Love and Happiness

Last night, Barbara Walters interviewed Harrison Ford. She asked him to describe his perfect day and he said: "Spend as much time with [my wife] and kids...a little work and a little play, good food, good wine." It was so simple and understated but his description resonated with me. On a typical day, I spend all my time with my family, put in a little work and a lot of play (thanks Ellie Marie), and if I'm lucky, I get a nice glass of wine in the evening. :) I am living in the midst of happiness. :)

I love this picture of Ellie and Jaxie and Dan on the bed because we have such a small house but we all love to be within the same 5 foot square space. It's hilarious.

The blocks were Dan's version of a love note. I had just put Ellie to sleep and went in the back family room to pick up all the toys and try to finish my book. What a cute surprise. Dan, you are such a romantic. :) Don't worry, I won't tell our friends. Oops, I guess I just did. :)

All Grown Up

Some pictures of Ellie playing in her room. Here she is making soup for Jaxie. :) She looked too cute today to not take a few pictures! I love her little feet and pigtails...and her jeans...and her smile...ok, I think everything about her is just adorable. What can I say? I'm her mommy. :)

Bye Bye Winter!

(Daddy's little girl)

(Ellie taking pictures of the elephants with her camera)

(She still insists on wearing her snow boots)

(Ellie helping Dan blow up her ball pit)

I hope that most of you have been enjoying the same kind of sunshine that we have had here in Milton this past week. The weather has been crisp but sunny and so refreshing. Finally! I used to love winter and offered no complaints on rainy/snowy days because it meant I could snuggle up with a good book, a hot cup of tea, and a great playlist. My-oh-my how things change! I am learning that winter with a toddler is completely different! The only book I seem to get through these days is Good Night Gorilla. Obviously, a scolding hot cup of anything is out of the question and my music is slowly being replaced with "Morning Train Ride" or Raffi's "Shake a Toe." We have had to get pretty creative these days... lots of homemade forts, carpet picnics, and hide and seek... and it has been fun, but I would be lying if I said I wasn't counting every second until spring! Lucky for us, it seems to have showed up a bit early and just in time! Yesterday, Ellie helped me in the yard (she is a very good sweeper) and we went for a very long walk in the sun. We stopped at the park and tried out the slide a few thousand times and threw the ball for Jaxie until we were all pooped and went home for a good nap. Today, Dan and I took Ellie to the zoo. It couldn't have been a better visit. The elephants were out and very sociable and the primates had their afternoon feeding. Ellie loved every second of it but was completely enamored with the peacocks. They roam freely and Ellie got to see them up close and personal. She now says "peacock" perfectly. :)

I can't believe that Ellie is almost 18 months old. Every day I become more acutely aware that my "baby" is a toddler. I relish every little moment that I get to hold her, rock her, etc. She is talking up a storm, full phrases now, and surprises us all the time with what she understands. Dan will tell me a story about something that happened during the day with Ellie, and she will interject with a word or phrase that lets us know she knows exactly what is being said. She loves phrases like "see ya" and "ok mama". Amazing. Obviously, I know that all babies learn how to talk and understand at some point but it is nevertheless surprising, miraculous, and awesome just the same.

Well, we leave for Mexico next week and will really get a good dose of sunshine then! I am so excited. I already packed our suitcase (admittedly, almost a week ago!). Until then, we have several days with Dan off work so lots of yard work and play days await. Love to all.

Swim Lessons

Ellie just finished her swim lessons at the aquatic center. She had so much fun, especially blowing bubbles into the water. Now that swim lessons are over, we need to find something to fill its place. We are considering soccer (oh yes, there are "Soccer for Tots" classes through the Tacoma Soccer Center), more swim lessons, and/or gymnastics. I like having somewhere to go with her when the weather is rainy and cold. I can't wait for summer! It will be so much easier to just go to the park!

Soup

I really don't know what to say about this video clip. Just watch...and turn the volume up.

Night Night Good Dog

Here is video of Ellie saying goodnight to Jaxie. As I mentioned in a previous blog entry, Jaxie knows to assume her position on the couch when it's Ellie's bedtime. Ellie LOVES Jaxie and her favorite part of her bedtime routine is saying "Night Night" to Jaxie who is a "Goo Ga" (good dog). They are so cute together and this video is proof that Jaxie is more than patient with Ellie and loves her unconditionally.

Goodnight

To all our Gymboree friends: Thanks for a great time at Spaghetti Factory! We had so much fun with all of you and we mommies, daddies, and babies need to get together again soon! Here is a picture of our tired little one...hope your little ones fell asleep as quickly and soundly as she did!

Good Dog

I am feeling a bit guilty. In my ongoing obsession with posting Ellie pictures, I have neglected to post pictures of Jaxie. I have to admit that Jaxie is probably one of the sweetest dogs ever and she really deserves some recognition. She is great with Ellie and very aware of Ellie's schedule, moods, etc. When Ellie is getting ready to nap or go to bed at night, Jaxie assumes her place on the couch and sleeps until the second (I mean literally, the actual second) Ellie wakes up. Then Jaxie jumps up and goes to Ellie's bedroom door and waits for me to open it. There hasn't been a day yet that Ellie hasn't woken up to Jaxie licking her face through the slats of her crib. It is also a little known fact that Jaxie has never really learned how to give up her tennis ball. We taught her "drop it" but she would rather you wrestle it from her teeth after an hour of trying. But amazingly, Ellie says, "drop it" in her own baby dialect and Jaxie does immediately; she doesn't make a move as Ellie picks up her coveted ball. If I tried to reach for it, Jaxie would snatch it up before I ever got close. She is very protective of Ellie and loves to make Ellie laugh by making a funny growl sound. Ellie, in turn, feeds Jaxie cereal, goldfish crackers, and anything else when Mommy and Daddy aren't looking. It really is a special relationship. Jaxie, we love you. Good dog.

Daddy is Home

Our favorite time of day is when Dan comes home. When I see the headlights of his patrol car at the bottom of the hill, I tell Ellie and Jaxie (yes, Jaxie is perhaps more excited than anyone), "Look! Daddy's home!" Then Ellie and Jaxie run to the door (which is pretty funny because they usually stumble over each other) and wait until Dan opens the door. One thing is for sure, Dan knows he has been missed when he comes home. It is probably a bit overwhelming, but I think this is the happiest moment of his day. What a fan club!