Personality

I am convinced that Elena has a much larger personality than is contained within her 22 lb. body. A few weeks ago, we went to This Is The Place Heritage Park in the foothills of Salt Lake City for a service project that Ammon was conducting with the youth. There, they laid cobblestone paths for some of the historical remodels of the homes that would have existed when the pioneers arrived in Salt Lake back in the mid to late 1800's.

Ammon and I ventured down to show Elena the baby petting farm. We found ponies, baby piglets, baby goats and lambs. As Ammon bent down to give Elena a better view, a curious baby lamb approached Elena. I drew a breath in waiting for Elena to get upset, but instead she squealed and reached out for the lamb's face in great anticipation. Ammon actually had to back up so Elena wouldn't gouge the eyes out on this precious lamb. Elena loved watching the sheep, pigs, and peacocks trounce around the barnyard.

A week or so later we had our good friend Carolyn Waggoner come to babysit Elena while Ammon and I had a much needed date night! Carolyn and Elena have always been good pals and that night was no different. Elena is at a very observant, hands-on stage. She is curious about everything around her. Carolyn laughed as she told us that Elena was not only curious, but smart. Carolyn picked up a keychain baby rattle toy that had a button to press which would then light up a few lights on the toy. Carolyn attempted to teach Elena how to make the toy light up by taking Elena's hand and pressing down on the button. Elena was delighted! Carolyn backed her hand away to allow Elena to push the button herself, assuming that she would. Instead, Elena grabbed Carolyn's hand and placed it back where the button was in anticipation that Carolyn would continue pushing the button. What a sassy girl!

A few days ago my mom and I were intent on getting Elena to grab food with her fingers. She's nearly 10 months now and still has not had the inclination to put things in her mouth- not toys, not food... anything. So we got a few baby cereal puffs and put them on her food tray, and when she didn't seem interested, I picked one up and put it in her mouth. She made a pensive look, and then looked a bit confused. She moved the puff around her mouth for a while and then positioned it on the edge of her tongue and opened her mouth. She grunted as she waved the puff around on the edge of her tongue for a few moments. I couldn't stop laughing! That's my girl!