Reunion fun

(by JPC)

We had a wonderful time at my reunion last weekend! I was able to reconnect with many of my former classmates and we had the fun of introducing our families to each other. Ellie was quite a trooper throughout the trip! She "suffered" through lots of traveling, a night in the dorms, and far less sleep than she's used to. Still she was able to maintain her happy demeanor most of the time. I was even told by 2 people that she should be a model :-)

Being there for the weekend was a wonderful reminder of my college years. I was lucky enough to spend that time on one of the most beautiful college campuses around (not just as judged by me but by one of those college ranking magazines, too!) and more importantly was lucky enough to spend that time with some of the most amazing people I will ever meet. During reunion we spent a lot of time with one of my friends in particular and she kept reminding me of things that we had done. I think I had forgotten just how much fun we really had. At the time, you are in the midst of the experience and sometimes don't realize how great it is. I guess that's true for many things.

We were walking around campus and Lori made the comment that we need to start saving money now because if this is where Ellie wants to go in the future, then we have to make it happen. Although that may not actually be realistic, I do hope that Ellie finds an environment that is so accepting and supportive of an individual's development. I am incredibly thankful to MY parents for making it happen for me. I know that it wasn't easy for them, even if at the time I didn't really understand that.

Now for some pictures....

We had a lot of traffic heading up to New England on Friday afternoon, which was not a surprise, but Ellie slept for 1 1/2 hours of the 4+ hour drive. She was in a good mood when she woke up and Mommy kept her entertained and happy the rest of the way!

We met up with one of my dearest friends from college. We wish that she and her family lived closer! She has 2 daughters, one is a year older than Ellie and one is a year younger than Ellie.

Ellie taking a peak at the youngest...

And trying to keep up with the oldest!

Ellie was up late so she joined us for my class party. She had an apple while we had beer!

Ellie snuggled up with mama in our dorm room twin bed. We expected a long and sleepless night, but once Ellie fell asleep around 10 pm, we didn't hear a peep from her until 5 am. It was an early morning but we had prepared for worse! We all went on a morning walk around the lake and sat by the waterfall before most were up for the day. The dorm we stayed in happened to be the dorm I lived in my senior year. We went exploring and I was able to show Lori where my old room was in the basement. There were 7 of us down there that year who picked to live in the basement together. It still has the same funny smell 10 years later!

The Laurel Parade is the day before graduation. The alumnae and current graduates all wear white and walk through campus to the grave site of the founder of the school. The parade is in chronological order so that it starts with the oldest gradautes (from the 1930s!) and ends with the current graduates. Those of us who are there for big reunions walk in the middle, sorted by class year. It's an amazing experience, especially as a new grad. You walk through the campus roads which are lined with friends and family who are all cheering for you. We all cried during the parade but the tears really came when the new grads walked through and you could see their excitement and tears.

After the parade, we all settled down for a BBQ on the green. Ellie had lots of fun playing with the big girls! In the 2nd shot below, Ellie actually caught the ball that was thrown to her and I just happened to catch it on film. Maybe she will get a scholarship someday!

Ellie savors her first taste of watermelon

At the crew reunion with other rowers from my class and our coach

The drive home was only 3 1/2 hours, of which Ellie slept 2. We were all exhasuted that night but had such a wonderful time. I'm already looking forward to my 25th (Ellie will be 16 - oh, gosh!)

First swim of the summer

(By JPC)

We had a fabulous time at my reunion and will post photos when we have a little more time. Below are pictures from today of Ellie's first swim of the year. Like last year, she wasn't too keen on the swimming pool. She cried for the first minute because of the cold and I thought maybe we should give up. Eventually she warmed up although still clung to me the entire time. She was fascinated though by her Mommy swimming underwater!

Mama and Ellie getting ready to brave the unheated pool

Walking around to stay warm!

Ellie warming up in the sun after her swim

What she doesn't realize is that we're going to try this again tomorrow and most weekends this summer!

(by JPC)

We are heading to New England tomorrow for my 10 year college reunion. I am excited and a little nervous to see some friends that I haven't seen in those 10 years since our graduation. We are in the midst of packing for ourselves and for Ellie because of course we wouldn't go without her. We'll be sleeping in a dorm on campus and I think that it may even be the dorm that I lived in my senior year. I'm looking forward to seeing old faces and the new faces in their lives. And of course what mother wouldn't look forward to the chance to show off her baby, who will of course be the cutest one there!

We will post an update when we return, but for now I'll end with an older picture of that baby (from August 2006). I think of her as "the toothles wonder" in this shot. How much she has changed!

Birthday wishes for Grandpa

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GRANDPA!! WE LOVE YOU!

Climber

(by JPC)

On Friday, Ellie had a fever and was home with me for the day. She took almost 5 hours worth of naps and spent most of the rest of the day lounging on the couch. That is, until she tried to climb up onto the coffee table for the first time. Ellie has never really been much of a climber (unlike her favorite cousin who climbed out of her crib before she was a year old!!), but now that she has mastered the skill, I spent a large portion of this weekend, reminding her that we don't sit on the coffee table....

Poor Ellie did not feel well

"Hhhmmmmm, I think I can do this..."

"I did it!"

"If I act like I'm not excited about this, maybe my mama won't notice that I'm sitting in the middle of the table."

Apple eating

(by JPC)

During Ellie's afternoon snack of orange slices and a banana yesterday, I was eating an apple. I realized that she had never had an apple slice so I cut a few very thin slices for her. She loved them! As you can hear on the video, she quickly mastered saying the word "apple". She said it for the next few hours while pointing at the kitchen. We are glad that our little girl loves fruit so much! Next on the list to try is spinach...

Mothers' Weekend

Instead of just one day, we celebrated Mothers' Weekend! We spent Saturday with Mimi and Boppa where Ellie had lots of fun. Mimi and Boppa gave Ellie a set of gardening tools and there are many pictures of her below helping Boppa in the backyard. While there, we also celebrated Ellie's 1 1/2 birthday with a half of a birthday cake (dairy and egg free of course and not that bad!).

On Sunday, the three of us went out for breakfast where Ellie loved her first taste of vegan waffles (have you noticed yet the focus on finding foods that Ellie can eat?!?!). After a nap for Lori and Ellie and a movie for Jana, we went to the park to enjoy the beautiful soring day. Ellie had lots of fun on the swing as usual and also spent some time kicking and throwing the balls. When we had had enough sun, we picked up Italian ices and headed home. To complete out day of spoiling, we even went out for dinner to our favorite local place. It was a nice relaxing weekend!

Giving Mimi her Mother's Day gift

Ellie in her pretty dress (which she was changed out of within 30 minutes of arriving at Mimi and Boppa's house!)

Working in the garden with Boppa

Watering the plants

Catching a ride on the wagon!

I'm 1 1/2!!

This icing sure is good!

Mother's Day morning

Ellie and Mama on their way to breakfast (a very early breakfast!)

Enjoying her vegan blueberry waffles

Playing at the park (after we were finally able to peel her away from the swings!)

After working up an appetite at the park, Ellie enjoys a pina colada ice in the back of the car

To complete the day, we went out for dinner. If you notice, Ellie's plate has ketchup, slices of banana, and a piece of cucumber - what a balanced meal!

Wonderful Weekend Part 2

(By JPC)

OK, so it took a while, but here are a few photos from our trip to the beach last weekend. It was such a beautiful day (sunny and about 65) that we decided after breakfast to head to the beach for a few hours. For most people that would mean going to spend a few hours in the sand, the actual beach. For us that meant going to the boardwalk and letting Ellie ride some rides! Our friend, Joan (AKA Aunt Joan), met us there. Ellie had a good time and we even walked down to the actual beach :-) We hope that you all have a good weekend and Happy Mother's Day to everyone!

On the rides again....

A cold ride on the train around the amusement park

All of us on the kids ferris wheel!

Ellie and Mama watching the waves

Ellie trying hard to figure out how to walk on this new stuff