My Little Grown Up

Ellinor is off the bottle! This is a big day. I honestly thought the transition would be painful - mostly for Bry and I as we juggled Ellinor's emotions about the change; but, Ellinor has done beautifully! For the last two days I have not given her a bottle - before this we were down to just 2 a day - so today I packed them all up and we said goodbye. So far she hasn't seemed to notice their absence and does wonderfully drinking from her sippy cups. I am so proud of our baby girl. She truly has been the easiest, most joyful child to care for. How did I get so blessed?!

Today we went outside to enjoy the sunshine. We walked in the morning, and then decided to practice walking outside this afternoon. Ellinor still doesn't know quite what to do about her big girl shoes. Actual soles make them much heavier than her infant shoes, and until now she has quietly refused to walk in them. But she was so crazy excited when we went out to the front yard that all previous objections were forgotten. There were some spills along the way, but she is doing a great job! Not to mention there are leaves, trees and the neighbor's dogs to take her mind off the practice.

I LOVE having this walking baby in my house. She is so entertaining and fun. The older she gets the more excited she is about doing things with mommy and daddy. At times I really miss my tiny infant, but I would miss this growing girl way too much. She makes me happier every day, even as she practices throwing mini tantrums and asserting her opinion about what I'm trying to get her to do. She is hilarious, smart, adorable and so loving. I swear tomorrow she will be 20 and off to experience her own adventures. But until that time, she is mine and I will try my hardest not waste these precious days.

Waking Up on the Wrong Side of the Crib

-Mom hands baby honey graham cracker dipped in banana yogurt

-Baby quickly sucks yogurt off graham cracker without taking a bite of actual cracker

-Baby then screams incredibly loud because there is no more yogurt on cracker

-Mom tries to offer baby big spoonful of yogurt; baby refuses

-Only when spread on graham cracker with baby stop screaming and eat yogurt

Ellinor is having a bit of a morning today. That was just one instance of her grumpiness. I won't delve into what happened when I tried to wash her hands and face after breakfast. She normally hates that part, but today it might as well have been water torture. I do love my sweet little one year old, but we are still starting to see real glimpses into her temper. Oh how fun the terrible twos and up will be. ;)

It snowed this morning. Gross. When you are home all day with an active, newly walking one year old it would be nice to have the option of a walk outdoors or some other activity outside the house. Snow puts a damper on this plan.  Guess we will find some other activities - currently pulling out all the syrup and cereal boxes from the cabinet is sufficing for her. And what the heck, I always need something else to clean up right? Haha. 

I am so grateful that I get to be home with Ellinor every day. I swear no one else could love her as much as I do. Well...maybe Bryan. :) 

Thursday Thoughts

When Ellinor woke up this morning she was extra lovey dovey. I went to pick her up out of her crib and she gave me the biggest squeeze - it was wonderful. Then, when I put her on her changing table she kept grabbing me and giving me more hugs, over and over again. Mornings like this are amazing. This little girl that I adore more than anything loves me back, and nothing makes me feel happier.

Currently Ellinor is eating mac' and cheese with veggies - and by that I mean that she puts the noodles in her mouth, sucks off the cheese sauce then spits the noodles back onto her tray. Not sure why she started doing this but it's entertaining, nonetheless. At least she seems to be swallowing the peas and carrots. This self feeding stage is tricky - I love that she gets to enjoy eating and playing with her food, but it's also harder to make sure she is getting all of the fuel she needs. Silly babies.

It is absolutely gorgeous outside today. The sun is shining and it's so warm! Ellinor and I went for a nice long walk around the neighborhood and soaked up some vitamin D. I hope this weather keeps up - I am dying for some summer time. I keep daydreaming about taking off to Hawaii or someplace beautiful - a vacation is exactly what we need to mix things up a bit.

Anyway, just thoughts of the day - Ellinor is perfectly perfect, sunshine makes everything so much better, and my life is fabulous. :)