The Sweater

My grandma knits really fun things. She sent me this sweater for my birthday. I love the bright colors and like to carry it around the house. My mom was a little bit afraid I wouldn't have any good, cool weather in which to wear this sweater because when I opened my gift it was 72 degrees outside. The rest of the weekend and Monday it was up to almost 80! Yesterday we got another wind and rain storm, though, and it was the perfect day to wear a brand new sweater. I got lots of compliments.

Thanks, grandma!

The Birthday Girl

Eleanor is One: May 8, 2009

Ellie picked this adorable dress out of her closet on her birthday morning. It seemed quite appropriate to me! Thank you Grandma for providing the perfect birthday outfit. :)

We spent much of Eleanor's birthday getting ready for the next day and her party. It involved blowing up many, many balloons. She really liked that part.



Before she headed off to bed, the birthday girl got to open the packages that arrived from both sets of grandparents.

Okay guys, is the camera ready? I want to get into this present!

This great hat was the first item to be pulled from the Sargent bag... and ended up being quite the distraction...

Eventually Ellie got back to the gifts. She was drawn here and there by the many bright colors, and fixated on this animal puzzle.
Eventually we got into the Tippin box, too... and with books, shakers and noise makers, our living room was a seriously rocking place!
Reading "Where is Baby's Mommy?" - Eleanor loves the page that asks, "Is Mommy behind the plant?"

I think the fun hat from the Sargents and the maracas from the Tippins were the biggest hits... although everything is wonderful! Somehow this mom thinks that maybe the hat will continue to be more accessible to one little busy-body, however... :)

Incredible Green Goo

Ellie has gotten very good at using a spoon lately. Sometimes it is much more fun to just use your fingers, though!

I know there are A LOT of pics lately of Eleanor in her high chair... it's the only place where she is fairly still. Plus, messes make great pictures. :)

Well, we are on the mend. I think being sick this last time while also trying to prepare for a party and not sleeping because Eleanor is getting molars - and thus waking up SCREAMING in the middle of the night - was one of the most trying mommy weeks I've had so far in this adventure. Luckily, I'm starting to feel better and yesterday Ellie and I had a great, chill day just hanging out together. It was some much needed, precious, low-key hours and they effectively rebalanced me. Although we didn't do anything particularly Mother's Dayish, it was a beautiful day that helped me remember how blessed I am to be Eleanor's mother - and how much I enjoy being Mom.

Ellie turned 1 last Friday and we had an excellent birthday bash on Saturday. Eleanor is continuing to learn new things everyday. She keeps us entertained! So, we have tons of birthday pictures and Ellie adventures to share... stay tuned!


P.S. I just received a text message from my sister in law - they are on their way to the hospital! Eleanor will soon have a new baby cousin! Hooray! We look forward to meeting you, Little Sargent.

Miserable!

I caught this nasty bug Seth and Ellie had. Yuck! Along with it, El's decided to erupt several molars. So, our house is low on sleep and patience.

Thanks to Nicki and Carlee for watching Eleanor yesterday so I could sleep! Thanks to Seth for letting me head to bed early and for cleaning up the kitchen and dining room!

We're preparing for Eleanor's 1st Birthday, along with an open house/birthday party for her on Saturday. I'm praying I will be well enough the next few days to finish all the planning, shopping and cleaning without feeling completely overwhelmed.

We hope y'all who are reading this are in much better health and spirits than we are!

Learning How Clothing Works

Eleanor has figured out a few important things about clothing over that last few weeks. She loves shoes, as we've shared before, mostly because they mean she can go outside. But, since the love began, she's learned how to hold onto someone or something with one hand, balance on one foot and lift the other to have you put a shoe or sock on her foot. Then she shifts the other way and is ready for the other foot. She's recently figured out that this same technique helps us get her pants on more quickly.

Also because of her love of the outdoors, she likes her coats. She now understands they are a necessary part of going out. And, she holds out one arm for you to put on the first sleeve and then puts it down and holds out the other one.

In the past, Ellie balked at getting mittens put on her. Lately, however, she's learned to hold out her hand with all her fingers pressed together to let the mitten slide on easily. She loves her mittens, but she also likes to get grown up gloves put on. She will bring me a pair periodically through the day and hold out her hands, one at a time. She then likes to clap her hands together before she begins to pull them off.

I'm a little bit afraid of the next stage because I think it will be Eleanor learning how to take off her clothes... but I'll try to consider it an adventure. :)

New Jammies

Hi guys!

I've got a new bunny hat!

Mommy and I went through my closet yesterday and took out all the clothes that are now too small. We packed them up and put them in storage. Then we pulled out all the new, bigger sized clothes we had in storage, took the tags off and added them to my closet. It was a big job, but now I don't have to get squished into things that are too tight - or have to pull shirts over my head that catch on my ears!

Daddy thinks that new socks are the best. He says you can't have a bad day when you're wearing new socks. Mommy and I think new pajama nights are the best. Wow do new pajamas make you sleep well! I didn't wake up for 11 hours!!!

Dear Gracie,

Thank you for the HUGE box of Joe's Os! Now I'm set for a long time.

I thought your idea of opening them all at once was a great one. It would make such a nice mess! My mom wouldn't let me, though. But, she did let me take all the bags out of the box, one by one. That was pretty fun. She also let me open one bag and eat them out of it.

I've been eating trayfuls of Os for the past few days. I love them! Thanks again!

Love, Ellie