We're Gonna Win Twins!

Lots to update on since the Eloise 5 month post. Now she is already closer to 6 months, I can't believe it. Life has been busy lately, I don't know where the time is going.

I was finally able to experience the new Twins stadium and it was AWESOME! We went to the home opener and sat in the upper deck. I don't think there is a bad seat in the place. The weather was perfect and continues to be cooperating very nicely with our new no-roof stadium. It is just so cool to enjoy outdoor baseball in Minnesota.
A few photos from the opener:

Looking to the right...


Looking to the left...


Looking from Tom's point of view...


First pitch!


Me, Tom and Brian :)


We went to another game the following weekend and brought Eloise. She was NOT ready for the big leagues. I think part of the problem was the extreme heat! Our season tix are in the sun and while the temp was only in the 60's it was sweltering in our seats. I didn't want Eloise exposed to the sun so she had on a long sleeve shirt, pants, hat, sunglasses...The poor thing couldn't even look at the field without being blinded (and sun exposed so I didn't let her look out) so needless to say there was some general unhappiness. She was fine in the shady areas but it was probably just a little much. At least she got to sport her "first Twins tee" at an actual game. Sara was kind enough to take a photo before any major crying started. Eloise looks like a mini-grandma who is about to lose it! Next game, no baby, and we can actually enjoy our seats!


The other side of the stadium was a different climate completely. Without the sun everyone was in sweatshirts and jackets and it was kind of windy and cold! (not really "cold" for minnesotans just an extreme difference from one side of the stadium to the other). Besides being entertained by the newness of the stadium and the energy of the crowd, both games I attended were also great because the Twins won!


We bought a traveling seat for Eloise that can hook on to different tables. I saw a few little kiddos in these at different restaurants and they seemed to work out pretty well. It was a little weird to have Eloise "seated" at the table next to me! I think she really enjoyed being part of the conversation.


Can you spot Ellie's seat?


I know the US has very strict safety standards for any baby related product but I was still a bit nervous and wanted to test out the chair somehow before putting my baby in it. The cat was an option but I didn't want cat hair in there. My dad had a compromise, a 15lb turkey in the freezer.


Like she's been sitting at the table her entire life.



We finally got a jogging stroller! Eloise was too cool to smile for the photo.


I realized I don't have too many photos of Ellie sleeping...besides from when she was teeny tiny. So sweet and peaceful :) She has really latched on to her "sophie" giraffe toy. We give it to her every time she is in her car seat. Her eyes light up and it is immediately put in her mouth. I love how her hand is resting ever so gently on sophie.


Her friends continue to grow at a rapid pace!



That is the latest for now!

Happy Birthday Dear Eloise...

Guess who is 5 months old?


Eloise is starting to sit up on her own for short periods of time but after a few too many times of this:

and this:

we got this:

Yep, that is an action shot of spit up.

Oh well, at least falling over onto teddy is fun!


Eloise is a like a little monkey. She loves to look at things from an upside down perspective and has almost shot herself out of my lap when doing this a few times.


The wide shot is funny!


Spring appears to have sprung in minnesota but after growing up here, it is hard to trust it! We minnesotans just know that another snowstorm could be around the corner. I was still happy to see this little sign of the season in our yard.


With such beautiful weather Tom's been able to practice Ellie's marine drills outside. Right now she's doing basic training in standing and sitting.




Last but not certainly not least, Happy Birthday Grandpa!!

Little Monster

I keep getting startled by the noises Eloise is making. She has a "voice" that is a cross between E.T. and someone who has smoked for 30 years. Eloise will be playing away in her jumper thing, I'll turn my back to do something and suddenly I hear a little gremlin in the room. When she actually starts talking is she going to have a raspy smoker's voice?
Listen for yourself...

And you thought I was exaggerating! At least she's the cutest gremlin I've ever seen.

Ellie's friend base has been rapidly expanding this past month! She was very excited to have a new GIRL friend as there seems to have been a boy baby boom recently. Little Gwen is sooooo cute. Again, Eloise has hair envy. Gwen takes after her mama and has some great locks!

We put Charlie in between the gals and he was not having it.


Eloise likes to hang out with Brayden because she feels much more petite versus when she hangs with her new baby friends. Brayden put the moves on last week or perhaps Eloise made the first move. I will have to supervise more closely next time.



Those crazy kids.

We've had lots of foot grabbing but now Eloise has advanced to level 2 and is sucking on her toes. We thought she could possibly take this act to the circus hence her very clown-like outfit. Yes, I realize the striped pants in bright colors paired with the bright pink polka dot shirt is a little extreme, but sometimes once an outfit is on it's just too much work to change it.

Step one, remove sock

Step two, pull foot toward mouth and open wide

Step three, taste those toes (Insert circus music here)


The baby menu at restaurant thompson has expanded from sweet potatoes to green beans and bananas. When feeling really ambitious I'll whip up a combo of rice cereal and bananas...I'm really glad that baby food is so simple. I'm not quite ready to tackle real meals as I can barely handle meals for Tom and myself (sorry Tom, hot dogs again). So far she seems to like it all though - yes! The new food must be giving Eloise a boost of energy. She can now roll from stomach to back and just yesterday from back to stomach! Once on her stomach though she remembers that she doesn't like it there and gets upset.

Up next, daddy-daughter stock trading time. Eloise has picked some real winners, I think she's getting insider tips from the Etrade baby.


Off to enjoy the unseasonably warm Minnesota weather - 80 degrees today, wow!!