I will be the first to admit that I've been neglecting this blog because I've been uploading stuff to Facebook. I'm turning over a new leaf. I can upload to blogger from my iPhone, so I'm going to stop neglecting all of you blog followers. I have literally been updating this post for a week!
Let's see how fast I can finish this...(and find time to post more often now so I don't have to make these marathon posts).
Eloise smiles at everyone, all the time. She is just about the most pleasant person I've ever met. She's partial to being held now and it's tricky to get away at sleeping time, but overall, she's just the best.
Speaking of the best - Eloise thinks Dalia is about the greatest thing on the planet.
And Dalia, Baby Dalia. 'Member her? Well, she's a big girl now. She started preschool a few weeks ago. On the first day she saw her cubby and said, "Mama, how did they know my name?" and then walked to the art table. When I said goodbye, she barely looked up to say, "Kay, Bye!"
Dalia planting wheat with the girls across the street. She's now having long outings over there to play without Mom or Dad. We are very lucky to live in this neighborhood.
Dalia and her best girl, Neva.
We see friends and family so often, it's hard to know what photos to post when. Everyone loves to hold Eloise. She doesn't mind either. Thankfully, that usually means a little more time I can spend devoted to Dalia. Truth be told, though, all that attachment style parenting we did is sure turning into a whole lot of independence. She usually only lets me snuggle her at bedtime now. I do miss my little parasite, Baby Dalia sometimes. But love love love watching what an amazing girl she's turning into. Our favorite game right now is spelling. We usually play it in the car. She asks me what certain letters together spell or how to spell a certain word and we enjoy sounding them out together. I'm amazed at her vocabulary and her knack for words. She is reading a little bit more and more each week and can sound out words and write them pretty remarkably for a 3 year old. We are very proud of her.
Eloise can sing! She's changing so much every day, but this video (some of you may remember it from Facebook) was a first glimmer at how she'll be keeping up with and out doing us all someday.
Yes, this is Eloise with an abacus. I thought she'd like the colors, but I guess counting is an option, too.
Dalia playing dress up - okay well, she dresses herself and sometimes it comes out a little cArazy! Sometimes she just wants to be a princess.
This photo was sent to me by my Uncle Rob. It's me and my grandmother and mom. I'm beside myself with glee at how much Eloise looks like me.
Okay, here's some updates. Sorry it's been so long. It's rare that my hands are free when Dalia is not awake or needing me to interact with her, so updates are few and far between, but I'll assure you that we are enjoying life over here. I don't know what happened, but Eloise created some synergy in my life that has made me endlessly grateful for the constant and continuous activity and neediness of my family. With Dalia, I so often found myself thinking "me, me, me" and there are surely days when I could use a bath or a walk or just five minutes alone, but I can't tell you how much easier it is for me to enjoy this time. I guess with baby number two it's easy to remember that the things that seem like they'll last forever really just dissappear in a matter of days or weeks and Eloise seems to be getting big so quickly that I don't want to miss anything with a bad attitude in the way. That's not to say I don't have my grouchy days, hours and minutes. Dalia and I are increasingly like oil and water. I really can't imagine not being totally intertwined with her emotionally and both of us need each other tremendously, but sheesh! we just go at it sometimes. And she's so articulate that she can really put up her end of the stand off. It's me who ends up at a loss for words sometimes. She's so darn smart and sharp.
And so beautiful. And thoughtful. This morning she woke up before us and played in her room alone for a while. When we woke up there was a gift bag full of books with a balloon attached to it in our bathroom - our surprise gift. Yesterday, I was in the other room doing god knows what and I heard Dalia saying, "oh, no, Eloise don't cry. I'm sorry." Eloise was fussing in her "bed" (which is a co-sleeper next to my bed). I went in and asked (nicely) what happened. Dalia explained that she was shaking a little plastic block over her face and accidentally hit her with it. I asked her how she felt when Eloise cried. She said she felt sad. I could have melted. I told her she'd be more careful next time and that it was okay. She's also showing such incredible self control and playing so well with others these days. It's both heartbreaking to see her have these existential experiences where she has to decide how to be based on how others will feel and so proud.
And Eloise...she is partially responsible for all this conscious living we're doing. When Dalia is melting down, Eloise is laughing and smiling. She seems always happy, always smiling to greet a new friend.
Mama friends
Not to say she doesn't have her moments, but we are just blessed. With both of them, but where Dalia and I are oil and water, Eloise and I are just like two soft pillows (me more literally these days ha ha ha) smooshing up together. She's starting to laugh and talk. I've included a video of her practicing her "voice". So cute. I think it's sort of a protest, but who cares, it's adorable.
A final note - Mark. Oh my goodness, how does anyone do this without help like I get from him? Cooking, cleaning, holding crying babies, changing diapers, helping kids in the night...and working so we can do all this. And being supportive and thoughtful all the time. I'm so utterly thankful for him. Really just shake my head at how I got so lucky. I'm so glad my girls have such support and love from their daddy.
Okay, this is way too long of a blog update, but now you know.
