Our little Texas Cowgirl! and More

So even though Elliana wasn't born in Texas (well neither was I), we both still have Texas blood through and through and I feel it is my duty as a mother, as a Texan, and as a citizen of the United States of America to help cultivate the pride and joy in knowing that you and those you come from are apart of that great lone star state! So here are the first pictures of Ell's indoctrination into the Texas mentality! If you look closely, you can even see my Texas belt buckle. OH YES- I own a big-o belt buckle with the Texas star and God bless Texas on it!

This outfit is actually a gift from my sister Laura. Her daughter Ashley was the first to wear it and I can remember the time Laura brought Ashley to visit my apartment at BYU. All my roomies loved Ashley in the outfit and it brings back great memories. Thanks Laura! The boots are courtesy of Tyson and Diana and little Alexis who also lived in Texas for a while. They are a little big but she will grow into them, just like she will grow into how big her love will be for Texas (I know you guys are now all wishing that Todd didn't turn over blogging to me!)

Two Texas Girls!

Even Daddy was a fan of the Texas motif!

So on a different note-- here is our sweet Elli, yes our sweet lovely opinionated little Elliana. Elli has now decided that she will not even consider taking a bottle or a pacifier. She only wants the real thing or her thumb. I tried different pacifiers, different bottles, and after some wasted money- nothing to show for it. When I try to make her take a bottle (keep in mind that it has my expressed milk in it), she will only drink an ounce maybe and that is over the course of an hour with her crying and throwing a fit the whole time. I know like it seems like I am setting myself up for failure if I am already giving into a 4 month old, but for my own sanity, I just had to stop trying to make her take the bottle. I will start up again when she starts eating cereal in a month or two-- the doctor said I might have more success then. We'll see.

So a few weekends ago, my Aunt Lynda came to visit for a rally downtown. Elli and I didn't go to the rally but we were able to meet Lynda for some fun downtown at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History and Mount Vernon. We did have quite a few adventures getting lost and trying to find our way downtown, but we made it to all our destinations with only a few bruises (one tiny one on my car bumper). Oh well- we still had a great time and I am glad she was able to come and visit. We also got to have dinner one night with Lynda and my cousins Evan and Lauren with their kids. It was so good to hang out with family!

Here is just a pic I took of daddy and Elli. Todd and Elli definitely have the same eye shape and smile. It is fun to see how Elliana is starting to take on different attributes of us!

Lastly, here are some pictures of Elliana enjoying her jumperoo from all her aunts, my sisters. Elli really loves bouncing in it and sometimes she just coos and talks to the lights and animals. She is starting to play with the balls and the hanging toys. Thanks so much Laura, Cheri, Stephanie, and Jenny (and my brother-in-laws and nieces and nephews too!) You made Elli (and a mommy who needs a break sometimes) very happy!