The Carlsons: Milk mustaches are so over-rated!

Peas. Does the body good.

She may still be in size 2 diapers, but our little Ella is changing and growing every day now and with that comes a lot of new discoveries, interests, and new-found abilities. It's certainly begun to keep her parents a little more aware of the environment....those chubby arms look little but boy can they reach! Everything seems to be in grasping range for Ella who puts any and everything in her mouth, particular items that are off limits....plastic bags, sharp items, and so forth. It's all fair game for her if she can get to it. Consequently, we are well aware that our little one has entered the world of object permanence which makes it more difficult for us to take those off limit (but oh so desirable!) items away from her without an accompanied whine, pout, or short-lived tantrum! She is her mother's daughter; she knows what she wants and will have her "moments" to let us know it. Also, interestingly enough, Ella is displaying object permanence with people, too. Erika might pass through the room and Ella will whine for her or she'll see Cooper or Daddy in one area of the house and look for them once they're out of sight. It's so interesting to watch all this unfold! If only we were all mind readers to know what was going on in that little brain of hers...

So here we are, the first day of May and thus time for an April recap:

Selfishly, Erika gets to gloat.....she's finally finished with the spring semester of school! It's time to enjoy the spring and summer and not think once about school work, assignments, readings, papers, presentations, etc, etc......ah.......so nice
Back to Ella (of course): She sits up!
Cereal, sweet potatos, carrots, oh my! Ella wears, er, eat solids!
Those ten little fingers have become so coordinated now. Batting at toys is like yesterdays news; her mastery of picking up objects has expanded so much along with her ability to pass an object back and forth from one hand to the other. Plus, she's starting to "pinch" at smaller items which suggests she's learning how to use that little thumb of hers.
Snap n Go is for babies....with a little extra padding for her head, she's graduated to the jogging stroller now so Erika can start running with her little one.
We got the beat. Well, Erika doesn't. Tim might. But Ella sure does! Play some music and she'll move and get jiggy with it! Sounds of music and instruments are true motivators and sources of inspiration for Ella to get into the groove.

Below are some pictures that highlight April.....