Salt Lake City, UT

Just to record a few milestones in case I don't ever get them in the baby book:

First wave: October 28, 2008

Started saying "baba" on November 1, 2008

First word: "Mama" on November 13, 2008

We went to Salt Lake City, UT this past weekend to visit friends, Nicol and Craig. They live in the canyon on the way to Alta Ski Resort.

We got on the flights on the way out and Mommy even had an empty seat next to her so Lizzie got to sit in the seat and play.

The views of the city are gorgeous and they are 20 minutes from the mountain for great skiing. We got out there on Friday night and ate at one of the local taco joints and enjoyed our Utah 3.2% beer. On Saturday, we went for a walk in the field near their house and Lizzie took a nap in the carrier. Nicol watched Elizabeth while Mommy and Daddy went for a run up the canyon. It was supposed to be 1.5 hours, but ended up being an hour and 45 minutes and Mommy was complaining by the end, despite the gorgeous scenery and sunny skies.


















That afternoon, we decided to take advantage of ski for free after 3. We all headed up to Alta, dressed in Craig and Nicol's extra ski gear. We borrowed new gear from the shop and Craig wore Elizabeth for her first skiing ever. She seemed interested, but fell asleep on the second run because she was so cozy in the wrap and inside Craig's coat!

Halloween

A little late on these photos, but they were cute so we had to get them up. Elizabeth had her 6 month appointment on October 31st, so I took her in her costume. The nurses said she had great legs for shots!! She weighed 20# 4 oz and was 27" long. She continues to cough occasionally, but the pediatrician listened to her chest and said she was clear.


We finally made it to Connor Prairie for the Headless Horseman. The weather was much better and we said the Headless Horseman twice. Elizabeth just looked around wide-eyed. She didn't cry or scream and neither did Mommy.

I decided that I didn't need to take Elizabeth around the neighborhood to collect candy (I just buy it the day after at 50% off), so we took a walk before it got dark to see the decorated houses. Elizabeth had her picture taken with our Jack-O-Lantern on the front lawn.

Today, we took her 6 month photos (okay, nearly 7 months, but I have been waiting for the cold to pass so she didn't have a runny nose in the photos). I ended up choosing just a head shot with her hat on (and no top) because she had such a nice smile in the picture. I'm going to actually try to give them out this time!

Preparation for Halloween

Today, we carved our first pumpkin with Elizabeth. I did all the dirty work while Elizabeth slept (cut off the lid and scooped out the innards) and Daddy carved the pumpkin in about 5 minutes. I feel like it used to take me at least 2 hours to get a toothy grin (which we usually had to repair with a toothpick when I accidentally cut the tooth off!).
After the carving, we headed to Connor Prairie to go on the Headless Horseman Hay Ride. On Thursday night, we got there at about 7:30 and the hayride ticket was for 10:45 so we bagged it. Tonight, we got in line before the gates opened and when we went in, we got tickets for the 9:30. We were advised to try to get on earlier because we had a little one. The queue manager let us in the 7:30 boarding. Elizabeth was cozy in the wrap and the man rolled our stroller off to the parking to be picked up afterwards.
But wait... then they got the call that all hayrides were cancelled because it was too dangerous for the horses and riders. I really did think they were kidding because the people just in front of us( literally, we were the next to get on board) were pulling away in their tractor. But they were serious. Luckily, we could get a rain check, except that didn't matter because we are members and we get in for free and the rain check did not guarantee any hayride boarding time. As we left Connor Prairie, Mommy complained a lot and stated that it reminded her of the two times! that New Year's celebrations in Edinburgh have ever been cancelled and we were there both times. Daddy agreed. Mommy is bitter.

We're back!

We've been in Bordeaux, France for the past ten days. I am planning to post a slideshow of our travels, including the visit from Granny, Grandad and Auntie Rosie. We stayed in an aparthotel, which was somewhat like a Residence Inn. It was great to have the extra space and to be able to cook a few times and eat breakfast at "home." Even so, we still managed to eat plenty of French food, chocolate, cheese and wine. We travelled a bit into the wine country and while Daddy was working, I walked tons around the city and got a chance to run and swim while Granny and Grandad watched Elizabeth. The flights were not bad at all-we have relatively short layovers, which made the overall time tolerable. Elizabeth slept in the bassinet (actually a cardboard box lined with airplane pillows and a scratchy airplane blanket, set inside a cloth and steel bassinet and attached to the bulkhead) for quite a lot of the flights, despite the assertion from the flight attendant that infants hate them and never sleep in them. I thought she was like a baby chick in a box with holes, except she barely fit in the box and we have to push the ends out so she fit!! Not sure what will happen on the next overseas journey in a couple months... This picture is from Poloumy Vineyard in the Medoc Region, just north of Bordeaux. Elizabeth's first vineyard tour. More photos later!

GRRRR!!

Daddy just finished giving Elizabeth a bath.

Elizabeth shows off

Elizabeth shows off her new skill-independent sitting.

First Table Food

Elizabeth proved during the week that she can take a spoon without a tongue thrust. In addition, she is now sitting unsupported. So, although Mommy would have liked to wait, Elizabeth was developmentally ready for table foods. I cooked some of Daddy's organic beef (opening the door and using the fan for ventilation) and pureed it with some breastmilk. It ended up more like meaty breast soup, but Elizabeth didn't complain. She had a couple tiny spoonfuls and is looking forward to more tonight!