Literally Elle

On the way to shrimp and stuff and we are discussing what elle should eat. I presented her with her options: "shrimp, chicken fingers, maccaroni". Elle responded with "Yuck Momma! Chicken fingers, NO!" and then proceeded to examine her own fingers very quickly. When I restated it and asked her if she wanted chicken strips she quickly stated yes.

Mini Piggy Tails

Here is our first attempt at pig tails. I know we had to try hard but it is pretty stinking cute-don't ya think?

Pre-Dinner Convo At The Buerg House

Let me set the scene. Elle is super stoked to see her Daddy. She gets an extra boost of energy when she sees him for the first time in the evening. Tonight I was prepping dinner and I see Elle plowing through the house like Elin Woods. Whacking everything in sight with her new golf clubs (kudos to meemom). She loves these clubs. As her Daddy looks at her he very calmly explains. " Elle, I don't think you are ready for golf. He then takes the club and hides it. Not a minute later. I hear. "Hey. Dude, where did you get that driver" As Elin, I mean Elle began "golfing" again. Never a dull moment and I love every minute of it!

My Island Girl

Elle's first try at meat was on Thanksgiving. I even splurged on the organic turkey so that I would be comfortable giving her good meat on her first try. She wanted nothing to do with it. She spit it out immediately. Her second try was on a perfectly cooked filet. She once again refused it. David and I decided we will not force her to eat meat. Don't get me wrong she eats lots of things. She likes toast, cereal, bagels, raisin bread, crackers, cheese, yogurt, apple sauce, apples, pears, bananas, grapes, blueberries,peaches, broccoli, squash, sweet potatoes, carrots, beets, zucchini, avocados, tofu, tortillas, maccaroni and cheese, risotto, grilled cheese sandwiches, kiwi, and much much more. We will just make sure that she is getting enough protien from other places. Well lo and behold she ate some fresh snapper tonight that Meemom prepared for us and loved it. So she might not do the meat thing but likes seafood. That's my girl!! I told Daddy he needs to provide her with snapper from Katie's Seafood at least twice a week. She and Mommy can grow quite accustomed to it. David's reply "She better learn to like tilapia".

Santa Claus

All season long Elle has been fascinated with Santa Claus. My mom has a big stuffed Santa that she loves to kiss and pat. But when it came to the real thing, she wasn't so intrigued. She wasn't so happy at all. She actually refused to sit on Santa's lap even though he knew her name and had a farmilar voice. Oh well maybe next year.

After a trip to the beach with Meemom and Momma I wanted to drive!

I always look back when changing lanes.

Both feet on the floor and two hands on the wheel, may the wind take your troubles away.

Always eat a cracker while driving.

Maddogging other drivers

That was rough.

Birthday Party continued

my new fun adorable hat from christy


uncle koo koo and uncle andy


my new favorite book from kate and avery

opening presents


What is everyone doing?

Happy Birthday My Baby Elle!!

I can honestly say that I am in pure astonishment that you are already a year old. You are already an unbelievable daughter and little person. You have such a funny little personality. You are so strong willed and determined. You want what you want when you want it. I respect that but also think that sometimes you can't have what you want. You are the sweetest little thing to ever walk the face of the earth. You share kisses with all of the people(especially Uncle KC) and animals that you love. You also love to pat me, daddy and meemom as well as the dogs and cats. You have made a drastic improvement with the pets. You pat instead of ripping hair out most of the time. Your best friend and best teacher is your MeeMom. You absolutely adore her and everything that she does. She has taught you so many things that I can't believe it. Including how to climb up and down stairs something that gives mommy a little anxiety. She also helped you master walking and now you try to run Meemom has taught Mommy a lot about being a Mommy as well. We still LOVE to roll as FrancesX 3. We have so much fun! Your favorite word remains to be Bob (AKA Buddy the bud man buergler). That is fine. You also say Mom, Dad, NaNaNiNi (Meemom) and a few other things but not consistently. You eat lots of stuff (apples, pears, peaches, plums, strawberries, bananas, green beans, peas, beats, brown rice, couscous, cottage cheese, tofu, crackers, toast, eggplant, zucchini, squash, spinach, apricot, kiwi, yogurt and more. Yet avocado and cantaloupe remain as your favorites! You are growing and changing every day. If I ask you where is KC, or meemom or dad, you know right where to look. If I ask you where is buddy or bruce or Lupe you know the difference and look at the correct animal. Crazy. You are such a little sponge and we are blown away by you. Your daddy was explaining his love for you like this. He said that a mommy loves her baby from the beginning of the pregnancy. But for Daddy he was excited about the pregnancy and he loved you when you were born but he can't believe how much more he loves you each day. He is amazed by the way his love grows and grows. I am too. Elle you are such a delight even when you are a fussy pants. You can light up a room with those eyes and that smile. I adore you and am so amazed by all of your accomplishments. I can't believe that it has been an entire year. 365 days, 52 weeks how ever you want to look at it. Thank you for all of the love and joy that you have brought to us each and every day. You have given us all a new and important job and meaning to life. We can't be live that we can love anyone/anything so much and that you are OURS! We love you with all of our hearts Pootie Girl. It has been a great adventure and we are looking forward to many many more!

Love,
Your Parents

not sure how i forgot to share this but elle took her first steps on October 15th at her Meemom's house. Mom said she would walk before she turned 11 months and i guess that elle was listening. That Sunday she took about 5 steps for her dada and I. we were able to get video. i will upload it soon. It is pretty great. She continues to take more and more steps. She has taken up to about 11 in a row. She prefers crawling because she is lightning fast. Watch out world! Here she comes.

shopping cart

Elle spends a whole lot of time taking all of her toys out of the basket and throwing them everywhere. She loves it. I had to put to baskets in the living room to accommodate this. At her Meemom's house she has more toys than I can begin to explain in baskets in the living room and meemom and her take them out and put them up several times a day. Daddy taught Elle how to play "shopping cart" while I was having a girls happy hour last Wednesday. Elle stands behind the basket of toys and pushes it down the hallway. She took a few steps on two different occasions for her meemom last week. Mommy and Daddy haven't seen it yet but know it is coming really soon.

Elle looking for something.



And here she is stoked to find what she was looking for (you can see her new bruise)

i know the picture is blurry but i had to do it. elle loves to kiss.. especially her family, animals and dolls. It is pretty cute and sweet. Elle especially hearts ALL THINGS ELMO!

This picture was taken back in june when we went to NJ for our anniversary. I am one lucky girl. I love them!!!

Elle...showing off tricks and fits

I can patty cake and move from one side of the room to another without actually crawling. I have come up with many creative ways to move. I am also pulling myself up and standing momentarily. Look out world!

We might have to rethink our morning walk. It is so damn hot by 9:30 a.m. that the dogs and the baby are SUFFERING. Mom and I were struggling today. 7:30 just seems so early for a summer day walk but it might be that or nothing! Summer = hot. That was yesterdays thought. So Today We went at 7:45 and still TOO DAMN HOT. It took Bruce literally 4 or 5 hours to completely cool off. He was panting and panting and just laying around. Poor boy. Elle was super stoked when we began our walk. She was just taking it all in the ocean, the ocean breeze, the dogs, the people and the sand. Until all of the sudden there was no ocean breeze and it was 100 degrees. I think we are gonna try to walk at 7 am tomorrow. Not sure it is worth it. Maybe I should go back to sipping my coffee (that my wonderful husband brings me in bed-when I'm good) and snuggling with my pootie while we watch GMA and surf the internet. I will let you know what we decide.

Welcome to the World

Frances Isabelle "Elle"

November 18, 2008

2:34 p.m.
19 inches long

7 lbs. 10 ozs.