Bookworm

Eleanor has developed a new habit. Each night before bed we spend time in our loft reading and rocking. We usually keep a small stack of books next to the rocker and recently Eleanor has decided that she has to have all of them on her lap during story time. This is not the best picture because I took it with the laptop but it is too funny.

12.5 Month Stats

Sweet E went to the doctor today for her 1yr well baby check-up. Dr. F said she is perfect. Of course, Daniel and I already knew that but isn't it fun to hear others dote on your little one?!?

E weighed in at 21lbs and 14oz and was 30.5 inches long. She is a little over 50% for weight and 90% for height.

A Letter To My Daughter

Dearest Eleanor,

I had hoped to write this letter last week in celebration of your first birthday but I think you will understand when I say "I was busy." My calendar was full of play dates on the living room floor with Noah, his ark and the menagerie of animals, cuddles on the couch while watching Praise Baby DVD's, dancing to the Veggie Tales version of Joshua fought the battle of Jericho, lots of rocking and reading books in the glider in the loft, a picnic dinner at the park with Elmo, Big Bird and Clifford the Big Red Dog, an afternoon at the pool full of splashing, baking cupcakes and celebrating birthdays, and lots of other not so fun stuff like laundry and dishes. Looking back maybe I did write this letter. Not on paper but in our hearts. You will probably never remember any of things we did last week but I sure will.

It is hard to believe that a year has passed since you came into our lives. I am so thankful for the time I have had to be at home with you and to watch you grow and develop. I love watching you explore the world around you. You are very inquisitive and like to try lots of new things.

You are getting so big!

You are very close to walking on your own. You cruise around with the assistance of the furniture and have taken a couple of steps on your own but you are still lacking the confidence to take off and walk. It seems like just yesterday Daddy and I watched in amazement as you learned to roll over and now you are ever so mobile. You are definitely a busy little girl.

Eleanor, you have such a beautiful smile. I love your four little teeth and your sweet little lips. When you smile your big green (maybe hazel) eyes seem to sparkle. You are very outgoing and love to smile and wave at everyone. Whether it be at church, in the grocery store, at the park or on a walk, you almost always make others smile. You are so full of joy.

Sweet girl, you are a gift and I am so thankful to be your mom. I know that I have made mistakes and will make many more in the years to come as your mom but I hope that you will forgive those mistakes and know that I am trying to love you as best as I can. I hope and pray that as you grow up you will know that you are loved not just by your mommy and daddy but by a loving and merciful God.

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." James 1:17

Eleanor Grace, you are our good and perfect gift and I look forward to all that lies ahead.

Love,

Mom

Polka Dot Party

A Year In Review

One Year Ago Today

One year ago today I was 37 weeks pregnant.
One year ago today I was on bed rest because my blood pressure was something like 157/116.
One year ago today Daniel and I were praying for Eleanor's arrival.
One year ago today Daniel came home from work and said "I think we should put the car seat in the car."
One year ago today we were a family of 2.
One year ago today we had no idea that in just a mere 24 hours our lives would look entirely different.
One year ago today we were anxiously awaiting my doctor's appointment the next day.
One year ago today we didn't know that I would go into labor before the aforementioned doctor's appointment.
One year ago today we were laying in bed watching Michael Phelps as he won gold medal after gold medal in the summer Olympics.
One year ago today we laughed as we watched Eleanor's knees protrude from my rather large belly.
One year ago today I watched the rhythmic jumping of my belly as Eleanor hiccuped inside.
One year ago today I wondered what my little girl would look like.
One year ago today our little girl had not yet entered the world.
One year ago today we did not know that on August 12, 2008 at 4:21 pm, Eleanor Grace would arrive and change our lives forever.

The Day After

This past weekend I completed 60 Magnificent Miles as I participated in the Breast Cancer 3-Day. I have lots of stories to share and pictures as well but right now I want to talk about today, the day after.

Today I couldn't help but think of the hundreds of thousands of women who have already been diagnosed with this dreadful disease. Many of them have lost the battle but for hundreds of thousands more they are still fighting. I couldn't help but think of the 100 survivors who walked 60 Magnificent Miles with me in the rain and in the heat this past weekend, including Laurie, a new friend from Dallas who is celebrating her second year cancer free. I smiled as I thought of Arthanise, my dear friend, a two time survivor, who called me on Tuesday night and told me she was coming to Chicago in support of me. I am reminded of the women who were on this journey with me who are currently undergoing treatment. Perhaps they had a bald head or radiation burns on their arms or maybe they were being pushed in a wheelchair by a teammate or daughter.

I couldn't help but think of those women today as I came downstairs and watched Eleanor's face light up as she realized mama was home. Or as I watched her play with a ray of sunshine coming in the living room window as she squealed with delight. Or as I stood in her doorway and watched her nap with her paci and her lovey. Or as I rocked her before bed tonight smelling her sweet baby smell. I couldn't help but think of those women and wonder what today looked like for them.

Hopefully today we are 60 miles closer to a cure!

Too Funny Not To Post

For those of you who have never seen our child cry and who actually wonder if she knows how to cry here is the proof

I know this picture is a little blurry but it is really too funny not to post. One afternoon last week Eleanor was in meltdown mode. She was tired but it was not quite bedtime and she had not eaten dinner yet. One minute she was playing happily with her toys and the next minute she was wailing.