Walk Like an Egyptian!

Dear Elzora,

Yesterday was an amazing day. You woke up like any other morning, but there was one huge difference. Overnight you had acquired the ability to WALK!! And I don't mean, you can kind of take a step. I mean, you can walk. We met Jessica and Rebecca at the family center (BVC) for baby singing time and you walked right through the circle of mommies and babies. I still can't believe it. It's probably the coolest thing I've ever seen in my life. I am so proud of you.

You've also started to give us kisses. When daddy left for work the other day you gave him a kiss, then he gave me a kiss, then you gave me a kiss. I thought I would melt. I will take as many kisses as you can give me.

Dancing! Dancing! Dancing! You are a dance-aholic. We watched Aunt Linda and Uncle Morgan's wedding video last week and you rocked back and forth through the entire ceremony and reception. You dance with the TV, you dance when we sing, you dance when a cell phone goes off and you bang your head when we are driving in the car. Rosemary says she doesn't think you are going to be a rockstar but sees you as more of a blues girl. I don't know, I think you are a rocker. We'll just have to wait and see!! In the meantime let's dance!!!

I guess it's time for me to tell you that you are going to be a big sister next year. But I think we will talk more about that after we have had the ultrasound and hear the baby's heartbeat on October 3rd. I'm very excited and feeling pretty good. I'm in week 13, so my energy level is rising and my belly is feeling better. I'm just so happy for our family.

Daddy is working so hard and getting used to his new job at H&M. I think he will be very, very happy with this company. Mommy will not be going back to her job. I'll be home with you full time until November 1 and then you will be going to daycare for 15 hours a week if they have a spot for you. You are going to love love love it. I know. And mommy will go to SFI to try to actually learn Swedish, so that I can get a really super duper cool job after the new baby comes.
It's all exciting.

So you do actually walk like an Egyptian. Well, you walk like a baby mummy and I figure that's close enough.

It's soon your birthday! Party! Party!

Love,
Mommy

Missing Michigan

Dear Elzora,
I can not believe that we've already been back from Michigan for a week and that it's been almost one month since my last blog entry! In my defense, we have both been massively jet lagged since we returned from Michigan last Sunday. I mean, it's fun sleeping in, but it's no fun staying up until 1am watching Sesame Street videos. But as of yesterday, I feel like we are getting back on track.

So, Michigan... What a fabulous trip we had!!On the first day mommy and daddy went canoeing on the Au Sable with Susan and Russ. The weather was perfect and it was so great to just relax, get a little exercise and catch up with an old friend on her birthday. You stayed at home with Grandma Mary Jo and the girls. You had fun playing in the little mushroom pool, but you definitely missed mommy and daddy and wouldn't let us out of your site for the rest of the trip.

We had a wonderful time staying at Grandma's house. She and the girls just loved you and daddy, and they bought you so many cool presents. I already mentioned the mushroom pool, but you also got tons of clothes, a gigantic bag of plastic balls, books, Barbies, a doll house and lots more. You are definitely a very loved little girl.

Without a doubt the best part of the vacation for you, Elzora, was spending time with your good friend Ruby Stirling!! And mommy and daddy definitely enjoyed spending time with Ruby's parents. We did lots of eating, shopping and hanging out. We celebrated Ruby's first birthday with her and the two of you had a great time splashing around in the tub and playing with Ruby's toys. We also made a trip up to Bel Air to Brian's parents' amazing lake house. Daddy learned about beer-can chicken, which he made for Linda, Morgan and Siri last night here in Ulricehamn. We also got to see ultrasound pics of the newest Stirling who is scheduled to be born on November 11th. Very, very exciting!! Congrats to Pascha, Brian, Zoey and Ruby!!

We also spent some time with Grandpa Mac and his wife Marilyn. And they loaded you up with gifts and clothes, too. And Grandpa Mac made you your very own swing that you just loved. They also hosted a BBQ for us and it was so much fun. Marilyn made all kinds of food. It was quite the spread. And best of all some of mommy's oldest and dearest friends showed up. It was so great to see Ronnie and his family, Markey and Nikki, Brent Church and his new BMW and Karen and her girls. We couldn't have asked for a nicer get together. And you had watermelon for the first time and just loved it. You weren't in a very good mood at the BBQ, but I know why because the day after the event your 7th tooth broke through on the bottom. Ouch!!

Daddy's one request during our trip was that we visit the town of Gaylord. He saw it on the map before we left Sweden. At first I was a little puzzled as to why daddy would

be so excited about going to a town called Gaylord. But he explained that he had to go because of Gaylord Focker. We actually had a very nice time walking around the city of Gaylord with it's faux Alpine motif. A man at a store called Trash told us that there weren't any gay people in Gaylord and invited us to be friends with him on myspace. 

I really thought you were going to take your first step while we were in Michigan, but it didn't happen. You were so, so close. I know that you will be bipedal by the end of this week. I just know it. BTW, you will be 11 months old tomorrow. It's hard to believe that we are only 1 month away from your 1st birthday. I can't wait to see what happens when you get to try ice cream and cake for the first time. I told daddy that I wanted to take you out for sushi on your first birthday, but he's not that into it. I mean, come on, you already eat pickled herring!

Thank you so much to Grandma Mary Jo, Jessie, Miranda, Kayla, Pascha, Brian, Zoey, Ruby, Grandpa Mac & Marilyn, Danielle & Tessa, Karen and the girls and Susan & Russ for making our first to Michigan as a family one kick ass adventure (don't say "ass" Elzora!)

Love, Mommy