By Popular Demand

A complaint was lodged in regards to the lack of photos in my last few posts -- and I'm guessing there are many more complaints yet to be heard. Therefore, dear readers and fans of all things Pelton, here are some of my favorite {recent} photos of Elena.

After careful consideration, she decided to finally taste


her 1st pancake.

She chose not to take another bite.
(07/07 Update: She tried Banana pancakes, and did take a second bite. And a third, and fourth, and fifth, and...well, you get the idea)

She played in the pool with cousin Logan.


And on the floor with Cousin Alex.

She ate sweet potatoes in the sunshine.


And she learned how to crawl.

*Please note that I have added photos to previous posts, as well. So scroll down and enjoy!

...In A Galaxy Far, Far, Away

Over the weekend DRL, Elena, our friend C.H.U.D and I went to see the Star Wars exhibit at the Science Museum of Minnesota. It was fantastic. I will post pictures as soon as I upload them to the computer. It was just amazing to see the acutal models, costumes, props, and puppets used to film the movie. Yoda, C3PO, R2D2, Darth Vader, Sand People, the Millenium Falcon, a TIE fighter, a Rebel X-Wing, lightsabers, and much more. If you are in or near Minnesota and have an hour to burn, I highly recommend a visit to the exhibit while it lasts. Oh, and stand in line to ride the Millenium Falcon -- it's pretty neat.

Storm Trooper

Rebel X-Wing

R2D2 and C3PO

Yoda, the Jedi Master

Millennium Falcon

In Baby news, I've decided it is time for Elena to be weaned. I'm pretty sure she's starting to self-wean, which is greatly aiding my decision. The fact that she just won't stop biting me is another big motivator. She's finally sleeping through the night - so she won't be up asking for a bottle - and she only nurses about 2 or 3 times a day as it is now. I'm hoping we'll be able to transition her off the boob by the time she hits 9 months. I'm also hoping that once she's weaned she'll be more likely to want to sleep all by herself in her "Big Girl Crib." Wish us luck!!

Elena also had a very nice visit with GrampaScott and Holly on Saturday. She even let go of her shyness and went right into Grampa's outstretched arms. Holly gave her a big stuffed flower that is her new "Car Companion" and she smiles at it every time she gets into the carseat. And as those of you who are parents know -- anything that makes getting into the carseat a little easier is worth its weight in gold.

In other news - the fascia and trim on the outside of our house is being painted today (white) - and it's going to look great! At last the "Big Gray Box" will be gone, and we may actually be left with a little bit of curb appeal. Now we just need to get some landscaping rock down, and some grass to grow - and we may have a yard!! Here's to hoping.....

"Blaaaaaaaah"

There is a point in Baby Mozart where the little green dragon looks left, looks right, and then looks straight ahead, opens his mouth, and says "blaaaaaaaaah." Elena has always gotten a kick out of this. That is until we finally managed to get our hands on the puppet and preform this feat for her in person. Now she's moved on to another favorite character. She does like to say "blaaaaaah" now though. For what its worth, I guess the dragon has had some lasting effects.

Her first cold ended up turning into her first ear infection. And it was a double one at that. She was administered Amoxicillian twice daily for 10 days and all was well once again. Hopefully we can go another 8 months (or MORE!!) before she has to worry about another one. The poor girl was pretty unhappy for a few days there, and it just broke our hearts to see her so miserable.

Elena had a play date with DRL's friend Josh Holtan's new baby girl, Violet. It was sooo strange to see such a little baby again!! I know Elena was that small once -- but Violet was soooooo tiny, and new, and skinny!! The Peltons, nontheless, wish a HUGE congrats to Josh and Tammy Holtan and a great big welcome to their beautiful baby girl!!



Not much else to report -- she's growing like a weed and too fast for our liking. But that's the way it is with children. And childhood. You blink and you might miss it. So DRL and I are in the habit of not blinking. Of keeping our eyes wide open and just watching. And listening. And drinking in every last drop that is our dazzling, magnificent, perfect little girl. There's not a day goes by that I'm not thankful for her and for everything she's added to my life. To our lives. And I wish there were words out there to explain to her just how much she is loved. But like my mom always told me -- "You will never understand the love a mother has for her child(ren) until you become a mother yourself." She has never been more right.

Your mama loves you little girl - more than I can ever promise, and more than I will ever know how to fully explain.

*muah*