Family Fun

Even after almost a year with Elsie, there are times I still have a hard time believing this is my family! I continue to feel so fortunate to have this healthy, funny, adorable little girl in my life. We were at my parents on this beautiful summer day, enjoying family, playing cards, and soaking up the sun. What a lucky lady I am!

Sweet Tooth

Elsie was quick to take a taste of my licorice! We were able to have a “Lady and the Tramp” moment with our treat.

A Trip to the BIG City

Sorry Elsie, no traveling for you this time.

We left Elsie with her grandma and grandpa and took off for New York City to celebrate our 5th wedding anniversary. We were so busy we almost didn't have time to miss our little lady. Some highlights from our trip: watched the MN Twins play New York Yankees and bought tickets from scary scalpers, lots of delicious dinners and drinks, went to a Broadway show, lots of sightseeing...Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, Times Square, Grand Central Station, Central Park, Chinatown, and I'm sure I'm missing something. We loved our trip but are happy to be back enjoying the quiet and fresh air of Farmington and being entertained by Elsie.


Cheering on the Twins.


Can you see me in Times Square?!


On top of Empire State Building

Big Sloppy Kisses

Elsie’s new trick this week is leaning into your face and giving you a big, wet, mouth wide-open kiss. Sometimes the kiss is on your cheek, forehead, nose, or if your really lucky on your mouth! I remember brining Elsie home and thinking how I couldn’t wait until she could show us she loved us (or even just liked us!) The first few months, her not crying was our signal she was happy with mom and dad. Her kisses were worth the 11-month wait!

Big hugs

Elsie is a pretty rambunctious little girl. She spends most of the day crawling between the living room, where she empties her toybox onto the floor, and her bedroom, where she scatters her books and pages through them. She pulls herself up on anything in arm's reach and has even learned how to climb steps.

She's kind of shy around most of our friends and family, but trust me: She is a wild child!

Here's a video we shot of Elsie playing with her favorite stuffed animals (Horton the elephant and Mr. Bear). She likes to hug them and rub their soft fur on her cheeks. Check it out:

Giggles and Walking

Here's some footage of Anne making Elsie laugh:

And here's Elsie cruising around w/ her push toy:

10 Months Old!

Lots of changes came during Elsie’s march to being 10 months old! In one week she figured out how to sit-up when laying on her belly, pulling herself up to stand and cruise on furniture, crawling on all fours, which she is a master at now, and even took her first two steps yesterday! The steps were taken by accident and surprised all of us! Elsie is beginning to show us more of her personality too. She is very observant and maybe a little shy when in new situations, but once she has warmed up to the new people she is back to her silly self. We think she takes after her mom and is a bit of a “nervous nelly” when in new places! She loves looking at and chatting to her books and going swimming with mom. We continue to enjoy all the time we spend with our little stinker and can’t believe her one-year birthday is quickly approaching!