She's got TEETH!

After countless months of drooling, knawing on every toy, shirt, finger in sight, and constant comments by mom and dad that "she must be teething", she is OFFICIALLY teething!  I felt the teeth for the first time a week ago, and here are the teeny tiny nubs of teeth - sharp as razors!

Fast forward to yesterday, one week after that photo was taken.  I feel like it is a hug difference, and you can see them when she smiles big.  I have a hunch just looking at her top gums that teeth number 3 and 4 are just around the corner.

We had class #2 of Waterbabies and this time Eric swam with Elaine!  He had a huge smile the whole time and Elaine also enjoyed the morning of splashing.  Here's a good look at her cute suit!

Here are Eric and Elaine in action.

Sunday, the weather was a balmy 52 degrees, so we took Elaine out on a walk.  We bundled her up, complete with shades.  She was funny - she was absolutely still in her stroller - it was the first time she's ever faced forward in a moving vehicle! 

Here is the official stroller pusher on our small jaunt.  It was so nice to get outside for a little while and Elaine certainly appreciated the fresh air too!

Elaine Swims

I have been waiting for this moment since the day I found out I was pregnant!  As you know, swimming has always been a part of my life, and being in the water is my favorite place to be.  So I have been wanting to introduce the water to Elaine like you can't imagine.  Until now, bathtime has sufficed, but this weekend, we attended our first Waterbabies class at the Waukee YMCA. Having been a Y employee, I know which Y has the warmest, most kid-friendly facility, and one of my former co-coaches and I were all set for a fun morning of splashing fun!

Here are Elaine (fresh up from a nap) and I about to enter the water... drumroll please!

She likes it, she really really likes it!

Here we are counting her toes singing the piggy song. 

Here is LeAnn and her daughter, Ellie, playing with us!  Ellie loved it too!!

 I think we may just have a future swimmer!  She really was looking around taking everything in and never got fussy or cold!  I thought it was funny she was so bouyant - her feet kept floating to the surface!  :)

And of course, Eric was dry on the side taking photos and getting towels for his girls!  Here is a video - I beleive we are singing Wheels on the Bus.

First word: Dada!

This week, Elaine said her first word!  Of course, she doesn't really know what it means yet, but she not only said it, she has been repeating it over and over again.  That word, is "dada".  Which means dada is absolutely wrapped around Elaine's finger!  It is hard to get on camera because the camera itself distracts her so much from what she is doing but here is a small taste of her new babble.

I also forgot to upload a video from last weekend of her dada playing peekaboo with her from outside the window.  Perhaps I got the biggest charge of anyone here, but usually Elaine shrieks and laughs with delight at her clever dada.

This weekend, Elaine's grandma and grandpa Morse came to visit!  Grandpa had his new camera, so he had fun taking lots of pictures of her.  They enjoyed listening to the babble, watching her roll over, sit up, and eat big girl food!  Seems like there is something new happening with Elaine every single day and we are loving every minute!!

6 month photos!

The highlight of my week was getting Elaine's 6 month photos.  These are a few of my favorites.  There were a lot of other cute ones, but I have a plan for some of the rest.  Here's a sneak peak of our dolly!