Trains, Buses and Boats

Where oh where have we been? Now that our little kamikaze is 100% mobile (by this I mean running y'all) pictures are few and far between because I am unable to capture her on camera. She moves from the moment she wakes up until she goes to sleep and even then she moves while sleeping. I get exhausted just thinking about it!

Last week Daniel's parents and sister came to visit. We spent a little time sight seeing on Thursday. We spent the day on trains, buses and boats. We decided to take the train into the city so we would not have to fight traffic and parking hassles. We hopped on the train in our little town and headed to Chicago Union Station. Once in Chicago we hopped on a bus and headed to Navy Pier where we boarded a boat and enjoyed an architectural tour. We walked through Millenium Park and then headed up Michigan Avenue a little ways to catch our bus. It was a LONG day and poor E only got a 30 minute nap while we were on the boat tour but she did great.


First Train Ride


First Bus Ride


First Boat Ride (Pic of E on boat coming later)





The fountains in Millenium Park

Comparison

I was looking through some old pictures the other day and came across one of me when I was 9 months old. Now, I won't say that Eleanor looks exactly like me but there is definitely a resemblance.

You can decide for yourself.

13 Things About Me

13 Things About Me

1. I love to play outside.
2. My best friend is our neighbor Ethan.
3. I love books.
4. I have 6 teeth. 4 on top and 2 on bottom.
5. I call all animals with fur "doddies" (doggies).
6. I started walking 9 days after my first birthday.
7. I wear a size 6 shoe.
8. I love fruits and vegetables but do not care for meat.
Mom tries to disguise it but I find it and spit it out.
9. I need my paci and my lovey to go to sleep but I know they are not allowed out of
the crib or my car seat.
10. I like to drink milk and eat cheerios while I watch my Praise Baby DVD when I
first wake up.
11. I like to wave at strangers.
12. I like to play with socks.
13. I like to wake up early (6:00am).

Friday Foto

Wrapped

Eleanor has her daddy wrapped around her little finger. Just the other evening while Eleanor was eating dinner Daniel walked into the kitchen and started eating some animal crackers. E put out her little hand and started her "uh uh uh" (translated - I want that). So what does Daddy do? He hands her the animal crackers. When I asked him why he gave her the animal crackers in the middle of dinner he replied "She wanted them!" Wrapped I tell you, wrapped!

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.

Wordless Wednesday

Pray for Stellan

I am not sure how many of our blog readers have ever visited MckMama's blog but if you have never been there go now and read about her precious little 8 month old Stellan. He is not doing well and is being airlifted to Boston. Please pray for Stellan and his family.

Wordless Wednesday

Time Keeps on Ticking

Eleanor and Katherine

Reading Rainbow

Wordless Wednesday

Dinner with Liliana

While we were in Dallas, Mommy and Daddy took me to have dinner with my very first friend Liliana. We had a lot of fun! I wish we lived closer so that Liliana and I could play together every week.

Hanging out at Fuddruckers

Holding Hands

Liliana was flirting with my daddy and I was talking with Liliana's daddy

Liliana's mommy (Faith) and my mommy

Comparison

When Eleanor came home from the hospital she was so tiny the infant carrier swallowed her up. Daniel and I did not really want to go anywhere that would require us putting her in the car seat because she was so little. Just this past week we said good-bye to the infant carrier and bought Eleanor her big girl car seat. It was a sad moment for me as I reminisced about how Daniel just happened to put the car seat in the car the night I went into labor, our ride home from the hospital when I had to hold E's head the whole way because it flopped forward, calling Daniel's cousin Michelle and asking her to come over and help us make sure E was secure in the car seat. Upgrading to the bigger car seat was the ending to one chapter and the beginning of another.

Doesn't she look happy in her new seat?

Happy Birthday Daniel!

Happy Birthday Daniel! Eleanor and I love you so very much and are so blessed to have you in our lives. I thank God for you daily. You are a wonderful husband and such a great dad. Hope you have a great day!

Swimming

Eleanor went swimming for the first time two weeks ago. As with everything else in life, she LOVED it. She was a little apprehensive at first but within a few minutes she was putting her face in the water, kicking her legs and splashing up a storm. We made four trips to the pool while we were in Dallas and by the end E was even going under water. Look out Kirsty Coventry we may have the next Olympic swimming gold medalist in our presence.

Just Because

42, 43, 44, 45

Update On The Way

Sorry for the lack of blogging lately. I just returned from a 10 day trip to Dallas where I spent 6 days taking a class on Sequential English Education. I have a TON of pictures to upload and will then get them on the blog. See you soon!

HUGS

Happy Birthday NaNa

What Do You Say?

Here are the top five things said in our house these days:

1.) Be careful - our little kamikaze has no fear. She is into everything and is in constant motion.
2.) No biting - E is experimenting with her two (almost three) little chompers. In fact, this evening as we were getting ready to put her to bed Daniel pointed out some "scratches" on the crib. These "scratches" are from E chewing on her crib.
3.) Be gentle - Kamikaze is a roughy toughy! She definitely knows how to hold her own.
4.) Let go - along with experimenting with her chompers, pulling hair is Kamikaze's second favorite thing to do.
5.) Sit on your bottom - this phrase is most commonly used in the bathtub. Kamikaze likes to try and stand up, surf, swim, crawl, etc. all while in the bathtub. I think this mama gets a new gray hair each night during bath time.

What are some common sayings in your household?

Need New Pictures

You know it is time to start putting new pictures on the blog when you get an email from your mom with the word "Need" in the subject box and the message "new pictures." So, here you go NaNa, new pictures. Please excuse the drool! Our poor little girl drips like a faucet all day long and I got tired of seeing her in a bib so we just let it go.

My new big girl pj's.

Big Eyes

Thanks for my wagon NaNa and PaPa. It was raining this day so daddy pulled me around inside the house.

Funny girl
This is Eleanor's new favorite face. NaNa calls it her toughy face.

Clap Clap

Happy Birthday G-Pops

Daddy Does Bath Time

Anyone who has read this blog for any amount of time has probably already figured out that Daniel is a very hands-on dad. He helps with everything and for that I am extremely grateful. Tonight (and to be honest, most nights) Daniel took care of bath time. For the record, the reason Daniel typically does bath time is because our Kamikaze likes to try and give her mother a heart attack on a daily basis while in the bathtub. She flips over on her tummy, puts her face in the water, tries to stand up, pulls out the drain plug, etc, etc, etc. Anyway, back to tonight's story. So Daniel takes Eleanor upstairs for her bath while I am taking care of a few things in the living room. A few minutes later Daniel calls down and says "I need you to come watch the baby." Me - "You need me to come watch the baby? Why?" as I am walking upstairs. As I reach the bathroom Daniel says "so I can clean up the pee!" Me - "Pee? Where?" Daniel - "Look at our bedroom floor!" Well, needless to say, while Daniel was getting the bath water ready, Kamikaze was rambling around our bedroom sans diaper and decided to leave a puddle along with a little trail as she quickly exited the vicinity of the said accident. What do I do? I pull out the camera and take pictures so that I can bless all of our blog readers with this story. No really, your thanks are not necessary. So, without further ado.....Daddy does Bath Time
Yes, that is the puddle Kamikaze left on the floor while waiting for Daddy to put her in the bath.

Kamikaze and her daddy

9 Month Stats

I can't believe my baby girl is 9 months old already. She is learning new things everyday. Yesterday she had her 9 month well-child visit and got a great report from the doctor. She is 28.5 inches tall (75%) and 19 lbs (50%). Dr F. said "She is a tall one!" He also commented on how active she is and told us to make sure her crib mattress is lowered all the way because "she will come flying out of there." Daniel and I just had to laugh. We have recently given her the nickname of Kamikaze because she has no fear and gets into everything. We have definitely become a lot busier since E has become mobile!

Here is yesterday's 39 week photo!

Picture Project

Yesterday Daniel and I finally hung up my maternity photos and Eleanor's Christmas photo. I am so pleased with the outcome. These pictures are in the stairwell from the main floor of the house to the bedrooms. We plan to add to it as Eleanor grows.

Blessed

Happy Mother's Day! Last year I was pregnant on Mother's Day and even though Eleanor had not entered the world I was already her mom. I knew when she had hiccups, I knew when she was awake or asleep, I knew when she was stretching, yet there were a lot of things I did not know about her. I did not know that the first time I saw her face it would take my breath away. I did not know how quickly her sweet little face would capture my heart. I did not know that she had a birthmark on the back of her head or on her forehead or on her right eyelid and under the tip of her nose. I did not know that she had dark hair and blue-green eyes. I did not know that the third toe on each of her feet would tuck under or that she would be tall and lean. But I did know that I was her mom. Today as we celebrate Mother's Day I am blessed to be Eleanor's mom. I am blessed to know my daughter in a way that no one else will ever know her. I am also blessed to be a daughter and a daughter-in-law to two amazing women. So, Mother and MOG if you happen to be reading this - HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY! You are loved!

Carousel Cutie

Eleanor took her first carousel ride today with her daddy! She really liked it. I tried several times to get a picture of her looking at the camera but she was distracted by all the kids running around.

I LOVE This Man