Griffin's stand-up routine

Jamus and I have been trying everything since Ella's first giggles to get her to laugh again. She just plain does not find us funny!

Today, Jamus picked up Griffin from the groomer's on his way home from work. Once they got home, Griffin was very anxious to get outside to play. While we were upstairs waiting for Jamus to change out of his work clothes, Griffin was making some whining noises. Jamus noticed that Ella was interested in Griffin's vocalizations. He picked her up, and brought her over towards Griffin. Griffin kept whining, and then let out a high-pitched bark, and Ella startled. We both thought that she was going to cry. Instead she let out a fit of giggles! She must find this new "skinny" Griffin very funny! Apparently we're not as funny as we thought we were or Griffin's barking is hilarious to a 4 month old. Every time we got Griffin to bark, she would let out more laughs. It was so cute. After recording this video, we played it back, and Ella watched. Every time Griffin barked on the video, she would let out even more laughs. Those giggles are music to our ears!

Ella is 4 months old today!

Ella had her four month check-up at the doctor's office today. She weighed 14 pounds, 1.2 ounces and was 25 3/4 inches long! She's been growing out of a lot of her clothes - mostly in the length (93rd percentile in height).

We think she has started the process of teething. She has been pretty fussy over the past few days, and loves to chomp down on our fingers now, instead of sucking on them like she used to do. We got her some teething toys, and she concentrates hard while working them in her mouth. We asked the Pediatrician about it, and she said that most babies this age want to gnaw on everything, so I guess we'll know for sure when little teeth start popping up.

This morning when I went in to get Ella from her crib, she was flipped over onto her tummy! I always put her on her back, and lately, she has started rolling onto her side to sleep. She has never rolled over completely until this morning. Jamus and I both missed it! She was also turned around 180 degrees from where I put her. We have no idea how she scoots around in there, but she is always in a different spot from where we left her!

Jamus MacGuire, DVM, DACLAM

Congratulations are in order for Jamus, who passed his board examination! This is a major relief for Jamus, and for all of us, that he won't have to study for that test anymore. He's been studying, literally, for the past few years. He is now board certified by the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine - a truly remarkable accomplishment. Now we can all enjoy life as a family without pressure looming over Jamus to study, or feeling guilty about not studying! Jamus's office was decorated with lots of balloons on Monday.

We're all SO proud!!!

Daddy's Home!

Ella has become so aware of her surroundings lately. She is always interested in what Griffin is doing. She loves watching him, and definitely responds to his barking. She also has, as you'll see in the video, started sucking on her fingers and hands a lot. She drools a ton! I haven't felt any teeth below the surface of her gums, and she doesn't seem to be in any pain.

Here is a cute video of her on her tummy playing, and her reaction to Jamus coming home from work.

Ella in the pool

We've been having a really hot summer. Most days, it's been too hot to take Ella outside. Here are a few pictures of her in her baby pool from a couple of weeks ago. Griffin loved the pool. He kept licking the water off of the sides of the pool, and off of Ella. He especially loves licking water off of her face. She does a good job at tolerating his antics.