Aw, Mama, stop taking my picture!

Playing in the less-warm weather

It was a rather cold week, but Mama and I were brave and played outside anyway.


I liked hanging out on my blanket while mom did some spring yard work.


We even took a trip to a "big kid" park where I got to play on a big swing.


Mama thinks it looks like I am terrified in the picture, but I am actually giggling.


I'm getting so good at walking that I tried to convince Mama to ride in the stroller while I pushed her, but she thought it might be dangerous since I am still too short to be able to see over the handlebar. Which is probably true. Maybe next year.

Lambing time on A-Z farm!

On Sunday my friend Hannah went with Mama and me to A-Z Farms to see the lambs. Boy, were they cute! I got to pet them and watch them run, and I got to pet baby bunnies and chicks and piglets and calves. Oh, and the question Mama keeps asking me? The one about what the duck says? Well, now I know! Quack!

The many faces of Elsie Rose...

...as photographed by my friend, Stella, at a recent play date. My favorite is the last one of Elsie and Stella's son, Henry, reading a book together (completely un-posed). Elsie was so happy, her feet were kicking too quickly to be captured clearly!

Date night!

On Saturday, Mama and Daddy had their first date night since I was born. They got all dressed up and went to the Epic Red Carpet Anniversary Dinner with Uncle G and Kristin.



I REALLY liked Mama's necklace- she should wear that all the time!



Everyone had a great time, and the night was a success!

Hanging with the animals at the Henry Vilas Zoo

Mama took me to the zoo to play with my friends, Edie and Nico, last week. It was so much fun! We saw tigers and lions and giraffes and rinos...so many fun animals! My boyfriend Nico had fun pushing me in my stroller, and Edie and I talked while standing on a bench together. What a wonderful day!

Playing in the warm weather

I love playing outside! I'm glad the snow is leaving, because there is so much fun stuff to learn about out there. And so many things to eat! It's fantastic! Mama keeps trying to stop me from putting the things I find in my mouth- she sure has some strange ideas!

Swinging!

Nine months old!

Health and Growth

Elsie now weighs 16lbs, 2oz (8%) and stretches to 27 inches (30%- I think they short-changed her when they measured her, though).

Elsie consistently sleeps 2-3 hours at a time at night, with a few 4-hour chunks thrown in, too. We put up black-out shades in her room last week, and those seem to be helping her sleep better at night (we think headlights might have been waking her up). She is now reliant on one nap a day, usually lasting about 2 hours (HOORAY!).

Her hair continues to grow in slowly, and appears to be a curly auburn. Her first tooth came in shortly after her 7-month birthday, and in the last few days she has sprouted one more on top and another on the bottom. We're hoping that the teething is over for now, and her sleep might improve even more!

Communication

Signs Elsie does: milk, good-bye and hello (waving), no (shaking head)
Signs and words Elsie recognizes: all done, more, kitty, duck, bird, cow, horse, diaper change, poop, food, water

We have been working with Elsie on animal noises, which she LOVES, and simple words like kitty, Daddy, Mama, Pongo, milk, and nap. She gets excited when we say them, but hasn't tried to reproduce any of the sounds yet.

Activities

Elsie eats three solid food meals a day, a combination of baby purees and whatever Mama happens to be eating. She seems to like just about everything she tries, including salmon, plain lentils, and simple spices like pepper, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

Elsie loves to walk while holding on to Mama or Daddy's fingers, and has recently started walking with a push toy. She is pretty proud of herself for being able to move on her own, and often stops walking to look back at whoever in "spotting" her and grin!

Now that the warm weather has melted most of our snow, Elsie is having fun exploring outside. It's a challenge to keep leaves and twigs out of her mouth, but it is worth it to see how curious she is about everything around her. We are excited for her to be able to walk barefoot in the grass and splash in the puddles!

Watch Elsie Grow! Comparison Photos:
One Week


One Month


Two Months


Three Months


Four Months


Five Months


Six Months


Seven Months


Eight Months


Nine months

Elsie likes to walk...

...with her push toy. I recently remembered that we were given a push toy back before Elsie was born (thanks for reminding me, Katy!). When I pulled it out today, I found that not only does Elsie love it, but she is perfectly capable of balancing and pushing it around the house by herself (aside from getting hung up on walls and door frames occasionally). She isn't moving too quickly in these videos, but trust me, when she gets going, she flies down the hall! Oh, and according to Elsie, it is MUCH more fun to walk naked than with clothes!

Bouncing!

I also love bouncing with my Dad and Mom!  I get super excited, I was a bit nervous because of the video camera for this one but I still loved the silly song!

A Day at the Madison Children's Museum

Mama took me to the Madison Children's Museum this week, and we met my boyfriend Nico there. He knows all the fun things there are to learn about at the museum, and he was happy to show me around. First he taught me how to stand up and play the bongo drum (I loved it! So much noise!).




He showed me how to "plant" turnips and carrots in the "garden." I liked crawling on holey ground!



And Nico showed me how to play "ball" for the first time. It was alright, but I think balls are more fun to eat than to throw.



The museum was lots of fun- I can't wait until I am a little older and can play with all the fun things on the "big kid" floor. I hope I get to go back again soon!