Hey, Uncle Steven...

I know you like to dress like me, I know you like to act like me, So I was thinking now that you're 24, you may want to act your age.

Out with the Old, In with the New

OLD: NEW: Since Elyse's old car seat was a older Graco Snug n'Ride, it only had two slots to raise the straps. Therefore, since she is getting so long we knew for her safety and comfort it was time to get the next size car seat. Plus getting her in and out with the old one was really getting harder and harder. We found this one at Babies R'Us and love it! It's an Evenflo Symphony and goes all the way to a booster seat at 100 lbs. As you can see from the picture below, Elyse loves it too.

By the way,does anyone know why a child has to be rear facing till 1?

Just Keep Swimming

On Saturday, Elyse attended her first birthday party. Her good friend, Aiden turned one and so she got to go to his pool party. She had lots of funny playing with other kids, watching Aiden so nicely eat his cake and go swimming. I think swimming had to be her favorite thing. She loved it from the moment she got into the water. She cried when it was time to get out. We may just have a future swimmer on our hands.
Kiss from the b-day boy, must have found her cute in her swimsuit. Having a blast. She was kicking her feet and moving her arms. Sharing her duck and having girl talk with Aiden's cousin, Teagen.

Finger Foods

According to Gerber, babies can start eating Graduate Puffs when they can do the grasping technique or are learning to crawl. At 6 months we figured we could still try Elyse on Puffs. She looked as if she enjoyed the taste and it was something she could eat that she saw dad and mom eat too. She eats them after her meal while Nate and I are eating ours. She used to take about 5 minutes to eat one. However, in the last few weeks she eats them so fast as if they are going to disappear. It interrupts our meals a lot, but it gives us more opportunities to sign "more" which we like. Yet she tends to make a high pitch yelp letting us know she wants more.

Elyse's New Favorite Toy

Elyse has a new favorite toy, The Leap Frog Music Table. Elyse's friend, Aiden got this toy over Christmas and because it played music Nate and I assumed in time Elyse would really enjoy it. Therefore, we got one from Craig's List and stored it in the basement. Now that Elyse is beginning to stand on her own while leaning on things, we thought it would be a perfect time to bring out the toy. Well, we were right.... she loves it! The video isn't really exciting it's more to demonstrate that she would rather play with the toy than look at the camera. I give the toy another two weeks and then it goes to the boring pile :)

Happy Anniversary Dad & Mom

Nate, Elyse and I had the opportunity to go down to Keokuk this past weekend to see Nate's parents and celebrate their 35th wedding anniversary. It's such a awesome thing and we felt honored to be apart of it.
Here's to wishing you two a Happy 35th Wedding Anniversary today! Love you lots.

Happy Anniversary

Today marks Nate and my four year wedding anniversary. I can't believe we've been married for four years already! Don't get me wrong, it hasn't been all perfect and happy; but those moments I believe is what helped us get to where we are today. I feel so blessed to have Nate as my husband. He is so genuine, loving, honest, open, giving and respectful. Every year we tend to go to dinner, talk about that year and celebrate. However, I think today's anniversary maybe a little different since we have Elyse. We most likely will spend a quiet night at home, probably go for a walk, and reflect on the last year, which will be a perfect way to celebrate.

Here's to 4 great years of marriage to Nate, my love as well as my best friend and I pray that God blesses us many many more!