Forget-Them-Not

Eloise does so many things that Hansen and I gush about every day, but we rarely take the time to write them down. We don't want to forget these precious moments and developments so today is the day I'm recording them!

• In January, Eloise started giving kisses. They are open-mouthed, slobbery plants on the cheek-- but kisses nonetheless, and we love them!
• She loves books about animals and delights in hearing the various noises read aloud.  Her current favorite is the GROWL and she'll often stop on a page to point out any beast that warrants a snarl or roar. She has also taken a liking to "growling" any and all requests to me. Scary baby Eloise.
• Eloise loves combing her own hair. This is a fairly recent development. While getting her ready after a warm bath one day a couple of weeks ago, she grabbed the comb from me and started pulling it through her locks. She then offered to comb my hair. It's become part of our daily routine. I had forgotten to share that with Hansen, so he was shocked yesterday when Eloise crawled towards the comb (which happened to be on the floor) picked it up and started combing her own hair.
• Credit cards (gifts cards, store membership cards and the like). Eloise loves them. She loves the shape and feel of them. She twirls them around in her hands and studies them while we shop. What was really impressive, however, is an event that happened a couple of weeks ago while checking out at the supermarket. I was letting her hold the credit card while we were in line. You know those card readers that almost every check out has that the patron controls? Well, the clerk and I watched in amazement while Eloise reached up and started going through the motion of swiping the credit card. How did she make that connection?
• She loves taking Hansen's glasses off and putting them on herself. Usually upside down. Cute.
• Eloise has a cute sense of humor. She loves slapstick. Hansen does a Three Stooges-like routine using some of Eloise's stuffed animals as co-actors. Eloise giggles heartily while watching the show.

Eloise combing her hair.  The photo doesn't show it, but she's watching herself in the mirror.