Happy Halloween

This scary little monster went to her 12 month check-up today. She got a clean bill of health. Poor little thing got all her regular shots plus the flu shot. She is a champ and stopped crying as soon as the mean shot lady left the room. Elise has certainly slowed down in the weight gain department since she is on the move. It is a bummer because I am excited to face her forward in the car seat. They say we need to wait until 20 pounds. It might be a while! 

Weight...18lb 10oz...10th percentile

Height...28 1/4 inches...25th percentile

Head...17.5 inches...25th percentile 

Party Time

 We had a little party for Elise at Grandpa and Grandma's house this weekend. We didn't plan any events or a special theme for her 1st birthday. We just wanted to have a day of fun at Grandma's house. Mission accomplished.

 Most of the family came over and spent the day dressing up, eating donuts, pizza, cake and ice cream, playing outside, and watching ASU football.  The only thing that could have made the day any better would have been if Mommom and Poppy and the rest of the Maryland family was there!

Pumpkin Patch

We spent Elise's birthday at the Desert Botanical Gardens Pumpkin Festival. We might make it a family tradition for her birthday.  It was tons of fun for the little ones. We went on a bumpy hay ride and through a haystack maze and ended up in the pumpkin patch complete with a mini petting zoo. Mia was in heaven with all the pumpkins and Elise was in heaven with the animals.  There was lots of other activities going on but we skipped them knowing we will join in on the fun when they are a little older. Being parents makes all the holidays and festivals so much more exciting!

 

One

On Friday our little girl turned 1 

What a wonderful year it has been!

Elise at 1

loves reading books

loves opening cabinet drawers and doors

starting to run

sings in the car to her tunes

plays peek a boo

claps her hands all the time

2 top teeth are popping through

big smiles

can say: hi, bye, no, bubbles, ball, yay, nose, dog

grunts loudly when frustrated

likes climbing on her slide and sitting at the top 

waves hi and bye

fills her wagon full of treasures and pushes it around

bangs on the computer

loves ripping up paper and making messes

obsessed with shoes, not wearing them but chewing on them

loves brushing her teeth

has developed stranger anxiety

loves playing with balls

loves laughing and screaming with her cousin Mia

blows kisses

obsessed with dogs

Chicago Part Two

The second half of the trip was spent over in Riverside with Jessie and her family. Greg had to fly home to go to work Monday morning and I stayed longer so we could spend time with Jessie and her girls.  They drove down from Madison and we all stayed in her family's home in Riverside. Jessie grew up in this home so it was fun to hang out there with her there just like we did when we were in junior high and when I'd visit in high school. I had forgotten how fabulous the Fall is in Riverside. The colorful trees line the streets. We tried to spend as much time outside as possible since the weather was perfect. 

We also went on a very quick trip to the Brookfield Zoo between the girls naps. This was Elise's first experience in a petting zoo.  

Thanks to Sam and Nancy for having us!

Thank You Jessie, Kevin, Jane and Maggie for coming down from Madison.

Ellie loves her new buddies. 

We had a GREAT time.

Chicago Part One

We just returned from a beautiful Fall trip to Chicago for the marathon and to visit friends. Greg had never been to Chicago before so it was very fun to be able to take him there and show him part of where I grew up.

It was our first trip on an airplane with Elise. She was a fantastic little traveler. She looked out the window, crawled between the two of us and spent a lot of time standing between our legs! 

The first half of our trip we spent with Emilie's family.  Emilie and Dave flew in from Denver for the marathon as well and we all stayed in Mr. and Mrs. Cindric's beautiful house. Elise absolutely loved playing outside in the beautiful soft grass, climbing the stairs to their porch and finding ladybugs. We went on some walks to enjoy the Fall colors. They have a dog named Sadie and Sadie quickly became Elise's favorite. 

The boys took a tour of Wrigley Field one morning. Mr. Cindric gave Greg a great tour of Chicago and introduced him to a delicious Italian beef place called Al's. He was such a great tour guide that we can't wait to return to explore more of the city. 

Thank you to the Cindric's for letting us stay in your beautiful home with beautiful company and such great entertainment! 

10.10.10

The Chicago Marathon was the perfect excuse to fly to Chicago. It is such a fun race to do because you run through the city and there are fans lining the streets for  pretty much the entire 26.2 miles. We get to run through all the little towns in the city and really experience the culture in Chicago. 

Mr. Cindric, our personal superfan, came down to the city to venture through the madness. We even managed to see him at mile 2, 13 and 18.  Pretty impressive when there had to be hundreds of thousands spectators out there! 

When we ran into him at mile 18, I walked over to him ready to quit. Its tough running a marathon and I was set on staying with him and turning into a another fan. But, Emilie the superfriend, wouldn't let me give up and dragged me by my arm back into the race. Thanks Em! I am so happy I finished.  

After the race we were so happy to find Dave, who ran the race superfast, and Mr. Cindric in the family meeting area amongst all the people. We enjoyed a nice cold beer and then headed back home to our superfamilies. Thank you to Mr. and Mrs. C who cooked us the perfect post-race meal!   

It was a great race and I am so thankful to have the ability to do things like this with the people I love! This was Emilie and my 2nd marathon together. I sort of can't wait until the next one...but it will be a while!   

   

Dora

Ellie got to meet her idol this weekend! Dora just happened to show up at one of Greg's work events. We think she was a little in awe and a lot frieked out!

Spoiled

Elise is quite the spoiled baby these days. 

Her birthday is approaching and we have been showered with gifts from MomMom and Poppy.  Elise was giddy with excitement climbing all over the boxes. She was right in the middle of things helping daddy open the packages. 

Thank you for the cards, books and other goodies too!

Mommom and Poppy, you are too kind. 

We can't wait to see you in January!