Cotton Anniversary

Hansen and I marked our 2nd Anniversary yesterday.  Since we decided to celebrate this Saturday (when we would have access to babysitters) I wasn't expecting these:

It was truly a wonderful surprise to open the door to this beautiful arrangement, sent by my sweet Husband.  I was hesitant to open the door at all because I was in sweats streaked with dry snot left from a sick baby.  No make-up, glasses, and truth be told: I don't think I had brushed my teeth yet (which is especially disconcerting since it was 3pm)-- super NOT glamorous.  Definitely looking a little different than 2 years ago this day.  But, somehow it felt just as it should be.  SO MUCH has happened these last 2 years, and I wouldn't change a thing (snotty clothes and all).  I'm the happiest wife and mom ever!

March 7, 2009

Leather Anniversary, here we come!

Visit from Jasmine and Josiah

Eloise and I were delighted to get a visit from Jasmine and Josiah on Friday.  They were vacationing here in LA-- I'm so happy they made some time for us!  We went to our favorite neighborhood diner, Ronnie's, and just spent the afternoon catching up.  It's always so great to see family!

10 Months

Eloise turned 10 months old yesterday.  This month brought a few more words to her vocabulary, the favorites being "All Done!" when she finishes eating, and "Bak Bak" when talking about chicken (the live animal or what is being served for dinner.  She just has to hear "chicken" and she starts clucking).  This month also brought her 2nd tooth!  Very exciting stuff.  Here are a few shots of yesterday's photo shoot.  The cute outfit is courtesy Grandma KL and Grandpa Smith.

Sunday Nap

Post-Peek-a-Boo Pass-out

 This frog blanket was a very versatile Valentine's gift from Grammy Cindy.  She discovered how perfect it was for concealing herself from Daddy and, after a particularly spirited game of Peek-a-Boo,  Both Frog and Girl needed a rest.  

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.

Vintage Eloise

For a baby shower gift, my mother gave me a bunch of clothes that were mine when I was a baby. Isn't that the best gift?!  I've had fun dressing her in some of the vintage pieces.  Here is a dress she wore on Sunday.  We couldn't resist taking a few shots of her!

A Valentine's Day Message From Eloise

9 Months

Eloise turned 9 months old at the end of January.  This month brought many fun developments!

Eloise is pivoting and scooting quite smoothly now, able to get to almost any destination.  She prefers this method of movement over crawling (she's always been happier in an upright, "in control" position).  Also, I think this form of mobility is easier for a baby of her... hmm... shape. The roly-poly babies find crawling a very difficult task, am I right?  She has also expanded her food repertoire quite a bit, eating many solid foods now.  She loves discovering new tastes and textures.  Meal times have become 45+ minute ordeals as she takes her time working her way through each food group on the tray.  Some other fun developments: she is pointing at anything and everything she loves, clapping and dancing to a beat and... she got her first tooth!  But probably the best development has been in her personality.  She continues to be such a HAPPY little girl.  Eloise always manages to keep a sweet demeanor, even while expressing her strong opinions about what she wants.  She has an independent spirit with a playful excitement and curiosity about life.  We adore her!

Here are some of our favorite shots from her 9-month photo shoot:

Pointing at Mom

Look at my tooth!

Beautiful Blue Eyes

I should also mention her official 9-month stats.  She's 18.2 pounds, 50th percentile.  And she's 26 inches tall; 5th percentile.  

8 Months

It's high time I update this blog!  On December 26th, our sweet girl turned 8 Months Old.  She's 9 months now, so I've really got to catch up!  The pictures were taken up in Seattle, the day after Christmas, so she has her holiday duds on.

Christmas 2010

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season!  For Christmas, we spent a week at Ali and Justin's home in Seattle.

Eden and Eloise-- heading out to see Christmas lights!

Cousin play time: Eloise and Emelia

Staring Contest

On Christmas Eve, we drove down to Olympia to be with Rhonda's family at Kevin and Chanel's home.  It was SO FUN to be with them.  We ate a delicious buffet style dinner, had an award-winning re-enactment of The Nativity, and the kids enjoyed a gift exchange.  

Yup.  That's right.  Eloise played the part of Baby Jesus.  And, wasn't Eden a LOVELY Mary?

Thomas came bearing gifts.

Mark played the part of Joseph.  All three took their roles very seriously.

After being offered a choice of an Angel or Cow, Mia settled on the role of a Butterfly.  She, in fact, was quite insistent she play that part.  I'm sure the original translation of The Bible included a butterfly on the scene.

Bravo!

Twas the Night Before Christmas...  Need I say more?

CHRISTMAS MORNING!!

Oh dear.  Someone told Eloise Christmas was over.