Hi everyone! Here's some new photos of Elianna for those of you who are far away and can't see her in person. Things here are going really wonderful...what a peaceful and quiet little town we've moved to! Everywhere I go I run into someone I used to know who's all grown up (or has grey hair) now. We've been spending tons of time with the family (my sister Leila came out for the weekend, so we had a family pizza night, a kabob night, and this morning, a big waffle breakfast) and also just going for walks, meeting up with old friends, or hanging out at home. Rob still hasn't found a job but has had some great interviews. We're not worried, knowing that God is in control and can open up a door whenever He wants to...but your prayers are appreciated! He has always provided, and always will. Speaking of which, we really needed a couch to fill our living room with, and we figured we'd just get a used one until we're more established. Well, I was praying about this and asked God to help us find one. The next day I looked online and called the number of a guy who had a couch and swivel rocker for sale. He called back and we arranged for a time to meet the following afternoon. Wouldn't you know (this is my home town, for ya) he's the brother of my uncle's wife, who I've known for years (which is good, because really you don't want to buy a couch from just anybody - it's better to know WHOSE germs you're sitting on :). Not only that, but he says that after he got off the phone with me, not knowing who I was yet, he felt God prompt him to give us the couch and chair for free. :) SWEET! You may catch glimpses of these beautiful pieces of furniture in the background of the photos. :) hehe...beggars can't be choosers! At least they're super comfy. Anyhow, hope you're all doing well. Talk to you soon!

Ellie in the car for a diaper change during her first-ever weiner roast.
She's become all-consumed with trying to get both fists into her mouth at the same time. It makes for a big slobbery mess, but sure does keep her occupied!


The smiles are definitely not accidental any more!

Ellie with Auntie Dana. It's so amazing for me to have my family close by.















Ellie's first try in the swing that Aiden is lending her (thanks, Aiden!). This time was relatively uneventful. The SECOND time, however, ended up with Ellie sitting in a huge pool of her own vomit. Note to self: wait longer than half an hour after a feeding to put her in the swing. :)

Ellie's favorite facial expression.








I wonder who she got it from? :)

No, it's really exciting that Ellie's responding to our faces now. She loves it when we stick out our tongues at her.

Ellie asleep on the floor of our new place. We could never do this in our basement suite, as we only had a thin carpet over a concrete floor. Sun streaming in the windows and a soft floor, what more could a baby ask for!?!?




Elianna doesn't seem to mind her new bedding. Finding the bedding I'd been searching for was JUST the inspiration I needed to take the plunge and move Ellie from our room to her own bedroom...*sigh*! My little girl is growing up.

Hey Folks. Elianna, my mom and I arrived safely in Steinbach last night (and Ellie only screamed for half the flight)! Rob and my dad are currently driving across the country with the trailer of stuff, hopefully stopping here and there for the occasional gut bomb (greasy burger)...so we'll be seeing them tonight!! I got to see our new joint and it's HUGE compared to what we're used to!! MAN, I got a PANTRY, a walk- in closet, and three other closets, and our old place only had one TEENY little closet in our bedroom, and the door didn't even close. Plus we got a DECK and now i'm dreaming of the cherry tomatoes i'm going to plant, and the hummingbird feeder i want to hang. PLUS we have two bathrooms...HALLELUJAH! I won't tell you why that's a relief, but it certainly is. :) ANYHOW, all this to say that things are going well, and I'm so thankful to the Lord for taking care of us.

Hi Everyone! Just wanted to let you all know that we are in the midst of packing up our place to move to Manitoba (YEEEHA!!) in six days! This, plus an extremely gas-filled week for Elianna (which equals many tears and little sleep) has made it next to impossible to keep this page updated. Do keep checking back...

A Lil' Bit About ME

by Elianna (Ellie) Joy Balfour

Hi folks. I've been waiting awhile to tell you all a bit about myself, but my MOM just can't seem to find the time to sit down at the computer and type it out for me! Every time I fall asleep she goes against everyone's good advice and cleans up the house, because she has a hard time relaxing when my poopy diapers and spitup cloths are lying all around the joint.
So I've been in the world for 3 weeks and 1 day now, and I've gotta say, it's not as bad as I originally expected. Coming out of my little place in the womb was pretty scary, because I somehow managed to wrap my umbilical cord around my neck three times and I couldn't really breath at first. Yikes. I still seem to have a bit of trouble with my esophogus and it might be because of that, who knows? After I eat (my very FAVORITE thing to do!) my mom and dad have to hold me upright for a while so I don't get acid reflux. I hate acid reflux. I almost never cry, except when my throat starts to get that horrible burny feeling. Mom and dad just hold me and sing until I feel comfortable again. At least they figured this out now, and finally stopped trying to burp me - I don't have a lot of burps - just heartburn! I also have to sleep with my bed raised up 45 degrees, but I don't mind so much. Sometimes when mom and dad lie me down to sleep, I accidently let one 'rip' , because of the gravity. :) Mom is a little afraid I might have one of my poop explosions in church sometime, because they're SO loud, the whole congregation would hear for SURE!
My favorite new pastime is going out for walks with mom or dad in my Baby Bjorn, or the front carrier. I fall asleep almost right away, every time! This was a relief to my mom who took me to the doctor in it yesterday, and didn't know for sure if i'd like it. Well I LOVE it! Today was really nice out and me and dad and mom and Auntie Leila went for my first ever walk in the forest! I didn't really see anything because I slept the whole entire time!
My eyes seem to be focusing a bit better these days, and I've started to look at my mom and dad's faces really intently now. They seem to like that. They keep telling me how excited they're going to be to see me smile. I'm WORKING on it! I give them these cute little 'gassy' smiles in my sleep, just so they can see how cute i'll be once I've figured out how to do it on purpose.
I make a lot of squeaking noises. A few nights ago mom had a dream that a hamster jumped into my crib, and she jumped up to make sure it wouldn't bite me. Then she woke up, and it was just me squeaking in my sleep. Hehe - tricked her! She calls me her "Hamster" now, among many other crazy names that ma and pa think are cute.
Well, it's time for dinner now (wonder what's on the menu tonight!?) and then I have to have a bath. I still hate baths. Hope mom makes the water warmer this time.
So that about sums up what there is to know about me, in a little nutshell.
Thanks for all your letters and comments! I hope I can meet all these people that mom and dad love so much one day soon.

Love, Ellie

Three things Elianna's great at: Yawning...
...flexing...
...and pooping!