Random, Cute Shots of Ellie...

Holy Hell

I have decided that yesterday was Ellie's first official day of being a "toddler." Brian and I had the nicest day planned out and we were both looking forward to it all week. Unfortunately, Ellie forgot to mention that yesterday was the first day of toddlerhood and for all you first-time parents out there, the first few days of toddlerhood are apparently pretty rough. We began the day by driving up to the suburbs to go to REI to order a new, bigger tent for our camping trip this summer. Ellie had zero interest in riding in the cart and when we got her out she was like a tiny bullet flying around the store, with Mom or Dad in tow of course. Needless to say, it was not a very productive shopping trip. After nap time we all took baths/showers and got dressed-up to go out for dinner and to Church. Had we known we were not only celebrating Easter weekend but also the first day of toddlerhood we would have gone to McDonalds, instead we took our beautiful looking selves out to a nice Italian restaurant. What were we thinking? Brian and I took turns shoving down our fancy food while the other tried to entertain our pyscho child--she was mostly interested in pushing items off the tiny two person table and throwing her head down dramatically when we told her she needed to stay in her high chair for "just one more minute." Our hair was messy and we were all sweating by the time we were headed to Easter Vigil mass. We had to arrive a half hour early to secure a spot at this always crowded event---let's just say, we survived for about 35 minutes, 5 minutes after mass began we had to leave. AAAaahaahahaaaahhhh!!!! The thing is, she is so social, sweet, confident, energetic, extraverted, creative... I just have to remember that all these qualities don't always go hand-in-hand with shopping, fancy restaurants and church-going. An image to leave you with--Ellie walking down our isle at Church, in the balcony, with her hand out in front of her, and bonking-each-person-on-the-head-one-at-a-time (Brian: "oh sorry. sorry. geez, ellie!, sorry. oouu sorry."). Thank goodness she is so cute!

Welcome Zebra

Introducing our newest family member, "Zebra." He (or she?) is suddenly incredibly important in the world of Eleanor. Zebra must come everywhere and do everything that we are doing. Zebra must sit next to us as we eat breakfast, she must also be offered a pacifier, something to drink, or a kiss from Mommy and Daddy just as Ellie is. Zebra, unfortunately, loves to go on outside adventures just as much as Ellie does and therefore has had to be washed quite a number of times in the last few weeks. When Ellie holds her, Zebra is an excellent dancer, walker, hugger and just the other day I caught Ellie giving Zebra "the rock." Mommy and Daddy put up with all of Zebra's needs because Zebra has also brought something else into the house...full nights of sleep. That's right, since Zebra's induction into the family and since Zebra has begun going to sleep with Ellie, we have not had to go into Ellie's room at all throughout the night. Just for that, Mommy is perfectly fine with dragging Zebra on walks, to the park and on trips to Target. Let's hear it for Zebra, best friend and nighttime guardian!

Twins?

When Ellie was born my brother Chris said, "if I didn't know it was you who pushed her out, I would be worried she wasn't your baby"--because she didn't look like me at all. A woman at our gymboree class this morning said that Ellie and I are "practically twins." A lot of people have made comments like this lately and I just hadn't seen it... until I saw this picture. Yep, I guess we do look a lot a like. Our light skin, our eyes, chins and crazy hair. I don't know if we are "twins" but she is definitely my daughter. The same woman told me that, "when babies are born it's nature's own paternity test." That was definitely true for Ellie!