Oh Say Can You See

Jason came home for lunch, and as a family we watched the inauguration of our newest president. Eliana even got to eat lunch in the living room.



And of course Eliana participated in her first singing of the national anthem. She smiled through it.

Let is Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!

We saw our first, WV snowfall today. Much to my surprise, after Eliana's morning nap, it was snowing. I came downstairs and looked out the back door and huge snowflakes were coming down. Eliana smiled real big. I put her at the back door and she just kept smiling. I must admit, it was really pretty. But that is only because I was snug at home and not having to drive in it.

Better Late Than Never - Our Christmas Vacation

What a two weeks. Jason and I had the opportunity to head back to Missouri for the holidays. We flew into Kansas City and stayed with my family through Christmas Eve, when we opened gifts. Drove down to Springfield, Missouri Christmas Eve night for more gifts with Jason's side and then off to his Grandma's, 2 hours away, for Christmas Day lunch with his Mom's side. We were there for two days and then back to Springfield where we had breakfast with Jason's dad's side. We were at his parents a few more days, even caught a quick SBU basketball game at our college, and then headed back to my parents a few days before coming home. Whew! But what a great time to see family. We were able to see everyone. Sibling's on both sides. And it was fun to see Eliana interact with everyone. She never skipped a beat and nobody was a stranger! This may seem like a lot of pictures, but I wished I would have taken more with family.


Eliana loved her presents. It was so fun to see her with them.


Eliana loved this little kitchen at my mom's. She played with it everyday.


It was so fun to see Eliana with her presents. This was her second go at it, so she started realizing that whatever was under that paper was going to be fun. We got to Jason's parents house, Christmas Eve night, after driving down Kansas City. We hopped on the couch and let our little miss independent sit with her cousins on the floor to open presents. It was so strange to see our little girl being a big girl.


"I think this dress will look beautiful on me!" Cousin Sarah helped her open this one.


Stocking time! She wasn't really interested at first, until I started pulling stuff out of it, then she started reaching her little arm in.


Lovin' that tractor! My daughter has a huge fascination with cars. After this picture she took over, poor cousin, Kayden, didn't have a chance! My mom had a few at her house as well and she LOVED them!


Four generations: Judy, Eliana, Grandma Hayes and Jason


Eliana and Grandma Hayes take beautiful pictures! They are both so very beautiful!


Grandma Judy and a tired Eliana. The Saturday after Christmas we had a family reunion breakfast at Jason's Aunt Mary's. Mary is Jason's dad's sister. It was great to see that side of the family, as well.


Eliana's cousin Allison was a great little helper. Eliana loved spending time with all her cousins.


Eliana and her cousin Demi.


Okay, so my sister made fun of me for this one. I took Eliana to change her diaper and forgot to snap the onesie. We look down at her later and it was sticking out. I never did fix that onesie!


Eliana with her Aunt Penny.


Penny's dog "Puppy" and Eliana peacefully checking out the outside.


Eliana and her cousin, Joy. Joy was a great little mother hen and played so well with Eliana. She would even build things out of legos, just so Eliana could knock them over.


"Pardon me, I don't mean to be nosy. Do you have a blanket? My parents have me in short sleeves."

An Ode to Socks

Package of socks, oh package of socks
You are far lovelier than anything I have ever seen
I love you all three and will always keep you close to my heart...
or feet, yeah my feet
That is if Mommy can pry them out of my sweet little hands!



Okay, so the story with the socks. Jason and I are moving. Yeah, I know. We just love the joys of moving every six months. Our landlord just bought a townhouse in the same town as the church, so we jumped at the chance to move a little closer. Back to the socks. So Eliana and I went on a trip to the good old Dollar General. A quick move calls for cheap tape. We are rolling around in the cart, when I come across this package of socks. I pick them up, they are her size, she does need socks. No, I don't think I will get them. Ummm...Eliana got the biggest sad face and actually started crying. Not a "mad" because you aren't getting them, but a "sad" that we would leave them behind. Weird. I gave her the socks. And she carried them around the store. Now, usually she would chew on said socks until the wrapper came off. Not these special socks. They just stayed safely in her little hand. We went by several toys, playing with them, but she didn't care to leave those behind. We get to the check out and I had to take them from her. She made a big pouty face until the lady scanned them and gave them back. She carried them to the car. Held them securely as I pulled her arm through her car seat strap. Carried them into the house and up the stairs for her nap. I take them from her to put her in bed and she cried again. Weird. When she gets up from her nap, she grabbed them and carried them around all day. ALL DAY. Everywhere she went, she carried those socks. Under chairs, standing up, everywhere! I don't think Jason really believed me until he got home and she is sitting there, in the middle of the kitchen, with the socks.

We get them from her at dinner, finally. I happen to pick them up to move them, she sees them and loses it again. Wow! Fast forward to today. She gets up from her nap. Takes the socks and held them through lunch. That is until I snuck them away. Crazy! Thus, the picture of the socks in one hand and her milk in the other. I thought about putting them in her stocking. That is, when I first bought them. I guess they would be the most exciting thing ever!

Why buy toys?

All those Christmas gifts and my daughter laughs with joy over a coupon. I guess this is a good sign that unwrapping gifts this Christmas will be fun to watch. I am sure she will be just as excited to play with the wrapping paper.

Why buy toys?

My Growin' Up Girl!

I just love my little peanut! I guess she is not so little anymore. She amazes me each day with how smart she is. She loves to look out the window. She really loves to look out it at night when she can see her reflection looking back at her. I also found her one evening looking out the front window at the Christmas lights across the street.

A Happy Thanksgiving

We had such a blessed Thanksgiving. Even though we couldn't be with family, we had a wonderful time with special friends here in WV. A couple from our bible study group came over with their 4 kids, as well as a guy from our bible study group. He works for the government and had to work Thursday and Friday, and his wife and kids went to her parents, so he was able to spend Thanksgiving with us. God has truly blessed us with great friends.

Every year, my mom gives the grandkids a keepsake ornament from Hallmark on Thanksgiving. Eliana had the chance to open hers by herself this year. Okay, she would rather eat the paper and then the box and then the box inside the box.




Even though Eliana wasn't all smiles, we still captured a family photo.


"Yummy for my tummy!" Eliana loved the feast! It was well worth the wait.


Tonight, it was Christmas in historic Shepherdstown. The stores were serving "sips and sweets". There were put-pockets passing out candy. There was a large bonfire for smores and chestnuts roasting on an open fire, Christmas carolers and Santa. We went down for dinner. Eliana was stiff, but cozy in her coat. She also liked to people watch through the window.

I'm Dreaming of...

a white Thanksgiving. Wait. What?



I think the only reason I got this exciting news coverage is because I just left Texas. Why else would anyone videotape snowflakes with such zeal. I learned from the best!

I Can See The World

Eliana had her first ride in her forward-facing car seat today. Little did she know she was on her way to get her one year old shots. She was pretty excited. Although, my little girl likes to just soak it all in and not wear all that excitement on her sleeve. She just looked and looked out all the windows.


And 5 minutes before I pulled into the driveway...



Her 1 year appointment went great. She is always so happy at the doctors office and so still when the doctors look her over. She is still 50th percentile in weight. She only gained one pound in the past three months. She is 20.3 pounds. Just barely enough to be in that new car seat. And she used to be 95th percentile in height, but has dropped to the 50th percentile. She only grew 1 inch in the past 3 months, at 29 1/2 inches. Her shots went well. She did cry when we laid her down for those. Then again there were 3 nurses to administer them! She only cried for a few minutes and then gave a big smile when I handed her a goldfish.

A Mixed Bag

This past week has been filled with scary, exciting and painful things. Let's start with the scary. Friday morning, we heard Eliana talking through the monitor. It was only 7am, so we usually let her play a bit before we are ready to get her up. The next thing we know, she is crying. And it was a different kind of cry. I turned to Jason and said, "That cry sounds different." He agreed and went to go check on her. He opened the door and she was not in the crib! He looked and found her on the other side of the room, sitting there, holding the monitor and crying.

Wow! It happened! My kid fell out/climbed out of her crib! She didn't have a bruise, bump or mark on her anywhere. This past week, I have been playing with her on the floor and if I don't want her to go past me, I raise my legs up. The little dare devil just dives right over them! So, I am not surprised.

On to the exciting. We got family pictures taken on Friday with our little one year old. Here are a few.










We also got Eliana's new forward facing car seat. Unfortunately she is way to tall and long to consider keeping her rear facing. We are excited to try it out. I haven't yet, because, well on to the painful part.

Eliana is no longer a nursin' baby. She has moved completely to sippy cups! I had dropped the three feedings that corresponded with a meal first. That way, I got her up and she was able to eat breakfast, lunch or a snack with her sippy cup. The last one was the one right before bed. So, Sunday night, we put her to bed without nursing. And she did great. Went right to sleep. It was hard Saturday night when I was nursing to really soak it all in, because I wasn't sure if she would go to sleep the next night or not. But she did great and is doing great. So, needless to say my body is adjusting to that decision. I didn't get any sleep on Sunday night from the pain. Luckily Jason stayed home Monday morning to help out. And I am wearing cabbage leaves. Yes, cabbage leaves. I don't know if they are working or not. I do know that it is a very disgusting feeling and I smell like warm coleslaw. Today does feel better, but still a little painful. I am sure I will be back to normal soon. As for now, I am off to get more cabbage leaves!

Birthday Watch 2008 - Part 3

Tonight we were able to spend her 1st birthday as a family. We had a few more gifts for her. Unfortunately she was extremely tired! She decided to talk through her afternoon nap. Check out that tired face!




And then it was cake time! Second time around for her and she didn't mind. She dove into it! Nothing like a lot of sugar right before bed.