A Week of Firsts!!!

This week has been a week of FIRSTS for Elise!!!!!

On Monday morning, she figured out how to get up on her knees all by herself. James and I have been working with her and helping to push her up on her knees. She would stay on her knees and rock back and forth a little bit and then fall back down. She would push up on her arms- but never figured out her legs until early this week!!

Unfortunately, all I had close by was my phone to take the picture- so it's not the best quality. And- of course it was morning, so Elise isn't quite dressed in her best and is missing her pants... but she was up on her knees (and almost on her feet!!!)

On Wednesday morning, Elise figured out how to get from her knees to the sitting position!

I wonder how babies figure out how to do these things on their own. James and I haven't shown her how to get into a seated position- but she DID IT!!!!

Of course- once again- this is a picture I took with my phone... so not the best quality. Look at that face though!! She was soooo proud of herself. I think I screamed that morning when I went in to get her. It's odd seeing your child sitting up in her crib when you're used to walking in and she's usually laying on her back or belly.

I'm sure she was thinking "why are you taking my picture?? Get me out of here and get me some breakfast!!!"

Now when we put Elise on the floor- all she wants to do is push up into a sitting position. She hasn't tried to crawl or anything for a few days because she wants to practice her new "skill." If she wants to get a toy, she sits up- then she dives towards the toy. If she's not close enough, she pushes up into a sitting position again and then dives again. It's so funny to watch!!!!

Another thing Elise has done this week is finally start playing in her jumper.

Bryan & Lisa got the jumper for her for Christmas and she's acted afraid of it and every time we put her in she starts to fuss and cry. Well- with her new confidence... she's not afraid anymore.

Here she is this week playing in the jumper. She's not exactly jumping- but she's having a good time. She became very amused with the mirror and started reaching and playing with it. She was so enthusiastic about it that she pulled herself over to one side so that both of her feet are actually off the floor.

We're going to work with her more on the jumping- but the best thing is that she's excited and wants to play in it!!!! So glad!

Below are a few pictures I wanted to share from the photo shoot that we had with Elise a few weeks ago. Our friend Chris (the same one who took our Christmas pics) took them for us. Amazing enough- Elise started sitting up on her own two days before the pictures were taken. So eventhough I have my hands behind her in most of the pics- she's sitting up all on her own!!!!

OUR BIG GIRL!!!! WE JUST LOVE HER SOOOO MUCH!!!!

Swimming class and other fun

We have had a very busy week filled with special visitors, play dates and swim class!!!!

This past weekend Grandpa Harry and Grandma Ellie (James' parents) traveled from Wisconsin to pay us a visit. This is the first time that they have seen Elise since Christmas- so it was a very special visit!!!!

Elise loved seeing her grandparents! She smiled wide for them and showed them how fast she's been growing up. One night at dinner, Grandpa came to the table to sit down and Elise looked right at him and said "hi." Elise was also able to give Grandma and Grandpa a few good waves- which she's just learned to do in the past week.

On Saturday, Elise and I went shopping with Grandma Ellie for a new bathing suit!!! Of course Grandma couldn't resist also buying Elise a few pairs of pants and a cute pink plaid dress...

On Sunday, after Grandma fed Elise her cereal with bananas and her favorite sweet potatoes, we decided to go for a walk in the park.

We enjoyed the beautiful weather!!! And- as usual- Lacey (Harry & Ellie's golden retriever) found the mud and rolled in it...hehe- I think I was the only one that thought it was funny?!?!

Because their visit was so close to Easter, Harry and Ellie brought Elise's Easter gift with them.

They gave Elise a soft, stuffed bunny rabbit and the classic children's book "I am a Bunny." Elise LOVES her books- so she made Grandpa read her the book right away!!! She loves having you read to her so she can sit in your lap, look at the pictures and turn the pages!!!


The weekend ended too quickly- as it always does. And- as usual I had tears in my eyes as they pulled away on Monday morning to head back home.

The beautiful weather continued throughout the week. Robin and I finally coordinated our schedules so that we could meet at Metzger Park for a walk.

Here is a picture of CUTE Gabe and Elise in their strollers at the end of our walk. We got about 3/4 of the way around the path and Elise started to fuss- so Robin suggested we take the short cut back to our cars.

Considering that Gabe and Elise have opposite nap times (Gabe got up from his nap at 1:00 and Elise was scheduled to go down for her nap at 2:00)- everything went very well!!!!! I hope that we can meet again soon and get even further along the path next time.

Elise started her 6 week swimming class at the North Canton YMCA today. I think James was as excited as she was to get into the water!! The instructor was very nice and she made all the parents and children feel comfortable.

There were 8 kids in the class ranging from 6 months to 2 1/2 years old. The instructor had the children sit on the edge of the pool and put their feet in the water. Then they held onto the edge of the pool and kicked. She also had them get all the way into the pool with their parent and splash and kick.

They sang songs and played with balls. It was such a wonderful experience and it will help Elise to be comfortable in the water and learn a few basic skills. She was by far the youngest child in the class and was more brave with some of the exercises than the 2 year olds! I was so proud of her!!!!

I hope that some day Elise has the passion for the water just as James does!!!!

Six Months Old & Easter

17lbs 12oz (80th percentile) and 27 1/2 inches (95th percentile)

SIX MONTHS OLD!!!!! WOW... I remember Elise being born like it was just yesterday. I remember holding her for the first time, sharing that first special moment with James as we realized that our lives would be changed forever. But- never in my wildest dreams would I have even believed that I would feel the love for her that I do!!!! She has changed everything about me- and I know that I am a better and HAPPIER person because she is here...

As you can see from the stats above- Elise is growing by leaps and bounds. She started eating cereal approximately one week after she turned 5 months old. She didn't really like it at first and just let it roll around on her tongue and would spit it right back out. Quite honestly- at 6 months old... she hasn't changed her opinion much about cereal. I started adding a small spoonful of banana baby food to the cereal to make it taste better- and now I can get about 5 good spoonfuls in her before she wants to move on!!

Elise's favorite thing to eat is sweet potatoes!! This was the first vegetable that I tried and she LOVED it!! This picture was taken after I had already cleaned her face twice... she was such a mess- even had it in her nose!! Since introducing sweet potatoes, Elise has tried squash and sweet carrots- but doesn't like either one as well as she likes sweet potatoes... so I bought her some more so that she can enjoy them this weekend!!

This past weekend was Easter Sunday and our entire family was invited to dinner at my dad's sister's house (Aunt Eileen). I was lucky enough to get a picture of the three girls... Marissa and Abby smiled great and took a wonderful picture!!! Elise, on the other hand, didn't want to have her picture taken- she wanted to play and watch Aunt Eileen's dog run around the house...

Marissa turned 5 in January and Abby is 7... three beautiful girls!!

Elise got her first Easter Basket from the Easter Bunny. She received a Winnie the Pooh crinkle book and a stuffed yellow duck (which she was holding her in 6 month picture at the beginning of the blog). The Easter Bunny also brought candy for mommy and daddy!!!!

We had a wonderful Holiday weekend with James being home with us ALL THREE DAYS!!!!! He has been working a lot lately- so it was wonderful to have him home and enjoying the weekend with me and Elise. We were able to spend lots of time together- reading books, playing with toys and even taking a walk in the park! I cherished every second with James and Elise!!!!!!