Elizabeth

This post is for Grandma Estrella, who constantly asks for more pictures of Elizabeth!

She turned 3 months old on Wednesday.

The Library and Leaves

Anna has a great fondness for the library.

We talk about it daily.

We get there early and do some puzzles...

Then she sits waiting for storytime to start on her cushion.

Today she wandered the room for half of the storytime, dancing with the teacher and "borrowing" other kids' cushions.

She was very happy to clean up our cushions at the end.

Then Anna helped Daddy to rake leaves:).  

The Fisher-Price Doggy and stuff

This little doggy talks and sings.

Before Anna was born, he used to start singing suddenly in the middle of the night with no cause.

Thankfully now he waits until some part of him is disturbed.

Anna likes him:

The Ruges stopped by to share some good news with us on the way home from the U of W game, and Anna enjoyed Chris' bright red hat.

Steve's band and orchestra played at the DuPage Convalescent Center this weekend.

"I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." - Matthew 25:40

The jazz band played too.  Steve plays piano for the group too, which is fun!

Elizabeth is still hanging...

Bethy has been enjoying the playmat, but it is possible that Anna enjoys it more.

Anna a year ago:

Anna now:):

Rubbermaid and Dolly

The every-other year matching of the rubbermaid to the lids and throwing away unneeded various lids and containers.  In fact, it may be much less frequent.  Anna found this a fascinating activity.

Anna proceeded to play with the lids that made the cut for a full undisturbed and focused half hour.

Little smiley!

Little Pumpkin!

Anna's matching hat

Elizabeth loaned Anna's dolly some socks, as Anna was concerned that the dolly's feet were bare.

Spending quality time with Dolly

The Pumpkin Farm Zoo

Ahh the adventures never cease...

We got to hold and pet some baby chicks, however, I had a difficult time actually getting up the nerve to pick one up. Eventually we were successful.

Behold the goats that just looked at you, opened their mouth, and said "BA." It was classic.

There was a corn maze

and a little place to take pictures.

Anna liked to look at all the huge pumpkins and tried to pick them up. "Peesh!" (please)

Elizabeth enjoyed herself a great deal as well-she was a well-bundled sleeper.

The highlight of the entire trip was that there was a little jumping thing with a slide - it was a major hit.

The Infamous "Car Cart"

"DA DAT!!! DA DAT!!! DA DAT!!!"

(translation= Car Cart!!!  Car Cart!!!  Car Cart!!!)

On Saturdays, Steve and Anna go to Dominicks.  Anna rides in the car cart while Steve gets donuts and Starbucks.  It has become a weekly father-daughter outing.

We talk about the car cart every day, multiple times per day.  It has become a little obcession.  The whole family awaits the day of the car cart with great anticipation.

In the parking lot looking for the car carts:

Seeing them after a long week of waiting - notice her sudden change of face:

Ahhh, content at last.  The desire of the car cart has been fulfilled.

Recordings, a Raincoat, and a Really Happy Baby

This week was a fun one indeed!

Over three nights we recorded 26 people (Steve being one of them!) for the album.  One of the sessions was especially fun - a reunion of many vocalists we've worked with in the past at EFCN.  A night of great music and very obviously led by the Spirit.  

We discovered that we have a raincoat for Anna - good for the last rainy week!  However, Anna has developed quite a liking for it, and likes to wear it inside as well.

Who says you can't wear your raincoat over your pajamas in the morning?

(Notice the table my mom brought over for Anna - my sisters and I used it when we were growing up!  Anna loves coloring on it and reading while sitting in the chairs.)

Elizabeth has started to smile and is especially happy in the morning when someone comes to get her.  And this morning after she only woke up once at 3am, I was pretty happy to see her too!

Some other cuties of Elizabeth, or Bethy, as we call her sometimes

This is how Elizabeth enjoys herself...

Anna enjoys yogurt.  Most of it gets in her mouth, but occasionally a great deal ends up on her "bibby."  

Anna occasionally calls Elizabeth "Becky" or something similar to that (instead of Bethy).  Below she is playing with her musical instrument sound puzzle which had such annoying sounds for each instrument Steve took the batteries out.:)