Dinosaur in the Leaves

We found a dinosaur costume for Elsie for Halloween. Alan's mom had made it for his younger brothers when they were Elsie's size. Here's a preview of our little dinosaur.

Independent Sitting

Sweet Potatoes Anyone?

Down by the Duck Pond

We took Elsie to the duck pond today to see and feed the ducks. At first she was fascinated with the bread, until the ducks started coming up and eating it. She just sat very still and watched them. She finally warmed up a little and wiggled and talked to them. They were pretty wary of her and kept their distance, but Elsie didn't seem to mind.

Hooray for the duck pond!

We found Toby's little brother... There were at least four red-eared slider turtles that we saw swimming around in the water

Watching the ducks

Look at them swimming, Elsie

This duck was the only duck there with this distinct color pattern... We decided he must be the King of the Ducks

My poor neglected baby...

Despite what she looks like in this picture, Elsie has been rather upset with me. I've had a pretty bad cough the last couple of days and have been trying really hard not to pass it on to Alan or Elsie. So this mean lots of hand washing, carrying around a hankie to cough into, and pretty much only holding Elsie when I have to feed her. Alan has been good about picking up the slack and giving her extra hugs and snuggles, but its just not the same as having your mommy play and snuggle. Every time I have to walk by her and I don't pick her up or give her a hug I hear about it. I think she's just about had it with me being sick...and I have too.

Elsie has been taking her frustration out on Alan too...here she is trying to pull his ear off.

I love this little girl

Elsie had her six month check up on Monday. Here are some of her new stats:

Weight - 14.8 lbs - 26th percentile

Height - 27.75 in - 97th percentile

Gotta love my tall skinny baby :)

Weekend Hike

We decided to try out our baby backpack and go for a hike Saturday morning. I had been on this trail before, but Alan had never hiked it, so we gave it a try. It wasn't a terribly long hike, but it was steep! I had forgotten just how steep it was. Even today my calves are still reminding me...

All strapped in a ready to go!

Elsie really enjoyed the ride. She went from just quietly looking around at the view to babbling on and on about it.
Half way up and desperately needing a break!

We made it to the top!

Alan enjoying his lunchable and the view

See? It was very very steep...

Ready to head back down the trail

Peek a Boo Elsie

Sweet little girl...

Elsie crashed on the way back down and slept until we got to the car

Even though I'm still feeling it, it was a fun hike and I'm glad we went. We'll have to try a couple more hiking spots around here before the weather gets too cold.

Mmm, Rice Cereal...

As part of her half birthday celebrations, Elsie ate her first bowl of rice cereal. We have been holding off on feeding her solid food until she was six months old, so yesterday Elsie was introduced to the world of real food.

"Bring on the cereal!"

Alan feeds her for a little while
Then Sarah takes over

"Hmmm, interesting flavor..."

Too sour?

Elsie wasn't quite so sure about it at first, as you can tell when she kinda gags on it...

But she got the hang of it and even kinda liked it. She finished off the entire bowl and then sat there looking at us as if to say "There's more, right?"

Six Months

Elsie is six months old! Half a year! I don't think I'm ready for my baby to be that old... She's still not sitting up by herself yet. She can hold it for a second or two, but then everything is too exciting and she tries to look around and falls over. Oh well, she'll get the hang of it one of these days. Elsie is very wiggly and alert and loves to look and see everything. I really love this little girl. :)