Updates

It's been a bit since I've updated about the girls, so here's what they're up to. Elise is becoming more and more independent everyday, which means that we are doing more and more training everyday. All in all, she's pretty compliant and only needs occassional reminders about what is the better choice than what she is currently doing! Often I hear, "No. I will do it." Then about 30 seconds later, "Mommy. Help." Elise is totally into being outside. It doesn't matter what she's doing, she just wants to be outside. Her new favorite toy is her lawnmower from Grandmom. I believe Elise has played with it every single day since she got it. She also has to get her wheelbarrow, shovel, rake, and broom out when she uses the lawnmower. Elise is also getting to be a very good jumper. Not only does she jump up and down, she'll jump off of the steps, a stool, anything is fair game for her! And just today, she walked up all the steps from the playroom... no crawling. I'm not sure if that's a real milestone or if her legs are finally long enough to walk the steps! And for the most important thing, Elise is potty trained during the day!!! No more diapers in the day time for Elise! She's so pround of herself and loves picking out her panties every morning. Since she's such a big girl now, she also wants to sit on the pooty like a big girl and takes her potty seat off. That means I have to hold her while she goes, but that's way better than changing diapers!




Rebekah has started eating solid foods. Although she's not eating a lot, she's doing really well. She has even started opening her mouth and leaning in for the spoon, so that's progress! This past week she also started rolling over from her tummy to back. She did it a few times back in April, but these rolls have been more consistent and intentional. I know I must be crazy, but I am excited for the mobility milestones, and I do my best to put her on her tummy as often as possible to help her learn to roll or crawl or scoot. Rebekah also has two teeth. Her bottom front two teeth came in about a week apart. She did really well with them and only had occassional fussiness. Finally, she's gone from a "baby dinosaur" to a babbler. OK, so she mostly sounds like a baby dinosaur when she talks, but just yesterday, she started making a "bwa bwa bwa" sound, so she's getting her lips into it.



It is so neat to see the girls develop and grow and change. I am constantly reminded how awesome the Lord is as I care for them.

Doll

Most kids have a lovey or other comfort item when they're little. Elise has a small Raggedy Ann doll whom she affectionately calls "Doll." I know, it's such a creative name. We first started giving Elise Doll when she started playing with her own hair. Ray and I thought this might be a better option, but as many of you have seen, Elise still plays with her own hair. Elise has loved Doll's hair so much that she now has two dreadlocks. Doll goes with us on almost every car trip- to the grocery store, the Y, vacations, church, the library, ect. She's flown on a plane and been to several states. Doll even went to family camp. Elise also insisted on bringing her to the playground one day because she thought Doll would like the slide. Doll will soon be getting a hair transplant, but I know that Elise will still love her just as much, and maybe even more, now that she has more hair to twirl!

Suitor

We found this on our front porch the other morning.




This gentleman caller is going into the first grade (I think). He's the boy next door and loves riding his bicycle in front of our house and on our lawn. Young Jake has had a fondness for Elise since she was a baby, calling her sweetie pie, honey, babe, and cutes. We certainly weren't prepared for courting this early, but at least it gave Ray and me a nice laugh!

Food

We started giving Rebekah rice cereal on Monday. She did a really good job eating it and didn't get too messy. As an "experienced" mom, I knew not to make it as liquidy as the package recommends because then it's a real mess. Elise has helped feed her every morning since, but more gets into Elise than Rebekah. Here's our typical morning conversation.

Elise: Mommy, I go outside.

Me: Not yet. Rebekah needs to eat her breakfast.

Elise: I feed her!?

Me: Ok. (Elise then proceeds to give Bek a big spoonfull of rice or oatmeal gooey goodness.)

Elise: I have some?

Me: Sure.

From here on out it's about one spoon for Rebekah and two for Elise until-

Me: Elise, I'm glad you like Rebekah's breakfast, but please let her eat it. When she's done, you can have what's left.

Elise: Ok. (gives Rebekah a spoonfull.) I have some!?

Too bad Elise didn't like baby cereal this much when she was little. It wouldn't have taken almost a year to get through the box of rice and the box of oatmeal!

6 Months

Rebekah turned six months old on the fourth of July. What a very fun half-birthday for her! We went berry picking at the farm in the morning, ate lunch at Gram and Pop's, went to a parade, and then spent the evening with friends and topped it off with fireworks! Actually she fell asleep right after the fireworks started, but I think she enjoyed the few she saw. So today we went to see Dr. Otto for Rebekah's six month check-up. She weighs 17lbs 14 1/2ozs and is 27 1/4 inches long. He said that she is perfectly proportioned- heavy and tall! Rebekah is wearing clothes Elise wore last summer, and I have a feeling we'll be moving up to the next size very soon. Rebekah is such a sweet, happy girl. We're so blessed to have her in our family!