I am speechless! I can not believe it was one year ago that I got a text while teaching that Amanda was in labor. Oh, how our lives have changed since that day! It has only been one year, but Josh and I cannot imagine our lives without our sweet baby girl!!! Josh and I know Elsie was meant to come into our lives! We will forever be grateful to Amanda and her selfless decision. I know Amanda couldn't have done what she did without the support of her family, Josh and I are forever grateful to them too! Thank you so much Feller Family!!!
Elsie is the most beautiful, happy baby ever! Last night she fell asleep in my arms (as she does every night - well, mine or Josh's) I looked down at her and tears came to my eyes. Really? This is my beautiful baby girl forever? She is the joy of my life! I feel so blessed to be her mother and feel so lucky that the Lord has trusted me with her. I love everything about Elsie! :) She may throw tantrums, but I even think those are cute (right now anyway). Elsie's new thing is when she sees your Ipod or cell phone, she thinks she HAS to have it (this may be an understatement). Elsie screams at you if you don't give it to her or if you move it to a different place. I don't know where this started. I have NEVER given her my phone or Ipod. Now, I will test her ability to handle my Ipod. I will play children's music on my Ipod and lock it and give it to her, she grins the entire time and dances to the music (it is actually pretty cute). Occasionally she will try to put it in her mouth, but if we tell her not to, she usually takes it out. If she doesn't, then we take it away from her. She is catching on pretty quick. Are babies these days en-grained with technology in their brains? It is so crazy. In a matter of not time, Elsie will be teaching me all about my computer! :)
A list of things I love about Elsie (in no particular order)...
Her beautiful smile! I love it when Elsie smiles at Josh and I and when she smiles at complete strangers.
Elsie's cute teeth. Elsie currently has 7 teeth (4 on top and 3 on bottom)
When Elsie tries to bite you, if you say "Soft" she will stop biting you and smile at you :)
Elsie's curly hair :)
The fact that Elsie is always so happy! She will smile at anyone and everyone and will let anyone hold her. I often think of Elsie as "therapy" Elsie has the ability to make anyone's day better. I LOVE taking Elsie out-and-about so I can see her face light up as she sees other people and to see their faces light up as they see her. That in itself makes my day. :)
Elsie's cute pirate crawl. She crawls with one leg straight and the other bent, dragging the bent leg under the straight one. It is pretty cute.
The fact that Elsie is so curious. She rarely plays with her own toys anymore. Her days are spent following us around trying to get into places we always block, ie the bathroom... :)
Elsie is a good eater. As long as we let her feed herself, she will try anything! Currently, Elsie LOVES grapes and strawberries (any fruit really), tomatoes and mac and cheese!
Elsie loves tv. Pretty much, any and every tv show. She still loves Sesame Street the most! She gets super excited when she hears the opening song. Thank goodness for DVR so we can watch a variety of Sesame Street episodes :)
Elsie LOVES music! Music of all kinds! I bought her a "Little People: Songs for the Road" cd that Elsie LOVES! She gets so excited to hear it. When she gets fussy and tired in the car (the only time she gets fussy in the car is when she is tired) I just turn on her cd and she gets excited, then gets quiet and will usually fall asleep :)
I love it when Elsie gets excited. She will grin really big and shake both her arms up and down and sometimes will bounce her body too. It is so cute!
I love how much Elsie loves her daddy. I have fallen in love with Josh all over again as a daddy. He is the best dad to Elsie! I am excited to hear Elsie talk and have conversations with Josh, because I already love to hear their conversations, and Elsie can't even talk yet :)
I love that Elsie still loves her carseat and I pray that she will love her new carseat as much as her current one. We haven't got her new carseat yet, but I know it will be a good one :) I don't think I am quite ready for the "lifestyle" change that comes with a new "stationary" carseat :) I know I will survive and will not put my daughter's safety in danger. Wish me luck.
I love that Elsie LOVES water! It is so fun taking her swimming. I am so excited for the lake this summer I can hardly contain myself :)
I love Elsie's fantastic personality! She is so fun and smiley! I love that she gets excited at the right times and laughs at the right times.
I love it when Josh is in the other room and I pick Elsie up and whisper in her ear, "Where's Daddy, Lets go find Daddy," Elsie grins so big, and usually makes a sound, a giggle, or an "inward laugh" it is like she can't contain herself and is so excited to scare her dad, I LOVE IT!!!
I love it when Elsie is doing something she knows she shouldn't be doing and when Josh or I walk toward her, she will start to crawl away from us quickly and laugh out loud. It is super cute.
I LOVE EVERYTHING ABOUT MY SWEET BABY GIRL!!!!!
One of my personal favorites :)
Who else falls asleep on a stroller ride?
This happened by default. I was trying to feed her, but she wouldn't let me, so at first, I gave her one noodle at a time, it slowly led to this...
Who wouldn't smile when your daughter looks at you like this?
Elsie watching "Baby Signing Time" as close as she can get :)
She hasn't been watching this movie as much lately, which is what she needs now to be able to communicate what is in that sweet little head of hers :)
This used to be my apple... :)
Elsie has started standing up in the tub...
...please pray that she will stop so she doesn't fall and hurt herself :)
Outfit of the day :)
Sunday afternoon nap :)
Outfit of the day :)
She crossed her legs all by herself :)
Elsie LOVES toast :)
...And pickles :)
...AND tomatoes.... :)
...AND Grandma Gay :)
Elsie loves Grandpa's rocking chair :)
Love this crazy girl's face :)
Outfit of the day :)
Elsie uses anything as a phone :)
She is learning quick :)
I LOVE her face!!!
Elsie has learned how to wave. She takes her hand just like that and pops her wrist to the outside, it is SOOO cute!!! She waves at everyone - my personal favorite is when she waves at complete strangers as we pass them (at church or at the store) :)
LOVE these big blue eyes!
This is Elsie's happy-screaming face :)
I LOVE IT!!!!
Pretty Pretty Princess!
Elsie loves to brush her teeth :)
Outfit of the day - with a smile of the day :)
I was working in the kitchen and Elsie was playing quietly, and this is what I found :) Elsie loves to look at books. I love how she is pointing to the pictures in the books and making sounds, like she is saying what each picture is. I couldn't resist recording her :) I also love how big she smiles when she notices me taping her :)
This sweet baby girl has made me so happy and has made me into a better person! I have the best husband and daughter ever! My life is perfect!!!!!
Yes, she JUST got 4 shots!
She likes sugar just as much as her mother :)
You can actually see how sticky she is in this one :)
MMMMMMMM, Thanks for the sucker!!!
The sticky sucker is all gone, now time for a bottle and a long winter's nap :) 
