Laughter

I have to say that one of my favorite things to do right now is simply sit and watch Ella. She's learning so many things and has so many expressions! She laughs all the time. One story: A week and a half ago we were in Duluth and went with Pete to his residency interview. She did really well for most of the time (yup, she attended with us) but got a little antsy in the afternoon, so I took her out of the room for a stroll down the hall. We looked out the window, which usually satisfies her, but she was still a bit fussy. I sat down in a chair and saw a three-ring binder on a nearby table with pictures of doctors who had gone through the Duluth program. I flipped it open, and Ella laughed and laughed! I don't know what it was, but something about the pictures must have struck her as being pretty humorous. Her laughter was adorable. The people in the offices within earshot came out to see why she was laughing. Isn't it amazing the way a baby's laugh can affect people?

Cartoons!

Last week, Ella saw cartoons for the first time and LOVED them! We don't typically let her see the TV, but she was feeling under the weather and we wanted something to distract her for a few minutes. Her reaction was adorable. I caught a moment on video.

Water Bug

Today is the last day of our three-week hotel stay in Duluth. Pete had a great time during his family medicine rotation. He met lots of people and made many connections that we hope will be beneficial in our effort to get back to Duluth for residency. We won't find out where we'll be moving until March, so we're doing all we can to up our chances.

It's been an adventure living in a hotel with a four-month-old for three weeks! We were really fortunate and were able to stay in a room with a sleeping area on one end and a sitting area on the other. Ella definitely knew that we weren't at home and had a hard time sleeping many nights. I think she's used to it now and has been doing much better. I feel a little bad that now that she's getting used to it, we're moving to a different hotel. We'll be down in Canal Park for two nights. Sunday we head home.

The hotel we've been staying in has a huge water park, so we knew this would be a perfect time to take Ella for her first swim. We ended up going four times. I think her favorite part was the lazy river. We put her on top of an intertube while we floated. With all her time in the water, she never fussed once. We've got a little water bug!

Trick or Treat!

Ella's first Halloween! We dressed her in an adorable giraffe costume, complete with a little pink flower on her ear. That way everyone could tell that our little giraffe was a girl. Her pumpkin was just her size from a farmers' market in Minneapolis, and she carried her little pink giraffe blankie. The three of us first visited Pete's parents and sister, Kristin, who were in town for Ella's dedication on Sunday. Then we took Ella to Hillside Church for Fall Fest, where we got to see lots of our Duluth friends. Afterward, Ella's godfather, Anton, arrived so we showed off her cute costume again. We didn't collect any candy this year, but I'm sure they'll be plenty next year!

Happy Birthday, Grandpa!

During the first week of October, Ella & I got to visit Grandma & Grandpa Olsen to celebrate Grandpa's birthday. During our visit, Ella got to try out a Jumperoo. Pete's godparents, the Parkers, let us borrow one to take back to Minneapolis. She absolutely loves it!

helping Grandpa celebrate

Grandpa & Grandma Olsen

Ella & Auntie Kristin

she loves the jumperoo!

First Hair Cut

Last week, before leaving Minneapolis to head up to Duluth, we decided that it was time for our little Ella to have her first hair cut. You may be wondering why on earth we would even consider it, since it appears that she has very little hair. However, if you take a look at the back of her head, you'll soon realize that she has a little patch that is growing much better than the rest. It's actually pretty cute. We called it her little rat tail. Pete held her still while sitting on the bed so I could very carefully trim the fine hair. It only took a couple snips, and we were finished. She did a great job!

Busy Busy Busy

So I haven't had a chance to post an update lately or get any new pictures on. Pete has been studying like a mad man for his upcoming boards (October 16... prayers please!) so I haven't had much computer time. Instead, Ella and I have been out and about, trying to make the house a nice, quiet study spot for Pete. Last week we visited Grandma & Grandpa Scott in Pequot, Great-Grandma & Grandpa Scott in St. Cloud, Great-Grandpa & Grandma Johnson in Wadena, and spent some time with Jenny & Hailey and Becky & Malena (my sisters with their little girls). We also went to Bayfield, Wisconsin for Apple Fest on Sunday and got some fabulous pics of Ella at the orchard. Today, we headed west to visit Megan & Micah (a friend from elementary school and her little boy) in Waconia after a morning of exploring and leaf-gazing. The line-up for Tuesday is coffee with Shauna and the Science Museum in St. Paul with Jessica & Westin before packing up and driving to Marshield, Wisconsin for a couple days at Grandma & Grandpa Olsen's house. As I write this, I realize how busy we've been the last week! Lots of adventures. We'll post pics as soon as I have enough time on the computer, but I'm not committing to anything before Pete takes his test. At that time we'll be heading to Duluth for a three-week rotation, so I'll have more time to post.

Enjoy the fall colors! We certainly are!