A Little Late...

My dear, brown-eyed, girl turned two almost a month ago to the day (June 24th) and I feel the need to document it properly. Unfortunately, there really are no words to describe this very special age. She is an absolute joy that gets cuter and more challenging by the day. I am amazed with how fast she is learning new things. In a way it's easier because she is so much better at communicating what she wants, but she is also becoming extremely opinionated. She is a good listener, but can also throw a mean tantrum when she doesn't get her way. She is very sweet natured, nurturing, clingy, shy, and silly. Ellie loves to look at books and be read to (Little Miss Spider is her favorite), swing (for hours if we'd let her), swim, play with her dolls (Little Suzie and Megan), color, blow bubbles, dance, sing, and watch Sesame Street. Ellie is a good helper and likes to set the table, unload the dishwasher, do laundry, water the garden and flowers, and sweep (but only at her convenience). She loves her dog and likes to bother him and boss him around (she then gets frustrated because he never listens). She hates bugs, is obsessed with chocolate (See's candies and M&M's are among her favorites), and gets very excited on trash day (we have to stand in the front yard and wave when the trucks go by). She only likes to wear her Crocs and tennis shoes (absolutely no sandals or cute, dress shoes), yet she doesn't like getting dirty or playing in sand. Her favorite thing to sleep with is "Mope," a pink blanket that has to go everywhere with us. Mac and Cheese is her favorite food followed by any kind of buttered noodles, corn on the cob, bagels and cream cheese, quesadillas, waffles, and pancakes (or any other sort of high fattening or sugary carb). Our bed is her favorite hangout spot, where she likes to cuddle, read books, try on all my jewelry, eat cereal, drink juice, watch TV, and play with Rudy (our bed is always a mess).

It's really quite impossible to sum up Ellie without going on for hours. She is a very unique little person with a lot of personality. Mostly, she is very gentle and loving, which I think are characteristics that will make a great big sister. I can't wait to see the changes that this new year brings, yet I kind of want to freeze her at this age forever. She is one well loved little girl!

Think Blue

This is a 3D picture of the little guy. You can see part of his face, neck, and chest. Unfortunately, he is partly obstructed by the placenta. Is that weird to say? He is a bit gaunt looking, but I'm sure he will fatten up these last few months.

I mentioned I was pregnant, right? This poor, little fetus gets no blog love. Well, this one is of a different species then my first...the male kind. We are very excited to be expecting a baby boy! He looked great from our ultrasound. He looked like a boy should. I wasn't too shocked since previous ultrasounds seemed to indicate that it was a boy, but Knute refused to believe it until he saw the official "boy" shot.

No, we don't have a name yet. Yes, we are open to suggestions, but please don't be offended if I tell you your idea is just plain stupid. I'm only kidding of course (sort of). Knute and I are currently at a stand still when it comes to names. He likes traditional. I used to like traditional names, but have veered away from them recently. I'm sure we will eventually come up with something we both love and agree on. Either I will go back to traditional again or vs. versa. This is where someone is supposed to comment that I should be able to choose the name after carrying the child for nine months, right? After enduring the sleepless nights, the morning sickness, the swollen ankles, the excess weight, the ongoing feeling of general discomfort, the moodiness, the gross unmentionables, etc. The pain of labor....OH THE PAIN!!!! To top all this off, I don't even get to drink wine!!! Don't you think, after having been through all this, I should be able to pick out a name?

Anyways, I have other updates, but I will save them for a later time. Someone absolutely wonderful and special to me turned two years old, but for one entry I had to let her brother have his moment to shine. After all, she'll have to get used to not always being in the spotlight.