A Stander, a Pusher, an Almost Walker!

Elsa is:
Climbing stairs
Standing up on her own without an object for support
Standing up holding objects with both hands
Squatting with great balance
Using the push-car for a running aid
Pushing laundry baskets, large cars, and other stable objects around the house
Trying to pick up large objects and walk with them
Taking very short leaps from one place of support to another

ALMOST WALKING!

I am trying not to "walk her" holding her hands, because I don't think it supports her as an independent walker. If we do "walk her" holding her hands, she prefers to RUN or leap instead of a slow pace.

EE from Saturday, April 21

Elsa's Grandma Douglas made cupcakes for her birthday for our family
party. She loved the Cool Whip the most!

Elsa Everday for April 27, 2012

This girl loves drinking any drink that's mine, and I can count on
getting at least a third of my drink after her brother takes his turn!

EE April 26, 2012

She is cautious on playground equipment, but bully on the stairs!

EE 4/25/12

Elsa re-discovered the joy of sensory tubs today. I pulled out the
rice bin for her to play in, and though she needed a solid five first
minutes of reminding not to eat it, she had a blast scooping it and
watching it drizzle down her fingers.

A Gift to Me From You.

I just went in to check on you, dear one.  I felt concerned because I let you sleep on a pillow in your crib tonight and you had an extra blanket on your feet that I worried you'd be too warm.

You were sprawled out, arms and legs forming an X.  You had a smile playing on your lips, and as I tucked and modified your bedding, you rolled and smiled in your sleep.  Your eyes opened as I gave you a kiss, and you sighed,

Oh that was my slice of happiness for today, darling.  Thank you for being you.

Project 52, Week 16

Elsa turned one, and Daniel helped her with the birthday candle.

EE for April 24, 2012

Elsa's birthday photo, taken six days after she turned one.

One Year Portraits

Today was Elsa's one year portrait appointment.  We had to wait 45 minutes at least for the photographer to be ready for her, but Elsa played with a 5 year old and 3 year old girl.  This kiddo LOVES older kids who give her attention, especially girls.  She interacts with them differently than she does her brother, and I think its because she doesn't really see him as another kid.  He's just Daniel, a fixture in her life like her parents.  Seeing other little kids playing gets her really excited.

The photos were cute, and she smiled a crooked smile.
They are cuter than the ones we took a year ago for her newborn appointment, and that surprises me a little.  I didn't guess that a pretoddler could be more charming than a newborn, but I think she was uncomfortable during her newborn appointment and today she was feeling like a ham.

I am happy to have these photos of my Elsie dear, and I'll post them on this blog soon.

Elsa on the Phone

Hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii.
Dadadadadaa.
Mmmmmmamama.

Hiiiiiiiiiiiiii.

Muwah! (Kisses noises)

Button pushing, beeping.
Screeches and a fit of anger when the phone is taken away from her button pushing fingers.

She cradles the phone in her neck, pats it, and kisses it, and is really eager to talk to her dad on the phone.  She treats it the same way she cuddles her stuffed dolls.

We've been away from her for two nights and I look forward to her phone-noise conversations a lot.

ElsaBunny

The Girl in The Yellow Hat

How Elsa Does Yard Work.

 She supervises from her Pack N Play.

This spring Daddy and Daniel had a lot of yard work to do. 

Elsa had a lot of watching to do.

Meal Time

Photos taken in mid March, when Elsa was nearly 11 months old.

She's focused on feeding herself stir fry noodles and apple slices.

She's been giving that pointer finger a workout lately.