Elysia - 6 months

Sweet Baby Jane (your newest nickname),

You are six months old. Six months! Where has the time gone? Wasn't it just yesterday we welcomed you, red and crying out at this bright new world? And now it is as though you have always been a part of our family--that we have always been four, never three, never two. And I wouldn't have it any other way.

You are my little Mama Bear--just right :) You are growing right on track. You don't go to the doctor again for a couple more weeks, but we think you're around 15 1/2 lbs, maybe even 16. You wear mostly 6 month clothes, and thanks to Auntie Nikki and Christmas, you are well dressed and adorable. You still aren't sleeping through the night (sigh), but just this week you put yourself to sleep all on your own, so I think there may be hope yet! And your hair is finally growing back! It is a lovely color--brown with lots of red highlights. I love that about you because your Great-Grampa Copes had red hair, and it makes your Great-Gramma Copes so happy to see part of him in you. It makes me happy, too.

We started you on solid food when you were about 5 1/2 months old, and so far you have had rice cereal, green beans, and carrots. You eat really well and haven't seemed to mind any of the new flavors that are being introduced. I am already excited about putting a big piece of watermelon down in front of you and your sister this summer, maybe on your birthday.

Lately you are always on the move, too! It started with toys--once you mastered grasping them, you flailed them around with such a serious look on your face--and now it has progressed to rolling. As soon as we put you on your back and turn for two seconds, you are on your tummy. We think you'll be crawling before too long...then we'll really have to look out!

You continue to be easy-going and happy, and we are starting to see more and more of your personality. You are curious and get frustrated when your body won't do what you want it to. Most of the time you fuss for a little bit and then try again! You are also starting to let it be known when something doesn't meet with your approval. For example, tonight I was feeding you your supper and put the bowl down to find a different spoon. You immediately pouted and cried at me! You did the same thing a couple of Sundays ago when you were destroying the program at church and Daddy took it away so you wouldn't swallow the paper. I guess this just means you are a girl who knows what she wants, and there's nothing wrong with that! :)

You adore your sister. Sometimes when you're fussy we'll bring Elaina over to see you and immediately you start smiling. She can make you laugh more than anyone, though Daddy is a close second.

We love you and are so thankful for you, sweet girl!

Project Life: Week 2

Sunday, January 8

Both girls were dressed in their new corduroy jumpers for church. Later, Elaina helped me enjoy a bowl of popcorn for a snack. She definitely has "the Beck shovel" down!

 

Monday, January 9

The annual fruit and oatmeal diet started today. I prepared by packing my favorite mug and some Quaker Oats for breakfast at work.

 

Tuesday, January 10

Today's high was something beautiful and ridiculous like 56 degrees, so we took the girls outside after work. Elaina enjoyed her swing--all these many months later, she hasn't forgotten how much she loved it this summer--and Elysia and I enjoyed watching.

Wednesday, January 11

Another beautiful day. Josh made hamburgers on the grill for supper. Who would have guessed we'd be enjoying this summertime treat in the middle of winter? 

 

Thursday, January 12

Winter decided to make an official, if not obligatory, appearance:

 

Friday, January 13

My parents once took a picture that I kept on my desk at work for bad days. It was supposed to be of my sister's cat playing inside an empty Pepsi box, but as they prepared to snap the picture, their cat, Kuya, came up to sniff the camera at the same moment. The picture wound up being an extreme closeup of a very curious face, and it was endlessly amusing to me. (Perhaps would be better to see it, but alas, I don't have a scanner.) At any rate, this picture I took Friday night at bathtime amuses me in the same way. It was supposed to be of Elysia and her bathtime partner-in-crime, Winston, who always visits us and begs for water (why the bowl of fresh water he has available next to his food is unacceptable, I will never understand). Instead, I caught him in the middle of a meow. The look on Ellie's face is equally amusing and, as always, adorable.

Saturday, January 14

We took the girls outside to enjoy the snow this morning. Elaina had fun exploring until she decided that swinging would be just as fun in snow pants as it is in shorts. Elysia kept a close eye on the action from the warmth of her carseat. I can't wait until they can play together in it next winter!

Project Life: Week 1

 

Last year I attempted Project Life: a picture a day to capture the little things that make life. I did really well til May, when 3rd trimester pregnancy got the better of me. I am determined to do my  best to complete this goal this year, and we're starting with week 1!

For more info on Project Life, check out Jessica Turner's blog @ The Mom Creative.

Sunday, January 1

Ever since we found out Elysia was a girl, I've wanted to dress our daughters in matching outfits. Mom and Dad got all three granddaughters matching dresses for Christmas, and I thought New Years' Sunday would be the perfect occasion. (Sidenote: no one ever told me how hard it would be to get a decent picture of them together at this age! Hence...four pictures to make up for lack of perfection.)

Ellie cooperating...Elaina not so much

Elaina cooperating...Ellie not so much

Sweet Elysia before church

Elaina on the move, getting ready to leave for church

Monday, January 2

This was our last day of holiday shutdown, and we finally got some "snow". While it didn't amount to much, I really enjoyed watching the flurries swirl around while enjoying some late afternoon coffee with Josh!

Tuesday, January 3
Going back to work was a little bit harder when we put Elaina in her new hat and gloves for the trip to Gramma's house. She was so proud of herself, and she looked so cute!

Wednesday, January 4
Enjoyed a beautiful sunset tonight.

Thursday, January 5
Ellie is officially one week into her foray with solids (rice cereal mixed with breast milk at this point). She will eat it from the spoon, but she seems to find it much tastier when mixed with her finger.

Friday, January 6th
My boss gave me this piece of paper today. I can't say why just yet, but it is such a blessing, and I am so very excited about it.

Saturday, January 7
Today seemed a perfect day for some beef and chile stew with cilantro dumplings!

Elaina-isms

 

Elaina didn't start speaking at an exceptionally early age, but lately it seems Josh and I are constantly surprised by what she can say and how she can articulate what's on her mind. She also has an adorable way of talking--a sweet sound when put to good, and much less so when the occasional tantrum is thrown. 

Here are a few Elaina-isms. As fast as she is changing, I don't want to forget them!

* She can't pronounce the "f" sound, so she replaces it with an "s" (ie Mommy's sone is ringing) or a "p" (ie We're having wapples for breakfast!). A few more examples: 

• Goldfish crackers are "goldsish" 
• The fireplace is the "sire"
• When she thinks she's being funny, she says, "I sunny!"
• Goofy from Micky Mouse is Goopy, and Wolfie from Special Agent Oso is Woopie

* She loves to give a running commentary on her day: "I eating. I coworing (coloring). I dwinking. I cwying" (usually said in her most pathetic voice when she doesn't get her way).

* She has taken, as of late, to shout "Help!" when she wants out of the grocery cart at the store. These are proud, proud parenting moments.

* We are teaching her about potty training. Each time Elysia's diaper is changed, she proudly pronounces, "Elwe pooped!" This is said regardless of whether or not it is actually true.

* On a similar note, if we suspect she is going to the bathroom herself, our suspicions are nearly always confirmed when, after we ask if she's gone, she shouts "Stay!"

* We are teaching her to say grace. Each night at supper she folds her hands and says, "Dear Jesus, Thank you, Wub you, Amen." (Josh was a little heartbroken when "Dear Jesus" stopped being "Dear Jebus").

* She is getting better at names, though she still puts her own spin on them. Grandma, for both Rita and my mom, is "Wanma." My dad, who is Grandpa, is "Pampa". Arcadia is "'Cayah".  

* We often find her repeating phrases from her favorite stories. An example: in one of the Skippyjon Jones books, Mama Junebug Jones tells Skippito to "stay out of your closet!" If she is doing something she ought not be and is being scolded for doing so, she will often tell us to "Stay out of your closet"--in other words, Leave me alone! 

* She is a persistent little girl, and will repeat herself as many times as necessary to be completely clear on what she wants. The requests are almost universally preceded by the letter "A". For example, if she wants to watch Looney Tunes, we hear "A Bugs? A Bugs? A Bugs? Dayee, a Bugs? Mommy, a Bugs? Pweese?

* Speaking of "pwease," we are working on manners. She is good at saying "pwease" and "thank you" or "thanks", and has even taken to saying "Sowwy" after she's been disciplined. My favorite, though, is when she wills us to agree with her by saying "Awwight" after a request. Example: "Mommy, a shoes opp!" "Do you want your shoes off?" "Awwight."

* She loves to read. Current favorites include "Chrysamum" (Chrysanthemum, by Kevin Henke), "A Jones" (Skippyjon Jones), and any Mercer Mayer book, including "So Mad" (I Was So Mad) and "A Bed" (Just Go to Bed).

* She is definitely sure of what she "yikes" and what she "wubs". "Yikes" include ske'iios (Spaghettios), oatmeal, coworing, and dancing. "Wubs" include pizza (definitely her father's daughter), Elwe, Dowa Explowa, and my personal favorite, Mommy and Daddy.

Elysia - 5 Months

Sweet Ellie,

Your 5-month birthday came in the crazy weeks that precede Christmas, and in all the hustle and bustle I didn't get this written earlier.

You are a growing, exploring, happy girl. In fact, your name means "sweet and blissful," and you are both of these things. Still quick to smile, and this month we have added laughter to the mix. It is a beautifully squeaky sound, and we work extra hard to hear it.  We think you are close to 15 lbs, and you wear size 3 diapers and mostly 3-6 month clothes. You have taken to rolling more regularly and I don't doubt before I know it you'll be crawling, too. 

You are the light of our lives, baby, along with your sister, and we love you, love you, love you.

Christmas 2011: A photo essay (of sorts)

A hard-won picture of my sweet little elves :)

Elysia's first Christmas

Elaina playing in one of our many Amazon order boxes

Ellie and Papa on Christmas Eve

Rita with her coffee sign, which we found on the Spoon River Drive

A gift from Rita--a new quilted wall hanging. It's beautiful!

Elaina examining a new gift in her sea of paper scraps

Playing with Arcadia's new rocketship

Rita and her granddaughters (Elaina was on the run!)

Christmas morning sharing :)

Ellie and her new Sophie the Giraffe

Brycelynn and Rylan entertained themselves while the adults opened gifts

My favorite gift to give this year: Dad's YUUUUUP hat

Elaina danced to the dog on the sofa all Christmas afternoon

The dancing continued at a visit to Gramma and Grampa Beck's on Wednesday

Elaina enjoying one of her Christmas gifts--a coloring pad

Elysia enjoying Daddy!