I can't be the only one.

Sometimes, Eleanor and I fall asleep together in my bed. I wake up to find myself curled around her tiny, sweet little body, and as I drift back to sleep I wonder, who needs who? Am I protecting Eleanor, or is she protecting me? Have I gravitated to her, have I come from her as much as she has come from me? It breaks my heart for her to be so wonderful.

The Silverback.

Eleanor has recently taken to a new behavior, not unlike the aggressive chest beating of the silverback gorilla. She mostly does it when Bill and I are not actively entertaining her, as if to roar, "Please me!" Normally, it is accompanied by a very intense face, which you can see in a few parts of this video, if you strain to make it out of the 11 pixels that are showing up here. Eleanor did not want to perform to the best of her ability on camera. So, this was the only okay video I could get. My camera allows me 45 seconds max of video, and has no sound. So, the video is short. For the full effect, imagine grunting, squealing, and the hilarious thud of chubby hand pound against solid little torso, which is surprisingly loud.

Happy Thanksgiving from Grandma Jean's!

Happy Thanksgiving from a Prolific Pianist!

Happy Thanksgiving from a Guitar Virtuoso!

(Take note of the awesome photography here - taken by Bill/Daddy!)

Happy Thanksgiving from a Daddy's Girl!

Happy Thanksgiving from a Duckling.

Defiant, even in her sleep.

Last night, I walked in to check on Eleanor. And, low and behold, she had rolled to her tummy. This has happened before, so I wasn't super freaked out. But, her hat had come off and it was a pretty cold night, so that was of more concern. Regardless, not a big deal. So, I rolled her back over and put her hat securely back on her head. And, as I watched her sleeping for a moment, she rolled right back over onto her tummy, and tore the cap off. This is what I want, Mom.

Five months! And, more.

We've had some baby steps over here that are worth mentioning. Eleanor has officially found her little feet. They are gradually migrating to the mouth. (Along with EVERYTHING else!)

She also has been known to roll over in bed, and be found thigh deep in the bars. She is also laughing, yelling, squealing, spitting, licking, kicking, grabbing, growling, chewing, babbling, and of course drooling. She continues to be the best thing going. :o)

Zoolandeanor.

Okay, so I've only seen bits and pieces of the movie Zoolander. But, to my horror, Eleanor seems to be developing a "look". The one in the turtleneck is the piece de resistance.

Many Pictures of My Penguin and Beyond.

Laughing and Loving Sophie's Pumpkin

Eleanor's first Halloween.

Halloween Birthday Girl.

So, yesterday was a pretty peaceful day. The weather was beautiful; there was what the weather channel called a "calm wind". I like that. Eleanor and I visited Sophie's grave together, and talked all about what it means to be a sister, a mother, a daughter, and a family. What a different year this one is. Thank you to both my girls - and to our friends and family. I have quite a bit to be thankful for this season.