Odds & Ends

Four months old!

Last weekend, Elisa turned four months old!  That meant another trip to the doctor for more shots and some measurements:  13 lb. 12 oz., 24 in. long, 16 in. head.  That means that Elisa has more than doubled her lowest weight – and may actually outweigh our cat Ink in the next month or so!!

The yearly start of winter has allowed some wardrobe variety.  With cold weather, Elisa has been wearing a variety of sweaters and coats for outer wear, but this week she got a pink snowball coat made by a friend at Houghton.  The coat is guaranteed to make almost everyone who sees her croon!  Despite the sweaters, Elisa has survived her first cold – which she got in Florida.  Mommy and Daddy got pretty handy with the nasal bulb (and a few times Elisa even laughed as Mommy cleaned out her nose…) and then learned about a wonderful vaccuum cleaner attachment that sucks the sinuses out with much better efficiency, which results in less overall crying!  (Don’t worry - Andrew tried it on himself first!)

Elisa is gaining more control of her hands.  She has been grabbing things for some time, but has been better at holding on and pulling to her over the last couple weeks.  She held a book while we were in Florida and has started the habit of holding onto the bar from which her toys are suspended in both the bouncy seat and swing.  Most exciting, she held her own bottle for the first time tonight!

Finally, Elisa is gaining strength in her legs.  She had started pushing up on her legs a little before Thanksgiving, but now is very excited about standing!  When pulled to sitting she occasionally doesn’t want to stop there and straightens her legs to show she wants to stand.  She can stand (though not steadily) while holding on to our fingers.

Thanksgiving in Daytona

Leaving behind the snow and below-freezing temperatures of western New York, we escaped to Daytona for Thanksgiving. (Andrew’s parents chose a nice climate to live in!)  Andrew’s brother (Johnmark) and family also live in the area and one of his sister’s (Faith) and her family were also down from Michigan.  We greatly enjoyed the week and a half spent with family and Elisa enjoyed and was greatly admired by all.

This was Elisa’s first chance to meet her Grandpa Camenga as well as some aunts, uncles and cousins.  Grandpa was kind enough to sing his Happy Hippopotamus song for Elisa.  She was described as even-tempered and a pretty happy baby – and she really is!

We took trips to the Kennedy Space Center, where Andrew’s dad is working, and to Silver Springs, a natural wonder and zoo/amusement park.   At the Space Center, we got own private tour and had a marvelous time learning and getting insight into Dad Camenga’s daily routine.  We enjoyed alligators, tortoises, giraffes and glass-bottom boat tours at Silver Springs.  In both cases we had quite the stroller brigade between Elisa and her sixteen-month triplet cousins! 

Elisa also had her first experience of sun hats and sunblock since her eyes were too sensitive to light to be outside much before the weather cooled up north.

We had a nice traditional Thanksgiving, both brunch and evening meal, with almost everyone preparing a dish or two.  Sabbath we were all able to attend church at Daytona together and see many other friends.  We also had a meal with friends from Hungary Kristin hadn’t seen for 10 years, get family pictures taken (much easier when you don’t have to drive 45-90 min to the studio!), and go out for a date to celebrate Kristin’s birthday (and so give Grandma more time with Elisa!)  Again, Elisa did a great job traveling, having no issues with changes in pressure and sleeping or being happy most of flights.