First Tooth

Elizabeth has her first tooth! I discovered it yesterday and after making her really mad I was able to pry her little mouth open to see just the top of it sticking out. Her grumpiness has declined now that its popped out! I'm sure the second is on its way, since I can feel a bump on the right side.

Elizabeth continues to love the water. We went swimming three times this past week; once with Auntie Pat. Each times she kicks her legs constantly and will go underwater without fear or hesitation. She will also sit on the edge of the pool and fall forward into the water laughing the entire time. Another trick of hers is to fall forward when sitting on the steps then swim away. She is an excellent swimmer for only being eight months old. She will kick her legs like crazy with her face in the water paddling her hands when passed between two adults... a natural! While at the pool she is good for about 20 min. in the water then ready for a snack and juice and some people watching. Hopefully this week we'll hang around to see if she wants to do round two in the pool.

Angel and Emily add to the excitement as usual. Angel has decided that she loves Elizabeth's food and likes to help her eat it if not carefully watched. Also, after Elizabeth is finished Angel likes to pre-wash her high chair tray. Dont worry we clean it before its used again! In addition, Angel likes to help Jim do the dishes. She inspects the dishwasher often and does not mind when small amounts of water are splashed. Sometimes Emily is so tired from the activities of the kitten and baby she has to find interesting places to nap.

We are anxiously looking forward to our trip to Indiana with Lisa and James next week. Then our trip to Pennsylvania will follow in July. This summers travels are much shorter and calmer compared to previous years, but I'm not complaining since I'm somewhat enjoying the time at home.

Swimming

Yesterday Elizabeth and I drove to Gilbert to visit Jeff, Lisa, and James and swim at Lisa's parents. Upon our arrival James was wound up and excited. He had a box of toys that he wanted to give to Little Bits and he did a great job showing her how to use all of them. We soon ate lunch and then loaded up to go swimming.

We quickly discovered that Elizabeth is a FISH! She wanted nothing to do with me holding her in the water and thought she could swim. After a few attempts to get away from me I let her go just to see what she'd do. She kicked her legs while paddling her legs and brought herself to the surface... smiling the entire time! She is not afraid of the water and smiled the entire time she was "swimming."

That settles it .... we'll be spending a lot of time at the pool in our neighborhood! On the days Elizabeth does not go to Sonia's we'll be there at least once a day. Hopefully Jim will be able to join us on Fridays.

James is going to be such a great big brother when his little sister arrive in October. Whenever Elizabeth needed something he wanted to help. He's a great diaper changing helper! Lisa and Jeff went to a movie to celebrate their 10th anniversary which left James, Elizabeth, and I on our own for dinner and bedtime. Two kids is a handful, but I managed! Fortunately both kids are great! Jeff invited me back anytime I want this summer; I think its more of a winning arrangement for them than I. I love visiting and traveling so I am sure Elizabeth and I will return several times this summer!

Our summer is off to a relaxing start. Next week Elizabeth starts her part time schedule at Sonia's of Mondays and Thursdays. In just two short weeks we'll be in Indiana and visiting the lake house where I grew up.

Memorial Day Weekend

The school year ended with over two days of constant rain, which is very unusual for Arizona in May. Alas, the year did finally end and now two months of vacation!

On Saturday Jim and I had a party to celebrate his promotion and the end of the school year. Several friends came over to join us for the afternoon. A good time was had by all, including Elizabeth who played with other kids as well as amazed everyone with her crawling and cruising talents. We also discovered she is starting to have some stranger anxiety, so we'll be socializing her more in the near future.

Elizabeth is just starting to eat three meals a day and I've started giving her some raw fruits that are soft. Today's treat was peaches and bananas.

This coming week I'll go to school for two days to do curriculum work then E and I will go to Gilbert to visit Jeff, Lisa, and James. Elizabeth will get to go swimming for the first time!

Our new addition is a white kitty with smoky blue eyes whom we adopted this weekend from the Humane Society. She is nine weeks old and needs a name! If you have suggestions we'll be happy to consider them! The name we originally picked out is being considered by Jeff and Lisa for baby girl K, so we are back to square one. As you can see by the picture the kitty enjoys Elizabeth's toys. She had a great time this morning playing with the mirror.

Summer is Near!

Elizabeth is starting to cruise. She can easily pull herself up onto the couch and walk along while holding on at our house and Sonia's. She also pulls herself up on Jim and I to do the same.

My garden is starting to produce veggies. The bounty is small right now, but will incrase as the plants mature. I have lots of buds on the peppers, melons, and tomatoes so its only a matter of time!
Emily likes to be comfortable and enjoys the amount of sleeping that takes place in our house on a daily basis. She camps out with Jim during the day and I at night. Today I found her enjoying a play mat in Elizabeth's room while she napped.
This is the last official week of school for the year. Elizabeth will go to Sonia's full time this week and next then we'll switch to our part time schedule until the end of July. The pool opens next week and I'm excited to take her swimming. She loves the bathtub so I think the pool will be a welcome treat!

Mid Week Special: Water Baby

Elizabeth is mesmerized by water... just like her mommy. I have a feeling this is good news... bad news. I'm a fish and I totally expected my daughter to be one as well. In the tub she is already putting her face in the water trying to get or find the silver colored plug. She does not mind having water dumped or splashed into her face.

When I water the garden in the evenings I've been taking her with me... all she does is stare at the water coming out of the hose. Tonight I allowed her to put her hand in it... lots of opening and closing of the fingers. Very cute!

I really cannot wait until the neighborhood pool opens in a few weeks... we'll be there quite a bit!

As you can see by the picture below... her hair is getting quite long. I have mixed feeling about having it cut. Although, I may be quickly out numbered. Daddy and Grammy are both plotting the first haircut!

Mothers Day

Pictures: Top: after I installed the gate Elizabeth sat in front of it for about 10 min. pouting and whining. Middle: Elizabeth can now pull herself up on the couch, coffee table or me to stand. As you can tell from her face she is still unsure of herself and her balance. Bottom: our happy girl smiling.

It was a busy week, like all weeks. However, Jim has been sick with the flu and has been banished to the bedroom for the past three days. I'm taking up residence on an Aero Bed in the computer room until he is symptom free.

Elizabeth continues to crawl all over the house therefore I purchased a baby gate and installed it yesterday. Its permanently attached to the kitchen entrance for the next couple years. Elizabeth continued to enjoy cat food so we had to keep her away from that. Yes, I do feed her, but she seems to go for Emily's food as often as possible. Its IAMS so the main ingredient is chicken, now I'm just sure she'll love poultry when I feed it to her.



We've had several crash and burn episodes where Elizabeth thinks shes bigger, stronger, or faster than she really is and she'll crash by rolling over things or by crawling over them and doing a face plant into the floor or onto a toy. She appears to be klutzy like myself, so I'm sure we are only at the beginning of the many cuts and bruises to come.

Only 10 days of school left in the year for teachers. Pat gives me the daily count update each day. Tomorrow she'll tell me only 1 more Monday. I finished up with 5th grade art this past week and have two more classes with my 1st graders. The little ones are so much fun to work with! Six days left with the 8th graders and the full 8.5 of the rest of the lot.

Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers, grandmothers, aunts, and cousins who touch the lives of children every day!

Seven Months Old

Friday Elizabeth celebrated seven months of life! She's into EVERYTHING these days and has discovered trash and treasure all over the house. Many things have been move up to avoid breakage or injury. She has also learned how to drink from a sippy cup. Apple juice is now served in the cup, not a bottle.


I continue to make homemade baby foods for Elizabeth and got a little carried away yesterday when making squashy sweet potatoes with apple. I now have a gallon zip lock bag full of frozen cubes. Good news: Elizabeth likes it!

I only have 15 days of school left in the year and am very ready for summer. I counted today and it looks like only 11 days left with my 8th graders (Pat, correct me if I'm wrong on that count).

I went through her clothes again and switched out many of the items that no longer fit. I wish I could get a new wardrobe every few months. Thanks to all the hand me downs we have yet to purchase any clothing for Elizabeth to date. I'm sure that will change as we reach the 1 year mark, if not before if she keeps getting longer.