The Apple Farm (part 2)

We went back the very next Saturday, and it was MUCH nicer. The sun was shining and glorious. It was a perfect fall day!












the golden light and the swishy hair! I just can't!





Oh how I love that smile. My girl!!!











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How Eliza eats an apple :)

The Apple Farm (part 1)

The first day we went to the Apple Farm this year it was rather chilly and a bit dreary. But we still enjoyed the apples!





Eliza really loves her Aunt Sarah :)









"mmmmm bopple"

20 months

Just a few things from 20 months I don't want to forget...

My goodness little girl! You are truly turning into a little person :) One with personality and opinions and a voice! You've always been a little talker, babbling and giggling and all, but now you are truly a talker. I can fairly reliably ask you what you want or what you are trying to say and usually figure it out. It is SO nice to be able to communicate with you in this way :)

This month, you stopped saying Boppa for Grandpa, and began calling him Papaaa! or Poppa. :) We also discovered that you know both of your Grandpas for who they are and also that you possibly call your Grandmas Papa too :)

Last month you got a cold which in turn resulted in a lot of difficulty breathing. We found out that you were suffering with viral induced asthma and you had to use a nebulizer for a few weeks. You have been a trooper about it, and I'm happy to say that it seems to be working. Several things that helped were putting a humidifier in your room full time, switching from cow's milk to coconut milk, and daily vitamins to ward off future colds... since that's how this all started to begin with :/

This month you also began expanding your entourage of animals you like to take to bed. Your crib is beginning to look like a stuffed animal zoo! Currently, you have Eleanor (ehh-noor), Blanky Bear (bayeee), Memo (meemo), Oo-Ah (the monkey with bunny ears, you named it!), Tigger (drrrrr! another name you came up with ;), and Pooh (pooh :).

You named Memo and Oo-Ah all on your own with no encouragement. It is so cute!!! You've also seemed to take to all things Pooh all on your own. Grandma says it's in the genes ;) And your Daddy is all too pleased with this development :) Pooh has a soft spot in his heart, as do you ;) You find all books that have Pooh and carry them around, as well as ask for Pooh on tv.

Another funny thing is that you seem to associate Maddie with rabbits. Whenever you see Rabbit in any Pooh books, you say, "Maddie! (Maa-eee)." And then the other day you brought me a little stuffed bunny and said, "Maa-ee!" hehe :)

The two friends you talk about all the time are Jacob and Maddie. In fact, there have been several occasions now where you are sad and then you start saying, "Day-kub! Maa-eee!" and are happy again. I have to wonder if that came from an episode of Daniel Tiger where he said when you're sad to think about something you like and you will be happy :) It's so precious!

Speaking of Daniel Tiger, you love that show almost as much as Curious George. And you have the same name for Daniel Tiger as for Tigger. Of course that makes sense, doesn't it? Drrrrrr! You can be quite aggressive with your Drrrrrrr's :)

In the morning, or anytime you see lotion really, you want to put it on. "Loshee" is what you ask for, and then "rubrubrub!" Now you like to pull up your pant legs and rub your legs as well LOL. When you try to go on the potty, you say, "flushy" and "washy." I like adding "y" to the end of words too, so high five little girl! hehe :)

19 months

Some things to remember from 19 months.

This month seems you have grown leaps and bounds. Your level of understanding and communicating is exploding. You have several new words, sometimes new ones each day! The newest word is "no." I was waiting for that ;) Another one that always blows my mind is "hello." Clear as day. The other day we were talking to Pellegrino the fish and I was saying, "helllloooooo Pelligrino!" and you said, "hellooooo!" :D

We did a diaper free day to see how that went... since last month we had several successful potty days... but alas, I believe you are waiting for me to entirely give up on the idea. So I decided to save myself some aggravation and do just that. For now, diapers make our lives happier... so diapers it is!

Although, something you have gotten out of our potty time practice is how to wash your hands. You're quite good at it! You get your little stool, stand on it and wash your hands. With soap and all! You rub them together just like you're supposed to and rinse them off. However, you have no interest in drying them... too busy moving onto the next thing ;)

When and if you ever DO go in the potty or do something else you find exciting/extraordinary, your preferred way of showing us your excitement is pumping both hands above your head and making all kinds of jovial shrieks and sounds :)

You are still very attached to Eleanor. She really is such a good friend. When you are parted from her for awhile and happen to notice, you usually look up and around calling, "EhhhhhNoooooo! Eeehhh Ahhhh Oooo?" Just the most precious thing in the world!

Also, this month we put the high chair away and you're sitting at the table in a booster... although, I think it might still be too short, so I'm bringing the high chair back, but you'll sit in it without the tray right up at the table.

18 months

Little girl, you grow so quickly, here are some memories from 18 months.



There are so many ways that you are learning and growing this month. It seems like you are exploding verbally, moreso than any other month up to this point. You regularly say "thank you" when handed something or are handing something off. You repeat a lot of words and you are making mental verbal connections like for example if I tell you we are going to see Daddy or Grandma you know what I mean and get excited :) Today, I told you we were going to see Emily, Maddie and William and you immediately started saying "Maddie!" and walking around looking for her.

You also have made some big steps when it comes to potty training. It's still hit or miss, but when we are at home you do very well.

You've started saying things like "I love you" and "where are you?" and a couple other short phrases. Several times a day you realize that your beloved Eleanor is somewhere other than where you are and you seek her out calling "eeeeehhenoooooo! eeeeehhenooooo!"

17 months

A few things from 17 months :)

- You've exploded this month with your ability to comprehend and follow directions! For example, if you have a snack and there is garbage that goes along with it, I will ask you to throw it out and you will put it in the trash. Also, the other day I wasn't feeling well and I asked you to get me some water. You went looking for your cup and brought it to me! Just this morning, I asked you to put your breakfast dishes in the sink and you DID!

- You've started being able to pick up some of your toys when done playing with them.

- More words you're saying now:

Oh no!

OK (okie)

Jesus (heard that for the first time tonight :) 7/22

Steve (dee!)

thank you
please

- In the morning it seems you have decided first things first when we go downstairs, George must be watched. You walk over to the tv and turn it toward your chair and then sit in your chair purposefully.

- Speaking of George, I think he is teaching you how to talk. Sometimes I think I'm raising a monkey when I hear all your little noises ;)

- the other day you were playing on your see saw and talking. You got up and came over to your playhouse and then turned back toward the see saw and started waving and saying, "bye! bye!" I think you must have been talking to your angel :)

- Speaking of your angels, we've been realizing lately that seems to be something that happens often. There have been several times where you will be talking to someone it seems, but we don't see anyone there. Waving, talking, clapping, making excited noises and faces. It's very very neat to see this and recognize that you have the ability to see and talk to Jesus and angels. I asked you the other night to pray Dear Jesus and you just giggled. But when I asked you again to say "Jesus" you did :)

16 months

Just a few things to remember you at 16 months...



- the other day you were walking toward the street. I took your hand and told you not to go any further, but you were not happy about that. You were wriggling and whining to get away from me and I told you that if you were going to have a fit that was fine but you could not go toward the street any more. You proceeded to drop to the ground and roll over a couple times and ultimately were laying on your back looking up at me. I asked if you were done and you said, "YA!" and we walked back to where you had been playing ;) sometimes I guess you just gotta get it out of your system!

- You do what the bunny says by making your stinkastoo face and sniffing

- You do what the turtle says by smacking your lips and making your tongue go around in your mouth ;)

- started saying "YA!"

- We'd been making a big deal to tell you not to throw your friends out of the crib at night because they would get sad and lonely without you and they would miss you. We told you how much they liked their crib and it was so warm and comfy. So one day, i was in the kitchen working on something when I heard a thud in the living room. I figured you had fallen, but when I came in to check, I realized quickly that you had thrown your baby dolls out of the crib and had lovingly and gently place Eleanor in there :)

Memoirs from Grandma #5

June 11, 2013

Oh my! I'm not even sure I can remember what happened this past weekend during our sleepovers! Yes! You spent TWO nights at Grandma and Grandpa's house this time! What a big girl you're getting to be! You have totally stolen your grandpa's and my hearts! We've both succumbed to your charms. You are so much like your mommy in that you can make us laugh any time and anywhere! We just love having you in our lives! You may come visit for the night any time you'd like to. You were such a good girl!

I noticed the morning after you left that the cupboard locks were not fastened. Grandpa and I smiled as we realized that would never  happen if you had anything to say about it. You always  let us know when they are unclipped! Always!  Gotta keep those babies safe, Grandma and Grandpa!

My all–time favorite memory of the weekend was when I had you in the driveway… we were just talking to Grandpa as he worked on the car. We were facing the street because I knew Mommy and Daddy would be here any second. They pulled in the driveway but the way the sun hit their windshield, it was impossible to see who was in the car. Mommy got out and still you were unfazed. All of a sudden, you realized who it was and you shrieked!!!! So loudly!!! It was so cute! I wish I had it on video. It was another one of those moments that will always be in my memory, though, sweet little one… right along with many others.

We love you so much! We're so glad we get to be so involved in your life.

Grandma

(please note, there are no pictures due to the fact that it is hard to both take care of a baby stinkastoo AND take pictures at the same time ;)

The Month of July

This July, we had lots of fun. Stayed at G&G S's house for the 4th of July, vacationed in the ADK and lots of time in the water!

: :

1. Eliza found her bunny ears from Easter and wore them around the house and out quite often ;)

2. Picking Grandpa's booeys in the morning. The little stinker insisted on being pushed out there in her stroller... LOL.

3. We bought our Pilot this month as well, and just before it was time to leave to go get it, I had to change her diaper. She was napping in the car. I was able to take her out, change her and put her back all without her waking up!

 

4. Free Slurpee day was 7/11... so we went to get ours, and they had a "no free slurpee" sign up! What's up with that? Eliza was very sad :(

5. She rips books now :(



6. 7. & 8. I shot a beautiful wedding at Casa Larga with my friend Kristina. It was the best wedding of the year! Absolutely beautiful day, wonderful couple and a loving family. Definitely one to remember :)



9. On our way to the ADK!

10. Eleanor and Blanky Bear ready to go!

11. Eliza wearing her little monkey towel that Steve calls her a padawan in ;)



12. She really did great sleeping in the cabin this year! A big improvement from the year before :P

13. I decided one night to take a selfie... since I wasn't sure I had really taken one since selfies became selfies... :P

14. Sleeping baby... <3



15. Yep, just eating my sandwich while floating in ma tube. The life ;)

16. Chillin. Pretty baby...



17. Daddy giving her some driving lessons!

18. And she's ready to go!!!

: :

19. Maddie and Eliza are becoming really good friends :) They love playing dress up together and being silly :)

20. Aunt Sarah came to visit one cold day in July so they snuggled on the couch to get warm!



21. Maddie and Eliza driving their cars :)

22. I was watching Eliza in her crib one day and this was the series of events that occurred. Top left: she carries her blanky to the end of the crib (same end she ALWAYS throws it, which is interesting because she only throws the stuffed animals out the main side... the blanky always goes out the end...)
Top right: tossing the blanky...
Bottom left: still tossing...
Bottom right: back to her spot rejoicing that she has accomplished her mission and now all she just do is wait until I decide to come get her ;)



23. My breakfast... different than Eliza's... because I had a rare opportunity to eat before she got up... and when she does, I can eat anything I want without being bugged for it ;)

24. Jacob and Eliza's first time in the car cart at Wegmans. Now, this is the only cart Eliza wants to ride in lol.