Thursday, August 4, 2011

You may have had to have been there

This was last night's dinner conversation:

Mom: What color are daddy's eyes
Ellie: Blue

Mom: What color are mommy's eyes
Ellie: Red, no BROWN

Mom: What color is mommy's hair
Ellie: Brown Brown!

Mom: What color is Ellie's hair
Ellie: Brown!

Dad: What color is Grandpa's hair
Ellie: (Extremely puzzle expression and silence..pondering...) NOOOO!!! (While shaking her head and smiling)

My parents have been out of town the last two weeks, but she still remembers what grandpa's head looks like:

Final 2nd Birthday Post

In addition to going to Great Wolf Lodge, we also had a small birthday party for Ellie.  Unlike her first birthday where we crammed almost 40 hot bodies in our house, we kept things simple and had a very small gathering. It was much easier on my back and I think Ellie had fun with the relaxed environment.

Mom, Dad, birthday girl, & little girl #2



My mom made this cute cake


We had lots of food


Ellie was cute




She got lots of great gifts including play food, a drill set, rocking chair, dollhouse, and some wall art for her new room




We played with balloons


We were wild and free


And it wouldn't be the same without a video video

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Sleep Wars Cease Fire

Ellie has always been an on again off again bad sleeper. Just when all starts going well, something else will come up that will cause her to fight sleep.  About 6 months ago, she started screaming endlessly at night. She would cry when we put her down and often cry at various times during the night. We tried both checking on her at longer and longer intervals and also cry it out.  I'm not sure what, if anything really worked but eventually she just got over it.  That lasted about a week.  Then she started a new phase where she refused to have her blanket put on her and immediately threw it out of her crib and cried for it.  It happened right when we put her to bed and during the night.  Very very loud. That's been our life for the last 2 months.  We started off going in to check on her, trying to have a rational conversation about the advantages of keeping her blanket in her crib all night, and then giving her blanket back.  She would immediately throw it out and start the process over again.  Next we delayed our visits to 10 minutes, 20, and then a half hour hoping this would be less of a fun game for her. We calmly walked in the room, said "lay down" and gave her the blanket as soon as she laid back down.  No other chit chat or smiles were exchanged.  Despite our best efforts, she still loved playing so one night I decided to be firm and let her cry it out.  2 hours later, she was still crying and I caved and got her the blanket.  I was hopeful that the next night would be different.  She apparently still wanted to play, and I didn't feel like listening for 2 hours again, so I fetched it after 15 minutes and she didn't throw it again.  We continued the 15 minute pattern for about a week. 3 nights ago, she just stopped throwing her blanket.  I really hope this is the end!!!