Cute Hat for Florida Spring

15 Months

 

This is the month it finally hit me...I have a toddler not a baby. Every mother goes through it and now I guess it is my turn. Ellasen has such a mind of her own now. She is so independent and confidant . She can tell us what she wants and what she doesn't. One nice change is that we definitely know what she is thinking some of the time now. She can ask for juice if she wants juice. She can ask to be picked up or put down. She can go to the fridge and ask for her "baba" (sippy cup of milk). She can say done when she is full. The list could go on. One not so nice thing is while my BABY would sit nicely on my hip and enjoy the ride while I carried her, my TODDLER twists her body, pushes her shoulder into my chest and unhooks her legs from my hips and emphatically says "down!". Every mom of a toddler is nodding her head right now knowing exactly the movement I am describing. It is distinctly "toddler". My BABY was content to cuddle in her towel after a bath. My TODDLER can't wait to whip off the towel and show off her naked behind by dancing in the living room. My BABY had no idea when she lit up the room with a stinky diaper. My TODDLER walks around the house laughing and saying "poopoos!" (thanks Daddy). My BABY was content to look at any book we wanted to read to her. My TODDLER has favorites and wants to read them over and over and over and over and over and over and over...(you get the idea). With my BABY I would  narrate our day together and sometimes tell her the names of things we encountered. With my TODDLER I find myself telling her the names of EVERYTHING as she points and says "this?" over and over and over and over and over (need I go on?). We love watching her grow and learn. It is amazing how much she changes all the time.  Ellasen surprises us every day. She is really a joy to be around. How blessed we are....

Sunset

This photo doesn't really do it justice, but it was amazing! 

Raccoon!

I am such a city girl! When I saw this raccoon in a dumpster at the playground I just had to take a video. He wasn't afraid of us at all! We were really close to him.

My Mom's Visit

My mom was in town this past week and we had a great time. We went shopping, we went to the beach, the museum and to St. Augustine where we toured a fort and a winery! We had a great time just hanging out and exploring Jacksonville. I have a ton of pictures, but here are a few. 

Trip to Atlanta

This past weekend we drove up to Atlanta to visit some friends. We started with Tim's college friend Kurt and his daughter Lana. Our friend Matt was there too. Ellasen and I had dinner with my best friend from college, Lizzy too. I didn't get any pictures of Ellasen and Lizzy unfortunately, but here are some of Kurt and Lana.

Then we headed to Eric and Melissa's house to hang with them for a few days. Their son, little Eric, loved Ellasen and just had to give her lots of kisses! We went to the park and used Melissa's new double stroller. She is due with Eric's little sister Sydney in just about 6 weeks! The kids also took a bath together! They had so much fun!  Here are some pictures.

Melissa and I left the dads home with the kids on Sunday and went shopping and had lunch and she treated me to a beautiful day at the spa! I got a pedicure and a manicure all baby free. Sooooo nice! The whole weekend ended with the Super Bowl and a really delicious birthday cake for me! It was a wonderful weekend with great friends!