August 7, 2012
Our sweet girl turned 15 months old today. I love her more every day!
We went to the pool after work, and had a lovely time swimming. She has really taken to the zero-entry pool, and loves to put her little bottom over the fountains and make the water spray everywhere. This generates huge giggles!
On the way home, I had the radio turned off. She has a CD of toddler songs that we play sometimes. She said "Mama" and, when I looked back, she was rolling her arms around each other to tell me she wanted to hear The Wheels on the Bus. As soon as I turned it on, the laugh that emitted from her was beautiful.
Once home, she had a post-swimming nap and, once she woke up, we watched some Giggle Bellies. I, however, had chosen the wrong song. She wanted to watch Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes. To tell me this, she handed me the remote, and then touched her knees and toes. She can communicate so well.
Some of our favorite things she's doing these days:
This amazing, perfect creature has changed our lives so profoundly and beautifully that I don't even like remembering a time before she was in our lives. She is perfection.
August 8, 2012
Look at this beauty.
Our sweet girl turned 15 months old today. I love her more every day!
We went to the pool after work, and had a lovely time swimming. She has really taken to the zero-entry pool, and loves to put her little bottom over the fountains and make the water spray everywhere. This generates huge giggles!
On the way home, I had the radio turned off. She has a CD of toddler songs that we play sometimes. She said "Mama" and, when I looked back, she was rolling her arms around each other to tell me she wanted to hear The Wheels on the Bus. As soon as I turned it on, the laugh that emitted from her was beautiful.
Once home, she had a post-swimming nap and, once she woke up, we watched some Giggle Bellies. I, however, had chosen the wrong song. She wanted to watch Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes. To tell me this, she handed me the remote, and then touched her knees and toes. She can communicate so well.
Some of our favorite things she's doing these days:
- She has become an expert jumper, and loves to jump high for applause.
- She loves for her Daddy to spin with her until she's dizzy. She will yell "Dada" and then spin around in a circle to tell him what she wants him to do.
- She has recently started dancing! She can really get down.
- If you pretend you are asleep and snoring, she will yell "Hey!" to get you to wake up. She will then pretend to be asleep, although her version of snoring is to breathe really hard in and out through her nose.
- When we are nursing, she will often offer me a drink. I pass every time. :o)
- This Little Piggie has recently become a fun game.
- Hide and Seek has been taken to a whole new level. She likes to now go hide in the bathroom, although she sort of gives her location away by closing the door and saying "bye bye!".
- This girl loves tomatoes. If she sees a tomato, she'll say "Mmmmmm" and insist on eating it.
- She knows she can use the computer to talk to Dada and Eb and Gee. Sometimes after we talk to Eb and Gee she then demands to talk to Dada.
- She loves to watch videos of herself. She knows it's her, because she'll pat her chest in recognition. She's also got full recognition of photos of herself.
This amazing, perfect creature has changed our lives so profoundly and beautifully that I don't even like remembering a time before she was in our lives. She is perfection.
August 8, 2012
Look at this beauty.
Everyone MUST get up and dance when the Hot Dog song comes on at the end of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. Failure to do so will lead to chastisement. Yesterday, Ai Van was not dancing appropriately. Lizzy pointed at her and said (for the first time) "Dance" (although it sounded more like "das", we knew what she meant).
After dinner and shopping, we came home to sort through our purchases. To occupy Liz, I showed her the bear my OB had given me, that contains a recording of Lizzy's in-utero heartbeat. I let Liz play with this for awhile. Next thing I know, she'd gone into the bathroom and before I could stop her, had dunked the bear in the toilet. :o) No harm done, and this is the first time she's ever put anything in the toilet. I couldn't help but laugh.
August 10, 2012
Lizzy spent the day with Eb and Gee today, and everything was "more!" More bites, more Mickey, more playing. She also told Eb she wanted "up", so it was "Eb, up!"
We were supposed to go to a free concert, but she and I ended up falling asleep from 6:15 - 7:45, so it was a bit late to walk down to that. So, I decided to see if she would have enough of an attention span to watch a whole movie. I was thrilled that she did. She sat through all of Snow White, start to finish, and actually paid attention throughout!
After the dinner, Daddy and Ai Van went to get an 11:30 pm snack from Steak and Shake, so Lizzy and I played. She noticed Daddy had left, and went over to the window. She saw a car resembling his not turn into the driveway, and her face twisted into the same "silent scream" face she gets when she has to get shots. It was followed by sobbing, tears, and cries of "Dadadadada!" I had to call him to talk to her over the phone to get her calmed down. Poor baby girl missed her Daddy. :o(
Once she was calmed down, I distracted her by taking pictures of her with my phone. She would make a funny scrunchy face when she was getting her photo taken, then would want to see the picture, then would say "more!" This went on for about 10 minutes, when Daddy finally came home. Here is a funny scrunchy "smile" face.
After dinner and shopping, we came home to sort through our purchases. To occupy Liz, I showed her the bear my OB had given me, that contains a recording of Lizzy's in-utero heartbeat. I let Liz play with this for awhile. Next thing I know, she'd gone into the bathroom and before I could stop her, had dunked the bear in the toilet. :o) No harm done, and this is the first time she's ever put anything in the toilet. I couldn't help but laugh.
August 10, 2012
Lizzy spent the day with Eb and Gee today, and everything was "more!" More bites, more Mickey, more playing. She also told Eb she wanted "up", so it was "Eb, up!"
We were supposed to go to a free concert, but she and I ended up falling asleep from 6:15 - 7:45, so it was a bit late to walk down to that. So, I decided to see if she would have enough of an attention span to watch a whole movie. I was thrilled that she did. She sat through all of Snow White, start to finish, and actually paid attention throughout!
After the dinner, Daddy and Ai Van went to get an 11:30 pm snack from Steak and Shake, so Lizzy and I played. She noticed Daddy had left, and went over to the window. She saw a car resembling his not turn into the driveway, and her face twisted into the same "silent scream" face she gets when she has to get shots. It was followed by sobbing, tears, and cries of "Dadadadada!" I had to call him to talk to her over the phone to get her calmed down. Poor baby girl missed her Daddy. :o(
Once she was calmed down, I distracted her by taking pictures of her with my phone. She would make a funny scrunchy face when she was getting her photo taken, then would want to see the picture, then would say "more!" This went on for about 10 minutes, when Daddy finally came home. Here is a funny scrunchy "smile" face.
August 11, 2012
Saturday morning Daddy and Ai Van went shopping while Lizzy and I stayed home to play. During her play, she found the coat that her baby doll normally wears. The night before, we had taken baby down to the basement to watch Snow White, but hadn't brought baby back upstairs with us. Somehow, she remembered this, and took the coat over to the basement door, pointed at the door while holding the coat, and said "baby." I took her down, retrieved baby, and was amazed at how she remembered baby was still down there.
Once Daddy and Ai Van were back home, the three of us girls went to the grocery while Daddy mowed the yard. Pretty girl in the shopping cart.
Saturday morning Daddy and Ai Van went shopping while Lizzy and I stayed home to play. During her play, she found the coat that her baby doll normally wears. The night before, we had taken baby down to the basement to watch Snow White, but hadn't brought baby back upstairs with us. Somehow, she remembered this, and took the coat over to the basement door, pointed at the door while holding the coat, and said "baby." I took her down, retrieved baby, and was amazed at how she remembered baby was still down there.
Once Daddy and Ai Van were back home, the three of us girls went to the grocery while Daddy mowed the yard. Pretty girl in the shopping cart.
Saturday night, while Daddy was making dinner, it was obviously taking too long. Lizzy said (for the first time) "Hungee!"
August 12, 2012
Daddy's 32nd birthday was today, so Ed and Gee came over early to have some time with their Lizzy. Look at this happy picture.
August 12, 2012
Daddy's 32nd birthday was today, so Ed and Gee came over early to have some time with their Lizzy. Look at this happy picture.
Eb and Gee also brought her a new Minnie Mouse necklace.
Lizzy was such a good girl, even going inside to greet Granny (my Grandma) when she arrived. She did her best to stay awake, but finally went down for a nap at 1:30.
She woke up at 3:00 after everyone had left, and spent the rest of the afternoon doing headstands, asking for "more" tickles, and she finally gave Ai Van a kiss!
August 13, 2012
Baby Girl got up early with me while I was getting ready, and wanted to have photos taken with my camera. So, I obliged. Look at this sweet sleepy face!
She woke up at 3:00 after everyone had left, and spent the rest of the afternoon doing headstands, asking for "more" tickles, and she finally gave Ai Van a kiss!
August 13, 2012
Baby Girl got up early with me while I was getting ready, and wanted to have photos taken with my camera. So, I obliged. Look at this sweet sleepy face!
Baby in the cupboard!
We got to choose her photos today from her photo shoot a few weeks ago. Her beauty took our breath away. We're not going to post them all right now, as some will be used as gifts, but here's a little preview of some of the ones that weren't our favorites. Wait until you see the ones that are. ;o)
We got to choose her photos today from her photo shoot a few weeks ago. Her beauty took our breath away. We're not going to post them all right now, as some will be used as gifts, but here's a little preview of some of the ones that weren't our favorites. Wait until you see the ones that are. ;o)
August 14, 2012
Today Elizabeth heard the dogs howling in response to a siren, and this was so funny to her. She quickly learned to mimic the sound, and now when you ask her what a dog says she howls.
August 15, 2012
Lizzy decided to wake up at 1:00 am, when she heard her daddy flush the toilet. Eyes popped open, and it was play time! I couldn’t get her back to sleep until 3:45 am. I’m so grateful she is normally a good sleeper, and that nights like this are exceedingly rare. Her one top tooth is starting to get really big! When she smiles, you see the one tooth up top and the two down below. Her little lop-sided smile is so cute.
August 17, 2012
Today was a big day. It was the first day when Elizabeth did not have a nap at all throughout the day. This, of course, meant that she was absolutely exhausted, and went to bed at 5:00 pm, and stayed asleep until 7:30 the next morning.
August 19, 2012
Her one top tooth finally has a mate! The second top tooth peeked through today. Soon she will have a beautiful full smile. I know before I’ve mentioned how much she loves bleu cheese. Tonight at dinner she insisted in dipping all of her fries and chicken into bleu cheese. As long as she eats, I’m happy! We decided, since it had been such a lovely day, to go to Dairy Queen for dessert and get her her very own ice cream cone for the first time. She’s had ice cream before, but always sharing with someone else. She ate nearly all the ice cream off the top, and liked to nibble on the cone. Yum yum!
August 20, 2012
Eb and Gee bought a new stroller for Liz to push baby around in. She decided that baby should not be in the stroller, and picks her up by her hair and throws her aside. Instead, she prefers to either push the stroller herself, or be pushed in it. Keep in mind this is a toy stroller, and she is far too big for it. Also, tonight we taught her how to blow kisses!
August 22, 2012
Elizabeth does NOT like to sleep in jammies, or be covered up. You can try to cover her up in her sleep, and she will either kick it off or start wailing in her sleep. She overheats so easily, that it’s just easier to let her sleep in just a diaper, and if she gets chilly she will find one of us to snuggle with. Since she sleeps in just a diaper, sometimes a hand finds its way in.
Today Elizabeth heard the dogs howling in response to a siren, and this was so funny to her. She quickly learned to mimic the sound, and now when you ask her what a dog says she howls.
August 15, 2012
Lizzy decided to wake up at 1:00 am, when she heard her daddy flush the toilet. Eyes popped open, and it was play time! I couldn’t get her back to sleep until 3:45 am. I’m so grateful she is normally a good sleeper, and that nights like this are exceedingly rare. Her one top tooth is starting to get really big! When she smiles, you see the one tooth up top and the two down below. Her little lop-sided smile is so cute.
August 17, 2012
Today was a big day. It was the first day when Elizabeth did not have a nap at all throughout the day. This, of course, meant that she was absolutely exhausted, and went to bed at 5:00 pm, and stayed asleep until 7:30 the next morning.
August 19, 2012
Her one top tooth finally has a mate! The second top tooth peeked through today. Soon she will have a beautiful full smile. I know before I’ve mentioned how much she loves bleu cheese. Tonight at dinner she insisted in dipping all of her fries and chicken into bleu cheese. As long as she eats, I’m happy! We decided, since it had been such a lovely day, to go to Dairy Queen for dessert and get her her very own ice cream cone for the first time. She’s had ice cream before, but always sharing with someone else. She ate nearly all the ice cream off the top, and liked to nibble on the cone. Yum yum!
August 20, 2012
Eb and Gee bought a new stroller for Liz to push baby around in. She decided that baby should not be in the stroller, and picks her up by her hair and throws her aside. Instead, she prefers to either push the stroller herself, or be pushed in it. Keep in mind this is a toy stroller, and she is far too big for it. Also, tonight we taught her how to blow kisses!
August 22, 2012
Elizabeth does NOT like to sleep in jammies, or be covered up. You can try to cover her up in her sleep, and she will either kick it off or start wailing in her sleep. She overheats so easily, that it’s just easier to let her sleep in just a diaper, and if she gets chilly she will find one of us to snuggle with. Since she sleeps in just a diaper, sometimes a hand finds its way in.
For August 24 - September 5, please see the tab "Elisabetta in Italia" for all the photos and highlights from Lizzy's first European trip!
September 6, 2012
After getting home and to sleep a little after midnight, I was awoken at 4:00 am by a happy baby who had climbed onto my tummy and began bouncing up and down (right on my rather full bladder). I guess she was up and ready to play! We walked around upstairs (she was happy to be home!) and she went to the bathroom, pointed at the tub, and said “In bath.” I guess she felt grimy from the travel of the prior day, and wanted a bath. I was happy to oblige.
We went downstairs for some breakfast, and around 5:30 called Eb to say hi. He was under instructions from Gee to wake her up when I called so they could come get her ASAP, they missed her so much.
She and I went to the Pendleton McDonald’s, since it’s a close meeting point on days I don’t have to go to work. She uncharacteristically started crying when we left the house, tearfully asking for her Dada. I got her calmed down pretty quickly. She and I got there first, and after a few minutes, Eb and Gee arrived. When she saw Eb, she ran through the parking lot and into his arms, and started patting him with love and excitement. Two weeks apart and she certainly hadn’t forgotten him.
My dad called in the afternoon to say the she was feeling a little bit warm, and they’d given her some Tylenol, but maybe I should come get her. I packed up and headed to go get her. When we got home, she seemed just fine so we proceeded with our evening as normal. She was running around the house saying "Dada, Mama, Eb, Gee-Gee. Dada, Mama, Eb, Gee-Gee." I guess she was happy to have all 4 of her people back together again.
Once it was time for bed, it became quickly apparent she wasn’t fine. She started running a fever about 11:30, and was terribly stuffy. I let her sleep on me so she could be at an angle to help her breathe. As always, her stuffy nose makes nursing exceedingly difficult for her. I was basically up with her from 3:30 am onward.
September 7, 2012
So, having been up with my poor, feverish, (now 16-month old) sick girl from 3:30 am, and suffering from jet lag, it was my day to return to work. She was doing okay after a 5:00 am dose of Tylenol, so I went ahead and proceeded to take her to Eb and Gee. As the prior day, she had a hard time leaving the house, crying for Dada for a few minutes before I could calm her down. Also, for the first time, she started to cry when Mama said bye bye to her. Fortunately, there was a woman walking her dog in the bank parking lot where we pick up and drop-off, so the dog provided a distraction so I could leave without tears.
Liz was feeling 95% all day, playing great and responding well to the Tylenol, to the point she had no more fever. However, she only had a 40 minute nap, and I knew she needed much more than that, between being sick, not sleeping well, and all the travel.
Eb and Gee’s computer had catastrophically broken, so Dada went over to their house in the afternoon to fix it. I wasn’t feeling too good myself, and was terribly exhausted, so I left work early to go over there too, so we could all leave directly from Eb and Gee’s. We all started to load up go head home after a few hours, and Elizabeth had the biggest breakdown of her life. She refused to go into the car seat, sobbing and clinging onto me for dear life. She was so exhausted, she barely knew what to do. Dada went ahead and left while I went back inside to change a diaper, and for over an hour (and at least 3 attempts) she would not go in the car. I finally just let her sleep a little bit, but she woke up the instant I tried to put her in her car seat. We finally were able to get her into the car seat in Eb’s truck, so I rode in the back with her, while Gee drove us home and my dad drove my car home.
The whole ride home, Lizzy had me put my hand on her face and just hold her little face in my hand while I talked to her the whole ride home. If I stopped talking or moved my hand, she started crying again.
As soon as we got home and out of the truck, she went immediately into happy play mode, running around all her toys like she was normal and none of this had just happened. I think she was stressed, exhausted, and didn’t want to be on the move anymore.
We had another sitting-propped-up-to-sleep night because of stuffy noses, but it wasn’t nearly as bad as the night before, nor was she as feverish.
September 8, 2012
Today was Mama’s turn to be sick. I spent the day lying down, with cold chills and a fever of my own. Luckily, Lizzy was feeling much better, and only had a few sneezes all day and no fever. I was so grateful, however, when she lay down for a FOUR HOUR NAP from 9:00 – 1:00, which allowed me to catch up on my sleep as well.
September 9, 2012
Lizzy is 100% better, and I was feeling much better too. Unfortunately, now Dada had the cold chills, so he spent the day on the couch for the most part while I entertained Lizzy. She did have 2 nice naps, so I think she’s all caught up on her sleep. Hooray!
September 6, 2012
After getting home and to sleep a little after midnight, I was awoken at 4:00 am by a happy baby who had climbed onto my tummy and began bouncing up and down (right on my rather full bladder). I guess she was up and ready to play! We walked around upstairs (she was happy to be home!) and she went to the bathroom, pointed at the tub, and said “In bath.” I guess she felt grimy from the travel of the prior day, and wanted a bath. I was happy to oblige.
We went downstairs for some breakfast, and around 5:30 called Eb to say hi. He was under instructions from Gee to wake her up when I called so they could come get her ASAP, they missed her so much.
She and I went to the Pendleton McDonald’s, since it’s a close meeting point on days I don’t have to go to work. She uncharacteristically started crying when we left the house, tearfully asking for her Dada. I got her calmed down pretty quickly. She and I got there first, and after a few minutes, Eb and Gee arrived. When she saw Eb, she ran through the parking lot and into his arms, and started patting him with love and excitement. Two weeks apart and she certainly hadn’t forgotten him.
My dad called in the afternoon to say the she was feeling a little bit warm, and they’d given her some Tylenol, but maybe I should come get her. I packed up and headed to go get her. When we got home, she seemed just fine so we proceeded with our evening as normal. She was running around the house saying "Dada, Mama, Eb, Gee-Gee. Dada, Mama, Eb, Gee-Gee." I guess she was happy to have all 4 of her people back together again.
Once it was time for bed, it became quickly apparent she wasn’t fine. She started running a fever about 11:30, and was terribly stuffy. I let her sleep on me so she could be at an angle to help her breathe. As always, her stuffy nose makes nursing exceedingly difficult for her. I was basically up with her from 3:30 am onward.
September 7, 2012
So, having been up with my poor, feverish, (now 16-month old) sick girl from 3:30 am, and suffering from jet lag, it was my day to return to work. She was doing okay after a 5:00 am dose of Tylenol, so I went ahead and proceeded to take her to Eb and Gee. As the prior day, she had a hard time leaving the house, crying for Dada for a few minutes before I could calm her down. Also, for the first time, she started to cry when Mama said bye bye to her. Fortunately, there was a woman walking her dog in the bank parking lot where we pick up and drop-off, so the dog provided a distraction so I could leave without tears.
Liz was feeling 95% all day, playing great and responding well to the Tylenol, to the point she had no more fever. However, she only had a 40 minute nap, and I knew she needed much more than that, between being sick, not sleeping well, and all the travel.
Eb and Gee’s computer had catastrophically broken, so Dada went over to their house in the afternoon to fix it. I wasn’t feeling too good myself, and was terribly exhausted, so I left work early to go over there too, so we could all leave directly from Eb and Gee’s. We all started to load up go head home after a few hours, and Elizabeth had the biggest breakdown of her life. She refused to go into the car seat, sobbing and clinging onto me for dear life. She was so exhausted, she barely knew what to do. Dada went ahead and left while I went back inside to change a diaper, and for over an hour (and at least 3 attempts) she would not go in the car. I finally just let her sleep a little bit, but she woke up the instant I tried to put her in her car seat. We finally were able to get her into the car seat in Eb’s truck, so I rode in the back with her, while Gee drove us home and my dad drove my car home.
The whole ride home, Lizzy had me put my hand on her face and just hold her little face in my hand while I talked to her the whole ride home. If I stopped talking or moved my hand, she started crying again.
As soon as we got home and out of the truck, she went immediately into happy play mode, running around all her toys like she was normal and none of this had just happened. I think she was stressed, exhausted, and didn’t want to be on the move anymore.
We had another sitting-propped-up-to-sleep night because of stuffy noses, but it wasn’t nearly as bad as the night before, nor was she as feverish.
September 8, 2012
Today was Mama’s turn to be sick. I spent the day lying down, with cold chills and a fever of my own. Luckily, Lizzy was feeling much better, and only had a few sneezes all day and no fever. I was so grateful, however, when she lay down for a FOUR HOUR NAP from 9:00 – 1:00, which allowed me to catch up on my sleep as well.
September 9, 2012
Lizzy is 100% better, and I was feeling much better too. Unfortunately, now Dada had the cold chills, so he spent the day on the couch for the most part while I entertained Lizzy. She did have 2 nice naps, so I think she’s all caught up on her sleep. Hooray!
September 10, 2012
Dada left for Buffalo early this morning, so it was just Liz and I for a normal Monday morning. I woke her up, and we got prepared to go into the car. Again, she decided that she did not want to go anywhere, and started crying “Mamamamamama” and holding on to me with all 4 limbs, her head buried in my shoulder when I tried to put her in sear seat. It was so bad that she peed during this episode, and all her twisting somehow dislodged her diaper, so we had to go back in for a change of diaper and clothes. Once I got her calmed down, I maneuvered her into her car seat by hugging her tightly while I sneakily got the straps around her arms. When I let go, she realized what I’d done and started crying again. I calmed her down by holding her face in my hands and talking to her. Once she was calm, we got on our way and by the end of our 12 minute drive to Eb and Gee she was laughing and giggling. Thank goodness!
I know that during the past 2 weeks, where we literally were not out of one another’s sight the entire time (when I would use the toilet, she would come with me, and play in the bidet. If I bathed, she bathed with me), she became so attached to me that this being apart is really hard on her. I hope she can get back to our normal routine quickly, because this sobbing when we leave each other is really hard on all of us.
Eb informed me that after I dropped her off, she shed no tears and quite happily went into her seat, laughing and giggling all the way to their house. Thank goodness!
She spent a happy, beautiful day playing with Eb and Gee, enjoying the beautiful day outside, getting pulled in her wagon (“more!”) and having a 3 hour nap. I’m glad she has such a happy, joyful life.
September 11, 2012
This evening, we were all sitting in the living room. She came up behind me while I was sitting on the floor, stuck both her index fingers out, and poked me in the back, and said "Boo!"
September 13, 2012
Today, Lizzy was playing in the shower with a ball that she has that makes noise and wiggles all over the place. After a long while, Eb told her that they were done. She said "no, more!" Guess she wasn't done yet.
There is a frog that has move into Eb and Gee's pond. She likes to watch the frog, and when you ask her what a frog does, she jumps.
Her Dada came home tonight from a few days in New York. We watched him pull in the driveway, and she immediately ran to the door to greet him. Then, for a long while afterwards, she ran around the house excitedly yelling "Dadadadadadada!"
A new thing she's started doing is grabbing your hand to take you to show you something that's interesting to her. Or, if she wants you to do something for her, she'll grab your hand and put it on the item that requires your attention.
September 14, 2012
Eb and Gee took Liz shopping on Friday. Eb wandered off to go get something from another aisle. Lizzy immediately started yelling (at quite a loud volume) for "EB!" The whole store could hear her. :o)
After I picked her up from Eb and Gee, she and I went to Marsh to get our groceries for the weekend. Normally, after I pick her up, we go straight home and immediately nurse. However, even though we didn't go home, she still wanted to nurse. Here we were, standing in the checkout line. I'm preparing to pay, and have my credit card in my right hand, and I'm holding her with my left. As I'm distracted by paying, she reaches down, grabs "me", and pulls everything right out the top of my shirt, right there in the checkout line. Oh Liz...
Look at this beautiful face.
Dada left for Buffalo early this morning, so it was just Liz and I for a normal Monday morning. I woke her up, and we got prepared to go into the car. Again, she decided that she did not want to go anywhere, and started crying “Mamamamamama” and holding on to me with all 4 limbs, her head buried in my shoulder when I tried to put her in sear seat. It was so bad that she peed during this episode, and all her twisting somehow dislodged her diaper, so we had to go back in for a change of diaper and clothes. Once I got her calmed down, I maneuvered her into her car seat by hugging her tightly while I sneakily got the straps around her arms. When I let go, she realized what I’d done and started crying again. I calmed her down by holding her face in my hands and talking to her. Once she was calm, we got on our way and by the end of our 12 minute drive to Eb and Gee she was laughing and giggling. Thank goodness!
I know that during the past 2 weeks, where we literally were not out of one another’s sight the entire time (when I would use the toilet, she would come with me, and play in the bidet. If I bathed, she bathed with me), she became so attached to me that this being apart is really hard on her. I hope she can get back to our normal routine quickly, because this sobbing when we leave each other is really hard on all of us.
Eb informed me that after I dropped her off, she shed no tears and quite happily went into her seat, laughing and giggling all the way to their house. Thank goodness!
She spent a happy, beautiful day playing with Eb and Gee, enjoying the beautiful day outside, getting pulled in her wagon (“more!”) and having a 3 hour nap. I’m glad she has such a happy, joyful life.
September 11, 2012
This evening, we were all sitting in the living room. She came up behind me while I was sitting on the floor, stuck both her index fingers out, and poked me in the back, and said "Boo!"
September 13, 2012
Today, Lizzy was playing in the shower with a ball that she has that makes noise and wiggles all over the place. After a long while, Eb told her that they were done. She said "no, more!" Guess she wasn't done yet.
There is a frog that has move into Eb and Gee's pond. She likes to watch the frog, and when you ask her what a frog does, she jumps.
Her Dada came home tonight from a few days in New York. We watched him pull in the driveway, and she immediately ran to the door to greet him. Then, for a long while afterwards, she ran around the house excitedly yelling "Dadadadadadada!"
A new thing she's started doing is grabbing your hand to take you to show you something that's interesting to her. Or, if she wants you to do something for her, she'll grab your hand and put it on the item that requires your attention.
September 14, 2012
Eb and Gee took Liz shopping on Friday. Eb wandered off to go get something from another aisle. Lizzy immediately started yelling (at quite a loud volume) for "EB!" The whole store could hear her. :o)
After I picked her up from Eb and Gee, she and I went to Marsh to get our groceries for the weekend. Normally, after I pick her up, we go straight home and immediately nurse. However, even though we didn't go home, she still wanted to nurse. Here we were, standing in the checkout line. I'm preparing to pay, and have my credit card in my right hand, and I'm holding her with my left. As I'm distracted by paying, she reaches down, grabs "me", and pulls everything right out the top of my shirt, right there in the checkout line. Oh Liz...
Look at this beautiful face.
September 15, 2012
With Fall approaching, it was time to update her wardrobe. I went through her closet and pulled out all of her 2T clothes that she has moved in to that are appropriate for Fall. I let her choose what outfit she wanted to wear, and she chose this cute little dress.
With Fall approaching, it was time to update her wardrobe. I went through her closet and pulled out all of her 2T clothes that she has moved in to that are appropriate for Fall. I let her choose what outfit she wanted to wear, and she chose this cute little dress.
We did some shopping on Saturday, and she was such a good girl (when isn't she?!) We stopped to have some frozen yogurt, and she would tell us if she wanted a bite of Mama's or Dada's yogurt.
Once we came back home, she and Dada played ball in the backyard for awhile. In the middle of playing, she started doing her fingers in the "wipers on the bus go swish, swish, swish" movement. I guess the song was playing in her head.
Once we came back home, she and Dada played ball in the backyard for awhile. In the middle of playing, she started doing her fingers in the "wipers on the bus go swish, swish, swish" movement. I guess the song was playing in her head.
In the evening, she was sitting in the living room with her Mickey Mouse book. Every time she'd turn to one of the pages with either Donald or Daisy, she'd say "duck" to herself.
Later, she took my hand and took me over to her stroller, which was parked in the dining room. She patted the seat of her stroller and said "in."
September 16, 2012
We woke up, but Dada was still asleep in bed next to us, with his back facing us. She decided she needed to wake Dada up. Out came the little index finger. She poked him in the back and said "boo!"
After waking Dada, we played the game where she gives us kisses and we pretend to fall asleep, and then she gives another kiss to wake us back up. I decided to turn the tables. I said "Now I'm going to kiss Lizzy to sleep." I gave her a kiss, and she lay down (with her eyes still open), and pretended to snore. She totally gets pretending!
Before nap time, we were all laying in bed nursing and cuddling. She was laying across my tummy. She stopped nursing, looked at me, and in her soft little baby voice, whispered "Mama." I responded "Baby." Then "Mama." "Baby." This went on for a few more moments. It was so sweet and gratifying.
Which leads me to an honest-to-goodness question. I know most people don't nurse their toddlers still. However, I don't understand how one gets cuddle time with your toddlers if you aren't nursing them? Our nursing time is our quiet, cuddly, loving time. The other 95% of the time, she's on the go, full speed ahead.
In the afternoon, it was time to help Dada with the lawn mowing.
Later, she took my hand and took me over to her stroller, which was parked in the dining room. She patted the seat of her stroller and said "in."
September 16, 2012
We woke up, but Dada was still asleep in bed next to us, with his back facing us. She decided she needed to wake Dada up. Out came the little index finger. She poked him in the back and said "boo!"
After waking Dada, we played the game where she gives us kisses and we pretend to fall asleep, and then she gives another kiss to wake us back up. I decided to turn the tables. I said "Now I'm going to kiss Lizzy to sleep." I gave her a kiss, and she lay down (with her eyes still open), and pretended to snore. She totally gets pretending!
Before nap time, we were all laying in bed nursing and cuddling. She was laying across my tummy. She stopped nursing, looked at me, and in her soft little baby voice, whispered "Mama." I responded "Baby." Then "Mama." "Baby." This went on for a few more moments. It was so sweet and gratifying.
Which leads me to an honest-to-goodness question. I know most people don't nurse their toddlers still. However, I don't understand how one gets cuddle time with your toddlers if you aren't nursing them? Our nursing time is our quiet, cuddly, loving time. The other 95% of the time, she's on the go, full speed ahead.
In the afternoon, it was time to help Dada with the lawn mowing.
We have been having a fly invasion in our house, which necessitated the purchase of a new fly swatter. She had been watching us use the fly swatter since we bought it Saturday. She asked me for it, so, curious as to what she'd do, I handed it to her. She immediately started walking around, hitting the floor with it. She's such a good mimic of what we say and do.
September 17, 2012
Everything has been so funny to Lizzy lately. She spends most of her day laughing at something. It's the most beautiful sound in the world.
Since it's Halloween decorating time, Gee Gee has a large ceramic mummy (probably a foot tall). This mummy has been named "Mumma." Liz is very careful to differentiate "Mumma" from "Mama", and one day last week showed me Mumma, and pointed at Mumma to say "Mumma", then patted me to say "Mama." She wanted to be sure I understood the difference.
Liz, Eb and I were playing outside in the evening. She made up a word a few months ago that she uses with Eb when she wants to play, "Ning ning." She ran down the driveway to Eb, jumped into his arms, and immediately said "Ning ning."
I am confident this is the only baby in the world who "ning nings" with her "Eb."
September 18, 2012
Liz has been watching an episode of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse where Daisy's pet grasshopper escapes, and they have to hop everywhere to try to track him down. She can now "hop" (quite quickly!), and she said "hop" for the first time too. She is averaging about 1 new word a day. She has easily over 100 words in her vocabulary now.
She also loves to dance to songs on Mickey Mouse. In the past, she'd dance by just bobbing her head and legs along to the beat. Not anymore. Dancing now consists of putting her right arm out, parallel with the floor, and then swinging it quickly side to side, while she walks forwards. Unfortunately, the wild swinging of the right arm inevitably drives her to the left, not quite straight forward as intended. We will try to capture this "dancing" on video, because it is utterly hilarious.
September 19, 2012
Since Elizabeth does so well going to the potty, I often leave her without a diaper so she can enjoy some diaper-free time. However, sometimes I forget she's still learning. Her Dada came home tonight after several nights away. When she saw him pull in the driveway, she got so excited that she peed all over my lap, since I had let her leave it off after she'd gone potty about 30 minutes prior. Lesson learned!
Her 3rd top tooth broke through today. She now has 3 up top and 3 on the bottom. Still no 1-year molars, though, and she's 16 months old.
She's been doing somersaults for about a month now. As she was doing somersaults on the bed, her Dada noted that's a relatively advanced skill. A bit of poking around online shows that most kids learn to do somersaults around age 3.
September 20, 2012
Every morning when I take her to Eb and Gee, we talk all the way during our drive. She's been watching an episode of Mickey Mouse with some hippos in it, so now she loves hippos. Of course, this is good since she has lots of hippo toys. I gave her two of her hippo toys (both from Aunt Eve!) this morning for her to play with during her drive. I asked her what was in her hands, and she said "Hip!" That's today's new word.
Eb had two freezies, one blue and one yellow. He asked her which one she wanted. She said "blue." He then tried to give her the yellow one. She said "No, blue." There is no fooling this little girl.
When it was bath time, she came and took my hand, told me "bath", and I opened the gate on the stairs for her. She then proceeded to walk up our first 3 stairs completely by herself, totally upright. No more crawling up the stairs using her hands.
We watched about 45 minutes of Dumbo tonight before bed. She liked seeing the "El"s, monkeys, bears and lions, since she knows what all those animals say.
September 21, 2012
One of the episodes of Mickey that Lizzy likes involves needing to gather corn for chickens. Gee had some corn cobs, and helped Liz pick the corn off the cobs. She told Liz that this was corn, like the chickens eat. Lizzy then proceeded to run through the house with her corn, clucking like a chicken. No one has ever taught her how to cluck, she just picked it up. It is mind boggling how every day she learns something new - a new skill, a new word, a new sound. Sometimes it's something we've explicitly taught her, most of the time it isn't.
I had a doctor’s visit today, and she asked to see pictures of Elizabeth. She was taken aback, and remarked that she is “exceptionally gorgeous.” Why, thank you. I may have heard that once or twice before.
After Eb and Gee dropped her off, we went to Bravo for dinner. She sat in her chair, happily drawing on the tablecloth and watching Mickey for the whole meal. Such a good girl. On the car ride there, she said her new word for the day, “Gus.”
Afterwards, we headed to Costco. While there, Dada found her Christmas presents – 4 foot tall Mickey and Minnie dolls. As he was carrying them back down the aisle, she saw what he had, and exclaimed “Mih Mous! Mih Mous!”
September 22, 2012
After a 2 month hiatus while Ai Van was here and while we were in Europe, it was the big day to return to Gymboree. She LOVED it, and was running all over the place and climbing over everything. She somehow remembered which door was to the restroom, and told me she needed to go in there. Sure enough, she’d been holding a big pee pee and needed to go! After going to pee pee, she then proceeded over to the sink to wash her hands.
While we were there, I had a bit of a moment. We don’t often dress Liz in frilly pink crap, because a) I don’t like it and b) Just because she’s a girl doesn’t mean she has to wear pink. On Saturday, she was wearing a cute blue shirt, jeans, pink-toed socks and a barrette in her hair. Lizzy had waved “hi” to another little girl there. The little girl’s grandmother said “Oh, Mayse (or whatever her name was), can you wave back to him?” I had to bite my tongue. I can understand getting a newborn wrong, because it’s often hard to tell if a newborn is a boy or a girl. But Elizabeth looks VERY female these days. Just because our daughter isn’t in frilly pink crap doesn’t make her a boy! And I guess the pink socks and FREAKIN’ BARETTE IN HER HAIR weren’t enough of a clue.
Instead, I just said “come on sweet girl” and left the area.
After Gymboree, Liz crashed for a deep 2 hour nap. I’d forgotten how much that place wears her out! Once she woke up, we went to get some new shoes from Finish Line. Can you believe she’s already in Size 7?
Then it was time, for the second year, to go to the Saxony Oktoberfest! Check out these photos from the day:
September 17, 2012
Everything has been so funny to Lizzy lately. She spends most of her day laughing at something. It's the most beautiful sound in the world.
Since it's Halloween decorating time, Gee Gee has a large ceramic mummy (probably a foot tall). This mummy has been named "Mumma." Liz is very careful to differentiate "Mumma" from "Mama", and one day last week showed me Mumma, and pointed at Mumma to say "Mumma", then patted me to say "Mama." She wanted to be sure I understood the difference.
Liz, Eb and I were playing outside in the evening. She made up a word a few months ago that she uses with Eb when she wants to play, "Ning ning." She ran down the driveway to Eb, jumped into his arms, and immediately said "Ning ning."
I am confident this is the only baby in the world who "ning nings" with her "Eb."
September 18, 2012
Liz has been watching an episode of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse where Daisy's pet grasshopper escapes, and they have to hop everywhere to try to track him down. She can now "hop" (quite quickly!), and she said "hop" for the first time too. She is averaging about 1 new word a day. She has easily over 100 words in her vocabulary now.
She also loves to dance to songs on Mickey Mouse. In the past, she'd dance by just bobbing her head and legs along to the beat. Not anymore. Dancing now consists of putting her right arm out, parallel with the floor, and then swinging it quickly side to side, while she walks forwards. Unfortunately, the wild swinging of the right arm inevitably drives her to the left, not quite straight forward as intended. We will try to capture this "dancing" on video, because it is utterly hilarious.
September 19, 2012
Since Elizabeth does so well going to the potty, I often leave her without a diaper so she can enjoy some diaper-free time. However, sometimes I forget she's still learning. Her Dada came home tonight after several nights away. When she saw him pull in the driveway, she got so excited that she peed all over my lap, since I had let her leave it off after she'd gone potty about 30 minutes prior. Lesson learned!
Her 3rd top tooth broke through today. She now has 3 up top and 3 on the bottom. Still no 1-year molars, though, and she's 16 months old.
She's been doing somersaults for about a month now. As she was doing somersaults on the bed, her Dada noted that's a relatively advanced skill. A bit of poking around online shows that most kids learn to do somersaults around age 3.
September 20, 2012
Every morning when I take her to Eb and Gee, we talk all the way during our drive. She's been watching an episode of Mickey Mouse with some hippos in it, so now she loves hippos. Of course, this is good since she has lots of hippo toys. I gave her two of her hippo toys (both from Aunt Eve!) this morning for her to play with during her drive. I asked her what was in her hands, and she said "Hip!" That's today's new word.
Eb had two freezies, one blue and one yellow. He asked her which one she wanted. She said "blue." He then tried to give her the yellow one. She said "No, blue." There is no fooling this little girl.
When it was bath time, she came and took my hand, told me "bath", and I opened the gate on the stairs for her. She then proceeded to walk up our first 3 stairs completely by herself, totally upright. No more crawling up the stairs using her hands.
We watched about 45 minutes of Dumbo tonight before bed. She liked seeing the "El"s, monkeys, bears and lions, since she knows what all those animals say.
September 21, 2012
One of the episodes of Mickey that Lizzy likes involves needing to gather corn for chickens. Gee had some corn cobs, and helped Liz pick the corn off the cobs. She told Liz that this was corn, like the chickens eat. Lizzy then proceeded to run through the house with her corn, clucking like a chicken. No one has ever taught her how to cluck, she just picked it up. It is mind boggling how every day she learns something new - a new skill, a new word, a new sound. Sometimes it's something we've explicitly taught her, most of the time it isn't.
I had a doctor’s visit today, and she asked to see pictures of Elizabeth. She was taken aback, and remarked that she is “exceptionally gorgeous.” Why, thank you. I may have heard that once or twice before.
After Eb and Gee dropped her off, we went to Bravo for dinner. She sat in her chair, happily drawing on the tablecloth and watching Mickey for the whole meal. Such a good girl. On the car ride there, she said her new word for the day, “Gus.”
Afterwards, we headed to Costco. While there, Dada found her Christmas presents – 4 foot tall Mickey and Minnie dolls. As he was carrying them back down the aisle, she saw what he had, and exclaimed “Mih Mous! Mih Mous!”
September 22, 2012
After a 2 month hiatus while Ai Van was here and while we were in Europe, it was the big day to return to Gymboree. She LOVED it, and was running all over the place and climbing over everything. She somehow remembered which door was to the restroom, and told me she needed to go in there. Sure enough, she’d been holding a big pee pee and needed to go! After going to pee pee, she then proceeded over to the sink to wash her hands.
While we were there, I had a bit of a moment. We don’t often dress Liz in frilly pink crap, because a) I don’t like it and b) Just because she’s a girl doesn’t mean she has to wear pink. On Saturday, she was wearing a cute blue shirt, jeans, pink-toed socks and a barrette in her hair. Lizzy had waved “hi” to another little girl there. The little girl’s grandmother said “Oh, Mayse (or whatever her name was), can you wave back to him?” I had to bite my tongue. I can understand getting a newborn wrong, because it’s often hard to tell if a newborn is a boy or a girl. But Elizabeth looks VERY female these days. Just because our daughter isn’t in frilly pink crap doesn’t make her a boy! And I guess the pink socks and FREAKIN’ BARETTE IN HER HAIR weren’t enough of a clue.
Instead, I just said “come on sweet girl” and left the area.
After Gymboree, Liz crashed for a deep 2 hour nap. I’d forgotten how much that place wears her out! Once she woke up, we went to get some new shoes from Finish Line. Can you believe she’s already in Size 7?
Then it was time, for the second year, to go to the Saxony Oktoberfest! Check out these photos from the day:
This is the face she makes when you tell her to make a "funny face."
And, just like last year, here’s a picture of Dada and Liz enjoying the beautiful day. Compare to last year's photo...
That night, she and I were downstairs playing before bedtime. She was playing pretend with her Pinocchio, Mickey and Minnie dolls (smaller ones – not the giant ones from Costco). They would each get a bite, and then a drink of water. After they’d have a drink, she’d make the “aaahhhhhh” noise. Then, I put Mickey and Minnie in Lizzy’s chair. She grabbed them by their noses, said “nope”, and tossed them to the floor.
September 23, 2012
Lizzy and I went to the donut shop, and she ate a whole sausage roll for breakfast. Yum!
After watching some of the race with me, she had her first nap of the day. Once she was up, we had lunch and then went to the grocery. She helpfully pointed out the “nanas” and “aps” for us.
In the evening, her Dada converted her crib (which she hasn’t used since August 2011) into her toddler bed. Not that she’s going to use it right away, but we might try to start using it for weekend naps and see how she likes it. However, for the foreseeable future, she’s still spending her nights in bed with Mama and Dada.
She had a (rare for her) evening nap, which meant she was up until 10:15 (so late for Mama!). However, during this awake time, she had her second new word of the weekend, “Daisy.”
Here is a photo of the new shoes we bought her the day before.
September 23, 2012
Lizzy and I went to the donut shop, and she ate a whole sausage roll for breakfast. Yum!
After watching some of the race with me, she had her first nap of the day. Once she was up, we had lunch and then went to the grocery. She helpfully pointed out the “nanas” and “aps” for us.
In the evening, her Dada converted her crib (which she hasn’t used since August 2011) into her toddler bed. Not that she’s going to use it right away, but we might try to start using it for weekend naps and see how she likes it. However, for the foreseeable future, she’s still spending her nights in bed with Mama and Dada.
She had a (rare for her) evening nap, which meant she was up until 10:15 (so late for Mama!). However, during this awake time, she had her second new word of the weekend, “Daisy.”
Here is a photo of the new shoes we bought her the day before.
Liz loves to pretend different things are phones. Remotes, books - anything will get held up to her ear for her to have a pretend conversation with Eb or Dada. Tonight, it was her foot doubling as a phone.
September 26, 2012
Eb and Gee took her to Menard's today, and decided to try one of the car carts. SHE LOVED IT. She grabbed both steering wheels, and every time they'd stop she'd say "More." She stayed in the cart the entire time, and only got out once they'd gotten all the way back out the parking lot cart corral. Here's a happy, scrunchy face.
September 26, 2012
Eb and Gee took her to Menard's today, and decided to try one of the car carts. SHE LOVED IT. She grabbed both steering wheels, and every time they'd stop she'd say "More." She stayed in the cart the entire time, and only got out once they'd gotten all the way back out the parking lot cart corral. Here's a happy, scrunchy face.
Then, like last year, they got her a pumpkin. Compare last year's pumpkin photo to this year's.
Now let's dance with the pumpkin.
September 27, 2012
Eb and Gee took Elizabeth to feed the ducks today. Last year when they tried, it didn't end so well, as they were scary to her as a baby. Now, it's great fun! She even quacks like them. Truthfully, though, her quack sounds a lot like her cluck, which is still terribly cute.
September 28, 2012
Once we got home, it was time for Friday night dinner out. I said "Lizzy, are you ready to go?" and she proceeded to run around with her shoes, yelling "Go! Go! Go!"
We went to Logan's Roadhouse where, as usual, she sat happily and was so good throughout the entire meal. However, she wanted my sweet potato fries instead of the meal we'd gotten her. Fine, baby girl, help yourself!
September 29, 2012
I put her big girl underpants on her for the first time today, after she'd had a successful pee pee and poopie in the potty. She got to wear them for several hours, with no accidents. Result!
She and I were watching tv, and a picture of a horse came on. She pointed and said "neigh." She can now do animal sounds for horse, cow, cat, dog, bird/owl, lion/bear, monkey, duck/chicken, sheep and I'm sure there's a few more I'm forgetting. I'm so proud of my little smarty pants!
http://www.viddy.com/video/4a81077a-b2c9-455d-b071-b8fe9bbc110a
While we were eating dinner, we were listening to Bob Marley music. She's sitting in her high chair, and starts dancing along to the music. I wish we'd caught that on video.
September 30, 2012
Speaking of video, Dada got me a new iPhone this weekend, so I have now created a viddy account, where you can follow me to see fun little (15 seconds or less) snippets of Elizabeth. Today we took a few of her doing "hop hop hop", swinging (and asking for "more"), playing, blowing kisses, and being tickled. Follow along for frequent updates!
http://www.viddy.com/jennifervail
Today we went to get our typical Sunday morning donuts, and she picked out which one she wanted (yeast with blue sprinkles). Did I mention she says "blue"?
We went swinging 3 times today. Every time I think we're about done, she says "more!"
We went to the grocery, and let her do the car cart like she had last week with Eb and Gee. Sure enough, it was "more" every time we'd stop. She didn't even try to get out once, either! I'm glad she enjoys it so much.
October 2, 2012
This girl loves to Mouskercize! Please excuse her silly hairdo - it's all we can do to keep her hair out of her eyes anymore.
http://www.viddy.com/video/d8ed04eb-3c20-42b5-97de-f4e6cf4a3ea9
This morning when it was time to leave, we were walking out to my car. She pointed and said "In Mama."
October 6, 2012
Another beautiful Saturday together. We went to Gymboree in the morning, as usual, where she had a great time throwing the balls. She has quite the throwing arm on her! After we went home for our mid-day nap, it was time to go to the Renaissance Faire. We ate gyros (which were "good" and she wanted "more"), and then went to see the horses. Neigh!
http://www.viddy.com/video/36019453-b48d-4702-a80d-70092e8d396b
We were tempted to do a horse ride (me and her), but we decided to wait until next year.
Once we got back home, we played for several hours. There are some other viddys on my page of her just being silly and jibber-jabbering up a storm. She loves to talk!
This was another one of those days where I felt intense sadness when she finally fell asleep. I know I've said it repeatedly, but there are not enough hours in the day to love her.
October 7, 2012
Dada had to leave early this morning for New Orleans, so Lizzy and I got up and headed to Eb and Gee's house. After arriving and getting settled, we decided to go feed the ducks.
http://www.viddy.com/video/59b1e363-d354-484b-8a77-6ed6fc615f6c
Eb and Gee took Elizabeth to feed the ducks today. Last year when they tried, it didn't end so well, as they were scary to her as a baby. Now, it's great fun! She even quacks like them. Truthfully, though, her quack sounds a lot like her cluck, which is still terribly cute.
September 28, 2012
Once we got home, it was time for Friday night dinner out. I said "Lizzy, are you ready to go?" and she proceeded to run around with her shoes, yelling "Go! Go! Go!"
We went to Logan's Roadhouse where, as usual, she sat happily and was so good throughout the entire meal. However, she wanted my sweet potato fries instead of the meal we'd gotten her. Fine, baby girl, help yourself!
September 29, 2012
I put her big girl underpants on her for the first time today, after she'd had a successful pee pee and poopie in the potty. She got to wear them for several hours, with no accidents. Result!
She and I were watching tv, and a picture of a horse came on. She pointed and said "neigh." She can now do animal sounds for horse, cow, cat, dog, bird/owl, lion/bear, monkey, duck/chicken, sheep and I'm sure there's a few more I'm forgetting. I'm so proud of my little smarty pants!
http://www.viddy.com/video/4a81077a-b2c9-455d-b071-b8fe9bbc110a
While we were eating dinner, we were listening to Bob Marley music. She's sitting in her high chair, and starts dancing along to the music. I wish we'd caught that on video.
September 30, 2012
Speaking of video, Dada got me a new iPhone this weekend, so I have now created a viddy account, where you can follow me to see fun little (15 seconds or less) snippets of Elizabeth. Today we took a few of her doing "hop hop hop", swinging (and asking for "more"), playing, blowing kisses, and being tickled. Follow along for frequent updates!
http://www.viddy.com/jennifervail
Today we went to get our typical Sunday morning donuts, and she picked out which one she wanted (yeast with blue sprinkles). Did I mention she says "blue"?
We went swinging 3 times today. Every time I think we're about done, she says "more!"
We went to the grocery, and let her do the car cart like she had last week with Eb and Gee. Sure enough, it was "more" every time we'd stop. She didn't even try to get out once, either! I'm glad she enjoys it so much.
October 2, 2012
This girl loves to Mouskercize! Please excuse her silly hairdo - it's all we can do to keep her hair out of her eyes anymore.
http://www.viddy.com/video/d8ed04eb-3c20-42b5-97de-f4e6cf4a3ea9
This morning when it was time to leave, we were walking out to my car. She pointed and said "In Mama."
October 6, 2012
Another beautiful Saturday together. We went to Gymboree in the morning, as usual, where she had a great time throwing the balls. She has quite the throwing arm on her! After we went home for our mid-day nap, it was time to go to the Renaissance Faire. We ate gyros (which were "good" and she wanted "more"), and then went to see the horses. Neigh!
http://www.viddy.com/video/36019453-b48d-4702-a80d-70092e8d396b
We were tempted to do a horse ride (me and her), but we decided to wait until next year.
Once we got back home, we played for several hours. There are some other viddys on my page of her just being silly and jibber-jabbering up a storm. She loves to talk!
This was another one of those days where I felt intense sadness when she finally fell asleep. I know I've said it repeatedly, but there are not enough hours in the day to love her.
October 7, 2012
Dada had to leave early this morning for New Orleans, so Lizzy and I got up and headed to Eb and Gee's house. After arriving and getting settled, we decided to go feed the ducks.
http://www.viddy.com/video/59b1e363-d354-484b-8a77-6ed6fc615f6c
She noticed two geese that were sitting about 50 feet away, who had not come to get any corn. She decided they needed some corn too, so she left the others behind to walk over to the two geese who hadn't had any, and made sure they got some too. She has the sweetest heart, and loves to share.
Once we were back home, we were playing in the living room. She decided she wanted to go outside, so she pointed at the door and said "Out door." This was the first time she'd said "out", so I was pretty proud of her new word that day!
October 8, 2012
Liz spotted some rainbows on the floor while she was playing with her toy broom and dustbin. She tried to sweep the rainbows up, saying "bye bye."
Once I got home from work, Lizzy, Eb and I went to the park to feed the ducks again. Unfortunately, someone had been there earlier in the day and dumped a bushel of corn on the ground, meaning we had some very full and disinterested ducks. Lizzy couldn't understand why the ducks weren't eating, and kept saying "Hey ducks!" and "Duck, there!" after she'd throw it some corn. We did find a few that would eat, so we fed them and headed home.
We were playing, and she wanted to go play on the bed with Eb. As they were walking into the bedroom, she said "And Mama." She wanted Mama to come play too.
She developed a stuffy nose during the course of the day too, which made me very sad. I know she's been very healthy, and the worst she's really ever had (other than a fever after her first flu shot) has been a cold. However, I still cringe when I hear that stuffy nose, because I know it means rough nights ahead. The worst part is when she can't breathe through her nose and thusly has a very hard time nursing. She gets so frustrated, and it breaks my heart for her, because I know at that point she needs the comfort of Mommy Milk, but can't get any.
October 9, 2012
The sick baby saga continued, as I had to leave work early to come home to a baby who really wanted her Mama. Once I got home, she immediately nursed and fell asleep for a 3 hour nap. Fortunately, she was breathing through her nose the whole time!
Once she woke up, she seemed to be quite a bit better. We played, ran a few errands in the evening, and had a fun bath.
Once we were back home, we were playing in the living room. She decided she wanted to go outside, so she pointed at the door and said "Out door." This was the first time she'd said "out", so I was pretty proud of her new word that day!
October 8, 2012
Liz spotted some rainbows on the floor while she was playing with her toy broom and dustbin. She tried to sweep the rainbows up, saying "bye bye."
Once I got home from work, Lizzy, Eb and I went to the park to feed the ducks again. Unfortunately, someone had been there earlier in the day and dumped a bushel of corn on the ground, meaning we had some very full and disinterested ducks. Lizzy couldn't understand why the ducks weren't eating, and kept saying "Hey ducks!" and "Duck, there!" after she'd throw it some corn. We did find a few that would eat, so we fed them and headed home.
We were playing, and she wanted to go play on the bed with Eb. As they were walking into the bedroom, she said "And Mama." She wanted Mama to come play too.
She developed a stuffy nose during the course of the day too, which made me very sad. I know she's been very healthy, and the worst she's really ever had (other than a fever after her first flu shot) has been a cold. However, I still cringe when I hear that stuffy nose, because I know it means rough nights ahead. The worst part is when she can't breathe through her nose and thusly has a very hard time nursing. She gets so frustrated, and it breaks my heart for her, because I know at that point she needs the comfort of Mommy Milk, but can't get any.
October 9, 2012
The sick baby saga continued, as I had to leave work early to come home to a baby who really wanted her Mama. Once I got home, she immediately nursed and fell asleep for a 3 hour nap. Fortunately, she was breathing through her nose the whole time!
Once she woke up, she seemed to be quite a bit better. We played, ran a few errands in the evening, and had a fun bath.
October 10, 2012
Last night was a bit better, as she was able to nurse through the night without getting frustrated. Thank goodness we're on the tail end of this already!
In her sleep, she must have been dreaming of ducks. I woke up to the sound of Lizzy making her "quacking" noise in her sleep, and doing the hand motion she does when she's talking about ducks.
Today's new words are "ice" and "toast."
Dada came home tonight and, as usual, Elizabeth was thrilled to see him. After dinner, we went upstairs to watch a movie. She was sitting in bed with us, eating her apple. It wasn’t apparent that she was really paying much attention to the movie until she spotted some horses on the screen (that I hadn’t even noticed!) and said “neigh.” Guess she pays better attention than I give her credit for!
October 11, 2012
One of the episodes of Mickey that Liz likes involves spotting the moon in the sky. This morning, as we were getting ready to leave, we looked at the clear sky. She pointed up and said “moooooon.”
Earlier this week, Eb and I took Liz to Dollar Tree, and let her pick out a toy. She wanted two balls, a basketball and a football. She has really loved these two simple little balls all week. Today, Eb and Gee took her to Dollar General, where they had the same two balls. She spotted them, grabbed one of each, turned, and headed to the cash register to check out. I guess she really likes those two balls!
October 12, 2012
We spotted the moon again this morning!
For dinner, Lizzy had pasta noodles with broccoli in it. She proceeded to eat only the broccoli. She loves her veggies!
October 13, 2012
Last night was a bit better, as she was able to nurse through the night without getting frustrated. Thank goodness we're on the tail end of this already!
In her sleep, she must have been dreaming of ducks. I woke up to the sound of Lizzy making her "quacking" noise in her sleep, and doing the hand motion she does when she's talking about ducks.
Today's new words are "ice" and "toast."
Dada came home tonight and, as usual, Elizabeth was thrilled to see him. After dinner, we went upstairs to watch a movie. She was sitting in bed with us, eating her apple. It wasn’t apparent that she was really paying much attention to the movie until she spotted some horses on the screen (that I hadn’t even noticed!) and said “neigh.” Guess she pays better attention than I give her credit for!
October 11, 2012
One of the episodes of Mickey that Liz likes involves spotting the moon in the sky. This morning, as we were getting ready to leave, we looked at the clear sky. She pointed up and said “moooooon.”
Earlier this week, Eb and I took Liz to Dollar Tree, and let her pick out a toy. She wanted two balls, a basketball and a football. She has really loved these two simple little balls all week. Today, Eb and Gee took her to Dollar General, where they had the same two balls. She spotted them, grabbed one of each, turned, and headed to the cash register to check out. I guess she really likes those two balls!
October 12, 2012
We spotted the moon again this morning!
For dinner, Lizzy had pasta noodles with broccoli in it. She proceeded to eat only the broccoli. She loves her veggies!
October 13, 2012
What a wonderfully fun day! We had lunch with Eb and Gee at Famous Dave’s and, once again, she LOVES corn on the cob! She also kept pointing at the pictures on the sign of the chicken (bawk bawk bawk) and the pig (she said “oink” for the first time!). She really likes it there, which is great, because we do too!
After a good lunch we went to Stoney Creek to pick her pumpkin, like we did last year. She LOVED to play in the straw pile, and in general was so happy to be there. She really liked the hay ride, giggling and making sure Dada saw the pumpkins in the field.
Pumpkin patch fun!
Here are some photos from the day:
After a good lunch we went to Stoney Creek to pick her pumpkin, like we did last year. She LOVED to play in the straw pile, and in general was so happy to be there. She really liked the hay ride, giggling and making sure Dada saw the pumpkins in the field.
Pumpkin patch fun!
Here are some photos from the day:
This one is very much a "are you guys coming, or what?" look.
At the end of our day, she was worn plum out, and on the way home, she quietly said “Mama” and then fell right asleep.
I was actually able to lay her down for her nap in her big girl bed, where she slept for the duration of her nap while I napped in the bed in the room next door. I’m still not ready to spend our nights sleeping apart, but it just worked out great that I could lay her in there she napped peacefully.
Look at our good little helper, who has figured out the automatic trash can: http://www.viddy.com/video/e9578bb0-733f-4fb6-9e8c-de5015096f63
October 14, 2012
Apart from our normal Sunday morning doughnut run, we stayed home all day and played. She had a nearly 3 hour nap (!). In the evening, Harry Potter was on and she spotted Hagrid, who she thought looked like Eb. When the scene was over, she started crying (actual tears) for Eb to come back on. Rewind!
October 15, 2012
Mmmmm...corn on the cob.
Look at our good little helper, who has figured out the automatic trash can: http://www.viddy.com/video/e9578bb0-733f-4fb6-9e8c-de5015096f63
October 14, 2012
Apart from our normal Sunday morning doughnut run, we stayed home all day and played. She had a nearly 3 hour nap (!). In the evening, Harry Potter was on and she spotted Hagrid, who she thought looked like Eb. When the scene was over, she started crying (actual tears) for Eb to come back on. Rewind!
October 15, 2012
Mmmmm...corn on the cob.
October 16, 2012
Elizabeth has really gotten into the Halloween spirit. She will growl like a scary monster, and then follow it with a "Boo!"
October 17, 2012
This morning, as I was getting ready, I heard Liz in bed, dreaming about ducks. I love knowing what she dreams about!
Look at this baby butt.
Elizabeth has really gotten into the Halloween spirit. She will growl like a scary monster, and then follow it with a "Boo!"
October 17, 2012
This morning, as I was getting ready, I heard Liz in bed, dreaming about ducks. I love knowing what she dreams about!
Look at this baby butt.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE the way she says "banana." http://www.viddy.com/video/299ea933-23e7-4069-b48b-91a7b554441e
Here's a very scary monster: http://www.viddy.com/video/ce47f216-a78c-4143-8678-00bdecd1b3fb
Some bath time silliness.
Here's a very scary monster: http://www.viddy.com/video/ce47f216-a78c-4143-8678-00bdecd1b3fb
Some bath time silliness.
October 18, 2012
We had the most fun day. I was able to take the day off of work to spend with her, which I desperately needed. After breakfast, we went to get her flu shot. A few tears were shed, but the nurse found us a nice room with a big rocking chair so we could nurse while the tears stopped.
Then we went to Gymboree to play. There was a different teacher who we hadn’t met before, since we normally go on Saturday mornings. She came over to talk to us, and as we were chatting, Lizzy was grabbing a ball to throw it through the hoop, saying “Ball In.” She asked how old Lizzy was, so I told her 17 months. She was quite impressed that she had said that. After a short while, she watched as Lizzy walked up the steps, saying “up” and then got ready to go down the slide, saying “down.” She said “she knows up and down, too?” It’s still really nice to hear how Elizabeth Linh is still ahead of the curve. What Mama doesn’t like to hear that sort of news?
After Gymboree, Liz and I went to vote. Whenever we shop anywhere, she likes to hand my card to the cashier. Today she handed my license to the lady working the voting station. She loved that this sweet little girl was handing over the required documentation, and said “that just made my day!” Glad we could help! Once I made my selections, Lizzy pushed the button to submit my vote. So, she got to wear the “I Voted” sticker.
Then we went to Gymboree to play. There was a different teacher who we hadn’t met before, since we normally go on Saturday mornings. She came over to talk to us, and as we were chatting, Lizzy was grabbing a ball to throw it through the hoop, saying “Ball In.” She asked how old Lizzy was, so I told her 17 months. She was quite impressed that she had said that. After a short while, she watched as Lizzy walked up the steps, saying “up” and then got ready to go down the slide, saying “down.” She said “she knows up and down, too?” It’s still really nice to hear how Elizabeth Linh is still ahead of the curve. What Mama doesn’t like to hear that sort of news?
After Gymboree, Liz and I went to vote. Whenever we shop anywhere, she likes to hand my card to the cashier. Today she handed my license to the lady working the voting station. She loved that this sweet little girl was handing over the required documentation, and said “that just made my day!” Glad we could help! Once I made my selections, Lizzy pushed the button to submit my vote. So, she got to wear the “I Voted” sticker.
We grabbed Chick-Fil-A for lunch, and then went home to eat. After lunch, we had a lovely 2 hour nap together.
After waking, she and I went to tour the dance studio near our house. Since she loves to dance so much, I thought about enrolling her in a dance class. After touring the studio, I don’t think we’re going to do so, as they’ve never actually held this class before, and the teacher who will be instructing it has never taught a class before. I think we’ll stick with Gymboree.
Then we went to get some new shoes for Saturday’s wedding, and some new socks and tights too.
After shopping, we went home to grab Dada, and we had dinner at El Rodeo. She liked the cheese enchilada, and kept pointing in her mouth when you wanted another bite. Then off to the grocery so she could drive the cart. We kept playing a silly game where I’d back up down the aisle and then run at her really fast – “More!”
http://www.viddy.com/video/dda40aaf-db83-4f12-a231-c2cfda4156ac
Then we went to get some new shoes for Saturday’s wedding, and some new socks and tights too.
After shopping, we went home to grab Dada, and we had dinner at El Rodeo. She liked the cheese enchilada, and kept pointing in her mouth when you wanted another bite. Then off to the grocery so she could drive the cart. We kept playing a silly game where I’d back up down the aisle and then run at her really fast – “More!”
http://www.viddy.com/video/dda40aaf-db83-4f12-a231-c2cfda4156ac
I loved every minute of this day. I thought after taking a day off to spend with her, it would sate the need I have in my soul to be with her all the time. It only made that need more intense.
October 19, 2012
This morning she got up on your own around 6:15, so she helped me do my hair and we brushed her teeth before heading out. On the drive to Eb and Gee, we were listening to my George Harrison CD, and she kept asking for “more” of I’ve Got My Mind Set On You. Every time the song would end, she wanted it played again. We listened to that song 4 times! Not that I’m complaining – she obviously has exceptional taste in music.
She has started stacking her blocks, and can get them stacked 7 high!
We were sitting and eating dinner together, and all of a sudden she covered her eyes, a la peek-a-boo, and dramatically pulled them away while yelling 'Boo!' at us. Naturally, this was terribly scary for Dada and me, so we made the appropriate reaction. This led to huge belly laughs from Liz, and thusly this cycle was repeated at least for the next 5 minutes.
For some reason, sometimes she wakes up in an utter panic. I'm not sure if it's night terrors or what, but sometimes she gets so startled awake that she panics and is inconsolable. This happend at 11:18 pm and I wasn't able to get her back to sleep until 2:00 am :o(
October 20, 2012
We woke up far too early for having had such a disrupted sleep the night before, which didn't bode well for our day. Typically, if she doesn't get in a peaceful night of sleep, she will nap 3 or so hours. Unfortunately, she fell alseep 30 minutes before we had to leave for Ginny's wedding. So, I had to wake her up and put her in her car seat so we could leave. So, she didn't get her nap out. She didn't get any wake-up Mommy milk like she likes. So far, not so good.
Once we arrived at the venue, I thought all was well. She spotted a swingset in across the parking lot, but it didn't look clean, and she was in her pretty dress, so we said we couldn't do that right now. She was still fine.
However, once we got inside and I hugged Eve, she started an absolute meltdown. Tired. Woken up from her nap. Not allowed to play on the swings. And now Mama hugging someone else. It was bad. It took me 15 minutes to stop her crying, and this girl rarely if ever cries like this.
Once I did get her calmed down in time for the ceremony, she was fine. We played with the flower petals, danced to the music, and she was very good until it was time to leave again and she was a little whiny. Sure enough, as soon as we were back in the car, she was asleep within 10 minutes.
Once home, we spent the evening playing, giggling, and being in absolute perfect spirits, unlike hours before.
http://www.viddy.com/video/c165ca15-97c8-4ead-b7c2-9f9fe732bac9
http://www.viddy.com/video/0fdcaaeb-c135-4cb0-8aa9-0d01b04515af
One of my favorite words she says is "in." I'd been trying to catch her saying it, and I finally succeeded! I just love the say she says this word.
http://www.viddy.com/video/2fd23a33-049a-448b-960b-c9d6f6c43ffc
Doesn't someone look really comfy?
October 19, 2012
This morning she got up on your own around 6:15, so she helped me do my hair and we brushed her teeth before heading out. On the drive to Eb and Gee, we were listening to my George Harrison CD, and she kept asking for “more” of I’ve Got My Mind Set On You. Every time the song would end, she wanted it played again. We listened to that song 4 times! Not that I’m complaining – she obviously has exceptional taste in music.
She has started stacking her blocks, and can get them stacked 7 high!
We were sitting and eating dinner together, and all of a sudden she covered her eyes, a la peek-a-boo, and dramatically pulled them away while yelling 'Boo!' at us. Naturally, this was terribly scary for Dada and me, so we made the appropriate reaction. This led to huge belly laughs from Liz, and thusly this cycle was repeated at least for the next 5 minutes.
For some reason, sometimes she wakes up in an utter panic. I'm not sure if it's night terrors or what, but sometimes she gets so startled awake that she panics and is inconsolable. This happend at 11:18 pm and I wasn't able to get her back to sleep until 2:00 am :o(
October 20, 2012
We woke up far too early for having had such a disrupted sleep the night before, which didn't bode well for our day. Typically, if she doesn't get in a peaceful night of sleep, she will nap 3 or so hours. Unfortunately, she fell alseep 30 minutes before we had to leave for Ginny's wedding. So, I had to wake her up and put her in her car seat so we could leave. So, she didn't get her nap out. She didn't get any wake-up Mommy milk like she likes. So far, not so good.
Once we arrived at the venue, I thought all was well. She spotted a swingset in across the parking lot, but it didn't look clean, and she was in her pretty dress, so we said we couldn't do that right now. She was still fine.
However, once we got inside and I hugged Eve, she started an absolute meltdown. Tired. Woken up from her nap. Not allowed to play on the swings. And now Mama hugging someone else. It was bad. It took me 15 minutes to stop her crying, and this girl rarely if ever cries like this.
Once I did get her calmed down in time for the ceremony, she was fine. We played with the flower petals, danced to the music, and she was very good until it was time to leave again and she was a little whiny. Sure enough, as soon as we were back in the car, she was asleep within 10 minutes.
Once home, we spent the evening playing, giggling, and being in absolute perfect spirits, unlike hours before.
http://www.viddy.com/video/c165ca15-97c8-4ead-b7c2-9f9fe732bac9
http://www.viddy.com/video/0fdcaaeb-c135-4cb0-8aa9-0d01b04515af
One of my favorite words she says is "in." I'd been trying to catch her saying it, and I finally succeeded! I just love the say she says this word.
http://www.viddy.com/video/2fd23a33-049a-448b-960b-c9d6f6c43ffc
Doesn't someone look really comfy?
October 21, 2012
This morning, she was being such a little cutie, singing "Dada" when I'd say "If you're happy and you know it, say Mama."
http://www.viddy.com/video/e2e80c38-2791-4aeb-9d4d-4458c2fe83c0
Dada left for Boston, so we came to Eb and Gee's. Eb and Liz and I went to the Dollar Tree again, and, for the third time, she bought the same football and basketball. I don't know what it is about those two balls that she loves so much! We might be in trouble though, because that was the last football they had. Upon checkout, the cashier said "I love her face." Thanks - we do too.
Another thing we love is this hair. Is this so beautiful? Look at the layers and the multi-dimensional color. People pay big money for complex color like this, and she has it naturally.
This morning, she was being such a little cutie, singing "Dada" when I'd say "If you're happy and you know it, say Mama."
http://www.viddy.com/video/e2e80c38-2791-4aeb-9d4d-4458c2fe83c0
Dada left for Boston, so we came to Eb and Gee's. Eb and Liz and I went to the Dollar Tree again, and, for the third time, she bought the same football and basketball. I don't know what it is about those two balls that she loves so much! We might be in trouble though, because that was the last football they had. Upon checkout, the cashier said "I love her face." Thanks - we do too.
Another thing we love is this hair. Is this so beautiful? Look at the layers and the multi-dimensional color. People pay big money for complex color like this, and she has it naturally.
Eb, Lizzy and I walked down to the gazebo down the street from them. Elizabeth has a ritual with Eb and Gee where she tells them what to sit, and then she goes in the middle and dances for them. Today, she told me to sit in Gee's normal spot, made Eb sit where he normally does, and put on a show for us.
http://www.viddy.com/video/d8857d83-58d5-4834-be99-f0e84bb24ec0
She also drew circles for the first time on her chalkboard! They're a little lopsided, but she's got the general idea.
October 22, 2012
Today's new words are "off" and "on." The fan needed turned "on," and then the blankets had to be taken "off." She now knows opposites up and down, in and out, and off and on. The best part is she uses them correctly/in context.
At night, we went outside to find the moon, and we practiced drawing more circles.
October 23, 2012
Time for a skills chart update. Elizabeth is currently 17 1/2 months old, so here is the skills chart for 19 - 30 months.
http://www.viddy.com/video/d8857d83-58d5-4834-be99-f0e84bb24ec0
She also drew circles for the first time on her chalkboard! They're a little lopsided, but she's got the general idea.
October 22, 2012
Today's new words are "off" and "on." The fan needed turned "on," and then the blankets had to be taken "off." She now knows opposites up and down, in and out, and off and on. The best part is she uses them correctly/in context.
At night, we went outside to find the moon, and we practiced drawing more circles.
October 23, 2012
Time for a skills chart update. Elizabeth is currently 17 1/2 months old, so here is the skills chart for 19 - 30 months.
Update! After making this chart, I went home and tried to have her balance on one foot. I showed her once and, sure enough, she mimicked me and stood perfectly still on one foot.
Before bed, I was singing “Rain Rain Go Away” to her. At the end of each verse, she’d tell me who she wanted me to sing the next verse about – Mama, Dada, Eb or Gee Gee. She’d then giggle when I used that name in the next verse. She even included Bella in the rotation of about whom I was to sing.
October 24
We went to have dinner at Famous Dave’s (again), and as dinner was winding up, she demanded to go outside to see the moon. First, Dada had to take her out. Then Mama had to take her out. This moon business is becoming serious.
Also, on our way to dinner, she finally figured out the button to roll her window up and down. Uh oh!
October 25
Today was the (likely) last nice day of the year. She spent nearly the whole day outside with Eb and Gee playing and enjoying the sunshine. When I picked her up at the church playground, she was running through the grass as fast as she could, with that little arm out for balance.
Given her recent obsession with the moon, we read Goodnight Moon for the first time tonight. She LOVED it, and kept pointing to the moon on every page when she spotted it. It’s now in heavy rotation.
October 26
Lizzy was playing a silly game where she’d run over to one of her story books that makes sound, push a certain button, and then have to run back over to her toys before the song stopped. She made this game up on her own. Silly girl!
October 27
This morning we went to Gymboree as usual, then to Target to get some Halloween candy and some other things. As I was loading her in the car seat, I said “now we’re going home.” She repeated “home”, and now that’s part of her vocabulary, just like that.
After Saturday afternoon naps, we carved her pumpkin. She liked sticking her hand in the seeds and playing with them. After it was done, we put a glow stick inside and went into the dark laundry room so she could see. She liked it a lot!
Before bed, I was singing “Rain Rain Go Away” to her. At the end of each verse, she’d tell me who she wanted me to sing the next verse about – Mama, Dada, Eb or Gee Gee. She’d then giggle when I used that name in the next verse. She even included Bella in the rotation of about whom I was to sing.
October 24
We went to have dinner at Famous Dave’s (again), and as dinner was winding up, she demanded to go outside to see the moon. First, Dada had to take her out. Then Mama had to take her out. This moon business is becoming serious.
Also, on our way to dinner, she finally figured out the button to roll her window up and down. Uh oh!
October 25
Today was the (likely) last nice day of the year. She spent nearly the whole day outside with Eb and Gee playing and enjoying the sunshine. When I picked her up at the church playground, she was running through the grass as fast as she could, with that little arm out for balance.
Given her recent obsession with the moon, we read Goodnight Moon for the first time tonight. She LOVED it, and kept pointing to the moon on every page when she spotted it. It’s now in heavy rotation.
October 26
Lizzy was playing a silly game where she’d run over to one of her story books that makes sound, push a certain button, and then have to run back over to her toys before the song stopped. She made this game up on her own. Silly girl!
October 27
This morning we went to Gymboree as usual, then to Target to get some Halloween candy and some other things. As I was loading her in the car seat, I said “now we’re going home.” She repeated “home”, and now that’s part of her vocabulary, just like that.
After Saturday afternoon naps, we carved her pumpkin. She liked sticking her hand in the seeds and playing with them. After it was done, we put a glow stick inside and went into the dark laundry room so she could see. She liked it a lot!
Trying on Mommy's shoes.
Eb and Gee came over to watch Lizzy so we could go to a Halloween party. She stayed up very late, until 10:15 when I got home. As soon as I got home, she turned to them and with a “bye bye” told them it was time to leave.
October 28
We woke up and had a nice relaxing morning. Then we had our noon-time naps and ran to the grocery store.
Aunt Eve and Rachel came over around 3:00 for play time and dinner. The girls had so much fun! They started out playing rather independently, but after a few hours were actually playing together, even chasing each other around and playing blocks. There was so much laughter in our house! Dada took some fun pictures of the girls too [to follow].
October 29
After her eventful weekend, Miss Baby recuperated at Eb and Gee’s by napping from 12:30 – 4:15 – nearly FOUR HOURS. Needless to say, I was worried she wouldn’t go to sleep until very late at night, but she went to sleep at 8:30.
October 30, 2012
As Eb and Gee were trying to get Elizabeth gathered up to go so I could pick her up after work, she went to the refrigerator. She grabbed a Coke Zero for Mama, a Coke Zero for Dada, and a Sprite for Eb. She thought we all might be thirsty.
October 31, 2012
As we were cuddling on the couch this morning before leaving for the day, we were watching Baby TV. One of the clips showed the moon. As you know, this is a serious obsession. As soon as the clip had ended, she immediately started crying (real tears!) and wanted the moon again. I’m so thankful that DVR allows us to rewind live TV, or else I’m not sure I could have stopped the tears!
New word, which she used to tell me to play her song again - "song!" Except it comes out "hong." Now it's "more hong" when she wants I Got My Mind Set On You again and again and again.
After we got home, Eve and Rachel came over for Trick-or-Treating. Here she is in her ladybug costume.
October 28
We woke up and had a nice relaxing morning. Then we had our noon-time naps and ran to the grocery store.
Aunt Eve and Rachel came over around 3:00 for play time and dinner. The girls had so much fun! They started out playing rather independently, but after a few hours were actually playing together, even chasing each other around and playing blocks. There was so much laughter in our house! Dada took some fun pictures of the girls too [to follow].
October 29
After her eventful weekend, Miss Baby recuperated at Eb and Gee’s by napping from 12:30 – 4:15 – nearly FOUR HOURS. Needless to say, I was worried she wouldn’t go to sleep until very late at night, but she went to sleep at 8:30.
October 30, 2012
As Eb and Gee were trying to get Elizabeth gathered up to go so I could pick her up after work, she went to the refrigerator. She grabbed a Coke Zero for Mama, a Coke Zero for Dada, and a Sprite for Eb. She thought we all might be thirsty.
October 31, 2012
As we were cuddling on the couch this morning before leaving for the day, we were watching Baby TV. One of the clips showed the moon. As you know, this is a serious obsession. As soon as the clip had ended, she immediately started crying (real tears!) and wanted the moon again. I’m so thankful that DVR allows us to rewind live TV, or else I’m not sure I could have stopped the tears!
New word, which she used to tell me to play her song again - "song!" Except it comes out "hong." Now it's "more hong" when she wants I Got My Mind Set On You again and again and again.
After we got home, Eve and Rachel came over for Trick-or-Treating. Here she is in her ladybug costume.
Trick-or-Treating didn't go exactly to plan. It was cold. Rachel was in her wagon, so she refused to go anywhere near it (she's not used to sharing yet). We went to 3 houses, 2 of which no one was home. The one house we did visit wasn't high on Lizzy's list of favorite things we've ever done. There's always next year! For the record, though, she liked handing candy out much more than being out getting it herself!
November 2, 2012
We have our pumpkin sitting by the front door of our house. Elizabeth has a little playhouse at Eb and Gee's, and they have a number of pumpkins sitting around. She "told" Eb to pick up one of the pumpkins, and then pointed where she wanted it. Right outside the door of her playhouse, like Mommy and Daddy have a pumpkin outside of our front door.
I love this picture.
November 2, 2012
We have our pumpkin sitting by the front door of our house. Elizabeth has a little playhouse at Eb and Gee's, and they have a number of pumpkins sitting around. She "told" Eb to pick up one of the pumpkins, and then pointed where she wanted it. Right outside the door of her playhouse, like Mommy and Daddy have a pumpkin outside of our front door.
I love this picture.
November 3, 2012
We've got some more new words. "Oink" and "song", which she now asks for "more song" when she wants to hear I Got My Mind Set On You for the 1000th time.
http://www.viddy.com/video/dc742788-4e9f-435b-863e-606dee6b57fd
Watching Saturday morning cartoons, all snuggled up.
We've got some more new words. "Oink" and "song", which she now asks for "more song" when she wants to hear I Got My Mind Set On You for the 1000th time.
http://www.viddy.com/video/dc742788-4e9f-435b-863e-606dee6b57fd
Watching Saturday morning cartoons, all snuggled up.
We went to Gymboree, and then we came home and she and I had a 2.5 hour nap together. We woke up and played, and then we all got dressed for a Halloween Party. Dada was a dog, and she loved wagging his tail.
http://www.viddy.com/video/b8e87498-061f-4e96-a238-4924616bcb8e
When we went downstairs to have our picture taken, she spotted a stuffed dog on the stairs, and wouldn't have her picture taken without the dog prop. Hence, why there is a random stuffed dog in our photograph.
http://www.viddy.com/video/b8e87498-061f-4e96-a238-4924616bcb8e
When we went downstairs to have our picture taken, she spotted a stuffed dog on the stairs, and wouldn't have her picture taken without the dog prop. Hence, why there is a random stuffed dog in our photograph.
She and I drove separately so we could come home around her bedtime. We had a great time!
November 4, 2012
I have been very privileged in my life. I know that. I've seen the world, owned nice things, had amazing experiences. Yet nothing compares, not even comes close, to nursing this toddler, having her look in my eyes, with her hand on my cheek, slowly smile, and say "Mama." I would trade it all to have that moment last forever.
Sweet sleeping girl. With a very sweaty head.
http://www.viddy.com/video/aae7165c-b44b-4657-82dd-92c751a9c7b8
November 6, 2012
Tonight we went to feed ducks at the park, and Granny came to meet us there.
Elizabeth was so chatty all day, and even sang us a song. It's beautiful:
http://www.viddy.com/video/52328102-3724-4723-a216-c241e3e968f2
I have been very privileged in my life. I know that. I've seen the world, owned nice things, had amazing experiences. Yet nothing compares, not even comes close, to nursing this toddler, having her look in my eyes, with her hand on my cheek, slowly smile, and say "Mama." I would trade it all to have that moment last forever.
Sweet sleeping girl. With a very sweaty head.
http://www.viddy.com/video/aae7165c-b44b-4657-82dd-92c751a9c7b8
November 6, 2012
Tonight we went to feed ducks at the park, and Granny came to meet us there.
Elizabeth was so chatty all day, and even sang us a song. It's beautiful:
http://www.viddy.com/video/52328102-3724-4723-a216-c241e3e968f2