Week 10

Well, she's 2 1/2 months old now! The last few weeks have been really fun because she's started being very vocal (without screaming) and started smiling tons. There is nothing so special as when she locks eyes with you, and grins. It's the most beautiful thing in the whole world! A lot of the time she starts really smiling when we lay her down for a diaper change (if she's not cranky). It makes diaper changes a lot more fun, but it also makes them take a lot longer, since I spend 5 minutes making her talk and smile before even taking off her diaper! But, oh well!This weekend we went to Springfield for Josh and my's annual trip to do our Christmas shopping and go to the SDC Christmas festival. We left Elena with her Grandma Looten for the day while we hit The Landing in Branson, and SDC. They had a great day, and Josh and I enjoyed some alone time. Although, by the end of the day I missed my baby girl, and not just because my boobs were about to explode. She loves her Grandma Looten, though, and will just talk and talk with her. Sunday we went to church with them, and she was a great baby. This week has been a great week, and she just keeps getting cuter! Here are some of my favorite pictures from this week...

Smiling and talking for Grandma Looten... she finally fits in the "coming home" outfit Josh and I originally bought her! But it's awful cute now!

Having her make eye contact is so neat... but she doesn't like to lay down very much, she wants to stand all the time. She is great at holding up her head now, too!
Grandma Looten bought her two Christmas onesies, so, of course, we had to wear one home!
After a rough afternoon of laying on the ground kicking, Elena passed out on her Grandpa Looten. Apparently, on a grandpa's chest is her favorite place to nap (see last week's picture of her napping on Grandpa Price's chest)!
Lest everyone gets the impression that Miss Elena is always happy... sometimes she doesn't WANT her diaper changed! Sad thing is, she's still adorable!

Elena has picked up a new habit in the last week or so... she is constantly sucking on her fist. I just know she's thinking "I know there's a thumb in there somewhere, and if I can just figure out how to make it stick out, I'll be set!" It's pretty funny, because you'll hear this loud sucking noise and look over, and her hand is practically wrist deep in her mouth! Anyway, Josh doesn't want her to be a thumb sucker, but I think it's pretty cute! :)

1o weeks old and already a talker, I get the feeling our life is only going to get more interesting! This weekend we are headed to Illinois for Thanksgiving, and to meet lots and lots of aunts and uncles and cousins! I'm sure there will be lots of pictures next week, too!