Sorry about the lack of posts!

Sorry about the lack of posts everyone!!  We have been very busy with the bottle lately. Just so you all know, things are looking better with the situation!! She takes the bottle occasionally now!  Some days she takes a few bottles. We are so relieved! We thought she would be the only kid in day care that drank out of a sippy cup! HA HA.  

Since the last post we had a visit from Aunt Danielle - My good friend from John Carroll. Us girls stayed in and hung out for the most part, but we did go to the mall for a few hours on Saturday, which was really fun. Nordstroms has a mothers room, which is really nice!

We hit another milestone  TODAY - Now Elena will hold the rattle if you place it in her hand! Pretty exciting stuff, I know!!! ;o)  Check out the video I took of the situation this morning. Sorry it is so grainy, but I took it with my camera phone to send to Jason. 

Well, I am back to work on March 11th - less then 2 more weeks left!! 

This Sunday Elena  had a very special visit from my Teta Vera, Teten Mishe and Sonja! They drove all the way from Hudson to spend the day with Miss Elena!  We dined on a lovely lunch that I made (successfully!!!), looked at old pics from my baby book, and hung out.  Later, Jason and Teten Mishe made a quick stop to the import store to buy 3 pounds of olives! (???)  HA HA

Thank you so much for coming the long way to meet Elena, and thanks for the cute gifts!  Here are some pics from the day....

Hello, Baby Gap!!!! I think we have some models here!

Thank  you Jason for that lovely blog post! After the mall we headed to Jason's sisters house and had a photo shoot with Lila. Both girls had similar outfits on from the GAP.   Don't they look like cozy little elves?

Sorry Lila that you are upsidown in all the pics! 

 

The Mall, excuse me "Collection"

Well, after only a few short weeks of bringing Elena into this world Mary has finally done it - Introduced Elena to THE MALL.

This past Saturday we headed out to Somerset Collection for some shop till you drop fun... and Elena loved it! She appeared cozy and comfortable, especially in the Macy’s shoe section, and enjoyed the smooth ride of the MaxiCosi stroller.

The mall might as well of been a baby day care. There were babies everywhere! Maybe because it was the first warm sunny day we’ve had in months OR maybe as new parents we’re just now noticing all the strollers - but we were surrounded. (Turns out I'm excellent with the stroller by the way, only tipped once)

Being out in public with Elena for the first time really made being a parent official. Last time I was here I didn’t have little Elena to push around - I was busy wandering around giving off my cool hip vibe that you are all familiar with, acting all mysterious and smooth. But now my message is quite clear - this dude is a dad, and the only mystery now is, what’s in that diaper and where is the bathroom so I can change it?

It’s was super fun being out and about town and seeing Mary so happy as we strolled in and out of the stores.

Mary has created her own little shopping apprentice. Training has officially begun for hunting season...our target: fashionable deals and bargains.

Everyone wins. ; )

We’ll be back.

Bottle Time!

Look.... Ahhh, Lets be clear here... I love Elena. (that’s my Obama Hussein impression)

But I must be honest with you – this bottle feeding routine has yet to become the father/daughter bonding moment I envisioned. We definitely have had our moments and when they do come it is like angels coming down from heaven -but as of late, the angels haven't been doing much fly'n.  I really don’t understand why we aren't connecting?  I want her to eat and I know she’s hungry,  yet when I place the bottle in her mouth no milk is getting in the tummy. In fact, most of it ends up on me. 

I’m honestly giving it an A+ effort. I’m Googling tips and tricks, listening to any advice I can get - dimming the lights, putting on soft music, warming the milk, twisting the bottle, tickling it in her mouth, sticking it in my mouth to demonstrate how to do it (jk)....but it’s just not taking. I sense she is going to learn to crawl any day now just so when she sees me coming around the corner with that bottle she can take off and hide.

She even has gotten much better using her hands. She is literally pushing the bottle away from her mouth and I swear, don’t quote me, but I think she gave me the finger last night.

It’s been tough though. I spend all day away from her at work and all I want to do when I come back home is chill out with her. (and play PS3...jk..kinda) Instead it’s like a title fight. Every feeding ending with both of us crying....and sometimes Mary.

I’m sure tomorrow will be better.
I know you don’t believe me Elena – but I do love you.  

Now, who's Hungry?

Super Sunday

Well, Elena's first Super Bowl is being considered by some as the best Super Bowl ever.  It was certainly an exciting battle that came down to the wire. (would of liked of seen a final hail mary, but hey, the officials f'd up)  It had all the drama, half-time show and the commercials you hope for in Super Bowl.  Our friends Roger and Matt came over along with Grandpa Dale to enjoy the show.   Grandpa Dale, a longtime member of Steeler nation, came dressed in black and gold.  Mary countered with Elena in full Browns gear, a Quinn jersey complements of Uncle Rob. 

As a Lions fan (/Steelers fan)  I stayed quietly unbiased. 

Congratulations Steelers!

Did you know Kurt Warner used to bag groceries?

Lions 2010!!! or BROWNIES 2010!

ROB AND SUZY VISIT

Uncle Rob and his girlfriend Suzy came into town this weekend for a visit.  We spent most of the time around the house goo goo and ga gaing at Elena.  The boys did manage to sneak out for some gaming pleasure and the girls were able to hit the mall for a couple hours.  In the evening Grandma came over to babysit Elena so we could double date at RedCoat Tavern, a favorite local burger joint.   (Elena was a little fussy during the day but did manage to sleep through the night, midnight to 7:30 - pretty darn good!  We all appreciated it)  

GREAT HAVING YOU IN TOWN!!! 

Love and miss you guys...