Zoe's in the bastick (basket)

Eli was playing in this basket that we use to keep all of his balls. Zoe kept rolling and crawling over to it and pulling at the sides. Then Eli had the idea to put her in it instead. She loved it. He also ran and got his camera when I got mine so he could take some pictures of her too, so cute. He has really used his camera a lot that Johnny's mom got him for Christmas.

I Miss My Daddy :(

Johnny is out of town for a pretrial in Houston. Last night was the second night that he has been gone. At bedtime Eli really started missing his daddy. We had laughed and had fun reading a new book, brushed his teeth and gotten into bed. Then the crying started. I had let him sleep in my bed the night before and we made a deal that if he went to bed in his own bed with no complaining, crying, whining, etc., then he could sleep in my bed again the next night. So, when he started to get upset, he very quickly let me know it was only because he missed his daddy, not because he was having to sleep in his own bed. I tried explaining that Daddy had to go for work and that he'd be home in a couple of days and that we had fun stuff planned for the week. He just wasn't buying it, he wanted his Daddy. So, I gave him a picture of Johnny and I to sleep with. That helped some. I went in to check on him about 20 minutes later and he was just holding the picture and staring at it. He was still saying, "I just want my Daddy." I hugged and kissed him and left his room. I went back again after another 20 minutes and found him sound asleep. The picture was propped up against his legs and his hands were folded across his chest.














Zoe woke up at 5:00 am and wanted a bottle. When I went to her room, I heard Eli calling out, "Anybody, anybody!" I went into his room to see what was wrong. He was half asleep and only half making sense. He had turned over and couldn't find the picture.

Eli: I can't keep the picture all night long or I may lose it.

Me: You won't lose it, it will be somewhere in your bed.

Eli: No, mommy I can't do that, what do I do with the picture?

Me: I'll put it on your dresser and you can get it in the morning when you wake up.

Eli: No mommy, I need it. I really miss my daddy!

Me: Well we could put it under your pillow so it'll be safe.

Eli: Okay, but what if I forget where it is?

Me: I'll remind you if you forget.

Eli: Okay, good night mommy.

I swear he was snoring before I closed his door.

Ice Skating

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Peas Please

In our journey of baby food, Zoe tried peas for the first time tonight. As you can see, it wasn't quite as successful as I would have hoped :)


If you look closely, you'll see peas above her right eye. This is from her trying to knock the spoon out of my hand.

Eli on the other hand, tried them and liked them, just like he did when he was a baby. I don't remember him not liking very many of the baby foods. I have a feeling that Zoe may turn out to be a picky eater like her mama. Oh, well, we'll keep trying different things. She loves carrots, so at least she'll have good eyes.

Next (Door) Neighbors

Since Eli has been able to speak in full sentences, I have made him promise that he will never leave me. We have recently decided that he doesn't have to live in my house forever, he can be our next door neighbor. Here is a piece of our conversation this afternoon.

**There are new houses being built in our neighborhood.**

Eli: Mommy if those men try to build me a new house, I will tell them they can't do that. Build it for someone else.

Me: Why, you wouldn't want a brand new house?

Eli: No, remember mommy I'm going to be your next neighbor when I'm big like you and daddy. If you had to go on an airplane to get to my house, you'd be sad wouldn't you?

Me: Yes I would.

Eli: Maybe Zoe can be your other next neighbor, because next neighbors are family right?

Me: That would make me very happy Eli.

Eli: Me too, so that's our plan!

Busy Day

Johnny is out of town for work and will be gone four nights in all. We are trying to keep busy to make the time pass quickly. I started a new Bible Study at church this morning. A new friend from RPA invited me to join her. It was the second class, but the first day of discussing the book. Then we went to meet our next door neighbor at The Little Gym for free play, to discover that they no longer have free play. So, we went to lunch at one of our favorite restaurants, Chiloso, instead. After that we all needed a nap. Zoe slept for almost four hours!! After naps, Eli went next door all by himself to play with Caleb. Lisa, our neighbor, and I stood in the driveways and Eli ran down the sidewalk. He was so excited. Caleb is 20 months old and they have so much fun playing together. He also ate dinner at their house, which was another first.

I watch him do all these "little things" and realize my little boy is growing up right in front of my eyes. I am so proud to hear him using his manners and to see him being respectful to others without having to be prompted. I guess it means we must be doing something right. I just hope that follows him into his teen years and adulthood. I am one proud mom:)

School Lunches

Eli is obsessed with the idea of eating lunch at school. He will be starting Pre-K next year and I have to keep reminding him that he won't be eating lunch at school because it's only 3 hours. He will eat lunch at home, either before or after school, depending on whether he is in morning or afternoon class.

He will start talking about it at random times. This is our conversation in the car yesterday:

Eli: Mommy when I eat lunch at school next year you can come eat with me.

Me: That sounds like fun, but remember it won't be next year, it will be the year after that when you're in kindergarten.

Eli: But Mommy how will I get lunch next year if I don't eat at school?

Me: You will eat at home with Zoe and me.

Eli: Oh yeah, I forgot. But when I do eat at school I'm sure my teacher will have 2 chairs for me so you can come eat with me too.

Me: Ok, can I bring Zoe too?

Eli: Oh, ok, only if she's bigger because they won't let babies into the school to eat.