New words

Greg and I have been amazed at how fast Elisa is picking up new words now. She learns at least a word a day it seems. Some of her new words include:

helmet - "met" (she loves going for bike rides)
poop (this makes me laugh)
eye
hot
Itty - "I eeee" (Her stuffed bunny... this is so cute, she will actually walk around the house calling Itty when she doesn't know where he is)
hippo - "Po"

I can't remember the rest of them right now. But it's been so fun to watch her learn new words.

We leave to go back to the NW tomorrow. Greg and I are both frantically trying to finish all our tasks before we leave. Can't wait to see everyone back there!

Homecoming

Well, I am back home again. The reunion with Elisa didn't quite go as either Greg or I expected. Elisa watched as I came through the security checkpoint. When I got close to her I knelt down and held out my arms. She looked at me and then turned and ran the other way. She had been playing in this kids area close to where we were standing and she wanted to show me the big plastic lion, and slide down the slide. It was so good to see my little family again, but also kind of sad to see how much bigger Elisa had gotten in just one week.

Here are some pictures from the trip. The first one shows a mobile that Anna and I made for Josiah's room. Turned out cute, didn't it? The second one shows us belly to belly. Anna at 31 weeks, me at 23.

It was such a great trip. So much fun to be with them, and such a nice break from the normal responsibilities of life!

Vacation!

So here I am in Phoenix visiting Anna and Caleb. I've been here since Friday, and I leave on Wednesday. Greg and Leesi are at home, having some quality Daddy-Daughter time. It's been really fun being here. I feel really relaxed... this is the first time I've been away from Elisa overnight.

When we were first planning this trip it was supposed to be during Greg's ACSD conference. And Elisa was supposed to come with me. Every year he goes to this week long conference in early June, and every year I sit at home alone, sad that he's gone. So this year we decided that while Greg was gone, Leesi and I would go to Phoenix. Well, about a week after we bought our plane tickets Greg's conference was canceled... wouldn't you know it! So, after much deliberation, we decided that Greg would keep Leesi at home with him, and I would go to Phoenix alone. And I have to say that I think we made the right decision. I thought that I'd miss her a lot and be sad to be away from her for so long... But I am really glad I didn't bring her! It's so nice to be able to lay in bed for as long as I want after I wake up. It's so nice not to have to worry about keeping her on her nap schedule, or her bedtime routine. It's nice not to change diapers. (Speaking of diapers, Greg said that Elisa said "poop" for the first time the other day- hee hee)

Anyway, Anna and Caleb have been great hosts. I've had lots of fun hanging out with them and their dog, Shep. And it's been fun to see Anna pregnant (she is a couple months ahead of me... due in August with their first, a little boy). This evening I think we're going to make a mobile for his room.

Greg has been updating his blog regularly while I've been away with pictures of Elisa. So head over there to see the latest!