Trying new things....

Essie is exploring everything - mostly by putting things in her mouth! The other day, she discovered she could make silly faces by scrunching up her nose and squinting her eyes - daddy says she looks like she's in pain, but she's really just being a ham!



She's doing a great job eating food now! And, mommy has discovered the fun in making our own baby food - and the cost savings!!!! Essie loves applesauce! We'll try pears in a couple days, then perhaps some carrots next week. We bought her a high chair a couple weeks ago. She's doing a great job sitting up and keeping her balance in the chair.



Essie went for her first motorcycle ride a few nights ago....Just kidding :-) Mommy saw a cute photo op when Uncle Eric came to visit!

Good thing I'm not a vegetarian!

I remember when my parents bought their minivan. It was just before I turned 16. I remember learning to drive in it. I remember how much I hated it. I told my parents over and over again how I would never drive a minivan. You couldn't pay me to do it.

My mom keeps telling me to be careful about saying I'll never do something. Becoming a parent can have a profound impact on your attitude and belief about certain things. Apparently I'm going to end up doing and saying a lot of things I swore I would never do or say.

So, I've officially eaten my first helping of crow. We bought a minivan last night. We didn't set out to buy a new vehicle yesterday; we just wanted to test drive a couple and see what might work for us in a few months. For those of you who know Nick well, you know how he is about getting the best deal possible on something. Well, we found a deal he couldn't refuse.....

I guess crow doesn't taste so bad.

One month to go

Our finalization hearing is one month away. Today was our last visit with the social worker. I'm sure we'll continue to see Gail, just not in as our social worker....well, until we decide to go through this process again to make Essie a big sister.

This weekend is the Dayton Air Show. It's really close to our house and we get to see some of the shows without leaving our yard. Today, the pilots are practicing their routines. I love to watch the airplanes, so I thought Essie might like it, too........She didn't. They are really, really loud when they fly over our house. The noise frightened her - the cute little bottom lip came out and she just cried. Maybe she'll like it next year....

Wild baby!!

Essie LOVES her exersaucer now. She goes nuts when she sits in it!

Kicking and rolling

We probably aren't very far from having a very mobile little one! This is what happens every time we lay her on the table for a diaper change....


She's starting to come up on her knees and propel herself forward! Essie also loves to kick and splash in the bathtub....I started noticing red marks on the back of her legs and finally figured out it's from hitting the edge of her tub! I tried to catch a video of her playing, but she saw the camera and turned shy..


This one is just for fun....she is too cute when you wrap her up in a towel!

Five months old!

Well, we made it through our vacation without Essie! Fourth of July has always been my favorite holiday; I love fireworks! Last year, we saw them in Boston and they were amazing. This year, we went to Philadelphia. They were very good, but Boston was still better. I attempted to capture the finale as a video on my camera. I'll try to post it later today.

Anyway, mommy and daddy had a good time away. Essie probably didn't even know we were gone, but she was pretty happy when she saw us :-)

Tomorrow, Essie will be 5 months old. She is getting so big! She is rolling everywhere, scooting around, and LOVES to stand up. She has finally grown into some of her adorable dresses and summer outfits people have given her. After seeing how cute she was in one at church a couple weeks ago, mommy couldn't take it anymore.....we called Sharon and had a photo shoot yesterday! And, Sharon is awesome - she already has things edited and online for our viewing pleasure.

Click HERE to get to the pictures. Just enter your email address (feel free to enter mine if you know it), and the password is 'Essie.'

Enjoy!!!!!

Quick prayer request...

Mommy and daddy are leaving tomorrow for a little vacation - without Essie. She has had overnights with her grandparents, but this will be the longest we've been away from her - and the farthest away we've been. Please pray that mommy and daddy handle it well (especially mommy). And, pray that Essie is good for her grandma's and grandpa's! We'll be home Monday.