Happy 15-Month Birthday, Elli!

Elliot is fifteen months old now! She is doing so many things now, its tough to tell what's new!

*She's walking MOST of the time now. She definitely is excited to walk and is testing it out everywhere we go!

*She can tell you what a dog says ("voof"), what a cat says ("rowr!"), what a monkey says ("oo oo oo"), what a cow says ("boo!"), and what a sheep says ("aaaa").

*She can tell you "Duck Duck Goose!" She calls most birds "duck-duck!"

*She says, "Wow!" when something surprises her.

*She has eight teeth.

*She calls shoes "socks." Actually, she does this silly lisp thing when she says it, so she says, "Shocksh."

*She tries to do headstands. She rolls around on the floor, she'll be in gymnastics in a year!

*She loves pillows. She is much more cuddly than she used to be.

*She loves her Baby Bailey, and gives her kisses and pats her back.

*She toots on a recorder. She has also played a real harmonica, and tried the kazoo, but couldn't figure out to sing into it.

***Okay, the stats are in! 20 lbs, 4 oz. (15th %); 29.5 in. (25th%)***

Poop Floats!

That's right! Poop floats in the tub! Unless you have one of those kids who seldom poops solids, then it clouds up the water. That, too. Yuck. Thanks, Elle.

Because of the poo in the tub incident, Elliot has now had her first shower. She didn't like it. Maybe she won't poo in the tub anymore?

I LOVE these one day weeks!

We had a busy Saturday and Sunday as usual. Back at work today. However, this Monday wasn't too hard to bear. Tomorrow (Tuesday) and Wednesday we have no school, because of Rosh Hashanah (Sorry, Amy! And thanks for the correction!). Of course, our days are packed full anyway, but its so nice to go to work for a day and have two more off. We've got school Thursday and Friday, then Monday through Wednesday next week. Mommy has Thursday and Friday and Monday off, Daddy has Thursday and Monday off. Mommy and Ella are flying out to Nana and Poppop's in Ohio on Wednesday after school. Friday evening, they'll pick Daddy up at the airport when he joins them!

Tomorrow is Elliot's 15 month (that's right!) pedi appointment. Updates on weight and height after that. Wednesday we're having a playdate at our house for all our stay-at-home friends that we miss now that we're back to work!

Beautiful One Year Pictures

"Aunt" Vikki comes through for us again! Not only did she watch Elliot on Monday and Tuesday this week, at our house, since Grandma and Grandpa are having a porch put on their house, but she brought the pics from her one year photo shoot. Vik took the pics in our backyard with a black and a white backdrop. Mommy got creative with props (pink duck, pink ball, and red bike - the bike, of course, is even from Aunt Vik!) The pics came out BEAUTIFULLY!!! We're SO EXCITED!

So Long! Farewell!

Goodbye George! And happy birthday!

Today was George's last day. He turns 55 on Sunday.

Now I am officially on my own as the elementary band director. I've been mostly on my own anyway, what with George's multiple (and very sad) family emergencies. But now, he'll be sleeping in on Monday while I am teaching advanced clarinets. :)


We went to his house for a happy hour party today. Elliot was TERRIBLE! She was so tired that she was miserable, thereby making Dave and I miserable. We ended up leaving before we wanted to, but at least we made an appearance!

Family Night

Dave and I have declared Wednesday nights to be "Family Night." I am SO GLAD that we did! Every night he or I or both of us teach lessons, have a rehearsal, and/or have some other event. Wednesdays are nice, because we know we'll be together as a family. We keep it free so its all for us. Tonight, we took the doggies to Petco to get them a couple of new toys, then went on a walk with them when we got home. We stopped by Kim and Sienna's house to say hi, then finished our walk home. We played for a bit then got dinner ready. Ella got ready for bed, and now Dave and I are relaxing.

T.G.I.Wednesday!

Elliot Loves to Read!

Elliot has been spending a lot of her time lately reading books. She has shown a lot of interest in great classics, such as "Moo, Baa, La La La!" and "The Adventures of SuperCat" and "Brown Bear, Brown Bear." Here are some pics of her reading (she never sits still when she reads), and now there are some videos of her reading on YouTube. Lots of new videos on YouTube!