Two year checkup

Wednesday Ellen and I had the fun of going to see the doctor for El's two year old checkup. We saw Nurse Heather, the nurse practitioner, first. Nurse Heather first asked how Ellen was doing with verbal skills -- is she talking much? I just laughed and said that getting her to be quiet is the real problem! Heather was suitably impressed when Ellen piped up and said "Hi Heather!" and then proceeded show off the new pink shirt she was wearing. She also informed Nurse Heather "I peepee in the potty!" (We had a successful potty visit just before they took us to the exam room) Needless to say, Ellen got a gold star on verbal skills!

The official stats were: Height 35.5 inches (90th percentile) and 27.5 lbs (50th percentile). The doctor and the NP were both very pleased with El's growth and learning, and Nurse Heather just kept acting amazed at how well Ellen can talk. Of course, I knew she is perfect, but it's nice to have some outside confirmation!

Ellen only got one shot, but of course she was pretty upset about that. I can't blame her, I still cry over shots sometimes too. The best part is that we don't have to go for any more checkups until it's time for kindergarten!

Did anyone see where I left my sandblaster?

I have long contended that I can judge how good Sam's day has been by how dirty he is when he gets home. The more dirt, the better his day has been, with lots of running and playing and romping in the great outdoors. I'm thinking that today must have been a banner day in the History of Sam. At bath time, I got to deal with this:

and this:

and this:

And it looks like Ellen had a pretty good day, too:

Say it with me, now. . . Ewwww!

Happy Birthday Ellen

I love you.

The Magic and Mayhem of Mothering a Daughter

My daughter will turn 2 years old next week. She's not really a baby anymore, and toddlerhood will soon pass us by, as well. Sometimes I look at her and wonder how the time got away from me. I just blinked and suddenly she is two!

Two years ago it seemed impossible to me that I could love another creature as much as I loved Sam, that my house could get any messier, or that there was an episode of The Wiggles I hadn't seen. And then Ellen came along, and all of those things were proven false. Suddenly I loved another person more than I ever thought possible. The house got worse, The Wiggles taped some new episodes, and I realized that being a mom to a little girl is a whole lot different that being a mom to a little boy.

Sam was always kind of a mellow kid. . . there's NOTHING mellow about Ellen. She does everything with enthusiasm -- cries, eats, plays and laughs. She has the most wonderful, lusty, big laugh. Nothing held back with her. She's completely girly and tenderly mothers her babydolls like they were real children. She is a joy and a delight and I can't imagine life without her.

I just wish I could figure out how she got from this:

to this

to this!

Matthew 28:1- 6

Matthew - Chapter 28
1In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first [day] of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.
2And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.
3His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:
4And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead [men].
5And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.
6He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.


Happy Easter, everyone.

According to Sam

I love Facebook. Love it. Through the magic of social networking I have reconnected with old friends, kept abreast of what's new with family, and spent waaaaaaayyy too much time taking quizzes with titles like "What 80's Movie Are You?" and "Where should you be living?" A few days ago I dragged Sam into the quizzing melee by taking one where you ask your kids questions about yourself. His answers were surprisingly accurate at times and hilariously funny at others.

Q: How old is your mom?
A: Ten

Q: What is your mom good at?
A: Some special things that are neat like tracks and cooking (I think he means I'm good at putting together toy train tracks)

Q: What is your mom not very good at?
A: Giving spankings (with all the practice I get you'd think I'd be an expert!)

He surprised me by remembering that my favorite food is spaghetti and by saying the "Being nice" is what makes me happy while "Being ugly" is what makes me sad. He's referring to his own behavior there, I think, because I've told him plenty of times how sad it makes me when he misbehaves. Who'd have thought he was listening?!

According to Sam, my favorite thing to do is give hugs, and my job is to cook. I sleep when he's not around (too true) and like to tickle him to make him laugh (also true; he is THE most ticklish kid ever). Oh, and my favorite place to go on vacation is. . . the mall.

I guess he knows me better than I think!

Get well soon, Ellen

My baby girl has a nasty stomach bug. Fever, diarrhea, vomiting. . . oh yeah, we're having all kinds of fun at Chaos Castle today. But there have been a couple of bright spots. Lots of snuggles, for one. Snuggles are great no matter what the circumstances.

And then there is the get well soon wish we got from Nana. I texted her the news that Ellen isn't feeling well, and this is what we got back:

"Dear Ellen, feel better soon. Love, 'Tubble'" (that's ellen-speak for Trouble, the dog's name)

How can she NOT feel better after that?