HAPPY 2010!!!

We rang in the New Year @ the Dudick's house... we were house-sitting while Henry's family was out of town. Elsie Anne is ready for our New Year's Eve dip in the hot tub...

Loving the warm water + cold air... very hard to over-heat in an outdoor hot tub in the mountains!

WOW... we've had an amazing 2009 w/ our daughter! Can't wait to see what 2010 has in store for us! Nite-Nite Elsie Anne...

Once Elsie Anne was 'snug as a bug' Shawn, Mom + I went down to the theater... We watched Shawn's new Elvis dvd + the 2010 countdown!!
Nothing like Chocolate Chip Cookies + White Russians! Cheers to the best year of our life!!
We LOVE having Memere here for these fun times + memories! It was so nice having a chill, family NYEve:)

Time for bed... as you see the date on the pic, it must be after mid-night!

Extended Family in Town!!

It was so nice to have my Aunt Julz, Uncle Bill, + cousins Jackson, Sophie + Camille in town for the 1st time since our wedding! They stayed @ the Granby House for 2wks + came over to visit while my Mom was in town w/ me. It made it much easier to spread out, hang out, + visit since we were house-sitting the Dudick's house! The time was unforgettable + very special, just having them here, getting to play + catch up w/ no other interuptions! We don't often get to do that in Tallahassee b/c there is always so much going on + plenty of other family around.

Aunt Julz getting her Elsie Anne love before hopping on the Gondola! (Don't know what happened to this pic, but still super cute!!)
Sophie + I relaxin' on the Gondola ride up to Peak 7. We met the boys, Bill, Shawn + Jackson after their day of skiing Breck, for some dinner @ 'Sevens'!

Who would you guess is the CENTER OF ATTENTION?? Memere, Camille, + Julz making sure EA is having fun! She just loves looking out the windows + seeing everything going by!

At 'Sevens' EA's cousins toted her around + kept her busy while we waited on the boys! Man, if only we lived in Tally, these girls would be the BEST BABY-SITTERS!! I love this picture... Julz + Bill loving the day, the moment + the company they shared it with!! Love you both!

Thanks Grahams for making our Christmas break EXTRA special!!

Elsie Anne's First Christmas!

On Christmas Eve we went to our Church's Family Service. It was @ 3pm + was a narrative play of the Birth of Jesus. Our children's choir sang many songs + were dressed like Angels, sheep, Wise Men, Mary + Joseph, etc. It was the cutest production + made us think of Elsie Anne being older + doing things like this!

Santa Claus definitely stopped by the Fraser household...

As we walked down our stairs on Christmas morning, EA's eyes lit up as she realized things looked very different in the living room. She said 'Hay Daaare!' to everything she saw! Santa's gifts were sitting out w/ bows on their heads + she was super excited to get down + start playing immediately...Once we finally pried her away from her 'Radio Flyer Turtle' + 'Penguin' we each opened our stockings! EA just wanted to knaw on the candy cane (wrapper on) until we got her interested in what was INSIDE her stocking! She was so excited to see her first baby doll, 'Purple Baby' + studied her tiny fingers, ears + nose. Daddy helped EA open her first gift... Of course she just loved ripping into the paper + wanted nothing to do w/ the gift:)
She got a hammer + roll set, which takes an adult's extra strength to hammer the balls thru the whole, so I doubt she'll ever be able to. But she loved working w/ Daddy on it!

Boxes, Bows + Ribbons... so much fun play with!!!

Our day was so relaxing + chill! We stayed in our pajammas until late afternoon playing w/ all our new things!
We started a new tradition of sledding on Christmas Day, but it was short lived once we got out there in the howling winds + temperature in the single digits! At least we made the effort + got out of the house for a bit! Shawn also cooked us up a delicious Spiral cut Ham dinner, yummy!

TINKLE in the POTTY!!

I know you probably think I'm crazy, b/c my Mom did, but I have learned/read/heard that once toddlers start dressing themselves, become aware of their body, + learn cause/effect that its a good time to start showing them the potty. Elsie Anne is right in this catagory... she has definitely masterd a few cause/effect skills, she helps put her arms thru her shirt + we put her pants on while standing up, + she always tries to find our tinkle when she's watching us go potty.

Anyway, while out Christmas shopping the other day I decided to grab her a little potty. I didn't really know when we'd use it, but tonight ended up working perfect! Elsie Anne was going to take a shower w/ Daddy. When I got her undressed I noticed her diaper was pretty dry, so we set the potty up in the bathroom and let her sit on it while the water was warming up. I talked to her about it... "let your tinkle come out, just like Momma". She started getting antsy, so I gave her tubby duck to play w/ while she was sitting. That helped for a few seconds... I was about to get her off + then there it came..... tinkle,tinkle,tinkle! She looked down + was very interested in what came out of her! Of course, she wanted to touch it, but we praised her + she was so proud of herself!
Yes, there is pee-pee in there!!!
I hope to try this once every other day @ bath time + I think when the actual time comes to 'potty train' it won't be such a chore... she'll already know what it's for:)

little GANGSTER girl!!!

This is the funniest video we have to date... Elsie Anne's first nick name was 'Crazy Legs' when, she came out of me in pike position + I think she has now earned that name...

Yes, we let our Princess listen to 'gangster rap'!!! And this was just the END of her performance, she had been dancing for a few minutes before this:) Who knew a 9 1/2mo old could have such rhythm + coordination?! I think we are going to have our hands full in a few years:)

SLEDDING....

I am now a SUPER-FAN of sledding!!! I've only been sledding one time the entire time I've lived here + now I think we'll go every nice weekend day possible! I MUST explain the feeling Shawn + I both experienced after taking Elsie Anne for her first time!
First of all, Shawn's parents (GeeGee + Granpa) sent us their grandson's old sled, which is in the running for the best gift we've ever received!! It is really wide, has a seat belt + a high back, which makes it perfectly safe for the 'intense baby sledding' that EA endured!! I always knew she was going to be a 'thrill seeker' like her Daddy, + we've got the footage to prove it!!
We couldn't have asked for a nicer day... the sun was shining, it was a warm 40* + we just got new snow! We waited until after EA's morning nap... Daddy went skiing + then met us @ Carter Park. The park is a public place that has a sledding hill, fenced in dog area + a recreational facility for classes/parties. We brought a 6pack of Bud-Light (Mama's favorite) + our snow suits for this fabulous occasion. ***Mama was very happy to find that her 'skinny' suit fit, after not wearing it for over 20months:)*** Elsie Anne tried her new 12mo snow suit + big girl snow boots out for the first time...a bit roomy, but enjoyable no doubt!
The first thing that caught Elsie Anne's eyes were the many crazy dogs @ the dog park! She immediately started 'barking' + couldn't take her eyes off them! We let her stand @ the fence for a few minutes to revel in her 'dog heaven', + let her get used to the rather large snow suit! When she noticed I was putting her inside the 'big red sled' she got super excited + started flopping her arms + legs about. We buckled her in tight + did loops around the flat area. She quickly took a liking + up the hill Shawn went!
Elsie Anne was a SUPER-SLEDDER @ first try... she came flying down the hill w/ the biggest grin plastered on her face! She could not get enough, we took turns trekking up + down until our butts were on fire. If it wasn't for 'afternoon nap', we might have been there the rest of the day:)
As we were pulling her back to the car, Shawn + I both were on cloud 9! Who knew that something so silly, so trivial, so small, could make a family absolutely FULFILLED! We agreed that this afternoon alone, made having a family completely worth while! This day is now my 'happy place' + will make me smile anytime I need uplifting!
Here is our story in pics + video...

Elsie Anne enjoying the barking doggies!!!Daddy pulling EA around the flat part!

Mommy trekking up the hill! Cardio, Cardio, Cardio!Down the hill!! Can you believe how fast she went?!

Look @ that PERMA-GRIN!!
"Awww, do we have to go, I've never had so much fun!!" We will plan for 2hrs next time!!!

We are so proud of our dare devil + cannot wait to get her on skis!!!

Denver Christmas Trip!

We have been planning + looking forward to our Denver Christmas Trip for a few weeks now! We wanted to do Santa Claus @ Cherry Creek Mall + Denver Zoo Lights!

I had heard how beautiful the Santa set-up was, so I thought Elsie Anne HAD TO BE THERE!!! It was 'Polar Express' themed + had amazing life-size snow globes!! We waited in line for 2hrs before getting to see the sweetest + most realistic Santa ever! I really thought Elsie Anne would do just fine sitting on his lap... but right as her bottom touched, she waaaailed like no other:( Santa had a great idea + let us sit in the sleigh w/ EA + he stood up behind us! The pic turned out super cute... I'll have to scan it to get it on here!

Then, off to the Denver Zoo we went!!! The traffic was insane + once we finally got to the parking lot, we drove around for almost an hour looking for a spot. We passed the ticket area @ one point + saw thousands of families waiting in line!! So... we called it off:( We were bummed, but decided we'll go after Xmas while my mom is here!

We weren't ready to go home yet so we decided to make a detour to BASS PRO-SHOP, OUTDOOR WORLD... and it was THE BEST DECISION we made all day:) We ended up getting to make our own 'Zoo Lights' b/c the store was all lit up + decorated, and had plenty of animals to gawk at!!! The entire boat area was cleared out + transformed into Santa's Workshop that had tons of kids activities + decorated to the hilt! I think next year we will be going here for EA's Santa pic:)

Enjoy the slide show I put together of our 'Merry' Christmas day in Denver...

HIP UPDATE!!!

We went to Vail today for Elsie Anne's hip appointment w/ Dr. Sink, the pediatric orthopedic specialist from the Children's Hospital in Denver. I was excited all morning to see him b/c I knew EA would pass w/ flying colors... AND SHE DID!!! After reading the x-ray + showing me what he was looking for, Dr. Sink told us he would not have to see her again for another YEAR!! We are so thankful that the LORD has answered our prayers!

She is loving playing in the big boxes we've received lately!! We finally got a high-chair for her... we went w/ the Fisher Price 'Space Saver' since we really have no space in our little townhouse! It sits on it's own (on the floor) or can hook into most chairs. As of now, we don't have a dining table, so we are always sitting @ the coffee table... so its great that she can sit on the floor w/ us! I know, its a bit 'ghetto', but we deal w/ what we've got:) Anyway, as you can see... she LOVED her new chair!!!

It has all the features of a full size chair, (it converts into a booster as well) just doesn't have the legs... I think we made the right choice!

MOMENTS...

Sometimes I am so overwhelmed w/ the LOVE I feel for Elsie Anne... it overtakes my entire being + I feel like I could just scream, cry, collapse, jump up+down, or squeeze her so tight I think she might pop! Today was one of those days!!!

After a crazy busy + looooong week that consisted of 4 full days of nannying, plus 3 nights of extra babysitting, (all of which EA participates) Elsie Anne + I finally came home this afternoon, to our cozy little Christmassy haven + spent some time together... just the two of us:) I was overjoyed to watch her excitement as she played w/ her own toys, talked, laughed, crawled up in my lap + knew she had my full + undivided attention! I looked @ her, as she dove into my face for an open-mouth kiss, + could not believe my eyes... here she is, this 9 1/2mo old amazing little being + I get to be her Mama... she's all mine (well, I share her w/ Shawn), I get to see her every move, all her bonks, bangs, cries + laughs, and I could not be more HAPPY!!! I'm INFATUATED w/ my Elsie Anne!!!!!!

As I put her down tonight, I stared @ her perfect little face + took it all in. I remembered a 7lbs.11oz tiny little darling in my arms + thought about all of the incredible times we've shared as a family! I firmly believe that it only gets BETTER! I can't imagine what we'll be doing this time next year, but I'm not going to wish this wonderful time away!

Bengals Sunday!

Once again, we spent our Sunday @ Jake's Dive Bar! They are always so excited to see the 'Bar Mascot' when we walk in:) This is the first time Elsie Anne wore her jersey, it is a size 2T, but looked super cute on her!

She showed everyone her new teeth... they hadn't seen her for a while, + were shocked @ her 'big girl' tricks, words + personality!

Here she is w/ the bar owner, Ruben! He says he would greatfully be her god-parent + put her through college, + if he knew he could have one just like her, then he would definitely have a baby!! Those are the best complements to get from such a gruff, hard-core GUY!!!

Ruben's wife, Ellen, loves her just as much! EA was playing her diamond necklaces + Ellen thought it was perfect that EA already has great taste!!!

EA + Daddy always show off her cheerleading stunts, only this time she didn't want to let go of the martigras beads hanging from the rafters!!

Its nice to be able to hang out @ a bar + not get dirty looks! We are their favorite patrons + it is very obvious:)

More Decorating!

Elsie Anne has started rolling balls + loves to have them rolled back to her! Shawn captured her cute little 'rolling stance' w/ her legs strattled! This is also her saying, "I want THAT!" w/ her arm out. She tells us where she wants to go + what she wants to do, all by this little movement! Its incredible how she communicates!
Stockings are hung...

She helped Daddy put the new toy shelves together w/ her soft tool set, but was way more interested in the real thing! She is SOOO tired in this pic, but didn't want to stop playing... I thought she looked like a little lamb trying to suckle (on the drill), hahaha!!!

We also got our Christmas Tree all set up + lights on the banister... I'll post those pics later!

Daddy, Daddy...

...he's our man, if he can't do it, no one can!!!
It's been really nice having Shawn home these past few weekends! We have decided that its best for him to work late on the week days so that he can enjoy his girls + the holiday season on the weekends!!

Elsie Anne got some lovin' from Daddy before he went out on the mountain. She was climbing up his leg while he was putting his ski boots on... too cute! Once she starts walking, Shawn plans on getting her on some skis, he thinks she'll be skiing by her birthday (March 3rd), we'll see! Later, while I was doing my 'motherly duties' (pre-treating all of EA's blowout clothes, doing laundry, putting away the dishes, cleaning up the living room after the 'tornado' came thru), I found my gorgeous husband + my delicious daughter putting up Christmas lights... Elsie Anne was having so much fun watching Shawn use the staple gun + the lights swinging back + forth as he put them up! What a little munchkin... She already has better tolerance of the cold than I do! I guess when they grow up in it, they know nothing different, so they just go w/ it! She was playing w/ a block of ice in her lap?! bbbrrrrrrrr!

Our Gift...

KISS,KISS! Elsie Anne was following Carter all around Baby Boot Camp wanting a kiss... and she finally got one!!! They are good buddies since Meghan + I see eachother so much!
Then we got our Christmas wrapping out @ home + Shawn had to decorate Elsie Anne...
She thought it was funny... her little arm could barely reach the top of her head! It was hilarious watching her try to get it off! What a little 'cheeser'!!

She will definitely be the spotlight @ our house this Christmas...what an amazing gift we have:)

So Proud...

I can't believe how fast Elsie Anne is learning things...

She was getting fussy + rubbing her eyes just before nap time, when she blurted out "NIGH-NIGH!" I said, "oh, are you so sleepy?" + she said it again, "NIGH-NIGH!" I was in shock... I said, "do you want your bottle + go night-night?" + she said, "BA, NIGH-NIGH!" What the heck? She is seriously UNDERSTANDING everything we say:)

Also, we have a little 1ft tall christmas tree decoration w/ lights + every time I say something about the xmas tree, she looks @ it, waves + says "HEEY DAAARE!" Her little brain is just exploding w/ activity!!

funny face + bed head!

"cheese, see my teeth?"

Oh, this picture reminds me... Yesterday, Elsie Anne started 'sharing'! She holds out her toys (like this) + wants you to take them, but then wants it right back. It is too funny:)She's learning so much so quick, I'm worried I might miss documenting something!