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!

Lorena's Baptism

Hello everyone! So I have now transitioned to trying to write blog entries all by myself. I am sure Todd will chime in to write every so often still (especially when I am behind) but I am now officially in charge-- at least that's what Todd is trying to convince me. Well- I'll just do my best.

So recently, we have had a lot of great things happen. First of all, we have some very good news about our neighbor who is now one of my best friends here. Lorena Roderick and I met on Elliana's blessing day. She was playing outside with her kids when we were outside with all the family in town. We met as she was stopped by the sister missionaries to know more about our church. Lorena said that at first she didn't want to know anything because she was sure that Mormons were wierd and cultish but now she laughs about those thoughts and she is so glad she let them come over later. Todd and I got to sit in on many of the lessons she received from the missionaries all about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Lorena and I also got to have some great talks and still do as we run with our strollers three times a week.

Lorena is just golden though. She said she started feeling the Holy Ghost from the first discussion and when they asked her if she would be baptized, she said that she was a little nervous but just felt that it was right. Since then, I have loved seeing how much joy and peace the Gospel has brought into Lorena's life. It has been such a beautiful transformation and she has had many prayers answered and a lot of comfort from Heavenly Father as she has had to overcome some trials. Todd had the opportunity to baptize and confirm her and I was able to give the talk on the Holy Spirit. She shared her testimony at the baptism and the next day during fast and testimony meeting. It was one of the sweetest and purest testimonies I have heard in a long time. She has a testimony that the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the Book of Mormon are true and she is so ready to do whatever the Lord has in store for her. Her enthusiasm is contagious and I have definitely felt the Spirit more in my life as I have shared in this experience with her.

Here we are before her baptism with the sister missionaries to the left.

Pretty cool huh!

Elli's Blessing ... Part Dos

Alyson and Nate were kind enough to take a lot of pictures while they were here for Elli's blessing. Their pics turned out so great that we had to post some of them. So here are so more pics of Elliana's blessing.

Elli was not entirely a happy girl the day of her blessing. She fussed and cried through parts of her blessing and most of afterwards, but she did get happier, as you will see in the pics below. This pic, tho, is one of my favorites. She definitely inherited her mom's pouty look!

This one is Heather's favorite. She thinks that Elli looks like a china doll made of porcelain.

I love these pics of my hot baby momma and sweat pea! These are definitely going on my desk at work once we get them printed off.

Florida Vacation

So my family (this is Heather) planned a family get together in Florida this year and everybody except for Cheri and her family were able to come. Todd was only able to stay for the first weekend because of work but I was glad he got to come at all. It was such a fun time just to hang out on the beach. It was really hot at times (it was apparently one of Florida's hottest weeks all summer), but that just made us all get in the water more --- even Elli actually really enjoyed being in the water. She loved the gentle waves, and didn't even get upset if a little water got on her face. She would only get fussy when I took her out.

The kids had fun building big sandpits! Dave was a great sport letting Natalie bury him and throw sand on him. Zack also loved playing with Uncle Dave. He even was attached to him as they played sea horse in the water.



By the end of each day, Natalie always had a huge pile of sand in her swimsuit bottoms. So funny to see that saggin bottom.

Here is Elliana playing with her Aunt Jenny. It was great to have mom and dad and jenny to help me on the plane ride home.

The first part of the week we went to the Everglades. We had a great time going on fan boats, seeing big alligators, and mimicing the natives.

Elliana especially enjoyed spending a lot of quality time with her cousins who she loved. Ashley, Zack, and Natalie loved holding and talking to Elli and she always lit up when they were around.

]

It was a great vacation. I can't wait to see everyone again at Christmas!

Elli's Baby Blessing

Last Sunday, we were blessed to have so much family be able to join us for Elli's baby blessing. For those who don't know, in the LDS Church, after a child is born, a father who holds the priesthood has the opportunity to give the baby a blessing in a prayer asking God to protect and bless the child with strength and faith and other attributes as the Lord sees fit. It is a truly wonderful and spiritual event, and one that we have really anticipated.

Heather's parents and sister Jenny along with my parents, Alyson and Nate, and Tys and Diana and kids were all able to make it. I know it wasn't easy arranging schedules to make it happen, but thank you to everyone who could come; it made the event even more special.

As a first-time dad, it was a pretty special feeling to take my daughter in my arms and give her a blessing. She is such a sweet little girl, and I feel blessed that I had the chance to use my faith and priesthood to offer her a little extra strength and protection as she grows up.

Here are a few pics from the day. I also want to note that Chris, Meagan, and Wendy came to the blessing, as well. We didn't get any pics of them since they had to leave right after sacrament meeting, but we were grateful that they came, too.

You probably noticed in the pics above that Elli is starting to smile a lot more, although sadly she was not quite as smily right after church. Heather and I are loving this! We love to hold her and smile at her, and she is definitely responding with some big smiles for us.

Here are a few more pics of Elliana smiling while sitting in her favorite swing with the blanket that her Great Grandmother Betty made for her. Thanks, Grandmother Betty!