Come home, Papi

Well, we are counting down the days. Only 2 more and Wil will be back home from Germany. I have missed him terribly. I talked to him tonight and he sounds exhausted. That's a lot of traveling just to go and work a few days and adjusting to the time change, etc. He says he has had little problems with his German (the one language he puts as last on his list), so I am sure he feels great about that. He said he's going to study more for the next time we go together. The thing is, I know he will actually study. (It will be so nice to have a translator!).

Barking like a dog
Elisa continues to amaze me. She is mimicking more now than ever. Her favorite activities are babbling da, da and now grunting. She was "standing" in front of our kitchen mirror (almost down to the floor so it's just her height) and our neighbors' dogs were barking (her new favorite animal) and she started laughing and grunting back. I think it was her imitation of a bark....blame it on her mom....I think I may have taught her that as to get the dogs' attention, I will often bark and then the dogs look at the window and get all excited...then the laughter and excitement begins for Elisa.

A new way to crawl
She also experienced crawling in the grass and concrete this week. We went outside to play with the beautiful weather and she wanted to explore everywhere mom didn't have a blanket. It was quite funny watching her try to crawl with her knees up so they didn't get all scuffed up. What a girl!

Blueberries and Babbling

Well Elisa has learned the art of mimicking. She discovered the other night she loves blueberries and at the same time, loves to mimick me with her tongue. So we shot this video...too cute.

Also, this afternoon we took Wil to the airport. He's off to Europe! Germany that is. He is going to speak at an autism conference there. I am so proud of him and excited that he has this opportunity. In fact, I believe, depending on how he feels, he is going to give his "talk" in German, too. Please pray for him on this. We are going to miss him terribly!

Elisa's First Easter

Smokin' cars and healthy babies

Well, I selfishly got to spent an extra day with Wil, for mixed emotions. His car started smoking on the way to work, so Elisa and I came to rescue him. It wasn't under the best circumstances, but at least we got him for the day instead of the lab. :)

Another bonus is that Wil got to meet Elisa's pediatrician for the first time. Elisa went for her 9 month appointment and doc said she is doing just great. She is still average for her weight and in the 90 percentile for her height. She is very inquisitive and loves to watch people. She is right on target for all her milestones and we have a very healthy, happy baby.

Tonight is Wil's last night of teaching his last spanish class for a few months, I am thrilled to have him back home another night of the week. Very selfish, I know, but having him around just really livens up the house and makes everyone happy here in the Castillo household.