7 Months Old and Pro Pics!

Well, Ms. Elayna Grace was a baby model on Saturday and let us (actually, Kari Renee - who also did our wedding and engagement pictures) take hundreds and hundreds of pictures of her. The result made me cry. Not because I am a big baby (okay, so I am) but because I feel like Kari was able to capture Elayna just as she is at this moment... and I am always worried about forgetting the simple joys that I am experiencing as her mommy right now.

If you want to see the complete collection, go to www.KariReneePhotography.com and select "Proofing". Then use the password "Elayna." So adorable.


We love you all!
xoxo

Some more finger painting... in honor of Dad.

Elayna really likes finger painting. We got her a little mini easel and some new colors to use and let her go at it today.

The first one she did today (far left) is called "Father's Day", since the holiday inspired the creative time. The middle one is called "Mohawk," for obvious reasons - plus it is appropriately chaotic, and different from her others. The last we named "Mommy," because I said so. Haha!!

Here is what happens when Daddy gets to do E's hair....

Since it was Father's Day today, Jake got to finally give Laynie a mohawk. It actually looked rather cute, and she certainly didn't seem to mind sporting it around Portland and to dinner at Daddy's favorite restaurant. In fact, she gave it a thumbs up at the end of the day (as you can see by the pic of her and Daddy, below). =)

Happy (1st) Daddy's Day to Jake, the #1 daddy!

Jake is really the best daddy that I could imagine for Elayna. She is quite the lucky girl!!

For Father's Day today, Jake got to sleep late. Then when he got up Elayna and I gave him his card (with the picture below on the front). Inside it said:

"Cuz you ROCK.
Roses are red,
violets are blue,
no other baby,
has a daddy as cool as you."

(He also got a new CD he has been wanting, and a new mug with a beautiful picture of him and Elayna on it.)

I hope he enjoys his day, because we love him!!

Elayna can TALK! =)

So, we realize that Elayna is really young to be saying her first "words" yet, but she started saying "Da-da" last week and seems to almost always use it in instances that it could make sense for her to be talking about him.

Whether or not she knows what she is saying, it's super cute to hear her making sounds that are so close to words.

This first video is her as she is just learning to say it.

Then she uses it so sweetly during a fun game of Patty Cake with Daddy.

Happy Birthday to Daddy!!

Today was Jake's birthday!! Elayna and I tried to make sure it was a good one by letting him sleep in super late and making him breakfast. Then we gave him his presents and card (featuring one of these cute Laynie pictures) and went to our old neighborhood to have brunch and do some wandering on Hawthorne. We got some new books at Powell's and some coffee. After coming home and having cake, Jake and Megan went out to a show. I hope he had a good day! =)

Laynie loves her Auntie Meg!

Yesterday Elayna and I went to Auntie Megan's place in NW Portland. We walked all over the neighborhood (E in my Ergo carrier) and had a good time enjoying some sun.

When we got back to Meg's place Elayna was being super silly and giggly... enjoying her one on one time with her Auntie. It was adorable and I got some great shots with my camera.

Here are a few of my favorites. =)

A Yummy Day

Today we went to have waffle breakfast at Jason, Gigi & Kaemon Ze's house. They are nice enough to have delicious breakfasts at their place every month! We had a good time and Elayna played with Kaemon Ze (who is 7 months old) and some other friends of hers (Shannan and Brian, to name a couple).

We found out that Elayna is quite the little musician (just like Daddy). She LOVED playing on her buddy Kaemon Ze's keyboard. We are going to have to keep our eyes open for a used one so she can express herself more!

She had to try using her mouth to play too! Ha!

They have a beautiful backyard too. We hung out outside a bit for some family pics. That place will be amazing in the sunny summer!! =)

6 Month Check Up

Yesterday was Elayna's 6 month check up! The doctor, once again, confirmed that she is perfect. =)

Early morning wait in the waiting room with Daddy.

She loved the crinkley paper on the exam table!

Here are her new stats:

Weight: 16 pounds, 3 ounces (56th percentile)
Height: 26.5 inches (76th percentile)

She is perfectly healthy!

Grow baby, grow! =)