Momma, I am a big girl now and I can do *it* myself.

Insert anything at *it*.

Including eating with a spoon.

I tried to get Eleanor to eat with a spoon in January. She threw a fit. A complete meltdown ensued.

It was just as well, because I discovered that I usually didn't have (take) the time to let her eat with a utensil....it was a long process to say the least.

But, I discovered she ate with a spoon at daycare. After the before-mentioned meltdown, I was browsing pictures from her classroom's website and found a cute little series of Eleanor using a spoon for her breakfast yogurt, smiling away at the camera.

So she duped me. She wanted momma to feed her at home. But she could do it herself at school.

Not any longer.

She does it herself at home and at school now. Eleanor refuses all food - with a big shake of her head - being fed to her by someone else. In other words, anything coming to her face on a spoon that she is not holding gets a big 'ol N-O. (Even though there is a little smirk on her face with that N-O.)

I was in for a sweet surprise last week, though. I allowed her to use a spoon. She fed herself an entire container of yogurt in no time at all, and very little missed her mouth. What a big girl! It's so amazing - I never thought I would consider eating with a spoon to be such a milestone. 

Eleanor's new chair

Remember when I told you about Eleanor's *need* for her own chair instead of her infant bouncer seat? Well, she has a chair! She thoroughly enjoys lounging in it with books and toys- and in particular, drawing on her Magnadoodle.

I found this little gem for a great price at Walmart (online). I didn't want to spend too much money (even though I had very generous offers from the grandmas which I didn't use but much appreciate) and this particular chair had great reviews. It is brown microfiber, which blends nicely with our living room furniture, and it was less than $50! I have to say I was very impressed with the service I received at Walmart. The chair was site-to-store with free delivery and picking it up was a breeze. I had pretty low expectations for Walmart, but I had a fantastic experience. Would highly recommend if you are in the market for a toddler's arm chair. :)

e & me

May 2012

January 2011

To say "I love you" is an understatement.

You are the greatest gift I have ever received.

I think I could hold you for forever, and it would not be enough.

Happy Mother's Day!

I couldn't have asked for a better weekend....steaks on the grill, a massage at the spa, new jewelry, my favorite restaurant, and home-cooked breakfast. But by far, the best gift of all was a trip to Kensington Park Farm Center. Our little family enjoyed a late picnic lunch followed by a tour of the farm. Eleanor LOVED running around and seeing and petting all the animals. They had sheep, goats, chickens, pigs, horses, cows, ducks, geese, and a donkey. She pointed at each animal and called everything "doggie" but she used her dog-petting skills to pat the sheep, goats, and donkey. This was her first time to see animals like this-- she obviously sees the dogs every day but she was probably too little to remember seeing the bears in Waco. We will definitely return to the farm for more fun now that the weather is warm!

What a privilege it is to be this sweet girl's mother.

She brings so much joy to my life.

Please, Mommy, may I have a cookie?

A warm Sunday afternoon on the patio at our favorite dive.

Look at those delicious little legs! :)

More graduation pics...

Visiting family and friends included Justin, Lauren, Ryer, and Lizzie; mom and Milt; Grandma Carol and Grandpa Bob; and Great Aunt Marilyn.

Photos courtesy of Milt. :)