New Food, New Friends, New Pool!

Howdy folks! Well, it's been a zoo around here. Daddy's been gone for quite a while now, and I have no idea where he went! I hope he gets back before I'm in high school... Meanwhile, mommy's been running around like a crazy person. She must be working late into the night because she always looks so sleepy when she comes to get me in the morning, even though I am smiling and laughing and on my very best behavior! She's lucky I'm sleeping through the night.

Luckily, Nana and Grammy come over to play with me and take me on long walks and sing silly songs to me. We have so much fun!

There's been a lot of new experiences in my life lately. And my favorite is food! I finally graduated from rice cereal and now have had sweet potatoes and carrots. Mommy says I can try fruit soon too!

Not exactly sure what this is...

Aren't I big enough to do this myself?

Fingers still taste the best.

I got to meet a good family friend - Becki!

Then it was time to get ready to go to the pool. Mom - is this really necessary? I can't wait until I can dress myself so I stop looking like a fool.

The elusive Uncle Brent returned home from adventures abroad. I can't stop staring at him or that hairy thing on his face.

Hangin' out at the pool.

I'm pretty cute, huh?

At first, I didn't like the water. Not nearly as warm as my bath!

Still skeptical.

Uncle Brent saved me.

Loungin'

Back on dry land, hanging out under the umbrella.

Are we really going to try this again?

Hey, this isn't so bad. I can kick just like I do in the bath.

Actually, this is fun!

Safe and warm. That's all folks!

Go Navy, My Buddies, and More!

Last weekend was so much fun! I got to go visit Annapolis where Daddy went to school, and hang out with my buddies! Daddy's trying to teach me to say "Go Navy!" instead of "Wahoo-wah."

It's so beautiful there. Maybe I'll go to school there, although Daddy says they make you wear uniforms, march and call people "sir." So, maybe not.

It was such a beautiful day.

We went with mommy and daddy's friends from Shanghai. Everyone - except me - ate crabs by the water. It looked like fun, but I think I'll stick with milk for now.

I wore my Navy blue and gold.

This is where Daddy lived when he was in school.

Hanging out with Emily and Mommy. There was a wedding in the chapel. So beautiful.

On Sunday, we went to a barbeque with my baby friends!

My buddy Bennett.

All of us hanging out. They're all boys - except me!

Too many boys. I needed my space.

Apparently boys like tummy time. What is wrong with them? Don't they know tummy time is the worst! Check out Henry's "Pirate Booty." Cute, huh?

Hanging out before church.

Grammy brought back this shirt for me from Greece! Adorable!

Ella says...

Visitors, visitors, visitors!

Recently Ella has met more family and friends!

Great Aunt Rosie

First cousin, once removed Rachel

First cousin, once removed Jack

Meredith has two peas in her pod!

Expectant father of twins, Ben, gets practice holding one

Great Aunt Barb

Eating at the grandparents house

Emily visits all the way from Shanghai!

Who's coming next?

Culinary Adventure

Ella had her four month appointment this past week. She was 13 1/2 pounds (50th percentile) and 25 1/2 inches (90th percentile). We were told she was "very verbal" and all of her developmental milestones look great - with the exception of her "weak arms" - a product of babies sleeping on their backs and too little tummy time. So, we were instructed to make sure she is on her tummy 30 minutes a day. If you saw how much Ella screams when on her stomach, you would know that this it would probably be easier for us to teach Ella to do a cartwheel than to have her spend 30 minutes on her stomach.

And turning four months means that Ella gets to start on rice cereal! We were quite impressed with how receptive she was. However, apparently she was quite impressed with the novelty of the experience, as her subsequent feedings have not been as successful and basically result in tears and projectile rice cereal.


And for those that need more than still pictures, another episode of Ellavision:

Lucky Duck

This past week, Ella stuck her toes in the ocean for the first time! (Seriously, what is better than sandy baby feet!) We enjoyed a wonderful, relaxing, fun and food filled week in Duck at the Outer Banks in North Carolina. Ella got to spend time with her grandparents, Aunt Farrell, Uncle David, and THREE great grandparents - Great Papa Evans, GG Evans and Great Grandmom Kitchen. What a lucky duck!

Because it rained the first day, we started Ella off in the pool instead of the ocean. She did well, but did wonder why the bathtub was so big and cold.

Ella was the center of attention all week - literally! She ate most meals with us seated in her bumbo and would babble away. I am sure by the end of the week she wished we had gotten flowers as a centerpiece instead.

Mom, please get this crab off my head!

She got to spend some quality time with all three great-grandparents. Again, what a lucky girl!

And then it was time for the beach...

Ella's first glimpse of the ocean.

Touching the sand.

Feet in the ocean! Emma is helping.

With Daddy.

Time to run and play.

With Mommy.

Venturing out again. Surfer girl!

Lots of cool hats.

Ella wants a beach chair. This doesn't quite cut it.

Ella's expression says it all.

Big feet, little feet.

Hanging out in her tent.

The fam.

Sleeping with Grammy. Everyone loves a nap at the beach.

Watching the dogs swimming in the pool.

Family portrait time. We had to document four generations together in one place!

Nana and Great-Grandmom

Aunt Farrell and Uncle David

Grammy, Great Papa and GG

Great-Grandmom and Granddad

Look - Uncle David found a carseat!