More Milestones for Erin

This week has been a big one for Erin - she is now sleeping in her crib! She has done SO well laying right down and sleeping from 9-4 all week. I miss my little tootsie being right next to me at night, but we all sleep better in this arrangement. And I know the better her sleeping habits, the easier she'll be on Grandma and Grandpa G. when we're in Las Vegas. :)

Next week's agenda: we will start her on cereal! She is very interested in our food,  her appetite has been hard to satisfy all week, and it just seems like she is ready. I can't wait to see the smiles on her messy little face!

Who Needs Clothes

I was a fool to think Ella would never hit the "run around naked all the time" phase. It hit us like a freight train. Last night, Derek and I were non-chalantly eating supper while Ella excused herself to go potty. We were jolted by her return, naked, yelling "Look at my body! Look at my body!" I was giggling in my cup trying to hold back my laughter. The more I laughed, the more she said it. Derek was looking down at his plate, emotionally distraught, saying "Ella. Put your panties back on. I don't want to see your body."

Bath Buddies

Last night, we put both girls in the tub together (Erin's tub inside the real tub). They had a lot of fun and laughs!! Erin also learned to razz with her mouth; she kept us smiling all night.

Graceful Gustafson

In a matter of seven days, Ella (our "feaful" child) has received the following injuries:

A welt on her eye from slipping on a chair and hitting the table
A swollen nose from laying on a swing and faceplanting on the ground
A fat lip and cut gum from tripping in her playhouse and hitting a stool on the way down
Scraped hands and knees from tripping on cement while running

Jeepers, I can barely keep up with her! Or our bandaid stash!

3 months

August 17th marks 3 months!!

Favorite Item: Her bottles, I think she thinks its a treat to get fed so fast. :)

Favorite Trait: Her sweet smile/giggles. ....her thick little thighs!

Newest discovery: Erin is starting to grab at things... jewelry, hair, shirt... watch out! She is also starting to eyeball my food.

A typical night's sleep: Bedtime around 9/9:30, eat around 5:45

Weight: 14+ lbs. (Next appt @ 4 mos) 

Favorite Activities: Bathtime!! A close second: Being talked to or sung to. Ella loves singing songs with me and making her laugh. She also has a blast with a balloon.

Nicknames: Peanut, Er-Bear

Personality: Derek describes her as a "concerned citizen." She always has a worried look on her face as she takes in her surroundings. LOL

Telephone Operator

*Derek's phone rings* (Derek is occupied upstairs, I am handling Erin, Ella takes it upon herself to pick up the phone)

Ella: "Hello?............ yeah...............yeah..........good............ I'm playin, Grandpa! .................I'm a baby!............yeah.........I ate pancakes............yeah.............um........Derek's in the potty.............. OK..........Bye Grandpa!"

Hether (to Derek, walking down the steps): "I think your Dad might've called. Ella talked to him."

Derek: "Oh ok." (looking at his phone) "Uh........no..............an engineer from work called!"

Zzzzzzzz

Baby Erin has slept all night............ 3 nights in a row!! She eats around 9, then sleeps until 5:45. It is GLORIOUS! And just in time, too, because work has been EXTREMELY busy this week. I really think it took me 20 seconds to fall asleep last night.

Married to a Gardener

There are definitely perks to marrying someone who enjoys both gardening and cooking. Today, Derek made my newly discovered fave--- pizza with chicken and fresh red peppers from the garden!!Tonight, he made a top-notch tomato basil soup with croutons, a replica of my favorite side from Applebees. It was heavenly. Two favorites in one day! I am spoiled. He also had a successful day of canning.

My day was not as exciting, unless you want to hear about the diapers I changed, the rooms I cleaned, and the time I spent rocking a tired little baby. :)

Bunnyland

Derek and I have made comments all summer long about what seems to be an overabundance of bunnies in our neighborhood. Without fail, we see them when we are taking walks, mowing outside, even leaving for work. Tonight takes the cake!! These bunnies are fearless and evidently have not had an encounter with small children....yet.

Name Game

Ella is getting pretty good with names. She understands her and Erin's first, middle, and last name as well as Derek and my (real) name.  "Gustafson" tends to sound more like "Gus-gus-gen" but its a tough word!

Today, I momentarily tuned her out while she was chatting away on the potty. When I tuned back in, I heard:

"I got it. It's for Grandma. Grandma. Jo. Gustafson."

LOL!!

5 Years!

Today marks our 5 year anniversary! Although we didn't make any plans for the day/evening, we enjoyed each other's company with a glass of wine at the end of the day. We do have a weekend trip planned in the fall to visit Las Vegas. We are so excited!

Weekend with Jada

We had so much fun with our niece, Jada, this weekend! They got along well and Jada could easily be mistaken for part of our family. We took the girls shopping, out for ice cream, pizza, and a tractor ride. Ella had a blast sharing her room and air mattress with her pal!

Jada and Ella climbing Dereks new tree stand.



Morning Story

Ella reading to Erin at 6 in the morning