Keeping up with Eleanor!

Ellie is doing extremely well with this new big sister thing! She has transitioned very well with a few bumps along the way as to be expected. The biggest of our hurdles was sleep...Ellie started waking up a lot after Ruby was born which made it really difficult for all of us because we were all tired and Ruby was usually nursing while Ellie wanted her mommy. But this has improved. We are hoping it continues to get better and better.... The great thing is that Ellie still loves her little sister. It is so sweet to watch her interact with "Baby Ruby" The other night she was having trouble sleeping and so was laying in bed with me while Ruby nursed. She was almost a sleep and had her little hand on Ruby's head and was rubbing it so gently....it was so sweet that I woke Jason up to see.

Meanwhile Ellie is keeping busy, busy, busy... It is amazing how much a two-year old can do! Among her favorite activities is anything crafty. She loves to color, paint, stamp, and use stickers.

Play-doh has also been a major hit lately. One day she made all of these play-doh "cookies." We are working on rolling play-doh balls and the rolling pin as well. Grandma Sue found a play-doh fun factory and a bunch of cookie cutters, etc at Goodwill this week so that was very exciting!


Ellie loves trips to the library storytime where she goes all out with her participation. She is also loving the class that she is taking at Lake Lynn once a week. It is a parent/child class where they do activities, sing, dance and do a craft project for one hour each week. I thought it would be a great activity that the two of us could do together while I'm home on maternity leave and she is loving it.
Cooking and tea parties have been the latest hit around here. We got a new kitchen set that is a little more realistic looking and Ellie loves it! She walks around with her apron and oven mit on and brings everyone in the house tea and cookies. She has also been "counting" which

Today we took a tour of a new preschool that Ellie may attend next year. She seemed to really like it and I was pretty impressed too. They are pretty much the only preschool in the area that is NAEYC accredited which is a big plus for me. Ellie has been talking about school a lot and so I'm glad she left with a good impression of it. Afterwards we had a very special treat....a McDonald's Happy Meal...chicken nuggets, apples and a milk! Oh don't forget...the "present" was a My Little Pony toy. Happiness all around!