Due Date

Brent called today (he's been out of town) and said his phone alarm went off this morning and it said "Baby girl due." He had set his alarm LAST YEAR and didn't take it off. I thought that was pretty funny. I can't believe it's been a year. I had forgotten that today was her due date. Actually, I don't think I new what today was. When you stay at home all day, there's not much need to know the dates, only days. In one week and a day we will celebrate Elliana's 1st birthday. Wow, she has grown and changed so much in this last year. Sometimes I try to imagine what she'll be like when she talks and walks. Adorable I'm sure. But she changes so much now, that it's hard to even anticipate.

Well, I just felt the need to point out that today was Elliana's due date last year. Crazy, but true.
Have a great weekend!!

Blondie

We were in Gymboree the other day and Brent took a wig off the mannequin and put it on Elliana. How does she look??? Blond.

Who's Who?

When Elliana says "Mama," I'll pat my chest and say, "I'm Mama!" Now when we ask "Where's Mama?" Elliana pats HER chest. As you see in this video, she does it for Daddy and Elliana as well. Brent is at work tonight and I had him on speaker phone and he said, "Elliana, where's daddy?" She smiled and patted her chest. Well, at least I know she knows what we are saying. I'm amazed at how quickly she is beginning to pick up new things. For instance, she has a baby doll that she will hug and kiss. This morning the baby was on the bed and so was Elliana; Brent said, "Go get your baby," and she crawled over and picked up her baby and started hugging her. Elliana is such a girl. She likes to try to put clips in her hair (or mine), loves the baby doll, and makes funny faces when you give her something of a different texture. She is so fun and changing so quickly. I hope you're enjoying the videos and pictures.

He's Got the Whole World...

Singing with Daddy.

Sorry you can't see her face. At least you can see her doing the motions. Today when I was trying to upload this video, I played it. When she heard Brent singing, Elliana stopped what she was doing and started doing the motions. Too cute!

Cicadas

We went to the park on Father's Day and their were Ciacadas (locusts) everywhere. I have never seen them like this. I realize this is nothing like the plague the Bible talks about, but can I just say, they are everywhere. And they are loud. It's like an alarm of some sort. Even now (at 3:05 pm) I sit in my apartment and can hear them. Just looking at these pictures makes my skin crawl.

Occasionally, while sitting and talking or eating, I would feel what seemed like sprinkles, but would see nothing on my arm. Something I realized at the end of our time at the park (I feared it, but would not allow my mind to go there), is that I think that moisture was coming from the Cicadas. Is it possible is was pee? Uck!!
I have to say I think the picture below is pretty good. You can see their beedy eyes. I bet it makes your skin crawl too.

Blueberry Pie

Brent said he enjoyed his father's day. The Peanut Butter Fudge Cake was rich and yummy. We grilled pork chops and corn and I also made a Blueberry Pie that turned out pretty good. I don't make many pies, but would like to start making more (mainly to perfect the art of it). I got the recipe on the Martha Stewart web site.

Happy Father's Day!!!

Brent's first father's day(with Elliana on the outside), and I got him a shirt!! Not really. This is his father's day card that I made out of paper. Pretty cool, huh?

This is actually what Elliana and I got Brent for Father's day. Brent likes to eat his cereal out of a big, deep bowl, so I thought it would be fun to personalize one just for him. Fun is a bit extreme. My advice...don't do something like this with an 11 month old unless you have someone there to help. Can I just say, the native (Elliana) got restless.



This is an attempt to get Elliana's had print on the side of the bowl. You know, 11 month old children are not very cooperative. And of course when I gave her the paint brush, she just wanted to paint herself, not the bowl. Oh well, Brent liked it.

Brent and Elliana on Father's Day. Elliana's out fit was made by her great Aunt Boo Boo. It's for her birthday, but we just had to wear it today.
After chruch, we went to Nisbet Park in Loveland, OH with the Willaford's. We walked down to the river.

Daddy and Elliana sharing a snow cone.

Cincinnati Reds vs. St. Louis Cardinals

On June 12, we went to the last of three games between the Reds and the Cardinals. Several families from our church joined us. We had a great time!



Mama and Elliana, just before we entered the ball park.



The ball park overlooking the Ohio River. What a fantastic veiw.
Daddy and Elliana.
The Willaford's (Tasha and Josh)
The Heinrich's (Heather is holding Elliana and Brad had his chin on his hand)






Our Family.

The Cardinals lost: 6 to 2.

Peanut Butter Fudge Cake

I found this recipe on the Bakerella Blog and just had to make it. Father's day is tomorrow, so what a great opportunity to try a new recipe.

Cakes are baked and cooling.

The cake is placed on cooling rack so the icing doesn't run all over the serving plate.

After the cake and icing has been refridgerated, the cake is easily transferred to the serving plate.
Reese's Peanut butter cups, chopped and ready to top the cake.

Yum! The finished Product.

Peanut Butter Fudge Cake topped with Reese's Peanut butter cups.

Strawberries

If you've not figured it out. I love to bake and make "pretty things" that taste fabulous.

We had some strawberries and I felt the need to dip them.

Yummy!

Fudge Lover's Strawberry Truffle Cake

I made this cake for the Alpha 'Celebration Service.'

I found this recipe in the April 2006 'Betty Crocker' magazine. If you want the recipe, let me know.

Wagon and Geese

Winston, pulling the girls.

(Notice: Elliana is waving.)

Winston feeding the geese (he called them ducks).

Lillian has lots to say.

Missouri Cousins

Brian and Nicole stopped by our house on their way home from visiting Nicole's parents. Here are a few pictures of the kids together. It was so good to see them. We think Elliana was so excited. She'd smile and wave her arms. So fun!!

Elliana and Lillian looking off the balcony.

What? Did you call us?

Going for a walk.

Winston wanted to pull the wagon.

All three in the wagon.

Feeding the geese.

Water

Elliana will get my water jug and start sipping. Here she is! I think she just looked too cute with her legs crossed and holding onto the straw. She was in control.

Radio Flyer

Papa and Grandma Fairchild got Elliana a wagon for her birthday. They said we could give it to her early, so we did. We took her for her first ride in it. I think she liked it.

Daddy and Elliana putting the wagon together.

Just prior to me starting to video her, Elliana placed her cup in the cup holder. But of course, when the camera was on she was too distracted to do it again.

At The Pool

Great Baby Model for "Banana Boat" Sun Block.

Hey Daddy, that's my hat!
She's not too sure about this floatie.

Crawling

She's finally crawling. I think sometimes she thinks she moves faster by pulling herself or rolling across the floor. But soon enough she will figure out that crawling then walking is WAY faster. No rest for mommy I'm afraid. At the end of the video, you'll see her pull her self up. I think she even 'cruses' sometimes. Before I know it...

Sorry the video is on it's side. If anyone knows how to turn the video, let me know and I'll adjust it.

Here, Elliana crawls out of the box that her Radio Flyer came in.