Fashion police

Let me recount the conversation when Justin walked downstairs after changing his clothes this evening.

Will: "Daddy, why do you have those big boy underwear on?"
Justin: "These aren't big boy underwear, Will. They're shorts."
W: "Daddy, why do you have those short pants on?"
J: "Because it's hot outside, Will."
W: "You need different shorts on, Daddy."

So, in addition to his attention to detail we can now add fashion sense to Will's repertoire.

One year stats

Eleanor had her 12 month checkup yesterday. 3 shots, 2 ear infections, 2 new antibiotics and a nasal spray later, here are her stats...surely this girl will get healthy soon!

Weight: 21 lbs, 5.45 oz (53%)
Length: 28.75 in. (36%)
6 teeth
pulling up to standing, lots of crawling
mostly using sippy cups, drinking whole milk and water and getting more adventurous with "real" food
saying dada, mama, and various other things at times (this = dis; that = dat; dog = doe!, done = du") and lots of other unintelligible babble
signing "more" and "all done" and her very own made up sign for "pick me up, please!"

Doing great, if only we can kick these ear infections!

Fun weekend

Will, Eleanor & I have had a fun weekend on our own (though we're ready for Daddy to come home!). They have done a great job! Elle is trying new foods, no bottle, and whole milk and is doing really well for the most part. She is pulling herself up to standing more and more now and has learned to give high-fives. She loves it!
We spent yesterday in Topeka with my dad & Kit. The kids had a blast. Will was so sad to leave. Then today we've been playing here. I wish the weather was a little nicer, but at least we got outside for a bit. Here are a few of our after-dinner activities tonight.
Will is teaching his sister the ropes in cooking.


Then they tried their hands at bowling. Which went well unless Ellie Kate got within reach of Will's pins...


Eleanor has taken great naps this weekend - 2.5 hours each day, which is amazing for her! This is how I found her this afternoon when I went to check on her. So cute!

I have such a fun time with these two little cuties!

Eleanor's birthday party

It's hard to believe my baby girl will be 1 tomorrow! I'm sad that she's moving from baby to toddler, but it also seems like she's been a part of our family for so much longer than a year!

We had a really fun party for her last weekend. She wasn't feeling great, but she stayed pretty happy. She enjoyed watching all her cousins run around! I'll post a few pictures from the party. As you'll see, she was not excited about the cake. She's still not always sure about textured food. In fact, I put a little frosting on a spoon and gave it to her and she stuck her tongue out and spit it out -- clearly she didn't get my sweet tooth!




How old am I? I'm 1!

And now she's all worn out of the party. She took a great nap!

This kid cracks me up!

Will was very funny this evening! On the way home I was talking to him about Eleanor's party this weekend. He started rattling off things we needed and those of you who will be attending will be glad he's not in charge of the menu. He suggested sausage, hot dogs and ketchup, peanuts, and pretzels. No, we don't eat at bars regularly - I'm not sure where he came up with all of that! Then I told him about the cake I was thinking about making. "No, mommy! I want strawberry orange banana cake!" I have never had such a thing. So I asked him how to make it. "You need sugar, butter, water, milk, flour, and don't forget the scrinkles [sprinkles]!"

He then told me we needed to get Ellie a birthday present. I agreed and asked what he thought we should get her. "Something special she will like." Isn't that so sweet? So, I asked what he thought Eleanor would like. "Probably some new cars." haha - ok, back to his own self-interest.

When we got home I was munching on a delicious cranberry orange biscotti (thanks, Em!) Will asked for a bite, then another, and another. "I love this! It's my favorite." I was telling Will that one of Mommy's students brought it for her and wasn't that nice of her to share. A few minutes later I showed Will a picture of the cake I wanted to make for Elle's party. Again he comes back with the strawberry orange banana cake. I'm beginning to think maybe he had this at school, so I ask if he had that cake somewhere before. "Yes, one of my students brought it for me. Her name is Blendy." It took all I had not to burst out laughing at him. "You remember her, Mama? She had the white shirt." He's so convinced about all of this make-believe...maybe he'll be a lawyer ;)

Spring break

No real updates - everyone is healthy - yay! I was really busy with work last week and glad this week is spring break, even if I am working. Getting ready for Eleanor's first birthday - it is 10 days away! It's sad to think of my baby girl turning one, but it also seems like SOOOOO long ago that she was born.

Will has been doing a better job of napping at school. Here's hoping that defiant stage was short-lived.

He's been wanting more cars - like the 30 he has isn't enough?! After much discussion and his suggesting that he get some for a celebration (meaning: holiday), I recommended that he could ask the Easter bunny for some new cars. "No, silly! The Easter bunny brings eggs!" He's got a point. "Grandma brings cars!" I called my mom to tell her that Will had figured her out. :) I believe he'll now be getting cars in his Easter basket from Grandma & Grandpa. Lucky boy.

Ready for March Madness

We're finally all starting to feel a little better. The spring-like weather is definitely helping! As you can see, Eleanor is ready for March Madness! (A friend of mine made her this adorable tutu - so cute!)


The tulle was in her face, so she decided to taste it - why not?!


And this is Will just being silly with a mohawk after his bath.
Can you tell my kids have learned to "cheese" for the camera?