9 Months, Big Firsts

The ninth month has been a big one for Elsa and she still has a week to go. Elsa took her first steps early this month and hasn't stopped trying since. She prefers the efficiency of her crawl but shows no fear in constantly attempting to walk while steadily improving her balance and ability each day. Her 9 month appointment was full of big smiles for the doctor, weighing in at almost 18 lbs and 28.5 inches long (still charting the skinny, tall thing). With her first Christmas now behind her, solid foods in full swing and the occasional sharp grab of James's hair, she is quickly (too quickly) developing into her own little person. Elsa is an active and happy girl, easily pleased and full of toothy (8 and counting) grins for us at almost every given moment.

8 Months...Really

After three hearty but futile attempts to get a picture of our smiley girl and her cheesehead, I am admitting defeat and posting these two "best shots". Elsa continues to be a happy little girl, beginning to stand with "no hands" and cruising around furniture with ease. She is an eating machine and loves anything she can put in her mouth. She shows a tough side, handling big brother James's shenigans with little fuss. She is truly a content, wonderful baby.

Trick Or Treat

Our monkey (aka James) happily traded in his bashful chips for candy this Halloween. After he saw how trick or treating worked with his experience at the first house, he was on a mission. Marching up to each house peeking in the window until the magic candy bowl arrived. Usually a "thank you" was offered before turning to Mom & Dad, announcing "more" and pointing to the next house down the street. He was very nice to take candy for Elsa when it was offered and hand it over to Mommy (instead of pilfering it for his own bag). I'm sure that will change next year:) It was a blast to watch him march the through the leaves in his monkey suit to our neighbors homes.

New England Fall

7 Months

Please stop growing up so fast!

The 6 Month Marker

Yes our little Elsa turned six months old! She has really grown out of the "newborn state" in the past four weeks. She ditched the bouncy seat and loves the freedom of playing on the floor. She adeptly maneuvers from her stomach and back into a sitting position and is constanty rocking herself on all fours. She has figured out how to scoot backwards and appears to be very close to crawling (help us!). And we are seeing a little more personality these days as she lets us know what she likes and doesn't like. With her two new front teeth she enjoys munching on Mum Mums and her teething biscuits. And what I suppose is true of most 2nd children, she continues to adore her big brother. Six month check-up is later this week, we'll post the stats then!

End of Summer