Monday, June 30, 2008

Just a mini personal crisis.

I don't cry anymore.
I don't like it.
I can't explain it.
I am a little lonely because of it.
I don't always feel like myself.

I get through the day.
I am not at the mercy of my emotions.
I laugh very easily.
I don't get lost in it all.
Yet somehow, I feel empty without it.

Sunday, June 29, 2008

Rapunzel in the making.




Forgive the messiness of it all. Dinner tends to get into her locks.

Sunday, June 22, 2008

Oh, and I forgot...

...uh oh, thank you, yes, & mmmmm.

Monday, June 16, 2008

Interesting Developments in Eleanor's Universe.

Eleanor is taking leaps and bounds. Here are some things I forget if I've shared.

Eleanor "does monsters." If you say to her, "Eleanor, can you do monsters?" she replies by growling what sounds just like the word "monsters." It's just loud growling, but we've practiced that since she started naturally growling around 8 months. Every time, Bill and I would say, "Are you doing monsters?" And, now, she knows the meaning of "Do monsters." It is a great trick for the supermarket line or at a restaurant.

Eleanor neighed like a horse for the first time today. We were practicing animal noises, and she neighed with full vibrato. That was pretty awesome.

Eleanor is really small. As in, she went from medium-small, to medium, to medium-big, to medium, to medium-small. The doctor isn't concerned, but I am having to stop myself from giving her a complex about food. (She already eats a ton!)

Eleanor is pretty much off of bottles. She dominates milk from the Nuby sportsipper. And, water from any other sippy cup.

When Eleanor sees something she wants to eat or drink, she opens her mouth and says "Aaaaa," and then points from the object to her mouth. It's pretty clear.

Eleanor's words now include duck, cup, book, Daddy, Mama, dog, ki-ca (kitty cat), hi, bye, wow, oh-boy, again, this, that, no, and so many I just don't understand yet.

Eleanor understands "hug" and "kiss."

When she gets really excited, Eleanor spins in circles on the ground (on her bottom). And, that is often accompanied by her trademark scream of joy.

Eleanor can climb the stairs in 40 seconds flat.

We just moved her to a toddler seat. So, for the last day or two her infant seat has been in the hallway near her room (on its base). I walked into the bathroom today for 30 seconds. When I emerged, she had climbed into the infant seat and was sitting there. She looked at me like, I'm ready - let's hit the road.

Finally, Eleanor plays a cute game. When we play peek-a-boo, I never actually say peek-a-boo; I always say, "There she is!" So, now I say, "Where's Eleanor? Where is she?" (Meanwhile she is covering her eyes with both hands.) Then, she throws her hands to the sides, and says "Da-dee-dees!" (Translation: "There-she-is!" So funny.)

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

A Few Shots of the Party!


Grammy Patti contributed this baby pool! (Which we've been enjoying since, given the heat wave!) It was a big hit with the kids.





This is Juliet, one of Eleanor's best buddies! They are both one right now - for one month, and then Juliet moves on to two. These two spent some time eating ice. (Who knew the ice bucket would be such a hit!?)





Everyone wanted to show Eleanor how to dig into the cake. (Including cousins, Vincent and Victoria, and buddies, Connor and Jonas.)



Eleanor had her own plans.



But, it was still slow going, so cousin Avery helped out! She showed her how it's done. (She must have been practicing for her big o-n-e later this month.) Grandma Jean got more photos of this. (To come someday soon, if blogger continues to indulge me.)




Once she figured it out, it was sheer paradise.

Happy first birthday, Tater Tot.


Playing & Preparing - Pre-Pool!





Sunday, June 08, 2008

First time in the pool.









Aunt Maura picked up my picture-taking slack last week when she, Grammy Patti, Eleanor, and I went to the pool. Eleanor absolutely loved it, which makes sense because the pool is like Daddy's family's second home. (Grammy Patti has been a swim coach for many years!) It made me proud that Eleanor loves new things, and that she is a trusting enough little girl to spring right off the ledge of the pool into our arms. (Yes, that also made me nervous. I do not recommend springing off many ledges.)

My computer...

...is absolutely killing me. I've been trying to download pictures for hours. It was all my patience would allow. Enjoy.

Saturday, June 07, 2008

Birthday Girl

Today was a wonderful day, full of friends and family. Eleanor ate cake, splashed in the pool, opened gifts (I actually did that), ate a whole pb&j (as in grabbed it in two hands and took bites like a big girl), and just generally wrassled with friends. Right now, my sweet Tot is sleeping (fitfully - too much cake) upstairs in her bed.

This last year has been like no other in my life. Each day, I feel is the best day yet - better than the last. That means today was the best day of my life. And, tomorrow with Eleanor will be even better. A good friend asked me the other day, "How was this year as a Mommy?" My reply was, "Easy." I know, I know, I must be exaggerating. And, I know there have been trying moments, probably ever day. But, being Eleanor's mommy is the most natural and exhilarating thing I've ever done. In so many ways, Eleanor has brought the life back to me. She brings me direction, energy, and clarity. I am the mom to two little ladies, and Eleanor reminded me and taught me that being a mom can be hands-on and day-to-day, but she reinforced in my heart that being a mommy is about loving your children. And, that I can do.

Thank you, sweet girl. Happy birthday.

Friday, June 06, 2008

Monday, June 02, 2008

At least I'm not the only one...

Raise your hand if you've been too busy to post.

(I am raising my hand, or I would be if I wasn't trying to type, read three days worth of newspaper, drink a cup of coffee, stop Eleanor from turning off the cd player, wait on hold for the doctor's office, and remember a list of articles to edit and things to get at the supermarket.)

Anyway, so I'm busy. All good things. I have a brand new editing gig that is taking up at least three hours a day (plus side projects). My nephew has a football camp that requires an unsual amount of driving for me. We are restructuring the mortgage on our house to take advantage of these favorable interest rates. The only bad things are that we need a new camera AND laptop. But, we will be getting them in the next few weeks.

Most important thing on my mind - Eleanor's birthday is five days away! Woo hoo!