Month Five

Dear Ela,

Our big news as a family this month was our trip to Hawaii. When your Uncle Matt first proposed the trip (way back before you were born) I thought it was a little crazy. Could we really bring a 4-month-old baby all the way to Hawaii? But it turned out that all of my worries were unfounded. You were an absolutely joy to travel with. Before we left on the trip I decided that I was going to let you eat absolutely whenever and wherever you needed to -- and you did. We slept with you in our bed at the condo, and were even able to put you down for naps in that lovely big bed.

Ready, set, go!

And boy... how cool is your cousin TJ?!? She's exactly 3 months older than you, and she can already crawl and pull herself up on the furniture. You loved watching her do all of her "big girl" things, and I could tell that you decided that you'd like to be able to keep up with her. 

Look what we found!

I wore you everywhere we went in Lahaina -- pretty much all day, every day. Everyone on the streets loved to look at you and smile, because you were so adorable in your front-pack...this sweet little baby with blue eyes peering out and taking in the world! 

We noticed a big difference in your "tummy time" once we got home from Hawaii. Spending all that time with TJ inspired you, and you were even stronger and more active than before! You also started teething, and we got you a pretty little amber necklace. You still drool like crazy, but you're really not all that fussy. Once when you first started teething you were feeling pretty lousy, so I strapped you into the Moby and turned on Pandora to a kid's station (another thing we learned about in Hawaii), and danced with you until you were able to relax and go to sleep.

You and your dad have such a special relationship. He spends one-on-one time with you every single day, and you have lots of favorite things to do together. Whenever Daddy is taking care of you, you never want to sleep anywhere except in his arms.

At your first Super Bowl party -- with Nate and Brenna.

We're making lots of new friends in our mom & baby groups. There are some wonderful families in this neighborhood, and I hope that that babies you play with now will be your companions as you grow up. We go to the New Mom Support Group at the Giggling Green Bean, music class, get-togethers at all of our various coffee shops, wine tastings at Mondo Vino, and strolls through the neighborhood with our friends.

A rare occurrence -- asleep in the carseat.

You've recently started using your always-improving motor skills to pet (and grab) at Lucy, Clover, and Artie. I think that Clover is your favorite. He will lie next to you on your playrug, and allow you to grab at his fur and whiskers. Lucy tolerates you (sometimes) and Artie generally prefers to stay away.

Sometimes when we get you out of bed in the morning, your dad and I marvel at how much you've grown during the night. You're strong, alert, and engaged in the world around you. Most importantly to us, you're happy. You smile most of the day, and you have the most wonderful laugh I've ever heard.

Love,

Momma

Hawaii Vacation

We had the wonderful fortune to go on a 9-day trip to Hawaii with my brother Matt, sister-in-law Valerie, niece Tyler, mother Anne, and my mom's partner John. This was the first time that Ela met TJ (and her aunt and uncle) and it was fantastic to watch the babies together.

We took walks on the beach almost every day, cooked fantastic food, ate in wonderful restaurants, and generally had a great time exploring the town of Lahaina on Maui's west coast. We did some boogie-boarding and snorkling.

Ela was an absolute joy on the trip, and a real champ when it came to flying. She nursed anywhere, everywhere, on demand throughout the trip. She had her first dip in a swimming pool (which was an especially new experience since we don't take baths) and spent a little time in the ocean. She loved watching her big cousin TJ crawl and climb around everywhere. We noticed a distinct improvement in Ela's "tummy time" activities once she got inspired by TJ. Ela spent a little time alone with her Grammy and Papa John, and even rolled over for her grandma.

Here is the first set of photos from the Hawaii trip:
http://www.briankraft.com/Blog/personal/fuji-x100-destination-maui-hawaii/

And here is the second (more family-centered) set:
http://www.briankraft.com/Blog/personal/fuji-x100-destination-maui-hawaii-part-ii/

Month Four

Dear Ela,

This is the month that you grew and GREW! After you were a tad petite at your 3 month doctor's visit (I blame that nasty little cold) I was expecting you to weigh 11/5 -- or perhaps maybe 11/8 -- at your 4 month visit. Well, you knocked it out of the park at 12 pounds, 1 oz. You doubled your birth weight (5 lbs, 15.7 oz) with a bit to spare. And you're quite the tall girl, too -- you're in the 75th percentile for height.

How did you get to be twice as big as you were when you were born? It's hard to imagine you were ever so small, but you've always seemed big to me. You have a personality too large for your little frame to contain.

This month was particularly special, because we shared it with so many of your relatives who came to visit over the holidays. You're generous with your affections, and happy to be held by pretty much anyone (even when your Aunt Maggie tries to give you a sip of her beer).

I had to go back to "work" this month, so your Dad started doing more solo parenting when I was away teaching my classes or playing in orchestra. Your time together is mostly joyful, and when you make a fuss he's come up with special tricks to soothe you. He has a "Daddy bounce" perfected that I wouldn't dare try to match.

This month I read an article about how being told to "cherish every moment" isn't always helpful for parents. Although I loved the article, I personally can't help trying to soak up every single moment with you because it does seem to fly by so fast. But then I remember that I've spent every night of your life next to you (occasionally awake more than asleep), fed you at least 8 times a day, and held you close to me as much as I possibly could. Babyhood may be a rocketship that travels too fast toward childhood, but you better believe that I'm going to enjoy the ride.

I love you, little peanut.

Love,
Momma

Christmas and New Year's Eve -- 2011

Ela's first Christmas was full of wonderful family time and special events. We had Grandmommy Adrienne, Aunt Jennifer, and cousin Matteo stay with us over the holiday. We also got to spend a lot of time with the Williams-Carraway crew, the Maestas family, the Hynes, the Bucks (Joel and Diane), and great-Grumpy, too!

Most of our holiday photos are on 3 links that Brian put together. Here is the link to the first series of photos: http://www.briankraft.com/Blog/personal/fuji-x100-christmas-2011-part-i/

And some thoughts on that first series of photos:

• This was our first Christmas tree, and we didn't have anything to use as a tree-topper. So, I took a picture of Ela and taped it to an upside-down plastic cup. Ta-da! Our angel on top of the tree!
• We enjoyed a wonderful fancy dinner at Vesta Dipping Grill with Adrienne, Jennifer, Matteo, Anne, John, and Laurel. The food was fantastic, and John ordered a special cocktail that inspired Laurel to recreate it at our Christmas Eve dinner. Ela spent the whole dinner quietly sleeping in the Moby wrap.
• I received the Cook's Illustrated cookbook from Valerie as an early Christmas present. Adrienne pored over the cookbook, and found some terrific recipes to use when she cooked dinner for all of us.
• We had a BIG snowstorm the day after Adrienne arrived. Good thing her trip wasn't planned for a day later!
• Adrienne brought some of Brian's old trucks to give to Matteo. He had a wonderful time playing with them on the couch.
• Matteo helped me make a bunch of different jams to give as gifts. His favorite was the pear & vanilla bean jam!
• Jennifer, Matteo, and Brian went on an adventure walk to our neighborhood coffee place. The weather was beautiful (but cold).
• We hosted Christmas Eve dinner at our house. John grilled a turkey and brought it over as the main course, and Laurel made cocktails for everyone.
• Grandma Anne gave Ela a special Christmas book, and she and I read it together in bed on Christmas Eve.
• On Christmas Day we all got ready to head over to Aunt Maggie's house. Adrienne looked wonderful in purple, and she wore the necklace and earrings that I gave to her on our first Christmas together. We had lots of fun at Aunt Maggie's house, and the food was AWESOME!
• On the day after Christmas, we went on an expedition in the Confluence Park neighborhood. We visited the spice shop and had brunch at a local diner.

Next we have a short slideshow of a few photos of Katie, Denae, Ela, and me. We had a special "girls' lunch" at a nice restaurant, followed by a photo shoot. We wanted to get some nice portraits, especially of Katie and Denae.

http://www.briankraft.com/Xmas2011/K-D-E-E.html 


And now the second set of Christmas/New Year's photos... Here is the link: http://www.briankraft.com/Blog/personal/fuji-x100-christmas-2011-part-ii/  And some thoughts:

• We met up with Derek, Sarah, and Owen (in town from Chicago) for lunch.
• We went to Grandma Anne's house for a lovely post-Christmas celebration. The Maestas family was there, plus the Hynes crew, Aunt Diane & Uncle Joel, Grumpy, and Patrick. Ela got all kinds of sweet presents (probably more presents than anyone else in the room), including special gifts picked out for her by each of her cousins. Ela also got her first real toys, and a book called "Wherever You Go, My Love Will Find You."
• The next night we participated in the traditional dinner at Bull & Bush in Cherry Creek, where Ela (almost) tasted her first beer. That Hynes family -- they're pretty silly!
• We bundled Ela up in her bear suit and took her first ride as a big girl in her stroller (first stroller ride without the car seat). Ela made it all the way to the library and a couple blocks more, but then she decided that she didn't like the stroller anymore and needed to be carried the rest of the way home.
• Ela recently graduated to face-out in the Moby -- there are so many interesting things to see! (like Momma's computer screen...)
• On New Year's Eve day we went to a "Babies of 2011" party that was hosted by one of my old friends from high school. We counted down to noon instead of midnight. Ela was the youngest one there, but she still wore her party hat like a pro.
• We spent New Year's Eve evening at Brahmani & Dave's house for the second year. We enjoyed king crab legs, potluck sides, and games. We were joined by Jyoti & Tim (on Bodhi's due date) and Mokshana &  Aaron.
• Jyoti held Ela, who liked to sit on top of the baby bump. We're sure that Bodhi didn't mind -- he'll probably sit on Ela sometime in the future!
• On New Year's Day we went over to have brunch at our neighbors' house. Justin and Erin cooked up some great New Orleans food. After that we walked over to an open house hosted by one of the moms from my moms' group, and then enjoyed the walk home through our neighborhood.

Month Three

 Dear Ela,

You and I have so many wonderful times together. We talk, and sing, and exchange lots of wet, slobbery kisses (most of the slobber is on your end). When we're playing, you seem SO BIG to me. You have observant eyes and an expressive face, and your personality just shines through. And then when I see someone else holding you, I realize that you're actually still a tiny baby.

At your 3 month check-up you weighed in at a robust 10 pounds, 5 ounces. Though that may seem on the small side, you have 2 very well-formed chins and chubby thighs, so we're not worried about you. You are quite strong, and can stand up by yourself if someone holds your hands. You've also become very good at holding your head up.

This month we starting attending music classes and mom/baby groups. So far you're just hanging out on my lap, but you seem to enjoy all the interaction. The other moms often comment on how alert you are, and how expressive your face is. I love popping you into the Moby wrap and walking over to mom's group (stopping along the way to get coffee). The other babies all arrive in their car seats, but you're a Moby girl.

We took our first trip to the Children's Museum this month. Mostly we just watched the other kids play, although you did hang out on a lilly pad in the infant area. We've already made plans to ask your grandmas for a museum membership for your first birthday. You're going to love playing in the bubble room, with the dress-up dance shoes/clothes, and with the build-your-own rocketships.

We celebrated Thanksgiving at Grandma Anne and Papa John's house. You slept in the Moby through the meal, but seemed to enjoy yourself.

You've really discovered your hands this month. You take great pleasure in chomping on one hand (or both) -- sometimes even putting a whole fist into your mouth. It's clear that you can see your toys better, and will even spot me or your Dad from all the way across the room.

If I had to choose, I would say that my favorite thing to do with you is to sing. You like to make little high-pitched squeals, and we have a lovely time conversing together. Your favorite "official" song is "The Sound of Music," although we have plenty of made-up songs, too. There's a "trip" song that we sing to you every time we put you in your car seat. Although you hate going in the car, the song almost always makes you smile.

This was also the month when you got your first cold. It was just a congested nose and a mild cough, but it was tough. We sat with you in the bathroom next to the steamy shower, ran the humidifier constantly, and sucked out your little nose (which you hated, of course). It just killed me to hear you cough, and it began to dawn on me that this is just the first of many illnesses we're going to weather together.

Bit by bit you're becoming more independent. Without having to force you, your Dad and I are discovering that you can gradually spend more time in your bouncy chair or swing. You still prefer to be held or worn, but you're able to entertain yourself for bits and pieces of the day.

It is such a joy to watch you explore and interact with the world around you. I couldn't ask for a better snuggling companion.

Love,
Momma

Pink Snowflake PJs

"What is it? Is there something funny going on?"

"Tee hee..."

First Holiday Concert

Since I play in a holiday orchestra concert every year, we thought it would be fun to start a tradition of Ela attending the concerts. Hopefully in the future she'll want to get dressed up (whatever that means for her) and make it a big, special event.

This year I think she was a bit indifferent to the magic of it all.

My orchestra day involved a dress rehearsal, then a long break, and then the concert. This required me to be away from home for 11 hours, which is just far too long for baby to be away from mom (and mom to be away from baby). So, Brian and Ela made the trip up to Greeley with me. Brian camped out with Ela in one of the little tech offices backstage, and I got to be with her on all of my breaks. Both Ela and Brian were troupers... it was a loooooong day.

She's got her eye on you...

Blissfully resting on Daddy's lap.

At the holiday concert the orchestra members are encouraged to deviate from our traditional "concert black" attire. Red and green accessories are encouraged, as is anything else that adds to the spirit of the holiday.

Red legs? Check. Green pacifier? Check. Baby=family=spirit of the holidays? Check!

No, I didn't take my baby with me onstage. But I wanted to!