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*

Ahhh...Ahhh....Ah-Choo!

Elena got her first cold this Memorial Day weekend. The poor girl had a runny nose and was really congested. She screamed for the lesser part of an hour on Saturday night trying to fall asleep. She wanted to suck on her paci, but couldn't breathe through her nose -- imagine the frustration. She finally figured out a way to keep the paci in her mouth and still breathe, and thus got some well-needed rest. She was pretty clingy to mommy - and got me sick in the meantime - but is feeling much better now! I, on the other hand, could use a bed, some vicks, and a breathe right strip!

She is extremely close to being able to officially crawl. She has figured out how to push up on all fours, and she's mastered moving her legs. Now, she just has to figure out how to move one leg, then one arm, and so on and so forth. Even money that she'll be motoring around by 8 months old. Though, as previously noted, I really wouldn't mind if she took longer than that and waited just a while longer.

DRL would like it noted that she has spoken her first word, and that word is "Dada." I refuse to acknowledge said accomplishment because - although she does say the word rather well, and very frequently - I do not believe that she knows what it means. Once she figures out that "Dada" means DRL, it will go down on the books. (I'll keep you posted)

A Rather Spendy Decoration

A few updates....

It is believed that Elena is cutting her top two teeth now. She's less thrilled with these two than I think she was with her first two -- which is somewhat strange. But then again, Elena has proven to be one to do the opposite of what's expected. She tried her very first "real" sweet potatoes at dinner last night, and seemed rather pleased. She also had some blended peas, and actually had a brief encounter with her gag reflex. Since DRL hates peas more than he hates Center Stage or my RENT soundtrack, he found it rather amusing. After the second bite, she seemed a little more enthralled by the fresh pea taste. Then she got full.

Swimming lessons are over, and we're looking into starting another session - but this time at Foss Swim School or the YMCA. The pool at Roosevelt Middle School was a tad too cold for our Little One, and her enjoyment was a little stunted because of it.

(Here's a photo of her and I in the pool.)
Mother's Day came and went without much fanfare. Grandma Kay came up on Saturday and we spent the day shopping. She made off with quite the haul of goodies after stopping to see Noel at the Harley shop and me buying her shoes from Payless. Then we stopped at Target for something small -- funny how I forget what -- and ended up leaving with more clothes and shoes. Ahh...there's nothing quite like girls shopping!! Sunday I had a nice brunch with DRL's side of the family while he was at work. I think Elena knew it was Mommy's special day because she slept until 10:00 a.m. -- and so did I!!! And that was the first time since the day my water broke that I have slept past 9 a.m. And it was the best gift, ever. Thank you my darling daughter. Thank you.

Last night was Elena's first time sleeping through the night - without getting up - even once - to eat. She woke up briefly but I stuck the paci back in her mouth and she was out like a light. I've known for about a month now that she's been comfort eating in the middle of the night -- and I'm really hoping she's given that up for good. If not -- I'll gently coax her into it.

DRL and I have also decided that the "Family Bed" days are numbered. I love having her near us but I think it's time for her to learn to soothe herself...and I really believe she'll be the better for it. The problem is getting her into her big, scary crib. Let me take a moment to note that she'll sleep in our bed - with or without mom or dad present - she'll sleep in her cousin Logan's crib, and now in his Big Boy Bed, she'll sleep in Auntie Janelle's bed. She'll sleep all alone like a big, brave girl everywhere but her crib. The instant DRL or I set her down, she's awake and looks terrified!! It's the strangest thing. Today -- DRL put her down for her nap in the crib after she had fallen asleep. She stayed asleep!! For 15 whole minutes!! Folks, this is a big deal. So, cross your fingers for the Family Pelton and wish us luck. Hopefully the crib will morph from a very expensive decorative home furnishing to an actual bed. A place where someone - namely my child - will slumber peacefully and unafraid.

You Say It's Your Birthday....

Happy First Birthday to Bea Holterhaus!!

And a Happy (hungover) Belated Birthday to Uncle Jake.