winter sunshine

It's pretty difficult updating the blog these days. Seems like there's rarely a moment I have two hands free. But so much wonder and good stuff is going on in this house. Seems like we are all settling in to the new dynamic. Dalia has stopped having such huge tantrums and has begun being a very "cooperative" big little girl. We instituted a "cooperative gummi bear" reward system a few weeks ago and have had the most peaceful bedtimes and helpful outings to the store. Dalia hasn't been much for the reward system until now. It's pretty amazing, though I think it's a lot like bribery.

Dalia and Eloise are starting to form a great bond. I'm working hard on giving Dalia the freedom to touch and hold Eloise without so much interjection on how, mostly because I'm noticing that Eloise smiles and gets so excited when she gets big sister attention that is unbridled. Dalia has some big emotions and expresses them in big ways - one in particularly is squeezing really hard when she hugs. It actually hurts me when she does it, so we have to be careful to help her understand that she can't squeeze her like she wants. Eloise has shed a few tears from being touched too rough, but mostly she just can't get enough of Dalia's attention.

As you can see, Eloise has opened her eyes, and now that she's awake we can see that she is such a happy, pleasant little being. One of her favorite pastimes is flirting with a cellophane balloon that Dalia has graciously shared with her. She can't get enough of looking at it.


Mark and I get a little time with Eloise alone at night after Dalia's gone to bed. It's a sweet and special time.




We got to share a couple of days with Scott, Robin and Connor this past weekend. Dalia cried and cried when they left. It's always a joy to see our family loved so much.



Valentine's Day came first. She loved loved celebrating with homemade cards and chocolate. This photo of her with Pops was captured while making Valentine's Day popcorn.

We also got some snow! Dalia was beside herself.

But before that, she got to help Daddy clear out the garden beds. She shoveled and spread dirt for an hour. I was inside with Eloise and was sure that they'd left the yard for a walk or something because it was so quiet out there. I know Mark is happy to have a garden helper.
And finally, I'll say it out loud, Eloise sleeps! I'm getting 5-7 hour stretches of sleep these days, which I haven't had in over three years. Being well rested has helped me to feel like this Mom thing is pretty much the best job ever. I'm so overwhelmingly thankful we were brave enough to have a second child. She completes us all in such a wonderful way.