A New Kind of Happy Hour - Rice Cereal

I can't even believe these photos. Yes, Eloise is definitely propped up and could not stand on her own but she just seems so old to me for 4.5 months! I did confirm in my baby book that it is okay for little ones this age to try to stand, if they are pushing down on their feet then they want to try it! Some 5 month olds can pull themselves up to standing position too. I don't think Eloise is close to doing that but we have to start thinking about lowering her mattress down a notch. In addition to her leg strength, her hands are grabbing at everything and holding on really tight. She keeps grabbing my hair and I have to gently release her little fingers. Hold that thought, this is not a prelude to me chopping off my hair for a new "mom" cut. It wouldn't work anyway since she will grab the hair underneath my pony tail and pull. Really, I would have to buzz it all off. I wonder if Eloise and I would look even more alike if I was nearly bald too...


She kind of looks like a jail bird behind her crib bars and with her stripes (I love the outfit PK :)


Last week we had a blast hanging out with new friends! Eloise and Allison have hung out before, stuff like going to the movies, cruising around EP center, standard baby activities. This time they got to fight over the attention of a little man, Hendrick! Allie and Hendy are about 2 months younger than Eloise. You wouldn't know it by Hendy's size though, he weighs practically the same amount as Ellie. I had so much fun hanging out with Lindsey and Kate, our conversation topics sure have changed since college days...
Before: "Thursday night, buckets of beer at Grandma's!"
After: "Have you tried Huggies diapers? They really seem as good as Pampers"



We tried a few times with this photo and concluded there was no way everyone would smile for the camera at once. Notice Parker pulling his usual shenanigans, I'm glad both Kate and Linds have dogs so they were very understanding of his attempts to get attention.

I'm happy to say that bath time has become a fun event for Eloise. She "talks" quietly to herself from the second she is in the water until she's taken out. Lately she's been sucking on wash cloths (which the doctor had noted would help with gum pain). She's almost too big for her baby tub. We know we need to advance to the big tub but that just seems so BIG. Tom also brought up a good point, we actually have to keep the tub clean then...not that it's covered in soap scum and mildew but there is a difference between a quick shower and having your baby take a bath in that same tub.

Here she is sucking away (she still "talks" with something in her mouth which is pretty funny)

So cute in her bunny towel - thank goodness no more tears upon exiting the tub.



We've officially been giving Eloise rice cereal for a week now and she's actually eating it!! I know that people say starting solids does not help with sleep so perhaps it's a coincidence or her just getting older or a combination of both, but Ellie's sleep periods at night have been getting longer and longer - finally! I was slightly nervous that she was going to reject food since she has so vehemently rejected a bottle - whew! Tom and I are planning on giving her a taste of some real baby food this weekend. Can't wait to see her reaction!


Last weekend we had a mini draft party with our friends to pick our Twins games for the season. Tom and I are SO excited to experience the new stadium and especially with good friends. We enjoyed the beautiful spring day in MN by walking around the new stadium and peering in through the gates. The season opener is April 12th, not much longer!



We get to meet another new friend of Ellie's tomorrow, Colin Krieg! We can't wait!