Spring photos...finally!

The time line is exactly backwards on the following zillion photos. Starting with these first photos from a day or two ago.


Allow me to caption for your full enjoyment of this first series:

What have we here? I'd better taste this clod of dirt because I've never done that before.


And the survey says?... You can see for yourself:







Oh dear Lord! I must...spit out...the dirt...


Whew!









From a few weeks back:




A day of painting, face-painting, running around and playing with our dear friends Amelie and Finley (and their Mama, Amy). Thankfully, this also happened to be the day I actually miscarried. Thank goodness for funny little girls to keep my mind from getting too dark that day. And thank goodness for wonderful people who's friendships can carry a lot of heaviness.









Amelie was carrying around and playing with a ball. Ellis? An orange chair.




As Ellis' hair grows, her morning do's are getting better and better. She's also now in the habit of twirling her hair around and around her finger until it gets completely knotted. One clump was so matted it just fell out.


Lastly, some more from our home. I purchased these lamps for 4.99 and 7.99 at Goodwill and then I spruced them up with some paint and new shades.

No singing allowed

Lately:

"I need can do that."

Ellis still protests every time I sing. Earlier Gabe tested her by singing. Sure enough she came over and gently touched his arm, whispering, "No. Be quiet, okay Daddy?" We've been working on using nicer words when 'asking' someone to stop singing because most often she says, "Mom! Mommy! Stopit!" At least she hasn't singled me out.

Lots of car singing (hers, because I'm not allowed): "Rest from your busy day and tomorrow you will play...happy tuesday (birthday) to you...a-b-c...twinkle star HOW..." They all sort of blend together and become higher and higher in pitch.

"Do you like my smile, Mommy?" followed by a goof-ball, eye-squinty smile that is nothing like her natural smile.

Wehwow (yellow)

Our little health nut

Quote of the day: "You can give me Goldfish (crackers) and popcorn (for lunch). S'that sound good, Mom?"

Looking up to someone three feet shorter than you

Today Ellis told me, "I slept for two hours --really well!" I love how as she learns to piece bits of language together to tell me something, that she is able to unabashedly praise her own achievements. I wonder how long she'll have this pure view of herself that isn't burdened with self-doubt and self-criticism. I hope it just lasts forever. I love that even though she is still learning how to do pretty much everything, she is able to celebrate all of her efforts. I realize it would be ridiculous and incredibly annoying for me to wander through life pointing out to everyone how great it was that I made it all the way up the steps without tripping once; how self-absorbed it would be to fish for your praise and attention when I turn the light switch off without any help...but wouldn't it be nice to spend more time acknowledging our own strengths and best efforts than repeatedly re-running our failures and shortcomings? Maybe you already live that way. Kudos. I too often don't. But I have a wonderful role-model so I'm getting better---see?

earlier today...

Chicken Dance!

Loss

Gabe shared our story of miscarriage on his blog. He says things much more eloquently than I do, so I'll just post a link. I've debated sharing on this blog because it was very personal, but so many have responded that they, too, suffered a miscarriage (or multiple) at one time or another, that I think it's good to share.

We, for the most part, have returned to life as usual. The physical process of miscarriage has finally just ended (it was two and a half times longer than what they said it would be), so that's a relief. Thanks for everyone's support, we appreciate it much more than we've said to you, I'm sure.

Gabe's account can be read here.

S'more

These are mostly for grandparents, all else may grow bored quickly. :)

Chasing bubbles (sort of)
Opening presents
Birthday Xylophone
More Xylophone
Healthy Fear of Fire

VIDEOS

Well shocker of all shockers, I was uploading the videos correctly all along---just not waiting long enough for them to be complete and therefore viewable online.

Forewarning: These were all shot on my phone and I didn't realize that in order for the video to appear right side up online, I need to start filming with my phone turned sideways. Next time. For now, if you decide to watch any/all of these you may get a kink in your neck. And you might want to take a Dramamine first...

Here they are:
Singing Smoothie
Funny Amelie
Jumping Bean
Running
Papasan/Bear on Bum

Argh.

It's times like this that I really wish I wasn't such a technology reject. Trying to get videos from my phone onto YouTube...is proving difficult.