Chillin' At Six Months

At Ella's 6 month appointment today, we (i.e. Erika) was reminded that Ella is no longer an infant but now a baby. Ouch. Those are sensitive words for a mommy who can't believe how quickly her little girl is growing! However, we were also reminded that plenty of fun times are ahead - we'll be introducing Ella to solids (rice cereal) over the next few days and are really excited to see how Ella takes to the new substance! Next on the list is pureed vegetables and fruits - guess we'll be wiping the dust off that blender we received in '04 and start putting it to major use now! Maybe blenders and food processors should be a baby registry gift instead of a wedding gift? Hmmm.
Not that we as parents like to brag about little E, but we will....another super clean bill of health for out little one. Not too many changes in height and weight from her 4 month appointment but this is natural since babies start slowing down on the growth spurts for a little bit now. So at 16.6 lbs (60%) and 27 inches (90%), we've got a nice looooong baby! Developmentally she's doing great, too - we know what you're thinking...."but didn't she JUST roll over like yesterday?" Well, yes, this is true. But Dr. Weinstein assured us that gross motor skills are not nearly as important as her FINE motor skills, of which she's right up to par with. Phew. We would like to point out that Ella has mastered sitting up seriously in just the past two days. On Monday she was still a bit unsteady and then as of yesterday the difference is her stability was amazing. She no longer needs our help to hold her up and she's coordinated enough to brace herself with her hands when she starts to teeter over. It's pretty remarkable and so fun to watch her realize that there are other positions besides her back and tummy....she's embracing a whole new perspective!
Can we tell we're so proud of her?!??!

Check it - I'm sitting up all by myself!

Hey, mom! Am I cute or what?

What strong arms I have!

At the doctor's office for my 6 month appointment.

With my mommy

I suck my thumb when I get sleepy

Getting dressed after the "weigh-in"

I'm happy now but only because I don't see the tray of shots behind me....

Ohh! This is a good one! Now daddy and I really do look alike! Doesn't he know not to get too close after I eat? Nice milk mustache, dad. Pass that burp cloth, mom; dad needs some help over here.

Better Late Than Never

Phew. And we thought it would never happen. Just too bad we missed seeing it in action! This morning Ella officially rolled over for the very first time. Yes, yes. Most babies roll over around 3 months and yes, Ella is just about 6 months but who's counting anyways? We suppose Ella just had so many things to "say" and do to enlighten us that she was just saving the best for last! Why give it all away if you don't have to?!!?! And so, what a tease since neither of us saw it......Tim was out walking Cooper and Erika stepped out of her room for seconds (literally to grab something off the chair right outside her room) and low and behold, one "second" she was on her back and the next second she on the tummy. Erika did a double take and then just gasped, not believing she had missed the moment we've been waiting for so long! Ah, the little Ella!

Now, in case any doubt remains that Ella is not her daddy's little girl, you'll have to view this video. It's one thing to look like her daddy, but it's another thing to act like her daddy....let's just say we'll have to start hiding the beer once she becomes mobile!

Also, we're so thrilled for our friend's Andrea and Greg who had their first little baby on April 1st! Jackson Wyatt made his way into the world and is quite the little cutie. Ella and Erika made a visit last week to meet the little guy and congratulate the new parents....Congrats!!!!

Andrea and Erika with their babies

Erika meets little Jackson

Ella is so big next to Jack!

The happy new family of three...!

Here are a few more pics from the weekend. We took a break and had oysters and wine with Sandra and Shaun at Old Ebbitt, one of the best places in DC for oysters and a real treat for us! It was an early evening for us though since Tim had to get back to Ella and Erika had to get to bed to get some rest for the Cherry Blossom 10 miler run on Sunday. It was Erika's first night away from Ella (!!! And Tim managed great!!!) while she stayed at Meredith's so they could get up bright and early on race day. Although it was rainy throughout the race, the girls faired better than they thought and crossed the finish line feeling great! We met Sandra and Shaun for brunch at Whitlows for a post race celebration (sausage and eggs never tasted so great!). Now we're ready for the GW Classic at the end of the month! Wahoo! Let's just hope it's dryer weather...!

Sandra and Ella

The runners

Shaun, Sandra, and the ham, er Ella

Weekend in the 'Burg

This past weekend we went to Williamsburg to visit the senior Carlsons to enjoy a relaxing weekend away....and of course so that Ella could be doted upon by her grandparents! Of course there was plenty Ella admiration going on but Tim and Erika enjoyed the trip, too!

Rick is turning Ella into a Penn State fan early on......