Day 62: Mother's Day and Elise's 2 Month Birthday

May 9th, just before bedtime:




I can't believe that Elise is already 2 months old! Happy 2 months, baby girl!

My first Mother's Day was wonderful. Saturday night Elliot, Elise, and I went to one of our favorite restaurants. On Sunday, Elliot washed my car for me. Afterward, we went to the mall and Elliot bought me some chocolate and a necklace with Elise's birthstone (aquamarine). I was so happy and it was such a nice day. Thank you to Elliot, Elise, and all of my friends and family who thought of me on my first Mother's Day.

William got to visit with his mom during Mother's Day. He'll be going home to live with her soon, probably by the end of this month. We'll miss him terribly, as he's been living with us for almost a year by now. But we're glad that there will be a happy ending to our time with him.

Days 60 and 61

Friday, 5-7:



On Saturday (5-8) we took Elise on her first trip out of town. We went to Apalachicola and walked around for a little bit. It was really hot, so we didn't stay for very long. And Elise slept through most of the trip anyway.

Day 59: Shock and Awwww

Respectively:



and



Also, today marks 3 years since our beautiful wedding. Definitely the 3 best years of my life.

This time last year, Elliot and I hadn't even gotten our foster parent license yet. Wow! So much has changed in one year. We've had 3 foster kids and now we have a biological daughter. What an amazing year it's been!

Day 58: Staring Off Into Space

Day 57: Zzzzzzzzzzzzz

Sleeping on 5-4:

Day 56: Party 'til Ya Drop

Today Elise fell asleep while she was playing on the floor. Cute!

The Original Drive Through

Mulberry Tree: Nature's First Drive Through.

Days 54 and 55

Family photo, 5-1:



Most beautiful baby ever, 5-2:

Day 53: She Definitely Has My Ears

Day 52: Just Ducky

Elise smiles a lot now. :)

Day 51: Happiness

Day 50: Fruitti Tutti

Giggles

When Elise laughed the other day, I thought it might have just been a fluke. Not so! I got her to laugh again last night. She did a better job of it this time, too, and didn't choke on her spit like she did the first time.

She's becoming so alert and involved when she's awake. Its awesome. She still sleeps a lot, but when she's awake she's actually becoming fun to play with. Interactive. I love it!

Days 46, 47, 48 and 49

Rockin' panda socks on 4-23:



Making faces for the camera on 4-24:



A common scene at our house. Elliot is a wonderful daddy and he changes lots of diapers. 4-25:



Sleeping in the morning on 4-26:

Day 45: Cheese!

I managed to get a picture of Elise smiling at me! Isn't she cute?

Day 44: Snuggle Bunny

Elise laughed today!!!

Day 43: Happy 6 week birthday, Elise!

This is Elise with the midwife who delivered her 6 weeks ago. I had a postpartum check-up today-- I'm healthy and right on target for a good recovery. Yay!

Day 42: Guard Cat

Days 39, 40, and 41

April 16th:



April 17th (you can sort of see her dimples in this picture):



April 18th:



Elise is becoming a lot more alert. She stays awake longer, makes eye contact more often, and is more responsive to other people. Now if she'd just sleep longer during the night...

Day 38: R and R