Mini Summer Vacation

Dear Eleanor,

Last weekend we took a mini summer vacation to Breckenridge (your second trip there!) and then up to Erskine to stay at Brent's family cabin for the weekend. The trip was originally just to talk with the farmer who rents our land up there but then we decided to add the cabin onto it and make it a fun weekend get-away. We were able to go to the zoo in Breckenridge (Chahinkapa Zoo) and also ride the carousel there. The zoo was fairly small so we let you walk instead of taking a stroller. You had a great time looking at the animals, picking flowers and chasing a peacock! You liked to watch the monkeys and were able to touch a couple of animals in the petting zoo area. The carousel ride made you a little nervous, you didn't want to sit on one of the horses so you & I sat on the bench seat and you held my sleeve tightly for the whole ride. This weekend you also took your very first ride on a boat. We took the pontoon out two different times & you really enjoyed riding in it. You wore your life jacket without any fuss and had a good time sitting on Megan's lap to help drive the boat. You even touched one of the Northerns that daddy & Brent caught! Yuk. You are fearless at this age so we have to watch you very carefully. We swam in the pool at the hotel in Breckenridge and you wanted so badly to wriggle out of my arms to swim by yourself. You didn't want to be in the floatie or have anyone hold you. Fearless!

It has been a fun filled summer that is too quickly coming to an end. We've had lots of fun at many of the area splash pads and pools as well as playgrounds all over the city of Bloomington! We even went to Canterbury Park for a day so you could see the horses race. You are such a happy girl and it is fun to watch you at all of these new places exploring and playing.

All my love,

Mommy

Smarty Pants!

Dear Eleanor,

I wanted to make a list of all of the new things you've been learning and doing recently. I can barely keep up with how quickly you are learning new words, signs & "tricks" as your grandpa Miller would say. Today is August 4th, in 3 days you'll be 17 months old and over the last month you have really started to blossom intellectually. It is so fun to see you copying things that we do, saying new words, using new signs to get your needs met and see how much you really understand.

I bought you a new pair of sunglasses today - cute purple ones and you didn't really want to wear them. So when we got home they just ended up on the table in the living room. Later in the day, we were going for a walk so I helped you get your shoes on (more about the shoes to follow) and said "go get your new purple sunglasses Ellie". Never did I really think you would waltz into the living room, know exactly where they were and bring them to me when I said that to you. But you completely knew what I said, understood and just like that - ta da. I just think it is absolutely amazing how quickly you are learning these days.

Back to putting your shoes on - when you know it's time to go outside, or even when you just want to go outside. You first bring me my shoes - any pair will do, but you do usually bring a matching pair to me, put them on the floor for me to put on and then go to where your shoes are kept; say "chew" and point. Then when I get your shoes you sit on the rug in front of the back door to allow me to put them on for you. You are just so darn cute when you do these things! One day you were in the bathroom with me and you put your little foot up on top of the toilet seat and rubbed your leg with your hands - just like mommy does when she puts on lotion. It was adorable - and reminded me that you are watching me and I need to set a good example for you ALL the time.

Today you said "cheese" for the first time that I've recognized. I gave you a string cheese and clear as day "cheese" came out of your mouth. The other day when I pulled into the garage I said "we're home" and you repeated back to me "ome". I've been trying to show you the sign for help when you want one of your toys turned on or something to be opened. I did it a few times and yesterday morning you rode up to me on your little horsey and signed to your best ability "help". You wanted me to turn the horsey on so it would make music while you were riding it. I took a cookie out yesterday for us to split after lunch, you signed "cookie". I showed you that sign a few times, but not for over a week now and you remembered! I just love it!! You are also making your first animal noise - the noise that a monkey makes. Whenever you see a monkey in a book or somewhere you go "ee ee ee". That is the noise that a monkey makes. You have been learning body parts - including your tongue and can very cutely point them out when asked.

Here are the words you are currently saying as of today - now by tomorrow, there will probably be more:

Hi

Up

Fish (ish)

Shoe (chew)

Bitsy (hu-zee)

Hot

Home (ome)

Tree (tee)

Cheese

Three (I say one, two... and you say "free")

You are signing some too:

milk

eat

puppy

more

help

cookie

all done

I had a dvd in today - Mad About You, it wasn't playing but the menu was on the screen. The dog in the show (Murray) was on the screen sitting in a chair and you were looking at the TV signing "puppy". Of course - you noticed the dog on the screen and were just telling me "look mom, there's a dog". I can't tell you how proud I am of you and also how much I want you to just keep learning. The only problem is - I don't want to let you grow up, I love these days. All the things you're learning everyday and all the new joys I just want to keep you as my innocent, precious, beautiful, little baby girl forever and ever.

All my love,

Mommy