It's really such a bittersweet thing to live so stinkin' far away from my nephew and niece. (And my sisters and brother-in-law, of course...) But we get to experience "living together", all of us (with Grandma, too!) under one roof for several days at a time. I'm afraid that would not happen if we lived in the same city. So as much as I know I'd love to have them living across the street from me, I love to be able to tuck the kids in together and wake the next morning to eat breakfast together in our pajamas. Man, I love that bunch. With Eloise rounding the 18 month-old mark, that means it was birthday time for sweet Miss Maeve. What a fun time we all had, watching as our little ones continue to grow and learn. It's fun to get to see them together. Here's some of the fun we had...
Cupcake time!
Aunt Tami and Maeve
Maeve and Grandma.
Story time with Grandma. Thanks for sharing all your choo-choos with the girls, London!
London is quickly turning into quite the little man. He's busy now with school and friends. So the girls got to spend some nice, quality time with each other. I foresee many a sleepovers of them playing together with their dollies or trains. There is something so sweet about having them so close in age. We couldn't help but dress them alike and have a photo shoot.
This will probably be a blog of scattered thoughts. With the busyness of the next couple weeks and my poor record of posting often, I knew I had to make note of this bittersweet milestone I guess I would call it.
Though it was not easy in the beginning, overtime, breastfeeding Eloise became probably the most special part of being a mom for me. The vast amount of hours, day and night, that I have had Eloise at my breast is mindboggling to me. For the first 6 months of her life, she grew and thrived off of her mother's milk alone. Some days I would grow tired of her needing to be attached to me for what seemed like all day long. Part of me misses those days so dearly. I mean, I love to see Eloise learn and grow into a little person. She amazes me everyday. But looking back now, I will forever cherish those sweet moments of closeness we shared.
It has been over two days now since I've nursed Eloise.
Though I've still been with her during the past few days, I feel like part of me is missing. I know so many mothers that have been before me will know what I'm talking about. Bittersweet is the only way I really know how to describe it. I mean you want your children to grow and learn and dream for themselves. But does it have to happen so fast? I'm so thankful we were able to continue as long as we had. 16 months. It's crazy to think that for every single day the past 16 months, Eloise has found nourishment and comfort from me. I can't help but thank an awesome God for such a marvelous creation.
There is something far greater involved in the experience of breastfeeding than just supplying your baby with milk. In the beginning they demand it. Every two hours actually, around the clock. But as Eloise got older, even to the point of her being able to ask for milk, many times that was also her way of saying, Mama, I want to cuddle and be close to you. I want to fall asleep in your arms. Warm. Cozy. Comforted. The experience is hard to describe.
As the lump in my throat grows bigger and the words on this page blur as tears fill my eyes, yes I am so incredibly thankful. But, selfishly, I am also so incredibly sad that this time in Eloise and I's journey has come to an end.
My dear, sweet Eloise, I love you more than words can say. Mama will always remember these special times. Getting to see you fall asleep at my breast, in my arms, was a daily blessing for me. Such peaceful times that will forever be in my heart.
Pardon me as I blow the dust off this here blog. Eek! It's been 2 months since I've posted anything new! And, oh, the fun that can happen in two months! I have a fairly good excuse though. Justin and I have been hard at work the past few months getting our house up for sale and successfully selling it! Well, we close on it in a few weeks anyway...here's hoping for the best! In short, we will be moving back to our old stomping grounds, the apartments we lived when we first got married, but only temporarily. We've signed to purchase a new home that is close to downtown Lincoln. We are so excited about it and continue to see how God's timing has, as always, been perfect throughout this process. We are anxious for spring when we can move into our new home!
Oh, yeah, and Miss Eloise. She is 16 whole months old today. 16 months going on about 2 1/2 I feel like some days. The kid is smart as a whip (whatever that even means). Cute now. Oh, so cute. But everyone with previous parenting experience keeps telling me it won't be so cute someday...
I've included a collection of photos and videos over the past couple months, hopefully listed in succession so you can see how Eloise continues to grow and learn. She is a beauty and continues to learn new things and teach her parents new things everyday. This is one happy, exhausted family. We wouldn't trade a minute!
Here's a video from just a couple months back. It's funny to watch this now and see today how much she's learned since. It makes Justin and I wonder what we ever did before she came along...
Fun in the sun. Although, it's sadly been too hot to even have fun these days! Good thing we have the Children's Museum close by!
Grandma and I accompanied Eloise on her 3rd plane ride! We just had to get to Atlanta to see the family.
Cousins.
The adorable Miss Maeve.
Brrrmm. Brrrmm.
Eloise is not so sure about this sharing Grandma business.
Helping Uncle Lance.
Batgirl.
A bath tub full of cousins!
Practicing our colors at the Sunken Gardens in Lincoln.
Wanting so badly to jump in and swim with the fishies.
Eloise still loves her baths. Sometimes it's the first thing she'll ask for in the morning when she wakes up. Signing and asking, "Bath? Bath?" I think she's figured out an easy way to get an additional one for the day...
"Now can I have a bath, Mama?"
Still adorable, even with that saucy face.
And "helping" Mama and Dada pack up a few things...
Eloise has this thing where she says "Hi" to everyone and everything. Then following her sweet hello, she will say, "Niiice" like the sweet child she is. For example, she'll see a bunny in the yard, "Hi!" says Eloise, "Niiiice." Well, here is a video of another example...
Eloise is learning how to sing Rockabye, Baby. So. Stinkin'. Sweet.
And finally, here is Eloise practicing her colors. Amazing what these little ones can do.
14 months is a fun age! Eloise and I pretty much play all day. She helps me water the plants and flowers outside each morning. She loves to get wet, even with the cold hose water. She gets in the mud. She likes to visit with the neighbor's puppy while I hang diapers on the line. Most days we have 2 wardrobe changes. Here she is with her new mushroom pool.
Lincoln is full of fabulous parks and living so close to the trail, we try to hit one up every day. As long as I help her get situated, she goes down the slide all by herself now! She says "hi" and waves to all the kids, sometimes she'll even try to steal a hug from them.
The Lincoln Zoo is just a short walk from our house, we go there at least once a week. She loves getting kisses from the goats and watching the penguins swim. I think if she had her choice of animal to bring home with her, it would be a peacock. Oh, and the choo-choo. Loves the choo-choo. (I've always loved Lincoln, but am discovering how much more I love it seeing how much they have to offer for kiddos.)
We sing songs and read books throughout the day. Basically, by 2pm when I put her down for her nap and it's Mommy's turn to go into work, I'm exhausted! Justin got me a toddy maker for Mother's Day. The iced-vanilla-almond lattes are just what I need for the afternoon drive to work.
Eloise is saying something new everyday it seems. I thought I'd better jot down a list of words now before there are too many to remember.
So far, for family names she says: Dada...Mama...Papa...Lonon (London)...Mae (Maeve)...Gi-Gi (GG)
Animal sounds: moo (cow)...woof (puppy)...mouw (cat)...snort (piggy)...*can't spell out this sound (elephant)...ahhhhhh! (peacock)...ba (sheep)...*can't spell out this sound (fishy)
Other sounds: wee-ooo, wee-ooo (fire truck)...ch-ch (train)...*can't spell out this sound (car, tractor, truck, lawn mower, airplane)
Other words: dut (duck)...eyes...nose...anun-nun-nun (another/again)...mun (moon)...su (sun)...shoes...buh (book)...baba (baby)...ouch
Signs: please, more, bath
And how could I forget: "Wow! Wow! Wow! Wow!" (as I hear her waking up for the day. The first thing she finds in the morning is her book shelf, and needless to say, she gets very excited about it.)
Here is a fun video of Eloise reading her alphabet book to me.
