Catching up

Elliot spent the night with us last night as her mommy had to work and her daddy went to Arlington to help the Texas Rangers. She was walking down the hallway after breakfast saying "Oh dark". I went to turn on the light to her toy room and she said "No, drums", so we went to the office instead and she proceeded to play Pops' drums. Unfortunately for my family, I can't help but observe things from a therapists' perspective. :) I noticed that she has good bilateral integration, crosses midline well, has great receptive language, and spatial awareness, especially for a 20 month old. Just watch the video.

We also went to Oklahoma a few weeks ago to help Joe's mom and step dad as they are moving into their new home. Ashlan and Bryan also came up and we got to meet their new addition to the family, Kelty, a half Australian shepherd and border collie mix. He was quite a trooper considering they have no grass yet and it rained ALL weekend. Bryan had not been to Pop's, a restaurant, gas station, convenience store with a glass wall of (pure cane sugar) soda pop. We hadn't been at night and enjoyed the neon bottle structure.

Elliot sings/talks all of the time. Here are 2 more videos of EIEIO and partial ABC's, counting wouldn't upload. They were taken about 6 weeks ago, so she sounds more clear now.

Having fun with Elliot

Where do I start, she is so much fun. We absolutely love being able to have her come to our house or go to their house to play with her. She loves singing, counting, reading, .... and is such a smart little girl. She and Pops snuggling is my FAVORITE!! They are so cute together.

Ringing in the New Year and things in between

Elliot decided that snowballs weren't that bad. She didn't even think they were too "brrr cold":
She is still not really fond of playing in the snow, but LOVES "noman" (snowman)!!!Pretty girl Christmas morning. She had already seen her Santa gifts at home and been to Bunny's house for more presents and breakfast!! She fell asleep on the way to our house, but once she realized there were so many people and more presents, she wanted to be part of the party. We let her open gifts first, thinking she might go down afterwards, but we were wrong!!! She wanted to continue to be part of the action. Each thing she opened was her new 'favorite'.
We had a great time having everyone around for the Holidays. The kids got to stay about 2 weeks which was wonderful!! PJ worked Christmas day so he missed the photo ops:( He came when he got off, in time for games, but no pictures of that.

Elliot enjoyed cooking with Nonni and Ashlan. She is really good at cracking eggs. Curtis Stone would be proud of her one handed go at it, without eggshell ending up in the bowl most attempts:) She and Uncle Bryee spread icing on her gingerbread cupcakes, but we didn't get a good picture of that.

She liked playing with her aunts and uncles too. She is really particular about getting the stickers right on the tip of your nose, or lobe of your ear:)

Christmas day the cousins came over, except for Joshy, and they all really enjoyed catching up with each other. It's strange that they are all adults now, working and/or trying to find careers.

Here's our girl ringing in the new year. It was about 10:00 but she got after the pots and pans in her dainty little way:

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!! Have a blessed 2010.

Birthday fun

I was invited to one of my clients birthday party at Jump n Jive. The mom also asked me to bring Elliot:) It happened to be on Friday, which was Papa's actual birthday, so we invited him along. He appeared to enjoy watching and playing with Elliot! We all ate cupcakes then met up with Jordan (Jennie had to go to work) at Applebee's.

Holiday Fun

Elliot ready to go to Victorian Christmas at the Panhandle Plains Museum open house. She made a plate peeling off snowman stickers, using a marker, and little stamps, looked at Santa from afar, which she prefers:); got very excited about the dinosaurs, and LOVED the cookies being passed out.An overview of the KinderKonzert stage from our "box seats" at the Amarillo Globe News Center. The kids in learning lab at my work got to experience this as their community field trip this week and Elliot and I tagged along. She was exceptionally good especially considering she decided to forego her morning nap. Every time the music would stop she was signing and saying "mo, mo".

Her with a big "cheese", daddy teased that it looked more like we were at a rock concert instead of the symphony:)
She didn't much care for the liveliness of conductor Kimbo as the elf or for Santa. She climbed up in my lap pretty fast upon their appearance.

She was somewhat interested in the dolls, not so much the mice.......but absolutely LOVED the 'noman' from a distance, then the safety of Nonni's arms. I was going to take her picture on stage, but once she saw him moving she wanted nothing to do with him.

She is also crazy about Christmas lights. This Christmas is going to be so much fun!

Couldn't get the video to post.......

I'll have to get with my technologically savvy kids and figure this one out:)

She's a natural!

According to Pops:) She chose which drums and cymbals to play on her own and she does a GREAT job of alternating between them! Joe was off today for Veteran's Day and Jordan and Jennie made it back in town late Monday evening so while Jennie napped to get ready for her first night shift Elliot hung out with the guys.

We had soooo much fun with her!!!

Elliot loves the "neighs" by Nonni and Pops' house, but from afar. She was not too keen on seeing them up close. Maybe because they were interested in her m'elmo shoes:)

Uncle Ry Ry and Aunt B will be here this weekend:) YAY!!!! He's photographing a wedding that Jordan and Jennie are attending, more Elliot time for us:) We will celebrate Thanksgiving early with our Austin kids then Ashlan and Bryan, our Houston kids, will be home in a couple of weeks!!!! Won't get them all together until Christmas:( but I love any time we get to be around each other!!