Ellie-isms

"Help! Help! Help me, Miss Daddy!" (getting her foot stuck in the door, after apparently a long week at school)

"What a cutie!" (Hugging birthday boy, Timmy Bowen at his 3rd birthday party on Saturday).

"You're in timeout!" (A new game she was devising last night while playing with her best "big" friend, Mark).

"Five minutes!" (how long all of her college friends had to sit in time out, when it was their turn)

"Are you kidding?" (playing right now with three 'talking' balloons)

"Wait a minute! Wait a minute!" (anytime she doesn't want to do something)

"Hello World!" (excitedly waving out the window of our 'new for a year' loaner Taurus, which has windows that go down in the backseat, unlike our Grand Caravan).

"You're kuwaffle, Mommy!" (Today after lunch. Any ideas anyone?)

Ellie visits the dentist

A few weeks ago we got a phone call. The dentist office was calling to see if we could reschedule one of our appointments. I wanted to be helpful but explained that we would have a childcare conundrum with a couple of the rescheduling options they presented. The receptionist offered a solution, "Just bring her along! It's good for kids to come and watch before they have their first teeth cleaning."

We agreed that it sounded like a good idea. What we didn't count on was Ellie's intense fear upon entering the office. The sights and sounds sent her into a tizzy, climbing up my body like a monkey up a tree. Tears flowed and Ellie shared many cries of, "No, no, no!". This went on for some time and I began to doubt the intelligence of our plan. I was concerned that other patients in the office thought we might be inflicting emotional torment on our daughter for our personal convenience. Eventually, after coloring pages and waiting room toys failed to soothe her, the hygenist offered to start some videos on her computer as a distraction. Thankfully, it worked. The videos featured a monkey and some puppies visiting the dentist, using toothbrushes and dental floss, and Ellie loved it. She still asks to "watch the monkey."

By the time it was my turn to sit in the chair, Ellie was so completely warmed up that she sat on my stomach to get a closer view of what was taking place in my mouth. She was excited to get some 'presents' (see photo above) and though she refused to 'ride' up and down in the chair, she allowed Nathan to brush her teeth in the office with her new brush. She gave hugs and kisses to our hygenist and dentist (whom she called a 'grandpa' -- what she calls any older gentleman, ahem) ... and then the receptionist too on her way out the door!

Since our visit, hardly a day goes by when she doesn't ask to go back! She also seemed to catch on that you have to clean your teeth to 'get the sugar bugs out' and she reminds us of that frequently too. All in all, it was a good trip! Let's hope the next one goes even better!

Ellie Changes

photo courtesy of www.janmichele.com

It's officially 'fall.' Yes, I know it's not really fall fall, but you know what I mean. The school buses are rumbling by our house several times a day, the commuter lot across the street is full, college football starts next weekend and the population of Wilmore has doubled with the return of the undergraduate population. It's great.


I've also noticed that in the last week Ellie has started talking. I mean really talking. In the last couple of days, she has uttered phrases like, "Just a minute", "Actually, I want..." and "I figure he's [Reagan] hungry." I knew that kids go from baby talk to talking in complete sentences over time, but I didn't know it would happen this dramatically. We did notice this summer that she would engage in much more dramatic play than ever before (usually talking/babbling salt and pepper shakers, hair spray bottles, or french fries) -- I think she's been practicing when we were not super attentive and BAM! Our girl can speak in sentences! One of her other favorite phrases is to say, "I love _______." Today she said, "I love mac 'n cheese." Last night she said, "I love lots of kisses. Mommy, Daddy -- kiss!! Like rabbits!" Whuuuhh? Don't know where THAT came from!


And with the talking has come a more content spirit. Mind you, she can still get worked up and whine. But thankfully, it seems to be diminishing (we had some rough patches! Just ask my mom and dad about their week with her last month).

She also seems MUCH more affectionate. She wants to give everyone hugs! We were eating at the local Mexican restaurant and every time Jose` or his assistant would come to our table, Ellie would spread her arms and say, "Gimme a hug!" We eventually had to tell her to stop! This is from the girl that would not lay her head on my shoulder or give us a kiss for her entire first year with us!

She also seems to be very thoughtful. This morning, for example, as Jan was leaving, Ellie was concerned that she say 'good bye' to Jan in the parking lot. Then she wanted a hug. Then she wanted a kiss. Then she wanted "lots of kisses." Then, unprompted, she said to Jan, "Thank you for playing with me!" Then everything was fine.


Okay, one last thing. The other night Jan took some family photos for us. We were trying to communicate to Ellie the definition of the word family. It seemed to click. Periodically, she would point to each of us respectively and say, "Mommy, Daddy, Ellie. Falimy!" She knew we belonged together. This would be followed by a huge grin. Oh my goodness! Melt my heart!!!

It might sound surprising to many of you, but the greatest changes we have seen in Ellie in 2009 would be a more evident sign of attachment to us. It wasn't until January of this year that she showed any real excitement over seeing us return from being away for an evening. Then it evolved into a fear of us leaving her -- even if it was to go into the next room (this still occurs -- she can work herself up into heaving, heartbreaking sobs (on the verge of going berserk) if she turns around and you're "gone" -- it's frustrating some days to have a four year old literally clinging to your shirt tale while you're trying to put laundry away or wanting to hold your hand while you're taking the garbage up to the street. But it's also so, so, sad for me to imagine her not having anyone to love or love her in return those first 17 months of life. And that after more than two and a half years with us, she's finally allowed herself to be loved and love others in return. It's the best thing yet.

Back to School

On Thursday Ellie returned to school. To say she was excited would be to put it mildly. Where last spring we struggled some weeks to get her off to school happily, this week she was giving hugs to the bus driver and bus aides. Her teachers have remarked that she has really grown over the summer -- one of her classroom assistants describes her as the classroom 'social butterfly', giving hugs to all her friends (they're working on getting her to ask permission first). Her teacher Ms. K shared that she was one of the first to run to the carpet for circle time, sat down right in front, crossed her legs, and did her 'bubble mouth' (filling her cheeks with air so she's not talking) all without being prompted. I don't think she was so quick last year to follow directions!

One last quick story... In Ellie's classroom there are quite a few individuals working with the children in addition to the primary classroom teacher. One of those is a special ed teacher (Ms. Tammy) who works in the room every other day, with her aide filling in on the off days. Yesterday was Ms. Tammy's day to work with the class next door. Apparently, during lunch in the cafeteria, Ellie spotted Ms. Tammy and drug her tray and chair over to sit next to her! We're so glad that Ellie loves her teachers so much and are grateful to see evidence of continued growth and improvement in her!

P.S. All photos courtesy of Jan Graves. Thanks, Jan!

So Long, ol' pal

In a June post I shared how Ellie purchased some pets of her own, two sweet hermit crabs named Marty and Crush. At the time, we had no idea how fond Ellie would become of these two little guys. Even when they would pinch her fingers after moments of 'too much loving', Ellie wouldn't hold a grudge. There would be no easier way to cheer her up then to pull the crabs out of their cage and watch them meander around the floor. One morning several weeks ago we were saddened to see that Crush failed to 'wake up.' We quietly disposed of him without any mention to Ellie. She would occasionally ask about him, but seemed satisfied to play with Marty since she usually only played with one at a time anyway.

Then, while we were in Scotland we received an e-mail that Marty was non-responsive and had joined Crush on that sandy beach in the sky. When we returned from our trip, Gjyshe had a little ceremony for Marty which we documented below.

Now, if you ask Ellie where Marty went, she will respond, "In a hole at Gigi's house."

Marty, Crush... though you were not with us long, you found a little place in our hearts. Thanks for bringing Ellie so much joy. We're just sorry that you met untimely ends.

Seeing Double

Earlier this spring, Mom and Dad learned about an Albanian family that had recently started a restaurant in the nearby farm town of Mackinaw. After they shared this news with us, we thought it would be fun to meet them so between our trips to Scotland and our family reunion in Indiana we dropped in on their establishment for supper. When we arrived, they weren't actually on the premises, but soon after our food came, the whole family walked it. Ironically, they have a daughter just one month older than Ellie! The girls really hit it off and had fun hamming for the camera. Xhesi (Jessie) saw that Ellie had glasses so of course, she had to don hers as well. Enjoy the rest...

okay, now no glasses!

(below, brother Xhemal was feeling left out)

The whole family

If you live in central Illinois, we recommend The Mackinaw Family Restaurant to you! (100 S. Orchard St., Mackinaw) They have quite a diverse menu so you should easily find something that sounds good! We look forward to seeing them again during future visits to central Illinois!

Go Green

We try to spend a week on the farm every other summer and while we do, snap some pics of Els on the big John Deeres. Here's a link to her tractor photos from 2007...(different tractors)

My assistant

(above) Ellie confirms I've nailed my exposure

(below) helping me test my settings for a new set-up

To see my favorites of the photos we got from baby Emily's photo session, click here.

Summer Pics (in no particular order)

Paddling on the Pekin Lagoon brought back lots of memories of birthday parties here for Bug.

I sure hope those aren't the same boats we used nearly 20 years ago.

In June (I told you I was behind in my blogging), we got a visit from our friend, Jennifer. Jennifer served on our student cabinet a few years ago. A self-described blog stalker ( ;-) ), Jennifer thought it was time she paid us a visit in person! We're so glad she did!

While we were in Illinois over July 4 the Hogues hosted a little get together. We told Ellie there would be swimming at the lake, however, an infestation of bees on the dock kept us out (especially after Nathan sprayed their nest and made them REALLY 'welcoming'). Fortunately Aunt Marcia has a hot tub! That seemed to substitute just fine!

Ellie with her 2nd cousin, Jaedyn.

Isn't this just so pitiful? Because of ear infections, Sam was not allowed into the hot tub with the rest of the cousins. He seemed to accept the fact that he would just have to watch the fun from a distance. I don't think I could have done so well at that age!

At Peebles with Valerie and the Wunderlis

Scroll to the bottom to see some photos taken 9 years ago at the same spot

"Gran" (Valerie) with her grandkids

At Peebles Hydro Hotel in September 2000
One of the most fun weddings I've ever had the privelege of attending

The Wedding Party

Simon is Swiss (hence no kilt), but lots of guests wore them -- isn't that cool?

Some more Scotland photos

We are back from Scotland! It was a relatively short trip, but we felt that we made the most of our time and really enjoyed ourselves. Here are some photos from our tour of the Highlands on Tuesday. Soon I will post photos of Monday's trip to Peebles with Valerie and the Wunderlis.

Nathan posing with "Hamish", a highland "coo"

Glen Coe was our favorite place that we visited...

very near Loch Ness

(below) Blair Castle