Dairy Free

So, for the last few weeks I've been going dairy free for Ella, as you may know from Daniel's last post. I started trying to be positive -- thinking about things that I COULD eat. In fact, there are plenty of things I can eat without dairy, and even more if I get the fancy substitutes that have been made! Did you know they have dairy free margarine (unsalted Fleischmann's), cake mix (Duncan Hines) and chocolate chips (Ghirardelli semi sweet) along with the basic milk substitutes?

I am also grateful for the internet and all the bloggers out there who post about brands and recipes that are dairy free. It is much easier when you know what brand to look for so you don't spend an hour trying to find a margarine substitute or figure out a meal that doesn't take dairy and that isn't spaghetti!

Lots of Rain, but no Milk!

A week or so ago, we started seeing signs that Ella may be allergic to something Elissa was eating.  We crossed our fingers that it wouldn't be a food that's in everything and/or one of the ones that's likely to last through into adulthood.  Elissa started by going without peanut butter, and, at the advice of our pediatrician, milk.  We were told that we wouldn't know for sure until at least two weeks had passed.  If it worked, Ella would probably be a lot less fussy and sleep better.  Those seemed like good enough rewards to merit Elissa living a milk-free lifestyle.  We'll let Elissa tell you about the details of her living milk free, but I'll tell you one thing.  Apparently, as much as I like almond milk, I can't drink it or I 'get as fussy as Ella'.  So, I get regular milk while Elissa gets almond milk.  It works.

On another note, we have gotten a lot of rain lately.  This is our back yard from the other day.  That puddle is 3 inches deep!

Baby's First Shots

Ella's 2 month appointment was on Wednesday.  Elissa told me I had to take time off of work (because I offered) in case the experience was super-traumatic, as people have suggested it would be.  Ella seemed to be trying to charm us out of giving her shots that day, because she started to be really cute and happy as we got to the office.  It didn't work.

She got stuck 3 times and had an oral vaccine.  We're pretty sure that Ella thought the worst part was putting rubbing alcohol on her to sterilize the area.  All in all, her crying that day was pretty much like all her other crying, so we didn't feel too bad (not that we would regret helping her not get sick and die).

Ella wore a cute outfit to the event.

As a side note, I've started working on a modular origami project for Ella (I'm thinking we're going to turn this into a mobile somehow).  I thought I'd share some preliminary results.  From left to right these are: five intersecting tetrahedrons, an icosahedron, an icosidodecahedron, and a truncated icosahedron (with another one of a different style inside it).

A 2 Month Update

Baby Ella at two months:

loves the bees on her new swing;
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B_oerMO0yfsbUGZfc3hzUThCTG8/edit?usp=sharing

learning to smile;
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B_oerMO0yfsbOGJyQ3VBeXc4RWs/edit?usp=sharing

getting big!
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B_oerMO0yfsbTlhzbWg4TE1KSXc/edit?usp=sharing

She also likes primary songs (and lots of other songs too).

Ella's Baby Blessing

It only took a few weeks to document it, but Ella's baby blessing went well!  We had both of our parents here, and Mom (Zina) even made a fancy dress for the occasion.  Here's a few pictures:

Ella preparing mentally for the blessing with a soothing swing ride

We're pretty sure she thought the bib threw off the outfit

Continuing the Dad/Ella photoshoot

Grandma and her handy-work*

The Call family

*she did NOT make the baby, though she is quite adept at calming her.

We know a lot of you wanted to be here for the blessing, and we missed you but totally understand.

Baby Ella Stealing Hearts

We have been so busy, that we got really behind on our blog posts! My parents and Daniel's mom came down to see baby Ella. I'm pretty sure she has stolen some hearts!

Daddy Getting His Heart Stolen:
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B_oerMO0yfsbdGo1SlJ2YUF5SEk/edit?usp=sharing
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B_oerMO0yfsbQ2NnaExUMjRDbmc/edit?usp=sharing
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B9pB_v2W7aXcSXh2d3BUMTg5ejg/edit?usp=sharing

Grandpa too!
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B_oerMO0yfsbMExmVUlUN2FaTlE/edit?usp=sharing

You boys better watch out!

Baby model faces:
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B9pB_v2W7aXcUjcwbmJld1JIMEU/edit?usp=sharing
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B9pB_v2W7aXcNW5vOGZWZWVTbjQ/edit?usp=sharing
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B_oerMO0yfsbNWVUcEN5M3pnTk0/edit?usp=sharing

A Short Post

For those people who think that our baby might not have eyes, we bring you pictures to prove otherwise.  During the day, and at night (when she should be asleep).

Ella is still growing and is healthy.  And, thanks to Elissa's Aunt, we even got a whole 1 hour date in.  We had Indian food, which was a nice break.

Honestly not a whole lot more happened this last week, so this post is ridiculously short.