Busy Busy Watering Can!

She would do this a million times if I would let her.

My big girl

When I dropped Eliana off at the Kids Klub at the gym today, she ran off to play without a glance back.  Not so much as a wave or a kiss or a look to say, "See you later Mom, I'm off to have fun."  I know it seems really silly and insignificant, but I almost cried (yep, at the gym!).  I went back to work when she was three months old, and I now drop her off at daycare three days a week.  At first she would cry when I left, then she would be okay with me leaving but would always blow me a kiss and wave.  Not today though.  She just ran out of my arms and into the chaos of children playing.  You would think I would be happy that she is independent and able to run off to play with her friends at daycare or the Kids Klub.  And I am happy for her.  But I also see this as a sign that she is growing up.  She needs me a little less.  She's becoming a Big Girl.  When she was born, I was her whole world.  Now I'm just a part of the many pieces of her world.  I'm not ready for her to grow up yet.  She needs to stay small for a little longer. 

... Crazy how I am picturing her high school graduation and her moving away to California just from a little missing kiss goodbye!

My Big Girl

Slate Run Historic Farm

On Tuesday Eliana and I went to Slate Run Historic Farm with three other moms and their kids.  This is a farm in a metro park about half an hour from our home.  We had a blast!!  The weather was great and the kids were all in a good mood.  We couldn't have asked for a more perfect time.  The farm is run as it was over 100 years ago, and all of the workers are dressed in costume.  They had lots of animals that we could get so close to.  The kids really loved playing with the water and soap at the pump and playing with the old time toys in the farmhouse.  After the farm visit we ate a picnic lunch in the park.  I think we should eat every meal outside.  It doesn't matter when Eliana throws food on the ground and when she was done eating, she just ran around with her friends in the grass and I could finish my meal in peace.  Great Tuesday!

At first, Eliana was too involved with her snack to care too much about the animals.

Heading to the chicken coop with Morgan and her son Sam.

Checking out the "cluck clucks" (Eliana names most animals by the sounds they make).

Chatting with her friend Adele while hanging out with some chickens.

The girls liked sitting in these little child sized chairs on the porch of the farmhouse.

"Aren't these chairs great?!"

When I zoomed in on this picture, I realized that I had snapped a shot of Eliana munching on a rock.  Fun times!

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day (a week late) to my lovely mother and my second mom Gloria, and to all those other mothers in my life!  Being a mother has been the hardest thing I have ever done (by far!) but also one of the most fun and most rewarding things that I have been blessed to do.  Eliana is my sweet sweet baby when she is sleeping and my crazy giggling monster when she is awake.  I read a little while ago that being a mom makes you more vulnerable.  It's so true.  Now a part of my heart is outside my body in this fragile little girl.  I want to hold her tight and keep her safe and secure in my arms forever.  I don't want her to get hurt falling off of the playground swing or have her heart broken by some silly boy.  I see danger lurking at every corner.  Now any time I hear of a tragedy or take care of a pediatric patient at work, I think, only by the grace of God was that not my child.  After the bombings in Boston, I had a nightmare that the three of us were living in Indianapolis again and terrorists were attacking the city.  We were driving in our car down the interstate and buildings were exploding to our right and left.  In my dream, I told David in a panic, "We have to go to the country! It's the only place where there aren't buildings that can be blown up!"  I woke up breathing heavily and I couldn't go back to sleep.  I've thought about that dream for a long time.  The thing is, even out in the country, even if there weren't buildings to blow up, there would be other things that could cause harm.  When a piece of your heart is outside your body, it is just so scary!  So I just have to cherish all the more the special moments that we have together.  Her tight hugs around my neck and loud wet kisses.  The scream giggles that she has when she sees a cat.  Her dancing and singing with David in the kitchen.  Her "mmmm" and toothy smile when she eats something yummy.  The way she carries all things with handles on her arm like a purse.  The weight of her warm body snuggled so close when she sleeps in my arms.  Yes, being a mother makes you so vulnerable because you love so much.  How have all these generations of mothers survived before me carrying so much around in their hearts?  God must give us women unbelievable strength to do this important task of being mothers.  I've said it many times before, but I am saying it again.  God has blessed me abundantly by giving me Eliana as a daughter. 

"And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart."  Luke 2:19

Naming Body Parts

With the warm weather, Eliana and I have been spending a lot of time outdoors.  One of our favorite places is the front porch.  Eliana loves to play a game where she sits in all of the chairs.  She runs up to a chair, says "Sit!" and then reaches up for you to help her into the chair.  After a minute, she says "Dah!" (which means down) and then has you help her jump out.  I don't know why she thinks that is so fun, but we play that game a lot.  Another game we play is naming the body parts.  She knows quite a few now including feet, hair, belly, eyes, nose, and teeth.  She can also say "nose" and "eye" and likes to point them out on Mommy and Daddy's faces too.  Check out the pictures below to see some of Eliana pointing out her body parts...

Happy to be outside!

Keeping an eye on the street for people walking their "woof woof" (aka dogs).

Eliana found her head or hair!

And this is what happens when you ask her to find her nose! It totally cracks me up that she sticks her finger all the way up her nose when you ask her to point it out.  This whole blog post was just an excuse to be able to post this picture!

She is either finding her mouth or trying to blow a kiss.