Dear Eleanor,
You are ONE! Oh my goodness, I still can't believe it. You turned one 2 days ago and now everytime I look at you you seem to have gotten bigger and older. We had a birthday party with family on your birthday. It was fantastic - you loved the cake and devoured it (you even tried to eat the plate!) You were the life of the party and the entertainment for everyone. You had no problem showing off your walking skills over and over. At this time you're still using your big Pampers box to walk and let me tell you, it is the most adorable thing to see you pushing that giant box around the house - a huge smile on your face. You even participated in opening your presents and tolerated us putting bows on your head and you smiled for the thousands of pictures that were snapped of you. Gramma Pam flew in from Denver to spend your birthday with you and so after the party we went to her hotel for some time in the pool - which seems to be your favorite thing to do. I just have to say this year has truly flown by - everyone said it would and they were right. It seems like just a short time ago we brought you home from the hospital and set you in your carseat on the couch wondering what to do next. It has been a whirlwind of learning, laughing, growing and joy since that day. Life has changed since you came along in every way, but it has become better in every way. You are the perfect addition to our lives and it is hard to remember life before you were the center of mine. Happy 1st Birthday Eleanor. You are loved by so many - but most of all by me and daddy.
As far as being a one year old goes - I think you're textbook. You are saying and doing all of the "right" things according to the development books. You say "baa baa" "da da" "diss" (which I think is you saying "this") you say "uh oh" after you drop an object from the high chair or changing table for the 2nd, 3rd or 4th time, and you shake your head No. You are pulling yourself up in order to open any cupboard or drawer that you can reach and your curiosity is never-ending. You laugh, clap your hands, wave goodbye and play peek-a-boo. You like to organize things.... kind of. You take the shape blocks or Tupperware or pans or books or dvd cases or scarves or balls or whatever it is out and then put whatever it is back. Except the Tupperware - you don't put that back, I do it gladly at least 4 times a day. Today I gave you a small plastic bowl with cereal puffs in it while you were watching me do the dishes. You sat on the floor with the bowl and then dumped the cereal puffs out onto the carpet. Then, you picked them up one by one and put them back into the bowl - except the last one which you put into your mouth :) You like to flip the pages in any book you find and push anything that you can around the house. Just this morning you took a cutting board from the drawer and were pushing it on your hands and knees around the living room.
Life has been busy - you and I have just finished our 2nd "quarter" of early childhood classes and are enrolled in a Monday night swimming class. Our 3rd "quarter" of early childhood class starts this Friday. We've had playdates with friends and have been working to keep to your schedule for feedings and naps. Now this is no excuse for my letters falling by the wayside and I am going to try to keep up with this blog for you. There are so many little things everyday that I want to remember. It has been an absolute joy being home with you this year and being able to see each milestone and each new discovery you make. I will cherish this time with you and I hope I will be lucky enough to remain home with you for awhile longer. I am looking forward to the new things you will be learning in the near future.
All my love,
Mommy
