Weekend in Yuma

My mom, Elle and I went to Yuma last weekend to see my grandma and grandpa one last time before school starts next week. We had a great time. We played games, attended the potluck in the park, and traded off holding the baby! Here are some pictures from our trip:

Mom, Grandma, and Elle

Elle with her great-grandparents

Elle and her great-grandpa on his 48th birthday...

Even though he is 84...I mean...48 he can still blow out his candle!

"Grandma, stop kissing me behind my ear! It tickles!"

The Zoo and Seamus...Take Two!

Elle went to the zoo for the second time last week. And...met up with her boyfriend Seamus!!

When Elle was 4 weeks old and Seamus was 2 weeks old, they went on their first date, a walk in the park. All seemed to go well on their date in the park, but Elle did not hear from Seamus.

Until....

Last week. Seamus realized that Elle is a cute girl, and too sweet for words, so he called! They met up at the zoo...near the Pandas and took a stroll.

I don't know how many more dates they are going to have though...looking at the picture, they both look a little bored!

It's all about the BLING!

Grammy and Papa (Cole's parents) gave Elle two cuff bracelets when they were here in May, and Elle just now fits one of them.

Elle told me that she was interested in being a girly-girl, and that she would like to wear her bracelet. Of course, I allowed this...as jewelry is a girl's best friend. Although she asked to wear her new jewelry, she doesn't look so happy....

Bath Fun...

Elle loves her baths. She gets a bath every other night right before bed. Here are a couple pictures of her getting ready for her bath and after it is over...

Daddy is just about to put her in the water...

The "Lion King" pose...Look at those buns!

All wrapped up... (iPhone picture with little light...hence the blur)

Look Mom! I'm Playing!

Like I've said before, Elle is starting to like "tummy time" a bit more, and has started to reach out and touch her toys too! Here's the proof:

"I'm going to get you little bee!"

"Why are you so far down there? Don't you want to play with me?"

"What do you think Mom?"

My Bobble-Head Doll Baby

We all know that Elle has the biggest cheeks in town.

We all know that when the doctor said her head was in the 8th percentile we were in shock because she seems to have a large head. (the cheeks deceive)

We all know that Elle has no neck when she lays down due to the largeness of her cheeks and the doubleness of her chin. (is doubleness even a word?)

We all know that her cheeks are super kissable and best used as pillows.

What you might not know is when you hold Elle up in air she looks like a bobble-head doll! Her little neck juts out and she looks ADORABLE!!

CRAZY Sleepy Day!!

Alright... We all know that Elle can sleep. She sleeps in her Moses basket, in her swing, stroller, car seat, on the ground on wet towels, on the couch, in her crib and in her mother's arms, just to name a few.

We know that she is a good sleeper. She takes four, 1 hour naps each day after sleeping for 12 hours at night.

We know that Sundays can mess with a baby's schedule. I never knew how bad it could mess with the schedule until today. Here's the play by play.

8 am = Sweet baby girls wakes up

9:30 = We leave the house as a family on our way to church (Elle falls asleep in the car)

9:45 = As a family we enjoy drinks and snack as 'bucks to get some energy for our day (baby is still asleep in her car seat)...don't worry, she is inside with us.

10 am = We arrive at church. Elle heads to the nursery but since she was just asleep, I put her down in a crib, hoping she will finish her nap there. (who knows how long she slept...my guess is not very long)

10 am - 11:45 am = Elle is in the nursery chatting with her friends, sitting in the Bumbo seat, playing with toys, and having a grand old time.

11:45 am = I pick Elle up from the nursery and her glazed over eyes say it all, "Mom...I'm exhausted!"

12 pm- 1:30pm = We head to Pat and Oscar's for lunch with a big group of friends (Elle falls asleep in the car, only to wake up as I'm finishing my food).

2 pm = We arrive at home, I feed Elle and put her directly in her crib, she did not pass 'Go', she did not collect $200

2pm - 6:15 pm = Elle sleeps soundly in her crib... not a peep, not a wimper, not a sound... (longest nap on record.. I'll do the math for you...4 hours and 15 minutes!!)

6:15 pm = Feed the sweet girl and leave the house to get some dinner with friends Daniel and Kate

8 pm = We are still at dinner and Elle falls asleep in my arms.

9 pm = We get home from dinner, feed the baby, put her in bed...not a peep, not a whimper...zzz

I just pray she sleeps through the night tonight!

The only thing I regret is that I didn't get more done today. I never started any projects because I just kept thinking, "As soon as I start _____ she'll wake up."

Now I know: When Elle has that glazed over look when I pick her up from the nursery, it's time to get things accomplished!!

A Lazy Saturday...

It was a bit gloomy yesterday morning so Elle and I laid around the house relaxing. Since it was kinda chilly outside Elle asked if she could wear her bunny slippers, and of course I couldn't resist! Once we were all toasty in our slippers and robes, we laid on the blanket, read books, talked about our dreams and aspirations, and then took naps. Overall, a fantastic and relaxing day!

Behold, the bunny slippers...

Mom, thanks for the relaxation...

I love this blanket and yes, like my shirt says...I AM the star of the show!

Toronado

We take Elle everywhere we go...so when we went out to dinner the other night in North Park...along came Elle!

She was a good sport. She took a nap, ate her dinner, and gave our friends some moments of entertainment. It think when Elle was standing on the table (supported by Cole) and spit up...yeah, that could have been the highlight! Here are a couple pictures of her lounging on the table!

What Mom? I see you trying to take more pictures of me!

Can we go already?? I'm about done looking at the ceiling...

I know the fans are cool, but only for so long!

Big Girl Swing

Elle and I went for a walk/run in the park today and met up with our friends the Millers at the playground.

Elle was jealous of Kelly's kids playing on the equipment, so I let her swing in the "big girl swing" for the first time. She loved it! She doesn't quite sit up straight however...again, I think it's her cheeks that are pulling her forward!!

Look Ma, I'm swinging!!

She doesn't know how to "pump" yet!

Wow! This is hard work!

Sleep is My Friend!

I've learned a few things about sleep since becoming a mother...

1. Sleep is good. (a win-win situation)

2. Sleep happens in many different places (all are good)

3. If the kid can fall asleep...let her...(no matter what)

4. If you are out and about and it's time for a nap...rock her to sleep. (it's not going to scar her for life)

5. If she falls asleep in the swing...take pictures!!

Love her!! Cheek = pillow!!

Taken with the iPhone, while swing was in motion...

Elle's Newest Ride

Elle made her riding debut in her MacLaren umbrella stroller.

She got this stroller from the principal and vice principal at my school, but has just now begun to sort-of, almost fit.

I made the straps as small as I could, and she fit pretty snuggly. Her feet don't quite touch the foot rest... but she gets that from her mother!

Holding Myself Up...

Like I've said before, Elle HATES tummy time. I try to be a good mother, and force her to spend time on her stomach, but sometimes the cries and frustration hit me to my core. I cave, and flip her to her back.

In the last week though, Elle has started to succeed at enjoying tummy time...slightly. She still isn't a huge fan, but she deals with it a lot better. He has started giving the floor her stiff arm. Here's the proof:

"Look Mom! I'm doing it!"

Wedding No. IV

Elle attended her fourth wedding in her four and a half months of life on the 16th...

Matt and Ashley, two of our 'kids' from Bible Study, got hitched and so we went to celebrate with them. It was a beautiful wedding, a fun reception, and Elle loved every minute of it. Here are some pictures of Elle throughout the festivities:

Elle and Dad during the ceremony...

"What mom?? I'm sorry, I didn't mean to poop on my cute dress

...my back-up dress is cute too!"

Elle with the bride Ashley

Elle and Cole's first Father/Daughter dance

Elle Giggles

When we were in Pasadena, my mom got Elle to giggle...

I think the funniest part of this video is how Elle looks at the camera every time she giggles. I think she is going to be a ham!

Too Cool!

Before Elle was born, Great-Grandma Anderson sent her a cute little onesie that said "too cool" on it.

Today, Elle wore the onesie for the first time. She does look "too cool" it it even if I do say so myself!

Taking the picture from above her slims her cheeks a bit!! :)

What Mom? Pictures AGAIN!!

4 Month Check Up

Elle had her 4 month check-up on the 12th. I always like her check-ups because it is fun to see how she is growing.

She weighed 12 lb. 13 oz.

She was 23 3/4 inches long

Her head was 15.5 inches around

These measurements put her in the 23rd percentile for height...25th for weight...and 8th for head circumference. So pretty much she is short and fat with a pin head!

I keep thinking that she is huge! It hurts my arm to carry her for too long, she's growing out of her diapers, and for Pete's sake it looks like she's storing up nuts for the winter in those cheeks!! But I guess by all other standards...she is still tiny!

The doctor gave us a bit of a scare though. She said, "I'm going to remeasure her head, as it is in the 1 percentile." I'm thinking to myself...okay, stay calm, no big deal, my child has a pin head. Then the doctor says, "Okay, I'm going to measure her head one more time, we want to make sure her brain is growing." Now I'm freaking out a little, on the inside of course. I was hoping her new head measurement would show growth...sure enough. The doctor said her head is growing at a fine curve.

Here's a picture of Elle in her latest digs. A halter dress. I got it when I was in Pasadena last week. When I told Cole that I got Elle a halter dress he said, "You got our daughter a HALTER DRESS???!!!" Sure 'nuff!

Dedication Dress Pictures

Here are a couple pictures to compare....

Elle in the dedication dress and me in the same dress 31 years ago...

I'm Wearing My Mom's Clothes

My mom found the box in her storage unit that had all of my old clothes from when I was a little girl. She also went through the photo albums and found pictures of me in each outfit. Mom even found some of my old shoes and blankets!

As Elle fits my old clothes I'll post the pictures of each of us in the outfit and try to re-create the scene as much as possible.

Here's the first one:

Yellow rosebud dress...Elle with my dad...

Me with my Great-Grandma Gough

Me with my Great-Grandma Gough

I Heart Mickey...

Elle has now been to Disneyland.

Another first for the sweet girl.

Of course Elle could not ride any of the rides, unless you call her stroller a ride. She couldn't eat any of the tasty snacks unless you call breastmilk at tasty treat. Sick!

But she was a good girl...that is until we had to head home...

Do I look like Minnie??

Mom, Me and Elle at the Happiest Place on Earth!

Elle hanging out on a table in Disneyland

Mom rigged up Elle's stroller with a portable fan...ahhh the life....

Elle was so sad to leave Minnie and Mickey...she cried most of the way home..

...and I'm Spent!

Elle is a good eater. She's puttin' on about 2 pounds a month. All you have to do it check out her cheeks and you might think she is storing up nuts for the winter. But no, she is still on a liquid diet!!

Elle likes to multi-task when she eats too. At one appointment with the lactation nurse, while Elle was eating she burped and pooped!! The lacation nurse asked me what I did for a living. I told her I was a teacher. She said, "Ooohhhh....type A?" I shrugged and admitted to it. Then she said, "Well, she gets it from you, Elle is just trying to multi-task!"

Sometimes after Elle eats she smiles, burps, spits up or fills her drawers....and sometimes, she does this:

This is call this the "milk coma". Check out her grip on the burp cloth. Too Sweet!

My First Bath at G and Gma's House...

Elle and I spent last week at my parents house. We love visiting G and Gma.

My dad was out of town until Friday so we had a few days of girly fun!! My mom made the best food, we watched girly movies, went to Disneyland, the outlets, and hung out "just the girls" from Tuesday-Friday.

Elle needed a bath and so the kitchen sink it was! Here are a couple pictures of Elle on the kitchen counter moments before Elle's first bath at G and Gma's:

What am I wearing Mom?

Oh...I just love baths!!