Glad to be in Primary

Eleanor started Primary in church this year. She didn't seem to have any trouble with the transition. They moved her nursery leader up to be her teacher, so all the kids were already comfortable with their teacher.
This was taken the evening of her first day in Primary. We put her jammies on, and she still wanted to wear her "princess crown" that she got in Primary. It says, "I am a child of God." I can't believe my baby is already in Primary!
She has continued to do well these past two weeks with the change. Yesterday, I went to get her at the end of church. She was there, but her teacher told me that she had wandered off briefly. I guess they had stayed in the Primary room the whole time instead of going to their class part way through, as they usually do. (I don't really know what was going on.) The kids were all working on a project, and one of the leaders found Eleanor out roaming the hall. I don't know if she decided it was time to go to their classroom or if she was trying to look for her parents or what. She does seem to feel quite at home in church buildings (and at Daddy's work). I guess she figures she's safe to roam in these places. Funny kid. We'll have to watch that.

Sometimes I Forget

Sometimes, during a busy day, when I have a thousand other things on my mind, when I'm trying desperately to get Eleanor to cooperate with me, I can forget how enjoyable she can be. But then, I have moments like tonight, sitting at the dinner table just the two of us, when she's babbling with a cheek full of meat loaf, about how she is Wall-E and I am Eve, saying things like, "We have sharp, sharp hands. And we hold our sharp, sharp hands together. I am Wall-E, and my eyes go [moving her eyebrows up and down]. When this eye falls out [pointing to her left eye], I will go in the garage and get another one."
It's moments like those when I look into her big brown eyes, and I want to cry because I'm happy and sad all at the same time. Happy because I am so lucky to be able to sit and have moments like that, forgetting any housework that needs to be done, forgetting the other stresses of the day, and just enjoying my daughter, her innocence, her enthusiasm, and her beauty. Sad because of how much time during the rest of the day when I was too busy or stressed or tired to enjoy some of the other moments that are so quickly passing me by. It's moments like these I wish I could trap in a jar to save for a rainy day.
It is never a question in my mind that I love my daughter. There are just some times that I need to remember to enjoy loving her a little more often.

Favorite Songs

Last night, as we drove to my mother's house, Eleanor was babbling in the back seat. I tuned in to what she was saying, and she was saying, "The Lullaby song, the Be OK song, and the Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell song. Those are the songs that I like."

So, apparently, her favorite songs are:
"Lullaby" by Jack Johnson
"Be OK" by Ingrid Michaelson (I'm sure my influence was strong on that one.)
"Jingle Bells" -probably any version, but she enjoys the version I have that's by The Carpenters

So, we switched the song to "Be OK," and we all sang along in the car.

Just Too Tired

As I was making dinner yesterday, Phaedra was hanging out in the Bumbo (one of her Christmas presents). She was fussing at me, and I knew she was tired. I just needed her to hold out a little bit longer while I finished cooking the chicken before I could put her down for a nap. She got quiet, and I looked down to find this:"Okay, Mom. If you won't pay attention to me, I'll just try to get some rest right here."

I just love her trying to rest her head on her little hand. Poor girl.

I didn't get around to doing her 4 month post, but if I had, I would have mentioned that she is a total thumb sucker now! She still tries out fingers sometimes and every now and then tries to fit both fists, but she mostly likes her thumb. She favors the right, too.

(And don't worry. After taking her picture, I got her to her bed.)

a few words from the baby

Look at me! Look at me!I'm on my tummy! Guess how I got here? Yup! All by myself!


I started on my back, and then I got to my side and kicked my legs and poof! I'm on my tummy. Who would have thought! I accomplished my new year's resolution on the first day. My sister had better watch her toys. I'm going to really be moving soon. Now if I could just figure out what to do once I get on my tummy. . .

My mommy caught it on video the second time I did it. She was too busy cheering for me to grab the camera the first time. I'm so awesome!

Oh, and I think I'm working on growing some teeth, even though my mommy keeps saying it's just too early.