Elle at 18 months

Eleanor had her 18 month check up on Tuesday. She is happy and healthy as ever. She did a much better job at the doctor this time, still got antsy while we waited, but wasn't screaming the whole time.
Here's are her stats:
24 lbs. 12.7 oz. (55%)
31.25 in. tall (36%)
19.2 in. head circ. (94%)
She is very mobile - walking, climbing, running, etc. Says many words and is putting some together now ("here go" for "here you go" when she hands us something). She has 11 teeth - working on that last molar. She would much prefer to snack than eat full meals. She is not a huge meat eater (except on pizza). She enjoys every kind of fruit I've tried, crackers, many vegetables, tortillas, chicken, yogurt, and virtually any other carb she can get her hands on. She waves hi and bye, blows kisses, signs more, please, thank you, and drink very regularly. She is very interested in babies - both real and in books or magazines. She enjoys "reading" her books, especially interactive ones she can touch or lift flaps on. She's working on animal noises and body parts and doing pretty well. She's a great sleeper most of the time and has maintained her fairly laid back attitude. What a fun and loveable little girl!

Firsts

Will had a home day with Daddy last Monday. They had a great day together - out for breakfast, Fritz's for lunch, and Will's first movie at the theater instead of naps. They saw Toy Story 3. J said Will did awesome - sat on the edge of his seat and was quiet the whole time (can you imagine?!). He insisted on staying until the very last credit rolled. He loved it and was so excited to tell me about it when I got home.

Will also had his first show & tell last week. We looked all over for just the right toy and guess what he chose....a calculator. Poor kid. He really didn't stand a chance with us as parents.

Had a fun family weekend last weekend when J's sister was in town. Unfortunately, I don't think I took a single picture. But, the kids were good and we had a fun time. Family picutres were good - I was sure Elle was going to meltdown. Thankfully she did not. No smiles, but no fits. Guess I'll take what I can get. She has her 18 mo check up today so I'll post stats later.

Drama Queen

Ellie Kate had her first lay-on-the-floor screaming fit yesterday. Immediately I flashed back to Will and remembered, "Ah, yes, this is what 18 months is like." I closed the pantry door and would not let her have another snack before dinner since she'd already had 2 snacks. She did not like this and proceeded to throw a tantrum. Knowing that parents should walk away and ignore, I couldn't help but giggle. And grab my camera...



With a bit of redirection she was happily playing again soon. She has turned into a book-lover (thank goodness!). I so remember Will doing this after school at her age -- now he gets to be her helper.

The Sword Chronicles

As mentioned, Will and his new "big boy sword" are inseparable. It's the best $2 you ever spent, huh, Cas?


And Ellie Kate plots her revenge...

Labor Day

Labor Day weekend featured two exciting events for our family. On Saturday we had the first KU football game of the season. The kids did great! Will is getting more interested in the actual game. It helped that Jason (his imaginary friend) was on the field playing for the Jayhawks. Ellie Kate waved to the Jayhawk (across the field) and blew him kisses. Otherwise, she was keeping busy with snacks. Unfortunately, the game did not turn out so well for the 'Hawks. After the game Will said, "Mommy, I am sad the Jayhawks did not win." It's a good lesson to learn at an early age, right? We don't always win.

I couldn't get a great pic of EK in her game day attire.


Daddy is teaching her to wave the wheat in preparation for the game.


Will and Aunt Casie - what a pair!


On Sunday we went to visit my grandma in small town KS for their Labor Day picnic. We went almost every year as kids and I have such fond memories. This was my kids' first trip. They had a blast playing at the city park across the street from grandma's house and at the picnic itself. At the park, Will learned of the joys of "underdoggies" on the swings - thanks, GoGo! Subsequently, we all got a chance to try -- and we are not a short family, so he got going pretty high! At the picnic, we played games, won candy and prizes, and certainly most exciting for Will he got a "big boy sword" from Aunt Casie. This was an item Will had already put on his birthday list, but Aunt C "won" it at the picnic and shared with Will. Will & his sword are now virtually inseparable.

Camping

I'm way behind on my posts as this actually happened a few weeks ago. We celebrated Kit's birthday with a family trip to the lake. J's FFL draft was that weekend, so I and the kids (and Aunt Casie, thank goodness) drove down on Friday after work. Will talked pretty much the whole 90 minute drive. He was pretty excited about camping and seeing his cousins.

I use the term camping loosely. People who really camp would not call this camping. But for me - it was camping. We had two lodges (AC, electricity, shower, kitchens, etc.) GoGo, Grampy, Casie, EK, Will and I in one; Jeff, Sarah, Amy & 6 kids in the other. I think we won, don't you? Will was perhaps most excited about this trip because he got to share a bed with Mama. What a treat! Well, for him it was. Double bed with me, Will, 2 guys, 3 pillows, a blankie, and lots of kicking = not a lot of sleep.

Regardless, we all had a fun time. Will loved the campfire, though I don't think he even ate a hot dog and he preferred his marshmallows untoasted. He loves his older cousins and they are so good to him. He attached himself to Liz this trip. Pretty cute. Will was the last one to bed Friday night (thanks in large part to the half bag of marshmallows he ate) and the first one up Saturday morning. Grampy made chocolate chip pancakes - yum! Then we went for a quick ride on the boat. Will was not sure about the whole boat ride. He kept asking me when it would be over. I think the speed (though we weren't really going very fast) scared my cautious little boy. Elle, on the other hand, found it very peaceful and fell asleep in Aunt Casie's arms. She became quite disgruntled and restless when the boat stopped. Next summer, she might be ready to swim in the lake. Neither of the kids particularly enjoyed the swimming beach. Will much preferred the playground. Go figure. Maybe they'll be lake kids later in life, but for now, not so much. It was a fun trip, but I was sure glad to get home, shower, and sleep in my own bed!

And God said...

Justin overheard Will reading the Bible today.
"The next day, God told Mommy to take a nap. And she did."

So, I have pictures and stories from the last couple of weekends, but I'm tired now and I'm going to spend the last bit of this 3 day weekend with my lovely husband. Hopefully I'll get a chance to post this week.