Elizabeth's Growth Photo - Week 9

Our little peanut...but not so little anymore!

Rachel's Growth Photo - Month 15

"Hee hee hee...check my pants after this one!"

Elizabeth's Growth Photo - Week 8

That bear is starting to look a bit small...

November fun

The dynamic duo

Sleepy eyes after a long day of watching big sister Rachel run around the house

The only member of the Handrich family who can still fall asleep in an upright position (though Elizabeth's uncle Matthew can still pull off the feat)

"OK, Mommy. Less camera...more swinging."

Rachel + backyard = happy Rachel

Rachel's punishment for taking all the bibs out of the drawer...Daddy says, "you throw 'em, you wear 'em."

Never too early to start preparing for Driver's Ed. class

A big sister...but still a little cutie.

One of the few times Rachel's feet have been caught in a stationary position

The first contest between Rachel and Daddy to determine who could fall asleep faster

Elizabeth's Growth Photo - Week 7

Elizabeth perfecting her angelic pose

Elizabeth's Growth Photo - Week 6

"What - I'm supposed to look at the camera and smile at the same time? Not this week!"

Family Fun

Thanks to Elizabeth's baptism, her Uncle Eric, Aunt Jen, and cousins Jack and Audrey came to Milwaukee for a visit. Four cousins + one three-day weekend = plenty of fun!

Water conservation at its finest

Handsome Jack - a.k.a. air guitar master

How many cousins can sit on one lap?

Audrey exploring the backyard

While the girls were taking naps, Jack and Grandpa B. snuck outside for some quality man time.

Elizabeth's Baptism

On Saturday, October 30th, Elizabeth was welcomed into the Catholic community. Better yet, once the bright lights came on, she was at her angelic best. Godmother Jen perfectly described Elizabeth's performance on the altar with one word: "clutch."

Congratulations Elizabeth!

Elizabeth making us all smile

With Godfather Philip and Godmother Jen

Just the four of us....or as Paul calls it, Daddy and his three ladies.

Rachel's Growth Photo - Month 14

Just because I love my bath THIS much - a growth photo is dedicated to it! I now have 5 teeth and am talking up a storm. My new favorite word is "towel" because I use one after my bath, I use one to dry my hands after eating, and I just randomly say it anytime I can!

(Recent) Days in the Life of Rachel

Closing in on her 15-month birthday, Rachel remains a constant blur of activity. But every now and then, she pauses long enough for us to snap a picture of her "in the act."

"You call it 'brushing teeth'...I call it bathtime torture. How about I jam my finger in your mouth instead?"

If you're over the age of 30, don't try imitating Rachel's sweeping position - unless you enjoy visiting Urgent Care.

Today - water. 20 years from now? Anyone's guess.

Big sister Rachel showing how she can make a bottle for little sister Elizabeth.

"Hey Elizabeth, are you in there?"

A VERY rare occurrence...Rachel sitting (still) and reading by herself.



Two words: recharging batteries.

Halloween Fun

Our little peapod.

While Rachel humored us by pretending to be a chicken...

...she found being a ladybug was more her style.



Our two little pumpkins on their first Halloween together. Awww!

Faces of Elizabeth

Genuine smile...or genuine gas?

"How about I just sit here and practice looking cute?"

"OK - this whole 'looking cute' thing is exhausting...where's my bassinet?"

Bathtime with Elizabeth

"This is cold! What's a girl gotta do to get some heat around here?"

"Did you not hear me? I'm COLD! Get me warmed up...

....ahhh, that's better!"

Rachel's Growth Photo - Month 13

Now old enough for monthly growth updates -but still growing every day!

Elizabeth's Growth Photo - Week 5

Already sitting up like a champ...and looking more and more like her mommy every day!

Elizabeth's Growth Photo - Week 4

"Is that a bug on the ceiling? Daddy? Mommy? Don't you guys ever clean this place?"

Elizabeth's Growth Photo - Week 3

Amazing what one week of bottle-guzzling can do!

Early October fun at the zoo

"So let me see if I've got this right - cows are where milk comes from? But how does the milk get from the cow to my glass? So many questions. Someday, I'll figure it all out..."

"...but for now, I'm all smiles for milk - and cows!"

Elizabeth - second week

Ready for action - where's that bottle?

Getting a kiss from big sister Rachel

Rachel and her cousins Leah, Nicholas, Madeline, and Rebekah Huie, who were nice enough to drive up (actually, nice enough to convince Aunt Sarah to drive them all up) from Chicago to visit us last week

Giving Grandma H. my biggest yawn possible. (I made sure she didn't take it personally - but if you try to take my picture during naptime, I'm gonna yawn. Just sayin'...)

Hangin' with Grandpa H., chocolate chip cookie maker extraordinaire!