Tonight as we were getting the kids ready for bed, David blasted some David Gray from the little machine in Max's room. This was refreshing and set a nice mood.
Once I got Max snuggled into his sleep sack, I turned off the lights with him and started dancing with David Gray still blasting from the radio. Ellie comes in whispering (she's learned I don't want her interupting Max going to sleep). I explained she could talk normal becuase Max and I were having a dance party in the dark, not quite going to bed yet. So, she started dancing with us too. We danced around, her little body copying my sway to the beat. David came up and Ellie asked him to join us. We all danced for a few minutes. We called in the bedtime dancing in the dark party. It was so cute and relaxing. Both kids enjoyed themselves.
When the song ended, I gave David a kiss and thanked him for dancing. Ellie says, "Daddy, I want to give you a kiss too." He bends down and she kisses him and says, "Daddy, thanks for dancing with us." (just like me)
She proceeded to give me the same kiss and thank you. Then kissed Max goodnight and went into her room for bedtime. It's hard to realize how much she is truly watching every move we make - the good (and I'm sure the not so good.)
It was a short and relaxing way to end the evening with everyone in a good mood.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Oh Blanky Bear
It's been a week since we got home from the UK vacation and things have settled back into our routine nicely. It's been a great weekend. I have been trying to be more reliable about going to church and taking Ellie.
Before going to bed last night, Ellie asked if she could wear a dress. I said yes. She asked if I would wear my dress too. I said I wasn't sure. Ellie has a recent facination for dresses. (I ended up pulling together a skirt outfit that fit, which made her very happy.)
We started our Sunday by getting to sleep in a bit and then Ellie and I headed into Frederick to start our morning with our Starbucks treats and church. There's a nice young lady at Starbucks that really likes Ellie. When we arrived, she brought Ellie her drink and thought I wasn't letting her have a treat. But I said she could have a small scone, so both the nice lady and Ellie were very happy. Ellie got her treat and trotted off towards the back where we usually sit.
After church Ellie helped me get the week's shopping at Mom's. She had a lot of fun in the fruit and veg area becuase I let her go around picking out what she wanted to eat this week. Ellie's so great about fruits and vegies, so I like to encourage her looking around for things she wants in that section (As opposed to the cookies and cakes). When we hit the bread, she ran towards the crusty french roll to get it for Daddy. She even announced to the clerk that was her Daddy's favorite bread and she was buying it for him!
We came home and had some lunch and settled in for naps. It was about an hour into naps (I was doing taxes) and I heard Ellie wake and scream bloody murder "Mommy..... Mommy..... mommy!!!!" By the third one, I was up the stairs in and her room wondering what I would find. She was histarical - why - becuase Blanky Bear had fallen behind the bed! Seriously????
We had a nice afternoon and dinner. For desert we had some of the ice cream cones Ellie picked out in the store. It was a great dinner. We even went for a walk around the neighborhood tonight before bath and bed. Ellie walked the whole way, climbing rocks, picking flowers and enjoying the evening. Max enjoyed a ride like a big boy in the stroller - although his happiest moment had to be when I put the pacifier into his little mouth about 5 minutes from home to stop the tired song. It was a very nice family weekend.
Before going to bed last night, Ellie asked if she could wear a dress. I said yes. She asked if I would wear my dress too. I said I wasn't sure. Ellie has a recent facination for dresses. (I ended up pulling together a skirt outfit that fit, which made her very happy.)
We started our Sunday by getting to sleep in a bit and then Ellie and I headed into Frederick to start our morning with our Starbucks treats and church. There's a nice young lady at Starbucks that really likes Ellie. When we arrived, she brought Ellie her drink and thought I wasn't letting her have a treat. But I said she could have a small scone, so both the nice lady and Ellie were very happy. Ellie got her treat and trotted off towards the back where we usually sit.
After church Ellie helped me get the week's shopping at Mom's. She had a lot of fun in the fruit and veg area becuase I let her go around picking out what she wanted to eat this week. Ellie's so great about fruits and vegies, so I like to encourage her looking around for things she wants in that section (As opposed to the cookies and cakes). When we hit the bread, she ran towards the crusty french roll to get it for Daddy. She even announced to the clerk that was her Daddy's favorite bread and she was buying it for him!
We came home and had some lunch and settled in for naps. It was about an hour into naps (I was doing taxes) and I heard Ellie wake and scream bloody murder "Mommy..... Mommy..... mommy!!!!" By the third one, I was up the stairs in and her room wondering what I would find. She was histarical - why - becuase Blanky Bear had fallen behind the bed! Seriously????
We had a nice afternoon and dinner. For desert we had some of the ice cream cones Ellie picked out in the store. It was a great dinner. We even went for a walk around the neighborhood tonight before bath and bed. Ellie walked the whole way, climbing rocks, picking flowers and enjoying the evening. Max enjoyed a ride like a big boy in the stroller - although his happiest moment had to be when I put the pacifier into his little mouth about 5 minutes from home to stop the tired song. It was a very nice family weekend.
Friday, April 8, 2011
Max is getting around
The biggest change while we were gone was Max's mobility. I knew once we got him home he would be all over the house. I was right!
Over the past week, he has learned to find my limits and push them - even more then Ellie did the whole time she was crawling. He is a boy!
He has spilled the kitty water a few times in one week. He's come seconds away from eating cat food. He's found the top of the stairs a few times. He has even already begun pushing and pulling himself up on things. He's all boy and ready to go!
He's cute as a boot too! (If I can say so myself!)
Ellie's been having some fun with Max's mobility too. Paging Dr. Ellie Bean!!
All of this is taking place in the midst of a perpetual cold, cough and miserable congesting for Max. We saw Dr. Yoon this week - ENT - who thinks Max has allergies, maybe to milk. This is very sad for me. We have allergy testing on April 25th. We'll see what happens.
Over the past week, he has learned to find my limits and push them - even more then Ellie did the whole time she was crawling. He is a boy!
He has spilled the kitty water a few times in one week. He's come seconds away from eating cat food. He's found the top of the stairs a few times. He has even already begun pushing and pulling himself up on things. He's all boy and ready to go!
He's cute as a boot too! (If I can say so myself!)
All of this is taking place in the midst of a perpetual cold, cough and miserable congesting for Max. We saw Dr. Yoon this week - ENT - who thinks Max has allergies, maybe to milk. This is very sad for me. We have allergy testing on April 25th. We'll see what happens.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Max Returns to Grammas
I can't say that Max's return to Gramma's was as exciting as Ellie's immediate greeting as Max arrived asleep in his seat and was carried in to his room to continue to nap after his morning adventure back to the doctors. Dr. Clarence says it's time to see the ENT becuase she agrees he's stuffed up way too often without an obvious cause.
I left Max with Gramma and went to work.
When I talked to Gramma she told me that Max was very happy when he woke up. When he focused his eyes on Gramma he gave her one of his big grins. And, when he saw Erika and Amy, he did one of his famous heal clicking jumps with a delighted squeal!
I wonder if he thought our whole life in MD had dissapeared after being gone so long?
I left Max with Gramma and went to work.
When I talked to Gramma she told me that Max was very happy when he woke up. When he focused his eyes on Gramma he gave her one of his big grins. And, when he saw Erika and Amy, he did one of his famous heal clicking jumps with a delighted squeal!
I wonder if he thought our whole life in MD had dissapeared after being gone so long?
Reunion at Miss Sara's (with Owen)
Today was the first day back to our normal routine post vacation. None of us were really looking forward to it, except maybe Ellie who had been asking when she could see Owen again since we left. She didn't ask every day, but every few days we heard his name.
We arrived a bit later then normal (thanks to an early morning trip to visit Dr. Clarence and see if anyone's stuffiness was result of an ear infection). They were walking to school. I parked and got Ellie out to walk with them. As we crossed the street Owen got a grin on his face ear to ear and Ellie smiled too alot. Owen reached out to hug Ellie, but she was feeling very shy and reached for me instead. It took a few minutes of being there and mommy cuddles, but when I left, she was walking up the hill towards the school hand in hand with her best buddy Owen. It was so cute.
When I returned at the end of the day to pick her up, I found her on the swing being pushed by Owen. One of the other boys wanted to play a game with Owen, but he had insisted on pushing Ellie and playing with her. They were both very happy to see each other.
He even gave her a special welcome back card he made her!
We arrived a bit later then normal (thanks to an early morning trip to visit Dr. Clarence and see if anyone's stuffiness was result of an ear infection). They were walking to school. I parked and got Ellie out to walk with them. As we crossed the street Owen got a grin on his face ear to ear and Ellie smiled too alot. Owen reached out to hug Ellie, but she was feeling very shy and reached for me instead. It took a few minutes of being there and mommy cuddles, but when I left, she was walking up the hill towards the school hand in hand with her best buddy Owen. It was so cute.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Another milestone down
Tonight it dawned on me that Ellie doesn't need her bed railing anymore becuase for over 2 weeks she has slept in a bed without railing - actually multiple beds - as we moved around the United Kingdom. So, while the kids played in the bath tub, I asked David to take off the railing before I made up the new bed. It is down. Ellie is officially a big girl with only one big "baby" milestone left to eliminate - The Diaper.
As I was putting Ellie to bed tonight she said, "my bed is so big now."
Each day feels like a bit of a race where I have too much that needs to be done and not enough time to just relax and enjoy the kids. As I fight this battle sometimes the days feel long and tiring. This is the worst part of motherhood. I am watching Ellie and Max grow and change so much every week and sometimes daily. My mom was so good at keeping track of milestones; this really hasn't been my fortee. However, as we hit another milestone for Ellie tonight and a big one for Max while away on holidays,I wanted to take a moment and acknowledge how amazing they really are to me, even when they pass in a hurry and a flurry like at bedtime.
As I was putting Ellie to bed tonight she said, "my bed is so big now."
Each day feels like a bit of a race where I have too much that needs to be done and not enough time to just relax and enjoy the kids. As I fight this battle sometimes the days feel long and tiring. This is the worst part of motherhood. I am watching Ellie and Max grow and change so much every week and sometimes daily. My mom was so good at keeping track of milestones; this really hasn't been my fortee. However, as we hit another milestone for Ellie tonight and a big one for Max while away on holidays,I wanted to take a moment and acknowledge how amazing they really are to me, even when they pass in a hurry and a flurry like at bedtime.
The Long Journey Home
Vacation was great, but it was time to come home. It was a bit long to be away with a 9 month old, at least to be moving from place to place every few days.
It was an all day afair to make it home thanks to the bad flights one can book with points. We flew from London to Raleigh and then to DC. We left London before 7am local time and didn't make it home until 8 pm EST time. That was a 17 hour journey and some very tired kids. They each had a bit of naps on the long flight to Raliegh, but not enought to deal with the very long day. Ellie was in good spirits until it was time for a bath. Max had a breakdown as we started the flight home from Raleigh. Unfortunately, I was able to get him to sleep only after accidentally bumping his head on the ceiling of the plane which caused him to finally cry himself to sleep in my arms where he stayed until we landed and came off the plane.
Uncle Danny picked us up from the airport and took us home. Max slept peaceully in his carseat knowing the end was in sight. Ellie enjoyed seeing uncle danny and trying to explain why her face was pink.
How does this happen on a plane ride where one parent is sitting on each side of her one might ask? Well, I'm not exactly sure either, but when I looked over and saw what she had done to herself at about 6 and a half hours into a 8 hour flight, all I could really do is laugh - and reminder her that markers are for paper only...
The markers were not water soluable, but some cheap set with pretty permanent coloring. It took about 36 hours, several whipes and two baths, but they are now off!
Ellie's artwork drew a lot of comment during the remainder of the trip home. In Raliegh one lady asked her name, and without hesitation Ellie replied, "Snow White." The very nice young Mom from London laughed, curtsied and responded with, "It's a pleasure to meet you my lady."
We were able to sneak in a quick visit with Shelby in Raleigh as she greated us outside customs. This was fabulous becuase I don't think I've every had anyone great me outside customs before. She got to meet Max and enjoy some time catching up with us all briefly over a coffee in the nice and newly renovated Terminal 3 of RDU.
It's great to be home. I hope that Ellie will have memories of this vacation that stay with her as she grows. I am so glad they got to spend time with the Cummings and Gray sides of the family. It's great for them to know everyone and their roots. I only wish we would be able to make it happen more regularly for them. Our best hope is that they want to come to America to visit us too sometime! We look forward to seeing Grannie and Millar in June!
It was an all day afair to make it home thanks to the bad flights one can book with points. We flew from London to Raleigh and then to DC. We left London before 7am local time and didn't make it home until 8 pm EST time. That was a 17 hour journey and some very tired kids. They each had a bit of naps on the long flight to Raliegh, but not enought to deal with the very long day. Ellie was in good spirits until it was time for a bath. Max had a breakdown as we started the flight home from Raleigh. Unfortunately, I was able to get him to sleep only after accidentally bumping his head on the ceiling of the plane which caused him to finally cry himself to sleep in my arms where he stayed until we landed and came off the plane.
Uncle Danny picked us up from the airport and took us home. Max slept peaceully in his carseat knowing the end was in sight. Ellie enjoyed seeing uncle danny and trying to explain why her face was pink.
The markers were not water soluable, but some cheap set with pretty permanent coloring. It took about 36 hours, several whipes and two baths, but they are now off!
Ellie's artwork drew a lot of comment during the remainder of the trip home. In Raliegh one lady asked her name, and without hesitation Ellie replied, "Snow White." The very nice young Mom from London laughed, curtsied and responded with, "It's a pleasure to meet you my lady."
We were able to sneak in a quick visit with Shelby in Raleigh as she greated us outside customs. This was fabulous becuase I don't think I've every had anyone great me outside customs before. She got to meet Max and enjoy some time catching up with us all briefly over a coffee in the nice and newly renovated Terminal 3 of RDU.
It's great to be home. I hope that Ellie will have memories of this vacation that stay with her as she grows. I am so glad they got to spend time with the Cummings and Gray sides of the family. It's great for them to know everyone and their roots. I only wish we would be able to make it happen more regularly for them. Our best hope is that they want to come to America to visit us too sometime! We look forward to seeing Grannie and Millar in June!
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