A Portrait of the Artist as an Infant

 We have here three pictures of the budding artist exploring the confines of her apartment.  Notice the grace with which she handles the comb, the discernment with which she observes the world around her, the confidence with which she knowingly smiles at that silly adult with a camera.  The hat is a gift from Kaori (wife of Adam Catt), who knit it by hand from alpaca wool and then sent it across the Pacific so that it might live a happy existence atop Eléa's head.

Snow and Swings

Eléa has been having fun in the snow, though she seems more impressed with it falling from the sky than when it is on the ground.

Since Eléa has been sitting on her own for a bit, we decided to let her try the swing.  She seemed pretty neutral about the whole experience, but seemed to like our funny faces on the other side.... Here are some snow and swing shots!

There is also some video of her swing time and a new face that Eléa has started making.  We call it her dinosaur face and you might guess why after watching the video....

Dinosaur Face
swing fun
more swing fun

Eléa, so pretty!

These are too cute not to post....

You can even see Eléa's two new teeth popping through at the bottom!

2011: New Tricks and More Cuteness

2011 brings some new firsts.  Eléa has started eating solids and belly laughing.  It is crazy to think that by 2012 we will have a walking and sort of talking child.  

Eléa loving her purple booties that her great Aunt Anne made for her.

Yummy sweet potatoes!

Check out these videos of Eléa laughing, Luke making her laugh and solid-eating madness.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TXrTrv-IOA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1v-8Lkcmwyc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ekchsi0GcU

December Holidays 2010

Eléa continued her traveling ways in December as we visited Chicago, Austin and Houston.  She had her first Christmas experience and LOVED wrapping paper more than any gifts.  She has started to sit on her own and has gotten up, albeit briefly, on all fours in an attempt at crawling.  Much to her frustration, she can scoot herself backwards instead of forwards.  Eléa loved meeting her uncle Seren for the first time and was happy to spend some quality time with her grandparents and abuelos.  It was incredible to have so many helping hands.  Thanks for a wonderful holiday!

Eléa loves to fly...

Happy 2011!

Ringing in the new year with the abuelos and tia Ariane!

fatty bo batty!

I love grandma, grandpa and uncle Seren....and of course my favorite giraffe too!

My very own stocking....

Aren't I pretty darn cute?

Hilarious!

Eléa and her best baby buddy, Reese, in Chicago.   We credit Reese for inspiring Eléa's crawling attempts.

Our g-d-daughter, Sylvia.  She has gotten so big and makes us super excited about all the fun we will have with Eléa in a few years.

Sylvia agreed to serve as Eléa's big sister!

Uncle Seren is the best!

I love grandpa!

Mami and me

As most of you know, I hate to be in pictures... But Luke's g-dmother in Austin captured some great shots that may shock you all!

A month of smiles, new firsts and travels!

We apologize sincerely for our tardiness in putting up new pictures and information about Eléa.  Things have been busy for us and for Eléa.  She has started to laugh (which is amazing to hear!) and is so close to being able to roll.  She gets three-fourths of the way over, but her pesky right arm is in the way.  Eléa also went on her first plane trip and handled it like a pro.  We dressed her in her finest clothes so maybe people on the plane would be distracted by her cuteness and not so mad about the crying, but there was no real crying..... Fingers crossed for Christmas travel.

She has visited her homeland of Texas and it appears that her extreme hatred for the car seat has somewhat diminished.  Eléa had a great time visiting Luke's parents (aka: grandma and grandpa) in Austin and displayed her stellar taste as she tried to lick Kaanchan's Amy's icecream cone.  She also had some quality time with my parents (aka: abuelo and abuela) in Houston and participated in her first Thanksgiving meal.

Here are pictures from the month.... Sorry for the overwhelming number!

Eléa's Venezuelan Dress!

The monster ate our daughter!

The nuclear family

These are overalls that Luke were when he was a baby!  You can't tell so clearly from the picture, but they are covered with owls and are super cute.

She's getting stronger everyday...

Luke practicing his lecture in front of a 'captive' audience...

Eléa has perfected this old man face (she looks like she's missing her dentures).  We know it is really because she is teething, but we can't help but laugh everytime she does it.

So cute!

Quality time with abuela!

Our friend Al with his daughter, Helena.  Eléa made many new friends in Texas!

Eléa's favorite chew toy (my hand)!

First hike....

Kaanchan and Eléa reunion 2010...

just cute....

Eléa's first taste of American suburbia...

Thanksgiving something, or is it a reindeer?

Tia and Eléa's matching outfits!

In her own way....

Eléa loves to read, in her own way of course.  Check out these videos of us reading some of Eléa's favorite books.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsapmrkXvkM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRTpRLK1zck