I will use this post only to talk about the trip to and from Cleveland for the wedding. I will not use it to talk about Ken and Jen's lovely wedding. That will get its own nice post.
Argh! We left LI around noon on Friday afternoon. You would think that that would be a great time to leave the island. Nope. Turns out they closed part of the LIE, westbound only, on the way to the GWB. After losing nearly an hour there, we were frustrated. Elliot was especially unhappy about travelling that day, too. We were caught in at least two other episodes of parking-lot-on-the-interstate traffic, too, due to construction. We were trying to make it to Cleveland in time to meet some of the Phi Kaps at Harry Buffalo, but we didn't get until about 11:15 PM. Elliot DID get to have her first Happy Meal, though. Once she really lost her mind, we decided to pull off and have dinner to get her out of the car. She had chicken nuggets, apple slices, and milk. What a big girl! (BTW, she had her second Happy Meal on Saturday...)
On the way back home, we thought it couldn't possibly take as long. We left around noon again, after the babies had their pics taken at JCP. The first six hours we really cruised. Then we hit construction again, and lost a ton of time. Then when we were at wits end, we got to the GWB and a sign that said "sixty minute delays." Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh! It only ended up being about a 35 minute delay, but still. We got in at midnight. We should have flown.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Elliot's New Hairstyle - Haha!
Well, I might have mentioned to Dave a week or so ago that Ella's hair is maybe getting long enough for pigtails. He has asked several times since if it was. I decided today was the day to try. You can let us know if you agree!
Monday, July 7, 2008
Now We're Cruisin'!
Elliot began yesterday to little by little begin cruising! She pulled up on her LeapFrog learning table, and tiptoed over to her toybox! Then later, she was standing by the couch and took a step or two toward Daddy's leg. (She likes to pull his leg hair.) Yay, Ella! We're movin' now!
Elli and I have been cuddling and rocking before bed lately. I hold her, sing a couple songs, and she puts her head on my chest. She shifts positions often and sometimes reaches up to kiss me. I love that! Tonight, while I was singing, she insisted on being forehead-to-forehead and nose-to-nose. She would stretch up and kiss my nose sometimes. It was just the cutest thing! What a silly girl!
Elli and I have been cuddling and rocking before bed lately. I hold her, sing a couple songs, and she puts her head on my chest. She shifts positions often and sometimes reaches up to kiss me. I love that! Tonight, while I was singing, she insisted on being forehead-to-forehead and nose-to-nose. She would stretch up and kiss my nose sometimes. It was just the cutest thing! What a silly girl!
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Some Catch Up
My laptop is on its way out of this world...while the speed of the computer and all its functioning is still quite good, the screen no longer has the strength to hold itself upright. So now I can only use my laptop where it can be propped up. Strangely enough, I have used it while holding the screen up with my foot...painful, but necessary at times. I will be on much less due to this, I'm sure, as I have been for the last several days.
Elliot's parties all ended up fantastic. Daddy bought her an elephant at the zoo on her actual birthday. On Wednesday morning, we were playing with it and I said to Elliot, "What is the elephant's name? He needs a name!" I certainly didn't expect the answer that I got, "Dewey." Occasionally Elli says Dewey in a string of syllables, but it was as though she were really answering me. So now we have Dewey the Elephant.
On Tuesday evening, our neighbor Laura dropped off a gift card for Elliot for her birthday. (Her son, Douglas, graduated this weekend and she was quite busy with 72 guests for her party!) I had seen some great toys on clearance at Target and Ella and I went over to pick something out on Wednesday. I took the three toys I liked and put them in a row, and Elliot picked this cool bike. It has a toy that you can play with on the floor 'til you're big enough to sit on the bike; then, it becomes a rocking bike; finally, it becomes a riding bike. Its so cool and Ella LOVES it!!! Here's a pic (okay, 2!)!
Yesterday Elliot was down for a nap, and when I got her up, she was bleeding by both of her eyes. I don't know if she was itchy near her nose or what, but she now has identical red sores between her eyes on each side of her nose. Its odd. Here's a pic:
Today we had a garage sale. For the most part, Ella was wonderful, all things considered. The weather was cloudy with a chance of yucky. It did, however, keep the temp down. We made $48.50. Heck, it paid for groceries with money left over!!! None of our big stuff sold that we thought would, and only strange quirky little things sold. Odd... At any rate, one couple (who were obviously 'professional garage salers') tipped us onto the fact that there was a garage sale down the street with loads of fantastic and clean kids' toys. I ran down there, and they were right! I bought Elliot a play grill with utensils and ketchup and mustard, and this fantastic desk from Little Tykes. Both things combined I got for $8, and I bet she spent at least an hour today being entertained by them. Great deal! The desk is fantastic, too big for now (she stands at it and drums on the desktop) but will be great later!
Elliot's parties all ended up fantastic. Daddy bought her an elephant at the zoo on her actual birthday. On Wednesday morning, we were playing with it and I said to Elliot, "What is the elephant's name? He needs a name!" I certainly didn't expect the answer that I got, "Dewey." Occasionally Elli says Dewey in a string of syllables, but it was as though she were really answering me. So now we have Dewey the Elephant.
On Tuesday evening, our neighbor Laura dropped off a gift card for Elliot for her birthday. (Her son, Douglas, graduated this weekend and she was quite busy with 72 guests for her party!) I had seen some great toys on clearance at Target and Ella and I went over to pick something out on Wednesday. I took the three toys I liked and put them in a row, and Elliot picked this cool bike. It has a toy that you can play with on the floor 'til you're big enough to sit on the bike; then, it becomes a rocking bike; finally, it becomes a riding bike. Its so cool and Ella LOVES it!!! Here's a pic (okay, 2!)!
Yesterday Elliot was down for a nap, and when I got her up, she was bleeding by both of her eyes. I don't know if she was itchy near her nose or what, but she now has identical red sores between her eyes on each side of her nose. Its odd. Here's a pic:
Today we had a garage sale. For the most part, Ella was wonderful, all things considered. The weather was cloudy with a chance of yucky. It did, however, keep the temp down. We made $48.50. Heck, it paid for groceries with money left over!!! None of our big stuff sold that we thought would, and only strange quirky little things sold. Odd... At any rate, one couple (who were obviously 'professional garage salers') tipped us onto the fact that there was a garage sale down the street with loads of fantastic and clean kids' toys. I ran down there, and they were right! I bought Elliot a play grill with utensils and ketchup and mustard, and this fantastic desk from Little Tykes. Both things combined I got for $8, and I bet she spent at least an hour today being entertained by them. Great deal! The desk is fantastic, too big for now (she stands at it and drums on the desktop) but will be great later!
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Elliot's Real First Birthday
06.30.08 Elliot's real birthday was today. We started out the day with breakfast and presents from Mommy and Daddy and from our Lil' Leo friends. After all that, Elliot had a nap and we left for the Bronx Zoo. Nana and PopPop have never been there, so we were really excited to take them. Elli was a dream while we were there! By the time we left, though, she was sound asleep! We were headed toward lunch when Mommy asked Daddy what time it was. He said probably around 1:30 and checked his watch. He said, "It's one...thirty....FIVE!!! OH MY GOSH!!!" Since Ella was born at 1:35 PM, we took the time to LOUDLY sing her happy birthday!!! I'm so excited that we had that moment! Before lunch we went to the Bronx Zoo Store and bought Ella an Elephant - its so cute and cuddly. All day we fought to keep Elli's "First Birthday" cake hat on. We got some great pics with it! What a sport! Nana and PopPop sadly headed home after the zoo, it was their 35th wedding anniversary! We'll see them in two weeks in Cleveland, though, for Ken and Jen's wedding!
Elliot found some of her toys from birthday party 2 to play with:
ELliot playing with her 2-in-1 Learning Kitchen from Mommy and Daddy:
Unwrapping her new sippie cups (with straws!):
Unwrapping some books:
Daddy, Ella, and Mommy at the mailbox where her "1" balloon announced her big day:
Elliot in her stroller at the zoo - see her adorable hat?!:
Male tiger Sasha - Elliot's getting an Uncle Sacha on January 2!:
Nana, Elliot and PopPop - Happy 35th Anniversary Nana and PopPop!:
Elliot offering me a Cheerio:
Elli and Daddy - she sure is Daddy's girl!:
A camel:
A seal:
An alligator at the new Madagascar exhibit:
The condor stretching his wings to show us how big he is!:
Mommy and Elli:
Elliot and Mommy on the bug carousel:
Giraffes:
A peacock and a peahen - perhaps celebrating their 35th anniversary, too?:
Elliot sacked out on the Asia Monorail:
A tiger lounging in the cool water as we rode by:
Inappropriate Elephants:
Elliot still asleep on the Asia Monorail ride:
She can't even keep her head up as we leave the zoo:
There are a couple new videos on YouTube of Elliot opening presents and playing with her kitchen. Visit our YouTube site at www.youtube.com/sajaklitsch or wait for the videos to appear in our video bar to the right. Those friends who watch our videos often (Grandmas, Grandpas, Aunts (real or faux), etc.) can subscribe to our videos and receive an email each time new ones are posted!
Elliot found some of her toys from birthday party 2 to play with:
ELliot playing with her 2-in-1 Learning Kitchen from Mommy and Daddy:
Unwrapping her new sippie cups (with straws!):
Unwrapping some books:
Daddy, Ella, and Mommy at the mailbox where her "1" balloon announced her big day:
Elliot in her stroller at the zoo - see her adorable hat?!:
Male tiger Sasha - Elliot's getting an Uncle Sacha on January 2!:
Nana, Elliot and PopPop - Happy 35th Anniversary Nana and PopPop!:
Elliot offering me a Cheerio:
Elli and Daddy - she sure is Daddy's girl!:
A camel:
A seal:
An alligator at the new Madagascar exhibit:
The condor stretching his wings to show us how big he is!:
Mommy and Elli:
Elliot and Mommy on the bug carousel:
Giraffes:
A peacock and a peahen - perhaps celebrating their 35th anniversary, too?:
Elliot sacked out on the Asia Monorail:
A tiger lounging in the cool water as we rode by:
Inappropriate Elephants:
Elliot still asleep on the Asia Monorail ride:
She can't even keep her head up as we leave the zoo:
There are a couple new videos on YouTube of Elliot opening presents and playing with her kitchen. Visit our YouTube site at www.youtube.com/sajaklitsch or wait for the videos to appear in our video bar to the right. Those friends who watch our videos often (Grandmas, Grandpas, Aunts (real or faux), etc.) can subscribe to our videos and receive an email each time new ones are posted!
Elliot's Second First Birthday Party
06. 29.08 We got up and went to church with Nana and PopPop. Elliot and I usually go to church on Saturday evenings, but because of the barbeque, we went on Sunday this week. Why is this important? On the way out of church, we saw a girl that looked like someone I went to high school with. I turned to my mom and said, "That girl looks like Rachel _______!" My mom agreed, and as we went out the door, that girl held the door for us. She turned around when my dad said thanks, and it was indeed Rachel! So this girl who went to high school with me ten hours from here is now a fourth-year resident at Stonybrook University just a couple miles from my house!!! Whoa!
Elliot and PopPop before Church:
Elliot had her 2nd birthday party today. It was a swim party for family and close family friends at Grandpa and Grandma J's. Elliot loves to go in the pool, so this was a great time for her. We headed into the pool, and Nana and PopPop were so glad to get to see her "swim" in her float.
After swimming we had some dinner. Elliot, of course, enjoyed every bite of the ziti and baked beans she had. After dinner, we opened presents. Again, a nice mix of toys, clothes, and books and also got some money for college. Everyone did a really nice job of not going overboard, which I really appreciate.
Elliot opening her bubbles from Robin and Butch:
Elliot playing with the nose on her new Lion (hello Leos!) ride-on toy:
After presents, Elliot got her 2nd butterfly cake. I was really so proud of my two butterfly cakes, and it was really important to me to get to do that for her. Again, Elliot was ecstatic to get to eat cake!
Elli's cake that Mommy proudly made:
Let her eat cake!:
Elliot and PopPop before Church:
Elliot had her 2nd birthday party today. It was a swim party for family and close family friends at Grandpa and Grandma J's. Elliot loves to go in the pool, so this was a great time for her. We headed into the pool, and Nana and PopPop were so glad to get to see her "swim" in her float.
After swimming we had some dinner. Elliot, of course, enjoyed every bite of the ziti and baked beans she had. After dinner, we opened presents. Again, a nice mix of toys, clothes, and books and also got some money for college. Everyone did a really nice job of not going overboard, which I really appreciate.
Elliot opening her bubbles from Robin and Butch:
Elliot playing with the nose on her new Lion (hello Leos!) ride-on toy:
After presents, Elliot got her 2nd butterfly cake. I was really so proud of my two butterfly cakes, and it was really important to me to get to do that for her. Again, Elliot was ecstatic to get to eat cake!
Elli's cake that Mommy proudly made:
Let her eat cake!:
Elliot's First First Birthday Party
June 28, 2008. We had Elliot's first birthday barbeque for our friends and hers at our home today. The weather was hot, but not unbearable. We had a great time! Elle got a nice balance of clothes, toys and books. We had about 2 dozen folks show up. Some of Elli's baby friends came: Chris, Justin, Juliana, Ethan, and Kyle. Kyle and Elliot went in the baby pool together. After Kyle got out, he let Juliana use his float and she joined in.
Elliot LOVED her birthday cake that Mommy made. It was a Funfetti cake, butterfly shaped and iced beautifully (if I do say so myself!) After taking one LARGE hunk of cake and stuffing it in her mouth, she spent the next five minutes or so scraping the icing off the top and sides and licking it off her hands!
Pictures to follow once Aunt Vik sends them our way. I couldn't believe it when I emptied the pics off my camera and I didn't have any from that day!!! Good thing Vik was there!
Elliot LOVED her birthday cake that Mommy made. It was a Funfetti cake, butterfly shaped and iced beautifully (if I do say so myself!) After taking one LARGE hunk of cake and stuffing it in her mouth, she spent the next five minutes or so scraping the icing off the top and sides and licking it off her hands!
Pictures to follow once Aunt Vik sends them our way. I couldn't believe it when I emptied the pics off my camera and I didn't have any from that day!!! Good thing Vik was there!
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