First Bites of Cereal

The time has come, time for Elena to begin eating solid foods. Up to this point (6 months and 9 days) she has solely been fed breast milk, well with the exception of her time in the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit). She was given an IV with sugar water and some formula supplements. But since coming home from the hospital, she has only ever ingested milk. The texture was interesting--her tongue played with the texture and then the fingers. In the end, Elena was pleased with the new encounter and looks forward to more rice cereal tomorrow.

Sitting Up

Elena just starting rolling over not too long ago and now she can sit for a minute or two on her own. I'm sure Elena could have sat along time ago if she wasn't always reaching for a toy or feeling the wool rug or pushing with her legs as if trying to stand. You can see below she is sitting, but still reaching for the toys and Cooper is right in there keeping watch. Toward the bottom, Elena is giving kisses (it looks like she is attacking with her mouth) to the polar bear music player. And yes there is a pillow behind her, not to support her but to break her fall in case she flops backwards, which she did a couple of times.

Visit from Dixie and Ron

On their way back to Connecticut from vacationing in Kaua'i, Dixie and Ron Travis (Carl's Godparents) stopped in San Diego for a couple of days. They came over to meet Elena and visit with us. We had a great time and even tried a new recipe for lunch, warm chicken and asparagus salad. It was delicious!

Making Mischief at 6 Months

Well, yesterday Elena turned 6 months old. I know, it is hard to believe. She weighs 21 pounds and is 28-1/4 inches long. She is big for her age and already wearing 12 month clothes, but at least she is proportional. According to the May 30, 2000 publication of growth charts for the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), Elena exceeds the 97 percentile for both height and weight. Which is interesting with the current health care debates and some insurances denying babies health care coverage because they are too skinny or too chunky, falling outside the 5-95 percentile rage. I'm glad this is not an issue we have to deal with from our insurance. We have a healthy baby who loves to make mischief with her toys. If you look carefully on the third picture down, you can see Cooper is keeping watch over Elena and her mischief.

Oooh, Cold...

Elena has tuned into to textures and touching everything. She is captivated by the coldness and condensation on the glass. She has also tried to grab and pull toward her mouth our cups and plates. I guess it is time to start her on some cereal.

Telephone

Elena was being so cute, I just couldn't resist snapping a few pictures. I find myself saying that a lot, but she just keeps getting cuter and cuter. Her personality is really starting to bloom. I think we are in for a fun time with this little one.

First Roll Over!

Just shy of her 6 month birthday, Elena finally rolled over. She rolls from her back to her front by bringing her right arm and leg over. Below are a few pics I was able to snap. At first she wondered what happened, then she became excited. She now enjoys tummy time when she rolls into it.

Hanging out with Grandma and Papa

Elena loves to give kisses. Although she can pucker her lips and even do a fish face, she gives her kisses with an open mouth. Here are a few pictures from the last day of my parent's visit, including a mini fish face and a kiss :)

Peek-A-Boo, I See You!

Elena enjoys peek-a-boo. She even plays on her own. First she covers her face. Then she gets really excited, her legs extend and flex. She makes an excited coo noise and pulls of the blanket. She is always proud of herself. So cute to watch.

Nearly Sitting

While Elena was sitting with Papa, he let go and viola Elena sat for a couple seconds without assistance. She is getting so big, I never imagined time could move so fast!



Elena loves to feel jaw lines. She feels with the back and the front of her hand. She is also intrigued by facial hair. But careful, those fingers can grab hair in an instant! I am teaching Elena to be gentle to us and Cooper, hoping she won't start hitting us in the face.

1st Wheelie

First wheelie...in a stroller. While my parents were out visiting, they took Elena and Cooper for a cruise around the neighborhood. The pictures below are of Papa preparing Elena for the ride, and no ride would be complete without a wheelie!

Cause and Effect

Well, Elena is 5-1/2 months old and is so content she isn't showing signs of rolling over yet. She scoots around in a circle while on her back and she rolls to the side but always stops herself before she rolls onto her tummy. She has figured out she can kick the post on her play gym and it will rock back and forth. She kicked it so hard it tumbled over. Elena was elated, she figured out how she could give the animals printed on the play mat kisses without doing tummy time!

Still Teething

Elena is definitely teething. In the picture below you can see her determination. There is a small white spot, but the tooth has yet to break through the skin. It appears the first one up will be her upper right front tooth. I have also included a few other pictures taken the same day. At the bottom, she is kissing the purple hippo and then discards.