Billy Goat's Gruff

Our giant baby boy is actually sprouting tooth buds. I realize they may not poke through for some time, but it seems awfully early regardless. We expect him to be eating steak by next week. He is smiling more every day and is as sweet as can be - especially sweet because he slept eight full hours the other night and has maintained a good 5-7 hour pattern for about a week.

Elena makes us laugh about something new every day. Yesterday she decided she'd adopt a goat for her birthday (she was given choices as to which type of animal she'd prefer to adopt for her petting zoo party). We are going to the Ol' Farm House and she will get to adopt and name the goat. When I asked her what she thought she might name the goat, she responded, "Sara Rallens." Not Butch or Fluffy. Sara Rallens.

Love that kid.
(Elena washing her baby)

Mutterings

I am going to start jotting down some of Elena's 'funnies' more often because there are many and they are downright funny.

Today, for example, Elena commented to me today that, "Most people are born without heads, except for God and Jesus. PAUSE. And Mary - she has earrings."
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Elena routinely makes 'chubbit' soup... Whatever THAT is.
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The other night, Elena got in trouble for not staying in bed. We threatened the gate and she paced in a little circle, crying and repeating, "This is horrible. Oh my gosh, this is horrible. Daddy, don't you think this is HORRIBLE?"

That kid has got some emotion and creativity.

Chuckles

Elena is responsible for some morning smiles from our beautiful Michael. These pictures are a progression of her talking to him.

Picture gallery

Excuse the Picture People logo across the image...but we loved these photos so much!

Water baby

Michael loves his baths and his big sister is quite the helper. She loves to get him cleaned up - his tummy and feet are her job to clean. She tells me that I get to clean his face, hair and 'peanuts.' :)

La and the Bug

Oh, how we love these kids...

A quick update - Michael is holding his head up when he's on his tummy - he's a brut at more than 12 lbs. He's also starting to smile, respond to us and follow our movements. He's awake more during the day and seems to enjoy our voices. Our little love. I can't get enough of sniffing and kissing him. And as much as I'm absolutely exhausted (because he doesn't sleep well on his back in the crib these days), I can't get enough of holding him and peering at his sweet face.

And Elena is forever imaginative. One of her favorite things to do is to make up names for her pretend people and babies. The weird thing is that they actually sound like real names - strange names, but real. "My dolly's name is Marikova." "The bus driver is Salifenda." "This potion comes from the land of Lakamola."

My personal favorite is when she and I play "spa" and we slather one another with lotion and scrubs in the tub (note my selfish gains from this game) and I tell her that the foot lotion comes from the 'Jungles of Footadoo.' Elena comes back with one better every time..."This foot lotion is special from the jungles of Footacrummy."

Always good for a laugh, that one!

p.s. This just in... I was driving with Elena this morning and she said, "Mom, my kids' Dad's name is Mauson (pronounced Mouse-un) but his nickname is Michael Jackson. He died, but he's in heaven in our hearts."

WOW.

His father's son

Spot the early sign of a smart a** (look carefully) - Ryan is so proud... and on his birthday ta'boot!

Happy Birthday, America!

Elena LOVED the Fourth of July, namely the fireworks. It was actually her first time seeing them as she's never stayed awake long enough. This year, we had such an action packed day at the bike races, seeing the movie, "Up" and hanging with some of our closest friends at their barbeque celebration, she was full of energy (and sugar). Though she collapsed on our way home last night and slept until almost 8 a.m. this morning (UNHEARD of for her), I think it was well worth the exhaustion. Her giggles and shrieks at the 'rainbows' were well worth it.

I think Michael enjoyed himself too - he jumped a little at the finale. Gas? You be the judge.

We tried to explain the meaning of Independence Day to Elena, but it got lost a little in the translation. Ryan and I got caught up in trying to figure out how the UK governmental system works (tangent) and when we told Elena that the 4th was in honor of our independence from England, she asked what England was and though our explanation was as good as we know how, it didn't take. We ended up simply saying that the 4th of July was America's birthday. THAT, she liked. And then asked if there would be cake.

Happy Birthday, America!

Baby love

We've all been bitten by the love bug, our Michael. Affectionately named budder (pronounced butter, but referring to bud, buddy or 'brother') and bug or buggy, Michael (now weighing in at 11 lbs., 15 oz.) is claiming his place in the house. He's a good baby, but a little restless (gassy) with a constant desire to be held. He fits into our family beautifully and we're so happy he's here.

Love La

Oh how we love this girl. It's scary though - sometimes she looks so much older when she sleeps... Ah, the time. It's a flyin'.