 minutes just fly! I hear that next week they put their faces under. So far Eleni just puts her chin/mouth under. We'll see how that goes!

Cuzzies

2011-06-19T15:40:00.000-07:00

The cuzzies got to hang out in SLO this weekend! They just happened to have matching dresses. We took them to the Sears portrait place and I think they did a good job!

summer is here

2011-06-16T16:43:00.000-07:00

walking talking drinking... Ya know, big kid stuff!

Miss Ladybug and Miss Watermelon if you please

Mommy, the water is too cold! I'd rather eat goldfish.

13 month photos

2011-06-13T08:34:00.000-07:00

Yia Yia wanted to get a better dedication photo of Elena, so we went to Kiddie Kandids while I was in Roseville. I think we succeeded! We got just a few copies of these top two. Thanks Auntie Linnles for the dress!

..........................

13 months

2011-06-10T17:40:00.000-07:00

Happy 13 months snuggle bunny! Elena is getting better at walking and tries to walk really fast with her arms out in front of her. She is jabbering all the time and said "PaPa" and "thank you" and says something that sounds like, "what is this?" She understands when you asker to go and fetch monkey/ doggie/ blankie/ duckie/ baby. She is starting to stack things and "get" some of the harder toys like puzzle games. She continues to absolutely love her dolls. What is really fun is that she reaches out to be held by everyone! Friends. The cashier. Random people on the street. Anyone we talk to really. She has learned to be very trusting and loves a good snuggle!

Yia Yia and PaPa started their summer with some 'Leni time before they take off on vacation for three weeks. Lots of play time with PaPa on our Roseville visit. Brian had to be out of town :(

PaPa started his retirement! We are so grateful of how hard he worked for our family. He deserves all the blessings retirement brings.

Learning to use her spoon... Kinda!

Elena loves Yia Yia and PaPa!

a day of firsts

2011-06-06T13:44:00.000-07:00

first tomato!

first wax pepper!

first Valentines Day!!!.. oh wait.

gotcha!

This photo was taken today. Look at those teeth!

Big Basin

2011-05-30T08:48:00.000-07:00

Natalie and Andrew were up at Big Basin this weekend, and invited us to come up for the day. It was a quick preview for what Brian's birthday weekend will be like in a couple months. Elena got really dirty, but we had a great time!

Nat and Andrew got rained on all the night before. They were trying to dry out all their stuff in the sun when we got there.

Very happy to be mucking about in the dirt. Our little dirt clod.

Where's Elena?

Luckily, she is past the phase where she puts everything in her mouth. She liked to pile all the leaves and twigs together.

Dirty bum!

Let's hang out! Elena has started handing things to people now.

We went on a short hike along the creek.

Elena liked to hit DaDa's head and touch his sunglasses.

Lots of banana slugs!

Baby went sleepy.

Auntie Nuttles got her turn too when we went and got It's-Its at the camp store. We also did the trail and saw the "mother (and father) of the forest!"

Playgroup

2011-05-26T13:58:00.000-07:00

We found this great indoor play room that's good for a rainy/cold day. This weather sure has been weird! Now it's pretty nice out.

'Leni and 'Lisabeth on the train

Colin on the Harley!

Best Friends:

Showing off her new tooth! Actually both top ones are coming in now and one more bottom one.

2011-05-23T14:20:00.001-07:00

2011-05-20T08:24:00.000-07:00

Lindsey, we have a new bag lady!

And since Nicole requested... A flower update:

2011-05-19T14:39:00.000-07:00

Not much new to report here. It was cold and rainy yesterday when I took these pictures but now it's a beautiful day here!

ONE YEAR UPDATE

2011-05-13T10:50:00.000-07:00

I posted these movies yesterday and they disappeared?! Not sure what happened. So here they are again.

Elena had her first Kaiser experience today. The place is close, but I have to give us 25 minutes to get there, park, get out the stroller, take two elevators, walk between buildings... Kaiser is definitely a machine, but an efficient machine as far as I can tell. Check in at location A, appointment at B, vaccines at C. However, I got a good impression of her doctor and there were some personal touches-- they gave Elena a nice board book about animals and everyone who worked there was friendly. She likes her new doctor and kept trying to give her a hug! She had four needles poked in her today. Poor baby did not like that at all! Neither did Mommy.

STATS:
Weight: 21 lbs 11.8 oz (62%)
Height: 31.25" (97%)
Head Circ: 18.27" (85%)

In the past month Elena has grown and learned so much. She says "woof, woof" when she sees a dog and mimics sounds all the time. She jabbers in her baby jive a lot! I am sure she understands quite a few things and some simple commands. We look for her dolly or blankie and she finds it. I am trying to teach her where her eyes are. Another recent plus is that she pretty much has stopped putting everything in her mouth, yay!

Her biggest accomplishment is walking! The day after her 1st birthday she decided to walk. Suddenly she walks all the time and hardly crawls at all! She will wear the little soft Robeez shoes, but nothing with a hard sole. She kicks them off!

Elena now eats three meals a day and two snacks. Over the last week I weaned her from her twice daily bottle to snacks. No more expensive formula. She now drinks whole milk with meals. I had to slowly add milk to her water and now she likes it. Easy transition, luckily.

The doctor says she is doing great and won't see her before 18 months (as long as she stays healthy).

What a blessing from the Lord that she is happy and healthy! My husband and my toddler are precious gifts to me. We love you 'Leni!

We have a TODDLER!!!!!!!!

2011-05-12T12:51:00.000-07:00

Ladybug birthday cake! Elena mostly squishes it through her fingers. She likes the gooey texture. (Thanks, Uncle Andrew, for the video, since Auntie Nuttles's video makes me nauseous with all the orientation changing and shakes!)

Yesterday, the day after Elena's first birthday, she decided that since she is now one year old that she had had enough of the baby crawling stuff and would henceforth commence with walking ALL THE TIME!

One Year Old Portraits

2011-05-11T12:21:00.000-07:00

'Leni's One Year Portraits. I ordered a bunch! How could I resist?

She goes to her new doctor on Friday. I will post an update then. May is a busy month!

Dedication on Mother's Day

2011-05-10T16:41:00.000-07:00

Sunday was my first Mother's Day. Last year Elena missed it by ten minutes!! I am so blessed to be mother to Elena and wife to Brian.

We decided to dedicate Elena in front of our family and friends at church since everyone was in town.

Eleni loves PaPa!

This is the dress that I wore when I was christened as a baby!

Uh-oh, someone has cross head!

Dedication is our commitment to grow Elena up in the Bible and point her the way to Jesus. We will encourage her to know and walk with the Lord in the hope that one day she will make her own personal decision to become a fellow believer.

Blessed am I among women!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY ONE YEAR OLD!

2011-05-10T08:03:00.001-07:00

1st Birthday Party for Elena

2011-05-09T17:22:00.000-07:00

Oooh! A big Ladybug!

Yummy cupcakes from the Apple Farm!

Pictures of Elena from in the hospital to now.

Mmmhh! Ladybug cake and candle.

The birthday girl!

Chewing on Will!

Oooey Gooey!

All gone!

Time for presents

Thanks everyone who came. Elena had a wonderful day!

I can feed myself, mommy!

2011-05-05T14:43:00.000-07:00

Rat Tail!

2011-05-02T14:53:00.000-07:00

RT!

It's officially spring and 80 degrees here! Elena helped me do some weeding this afternoon and liked to take all the rocks out of the flower bed for me.

Lovely Tuesdays

2011-04-29T14:27:00.000-07:00

Colin and Elena were playing peekaboo with this stroller, so funny!

'Leni loved this puppy that came by to visit!

Can't remember if I uploaded this one already, but I thought it was cute (though blurry!)

Easter at the Nolans!

2011-04-27T10:07:00.000-07:00

Angel!

Papa is SO funny!

That little bundle in Jeff's arms is Elena asleep!

Rock band! Brian wowed us with his rendition of Good Vibrations before this. I think the neighbors loved it.

Front Tooth

2011-04-26T09:53:00.000-07:00

Elena finally got one of her top teeth in yesterday! The left one is poking out just a little. Hopefully, the right one is to follow suit soon. I will try and get a photo of it, but it's tiny! She has been crying in her sleep the last two nights and I've had to get up and give her Tylenol which seems to help.

Nic sent me one photo she took from Easter... Hope to upload more once I get the rest.

peek-a-boo

2011-04-25T17:16:00.000-07:00

We had a lovely Easter yesterday at the Nolans, and Elena was the center of attention the whole time. She was such a good girl. She looked adorable in her easter dress. Our church did the resurrection portion of Handel's Messiah. I never knew our church had so much talent. They sounded wonderful!

Elena crawled over to me this afternoon and said, "bottle." Yep, it was bottle time. What a smarty pants.

Elena learned to play peek-a-boo herself-- watch her pull the towel on and off her face!

Her other favorite new game is the "uh oh" game. She drops something off the side of the changing table or high chair and says "uh oh." It's so cute! I can imagine that in a few weeks it might not seem so cute when I pick up her toy for the millionth time.

ECT has also started putting things back into the box/cart instead of just pulling things out.

Elena loves her bubble bath and her pink bath tea set. Can you see the bubbles on top of her head?

Oh, I thought it was MY birthday!

2011-04-19T10:51:00.000-07:00

Going incognito to the store...

Yia Yia and PaPa came over yesterday while on their spring break.

Super fun tea party for Elisabeth two weeks ago. She turned one!

Amy Williams took these photos and doctored them up:

Best of Friends!

belated eleven months update

2011-04-12T09:02:00.000-07:00

"OH BOY!"

Eleven months! This baby is starting to understand a whole lot more. This morning I asked her where her blankie was and she looked over at it, then went and got it and brought it back! Just the fact that she didn't get distracted by something else along the way-- the blankie was about eight to ten feet away-- is amazing to me.

She is talking up a storm. Jabbering, and also a bunch of real words. She said "blankie" this morning. I must say "oh boy" more than I thought because she has started saying that too! Oh boy!

Elena is getting much stronger on her feet, cruising around, and we have seen a step here and there. I think she could walk if she wanted to, but she likes the security of the shopping cart or coffee table right there. She has started walking around the entire house with her shopping cart. It is so funny! PaPa has the magic touch though. He is the one who got her walking in the first place.

I thank God every time I think of how blessed we are to have this healthy and sweet baby. (Yes, I will call her a baby until she is really walking, and even then I might still call her my baby.)

Easter and 10 1/2 mo. Portraits

2011-04-10T15:53:00.000-07:00

HAPPY 11 MONTHS TODAY!!!!!

Kiddie Kandids does a wonderful job, but I can't save their jpegs without the embossing on them :(

I love these shots! We got just a few of the one of Elena standing next to the ladder. We chose that pose because it's the first professional shot of her standing that has turned out well. It's a zoomed in version of this one.

Btw, I got this Iris and Ivy (Nordy's) dress for $7 used!

More photos from March bday weekend

2011-04-06T15:23:00.000-07:00

Peekaboo!

Call me!

We have a walker!

2011-04-03T19:50:00.000-07:00

Sorry, no video proof. She took a few steps for PaPa three times!

Elena enjoyed the heated spa:

We passed Elena back and forth and got her chin under the water so she can get used to the water. Brian taught the bongo drum technique.

Elena loved Pinto... "dawgs"

This is an orange funnel that accordions down flat. Her favorite new toy. She was stomping around the house with it.

And we got her (11 month) photos taken at Kiddie Kandids. I'll post them in a few days when I see the digital files.

Happy Friday from Funny Face

2011-04-01T16:45:00.000-07:00

I don't know if you can tell from this small video, but she is sticking her tongue out and making faces in the mirror! hee hee

tippie toe thumbellina

2011-03-31T15:08:00.001-07:00

party girl

2011-03-29T09:11:00.000-07:00

More photos from SLO with our good friends...

Elena-sized hidey hole - under the high chair

playgroup fun!

SLO birthday

2011-03-28T15:12:00.000-07:00

Nic and Jeff happened to be in town too so they stopped by to say hi. Elena wanted to snuggle.

We also did some shopping at the Pismo outlets and Elena scored this sunhat and a bunch of summer clothes. We can't wait for it to get warm!

Talking... "dogs" has been added to her repertoire

happy baby!

Elena loves coming to Gran and Grandpa's house

Don't forget my birthday cake!

Luckily, there weren't 31 candles

Future Drummer?

2011-03-23T16:44:00.000-07:00

Yes, she has learned to pull apart the foam mat in her room.

more pix

2011-03-22T08:34:00.000-07:00

introducing the idea of bowls, plates... yia yia brought over a rubber pinch pot.

At one point she had the rim of the bowl in her mouth and the rest of the bowl over her nose, like the picture below, but without hands. I wish I had gotten a picture of it!

Good form, DaDa!

still loves the vacuum

uh-oh!

2011-03-16T15:59:00.000-07:00

10 mo. stats

2011-03-14T14:17:00.000-07:00

ECT 10 months

Weight: 20 lbs. 11 oz. (75th%)
Height: 30" (97th%)
Head Cir.: 45 1/2cm. (75-90%)

Elena's top front teeth are coming in! That explains the recent fussiness. She is going to look so different with more teeth.

The doctor says she is doing great. They checked her iron levels (fine) and Elena didn't cry when they drew the blood from her big toe.

Even in the last few days Elena is saying more and standing more. Today she said "uh-oh" and stood for at least 10 seconds. Pretty soon we're going to have a full blown walking talking toddler! Can't I keep her as a baby for another year or so?

waving "hi"!!!! (today)

10 months

2011-03-10T13:27:00.000-08:00

Elena Camille is now 10 months old! She is a very accomplished young pipsqueak. Her most recent accomplishment is that she will stand unassisted for a couple seconds at a time. I don't think she realizes that she is doing it until she starts to wobble. She also walks just a tiny bit holding on to her shopping cart or stroller. Quite the mover and shaker this last month. Elena loves to explore... the trash cans, under the table, dust bunnies, leaves in her mouth, under her crib...

She eats even more food, and it seems like she is weaning herself from breast milk and even formula. She isn't really very interested in them and wants grown up food and whatever I'm eating. She loves cheesy bread.

Other highlights from this last month include our visit to Monrovia for Caroline's 1st birthday (first time flying!), and going to the Pixar animation studios. Ok, so those were highlights for me too. Elena loves new things and experiences.

I go to the doctor on Monday and will get her weight and height stats then. Maybe she can tell me if she sees any teeth. As far as I know, she still only has the bottom two. Elena bites down hard if I try to put my finger in there!

Elena has really started to mimic my words and said "bottle" and "dollie" just in the last couple days.

As always, the last month with Elena has been my favorite so far. I can't wait to see what spring brings for our little daughter.

you can't tell she's teething in these photos...

2011-03-06T12:53:00.000-08:00

Technically, no hands!

ladybugs!

2011-03-04T15:47:00.000-08:00

I've decided the theme for Elena's party!

pixar

2011-02-28T15:12:00.000-08:00

We watched the Academy awards at Pixar last night! Ok, so we watched about 15 minutes to see Toy Story 3 win an award, and then we played around and ate the food and got a mini tour. There were some great photo ops...

Toy Story 3 Peas

Toy Story 3 Aliens

The Incredibles

pink girl

2011-02-25T15:07:00.000-08:00

9 (1/2) month milestone photo shoot!!! I ordered a bunch of the pink tulle background one, and just two 5x7s of the brown background one.

And here are a few others... She has been so fussy today I am surprised we even got these shots of her smiling.

This one was pretty sweet too ^

This one was cool because she was standing, but... not smiley at all.

I think I have the most beautiful baby in the world. Could I love her any more?

just the right height...

2011-02-25T08:41:00.000-08:00

Looking up at DaDa

She's getting pretty quick! Before I new it Elena had crawled right up on the dishwasher door!

(Yes, she's wearing too small Halloween pajamas)

rockin'

2011-02-23T13:05:00.000-08:00

We had a great time at Eric and Dori's this last weekend. It was so fun being there for Caroline's 1st birthday. I wish I had taken more photos, but here are a few:

Elena loved watching everything that Caroline did. And the dogs. She thought they were so funny.

She wanted to try out her own rocking horse when we got home, but it was a little harder for her to stay on it. It doesn't have a "saddle" and music like CW's.

And, photos from Quinn's christening and reception.

Auntie Nico is fun!

Quinn is only 12 days older than Elena!

Tuckered out.

More Bouncey

2011-02-11T10:39:00.000-08:00

Or is this a dance party? Did you learn this from Caroline? Just wait until we get you two together next weekend!

9 months, Feb. 10

2011-02-10T14:29:00.000-08:00

Elena at the hospital -- Where did my little babe go?

I feel like I just posted about Elena being eight months! What happened to my baby? As one friend said, now she has been outside the womb for as long as she has been in!

Elena has been practicing her standing. She has just started "creeping"-- where she walks holding onto a ledge or table. Usually she's going after something. I think Brian and I were both taking our first steps unassisted around 10 months, so Elena may be the same?!?

Elena has got the sippy cup down! She can now feed herself water. She is also feeding herself puffs, tortillas, cheeses, and green peas. She is very picky about when and what she will feed herself. Like her mom, she loves cheese. Feeding her is getting a little easier in a way because she can eat pretty much everything now as long as I cut it to the right size. (But no honey, egg whites, or nuts!) I spend as much time prepping and chopping now as I did pureeing before. She even had some enchiladas that I made that had a little bit of spice to it! Yum!

I guess one more subtle but large difference over the last month is that you can tell she just "gets" things. Such as, "no," or her name, and she's trying to understand everything. She can communicate quite well just by crying and I know that she's done/tired/wanting to be held.

Oh my precious baby! My nine month old! Happy 9 months, Elena. We love you.

Visit

2011-02-09T12:48:00.000-08:00

"helping"

Waiting for Gran and Grandpa to get here!

Yay, they're here!

Will kept saying "boo" and for some reason that one word just totally cracked Elena up. No matter when or what she was doing he could make her giggle. And hiccup!

Got her sock again! Chillin' with Grandpa.

Elena was such a good girl while Gran and Grandpa were here. She loved playing with them and being held.

Saturday we had great weather. We spent the day gardening and getting our lovely new patio set.

Isn't it great? Will and I had to take apart one of the swivel chairs and put it back together to fix some fabric that was coming out, but it's good as new now! Not bad for $75 + Uhaul. Still needs some cleaning, but it's in good shape. We are ready for some spring bbqs!

She's ready for Heart Day!

2011-02-01T16:15:00.000-08:00

I'm sorry; I just think this is so great.

First Valentines Day (almost)

I like this pose!

And this one... Pure talent! Elena's balancing by lifting her leg off the floor by her toe!

Yes, you!

Heart booty!

And, a lovely day at the farmer's market again.

boingy boingy

2011-01-30T15:30:00.000-08:00

We celebrated Andrew's birthday here last night. Whoot! Brian bbq'd the hamburgers, and we potlucked the rest. We love having people over! And we don't have to worry about parking :)

We had our fireplace going...

Elena snuggling with Yia Yia.

Closeup!

My handyman putting together our brand new lawn mower.

Saying happy birthday

Who, me?

YUMMY seven layer chocolate cake.

Hanging out with DaDa

And BOINGY BOINGY TIME!

play time!

2011-01-27T13:31:00.000-08:00

Miss Elena is learning some new things. Chewing the paint off the crib rail. Arching her back when she doesn't like something. Pulling books out of the bookcase.

She still loves bath time.

'Lisabeth, can I borrow your cell phone? I have to make an important call.

Oh, is that how you pull books out? Thanks for showing me!

One baby crawls into the other room, and the others are not far behind...

We're trying to think of a cute name for our playgroup and all I can think of is Bald Babies.

Catch-up!

2011-01-24T17:15:00.000-08:00

Sorry I haven't posted in so long! Here are a few shots I took today of Elena.

Going to the Library and Starbucks with friends today. This umbrella stroller is working out great for us here-- there are so many places to walk to!

Getting 'Lena from her nap:

Fun with dolly:

Also, some pix from the new homestead:

A backyard and garden!!!

Functioning fireplace!

Vintage wallpaper! A place for my china!

Sunny yellow and a clothesline... Who could ask for more?

Head Music

2011-01-13T16:03:00.000-08:00

Ok, I like this movie (short?) for several reasons. First and most obvious... Elena hitting Brian on the head like a drum. A close second... Brian mumbling things about Bob Marley (and my really high annoying baby voice). And third... The drool that ends up in Brian's hair about 2/3rds of the way through. Elena's in outer space for some reason. Really into the music. Next thing you know she'll be joining a drum circle.

Eight Months! 01-10-11

2011-01-10T12:34:00.000-08:00

ECT eight months

(wearing a christmas present from Gran and Grandpa and sucking on a christmas present from Caroline)

Weight: 18 lbs. 2 oz. (50th percentile)
Height: 29" (97th percentile)
Head Circumference: 45.2 cm (75-97th percentile)

At her doctor visit this morning she got three shots. The doc said her dip in weight is due to all the energy she is using crawling and standing. In the next month we can introduce some diced up soft foods for her to feed herself, such as pasta, steamed carrots and meat. Elena is doing great!

Elena is clapping her hands now! It's soooo cute. She is getting really strong and pulls herself to standing all the time. Elena is a very fast crawler and will come find you in another room.

Some new foods in the last month: mashed potatoes, mango, tomatoes w/ beef, persimmon, raspberries, strawberries, whole milk yogurt, apricots, kabucha squash. Oh, and puffs, which she loves. She is starting to get some more texture in her food. I fed her some acorn squash from my plate last night. We have her on "stage 3" foods now.

I'm still nursing Elena 3-4 times/day. She has about 6-8 oz. of solids at breakfast, lunch, and dinner with water. Elena is napping about three times/day. I am thinking about weaning her to formula in the next month or two, or giving her formula during the day. Not sure.

I know, I know...

2011-01-07T13:11:00.000-08:00

Elena Camille Triplett on December 26, 2010 (7 1/2 mo.)

I know, I know... We got her portrait taken AGAIN! My mom set up the appointment for the day after Christmas because Yia Yia and PaPa got her this outfit (with matching sweater and socks). I think Babies R Us/Kiddie Kandids does a really great job. We tried the flower petal background this time. Too cute! Like every time I get E's portrait taken; I think this is my favorite so far.

Christmas Cousins

2010-12-30T11:58:00.000-08:00

I couldn't post these before because we were giving a framed photo of the cousins to Gran and Grandpa for Christmas and didn't want to ruin the surprise. We actually got these done right before Thanksgiving.

I love how Elena is holding onto Caroline's dress here!

This is the one we picked to get prints of for my side of the family.

Doesn't CW look like a doll?

Mama's over there...

And Aunt Dori is over there!

This is the one we framed with Eric and Dori for the grandparents. Aren't they just adorable in their Christmas outfits?

Elena's favorite present of all...

2010-12-29T16:56:00.000-08:00

TISSUE PAPER!