Ten things I love about Bear. Or, Memories of Ellie at 2 years
(Warning, long post, pictures are at the end.)
Eleanor turned two on Sunday. The weekend was filled with celebrations. Two is truly a milestone and Ellie has marked the past year with change after change. She’s gone from walking to running. Words to sentences. Crib to “big girl bed.” Diapers to Undies. Only child to Big Sister. Baby to little Girl.
As a mom, it is hard to express in words just how much I love, adore, cherish, and marvel at the lovely daughter God has given to me. Moms have the gift of seeing the unique beauty in their children. Here is what I see in Eleanor:
1. She is a gifted problem solver that will find a unique solution to challenges. Example, Ellie wanted to pull down the remaining streamers from her “Friesen Birthday Barracade” but couldn’t reach them. She wasted no time in announcing “stool,” then promptly found her little stool and arranged it to suit her needs.
2. She is a risk taker. With trying new words, exploring playgrounds, meeting new friends, attempting to sing, and even potty training Ellie attacks life with a “come what may” attitude.
3. She has a thankful heart. Ellie rarely forgets to say thank you every time I give her food to eat. “Tank you mama!”
4. She loves her little sister. Eleanor adores”Lucy Lu.” When Ellie takes a bath she will ask, “Lucy Lu bath too?” When Lucy smiles or laughs she gets the biggest smile on her face and will usually declare “Lucy Lu miling.”
5. She has a memory like a steel trap. Ellie can recall people, places, and events with uncanny skill. The slightest reminder can trigger a memory about something to which we thought she was totally oblivious.
6. She’s a hugger. Maybe reluctant at first, but when she comes around look out. It’s really a “bear hug.” (Pun intended).
7. She loves Broccolli. Enough said.
8. She cares about friends. Every night Ellie asks to pray for her friends by name. Starting with “Mama pay Dayla?” She even prays for Ezra and Porter even though they moved to Utah and we haven’t seen them in a while.
9. She loves to make silly noises and silly faces. Her understanding of humor amazes me. I think it stems from her analytical mind. She is facinated by what makes people laugh. Once she finds the right button, she’ll keep trying to push it again and again to get the response she desires.
10. She’s just Ellie Bear! I have a song I sing to Ellie. I call it the Ellie Bear song. Lately she asks for it by name. Sometimes before bed she will look at me, tilt her head to the side and ask sweetly, “Mama sing Ellie Bear.”
Being Silly with Lu
The one and only Ellie smile
Tummy time with Lucy
A more contemplative Eleanor
Sliding in her undies
The Birthday Barricade
Birthday Cake that Mom made
Ellie on the Farm
Some of our friends like to joke with us that we live on a farm. Apparently four chickens and a vegetable patch qualifies for a farm these days. Our house is nothing, however, in comparison to Grandma Ruth and Grandpa Gary’s house. This past Friday Ellie spent the day with Grandma picking corn and tomatos then eating them. Instant gratification, just what toddlers live for.
Ellie in the Hen House
Picking corn off the stalk
Showing her bounty
Ellie finds a "mato"
Finally, enjoying the "fruits" of her labor
Look who’s talking
Eleanor’s burgeoning language skills have been impressing the socks off me lately. As a confessed grammar-lover, I find it so fascinating to listen to the way her broken English develops as she becomes bolder and takes more risks with speech. Here are a few things out of her mouth recently:
“Mama please Ellie Chocolate Milk?”- A request proposed in the car.
“Lucy naked girl”- During one of Lucy’s many diaper changes.
“Come on mama”- Use regularly to coaxe me towards wherever she is headed. Particularly cute when combined with Ellie walking backwards and beckoning as if leading a puppy.
“Hannah Ellie peepee potty”- Announced proudly as she tells Hannah about the trip she just took to the bathroom.
“Here go Jack, cup”- Translation: ‘Here you go Jack. Here’s your cup’. This was in the car on the way to cousin Jack’s house. We had borrowed a sippy cup on our last visit and I had told Ellie she was going to give it back to Jack. Ellie felt the need to rehearse the return of the cup in the car.
“Be back baby.”- Said to her baby doll reassuringly. I had instructed Ellie to leave the baby in the stroller while we ate lunch. Ellie gently wrapped baby in her blanket, laid her in the stroller, and promised her she would ‘be back.’
Keep up the good work Ellie Bear.
Waiting for Lucy . . .
We are still waiting for Lucy Scarlet to arrive. Her due date is this Saturday 4/18/09. I am comfortable most of the time, except at night when contractions come and go. Eleanor is such a great kid and is letting mom get lots of rest. Please keep us in your prayers as we head into the final stretch.
Here are some fun recent pics of Ellie for your viewing:
I Love Hats!
Ellie shows how to accessorize and outfit
Mom and Eleanor at the park
I love slides
Valentine’s Day Egg Hunt
I know you thought Egg hunts were for Easter, right? But at the Friesen house an exciting thing happened this week. Speckles, Ellie’s chicken started laying eggs. Ben, who’s attitude towards the chicken was hostile at first (“freeloader” was a word he used) now exclaims that Speckles is the greatest chicken ever. . . because she now earns her keep. Here are a combination of Valentine’s Day and Egg finding pictures. Ellie loves her chicken so much and looks forward to feeding her everyday, and now checking to see if Speckles made an egg.
Here are a few more pictures of Ellie and her friends from a Valentine’s day brunch our husbands organized at church. The pictures were taken just before the girls went off to the nursery so moms and dads could enjoy a romantic brunch. (PS: The baby I’m holding in the photo is not ours! Lucy Scarlett won’t be due for another 2 months).
