Who are you?

...and why are you taking pictures of me and this baby?

Isn't she gorgeous?

I was just saying the other day how gorgeous she is.

And photogenic, too.

Actually, I was saying that today, too. She's always ready for a close-up.

Here she is looking pensive, reflecting on the solemnity of the moment.

Ellie feeling patriotic

The weather in Cleveland was pretty good for Christmas -- Tina let Ellie out in just a sweater.

OK, she didn't let her out. I did it without authorization. But the baby survived. And took a nice picture.

Putting her mama skills into practice

She learned from a pretty good mama, so she'll do just fine herself one day.

Ellie and Grandpa sharing a Cheerio

OK, they're sharing a cup of Cheerios. I hope they weren't actually sharing a single Cheerio. That's kinda gross, if you think about it.

Ride 'em Hannibal!

Making her grand entrance

She makes that squinty face sometimes. It's a hoot.

She got pretty good at unwrapping

Ellie getting parenting advice...

...from some folks with experience.

That's her great-grandma Mastilak and her great-grandpa Caporuscio.

Happy New Year!

We all got back home to Michigan a few days ago. We were in Cincinnati and Cleveland for Christmas but now it's back to the same old, same old. Christian should be presenting his dissertation on January 25th. We'll keep you posted on that. Hopefully, when that's done he'll be able to do the blogging again. I'm sure you can tell I don't have the same humor and skill that he has when it comes to writing.

Christian will also be leaving this Wednesday to go to Fort Worth for an accounting conference. Elizabeth and I will just have to stay home and play with all her new toys she got for Christmas! Hope you enjoy the pictures.

Elizabeth and Grandpa playing with some puzzles in Cleveland.

Elizabeth, Sophia and Great Grandpa in Cleveland.

Elizabeth and her Great Grandma in Cleveland.

Elizabeth enjoyed all her new pajamas.

This is Elizabeth on Christmas morning, enjoying some toys from Santa.

My mom had a Goofy Christmas but that's how she likes it! That's Nicholas in the Bungles shirt.

Here's Elizabeth checking out her new chair she got from Aunt Kathy, Uncle Mike, Nick, Samanatha and Emily.

This was Papa's reaction to Elizabeth's new dress. Mammaw and Pappaw gave this to her for Christmas. It was definitely Christian's favorite present, even if the Browns are losers. But the Bengals are, too. And the Steelers. Does anyone in the family like a winning team?

Papa and Elizabeth opening a present at Pappaw's house. She got very good at this by the end of the week.

This is the big family Christmas party at Mammaw and Pappaw's house. Too many kids to name but Elizabeth is on the left with her cousin Teagan. Mammaw is in the orange shirt, about to start the chaos by handing out the first presents.

This is actually Emily's toy chimp but Elizabeth was really enjoying giving it a bottle. It actually moves and makes noise. I found it to be very strange. I don't think we'll be getting one for Elizabeth.

Thanksgiving

We did a lot of traveling for Thanksgiving, as usual. We went to Cleveland first for a few days. Elizabeth and I then went to Cincinnati by ourselves. Christian was trying to get some work done on his big presentation. It turns out it got rescheduled for January. Oh well, it was a nice visit anyway and we got some good pictures!

This is Elizabeth with Mammaw and Santa. We went to Lunch with Santa at my old high school, Mt Notre Dame. My sister Kathy and her kids went too. You can probably tell from this picture that Elizabeth didn't really like Santa! 

Elizabeth talking to a cow (one of the Nativity animals) at Lunch with Santa. Maybe the cow could understand her babbling. I know we don't understand much of it yet. 

Elizabeth loves to play peek-a-boo. She figured out a new way to play at Mammaw's house by ducking back and forth in the doorway.

And you gotta love the Fred Mertz pants! 

Elizabeth and Aunt Donna in Cincinnati. Donna came all the way from Alabama for Thanksgiving. It was in the 60's so we all thought the weather was beautiful. Donna thought it was cold. I think the South has spoiled her. 

A very cute kid! 

This is the step in Grandma and Grandpa's house that goes from the living room to the kitchen. It's actually one of Elizabeth's favorite "toys." Usually on of us is sitting on the step because she likes to climb up and down and up and down and up and down......... 

Elizabeth and Grandpa are playing with her new toys. She loves her Little People. 

Elizabeth enjoying a very tiny sundae at The Cheesecake Factory in Cleveland. I had the Godiva cheesecake and amazingly couldn't finish it. I always finish dessert, especially if it's chocolate but it was just too much for me. I guess I finally met my match! 

Elizabeth with Grandma and Grandpa in Cleveland