Life happens fast

I can't believe Elena will turn 1 year old next week! It seems like just yesterday Sarah and I were leaving the hospital with our little baby girl. Now, she is just crawling around so fast we can hardly keep up with her.

Elena has many new tricks these days. Yesterday, she showed us that she can crawl up the stairs. This is a little scary, we're not sure yet if we need to install a gate at the bottom of the stairs in addition to the gate at the top. She can also pull herself up on pretty much anything, including cupboard doors that she will proceed to pinch her fingers in. Elena doesn't have any words yet, but she recognizes some words when we say them. Saying Mama and Dada will get her to look for us. She knows Mulligan, and laughs out loud at him often times. She can sign "more", which is a really handy trick. She also loves to make silly noises with her mouth, she will sit there singing while flipping her tongue in and out of her mouth.

Sarah has taken Elena swimming every day for the last week. Elena is very comfortable in the water and even dunks her own head under water. She enjoys jumping in the pool with the help of Mom or Dad. Fountains and sprayers are also a source of fun for her. We decided that we will celebrate her 1st birthday party at the splash pad in Middleton. I haven't taken her there myself yet, so I'm pretty excited to see her play with all the sprayers and things.

Tomorrow is Elena's photo session. I will be taking her pictures in my "studio" and at The Olbrich Gardens. Turns out her bff Maelee may be tagging along for her 6 month pictures. This should be a good time. Our last trip there, Elena was too little to take in all the beautiful gardens. Look for some new pictures soon!