It's LOVE!

We have my family in town this week...

and we've been doing lots of snuggling (if you consider "lots" a minute or two at a time...ha!)

Jas shot these on the balcony and they make my heart melt.

Today my mom and Elise took a walk around the lake and I hear they had a grand time :)

(pre-walk and E was just minutes before a nap...)

And finally it was nice to have a recent one of the hubs and I (even if it isn't the best photo ever)...

And as I finish this, our little minute snuggler is tearing into a pack of water...better run!

To Germany and Back...

We're back from our week in Germany...and we made it in one piece!

Overall, Elise did a GREAT job traveling, I'm thankful to say.  Let me break it down (mainly so I remember for the future)...

Flights:  On our flight TO Germany, E did GREAT.  She didn't cry at all, and slept mostly the whole way.  She took her paci almost the whole trip.  Walking the airports she was in her carrier and was just fine.  On our flight BACK to Slovakia, she did well until the airplane's descent.  She started crying from what I'm sure was the change in pressure.  Bottle didn't work, paci barely worked, but we did our best to distract her until we touched ground.  Then she recovered :)

Never fear, we documented her first flight, of course! (phone pics)

Conference week:  Given the circumstances, E's schedule was off most of the week and her nursing/napping times were changed...but all things considered she did a good job.  She didn't mind being passed from person to person and even showed off that little toothless grin.

Jas and I enjoyed the fellowship with friends, encouragement, and sessions.  We also got to take part in communion, which was a big blessing.  One afternoon, Jas and I got out in the lush green woods next to the conference center for some fresh air and good hubby/wife convo...

Since pics of he and I are less common these days, I felt two were needed ;)

We got to spend short but sweet time with these friends that we don't get to see often...

And while we were there Elise started (along with rolling over more and laughing) eating her feet...fascinating, haha.

Look at that baby tummy.  It's too much, I say, too much.

All in all, it was a refreshing and much needed week away.  Now I feel ready to start back with learning Slovak.  Bring it on, grammar, bring it on...

Elise Overload + a video

Just a few fun photos lately of us with the little one...

But before you look at the photos, you should watch this video.  If you know my husband at all, you will know that this is just him in a nutshell... (quick note: if nothing else, at least skip to 0:36 and watch Jason's face)

It's also why he shouldn't sing anywhere but the shower ;)



Was that worth your minute?  Sorry for the shaking...they make me laugh!

And now for the previously mentioned photos...

Hilarious Elise face.

"Why does your face feel like sandpaper, dad?!"

Another hilarious Elise face.

Ahhh, there's a smile :)

Love that little girl.

Photo o' the day to come later on today!

Day 4: Date Day

Jas and I don't have as much time to go on dates as we used to (for one main, obvious, very cute little girl of a reason) so when we do it's the perfect opportunity to capture pics of the two of us.

And yes, I know it's a picture-a-day thing, but I'm seriously having issues with choosing just one most days...oh well.

Don't ask me why we always make that open-mouthed face...haha.  Whatdya say we just call it our trademark? ;)

Love him.

Quality Daddy Time

Elise LOVES her daddy.  He makes her smile (and nearly laugh) sooo often.  And it is (in my most humble mom opinion ;) ADORABLE.

Jas does this little dance/smile combo that has her grinning from ear to ear (not to mention he looks hilarious doing it)...I caught a little clip of the action...



A couple things to note...
1)  That's our tutor Terezia who comes over twice a week to help us learn this language.
2)  I wish you could get the full effect of Jason's dance...but that's a lil snippet
3)  That is one HUGE grin for such a little girl...and then she gets a little scared of the kiss (cuuuute)

And I've also captured a few sweet moments of late:

I really love watching their relationship develop.  I realize how important it is for a girl to have a special place in her daddy's heart...and vice versa.  Thankful Elise has a dad that loves her...and am praying for the both of them daily :)

Four Months!

Four months (technically tomorrow).

Here she is in all her four month cuteness...

Weight:  No idea until we go back in February.  But I dare say she's definitely gotten heavier :)

Major Milestones:  She loves, loves holding her head up while on her back.  As of the last few days she's very good at holding her head up while on her belly.  She is a major smiley girl these days (especially at her daddy).

Other:  She usually goes to sleep between 8:40 pm and sleeps until 5:30 am.  She can eat well (mostly in the mornings), but she's not super keen on eating in general and really doesn't like a bottle...we're talking serious dislike.  She generally takes two 30-40 minute small naps, one around 9 am and the other around 1 pm.

And here are a few other shots, just for fun!

We love you, sweet E!

Nappin' Paci-In-Hand Style

Sweet baby E fell asleep sitting up in my arms the other day.  It was too cute.

She also thought it would be a good idea to hold on to her paci the whole time she slept.  Adorable.

These are the moments I don't want to forget.  That I want to cherish and ponder in my heart.

And while that is one of the precious moments that I adore, there are also the moments where she's screaming and won't take a bottle while I'm at class.  Hmmm...about that... ;)

2011: Year in Review

What in the world!?  Another year down?  Wow, time seriously flies.

2011 was a big year for us.  Summed up in these words:

Training
Saying "see ya later's"
International Move
Pregnancy (aka weeks of nausea :)
Settling in
Trips to Ikea
Summer Camps
Trip to Poland
Learning to drive stick shift
Church Visits
Language Classes
Public Transportation
Building Relationships
Meeting Neighbors
DEPO
New friends
Trip to Vienna
Birth of our daughter
Family Visits
Becoming parents
Surgeries
Recovering
Mamaland
Thanksgiving
Mikulas
Christmas

I'm sure that's not an exhaustive list...but it's a start!  And one of my favorite things to do at the end of the year is to look back over pictures from that year.  Then I like to find ones that probably didn't make it to the blog and put them up :)

Some edited, some not, some previously seen here, some not.  So here it is...2011!

JANUARY:  snow at the beach

FEBRUARY:  1) Elise around 5 weeks...first ultrasound!
2) Valentine's Day in Virginia

MARCH:  Last meal at Bojo's before leaving for Slovakia

APRIL:  Jas spent many hours putting together lots of Ikea furniture for our flat

MAY:  horrendous picture, but funny nonethless...pregnancy photo around 4.5/5 months

JUNE:  first grillin' nights.  charcoal grill.  Jas loved it.

JULY:  1) Brooke and I at my baby shower (thanks Ridgecrest!)
2)  Maternity shoot photo...lots of love for baby E

AUGUST:  1) Cute building in Vienna
2)  Jester during a performance at one of the castles we attended with a team from California

SEPTEMBER:  1) Unsuccessful attempt at blondie brownies for Jason's birthday...oops.
2)  Elise Noelle arrives!

OCTOBER:  First parent-given bath :)

NOVEMBER:  1)  Very real family photo...haha!
2)  Oh. No.  The first glimpse of rolled eyes...

DECEMBER:  1) After language study relaxing.
2)  Christmas tree goodness.

What. a. year.  We are thankful for 2011, but looking forward to 2012! Happy New Year!