World-Traveler-To-Be...

Since she's a part of our family, it is probably not surprising to anyone that we got Elizabeth a passport at 3 months old. The application process at the post office was quite an ordeal - 2.5 hours worth - and the woman took her picture about 17 times before she got one that she was happy with (not due to lack of cuteness, of course!). But the documents arrived less than two weeks later, so we assume her background check came out clean... :) So needless to say, she's adorable and an even more fully-initiated member of the family of the traveling Downings!

PS - GreatGrandma Mary - we selected this picture for you... :)

First Day of Day Care!!!

Today was Elizabeth's first day of day care or the "Lilly School" as we're calling it. Though she is only going to attend part time, they really rolled out the red carpet for her. She is one of 6 kids in her room. The whole facility is based on an airplane theme which Jarod is quite fond of! Its right down the road from AnnCatherine's office, so its easy to just walk over and see her. We feel very lucky to have her in such good care... she certainly had a wonderful first day. It appears, however, that napping is going to be a bit of a struggle with all that activity going on. Libby doesn't want to miss anything!

White shoulders...

We have discovered the new fashion accessory of parenting... white shoulders! Even though Elizabeth isn't really a spitter or a drooler, she has become expert in blowing bubbles (thanks, Grandma Ruth!). But intentionally or not, it seems a great percentage of the adult clothes in our house now have little white dots, stripes or blobs on the shoulders. We're choosing to wear them as a badge of honor of our new roles as parents and Grandparents. Until the next load of laundry, of course! :)

The wonderful four-legged girl...

Many people have asked me, "So how is Roamy doing with the baby?". This was a real unknown - it had been just the three of us in the house for the last 7 years and I wasn't sure how Roamy would do. Well - I should never have doubted. After about a month adjustment period when she wasn't quite sure what a baby was, she has become the perfect monitor, consoler and protector. The picture is a pretty accurate summary - in Roamy's eyes, our family has just expanded by two more legs and now we all spend a lot more time on the floor! Every morning Roamy has to sniff Elizabeth and lick the top of her head. (While some may freak at this, I subscribe to the school of thought that no one ever died from a puppy kiss!) If Elizabeth cries, Roamy will run to get someone or will try to give her a kiss of comfort. And bathtime is truly hilarious! When we put Elizabeth in her little tub, Roamy just sits with her head on the big bathtub with this look of sheer sympathy like 'I'm so sorry - they make me do it, too!'. Thankfully Elizabeth enjoys bathtime significantly more than Roamy... But how lucky can you get? Not only do we have one perfect two-legged baby, we have one wonderful four-legged one, too.

NFL Playoffs

Well, since the Packers didn't make the playoffs this year (sniffle), we are all united in supporting the Colts. Even Elizabeth got dressed up for the occasion... Elizabeth has made amazing changes in Jarod's football-watching habits. If she sits on his lap, he can't throw anything! Guess she does have her Daddy wrapped already...

Even though we're currently cheering for the Colts, there is a serious reason to believe that Elizabeth will be a die-hard Packer fan. Thanks to our friends the Stirlens, we learned a fun fact. Elizabeth was born on the anniversary of the date that the Packers played their first game - October 23, 1921. She knew greatness even in utero!

But, for now, GO COLTS!

New Pictures Posted

Hi from Indy! Just wanted to let you know that we posted some new pictures of Elizabeth's first holiday celebrations... We hope you enjoy!

http://picasaweb.google.com/jdowning782/ElizabethMaryDowning?authkey=VDS6wu9cqxA#

Happy New Year!!!

2008 was such a crazy year for us, we can't even imagine what 2009 will bring! We celebrated New Years Eve at the home of our friends, Kostas and Madeline and their daughter Maria who is 6 months older than Elizabeth. As is always the case, staying up past midnight was no problem for Libby... she is such a night owl. Fortunately, however, she has become quite a good sleeper - anytime between 1am and 9am! :) We are trying to get her to bed earlier, but, thus far, she has other ideas! Oh well... Happy 2009!