Fun in the Park...

So far this week has been great.  Dan ended his previous job last Friday and doesn't start his new job until next Monday, so he has been hanging out with me and Elanor this week.  We have been going, going, going.  In between searching for our first home, we took Ella to the park for the first time...

Do they make 3M sized sunglasses?

Elanor LOVES to be in a sitting or standing position.  I think it must be like discovering a whole new world than the one she has discovered laying down.  

Ella taking her first "steps"

Also, this week marked Elanor's 3 month birthday (January 17th) so we again took her picture by the frog.  It's crazy the change you can see when you compare the new picture to the older ones!  

Elanor - 3 Months Old

Elanor - 2 Months Old

We are going to Sacramento this weekend to bottle the Czech Pilsner that we made at Brew It Up over Christmas.  While there, maybe we will take advantage of the free babysitting and catch a movie and a bike ride...

New Year, More Fun...

This year has started out with a bang.  Elanor is getting stronger each and every day, as you can see from the pictures below.  Aunt Megan and Uncle Brad came over last Saturday night and brought dinner.  While they were here, they said that Elanor has grown up so much even when compared to Christmas, when they saw her last.  You don't really notice how fast she is changing when you see her every day, but when you compare the pictures week by week, it really is a amazing.  

Elanor's strength is growing every day

Working out your neck is tough work

One thing that is definitely noticeable is that Elanor has begun to learn that her hands are somewhat useful!  Although she isn't very accurate, she reaches for her toys when they are placed in front of her or when she is playing with her undersea friends on her play mat.  Her grip is quite amazing when she does get ahold of something.

Elanor playing

Ella grabs ahold of her octopus toy

Elanor getting ready for her tummy time workout

Other than that, there hasn't been much going on.  We have just been spending a lot of quality time together which will be shortened tremendously when I go back to work in a few weeks.  Already dreading the day we have to take her to daycare...

The Year of the Rattle...

Elanor definitely enjoyed her first Christmas... we went to Sacramento for 4 days, and spent Christmas Eve at Great Grandma and Grandpa's with the Hood family and then Christmas day at Grandma and Grandpa Morris' house.  I think Ella got more presents than the rest of us combined!!  She got so many toy rattles and clothes.  She is pretty much set for the next few months at least.

As you can see, it was quite an eventful few days.  It was a Christmas I will never forget.

New Years Eve was less hectic...Elanor and I were in bed by 10:30.  Wow, things have changed since last year.  Dan stayed awake and tried to wake me up at midnight, but from what I understand, that was not an easy task.  However, we did make it over to friend's Anson and Alexa's new years day party for some delicious snacks and tasty virgin mimosas (AKA Orange Juice).  It was great to see them.

Tomorrow we will be taking down the Christmas tree and the outside lights.  I guess that means Christmas is officially over:(  We are really looking forward to 2011 and all it will offer.  I know it will be a big year for Elanor, and therefore, for me and Dan as well.  Can't wait!

Happy new year!!