Lake Michigan

 At the end of June, David had a week off of work, so we took a little vacation to Stevensville, MI.  We rented a chalet very close to the lake along with David's parents and brother Ray.  This was the area where David's grandfather used to vacation every summer, so it brought back some nice memories for him.  We had a very relaxing time with not too much planned.  Eliana really enjoyed the sand and playground.  She wasn't so sure about the lake though.  She didn't mind the water, as long as it was contained in a small bucket at her feet.  Mostly she seemed to enjoy spending time with her grandmama and grandpa and Uncle Ray.  David, Ray, and I spent one afternoon on a wine trail going to different wineries in the area.  I guess being close to the lake makes for very nice weather for growing grapes.  I had no idea there were so many wineries in the area!  The hardest part about the trip was the six hour drive there and back.  Eliana definitely does not like being in the car that long.  To help her tolerated the long drive, we had a planned stop in Fort Wayne at a park with a splash pad.  We stopped there on the way out and the way back, which she really liked.  I am getting pretty good at finding city parks wherever we go. 

On the lake at sunset.

At dusk, we played a little game of piggyback catch.  David didn't trust me very much to catch the ball.  I can't imagine why...

Playing in the sand with Uncle Ray.

We brought the water to her.

Daddy, Eliana, and Uncle Ray

Eliana with Grandmama

Listening to music with Uncle Ray.  The best part was when Eliana grabbed his white headphone case and hid with it in a corner and sat on it -- she thought it was a potty!  Luckily she kept her diaper on the whole time. :)

Up at the top of a dune.  You can see the chalets where we stayed in the background.  Our rental though was a little farther away from the shore.

Digging in the sand.

Playing "Up Up" at the beach.

Great Vacation!

Slate Run Historic Farm

 Since David had the weekend off, we decided to visit Slate Run Historic Farm again so he could check it out.  It actually rained Saturday afternoon, but that made the weather perfect for being outside Saturday morning.  It was cloudy and a little breezy, so it felt much better than the heat we have been having lately.  Last time we went to this farm, Eliana ran all over the place.  She was a little less daring without her small friends to show her the way.  Mostly she wanted Mama and Dada to carry her everywhere.  But she did really enjoy the water pump and putting clothes pins on the clothes line to hang up rags.

Checking out the cow

Note the sippy cup swinging from her mouth. :)

Baby turkeys

Eliana thought this was the best part of the whole morning!

Eating her plum from the picnic lunch.

18 Months

Eliana was doing "This little piggy" to the foot of the bear, or as she likes to call it "Wee Wee."  I caught her in this picture in mid-wee.

What a pose!

She was giving the bear a kiss

She is the sweetest little girl!

Eliana is 18 months old this month and got to see the pediatrician for a check up again.  She weighed in at 24lb 5oz (50th percentile) and is 32in tall (also 50th percentile).  Dr. Ferguson was very impressed with her language skills and said she seems advanced for her age.  She asked if Eliana could say about 20 words.  I said actually she can say more than 50.  When I got home from her appointment, I counted up all the words I could think of that I have heard her use, and I got 63 to be exact (64 if you count "mmm" as a word)!  Every day I think she learns a new one.
At her appointment, I did discuss with Dr. Ferguson how she rolls her ankles when she walks.  I kinda noticed that she would roll her feet in when she first started walking, and when her caregiver at daycare mentioned it too, I decided to bring it up with Dr. Ferguson.  The doctor recommended that she see an orthopedic specialist just to check things out.  So we now have an appointment in August to see an orthopedist.  It makes me a little nervous, but I think this is something that she will just grow out of.  There might be a possibility of special shoes or braces to help strengthen her ankles.  But the good news is that even with the rolling, it hasn't affected her walking or climbing.  She's a healthy happy little girl!  So please say a prayer for us that all goes well in August with her appointment.
In other big news, we have started the journey towards potty training!  Eliana has her own little potty that she loves to sit on.  Mostly she just sits on it with no clue what to do.  But this evening she peed in the potty for the first time!  I'm so proud of her!  We've got a long way to go, but that is the first step.  I'm really excited.  I just love watching this little grow up!

Happy Father's Day!

Today is David's last day as an intern!  He's come a long way since this day.  One year down, two to go!  Now David will be an upper level resident.

David reading a bedtime story to Eliana.

The following rose pictures are actually from two weeks ago.  We went to the Park of Roses in Clintonville and walked around the garden for a morning.  So beautiful!

Checking out the fountain with Daddy.

Eliana loved climbing the stairs to the tower overlooking the garden.  I think we went up and down about 8 times.

Eliana was wearing a pretty flower dress to match the flowers.

She loves her dada!

Pool time

Taking a minute to warm up to the pool.

Maybe it is okay as long as I touch it with this shovel.

Okay, now I will touch it with my hand.

Actually this water stuff is pretty fun!

 

Now I'll even stand in the water!  I like the pool!

Eliana and I spent the afternoon playing in the pool in our front yard which she really liked!  As I sat with my feet dipped in the cool water, I thought to myself, "What did I used to do with my time before Eliana?"  Surely whatever it was, was not as meaningful as it is now. What a beautiful day!  I got to spend the afternoon relaxing, listening to Eliana's joyful discovery of a pool full of water.  We splashed and chased balls, and she told me which foot I was allowed to put in the pool.  No work; no cares; no stress.  Just innocent joy.  How lucky am I?  I didn't know that one of the benefits of being a mom is that you get to be a child all over again. 

Work Day at the Farm

 On Saturday, Eliana and I went to my mom's family's farm in Batesville, IN for "Work Day at the Farm."  It ended up raining on Saturday morning, so I am not sure how much work actually got done, but we did have some fun!  David had to work, so unfortunately he missed out on this Retzner family get-together.  Eliana was a little shy around so many people, but she did seem to like seeing the cows. 

Mommy and Eliana on the porch swing.  Eliana is still a little mad at me for the long car ride.

It wouldn't be work day without homemade wine!

Eliana sitting on Grandma's lap, next to Aunt Rita.

Eliana loved seeing baby Emily.  She let Emily poke her face and just smiled and smiled!

My cousin Kim suggested we get a picture of all the great-grandkids.  Looks like they really liked that idea.  Especially Eliana, the screaming child right in front.

In the barn checking out the cows.

Eliana with her second cousin Sarah