our big girl

ella was drinking out of a real glass this evening by herself! no spills (until the very end when she decided to excitedly shake the glass). i am so proud of her. this is the first time i've tried showing her how to drink out of a real (non-sippy) cup herself. she was so pleased with herself.

yesterday and today we slept in until 8:30 am and then kept her up until noon, putting her down then for an extended nap. it worked out really well. she was happy all morning both day and we j. and i feel great due to the extra sleep. it helps you to feel more like a normal person when you don't have to fight about who is getting up with the baby at 7 am on saturday. i've been so sick this week that i haven't been sleeping well. so this extra sleep was amazing.

elenora plays peek-a-boo with us now where she is the one hiding her eyes. it is so adorable when she flattens her palms over here eyes and then slyly peeks out at me from under her fingers.

she says "banana" (which sounds like "nana"). and she's starting to recognize some of her alphabet letters. she can pick out "T" on signs around town and will even say the "t" sound when she sees it. she can also pick out "K" for auntie k. and will try to say k.'s name when she finds it. "E" is also a favorite. for "Elenora," of course.

this afternoon ella and i took a long walk around town as the sun went down. we traveled along the river walk and over the bridge, then up main street to the park where elenora made friends with all of the children and snuggled with a puppy. we saw our former neighbor frannie, who we miss.

ella is still taking her time about letting go and walking on her own. i think she could do it if she had the confidence. but as of yet she prefers to keep ahold of our hand. there are moments when she'll walk four steps just fine between two people, or between two pieces of furniture. but she's a little too careful to do more than that yet. we're not worried. one day she'll take off and then that will be the end of it.


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the birth center where we had elenora is in danger of closing. i've written a letter to the board of the hospital to entreaty them to consider the importance of this facility for women in this area. i truly hope that it does not close. i would birth there again. it's so important for women to have the choice to labor in birth in a non-hospital environment.

on another note that is important to me: i am actually proud to be an american again. it's been awhile. but now i have so much hope in what is to come for this country...and more faith in my fellow americans. i know it sounds silly. but i'm truly proud of the US this past week. way to go america.