Laughing Elena

Elena's best giggles usually come out just before bed. My theory is that she, like some adults, gets loopy when she's tired. ?! Today she was giggly just after she woke up from a nap so, like the diligent first-time mom that I am, I took a video.

la niña chismosa

Elena's personality is beginning to emerge. A few of the ladies on campus and I (Steph) have a Spanish title for each other, "chismosa." This word usually refers to a gossip--we use it in the sense that we like to know what's going on around us. For example, we may be in a conversation with one person and hear something interesting next to us and tune into that conversation as well. We watch each other do this sort of thing all the time. I think Elena is getting an early start on this, too. She can't stand to miss out on activity around her. We visit our friend's home for boys once a week where she used to easily take a nap. Not anymore. There are way too many boys to play with and too many noises to listen to. Part of this is where she's at developmentally--aware of her surroundings. But I think she's inherited something. My mom said I was the same way as a baby. She likes to remind me that right after I was born my eyes were wide open, soaking everything in. Funny, so were Elena's.

I took this video a few weeks ago after a full day of activities she just couldn't stand to miss out on. We get home and she still had energy to play....

Feeling the Music

Ryan, Elena, and Kelly (a Baja Bible student)

It's been fun to watch Elena experience and discover new things. She loves to reach for and grab whatever is in sight. And, as typical of a baby, she immediately tries to bring whatever it is to her mouth. Surprisingly, she didn't try licking the bongos or guitar. I think she was too fascinated by the vibrations they made.