Give the people what they want...More EllieO Stories!

Daddy came home last Friday, and I was so glad to see him...After 45 minutes. For those first few minutes, I would cry when he picked me up, and I only wanted to sit in Mommy's lap and snuggle with her. Finally I warmed up to him, which is good, because Mommy left us alone together for the remainder of the evening.

Saturday was excellent...I was in my nitegown until after noon. Great day! We ran errands in the afternoon around town, bought Cacky a birthday present that I CAN'T WAIT to give her next week--in person! Saturday night we got to go to a party for one of Daddy's graduated seniors, and it was at a pavilion with a playground. Since no one else was playing on it, we went over and used the wavy slide. Mommy would put me towards the top and guide me down while Daddy caught me at the bottom. I squealed with laughter as the wind blew my hair. It was so much fun! (Sorry, my photographer let me down and left the camera at home. I've already communicated this is unacceptable behavior.)

I will soon no longer be snaggle-toothed, as my 2nd top front tooth is coming in quite nicely. And the one on the other side of the one that's already there (did you get all that?!?) is coming in as well. 5 teeth! Maybe this means more real food and less mush.

I've been waking up earlier and earlier in the mornings, like between 6:15 and 6:30, and Mommy and Daddy complain, but I think they really like the extra time in the mornings. They're able to get the dishes and laundry done before work, which means more play time for us in the evenings. Whoo hoo! Today they even dusted, which I think means someone must be coming to visit.

Wed Jun 24

First, let me tell you about my discovery Sunday. Mommy has moved my snack food from out-of-reach to just two drawers up from the floor -- TOTALLY within my reach...AND I know how to open drawers. Jackpot!

I know that when she feed me puffs she turns them upside down, but I just can't figure out how they come out! (Mommy says, "Phew, safe for a little longer.)

Finally I give up on the independence thing and ask for help. After photographing me for yet the zillionth time on 2 minutes, she gives in and gives me a few. She rocks!

Ok, and now on to today. After Mommy got off work (earlier than 5 but later than the expected noon) she noted her car told us it was 102 degrees outside...Way hot! So we went home and turned on a loud machine that scared me and Andy both. We each jumped into one of Mommy's arms (we each picked different arms :) )

Then we took this giant, round, blue thing out to the porch, turned on a large snake and he spit into the blue thing. I jumped in (timidly at first) with some rings and balls, and I warmed up to the idea quite quickly. It was kind of like a bath outside. And I was almost as naked as when I take baths. Kinda nice!

I think when it gets hot again (like tomorrow maybe) I'll beg Mommy to return to the fun on the porch. And yes, we did pick it up and put it in the garage or else Andy would probably poke his teeth into the sides and we'd not be able to have an outside bath again.

Sun Jun 21

Happy Father's Day to Daddy, Fabo and Coach! Wish I could spend the day with any of the 3 of them, but I guess Mommy will work as a back-up. Coach and Fabo are far away as usual, and Daddy left this morning to clean up the coast from hurricanes last season. He took a van and trailer and a bunch of kids with him. He left Andy in charge of the house...A pretty good replacement for now, but not for forever. Come home quick, Daddy O!

I am really starting to figure out this walking thing. And even more than that I like to stand up and puck up toys, sippy cups, books, anything that is not too heavy (and some things that are too heavy, and they end up pulling me down instead...good thing I've got a good cushion!)

I've also learned about the good taste of water. I'm not so much the juice drinker, but give me a cup of water and I'll gulp and gulp and gulp! I like drinking from Mommy's glass, too, except she insists on holding it. She won't let me hold it. She's no fun!

And I almost forgot to discuss the highlight of the weekend! We went shoe shopping yesterday. Actually I got to visit a new town...Add Kerrville to my list of places I've been. I got 2 new pair of shoes, one for fun and athletics (Daddy is still wondering why I need a "sporty" pair of sandals...what sports am I playing?) and one cute pair to wear with nicer but not church clothes. Cacky sent me my church shoes...They came in the mail today! I doubled the # of shoes in my shoe drawer today...Good day! (The white ones in the pic above, btw, are my church shoes.)

Mon Jun 15

Mommy and Daddy and I went over to the Hoermann's tonight. I'm still not too sure about seeing Dr. Matt in any setting - office or home - but everyone else seemed fun enough. We swam and played in the pool, ate dinner off the grill, and then watched a movie on the projector outside. And for me that translates into the following: I sat on the top step of the pool and splashed every now and then, ate half of a hot dog bun and some watermelon, and was asleep before the movie began so Mommy and Daddy took me home to put me in bed. The watermelon was yummy! And when I finished the red part, the green part was just as good...Not so much to eat but more to chew on. It felt good on my gums!

I think I'm getting the hang of this summer thing. A couple more times in a pool and I'll be ready for the beach next month!

Sat Jun 13

Today was a pretty good day. I still wimper a little when I burp or hiccough, but it's getting better. So much better, in fact, that Mommy and Cacky and I made a Wal-Mart run this afternoon. We only wanted to push 1 cart (actually I rode) but had 2 separate purchases, so all of Mommy's things were put up with me. I loved it! I got to inspect everything close-up :)

Tonight we went to Auslander for dinner to get some real German food. I was on my best behavior, and since I wore shoes, I got to walk around a little (holding onto Mommy's chair or the high chair) but only until one of the busboys dropped a piece of ham off a dirty plate on his way to the kitchen and I kept trying to go over to get it...One man's trash is another man's treasure?!?

Then I got to try sauerkraut and thought it was the most disgusting thing I've ever eaten...Even worse that that yogurt Dr. Matt made me eat when I was on antibiotics (refer to earlier months...There are pictures if you need proof it was awful.) However, to date, I like yogurt. Mommy and I share a little container of it just about every day. But back to the present...Sauerkraut is AWFUL!

Other than that, though, it was a good day. Surgery seems to be a piece of cake to recover from :)

This is a black day in the history of Ellie O. I knew something was wrong when Mommy woke me up this morning before the sun was up. #1: I'm usually the one waking up Mommy, and #2: no one is supposed to be up before the sun. Way bad news if this is happening.

So after she woke me up and gave me clean panties, we got in the car and I fell back asleep. Not so bad. For a little while, at least. Then we got out and went into this tall building - I got to ride in a box that moved up and down. I couldn't figure it out, but it was kind of fun!

We went into a room with other kids and their mommies and daddies (and nonnas, too) and sat in chairs. I entertained my family with funny facial expressions and the like. My name got called, we rode in the funny moving box again, and then we were stuch in a little nook with a big sliding glass door and a TV.

For some reason, I was not allowed on the floor, which made me want down all the more. I talked both parents into taking me for laps around the area so we weren't just sitting. Then we found Handy Manny on TV, which reminded me we eat breakfast while watching Handy Manny, and they wouldn't feed me. But I was still a little sleepy anyway, so I didn't mind so much.

A girl named Sarah came into my room and introduced herself to me. She said she was a nurse -- probably thought I didn't know what that was, but I do...my Mommy's one. She started to ask me a few quesitons about my health history (as if I've lived long enough to have a health history) but I deferred all answers to Mommy so I could focus on Manny. Sarah took me to a scale to weigh me, put a bracelet on my ankle and gave me new clothes to change into.

We met a man named Noah, a woman named Elizabeth, and a woman whose name I can't remember but she said she had no electricity because of the bad storms at her house the night before so she was running late. They were an anesthesiologist, a nurse anesthetist, and another anesthesiologist. Then Dr. Sawyer came in (I recognized him from our previous meeting) and then another nurse came and took me away from Mommy and Daddy. I was a little scared, I won't lie, but since I got to take my sucker with me, all was better.

I was gone a total of 10 minutes and then back to Mommy and Daddy as a wet noodle. The medicine the nice anesthesia providers gave me made me a little bit relaxed and I was limp and sleepy. So sleepy, in fact, that I fussed for food until they fed me, but I wouldn't open my eyes. My knuckles were white, though, because I wasn't letting go of that bottle for anything.

I was still sleepy when we left the funny building, but then we went to Starbucks for everyone else to eat breakfast, and when I got a look at the pastries on the table, I perked up. I partook of some of Daddy's cinnamon roll and some of Mommy's danish. Scrumptious!

The gloom-and-doom part of my day was officially gone. Except when I hiccupped or burped or coughed because it startled me, and the tubes in my ears felt a little funny and I'd let out a mean cry for about 15 seconds.

Back to Nonna's where we met Cacky, drove home, had lunch and then I got to be at my house crawling around on the floor again. Whoo hoo! The rest of the day was uneventful. I don't think anyone believed I had anything done to me. I even let Mommy and Cacky take me out to eat for dinner, and I behaved nicely, too.

I guess the first portion of my day wasn't so bad if in the long-run I'm saved from bunches of ear infections and antibiotics. It'll be worth it this next winter, hopefully :)

Wed Jun 10

Mommy and I spent the afternoon cleaning up for Cacky's visit this weekend, and packed some bags so we could spend tomorrow night at Coach and Nonna's.

When it came time to clean my room so Cacky would have a nice place to stay, I counteracted all of Mommy's actions by pulling out the toys in my toy box and dragging them all over the room.

Then I discovered that under my bed is similar to under the couch...Open and free for playing! And since I have a habit of throwing my suckers out of my bed every night, I found a never-ending supply of suckers under there. I'd place one in my mouth, Mommy would take it away, and I'd grab another one. Over and over again.

It was quite a fun place to play! I might return in a future game of hide-n-seek :)

We went camping last night/today! It was a great experience! Mommy and I took our own car, but we had to caravan with the kiddos and Daddy in the church van, so we met them at church yesterday afternoon. Since I anticipated so much excitement to come, I rested up so as not to miss a moment.

Once we got to camp, the first order of business was to lay down a quilt for me since I hate to touch grass. Second order, new panties. Phew! That's much better. I got to play on the blanket, and I think they would have let me play off the blanket but I wasn't that brave. There was a perfect little table set up for me on the edge of the blanket, and Mommy let me snack on some gold fish while I stood there.

The kids ran around and kayaked and swam until the sun went down, and then we ate (me, too; although since I loaded up on gold fish I didn't eat much) and then I was ready to get in my jammies and have a bedtime snack and go to bed. Since it was hot outside, I got to wear a onesie with long sleeves rather than footied pajamas...I would have burned up otherwise! I fell asleep as usual, in mommy's arms after my bottle, and then she put me down.

When I woke up this morning, I wasn't real sure where I was, but when Mommy turned over, I knew it was ok, wherever I was, because she and Daddy were with me. After I took it all in, I discovered this tent-thing is pretty cool! It had mesh windows just the right height for me to look out and see the trees and lake and grass and kids who came with us. It had a lantern that they must have used last night, but there was no need for it since the sun was up.

I found a water bottle that I tried to pick up and drink, but it was so heavy, it pulled me down instead.

After breakfast and a relaxing morning of doing nothing, Mommy and Daddy and I took a walk around the campsites. I had my off-road stroller, so I was prepared for anything. We came back and I was parched from the hike! I sat back and enjoyed a nice cold apple juice. (Not really. Mommy did. And then she shared her empty carton with me so I could chew on the straw. But I do look mighty coordinated like I might be drinking the juice instead!)

Then came water time! We needed special clothing and panties. These panties had fish on them. I guess so that the fish in the lake would know that I was a friend, not an enemy. That way we could relate to one another. But Mommy put on this stretchy thing over the fishies so they didn't show any more. This is all after she lathered me up in white goop that made me greasy. She said it was for my protection. And then came the hat so my little scalp wouldn't burn - I wasn't exactly fond of the hat.

When the boat came (with Coach and Nonna) I was ready for a nap. So Nonna stayed ashore and watched me sleep. And then fed me lunch. And then took me to see Coach in the boat when they all came back for lunch. (Look at those curls!)

Then it was my turn to go in the boat with the kids. They all swam off to jump some cliffs so Coach and Mommy and I anchored the boat and sat on the back and watched them jump. We splashed around in the water. I dipped my feet in a couple of time and would laugh at the feel of the water getting on me. Once, Mommy dipped me all the way up to my armpits...That was really fun! It was hot outside and this helped to cool me off.

With all the excitement, though, I was pooped! They took me back to camp and Nonna watched me sleep once again. When the group got back after their afternoon run, we all changed clothes and headed home. I told Daddy over and over again I wanted him to take me camping more often. This was a great couple of days!

Mommy and I were at home this afternoon playing in the living room and having fun with each other. I was chasing Andy around the room...I make him nervous! He quickly retreats to a part of the room where I am not when I start to head towards him. So when he ran out of spots, he retreated to under the couch - his favorite hiding place. And I watched him go under and processed the event and went looking for him.

I couldn't quite figure out how to get down there...That is, until Mommy walked to the kitchen for a drink of water. Then I quickly slinked under the couch. Andy was nice, but gave a couple of warning barks because I was invading the 1 place in all the house that used to be 100% his. Mommy pulled me out by my ankles (she wasn't sure how else to get me out), I cried a little, and then I went a-looking under the couch again. And again and again. While I was down there, I found a sucker under there. And lots of Andy hair. But nothing else. Mommy wouldn't let me stay long.

Tonight when Daddy came home, we played on the floor a little bit. I practiced my balancing while standing without holding on to anything

And then I sang along with my singing book. It's one of my favorite toys these days. And when Mommy plays with it, we make hand motions as we sing. She sings awfully off-key, but her hand motions make it all fun :)

My hair is growing all the more these days, and I have a little wave in the back. It must come from Daddy because Mommy's hair is so straight that when she puts waves and curls in it they come out. Thanks, Daddy, for the good body to my hair!

What a crazy past couple of days. Aunt B stopped by Saturday night to see me on her way back to Lubbock, and since she was thoughtful to do that, I gave her my room. My bed was temporarily relocated to the Man Room (I think we'll have to rename that if I sleep in it too much!)

She got here just in time for dinner and we all went out to eat at the pizza place. Mommy tried to take a picture of the 2 of us, but I was more interested in sharing my garlic bread knot with Aunt B. We went home after dinner and played silly games before bath and bottle and bed. Mommy and I showed Aunt B the silly games we play, and I tried to get her to join in, but she just took pictures of me.

She took off Sunday for her home when we took off for church. Daddy played softball on the new field at church Sunday afternoon, and Mommy and I got to stay home and nap. It was great!

Yesterday, I only stayed at Katrina's for 1/2 the day, which is odd for a Monday, but Mommy picked me up and then we picked up Daddy and then we took a road trip. I didn't know where we were going, and the anticipation was too much to bear, so a nap was out of the question. Instead, I talked the whole way there!

We parked in a big, dark place later identified as a parking garage and then took this glass moving-thingy to a different level. It was crazy to see the trees and cars outside get closer. They tricked me into thinking our outing was a great excursion when in reality, they took me to a new doctor. Those sneaks!

This doctor was very nice and talked to Mommy and Daddy a little bit and then I sat in Mommy's lap while the doctor looked in my nose and mouth and ears. He said they were 100% clear! He and Mommy and Daddy talked a little more before we went around to another room with thick walls and I sat once again in Mommy's lap. Voices were coming out of the walls! I kept turning to see who was there, but there was no one. Mommy tried to explain that it was hearing test and that there were speakers, not walls, talking to me. That's a relief...I thought I was going crazy!

Before we walked out (I was carried) we scheduled surgery for me to have tubes put in my ears. I think it's kind of like tiny straws in my ears so that the yucky stuff can escape and not give me problems anymore. I'm all for it! Daddy thought that I needed a reward for being so good at the doctor's office, so we stopped at Amy's Ice Cream before leaving town; however, I was sacked out from the whole ordeal and so they ate in the car while I slept.

Fri May 15

Let the fun begin!!! It was nuts tonite at Coach and Nonna's...There were all these girls running around like crazy maniacs! Well, actually, just one running (Chandler), one speed-crawling (me) and one that didn't really move on her own (Brynn). I got to meet Brynn for the first time tonite, and I'm not really sure what I think of people smaller than me. I'm not really used to them. I just kept my distance. Kind of like how Andy does with me.

And Chandler kind of did the same thing with me at first. It took her awhile to warm up to playing with me rather than running from me:

But I did lots of playing with Coach and Chandler. It reminded Mommy of playing at Paw and Maw Maws with the old rotary phones and the cardboard toy box. We emptied Nonna's metal toy box of all contents and turned it over to make a drum:

And when we'd had enough music, we just resorted to jumping in the bin and letting Coach pull us around. (Actually this was Coach's idea, and I think he is now sorry he thought of it. Once we started, we didn't want to quit!)

Finally, Nonna broke out the chocolate cake. And if you haven't heard by now, I LOVE chocolate cake...Nonna says she gets that from her! Daddy was eating his cake, and I could not stand to watch him keep it all to himself. I fussed until he finally relented.

And let me tell you, that is some good stuff!

A trait I picked up from Cacky's chocolate-eating habits is the skill of sucking every last drop of chocolate off the pecan and then spitting the pecan out for someone else to eat. Daddy picked it up off the floor (that's where I spit it...Mommy tells me that's inappropriate) and announced, "It's been polished and shined!"

We headed home late, which was no problem for me because I just fell asleep in the car instead of falling asleep at home.

Wed May 13 PM

Since Daddy was at church with kiddos tonight, Mommy got to bathe me all by herself. And while we waited on the bath water to fill up the tub, I showed Mommy how a bath is conducted.

Step 1: Put some soap on your hands:

Step 2: Scrub all over your body...Don't miss anything:

And since this is just a simulation, there's no need to rinse. But in the real deal, the rinse step is just as important! I've got that one down pat...

And since it' such a strenuous task, you can work up quite a thirst for some water. And since it's all around you, it's really easy to take a time out for a drink.

Ahh...That's the good stuff!

And Daddy came home to dry me off...Or at least try. I'm a quick, sneaky one! And then I simmer down because I know it's time for that yummy bedtime snack.

Wed May 13

Mommy and I road-tripped today to Comfort to see Dr. Matt...Today is his day at that clinic, and since Mommy is off today, we got to go for a drive. I talked all the way there and slept all the way home. It was great!

Don't panic about me going to the doctor...Nothing's wrong. Just my 9-month check-up. And here are the vital stats you've all been waiting for:

Head Circumference: 17.25" (50th %ile)
Length: 27.5" (40-ish %ile)
Weight: 19.25 lb. (55th %ile)
Length-for-weight ratio: 75th %ile (still unclear what this one measures, but they chart it none-the-less!)

Clearly I'm growing...My feet are hanging off the end of my car seat! Pretty soon, I'll be able to push off the back seat of the car and bounce around in my seat.

He was impressed with my hearty appetite (as evidenced by the "chub" I am seeming to collect around my middle, elbows, and knees). He said it's a good chub, though, and for Mommy to keep feeding me the same--don't slack off! Phew! He could find nothing wrong with me except my right ear. There's a little bit of fluid in it, but no infection. And since we're seeing the ENT doctor on Monday, he said not to worry about it.

Today was supposed to be a shot-free day, but they were out of one of my vaccines at my last appointment, but they had it today and gave it to me. I was MAD...for about 30 seconds before I was up and going again with big smiles for everyone in the office. I don't have to go back to see him until after I'm 1 year old! Mommy thinks it's hard to believe that we're that close to my birthday...It seems like a lifetime to me (I guess it just about is...)!

One of my favorite places these days is my bathroom. Mommy and Daddy will leave me to play in the living room or man room while they work on the computer or read or watch TV, and before they know it, I'm in the bathroom at the tub!

I found the cup they usually use to pour water over my head, and I offered to do the same to Andy but he was unsure--he didn't venture into the bathroom, just watched me from the hall!

I'm just tall enough now that if I stand on my tippey-toes I can see all my bathtime friends in the bottom of the tub. There's the starfish (which Daddy says is really a sting ray...Mommy named that one wrong), and the whark (a whale that Mommy thought was a shark); a snail, a penguin, a Shamu whale (I think I'll get to find out what a Shamu is in a couple of years), and a puffer fish with raised dots on the outside of him. He was my first favorite bathtime toy many months ago (well, maybe just a few months ago).

I am 9 months old today! And in celebration, Mommy and Daddy dumped me at Fabo and Cacky's for the weekend and they took off without me!

We actually got to Fabo and Cacky's last nite after dinner, and all 3 spent the night at their house. Fabo got down Mommy's (and Aunt B's) crib and lemon-oiled (does that mean you rub lemons on it?!?) it and put it together for me to sleep in. He also found a rocking chair that Mommy was given from Eureka Springs, Arkansas, by her Grandma and Grandpa Clopton. I'm not quite sure I have it down pat yet as to how to get in the chair, but once I'm placed in it, I swing my legs and rock myself!

This morning I got to stroll around the outdoor mall, and then we met Fabo and Cacky for lunch (Mommy and Daddy and Aunt B were already with me) at Chipotle. I was so tired from the shopping, though, I needed a quick cat nap while we waited in line. After the quick rest, though, I was up and at 'em! Cacky fed me and then I provided the entertainment while everyone else ate.

After lunch, Mommy and Daddy took me back to Fabo and Cacky's and then they snuck out of the house while my Great Aunt Lynn was checking out how much I've grown since the last time she saw me.

I survived the afternoon except for waking up from my nap. I was a little freaked out by the strange people (not Mommy or Daddy) picking me up from my crib. I was so upset, in fact, that I let Cacky rock me back to sleep for another hour. Then came the Ellie party. Everyone came over to see me! And as a bonus, they got to eat dinner as well.

I embarked upon a new adventure today. I stayed at Miss Katrina's house instead of going to school. Mommy just about had a heart attack last week when my teachers at school asked her to bring disinfecting wipes so they could wipe all the toys down. They made the statement, "Now that swine flu is here, we've got to clean ALL the toys and everything!"

#1: Don't you clean all the toys anyway? You should...Are you the cause of all my ear infections these past 6 months?!?

#2: Mommy and Daddy pay you tuition each month, as do all the other mommies and daddies...Buy your own wipes!

So that was the straw that broke the camel's back says Mommy. Not really sure what that means, but apparently it meant I was not meant to go to school anymore.

Miss Katrina's today was great! She has very clean carpet, fun toys that are wiped down daily, and she loves to play with me and cuddle with me. Also, there are 2 boys there--Griffin and Ryan--who are both right around a year old, so we all have fun playing together. (Griffin and I did today...Ryan was home sick with a fever. Must be swine flu :) )

Tonight, Mommy had girls' night out since it was the 1st Monday of the month, so Daddy and I hung out at home with his friend, Chad. There was much rejoicing after work before Mommy left, though, because she and Daddy are both now done with school for the semester...I think that means all the more time for me!

My new arrangements are going to suit me perfectly, I think, and I can't wait to meet Ryan. I'm sure he'll be just as fun as Griffin. I'll let you know later in the week how they are!! Watch out, Daddy...I'm starting young with the boys!!!

Today was all about me. Actually, the whole weekend was. I'll go in reverse so you get everything that happened...

This morning, Mommy and I skipped Sunday School to help Fabo and Cacky get ready for church, and then we all piled in to the car and went. We met up at church with Nonna and Coach, and Daddy found us after his Sunday School was over, too. And then Mommy and I took my bag to my room, but I didn't have to go in yet. I thought, "what's up with this?!?" I soon learned...

After waiting in the hall with Mommy with my face and hands plastered to the warm glass window looking out on the flowers, I got carried into church and taken up on stage for all to see. Mrs. Sue was there, and I smiled really big at her...I was glad to see a familiar face. Bro. Don talked a little and then asked Daddy to introduce all my grandparents and then he talked a little more. I got really bored listening to all the nonsensical words, so I decided I'd provide the entertainment--I pulled up my dress so everyone could see Minnie and Mickey on my diaper. Mommy kept pulling it down, but I kept fighting to pull it back up.

I heard the magic words, "Let's pray" so I knew it was my time to talk. And talk I did, at the top of my lungs! When it was all over, I got to go play in my normal room with my friends. I was relieved I didn't have to stay and hang out with the old people all morning! It was already hard enough to get down and play good with fancy shoes and a new frilly dress on. After church we all got to go eat lunch, and then everyone came back to my house to celebrate a little more of me!

Yesterday was another fun-filled day. After we woke up and got ready, the three of us with Fabo and Cacky all took off for the big city. We dropped the boys off at a golf course then we hit the town for some shopping. Mommy had her alcohol hand gel ready to go so that with any contact with the outside world, she and Cacky doused themselves before touching me again--no H1N1 for me! (No swine flu either!) The girl at the Clinique counter really almost got in trouble, though, because after she touched my flip flops (kind of borderline) she touched my cheeks and chin (way over the line). Mommy alcoholed my face after that. It gave me some red splotches for awhile but they went away.

After the mall, we went to my mall--Babies 'R' Us--and looked at jogging strollers...For Daddy more than anything because Mommy and I don't jog. We were there for awhile but found no stroller worthy of buying. We did get other necessities like diapers and puffs, though. In the course of the afternoon, I'd dropped both suckers on the ground, and they had germs on them, and Mommy and Cacky wouldn't let me have them back. So when we got in the car after B-R-U, I was MAD and screaming and inconsolable.

We were going to go to REI but they cancelled that when they saw how mad I was. Then they were going to find a Starbucks to sit in and feed me (it was dinnertime...did I mention that...They forgot a little Ellie needs to eat) but then they figured I was too loud and upset to go in the Starbucks/Barnes 'n' Noble they found. So Mommy fed me in the car. The 4oz. bottle didn't last nearly long enough. So while Mommy put me back in my carseat to feed me veggies and fruit, Cacky ran inside and washed suckers and rinsed out and reloaded a bottle for a 2nd round. She was surprised to come out and find me happier and full.

We picked the boys up at the golf course, headed to dinner--which was outside in the cool breeze (it was nice). They had cornbread, so I was a fan of the restaurant! After dinner, I was ready to turn out the lights, which was good because our next stop was home...I had a long car-ride to let my nap be good and long. What a great, tiring day!

Friday afternoon, Fabo and Cacky came into town at lunch and we spent the afternoon with them. Actually the girls shopped and the boys played golf (noticing a theme?!?) We went out to the bat cave for dinner, but it was still too early when we finished to see the bats...Maybe next time. After dinner we got to go home and play, play, play!

Sat Apr 25

What a week I've had! I forgot to tell you last weekend that I was started on antibiotics for yet another ear infection, so this past week I had to finish all that medicine off...It was nasty! Well, what's more, I woke up this morning with fever (101). And I was fussy. And Mommy was worried about my ears. But by the time she was really worried the Saturday clinic was closed.

So we called Mommy's friend, Dr. Andrea, who met us at her clinic. She looked in my ears and said, "They're perfect!" She and Mommy rejoiced. I reminded them that I still didn't feel good. So she looked in my throat and found white patches. I got swabbed for strep throat--it was negative. So she diagnosed me with thrush, which I got from the last antibiotic. She called in a prescription for some other nasty medicine, and I have to take this 4 times a day!

I have outsmarted Mommy and Daddy, though, and when I see the syringe a-coming, I lock my lips as tight as I can. But then they trick me every time with a bottle or sucker, and I open my mouth to put it in, and they squirt me. Not fair!

In other news, I've started eating dinner on my own. I have a sandwich (or at least the ingredients required to make a sandwich...Mommy tears things up in small pieces for me). Some days I have turkey, some ham, some chicken. Always a slice of cheese and a piece of bread. It's great! And Andy has learned that if he sits at my side, I'll sneak him a couple of bites, too. After I feed myself, I now give myself my bottle--or sippy cup!

Sometimes I need help at the end because I forget to tilt it way up to get the last little bit, but for the most part, I'm self-sufficient! With my mouth being sore, though, I want no veggies and fruits out of the jars. They hurt too much.

I'm cruising all the furniture I can find, and even sometimes get brave and try to transfer hands-free from one piece to another when they're just too far to reach at the same time. Usually I'm unsuccessful and cry until I realize I'm really ok. The bruise on my forehead in the picture below is probably from one such occasion.

School called Mommy on Monday around noon and told her they noticed it, and that I must have done it over the weekend. She told them it wasn't there when she left home, and they told her they were certain it didn't happen at school...Wonder who's lying?!?

I got to help Mommy with my very first baking assignment--a poppyseed cake! I was fascinated by the mixer noise, and started and stared. Mommy wouldn't let me too close for fear it might such up my little fingers!

I can't wait 'til they let me wat these yummy things! For now, I just have to settle gumming the empty containers from the poppy seeds and sour cream. Feels pretty good on the gums, but not at all satisfying to the tummy!

Sat Apr 18

I made some new friends yesterday...Mommy and Daddy's friends, Nate and CJ came into town, and they brought their kids with them. Hannah and Malachi were a bit big for me, but Elijah was just the right size (he's 5 months old)! He's not crawling yet, though, so I just kind of crawled all around him checking him out from all angles. I even let him borrow my bouncer because he told me he didn't have one at home, and I was like, "No way...Every kid needs a bouncer." So I showed him what it was all about. I even helped him play with the toys on it.

Today, we got to go to Enchanted Rock. I was mystified with the size of the place! In fact, I couldn't take my eyes off the giant rock in front of me! Before we went anywhere, though, we had a picnic lunch. I tanked up on Gatorade to stay hydrated for the afternoon. It was a scorcher! (Ok, it's Mommy's Gatorade and I'm just posing. Don't be alarmed.)

We hiked up and down some smaller trails, not all the way to the top. Daddy got to take care of Hannah and Malachi, I rode in my Snuggli, and Eli got passed back and forth between his parents. It was such a fun day! Mommy lathered me up with sunscreen, but didn't want my scalp to burn so she put a hat on me. The only one I had in my diaper bag. Poor planning, Mom. Wrong season.

I was exhausted from all the excitement, and I crashed in the car on the way home. I finished my nap on Mommy's bed. It was wonderful!

We're about to take off for dinner now. My two favorite things--sleeping and eating!

Sat Apr 11

What a weekend! We got to road trip to Nonna and Coach's house yesterday after Mommy got off work at lunch. I slept for the car ride because that's what I do best in the car. I woke up about 20 minutes before we got there, and I talked at the top of my lungs to my toys in the carseat the rest of the way. I was telling them of all the adventures I knew we'd have with Coach and Nonna.

Yesterday afternoon, we ditched the boys at the golf course and we hit the outlet mall! I am a pro shopper. In fact, I got to ride in my stroller and as we passed people, I'd point and yell in my own little language. Mommy was slightly embarrassed and very much entertained :)

Last night, we went to Duke's to eat BBQ. That's right...WE ate BBQ. I had some of Mommy's brisket (without sauce) and mac&cheese, and I topped it off with 2 chocolate animal crackers. It was a great dinner! After dinner, we went back to Coach and Nonna's with some friends from Plano and the big people all sat around and watched me play. I was the evening's entertainment as they enjoyed cake and coffee.

Nonna has a great toy box. It's shiny and reflective and just the right height for me to dig around in. I found balls and rattles and a purse that sings. But really, I just wanted to play with the box.

Nonna couldn't stand not to snuggle me up so she made a play area in her lap:

Today we shopped some more after eating lunch at Chipotle (Nonna and I sat at the bar for a minute:

And then Daddy drove us home, and I was so relieved to be back in familiar territory!

Quiz Results
Loading..........