Feeling giddy

Here are some random thoughts I'm having on this sunny Friday. I'm in a pretty good mood for no particular reason. I'm not questioning it... I'm just going with it and hoping it lasts!

I've felt some pangs of sadness recently when I realize in different ways how much of a "big girl" Ellie is becoming. We celebrate all of her developments and growth, for sure, but it's bittersweet when she doesn't need us in different ways. She fiercely insists on things like feeding herself and walking without holding our hands. Such an independent girl. I even notice little things like these grubby, little-kid hands she has now... instead of those chubby baby digits. Silly maybe, but it's another one of those signs that baby Ellie is no longer a baby.
(Here she is showing off her garbanzo bean-eating prowress...)

I am loving Ellie's exuberance for life these days! She gets so excited about things that we see on our walks or when we're out running errands. Some of the stuff is downright hilarious... the random twigs or muddy rocks that elicit an excited "oooohhhhh" from her as she leans over to retrieve them. Some of her zeal is contagious. I find myself getting excited every time I see a bus (even when she's not with me) because Ellie goes nuts when a big yellow school bus or one of the city buses drives by. That makes me especially happy because of memories I have of bus trips with my late godmother. I'm planning a special bus field trip with Ellie sometime in the near future.

Back to our roots

Before there was "Hitchin' On"... Brian and I contributed to a weekly column called "Hitched." Now the Lafayette newspaper is bringing it back! We're thrilled to be writing it again and sharing some stories!

You can check out the first one here and look for it each Sunday at jconline.com

Ellie's chariot

Ellie is a huge fan of the wagon her grandma and grandpa down in St. Louis got her for Christmas. (Thanks again!) It's finally been assembled and warm enough in recent weeks to get it into action. I predict many, many more trips to the park and around the neighborhood with it this spring and summer.

Thin mints

Ellie: I am so glad that dad got suckered into buying these Girl Scout cookies. Yum, thin mints!

A mystery explained

I was puzzled yesterday when changing the wash because I found a plastic spoon near the bottom of the laundry basket as I loaded clothes into the washer. I couldn't figure out how it got there... until Ellie shed a little light on the mystery. I guess that's what happens when the basket sits in the kitchen waiting on a load to finish.
Now if I could just figure out what happens to all those missing socks... although there's a good chance Muzzy is involved on that front.

Future hoarder?

OK, so it's not good to joke about... but our recent playtime outdoors this week has me wondering if Ellie has some hoarding tendencies. It takes us about 30 minutes anymore just to travel the block-and-a-half from the park to home. That's because Ellie has to stop every few feet to pick up rocks and sticks she finds on the ground. With an excited "ooohhhh," she'll point out her find and quickly bend over to retrieve the dirt-covered stone or stick. But oftentimes she already has 5-6 others in her hands, which presents a problem since her hands aren't very big! I offer to help carry some of her treasure, but my request to help is brushed off with a brisk "uh-uh." Suit yourself.We sure to have fun in the silliest ways sometimes... that is until we arrive home. The real "hoarding" question comes up each time because Ellie wants to bring all of the rocks and sticks in the house. So far my explanations of outdoor toys vs. indoor toys isn't getting through. So the enjoyable outing usually ends with me or Brian having to rip the muddy objects from her hands and then carry a screaming Ellie into the house. Good times?

p.s. Happy 19-month birthday to Ellie today. Can't believe what a big girl we have now.

Weekend with grandma

We got a fun visit from Brian's mom over the weekend. Ellie loved spending time with her grandma and even got to show her the nature center in town and her school on Monday morning! We loved having her visit, too!
Here's Ellie loading up the babies for a spin around the house.

And dad giving Ellie a spin of her own in the living room :) Below is grandma and Ellie coloring at the nature center.

Ellie showing off her belly... after apparently dumping lots of crayons on her seat.

And grandma letting Ellie ride the huge frog. Ribbit!