December Nights

Two weekends ago Elle and I with our friends and number 1 babysitters Ryan and Beth went to December nights at Balboa Park. Every year Balboa Park has "December Nights" which is filled with free admission to the museums, carnival games, kettle corn, music and dancing in the organ pavilion, and food from the international cottages.

This year we bundled up and walk through the park. We enjoyed fine art at the San Diego Museum of Art, and food from Lebanon and the Philippines. The music in the organ pavilion...well, that left something to be desired. Let's just say the director should have just kept directing instead of trying to sing Santa Baby.

Elle was super bundled up in her stroller and fell asleep as we were enjoying the museum. She's such a good sport. She likes to go with the flow!!

Picture with the "Greats" Take two!

Elle got to see her Great Grandparents over Thanksgiving and so we had to take a picture of course. The first picture was taken in August (I think) and the second one Thanksgiving weekend. I think Elle's cheeks may have gone down a bit...

Thanksgiving and the Roles Loved Ones Play in the Production

We spent Thanksgiving in Yuma this year with my grandparents. We had such a great time being together. We ate, and ate...and ate. We played games, went for walks, did some shopping (the boys did), made biscotti, and watched Elle for entertainment. She kept us all laughing.

This year my grandma made the ENTIRE dinner! I can't remember a Thanksgiving where I didn't have to cook. It was so nice, and sooo delicious! When we were about 20 minutes from sitting down to eat I looked around and I noticed that everyone had a specific role in getting the Thanksgiving dinner on the table...

Dad was reading and Cole was napping...mmm...helping?? Oooh..

Dad was researching new recipes, and Cole was resting so he could

be the life of the party. :)

Mom was feeding the baby, so I could enjoy the meal.

Grandma was slaving away in the kitchen...while

Coach was praying for some morsel to fall to the floor (clean up duty)

Hot Mess

Right now we are having a bit of a dilemma.

A hot mess if you will.

Elle's bed.

Both sheets are in the dirty clothes bin.

The bumper keeps getting attacked by a squirming child.

Or attacks a squirming child...either way...attacking

This is how...

A leg...

Has escaped the crib!

Elle's Newest Expression

Elle's newest expression is absolutely hilarious. She scrunches up her nose so her top gums are showing, (so NOT attractive) and breathes in an out of her nose quickly a bunch of times.

I think it is sort-of pig-like unfortunately! It makes me laugh so hard, and then Elle just continues to make the face.

Here's a picture of the expression. It's not the best, but you have no idea how hard it is to catch this in action! I'll keep up the attempts to capture the expression, I may have to bust out the video camera!

I've told Elle that this is not her cutest look...

she doesn't seem to care...

what a rebel!

Anticipation

I would love to know what goes on in an 8 month-old's mind. I love to guess and say what Elle is thinking at certain times of the day. She has gotten way more expressive in the last few weeks which makes my game a bit more fun. She is also able to stand while holding on to something for a few seconds or so, and when we give her a bath we let her hold on to the tub and check things out before diving in!

Bath time is one of my favorite times. I love to see Elle play in the water and there is nothing sweeter than a freshly bathed baby. I could eat her up! I think Elle really enjoys it too. Daddy usually starts the bath while I go and round up the diaper, night clothes and other needed items.

The other day when I came into the bathroom with the goods, Elle and Cole were peering over the edge of the tub admiring the bubbles and toys that lay below. Cole was explaining to Elle about the fun she was about to have, and the grin on Elle's face was too cute for words! (too bad I didn't get a pic. of that) She gets so excited when the water is filling the tub, she starts to giggle and can hardly wait to touch the water. Here are a couple pictures of Elle getting ready for her bath.

Holding on for dear life!

Okay Elle, here's the deal...we have to wait for the

water to fill up, then you get to play with your toys

and make words with your letters!

8 Months

Elle is now 8 months old!

I can hardly believe it. Time seems to be flying by.

Now at the ripe old age of 8 months Elle is...

• About to crawl (she rocks back an forth a bit)
• Reading and turning the pages of books
• Clapping
• Saying bababa and a few others...every once in a while I think I hear mamamama
• Expressing herself with numerous facial expressions
• Stands up if holding on to something...for a few seconds at least.
• Growing hair...come on red hair...you can do it!

Here are a few pics of Elle on her 8 month birthday!

This is an 8? I'm 8 months old? What?

I know Mom...I'm old now!

I'm reading Mom...This right here is a monkey!

It's hard growing up! Am I prematurely aging?