Seven Months

"Happy Birthday to meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.  Mom says it's been seven months already and asked me to slow down but I don't really know what she means.  Here's the standard birthday photo with George and a little recap of what I've been up to over the past month..."

Eloise and George: June 18, 2015

"I am full-steam-ahead on the eating train and love to eat pretty much anything.  Over the past month I was introduced to puffs and yogurt melts and they are one of my favorite things.  It took me a few days to get the hang of how to get them into my mouth, but now I dare say that I am an expert.  I also love eating my regular baby foods and am gradually starting to get more, in both quantity and variety.  Just the other day I had an apple/blueberry puree that was quite delicious."

"For some reason, I am not so motivated to move around too much.  However, the day before my birthday I decided that I would roll from my back to my belly and then over onto my back again.  It was kind of neat because not only was mom super proud of me, but I ended up on the far end of the blanket where there were a few other toy to play with and where I could be a little closer to dog dog.

"I am beginning to get the hang of sitting up, but I still need some help.  I like sitting up because I can see more than just the ceiling (which is super boring after 7-months) and can play with toys in a whole new way.  Usually mom or dad will sit with me and help me sit for a while or help me sit back up after I fall over, but for the first time the other day, Gus was able to help me practice my sitting by letting me lean on him a little.  He's a pretty awesome little dude."

"I am talking more and more.  I started off with the obvious choice: dadadadadadadada because not only could I use it to refer to dad, but I could also apply the same noise to mean dog-dog.  I say a noise that my mom thinks means 'Hi' because I say it appropriately and I am also learning to wave my hand when I say it.  Sometimes it looks like I am flapping my arms and sometimes it actually looks like waving.  Either way, mom says I'm on my way to communicating."

"And like all Hayes kids, I love the water.  Love, love, love it."

A link to Natalie's 7-month update:
http://suburbanhayes.blogspot.com/2011/11/7-months.html

Maiden Voyage: Ocean Beach

We packed up the family truckster with the littlest kids and the dog and headed for the beach.  San Diego or bust.

All unpacked and off to explore Ocean Beach...

This next one was right before the wave knocked her over.  Boy did she squeal and giggle.

Eloise was pretty impressed.  So impressed that her hair curled up on top of her head.  And then within five minutes, she fell fast asleep.

Dinner and a much deserved pitcher of beer at Pizza Port right down the street.

An after-hours stroll along the beach for Gus.  He was super excited to walk in the sand but very confused and scared of the waves.

Turns out there are advantages and disadvantages of being a block from the beach.  Convenience is traded for P&Q.  Gus was up all night listening to every single noise.  So finally, bright and early the next morning, mommy got up at 5:15 and took Gus for a walk to dog beach. He LOVED it.

The Cat in the Hat museum exhibit in Balboa Park.

 Another walk to the beach to build sand castles before dinner.

Dinner at Hodad's (she killed a whole cheeseburger and fries) and then a stroll along the Pier to watch the surfers and the sunset.

The next day gave us perfect weather for checking out the San Diego Zoo.  Who knew they had THREE separate flamingo exhibits?

Vacation is hard.

After a nice long nap, we took the kids and Gus to dog beach so they could watch him play.

The next morning was our beach day.  We got up early and went to check out the tidepools and boy were we in for a surprise!  The beach was covered in tiny little red tuna crabs.

http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2015/jun/12/tuna-crabs-oceanbeach/

 Finally, she earned an ice cream cone for good behavior.  Flavor?  Birthday Cake.

After enjoying a giant ice cream cone she worked so hard to earn, we were running around on the beach (not prepared to swim or play) when suddenly the sun came out and within a few minutes, Natalie had made a friend.  They played and played and played and played.  Natalie never seemed to mind not having a swimsuit on.

Spaced out and watching Little Rascals after a long sun-filled day at the beach.

On our way out of town, we took a detour through downtown (in the rain) to see what we could see.  Next time we'll make more time to take the tour.

The kids (Gus included) were so zonked that we made it home with only one stop.  Amazing.

Katie's Hair Salon

Katie has been learning some pretty clever new tricks with hair and nails over the past year or so. And luckily, she almost always has a very eager hair and nail guinea pig.

This time, Katie was all set and ready to attempt to braid Natalie's hair into the letter N...

It turned it wonderfully and Natalie was so proud.  Pretty cool to have such a clever big sister!!

Summer Meet #1

After a day of on and off thunderstorms and downpours, Katie's Summer Swim League held their first meet of the season.  No need to worry about the lightning you may see in the distance...

The meet was progressing at a snail's pace and so mommy and the little sisters didn't get to stick around to see Katie swim.  Maybe one of these days we'll get a good action photo of her swimming.