Aunt Laura Is Here...

Aunt Laura's first hug!!!
Coo...Aahhh...Gaaa!
I love my Aunt Laura!!

'Ladies Nite'!!! Laura, MacK, Laurie, Elsie Anne!!

We picked Aunt Laura up from DIA @ 11:30am!! We had a yummy lunch @ Quadoba where Laura got to burp EA + hold her while I got to eat my lunch! Once we got home, we just hung out + loved on sweet baby Els!

Daddy's BIRTHDAY!!!

Birthday Morning w/ Daddy!
Happy Birthday to You!

Nite, Nite Elsie Anne!

We had a really good day making Daddy feel special!! We had a birthday breakfast w/ him, where he opened up all his cards + our present. For lunch, we brought cupcakes to his job site for all the men + then took him to Butterhorn Bakery! Lunch was delicious... Elsie Anne slept through most of it, but then woke up so Shawn could play w/ her! He loves his mid-day hugs from his girls! When he got home from work, we had steak fajitas + salad, + he opened up his box of goodies from his parents! I also had some German Chocolate Cake ready for him w/ birthday candles + he was able to make his 31st Birthday wish!! EA had already gone to bed, so I was the only one to sing the b-day song to him, he loved it!! He said we did a good job "making something out of nothing"!!! I think that's a job well done on our part!!

2 Month Appt.

after her shots + nurse, she was happy again :)

her 'report card'!

We had EA's 2mo well-child check today. She had to get her first round of shots :( Thank goodness Shawn was able to come, b/c I think I would've lost it w/out his support! We heard a scream we had never heard before, but it only lasted less than a minute! It wasn't too too bad, but glad its over! So, Elsie Anne weighs 10lbs,1oz (was 7lbs,11oz @ birth), is 22 3/4in long (grew 1 3/4in since birth)... all that means she is in the 50-75%tile!!! Dr. Winfield said she is very healthy + continue what we're doing! YAY... it feels good being told we're doing a good job!!

Professional Photos...

We are so blessed to have a friend that does amazing photography! Emily Zoeller did our wedding + has now taken Elsie Anne's first 'real' photos! She did an amazing job! These are some of my favorites, but all of them are precious!

Full Day of Fun!!

We had a fun-filled day... starting w/ some happy playtime on the floor! Elsie Anne is having a lot more awake time + is starting to like kicking, punching + fidgeting on the floor! We've got to work on the tummy time b/c she's not too in to that, however, when I have her on the Boppy she enjoys it much more!! She had a nice looonngg nap after all that playing, + then we went to the Stais' for our first official playdate! Shelby + Lexi loved having EA over... they had drawn us some pictures! EA got a little too over stimulated + had to zonk out for another nap. We went to WalMart for a few things for Daddy's work + then home! We had dinner + then waited for our favorite time of day... when DADDY gets home!! He always comes right in, takes off his dirty, dusty shirts, washes his hands + face, + scoops up his little princess!!! What a great guy he is!!

I'm Amazed @ Elsie Anne...

watching sports w/ daddy!

• that every day is better than the last!
• that she is starting to communicate by cooing, ahhing, smiling, staring! she loves our contact + makes sure she has our attention!
• that she eats like a champ + is putting on so much weight!
• that she has found her hands + is now sucking on them all the time!
• that our funny genes are already coming out in her... she has a "dainty pinky"! it sticks out all the time, just like mine while i'm eating or drinking! she smacks her lips while she's sleeping, just like her daddy does! she loves the tv, just like her daddy!
• that if we put something in her hand, she can continue to hold it!
• that she's starting to bat her toys in her car seat!
• that her little legs are no longer skinny + froggy, but are getting chubby!! same w/ her wrists + hands! i love rubbing her hands + fingers while she's nursing, they are so soft + perfect!
• that even out of her hip brace, her hips continue to heal + develop as they should!
• that she loves her crib + sleeps so good in it! last night was the record @ 5 1/2hr stretch! she's done 4 1/2hrs a few times, but last nite was awesome!!!
• that she is getting so much more adjusted to life, + is much more predictable!! it's much easier now to take her out + about!
• that she is almost 2mo - next tues! i can't believe its already been that long... i don't want her to grow up, i wish she could stay a precious baby forever!!

Another Day @ Children's Hospital...

Daddy is working hard, so this time Laurie came w/ us! We met the hip specialist, Dr. Sink, + he was fantastic! He loved Elsie Anne + was so sweet w/ her! He told us her hips are doing great + that we could take her brace off for the time being! He will continue to watch them to make sure they are progressing correctly. She may have to go back into the brace @ a later date, but for now, we are loving having our baby back!

Productive Day...

the "dainty pinky" always comes out!!!

We had a really nice day + got a lot accomplished! This morning I was finally able to pay bills while Elsie Anne took a good nap. Then we ran errands... picked up a package from the post office + went to Target (my home away from home)! We came home, had a snack + both took a well needed nap. After getting plenty of rest, I decided to try the Rec Center (our town gym) for the first time. I packed E.A. up + brought the Bjourn... we did 30 min of cardio on the tread-mill, some weights for my arms, and squats... all w/ her sleeping in the front carrier! It was perfect, she rested + I worked out... we'll definitely be doing that again! Not too sure yet how I can start my Yoga classes again... I don't think she'd sleep in her car seat for the hole class! Anyway, when we got home, she had some dinner + then a bath. She was really happy this time... only the 2nd time she's liked it. I put her cozy sleeper on + in bed she went! She was exhausted! Now I'm waiting for Shawn to get home + have some nice adult time!!! He's working his buns off for his girls... we are so thankful + proud of him!

Dinner w/ Donnie...

After a fun day @ the bar (haha), "Uncle Donnie" had us over for Brats + more baseball! We were so proud of him... he got Elsie Anne down by himself + was able to put her in the car seat w/out waking her up! He's getting good!!

Go Reds!!!

Today was the "Closing Day" @ Breckenridge, so Shawn went out on the mountain in the morning + then met Elsie Anne + I @ our favorite bar, Jake's Dive Bar, for the Cincinnati Reds game! She slept through most of the game, but we were so excited to show her off once she woke up. She liked looking @ all the crazy lights + wasn't even phased by the music. Don't worry she only goes to the bar during the day, before all the crazies come out!!

BLOW OUT!!

Before + After!! So sweet in her "Daddy's Girl" shirt giving Momma some love... then after her dinner she gave us a yummy dessert! Don't you love those blow-outs!!!

Blizzard Day @ Home!!

I can't even begin to tell you how OVER the snow I am!! But, of course, since we had such a mild winter, we're getting dumped on for Spring time. So, we stayed in today + had a really good time! E.A. is getting so big! She's focusing on everything, loves tracking her toys + really wants to be sitting up @ all times! She's starting to show us her beautiful smile more + more! Her favorite game is to mimic you sticking out your tongue. Today, she did it first + I mimiced her + it made her smile! She loves to stare in your eyes... I think she talks w/ the expressions in her face! It's so amazing watching her learn + discover communication!

I love this picture of her eyes, and I thought it was so funny that her hair dried w/ a curl in the front, too cute!

Denver Children's Hospital...

Elsie Anne had her 6wk appt @ the Children's Hospital, which marked 2wks in her hip brace. She continues to heal, but probably has to be in it for longer than a month. While there, we got to take her out of it + give her a bath!! She loved it + we loved smooching her while she was naked! She feels so tiny + floppy without the brace on! I miss her sweet little body... can't wait for this to all be over + Elsie Anne be healed! Please continue praying for her health + our ease of mind!

This hospital is so impressive... it's definitely constructed w/ children in mind. It has so many interesting things to captivate their attention! We had fun watching the "mouse trap" contraption that had balls running throughout it. Elsie Anne enjoyed watching all the colorful fish in the huge fish tank in our waiting room!

Tummy Time...

Jane + I enjoyed watching E.A. play on her tummy! It was pretty impressive... she turned her head all the way to the otherside by herself!! She did about 5 min + then made it known SHE WAS THROUGH!!! Her head + neck are getting so strong! She holds it up really good now while holding her.

Easter Photo Shoot...

A little photo shoot in her Easter outfit. She loved being a "BIG GIRL" and sat all by herself on the couch! Shawn said she's practicing watching sports w/ him!! hahaha!

Shawn in the Park!

Shawn landing a 360* jump...

on a "down rail"...

spiiiiinning on a BIG jump!!
Shawn + Dana had an Easter ski... Dana was able to take some pics of his tricks!!!