9 weeks old: baby drool

In the last week or so we have seen the onset of baby drool. It may be hard to see but she's sporting some drool below her bottom lip in this picture, as well as a spot on her clothes just below her chin where it dripped. Break out the bibs! Suddenly this girl is producing saliva faster than she can swallow it, and a lot of it. With drool comes spit bubbles, and if there were a spit bubble contest Eloise would surely win.

 Spit Bubble Champion

Eloise is also starting to suck on things. She is finding a hand to suck on more and more, and I'll realize she has her gummy little open mouth on my arm, too. She leaves her wet little drool mark. Sometimes she'll hold her pacifier in her mouth with the back of her hand. I'm not sure if that's on purpose or not.

Eloise's neck is getting stronger and stronger, and she can hold her head up higher than ever. Everything about her is getting stronger. I noticed that when her daddy comes home from work and she hears his voice, she gets her arms and legs moving with excitement. So sweet!

Tummy time to show off cute jammies from Aunt Kate

Speaking of daddy, here's a picture of him doing something with Eloise we often do to sooth her: bounce on the exercise ball. It sure is effective and is a nice alternative to the walk and bounce.

See the little leg under Evan's right arm?

And finally, last weekend was Labor Day weekend and we spent a lot of time around home because mama had mastitis. Eloise likes being outside so we pitched a blanket in the backyard one day. By Monday I was feeling better so we took a family outing to Blue Lake for a couple hours.

Backyard lounging

Blue Lake

Napping at Blue Lake