Twelve weeks!

I'm just about to eat my shirt!


















Another obession-sucking in her lips and trying to "chew" them.



















Hey you! I'm talking to you!




















I spy, with my little eye....




















Just hanging out.












It is so hard to believe that Elly has been on this Earth for TWELVE weeks already. Having kids really makes time fly.

Elly's obession with her hands continues. It's become nearly impossible to take a decent picture of her (hence the lack of pictures lately) because she constantly has her fists up to her face. She still hasn't figured out how to actually get her fingers IN her mouth, but she is adamant about continuing the quest.

She is full of smiles and she actually started to "giggle" this week. It brings a mother pure delight to be the recipient of a big, toothless grin. She is so happy in the morning that it almost makes me feel bad to feel a slight grudge at having to rise at 6am, bleary-eyed.



We still haven't made it to sleeping through the night yet, but we really can't complain as Elly is pretty much like clockwork with her nighttime sleeping habits, so at least it makes it easy to have things fall into place with our own sleeping patterns.



Here are the latest pictures of Elly just taken today. Please note that I had to take approximately eleven billion pictures of Elly just to get these few shots where she didn't have her hands in her face. :)

Just keep swimming!

Elly's ready for the runway!





















Little Miss Polka Dot

















Aidan giving the deer some clover














Everyone wanted to feed the deer















Aidan the Climber








Not much new in the land of Elly-dom.

We are currently trying to beat the heat that has decided to sweep over Minnesota this week. Much of our time is spent lying around in the air conditioning. We do quite a bit of running around though because Aidan is back in the swing of swimming lessons. I like to go along and watch him. I can't wait until I'm able to splash along with him.

My main obsession right now is getting anything I can into my mouth. It's very tricky figuring out to actual move anything actual *to* my mouth though. I'm getting very good at getting my fingers in there and my new fixation is the clip on my car seat, or just the straps themselves.

I've decided to bunk any kind of schedule and just continue keeping my mom on her toes. Some days I hardly nap at all, other days I take a really long nap just one time during the day, and other days I take little cat naps all day long. I'm pretty consistent at night with sleeping at least 5 to 6 hours at a stretch, then eating and going down for another 3 hour stretch or so.

Attached are some pictures of my brother Aidan at Oxbow Park. This doe let us feed her clover right from our hands. It was surprising to us, because she is a new mother but we were thrilled to feed her and see how delicate she is up close. We had a lot of fun looking at all the different animals.

Happy Birthday America!

Elly at 9 weeks old



















There's a smile for you!


















So happy



















The little firecracker laughing!
















Happy Birthday America!









Well, 4th of July has past and I am now officially 2 months old!

The 4th of July was spent at my Grandma Jan's house. We just grilled some brats and hot dogs and enjoyed spending some time together. I was asleep before the fireworks even began, so maybe next year.

I had my 2 month check-up with the doctor today and I tell you that I don't like that place ONE bit anymore. Those shots really hurt! But the doctor had only good things to say about my growth and development. I am now 12 pounds and 4 ounces and I'm 23 1/4 inches long.

The doctor told my mommy that I'm showing all signs of being developmentally *early*. I showed her how I can bear weight on my legs and I even make stepping motions. This is also a newborn reflex, but the doctor says it usually goes away very quickly, so she thinks this is actually signs of being an early walker. Then I showed her how I get my legs moving when I'm laid down on my tummy. She basically told my mommy to get everything she needs or wants to get done now because soon I'll be all over the place!

I could have told her that! :)

Party Like a Rockstar!

The family
Grandma, Auntie, Daddy and Elly














The girls.















My beautiful Grandma Gwen
















Auntie Ekua. Isn't she pretty?!















My new sunhat!







This past week was filled with a lot of visiting and partying until all hours.

First of all, on Friday we went to visit my mom's cousin, Heather, her mom, Judy and Heather's 4 month old baby Clara. We had a great time and I just slept the whole 1.5 hour drive both on the way up and the way back. I was well behaved and Clara and I had a great time staring at each other.

Then Saturday afternoon brought the arrival of Grandma Gwen and Auntie Ekua. My grandma and auntie sure do love me. I thought they were so beautiful and everyone seemed to have such a great time, that I decided I didn't really want to sleep the whole weekend! Sunday I was finally so tired that at night I slept for my first 8 hour stretch ever! My mom was SO happy. I slept for 8 hours, woke up for a little snack and then went back to bed for another 3 hours. I liked staying up and partying with the whole family. I think I may be turning over a new leaf!