Glorious!

What a glorious day!  We are all well rested.  Jeff's friend even slept well, without an Ellie waking him up at 11pm, 3am, 5am and finally 7am.  He has to leave for an early flight back home.  He and Jeff had some great conversations and we really enjoyed his company!  Jeff went to bed a little later than I did last night, so he napped while Ellie and I checked out the new, installed, airplane swing.  She LOVES it!  We then play in the backyard on the climber, have lunch,  nap and then... we head off to confession (first time in about 4 years for me). 

Jeff went during Holy week, but Ellie was a little too active for me to go.  So, she and I head into the confessional.  Apparently, Ellie feels the same way about confession as I do, from the moment we closed the door to the tiny space and even though I switched her to the far knee, she was grabbing at the door handle trying to get out!  Father told me to strive to get to confession every 4-6 weeks.  Seeing Ellie's reaction, I really should go more often... for her, not me!?!  TeeHee.

Since we were already there, we stayed for 5 o'clock mass and the chicken dinner hosted by the church youth group.  Then, home again to get Ellie into bed and catch up on the blog.  I hope I am not missing anything.  Jeff commented on how I do not have to blog everyday and that I am boring the socks off the poor schmucks forced to read this dribble, but I am hoping this can be printed into a little diary for Ellie someday, so it is more for her in the future and less for family and friends.  On the other hand, I sympathize with your plight and please note, you do not have to read this, just look at the pictures!  There is a good possibility that is all Ellie will do in the future, as well.

Visit From the Past

After all that craziness, today feels like a Saturday, not a Friday (like we should be resting!)  We put clean sheets on the guest bed and vacuumed house this morning, while our friend who has been helping with the yard work came to complete some mulching and take care of the downed tree in the backyard. 
While this is going on, an opportunistic, business man comes to our door asking if we would like him to take care of our fallen trees.  He tells me he will be right back with an estimate after surveying the damage.  What could it hurt?!  I tell him that we have friends who will help us later this week, but sure he can give me an estimate.  He had stopped by yesterday and talked to Jeff who had told the man that we would probably want to keep the wood for our own fuel use.  So, this guy comes back with two figures.  He will remove all the brush (keeping the wood to sell himself) for six-fifty.  I had to let that sink in a minute, $6.50????, before repeating back to him six hundred and fifty dollars?? because $6.50 didn't sound right, but neither did $650...  I almost laughed in his face, which is very rude.  Then he continued, "Of course for 800, we will cut the wood up for you to keep."  So, now, here I am, a huge, stupid grin on my face quietly chuckling, explaining to him that I appreciated his time, we will keep his card (to tell others not to get suckered by him), but we would wait until our friend could help out.  I couldn't hold it back, so I quickly shut that door as he turned to walk away; I was in full, belly-deep laughter as I climbed the stairs to tell Jeff.  I hope nobody was that daft to pay these people to sell their firewood... later today, we did see them with their truck full of brush, oh well, at least we weren't the suckers... this time!

Around 1pm, Jeff's friend from fighter pilot days showed up. We all went out to lunch and Jeff and his friend relived glory days.  Ellie and I walked around doing the keep-baby-busy dance.  Afterwards, we drove through the Valley, pointing out hysterical (historical) sites. On the way home, I noticed a baby swing - I have been looking for one - in the shape of an airplane.  I overpaid, but it came home with us.

While Jeff and his friend watched a movie, Ellie and I visited the neighbors with the swing set.  They said we could hang a baby swing if I found one.  It was such a nice day that Ellie and I stayed outside, visiting our horses and climbing on the slide in our backyard before coming back inside for bath and bed.  Today has been a little hard for Ellie and me... I am weaning her, slowly, but that still means she is not getting what she wants (cow's milk and/or water are NOT the same!) and she is flailing and kicking, bumping into me... somebody forgot to tell my body that we are weaning and I can stop producing!  So, I finally get her to bed, she is exhausted, and I put together dinner.  I crash again, early and am able to sleep until.... 5:30am!!! YAY!  Good Job, Ellie!!!!

A Little Storm

Around 2 this morning, I was awoken by Ellie's cries and the raging storm.  I ran to grab Ellie and could hear the wind and weather pounding on her back windows and then switching to assault her side window.  Immediately, my brain summoned flashbacks of Hurricane Eva when my family lived on base in Hawaii - our bedroom window smashed in and after a loud crash, the shed in the backyard was no more.  I very calmly, called the terrified dogs, who were barking their fool heads off,  and had them follow Ellie and me into the basement.  Jeff opted to stay upstairs, Uncle Steve stayed in his room... I thought he might have slept through it, but he said he was awake; watching and listening.  The wind was crazy (we later heard it went up to 100 mph), lightning sparked on every side of the house, rapid fire - not even waiting for thunder to sound.  The whole house quaked on its foundation.  I sat; singing lullabies and rocking Ellie on the basement steps, holding a rechargeable, electric candle.  To get away from the noise, Alex bolted through the dog door (I totally forgot about it) and Katy scampered back upstairs to hide on Jeff's side of the bed.  The storm calmed and Ellie and I made our way back to bed, as well.  She stayed in bed with us.  I set her on the bed between Jeff and me, but she crawled up on my chest, snuggled into my neck and fell asleep.  Forgot to mention... electricity went out as soon as the storm started.  We are on well water, so the water pump was out, as well.  Didn't come back on until 4pm.

This morning, we were all a little slow in getting up.  Ellie and I noticed a tree split in two; half still standing and half twisted away and strewn upon the ground.  In our pajamas, we wandered out into the yard and checked for damage.  Another tree was down in the pasture, torn up from the roots, but otherwise, we were very lucky... and safe.  Alex had come back inside during the early hours, soaked to the bone and wanting to snuggle on the bed with us...

We breakfasted at Cracker Barrel and then Uncle Steve headed home.  Jeff settled in for a nap and I brought Ellie to the neighbors to babysit for the day.  I had to go (un-showered) into DC for a doctor's appointment and to work at my new part-time job for a couple of hours.  It was a long day and I didn't get home until 6:45.  Ellie did really well, but was glad to see me and unhappy to be headed right to bed... all those emotions at the same time plus the fact that my doctor said it was weaning time, made for a cranky baby!  Jeff and I crashed early, too.  Of course, I made that leftover pizza, first!

Recreation of a picture of the brothers when they were little.  I will try to locate the original and post it, as well.

Uncle Steve's Visit Continued...

This morning, Ellie was very happy to see Uncle Steve here.  We had a quiet morning of picture taking and play, but after morning naps, the day kicked into gear.  Mommy and Ellie went to the Toyota dealership to get the car worked on, no problems... a factory recall of the accelerator pedal which could get stuck in the wide open position.  The letter I received made it sound pretty serious, (please read that part sarcastically...) "A stuck open accelerator pedal may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop the vehicle, which could cause a crash, serious injury or death."  Why do they have to boil things down to the lowest, common denominator?  Although, it did clear up a whole lot of questions I had...

While we enjoyed the children's play area (that Ellie spent 45 out of 60 minutes trying to escape from.)  Uncle Steve and Jeff took the Porche for a drive through the Valley.  They had some good chats, good food at a local Italian diner, and excellent views. 

Once everyone was back home, Uncle Steve treated us to pizza... that he slaved in the kitchen making.  I think the slave part came after dinner when I cleaned up the mess, but the pizza was excellent and we have several pieces left over for tomorrow's dinner!  I wish I had taken pictures of the pizza party.  We were all in the kitchen offering moral support, chatting and drinking red wine.  It felt so cozy, like an everyday, family gathering and not a once-in-a-lifetime experience, so it didn't even occur to me to take pictures.  Fortunately, we received 9 more pizza-making kits, so Uncle Steve will be back making more delicious creations!  After a movie (or part of one because everyone was falling asleep) we all went to bed.

Ellie learned how ot drink from a cup, by herself!

Uncle Steve Visits

Uncle Steve came to visit.  OK, so he didn't get here until after dark, but I didn't have any pictures because we spent all day cleaning in anticipation of his arrival.  So, these pictures are part of tomorrow's collection.  Uncle Steve stayed until Thursday morning and it seems a whole lot happened, but that will have to save until tomorrow.

Here are the three, little posers in Uncle Steve's cool car.  And don't bother asking... Ellie did NOT get a ride in Uncle Steve's car.  She is in there for decorative purposes, only!  Although, every sporty, hot car needs a sporty, hot babe...

Easter Monday

We have gotten in to a habit of everyone (including dogs) climbing into bed with Mommy and Daddy, first thing in the morning.  Ellie will nurse for a little bit while we get a few more minutes of rest, and then, she will climb over everyone and every dog making sure that all are awake and starting the morning out right.

Ellie really loves the dogs.  Katy will still move away, but Alex gives in to Ellie and usually keeps still for her.  We tell her to be gentle, but invariably she grabs the side of his wet nose.  Ellie has also been showing a whole lot of interest in the small, metal plane we have decorating the kitchen shelf.  We figure at this point, she will either be a pilot or a dog when she grows up.  Daddy says she can not be a pilot.... I would have made a comment the other way around...   

A final note for today, Ellie has never been a giggler or a laughter.  She is a very serious, little girl.  We have a farm play set that she has learned how to manipulate.  One part of it is a pig in a barrel that oinks and giggles when you rock it.  She thinks it is great and now, giggles like the pig... only it comes out sounding rather forced, not at all natural, but there is nothing natural about a laughing pig, so I guess it is alright.  I will have to get some video sometime... until then, come and visit and listen to our little piggy!

Easter Sunday

Somehow, we did not get pictures of Ellie in her Easter outfit, by the end of the day - it wasn't looking very picture perfect.  However, the long awaited "Easter Bunny and Ellie" picture is in...

We went to mass this morning and then came home to prep the food we were bringing to the Easter luncheon and prep Easter dinner that we were having at home.  Lunch was amazing!  We had too much food (as usual), great conversation, wonderful friends and Ellie actually let people hold her for 35 seconds!  She was adorable during dinner.  She ate most of what we offered her and then looked around at everyone as if she were self-conscience that every one was staring at her and expecting her to perform some amazing baby-thing.  Dinner at our house was all the same foods and we managed to stuff ourselves way past the point of comfortable-ness.

HAPPY EASTER, TO ALL!

Holy Saturday

It was our intention to go to the Easter vigil mass this evening, a beautiful and very long service that includes just about every sacrament and last up to 3 hours long.  We would have never made it, but I really enjoy going.  Unfortunately, this time I got sick... something I ate?  I hurt so badly that I curled up into a ball on Ellie's floor and as loudly as I could (came out as a whisper) called for Jeff to help.  I got better, but we stayed home.
Last night, Jeff, Terry and I dyed Easter eggs.  This afternoon, Ellie and I went over to the neighbors house and dyed eggs with their kids.  Ellie didn't participate, except by bumping my arm as I wrote what I was instructed on the eggs before the other kids dipped them.  It was a whole lot of fun, but now we have 3.75 dozen decorated, hard-boiled eggs to eat and Ellie isn't liking them as much a I thought she would...
Amazingly, I didn't get any pictures of either debacle.

We received a gift bag of goodies from a friend to Ellie.  She loved it!  I am still working on Thank You cards from way back, but Ellie's favorite (besides the pinwheel) is the Donald Duck dressed in a bunny outfit that sings and scuttles around on the floor.  Ellie likes to push it over and looks to me to right him.  The best part (makes Ellie laugh) is that when you pick Donald up by the ears, he screams at you to put him down and does the angry duck sound while his arms flap around. 

Jeff tells me about all the gifts he used to give to his nieces and nephews and how they were the Perfect-Noisy-Annoying gifts.  He holds the record for all the best choices in that division.  We have not received any in that category from his brothers... yet, but we are starting to receive items that are definitely in the running.  ( Haven't gotten Thank You card out for these either...)  Donald Duck is loud, but he isn't annoying and we ALL love him.  The neighbors gave us an Elmo sing-along toy with a microphone that works when your lips are actually sucking on the top.  Loud:  no volume control and when Elmo sings, I can hardly tell what he is singing, I do recognize the tunes...  Annoying... the songs go on and on and when they are over, Elmo asks you to, "Sing with me.... sing with me....." (how about no!)  Perfect:  Ellie absolutely LOVES it!!! She talks into the microphone, presses the music keys (there is even an applause button!) and has a blast playing with it!!!  I would give this a runners up to the next gift that we received a few weeks ago from a very, good friend... A puzzle (actually two, but for reasons you will read, we only take one out at a time) that makes noises when you put each piece into its place and then will play a tune when all the pieces are correctly placed.  Sounds great in theory....  Loud:  Again, no volume control and there is a pause after the long animal sounds, so in the quiet of the night you are cringing waiting for the song to start and then play out (Ellie's favorite of the two is, of course, Old MacDonald Had A Farm).  Annoying: Ellie can only take pieces out, which means she moves them away from the puzzle as she takes them out, then they disappear in her room.  When the final dim lights go out after she is asleep and tucked soundly into bed, the puzzle thinks you have place all the pieces in their proper places... there's a moo, cluck, oink (several times) and then... wait for it... a hardy rendition of "Old MacDonald Had a Farm, E*I*E*I*O!!!"  Now, you don't dare turn on the light or it will wake Ellie up and the puzzle will know that the pieces have not been put into place, so the whole scenario repeats as you fix the puzzle, and it is too dark to attempt to locate the pieces, which Ellie seems to find joy in hiding... Perfect:  Another toy that Ellie absolutely and truly LOVES!  She tries very hard to put the pieces back in place, but it is just easier to take them out.  She loves animals and is starting to make the animal sounds!  Puzzles are just her thing!  So, I guess we have a winner and I am learning how to outsmart both Ellie and the puzzle, by completing it myself before she goes to bed every night (much to Ellie's delight - she would do it, if she could.)  Thank you for the gifts!  We really do enjoy them and this little contest is all in jest, it is just fun to share with everyone some of our favorite things! 

Famous Ellie

Today is Good Friday.  We went to Stations, tried to sit in the body of the church and then all three of us picked up and sat in the crying room.  Ellie is not a sad, church goer; but a very active, happy, joyful-sounds, kind of church goer.  So the crying room was perfect.
We planned to go to the afternoon services, but it just didn't fit into our day.  We did some quiet prayers at home, instead.

Yesterday at the library, we picked up their newsletter and guess who was in it?!  Ellie!  I'll get it downloaded for you to read... 

Swim Day 8 : Take 2

Today was the last day of swimming.  Daddy was feeling up to it, so he joined us and took pictures!  Ellie did great!... until the instructor came over to tell us how great she was doing.  She pretty much cried the entire time after that.  In the meantime, she floats on her back with her ears (like they should b) underwater.  She is very relaxed.  That was the comment Mike made.  Most children Ellie's age can not relax on their backs and definitely will not put their ears underwater.  We are very proud of our little fish!  Of course, there is another certificate to add to her growing collection!

After swimming, we raced into DC for an appointment.  Got there in time and then grabbed a burger at Micky Dees before heading over to my part time job to get a little more training in.  Jeff sat in the car, but Ellie joined me.  Needless to say, we didn't stay long.  Then, of course, the 1.5 hour long drive home.  Ellie did OK, but she had had enough of the car for one day.  She napped at home.... then I forced her back in the car for $.25.  it only occurs to me now, that I was an idiot for trying to save 25 cents, but a book was due at the library.  As soon as Ellie saw I was walking her to the car, she balked.  I had been threatening to do it... so I set Ellie on the ground and I adjusted the car seat.  As I worked, Ellie crawled over to a beautiful, red tulip and destroyed it, petal by smooth petal.  But... darned if that girl did not SING all the way to the library!  Unless I get in trouble, I will leave the seat in its adjusted position.  I bought a little mirror, so I can see her and she can see me  and there is a cup holder that fits on the side of her seat, I put her sippy cup in it.  We drive around with her smiling at me, grabbing her cup, sipping and then putting it back in the holder only to pull it out again.  What a happy girl!

Easter Card

Today I had one goal; get the pictures for our Easter card.  Jeff is finally feeling good enough to come downstairs.  Today is the second day he made it down and we helped him sit in the theater to watch a movie, but his energy level is very low and he is extremely weak.  (I think that is why our Easter card photo session from yesterday failed, ultimately.)  So, Ellie wore her ears and tail (yes, we are saving up for therapy... we put a wad of cottonballs on Ellie's bum.  Worse, it looks like a wad of cottonballs, I wasn't even creative enough to make it appear like a fluffy, cotton-tail!)

I put together half the cards tonight and will do the other half tomorrow...  in my abundance of spare time, maybe after the 60 minute bubble bath and spa treatment I do every night while sampling chocolate-covered strawberries and Champagne from the Champagne region in France.  Actually, making cards relaxes me, so I look forward to squeezing in time between business and sleep.

And truthfully, I had two goals.  The other was to get the house cleaned for our dinner guests.  I made German schnitzels, sauerkraut and mashed potatoes.  Somehow, it all worked out... just look at our little bunny... and her cute bum!

Swim Day 7: Take 2

Had a bit of a time at swim class today.  Ellie was not happy... about the time the instructor, now a man - the lady taught 3 weeks and then Mike took over the last week, looked at her.  She was doing great.  I was a little embarrassed and explained it away by saying she was having a bad day.  Well, actually, she was... after he took her from me to do the underwater swim.  Thursday will be better.

Ellie cried all the way to the store and then all the way home.  Fortunately, she passed right out when I took her upstairs.  After her nap, she was feeling much better and sat in the office reading deep and meaningful books, like The Federalist Papers.  She has already finished A Dream Deferred and The History of Knowledge (Jeff's favorite book).

We attempted to get pictures for our Easter card, but Ellie was not in a cooperative mood, so tomorrow will have to do.  We are cutting it close!

Dandelion

Ellie loves flowers.  She crawls through our pathetic yard (wondrous to her) and touches each dandelion.  We picked a dandelion for Daddy last week when he was really down and out.  On the way upstairs, Ellie chewed on the stem and munched on the petals, practically destroying the thing.  I filled our tiniest vase with water and set the sad looking flower on the mantle where Daddy could see it.  The room was dark, so the flower closed and leaned over.  I forgot about it for a few days.  I am not sure how it brought Jeff joy, but I know it did.

Today, I noticed it and moved the vase into the bathroom where it would get light.  I added a little more water.  By this afternoon, the stem was straight and strong, the closed up petals had fallen onto the counter and a beautiful puff of dandelion seeds adorned the crown. 

How amazing is that?  What a wonderful vision to start Holy Week.

(Of course, I took the flower down, dumped the water and carefully placed the seeded dandelion into the garbage... no need to have that puff all over the bathroom.)

Palm Sunday

Ellie and I actually went to mass last night, so today was a slower day.  Jeff is just starting to feel a little better, but yesterday, he was not doing well.  Also, I was having a Mommy-Loopy-Moment.  For some strange reason, I thought that Saturday mass which is always at 5pm, was at 5:30pm.  I had a slight sane moment when I thought I might be mistaken, so I asked Jeff and he said, yes, 5:30.  So, Ellie and I are dressed and out the door, thinking we are arriving early for mass.  We get there late for the 5pm mass.  It turned out OK.  Because it was Palm Sunday mass, the Gospel was very long, we arrived as it was beginning.  We came through the back door, so we did not interrupt anything - and to those in the crying room, it could have appeared that I was walking a particularly wiggly baby out of the main body of the church.  Ellie did not disappoint - she decided to be particularly wiggly and loud.  I had to leave the crying room for the narthax, so I could walk around.  She finally settled down when (and only when - I could not stop for a moment!) I did the slow knee bends that her aunt taught her to enjoy.  I know this must be a sin, but THANK GOODNESS we were late for mass ... by thighs are killing me!!!!  I don't know if I could have squatted for another 10 minutes or even 10 seconds!!!  When we were leaving the church, the three girls who arrived later than us commented on what an angel Ellie was.  I inwardly rolled my eyes, but gave Ellie a big hug.

Ellie and I are playing quietly, again, today to let Daddy rest.  Although he is feeling better, he is still not strong enough to come downstairs.  I do not dare leave Ellie alone for a millisecond.  She is so fast.  When I turn my back and then turn back around, she is already gone.  But, she is predictable - she either heads for the back, glass door or the bathroom for her favorite place to pull up... the toilet.  We always keep the toilet seat down, but, still... yuck!

All Done

Ellie is the typical kid.  When she is done eating, she doesn't want ANYTHING on her plate.  She will take each tiny piece of food (we still give her small pieces even though she is biting off chucks with those 3 tiny, cute, bottom teeth), and hand it to me.  If I am not available (wandering around the kitchen cleaning up or prepping Jeff and my food), she will gingerly drop each little morsel (one-by-one) onto the counter or floor if her seat is close enough to the edge.  Fortunately, she has not learned that foods she does not prefer must leave her plate immediately.  Also, she is not aware that the two dogs would gladly eat anything she offered.  Finally, thankfully, Jeff has trained our two intelligent canines that they can not have anything that is not offered to them.  Unfortunately, this means I have to clean the floor!

Ellie pulls herself up on any and everything.  She is not yet walking, but we do see her "cruise" - walk while holding on to things - just a little bit.  So, I will call today the first day of cruising - it is really hard to pin point these things.  Although she seems to understand how to do things, like cruising, she chooses the faster method - crawling.  One of her favorite activities to do now is look out the window.

Sunny Day Take 2

Well, Jeff's fever is still up, I called the doc who basically told me to relax... it is pneumonia, he will be achy and have a temperature for a few days.  So, there is no Miracle Max or Miracle pill covered in chocolate.  Ellie and I went to morning mass, to get out of the house and give Daddy some peace.  We went early to play on the swing set.  There is a Catholic Outreach (Thrift) Store next to the church and they had an outdoor, toddler climber available for $5.  I had to get it, they even threw in a small, plastic wagon. 

I always bring one of Ellie's Bible storybooks to give her something to look at during mass.  We sat in the crying room and our neighbors showed up.  All the kids really like Ellie, but Ellie was too tired to do anything but snuggle in my lap.  So, one of the little girls picked up Ellie's book and started flipping through the pages, she can not read yet, but announced, "Oh, I saw this movie already!" (As if it were a Disney movie book.  I almost lost it trying to keep from laughing.

After a nap, Ellie played on her new climber.  She hasn't figured out to climb it, but she's got the sliding thing down!  She wasn't so sure about riding in the wagon.  I will have to pull a toy from her room to play with the wagon.
After our second nap of the day, Ellie and I went to the store to pick up chicken to make broth for Daddy.  I also found washable markers and finger paints, so we purchased those, too.

Ellie finger painted a lovely picture for Daddy.  She enjoyed the painting part, but was mad that the paint tasted so bad.  I used to let her play with food-coloring-dyed whipped topping.  That tasted good.  This stuff apparently... not so good.  Didn't keep her from trying multiple times to taste it... maybe this time it will be sweet...

Ellie is mad because Mommy said, "No, no.  No eating the paint!"

As Daddy slept some more (we will not be going to Pittsburgh, but recuperating at home) Ellie and I went to Stations of the Cross and the soup dinner afterwards.  Ellie was the Belle of the soup kitchen!  She was flirting with everyone, chatting up a storm, crawling all over and even climbed up Father's leg, much to his surprise as a parishioner yells, "Father, don't move, there is a baby behind you!"

Sunny Day

Ellie and I went to her swim class today, she was not too happy for some reason.  Cried during swim class - imagine that... she LOVES swimming!  And screeched all but the last 2 minutes home, when she promptly fell asleep before I had to wake her up getting her out of the car.  Sounds like a kid getting sick... Jeff seemed to be doing better, but there is no way we are considering driving up to PA today. 

After a good, long nap, Ellie felt better and we spent a fair amount to time enjoying this beautiful, sunny day... outside!  She enjoys playing in the grass and picking flowers.  Totally girly!  OK, she also loves playing in the dirt, so she has a good balance!

Jackamo (the horse) came back from training today.  He had issues with the gravel at the trainer's place.  The gravel worked its way into his hooves, so he is back home to let them work their way back out.  We were glad to get him home, again.  Ellie and I went out to the barn to see him, but he wouldn't come over to the fence, none of the horses would.  So, we went into the pasture and sat with Ellie in the round pen (to be safe).  All the horses, but Jack came to see us.  Ellie didn't really care, she was too busy playing in the crushed gravel.  She dug a hole with her finger, covered her feet in gravel and tried to pet Nellie, one of the barn cats.  (Nellie likes to gently gnaw on fingers, so I had to keep pushing her away from Ellie.)

This evening, Jeff's temperature spiked, again.  It is looking like we may not make it up to Pittsburgh tomorrow, either.  I gave him another ultimatum, we are calling the doc back if his temp does not return to a reasonable number in the morning (unassisted by Tylenol).

Almost forgot... while we were in Costco this morning, I noticed that Ellie has a new tooth!!!  It looks like it has a couple of days on it, but I saw it for the first time, today... so it will be recorded as today.  Third tooth.  Bottom right, next two the two middle teeth.  She is really using all three teeth to cut food.  It is very exciting!

Pneumonia

A bit of a rotten day... plan was to have a friend visit and help out with some things around the house before leaving tomorrow for Pittsburgh. 

Not taken today, but the sentiment is there.

What actually happened... Ellie and I went to the hospital to get blood drawn (on me) again because last week's draw wasn't as good as they wanted to see it.  When we returned home, I checked on Jeff's temperature.  He has been having a low grade temp for over a week, allergies, right?!  Yesterday or the day before, his temp started spiking, so I designated today as the day to call the doctor if his temp did not go down.  I had to make the call and was told to bring him in immediately.  The fever has Jeff worn out and achy, so it took some time to get everyone dressed and into the car.  Turns out, Jeff has pneumonia.  The doc listened to Ellie's lungs, too, but she seems just fine.  Pneumonia is an air-borne disease, so I went about calling everyone we came into contact with in the last week.  Everyone seems fine, for now.  We made it back home after a stop at McDonald's (Ellie was going out of her mind with hunger) and the pharmacy.  Jeff slept the rest of the day (and night).  Our friend opted not to visit, which was the smart decision.  Another friend came over and helped with yard work, in return, I helped him figure Craig's List out.  Poor Ellie is just exhausted.  She has allergies pretty bad (from Daddy, not me! :) !!) and the car ride was not a happy one.  Say a little prayer that Ellie and I do not get Daddy's pneumonia, they considered putting him in the hospital, they wouldn't give Ellie or me a second thought, we would not pass GO or collect $200, but land smack in the hospital.  Tomorrow will be better!

Ellie Communicates With Daddy

Today, Daddy, Ellie and I were playing with the activity center we borrowed.  You are supposed to sit in the middle and there are all sorts of toys around you.  Ellie was actually standing next to it (as she prefers).  One of the toys is a 3 key piano (does not work) that lifts open to a show a hidden space.  We have always kept one of Ellie's little bears in there for her to pull out.  OK, that is the background... today, she was pulling the bear out, handing it to Daddy who would kiss the bear good night and he would put it back in the piano box.  I came over to watch and Daddy passed the bear behind Ellie to give it to me, I kissed the bear and put it in the container.  Ellie looked at Daddy, then at me.  She pulled the bear out, gave it to Daddy who again, passed it to me behind her back.  Ellie looked a little perturbed when I put the bear in its box.  This time, she took the bear out, made like she was handing it to Daddy who reached for it, but Ellie would not let it go.  She looked at him, directly, and moved the bear back over the box, hitting it twice.  Then, she returns the bear to him, giving him a pointed look.  Obviously, Mommy was NOT part of this game...  I keep telling him, Ellie is Mommy's Baby, but Daddy's Little Girl!  She is growing up too fast!

At swim class, Ellie floated on her back all by herself, granted it was only for a few seconds, but I was impressed.  This kid is a little fish!

Lollipop!

Went to the bank today.  Even though we kindly ask the teller not to give us the disgusting and sweet lollipops, she puts one for each person in the car into the receipt envelope for us.  I usually just throw them away.  However, today Ellie was wearing yellow and one of the lollipops was yellow, so of course I had to let her try her first lollipop!  Eerie similarities to the frustrating thing people do... "Yuck!  This is disgusting!  Here, you try it..."  Anyway, Ellie did try the lollipop and she LOVED it!  Went right into the bathtub afterward.

We had an interesting couple of men park down the driveway in front of the barn, today.  The dogs were barking, but I would not have been able to get out there fast enough to greet them, so I took out binoculars to see who they were.  They did have a small business label on their car, but that is as far as I will go.  It is a little particular to have people parking and then wandering around the barn, so Jeff and I were watching them closely.  One gentleman had some paperwork and he was reaching over the fence trying to pin the papers to the wall with the light switch protective cover.  That is when Jeff and I had to let them know we were here at the house.  Both of us start yelling.  The yelling got their attention and they got back in their car and I met them at the end of our driveway.  Seems they are in the horse feed business or getting into it.  I took their paperwork, but we would never buy feed from people goofy enough to try putting paper where the horses would eat it... I was very nice about it.

Last night was a little warm and I did not cover Ellie with her yellow blanket.  Instead, I hung it on the side of the crib.  I am not sure if she pulled it down some or if I put it that way, but when I went to check on her before going to bed myself, she was sleeping with her head on the corner.  This made for an odd sleeping position, pinned along the top, short side of the crib.  Thought little of it, until this evening.  It was very hot this evening, I put her in shorts and short-sleeved top pajamas.  I also folded her blanket and put it over the top of the crib making a point to note that it did not touch the crib mattress.  I went in later and she had pulled it down, as before and slept with her tiny, little head on the corner of the blanket, blanket edge clutched in her fist.  Pings on your heart strings!  Cute enough for a picture, but I am not brave enough to chance waking her up!

Party!

Aunt Sue watched Ellie, while Jeff and I went to church.  It was nice to celebrate mass together.  This is the first time in 10 1/2 months that we have been able to offer each other Peace!  It was like we were newlyweds; holding hands, smiling at each other, sitting together, not running down the aisle, football-hold on a wiggling baby, "Hi, hi, HI!" the entire way!  Afterward, friends came up to us asking where Ellie was.  We told them at 10.5 months, we felt she was old enough to be home alone... we have been expecting Child Services to come to our door all day.

Ellie did great with Aunt Sue, falling asleep in her arms while Uncle Steve and Urbie spoke in low, soothing tones... takes a village...

After everyone was safely on the road to their prospective homes and a nap was held by all in our home, we drove up to Stephens City for the 15th Birthday Celebration of the Children's Discovery Museum.  Too much to tell about... we; played with floam (super cool stuff!), made a hat, had Ellie's face painted, ate pizza and ice cream, decorated and devoured a cupcake, went through a maze, watched a play, crawled in the grass and went "fishing" earning Ellie a little, gooey, yellow, rubber salamander.  You were supposed to dress up as a Dr. Suess character; Ellie was Cindy Loo Who, of course!  I could be missing something... by 4pm, we were home again and napping - crashing!  Ellie pretty much begged to be put to bed tonight!

Visitors!

Around lunchtime, everyone started showing up!  Aunt Sue, Uncle Steve, Uncle Urbie, Aunt Sara and Uncle Carrington.  Jeff, Steve and Urbie went down to the wine cellar and talked, Aunt Sue snuggled with Ellie (Ellie fell asleep for her!) and Carrington, Sara and I worked on the computer.  Then we had the most wonderful dinner and dessert provided by Aunt Sue!  It was nice to sit back and listen to happy noises throughout our home!  Thanks for visiting, everyone!

Cleaning Day

We have Uncles and Aunts coming this weekend, so today was cleaning day!  There was laundry to do, dusting, vacuuming, an of course, Cherry Blossoms!  Because of the weather, today is heading down off the peak bloom for our three trees.  Still beautiful, still perfect for picture taking!