August 20, 2006

Today was a big day for you. You got to meet a big celebirty. Thomas the Tank Engine!! He was at Huckleberry Railroad in Flint. As we approached the grounds, we saw Thomas coming around the corner. Oh you were so excited! We got there an hour before our ride, so the first thing we did was walk around the grounds which was set up like an old time town. You got a Thomas tatoo. Then we went to meet Thomas. You about jumped 3 feet in the air when he "peeped"pulling up to the station. The coaches we got to ride in were 100 years old! Our ride was 40 minutes, and we got to go past houses and streets where people were out waving. You loved waving from the train. Unfortunately, we didn't get any pictures with Thomas. It was just too hard with so many people around, but you got a little certificate for riding Thomas that says you're a junior engineer.

When we got back, we had some ice cream, then went to check out the rides. We went on a old fashioned Ferris Wheel. I was watching it spin and it seemed to go really fast to me. I don't do well on any rides that spin. We were waiting to get on, and the guy went to let the people out of the car we were to ride in, the lady turned her head and puked right in the car!! I'm starting to freak now, thinking I'm going to do the same. So we wait for a clean car, and I'm freaking cause we had just had ice cream!! You had a blast though!! I'm so glad you didn't get that gene from me. You were just laughing and screaming the whole time. I made it without puking, but it was about 5 revolutions too many for me. After we exited, you were skipping all around saying "I wanna do sumpin else!".


Next we rode the Pony carts. They were these little carts attached to ponies that rocked back and forth, while the whole thing went in a circle (again really fast!). They had reins the kids held onto and a bell you could ring. When the thing started you looked a little shooken up, but then a huge smile came on your face as you held onto the reins for dear life.

We also took you on a little train, but you looked totally bored after Thomas, the ferris wheel, and the pony carts!! They also had a carousel, but it spun really fast too! I skipped it, because I didn't think my stomach could handle it. Plus, there were still lots of things to do. We went in a hay maze and played in a tent with legos and battery operated minature Thomas set. We had lots of fun in the hay maze! We were just finding our way in the first run, but the second time around we were playing hide and seek and throwing hay and Dada. I think we got the best pictures in there.

On the way home, we stopped at McDonalds and you ate almost a whole cheeseburger and got your first Polly Pocket. Now I think we're going to have to find a fair to take you to, you had so much fun on the rides.

July 18, 2006

We're back in gymnastics!! You have been asking me lately when we can go to bounce class again. So I looked online to sign you up only to find that the Mommy and Me class is only for 1 and 2 year olds. So now you are in the Tumblebugs class, which means Mommy just gets to watch from the other side of the window. I was pretty nervous about signing you up, because we all know you are my little cling-on. I didn't know how you would act when it was time to go into the gym and I didn't come with you. But we talked about it ahead of time, and you said you really wanted to go, and I explained that I wouldn't be in the class with you, and you seemed okay with that. I was still unsure though. But I was wrong! We got there that first day, and when the teacher said it was time to go into class you went running in there and never looked back!

It was agony for me to watch you though, because I wanted to be in there helping you. I know this is a good thing though. It's just hard because this is your first time and you won't do anything on your own. So I sit and watch you stand next to the balance beam waiting for the teacher to come over and hold your hand as you go across. Most of the other kids, just do their own thing.
On the upside, it is obvious how hard you concentrate on following the teachers instuctions. The other kids will be goofing around and in their own world and you are right on task. At one point, everyone was over getting a drink of water and the teacher had told you to stand up against the blue wall after you were done getting your drink. You had yourself pressed so hard against that wall, you looked like you were being arrested. My favorite part was when the class was running laps around the gym, and all the girls were waving at their Mommies when they ran past the window, and you came around waving your little hand madly and smiling this huge smile! It made me so happy to see you having such a good time!

At the first class, you just wore shorts and a T-shirt, because that was what we wore to the Mommy and Me class. But I noticed all the other girls were wearing leotards. So for your birthday I got you a lavendar leotard with a little skirt on it. You love it and looks so cute wearing it! Here's a picture of my little gymnast/ballerina!

June 4, 2006

Today was your perfect kind of day. Mainly because we had Maddie, Karrie, and Jeremy over. We made our own little waterpark in the backyard. We had the whale pool filled up, sprinklers going, and the water guns out. We even made our own water slide by putting the whale pool under your slide and spraying it with the hose. Mama had to take you and Maddie down it multiple times. Even the Daddies got into to splashing and squirting. What a fun day! After we played in the water for a long time, we had lunch out on the deck. All nutritious things like hot dogs and chips.


Maddie is such an important friend to you. You tell me you miss her and Karrie, before we've even left their driveway everyday I pick you up. The other day we had them over for a playdate. I told you we needed to pick up before they could come over. Now anytime I start cleaning you ask, "Do we need to pick up so Maddie and Karrie can come over?" Anytime we do something fun like go to the park or Chuck. E. Cheese, you say, "That was fun. Next time can Maddie come too!" I'm getting excited for you to go to school, so you can make lots of friends and get invited over to their houses. You are going to have so many friends!

February 18th, 2006

Well, we have been busy beavers lately! Today we went and saw your first movie. It was Curious George with Will Ferrell as the Man in the Yellow Hat. You seemed to like it although you were concerned about the volume to begin with. You pretty much watched the whole movie from your Daddy's lap, and had to hold both of our hands during most of the movie. And since both hands were in use, Dad and I had to feed you popcorn and juice, what a life! You only left the movie once for a potty break. At which time you said in a loud voice, "I have to go poopoo, that must be why my booty hurts." You continued to repeat this phrase until we were out of the theatre. I was surprised, I didn't even think you'd make it through the whole movie, but you watched the whole thing. It was the perfect movie for you with virtually no scary parts. You did get very concerned when George almost fell, and the men came and took him away. Very cute!

I've been so desperate to get out of the house during these cold winter months. We've been trying out all sorts of activities. A couple of weeks ago we went to Easely Art and you made some beautiful paintings and a frame. Here's a pic of you hard at work. Being your typical meticulous self, you had to clean your fingers between each color of finger paint. We also went on a playdate with Taylor and her mama Lindsay. We met at the treehouse at Rivertown Mall. Taylor was running around, going up and down the slide, and in and out of the tunnel. You, on the other hand, had your head burried in between my legs. I really hope you get over this fear of other kids. After a while, you relented and played a little with Taylor. You seemed to get along. Here's a pic of the two of you together. On Monday, we are signed up for Mommy and Me Gymnastics class. I'm really excited about that. You seem excited too, when I explained what it was. Hopefully, that will help you get used to being around other kids.

Lately, you've been showing a little bit more of the terrible two's type behavior, mostly with me. It seems like we've been battling over every little thing. Putting a diaper on, taking one off, going to the store, dinner time, bath time, bed time, you name it. Granted, I know it is not as bad as I've seen some kids get, but it makes me sad because you are usually so aggreeable. You have also become the queen of stall. Our bedtime routine now takes about an hour and a half to 2 hours depending on how long I let you drag it on. Daddy can do it in an hour with bath, but I prefer not to rush to avoid tantrums. First we do bath, and it's pretty much impossible to wash your hair with out tears. Aside from that, you would stay in there all night if you could. Then we watch Little Einsteins and drink warm milk with a little vanilla in it. Then we brush our teeth and our hair. Then we read stories and rock some. You like it the best when Daddy and I tell stories about a little girl named Elise.

Here's a great story. At the end of January, Daddy and I took a weekend to ourselves, and you went to visit Nana. While at the grocery store you lost your precious Abby dog. Nana went back to the store to get her, but she was long gone. When you came back home you were having a terrible time sleeping, crying in your sleep and having nightmares. While I was at work, you were up one night with Dada from 12-4am. Yikes! We had to find an Abby replacement. We had bought you another little dog, but it didn't look anything like Abby and you weren't buying it. So I contacted the Baby's First Book Club, which is where we had originally got Abby from. They didn't have it anymore, so I contacted the company that made Abby. The lady there said she used to have some, but had received over 50 emails from parents like me and she had sent them all away. I never knew how popular this dog was. Finally, I was able to locate one on Ebay. When I bid on it, it was going for $4.25, which was pretty pricey for a small, used stuffed dog. I put in a bid of $10.51. Anyway, the day the auction was due to end, I was at work. I went to check it only to find my maximum bid had been raised to 22 dollars!! I called Dada, he had had trouble getting you to bed and told me we were getting that dog at any cost! Later he raised the bid to $28. We ended up getting it for $14. The day it showed up, Dada told me I couldn't give it to you until he got home. He set it outside on the stoop and rang the doorbell. You came to see who was here. Dada opened the door and said, "Someone left something for you Elise!" You said, "Maybe it's a Thomas!" You and Dada opened it, " It's Abby!!!" You reached in and pulled her out and squeezed her very tight. "Oh Abby I missed you soooo much. I thought you were lost!" Dada told you that someone had found her at the store and knew you missed her very much, so they mailed her to us. You were so excited to have her home and slept completely fine after that. Your Dada leaned over to me and said, "I would have totally paid 30 dollars for that." ;)

December 19th, 2005

I'm so excited for Christmas this year. You are actually getting into the whole Santa thing. We saw Santa at the mall and although you were a little shy, you did tell him you wanted a dollhouse for Christmas. We sing Christmas carols every night. Your favorite is "Santa Clause is Coming to Town". We went out and cut down our own tree, although you weren't really into decorating it too much. You love to turn the lights on and off. I loved your christmas pictures this year. they turned out so nice. What a little Christmas angel you are!

It is so fun to watch you figure out how adults talk. The other day you came up to me and asked "Mama, can I ask you a question?" I said, Sure honey, what's your question. "I don't like beans. I like corn." Hmmm... not really a question. You ask permission to do pretty much everything. "Can I play little people? Can I touch this? Can I give you a kiss?" Goodbyes and night time are long complicated rituals now. It's like every week or so a new step gets added to the mix. Right now, in order for you to go to bed we have to read 4 books, rock, sing songs, then you need to be put down with Patsy, Mini, Abby, usually one other stuffed animal, a glass of water, a book, and then I have to turn on your duck music, your mobile, and your CD player with Bear in the Big Blue House, simultaneously. It's pretty noisy. When I leave for work you have to help me put my make-up on, then you have to help me pack my bag. Then you have to get a kiss and a hug and another kiss. Then I have to kiss and hug Dada. They I have to kiss and hug Shai. Then you need another kiss, then Dada again. Then providing no other animals or stuffed animals are around I can maybe get out of the door.

You have some odd little habits too. You like to line things up in straight rows. Game pieces, crayons, the magnetic letters on the refridgerator. Your Dad stepped out of the shower to find your Little people and their vehicles all lined up like a small army waiting to attack. You've started drawing like you are trying to imitate cursive writing. You make many "lists" on my notepads. Unfortunately, you like to do this right over top of my already made up lists.

You are a wonderfully polite, snuggly little individual. I can't wait to see what next year has in store.

November 7th, 2005

I think it's official, your mother's a goofball. Today we ran out of diapers (you still wear them at night and naps), so your Dad ran out to get some more. While he was gone we got dressed up like tigers. You had a tiger costume I bought you for Halloween, but you ended up going as Clifford the Big Red Dog. I had a Tigger costume from Halloween last year. We went outside in the dark and chased around the yard, until he came home then we hid and jumped out yelling "Roar!" You got a big kick out of it and we were plenty warm outside in our get-ups.


Back track to Halloween, you were Clifford the Big Red Dog. We went out trick or treating with the Coxes in a medium sized subdivision called Pine Edge. Maddie was a duck. The first house we went to the guy answered the door in a wheelchair and a scary mask. It took about another 7-8 houses for you to get over that, but after a while you started to really get into it. At one house you screamed "Trick or Treat!" soooo loud it startled your Dada. It was a perfect night, and we had a great time.

You are such a polite girl too. You say please and thank you on a regular basis without any prompting from me. You ask for things you want politely, although if you don't get the answer you want you'll ask the other parent. Right in front of the one that said No too. I think you will be a great singer when you get older. You sing all the time. You know songs I don't even know. Your favorite CD right now is Here Come the ABC's by They Might Be Giants. Your favorite book is Thomas the Tank Engine: The Monster Under the Shed. When we read it you tell me, "Don't be scared Mama, it's just a hedgehog." You even have Thomas the Tank Engine undies. They are boy underwear, but I don't think you noticed.

You seem to have soooo much energy. You get up earlier in the morning, usually before 7am. I used to be able to get you to lay in bed with me and watch TV, but now you want me to go downstairs and play in your playroom. Ugh, I am soooo not a morning person. Your naps are getting shorter and your bedtime later. I've been looking for a playgroup for us to join, so that we can get out of the house this winter. I'm not looking forward to being cooped up inside with this ball of energy. It's so much nicer when we can go outside and play. I think I'll go enjoy the little free time I have left.

October 6th, 2005

Well there I go again, forgetting to write. I guess I've been caught up in designing your playroom. We converted the old guest bedroom into a playroom for you. This way we can reclaim some of our adult spaces, your toys were beginning to rule the roost. You are doing the usual, amazing me daily. You are an absolutely wonderful toddler.

Don't get me wrong, you have your moments just like any two year old. Our main battle usually revolves around your clinginess and lack of desire to do anything on your own. Not only that, but it has to be me that does everything for you. Dada is not allowed to change you, feed you, bathe you, and sometimes talk to you in my presence. If he tries he's greated with sobbing and "Mama do it!!!" Not that I'm not flattered and everything, but I've got stuff I have to do too. I miss being able to go the bathroom by myself. You want me to carry you frequently and you pretty much refuse to play independantly if I'm around. I probably indulge you to often when it comes to that.

The way I try to make us both happy is to give you jobs, which you are always eager to do, at least at first. Yesterday we swept the floor, I with the large broom, and you with the feather duster. Unfortunately you frequently swept my neat piles and then walked through the dirt and tracked it all over again. You love to throw things away in the trash can and to take care of the pets. You feed Shai her dinner, and brush her (quite well actually). You like to take showers now too.

Although it is your speech that usually blows me away. I feel bad because you sometimes get embarassed when I laugh at the things you say, but is is so cute. The other morning we were snuggling in bed and you said, "I love your boobies, Mama." Dada and I started giggling and you buried you head in the covers and said, "No, don't laugh at me." You are a very sensitive kid. I guess because we never really have to yell at you or anything. When we do tell you to stop something, your little lip puffs out and you cry. We try to explain that we're not mad at you, but that we'd like you to stop playing with Dada's glasses or whatever, but you just say, "You yelling at me."

The phrase of today is "Why because?" You use it anytime I respond to a question with because yadda yadda. For example, "What you doing Mama?" Cleaning the kitchen. "Why" Because it's dirty. "Why because?" I don't really know how to respond to that. And the other day in the car, you were eating cashews and you said, "This one broken Mama." Oh. "Who broke it?" I don't know sweetie, sometimes they just come that way. "Probably Dada."

My favorite thing right now is that you've discovered back rubs. You will lay on your belly and ask me to rub you back. It just so cute.

July 30, 2005

Happy to have you home after a few days at Nana's house. Karrie & Jeremy were on vacation, so we had to send you off while Mama and Dada worked. I'm sure Nana spoiled you rotten, she always does. I'm just reveling today in your amazing vocabulary, and how you make connections. We were in Meijer tonight and as always we stopped by the pet section. You asked what the hamsters were doing and I told you they were taking a nap. You said, "Where's hamster's Patsy?" You never take a nap with out yours, so it stands to reason that everyone needs a Patsy to sleep. Later, you told me the hamster could have you Mini, but I said he'd probably just eat it. On the way home you were singing along with your favorite CD - Little People. Your Dad and I couldn't help laughing hearing you sing B-I-N-G-O.

One of our new favorite activities is butterfly hunting. I catch them in a net and then pick them up and put them on your hand. Pretty much you walk around looking at flowers while I get all sweaty trying to track down these quick moving insects. I think its fun though.

I was going through pictures today and I found this picture from when Grandpa visited. I was shocked by the picture, because you look like you're about 5 or 6. I can't believe it. It's like I got a snapshot from the future. It actually freaked me out a little bit. I added it to this post, so we can compare later on.

I hope you don't grow up too fast. My little bug.

Love,
Mama

July 20, 2005

I just realized tonight that you are potty trained. Day trained at least. It just kind of happened, no real planning. It started when you were 15 months. We bought a potty just to have around to see if you were interested and started getting into the habit of having you sit on it before bathtime, low and behold, you went. Then when you were around 18 months old you started having potty hatred issues. You would refuse to sit on it, let alone go on it. I think it was because you were just starting to walk (you didn't walk until you were 19 months). Then a couple of months ago, the cloud lifted and you started getting interested in the potty again. Using it 1-4 times a day, including number 2. But this last month, you've been really interested in it. Even asking on your own to use it. Dada was at Barnes and Nobles and you asked to go potty, so he took you to the bathroom and you went!! What really floored me was that you're not used to using a big potty. So I started putting you in regular underwear for part of the day this week and regularly asking you if you had to go, with good success. Today you wore big girl panties all day except when we went to Lowes and when you took a nap, and those were the only times you went not on the potty. When I was bathing you tonight it finally dawned on me. She's potty trained!! Two not even really accidents. I can't believe it. All this time I've been thinking how nervous I am to start potty training and it's already done practically. Whew! What a relief. I'm not going to worry about night training you anytime soon. You are afterall, only just 2. After we have the day and naptime stuff down pat, then I'll worry about that. I added a picture of you sitting on the potty when you were quite a bit younger. I didn't want to take a more recent one because you are getting shy about having your picture taken now.

July 19, 2005

Tonight was one of those moments I will never forget. You had been having trouble getting to sleep. I heard you up there rustling, singing, reading. Then it was quiet for a bit and I thought you had gone to sleep. Then someone set a firework off very close outside, and you woke up crying "I'm scared". I went upstairs to rock you for a little bit. We were snuggly in the chair and I was trying to point out fireflies through the window, but you didn't know what I was trying to show you. So I took you outside, and managed to catch one on my hand. It lit up once just before it flew away. From then on you were oohing and ahhing and reaching out your little hand to touch them. Pointing all over the sky to show me, "There's one Mama!." Then the frogs in the pond starting making all kinds of noises. At first, you were a little unsure, but I told you it was just frogs talking and since you are quite familiar with frogs (we send them flying into the water when we walk around the pond) you relaxed. Then I started imitating the sounds they were making and you thought that was funny, so you tried it too. "dumpf" you'd say over and over laughing hysterically. Your Dada and I couldn't stop smiling and laughing too. You were so pleased with yourself. Then we looked at the moon for a while, but the skeeters found us and we went inside. I read you Goodnight Moon, and Dada rocked you for a while and now I think you are asleep. I know I will never forget the look in your eyes the first time you saw a firefly.

July 14, 2005

Sometimes I can't believe what a good kid you are. Today, we were in Babies R Us and there was this kid screaming his head off about some toy. His mother had to drag him out kicking and screaming. I've only had to do that with you once, and it was more my fault than yours. You were just pooped out and didn't want to be Christmas shopping. Sure you pull stuff off the shelves when we're shopping, but all I have to say is "Wow, that's a nice toy, can you put it back on the shelf for Mama." And you do it! Just like that, no questions asked. Of course, that could always change.

We also visited the library, and I found this great book. It's called Clap Your Hands. You can do most of the actions in it, but what amazed me when we came to the line And your name is...? How old are you? You said Eese and 2! I knew you knew your name, but I didn't know you knew how old you are. Very impressive. You just pick stuff out of no where.

Tonight Daddy and I are having date night and Brooke is coming over to watch you. She is just the sweetest girl. She lives a few houses down and is 15. When most kids would be watching MTV or something like that, when we come home Brooke is watching Nickelodeon. You usually do well with her, although we haven't had her babysit as often lately, so you are a little shy when she first gets here.

Well I have to clean up this house. I am going to try to keep writing this. I hope you will be interested in reading it one day.

Love,

Mama

July 13, 2005

Today, we went swimming at the neighbors pool. You love jumping off the steps and having me swirl you around in the water. Their granddaughter Alexis who is four was there, you think she is very interesting. Afterward, you were walking around in the driveway with the towel wrapped around you and your wet hair. You looked so grown up, like a real kid, not a baby. You went to sleep reading one of your Arthur books in your crib. You absolutely love reading and I hope you continue that into adulthood. I thought I would add a note about your current daily schedule. Toddlers are creatures of habit after all.

7:15 - Wake up (usually calling for Dada, Mama, milk, or some combination of those)
8:15 - Breakfast (current favorites are Cocoa Krispies and french toast)
10:00 - We run errands or go on outings to the park, library, playland, etc.
12:00 - Lunch (current favorites hot dogs, grilled cheese, turkey)
1:00-3:00 - Naptime
3:30 - Snack (this is your opportunity for treats, current favorites pudding and kudos)
5:00 - Dinner (current favorites noodles with alfredo sauce, chicken nuggets, carrots)
7:15 - Bathtime
7:45 - Bedtime (after bath we get in your PJ's, read books, and kiss everyone goodnight before drifting off to sleep with a book, your stuffed animals, and music)

2-3 days a week you go to "daycare" at Maddie's house. Karrie doesn't watch any other kids, and she takes you guys all over the place; garage sales, the mall, library, McDonalds. I couldn't imagine a more ideal situation. You love playing with Maddie, even though you get in fights sometimes. Yesterday, you came home with a big bite mark on your arm. I think Maddie does most of the physical stuff, but you're not completely innocent either. You have no desire to share, frequently telling you father and I "Maddie no play with Patsy, Maddie no look at Patsy." Patsy of course is your blanket, one of your essential of living. You also have a hand towel size version of Patsy, named Mini, a stuffed dog named Abby. I would also include milk & juice in this category. When you get stressed you say "I want Patsy, and mini, and abby, and juice." Boy you're demanding ;)

July 11, 2005

Dear Elise,

I decided to make this Weblog because your journal has not been going well. I wanted to keep a journal for you, but my handwriting is atrocious and I write too slowly. Since I'm a much better typist I thought this might work better.

Yesterday was your second birthday party. I think it went pretty well. You were having a great time playing with Maddie, Joey, and Alexis. So good in fact you weren't really interested in presents, cake, or the other guests. But I was just happy you were having such a good time. Daddy built you a great swingset and you are loving it. I can't believe what a difference six months makes. You can actually run now. You love Bear in the Big Blue House which was the theme of your party. As I'm writing this you are laying in your crib listening to "The Bear" on CD, and playing with your new dolly that giggles. I can hear you singing and baby giggling. You also love books, playing outside, Shai the dog, and your large array of stuffed animals. I think you have 8 or 9 in the crib with you right now.

We went to the post office today and you got your usual tootsie roll. We talked about all the animals we saw on the way; a great big snapper turtle, horses, cows, birds. You still like me to carry you most places, which is loads of fun when I'm also trying to carry my purse and 2 or 3 packages.

As far as two year olds go, I think you are an excellent kid. You throw maybe one tantrum a day, but get over them easily and you are always eager to help. When I clean you follow me around with the feather duster and you already have a chore. You feed the dog dinner. Occasionally we end up with dog food all over the floor, but that's okay by us. Your Daddy thinks the sun, moon, and stars all revolve around you. He is convinced you are the most beautiful girl that ever lived and the smartest too. He's deemed you "baby genius". Many nights we've been laying in bed and he's asked if he can get you up and play with you. I know he's only joking, but I do think he would love to play with you then.

Well, I'm going to try to get some lunch. I just had to go up to your room because you were calling me. I think you are trying to get out of having to take a nap. I told you I'd read you one more book and then you had to take a nap, you didn't protest. You are almost always good about taking you naps and going to bed.

I love you shuggie bear!

Love,

Mama

March 7, 2005

Okay, Mom's getting a little cabin fever here. I am desperate for things that we can do. I can only play Little People so many times!! Anyway, I got this book called The Toddler Busy Book and it talked about an indoor sandbox, which made me think of the sand and water table you had gotten for Christmas. So I hauled out the sand table part, and per the instructions in the book, bought a jumbo bag of dry navy beans. You find this thing fascinating. So the beans don't always stay in the box, but hey it keeps you occupied. You love scooping them up, throwing them, and burying my hands in them. Sometimes you look at me, like "You're sure this is okay?" Here's a pic of you the first time we played in it.

February 22, 2005

Well, we're finally back from the vacation from hell. We went to Florida to visit Great Grandma, Grandma Gigi, Angie, Joey, and Aunt Allison. I was so worried about how you would do on the plane, but that was the easiest part. We brought along the laptop, so you could watch TV on the plane. That was so easy, because you just vegged in our laps with a sucker watching TV the whole time and didn't make a fuss at all. The rest of the time you were miserable. You refused to walk at all and insisted on being carried or held constantly. Everything that I thought you would love, you hated. You hated the beach because you didn't want to touch the sand, you
hated the pool, you even hated the Florida aquarium. You love to look at the fish at Meijer, so I thought the aquarium would be a great idea, but some birds scared you at the beginning and everything was scary from there on out. They had this whole outdoor waterpark for little kids in the back and you wouldn't touch a thing. We bought you a jello parfait in the cafeteria and you hated that too. You refused to let anyone else hold you or even touch you, so our visits to the relatives didn't go that well either. And you got sick. And so did Mom. Ugh. The only thing you liked was our hotel room. It was a suite with a living room, kitchen, and bedroom, plus a little built in bunk. You loved to climb over everything and go out on the balcony. I don't think you ate really anything to whole time, and I had to eat with you in my lap because you wouldn't let me put you down. The picture above is on the last morning there when you were finally feeling better and ate something. I don't think we'll be going on another vacation for a long time.

January 27, 2005

Currently, you are sitting in your high chair drawing with crayons and listening to Sesame Street songs. Last week you started walking more than a few steps, just days before the Pediatrician said he would start physical therapy. You seem to do that with all of your gross motor milestones. Today has been an eventful day. This morning I left you on the bed while I got up to pee, and in the meantime you fell out of the bed. You were shaken up but unharmed. Then while I took a shower you started crying and calling my name, so I hopped out (I was a little on edge still from the bed incident) and came out in the living room. You looked at me, put on your sunglasses, and said "Movie star!" with a big grin on your face. Very funny and cute!

Unlike your gross motor skills, you have a huge vocabulary. I can't even count how many words you know. You have some flash cards you like to take in and out of the box. For kicks the other day, I went through them to see how many you know. You got 21 out of 30!

December 27th, 2004

Well I think you had a very good Christmas!! You were spoiled rotten by your grandparents of course! Santa brought you a fish tank with five fish in it. He thought you would like that since you love the fish at Meijer's He also left an Elmo and Big Bird in your stocking. Mommy and Daddy got you a sled and some other smaller things. Grandpa and Grandma Denise got you a Sand and Water table, which should be especially cool in the summer when we can go back outside.

If you had to pick your favorite present, I think you would say your baby doll. At night you give your baby a bottle (botayo), kiss it, and cover it with a blanket when it goes "ny-night". Dada was amazed that you instinctively knew what to do with it. You also like your Little People bus and a little ride on car that has a "Seaside" theme that Nana and Papa gave you. I'm not sure how a car and songs about sea creatures go together, but Nana claims you picked it out yourself. You've taken may spins around the living room in your new sled, but we've yet to christen it out of doors yet.

My favorite gift from you? You starting taking more that two steps!! Finally at over 17 months of age, it looks like you might walk after all.

December 14, 2004

I love listening to you talk. You are acquiring new words everyday. It's so nice that you can tell me what you'd like now, rather than just pointing and say "Uh! Uh!" Although many of your words are kind of in your own Elise language that Mommy has to translate for other people. Some of my favorite Elise words.

Obe-its - Open it
Tapsticks - Chapstick
Christy - Christmas tree
Obie - Rolie Polie Olie (current favorite book)
Merr, Merr - Row, Row, Row Your Boat

October 27, 2004

Today we went to Grandpa's house. It is such a special thing for me to see you with my Dad. He is such an important person to me. I know he is going to be such a cool Grandpa for you growing up. Your favorite part of Grandpa's house was the piano. I'm not going to get my hopes up or anything, but it would be great if you could play piano like him. You played that piano like it was going out of style, perched on your Grandpa's lap. Sometimes he would play and you would clap. We also took you outside and walked by all the pheasant's next door. You seemed confused by them more than anything. We had lunch and you chowed on your mac cheese and sweet potato fries. Denise was impressed by how you could pack it away. You pooped out in the back seat on the ride home.

October 11, 2004

The other day at Gymboree I was having you go up these foam stairs they have. By the end of class, you were able to get up them without difficulty. Then today, I was working on the computer and I thought it was too quiet. So I turned the corner to see you ascending the last of our flight of 12 stairs!! I about had a heart attack! You just turned around and looked at me with this very proud smile. I clapped and oohed. Then Dada came in and you did it again. Now that's all you want to do. We went out yesterday and bought a gate for the top. Then last night we were trying to eat dinner, and you kept going over to the stairs, so we threw a couch cushion over the bottom two steps so you couldn't climb them. It's very cool to see you trying out your new skills, but its wearing me out. See! There you go again, I can hear you're half way up them.

I added a couple pics, one of you climbing the stairs looking very proud of your self, and the other I would like to entitle "Caged Bear" in which you are demonstrating the proper use of the stair gate.