Two-year-olds and Questions

Eleanor is a mile a minute with her talking and oh, her constant questions. She makes me laugh and all of you with a two-year-old can probably relate to this conversation (she's looking at a picture):

Eleanor: Mama, who dat?
Me: You, Mama, Uncle Sven and Maddux.
Eleanor: Mama, what doin'?
Me: Swimming.
Eleanor: Why?
Me: Because we like to swim.
Eleanor: Huh?
Me (ignoring question)
Eleanor: What Mama.
Me (still ignoring)
Eleanor: What you say Mama.
Me: I love you Eleanor.

Potawatomi Zoo

Today we went to the Potowatomi Zoo in South Bend. We caravaned down with Crystal and her kids (Caravaning is for people who have too many kids and can no longer carpool). Katie and Brandon and their kids met us there.

Front: Jack (in stroller), Eleanor, Luke, and Maddie (also in stroller)
Back: Ryan, Rose, Chris and Zach
Not Pictured: Carolyn (sleeping in stroller behind Jack)

I think the best parts were the white tiger, the butterflies and the train. The white tiger was sitting up next to the glass partition batting it's paws and growling at some school kids. I think the chaperons should have controlled their kids better and not let them torment the tiger, but it was cool to see.

A new exhibit that just open was the butterflies. The butterflies are kept in a greenhouse kept at 91 degree. We got to walk in and see them fly around and eat both flowers and bananas and apples. And Eleanor absolutely loved the "Choo-choo train" which took us around a section of the zoo. Carolyn slept the entire time and missed it all. We'll have to take her back next year.

Eleanor, Luke and Rose in the butterfly exhibit

Eleanor and I on the train

Memorial Day Weekend

Our Memorial Day weekend was spent shingling our new house (Matt), spending time at the cottage with family, and enjoying the Buchanan Memorial Day parade and a party at Kaltenbach's afterwards. Poor Matt shingled the new house Saturday through Monday. The house is looking great though - excellent effort Matt (and all who helped).

Saturday I drove the girls up to Allegan for a day at the cottage. Eleanor LOVED, LOVED, LOVED it. She thought the hammock was great! Then grandpa let her help plant tomatoes! And later, I took her on a kayak ride. She kept trying to stand up. I asked her to sit still and she told me, "Stop Mama. I get out and swim with arms like this." and flapped her arms. Well the water was not warm enough and I wasn't about to dump my two-year-old into the middle of the lake, so I talked her into sitting and just enjoying the ride.

Eleanor and Great Aunt Shea on the hammock

Helping Grandpa plant tomatoes

Eating famous Plainwell ice cream!

Monday we had a parade down Front Street. Eleanor watched the entire parade sitting on Grandpa's lap and Carolyn slept the entire time in my arms. We managed to snag a pocket full of unneeded candy then headed next door to Becky and Bret's for their annual get together.

At the parade

Eleanor Goes Accident Free!

I sent Eleanor to daycare today with 4 pants, 5 panties, and 3 pairs of socks - hoping for the best but planning for the worst. When Matt came home with her, I asked how she did. He casually says, "Well she's wearing the same underwear she went there in." WHAT!?!?!? My girl went accident free!!! Hallelujah! I can't express how unbelievably proud I am of her. She is an amazing girl and I should learn by now to not underestimate her.

When taking our first flight to Florida when Eleanor was just under a year old, we questioned whether or not we'd have a complete nightmare to deal with. Would she sleep on our laps? Would she scream the entire flight? And then the worst happened - our flight was delayed and delayed and finally cancelled. They got us a bus to 2 hour bus to Chicago which would finally get us to Florida at 11pm rather than 2pm as planned. But Eleanor pulled through and was a trooper and actually came out of the ordeal better than her parents.

Then I took a 1 1/2 year old Eleanor to Kansas City by myself. Would she take off through the airport and get lost? Would she sit still for our two short flights? Absolutely! She was better than I'd ever imagined.

Then comes the biggest change in her lift thus far - the birth of her baby sister. Will Eleanor be jealous? Will she rebel and take out frustrations on Carolyn? Heck no! Eleanor's been the best big sister ever and has nothing but love for Carolyn. Just the look on her face the first time she walked into the hospital room and saw Carolyn sealed the deal. She was amazed and in love.

So why do I continue to brace myself for bad things? I should have learned my lesson by now. And I'm not saying I'm out of the woods yet with this potty training, but I will say Eleanor is doing exceptionally well and has made her parents proud - once again!

Smiles & Big Girl Panties

Smiles and big girl panties are what's happening in our house lately. For the past couple days, Carolyn has been giving us more and more smiles. It's wonderful having your sweet little baby finally interact and show some emotion besides the hungry and tired cries we typically get. She's also doing some talking, or cooing which is really cute. Here she is today, showing off her toothless grin.

And last but definitely not least, our big girl Eleanor is potty training. I've been looking forward to this and dreading it at the same time. I didn't know what to expect but have been pleasantly surprised by her progress.

On Friday night after daycare, we put on the panties, took the potty chair outside and let 'er rip. She had accidents and successes. At the end of the day I wondered what I had gotten myself into. But I knew that once we started there was no going back (except for a nap and nighttime diaper).

Saturday I spent a lot of time on my toes, following Eleanor around, constantly putting her on the toilet and/or asking her if she had to pee (I'm sure I also annoyed the heck out of Eleanor). I'd say, she batted just over 500 for the day.

Sunday was a great day with few accident, more successes, and best of all, she told us when she needed to go and was also able to hold it for a 20 minute car ride!

Yesterday was her first day with panties at daycare and she did okay. She came home and had a couple accidents, but we stayed positive. Twice she was out of sight and quiet so I yelled out "Eleanor what are you doing?" And she replied "Peeing." Low and behold, she had pulled down her panties (most of the way) and was peeing on her potty!

I think she is doing great and well on her way to being accident free! We're staying positive about the accidents and having big cheering parties on the successes and the rest is up to her. So far she is making us very proud!!!

Saturday at the park wearing big girl panties (and cool shades)

On the swing

Sisters

Just a cute picture of the girls!

Carolyn Mae - 1 Month!

Carolyn is a month old already (actually, she was on Saturday). We just got home from her 1 month well baby visit and here are her new stats:

Weight: 8lb. 4oz (3 weeks ago - 7lb. 1/4oz)
Length: 22 1/2 inches (3 weeks ago - 20 1/2 inches)

So she's growing tremendously and is very healthy!

Our Delicate Flower

Last night as Matt was taking Eleanor to her room to put on her jammies, I heard her makingg a bunch of noise. I couldn't tell if it was crying or laughing. Then I heard Matt say he thought he hurt her. When I got to her room she was holding her left hand with tears streaming down her face. When Matt carried her into her room he did so by one arm and one leg - believe me, this was nothing unordinary for either one of them. Well, something happened to hurt her wrist.


A while back, the same (or similar) thing happened playing Ring Around the Rosie at daycare. That time I took her to the doctor and she got x-rays and the whole bit. There weren't any broken bones but the doc told me how the ligaments are still loose in little kids, etc.

So last night we wrapped her arm and her and Matt camped out on the couches. She woke a couple times wimpering, but managed to sleep okay (better than Matt). After a staying on the couch watching the Disney channel, I convinced her to let me get her dressed. She wimpered a few times as her arm was moved around. But all of a sudden, she attempted to stand up so I helped her and she walked out to watch Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. Ever since, her arm has not bothered her.

I don't think Matt will get over this as quickly. He was really upset that he hurt his little girl. She may be mighty, but she's still just a delicate flower at times.