Resolute

With 2009 upon us I have been thinking a lot about New Years resolutions.

I have never been big on resolutions. I have usually forgotten what they were by February and more often than not I even forget to make them in the first place.

But that's one thing that's great about this blog . . . it's a way to take a moment and document our life and my thoughts.

As Anais Nin said

"I write to live life twice, once in the moment and again in retrospection."

So after much thought, here are my 2009 New Years resolutions.

1 - Craft more, specifically make some Christmas stockings!

I love crafting, especially scrapbooking, and yet it seems to be the thing that I do the least. So I'm going to carve out more time in our crazy schedule to craft!

2 - Let the joy in.

So often I feel like I'm waiting for the next best thing. For example, Drew's Christmas present to me was a nights stay at the Edgewater hotel this weekend. I have been SO excited all week I've been thinking "Let's just get through this week so I can enjoy our mini-break."

Our life is so awesome in so many ways that I need to stop and smell the roses more often or . . . let the joy in!

3 - Get more creative.

I've really been looking forward to the stage when I can make up silly games and activities for Ellie and I to do together. I have started collecting little pieces of cardboard for Ellie to draw on because I remember how much fun it was to make art on something other than plain white paper. So if you have any great ideas for activities with toddler leave me a message. This is the year to get creative!

And because I will always post a picture of the little one . . .

This girl is certainly is not thinking about the classic resolution of watching her weight ;)

Her favorite new hang out is the fridge!

And a very merry Christmas it was . . .

We had a wonderful Christmas today filled with family, gifts, games, food, drink, laughter and snow!

To sum up . . .

- In addition to the 12" of snow already on the ground it steadily snowed all morning adding another 2 or 3"! My first white Christmas!

- We ate at least 8 meals, included the Ocampo family tradition of Menudo!

- Shaneen and I won every game we played, to Drew's obvious chagrin

- Carols were sung, followed by John Prine songs

- Laura orchestrated a ridiculously silly and fun game where we played Christmas carols on little whistles. I almost peed my pants!!

-We drank Baileys and coffee, mimosas, more champagne, red wine and white wine . . . sufficed to say a glass was never empty

We started the season saying "Ellie doesn't need any Christmas gifts, she won't know the difference." I guess the grandparents didn't get that memo because she had many many gifts to open. Although she didn't really get the idea of unwrapping she sure enjoyed the end result!

May the merriment begin

Today, it feels as though Christmas has begun!

Shaneen arrived from Atlanta and we cracked open the champagne.

It was no time at all 'till Ellie cuddled up on Auntie Shaneeny's lap for a story!

Winter Wonderland

Seattle has been hit with a winter blast. Temperatures have been in the 20's and it's been snowing off and on for days. Last night they predicted a huge wind storm as well. It would have been just terrible to lost power during these cold days! Luckily, the weathermen were wrong and although we got more snow there was no wind.

Ellie seems to love the cold weather, just like her dad.

Today, we may try a bit of sledding!

Quote of the day

Drew just won the prize for 'quote of the day' . . .

"Ellie, you're the smartest pet I've ever had!"

I agree

Read this!

What a change in the last few days. It seems Ellie has turned into a toddler overnight.

Her cutest new trick is picking out a book, bringing it over to us, turning around and sitting her little bum down in our laps. Then she acutally sits still and listens to the entire book!

Yesterday, when we walked in the door and Ellie saw Drew she immediatly headed for her book shelf, grabbed "Elmo Loves You" (her favorite) and then ran to see her daddy!

It just melts your heart!

Happy Holidays

Our good friends Sherrie and Clois were in town this weekend so we hosted a brunch to visit and meet their new baby, Aria. She's 2 months old and just adorable. She slept the entire time! I don't remember Ellie ever sleeping that much!

Ellie was so sweet with Aria. She patted her gently and wasn't at all jealous that I was holding another baby.

Drew has been having baby pangs lately. He's of the mind that it would be nice to get the baby stages over with.

But TOO BAD. I'm not in baby mode AT ALL yet. Not even when holding this little bundle! The nurses . . . nursing.

This is my favorite part of the holidays . . . it's a good excuse to get together.

I think my New Years resolution will be to think of more excuses!

Ho, Ho, I don't know

We stopped by to see Santa today at our friends art gallery. It was nice because there was no line and no pressure.

And good thing because Ellie was not too impressed with the man in red.

At first she was coy . . .

But then it came time for the lap sitting and wish telling . . .

Oh well, I think it's required to have the "crying baby" photo in the Santa picture timeline . . .

Merry Christmas to all!

Winter warmth

Winter is upon us! It's much colder here in Seattle and it's often frosty in the mornings. This part of winter never bothers me, though, because it is warmed up with the events of Christmas. We got our tree and decorated the house this weekend.

My favorite decoration idea of the year! I hung my collection of Swarovski snowflakes on a branch Drew found in the green-belt. He painted it metallic silver and I hung the snowflakes on fishing line. With candles underneath, the crystals just sparkle!!

Even though this photo is overexposed, I just love it! It captures how sunny and cold it was. The Christmas tree farm was a wonderland . . . the spiderwebs still had dew on them . . . natures' tinsel.

Gratitude

In the spirit of Thanksgiving I have been working on a scrapbook mini-album entitled "Gratitude." It's been a great to think about all the little things I'm thankful for . . .

like lint!

I love lint. I love cleaning the lint trap in the dryer and seeing what color it may be based on that particular load of laundry. Lint from Ellie's laundry is never a surprise . . . it's always pink!

I love finding lint in between Ellie's toes and in Drew's belly button.

That's right, I love lint!

And I'm very grateful for a hot cup of mango tea, especially, when it's enjoyed in a winter sunbeam.

Kiss Me, Ellie!

This is what you get when you ask Ellie for a kiss.

What could be better than wet, slimy baby lips???

Toddler moment

As I've mentioned in a previous post, I love the Tot Spot Cafe in Woodinville. It's such an interested study in child psychology to watch how all the kids of different ages interact.

Ellie has done the same little pattern every time we have gone there. When we enter, she's very pensive but easily walks away from my lap to find a toy to cling to. She stays very still and watches the other kids for at least 15 minutes. She then ventures out and finds a few more toys and a little bit more independence. Exactly 40 minutes after we arrive she searches the crowd for me and wants to sit on my lap or quickly nurse for a little assurance.

What a toddler, playing and exploring but regularly checking in with mom. Love it!

This . . .

. . . is awesome!

Ellie is finally at the age where we can expose her to new experiences and she actually seems to be enjoying them!

Tonight, we attended a fundraiser for a friends co-op pre-school and our favorite band, Hot Dish, was the entertainment!!

They were the band that played at our wedding so it brought back good memories.

Ellie was just enchanting. She danced and played her maraca all night!

Here she is with our friend Katie That's Joelle and Kai in the background.

Notice the cotton in her ears. I couldn't believe the girl who won't keep a hat on her head, acutally left the cotton in her ears. I guess she knew I was serious when I said, "Wear the cotton or we go home!"

New Do

Since Ellie is no longer an infant I decided to try out a new hairstyle.

The problem now is that she looks way to much like a toddler!

Yes, her shirt says "Daddy did my hair"

Year in lists

I have been really wanting to write a post 'wrapping up' Ellie's first year. But for some reason, I don't know what to say . . . should I write about how Ellie has changed our lives? . . . nay, too obvious . . . should I write about how Ellie makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside because she made me a mother? . . . nay, too sappy . . . should I write about how one year of sleepless nights makes me worry Ellie may be an only child? . . . nay, too dramatic ;)

So how about I just make a list . . . I like lists.

Ellie's first year memory list:

Most vivid memory of labor: I remember being in the tub when labor was really intense and thinking it is amazing that the human race is still going because this was the worst pain imaginable.

Most vivid memory of birth: Pulling her squishy, slimy body against my chest the moment she was born and feeling awe struck and overwhelmed as she latched on and started nursing immediately! Drew's reaction was the best though, he cried and said "Donnianne, your breastfeeding our daughter!"

The early days: We were so lucky to have my mum come out to Boise to stay with us for the first week. The taste of squash still reminds me of those days because it was fall and she made us delicious meals every night, including, roasted squash with butter and brown sugar.

Surprising stat: Ellie travelled to 3 states and 2 countries in her first 3 months of life . . . Idaho, Washington, California, US and Canada!

Big shock #1: For me, newborn-hood was the best part! I have heard from most people that the first 6 weeks is the toughest part of parenthood. But for Drew and I, Ellie's newborn stage was one big long baby-moon.

Funniest memory: Ellie went through a growling phase when she was about 5 months old. That gave us lots of laughs! She still pulls out that trick once and awhile!

Health and occupations: She has been such a healthy kid! She's barely even had a diaper rash, doesn't have allergies and has only been sick once with Roseola. I think it's quite possible she will be a food connoisseur when we grows up. She's never turned her nose up at anything and the more flavor the better.

Thank goodness for . . . : The grandparents. I don't know how we would have survived this first year without them!

Glimpses: It's so interesting to begin to get glimpses at Ellie's personality traits and there is one that seems to stand out the most . . . She's fearless! She isn't phased by loud noises like the vacuum, she loves big dogs, her favorite game is to get startled by her dad and when she falls or bangs her head she rarely cries!

Toughest and roughest: The lack of sleep for the first 11 months was definitely hard. It's so amazing to put her down at 8:30pm and know we get a break for the next 10 hours!

Big shock #2: I know all lot of my readers are going to be saying a big "duh" when they read this but I am still shocked by how much Ellie has changed our lives. I think it's impossible to be able to imagine yourself as a parent or how a child will change your relationship until it happens. It's just so immense. Sometimes I mourn for our old life. I miss being able to be spontaneous.

The best part: Even with the sleepless nights and new lifestyle our life is richer and more wonderful because of Ellie. We love her!

Obama Obama Obama

It has been a historic week in the Noble family and in the country!

Ellie not only turned one but Barack Obama has been elected as the next President.

Just think, my parents lived through the civil rights movement, wondering if people would ever have equal rights . . . I grew up wondering why the only presidents in this country were white men . . . but Ellie will grow up in a world where a black man as president is an everyday reality!

This is a great day!

We were at a celebration party tonight and right during the middle of Obama's acceptance speech , Ellie clearly said . . . "Obama".

We have witnesses !!

Happy Happy Birthday Baby!

Today, Ellie turned one!

One year ago Ellie was born.

Ellie is now in her second year of life!

This time last year she wasn't in my belly.

She's a toddler!

I keep having to say this a million different ways because it just doesn't seem possible it's been a year since Ellie's birth.

I sat down to write a post reminiscing about labor and birth but, truth be told, I'm too tired.

So, instead, in the spirit of the year of firsts here is another one . . .

Today was the first day I caught Ellie picking her nose. She looks quite proud of herself . . . too funny!

P.S. Ellie whispered to me today that her birthday wish is that you all get out and VOTE tomorrow!! No excuses!

Oh and be sure to pick the right one!

Make a wish . . .

Today, we celebrated Ellie's first birthday! We had a rubber ducky party with lots of friends and family. It was a great day.

My friend, Eric, has started making birthday cakes and we were so excited to have him make Ellie's. Isn't it fabulous??!!

Ellie's first experience with birthday cake! Will she ever go back to eating vegetables?

Happy birthday to Ellie! Our little girl is one!!!!

Trick-or-treat!

Happy Halloween!

Ellie's first halloween was a big success. She dressed up as a flower princess.

Halloween was always one of my favorite holidays . . . getting dressed up . . . going out at night . . . and, of course, candy!

One of the biggest bummers of growing up is getting too old to do these childhood traditions.

So I've decided this is one of the biggest perks of parenting . . . trick-or-treating here we come!

50 ways to maim your baby!

You know that Paul Simon song "50 ways to leave your lover", well, in the span of 24 hours Drew and I have rewritten that song to . . . . "50 ways to maim your baby!"

This morning when Ellie was woke up Drew was surprised by the fact that she was all wet. She never leaks through her diaper. Upon changing her he realized he forgot to put on a diaper last night. So our poor little girl slept all night diaperless and in a soaking wet sleeper!

#1: Neglect . . . check!

Then this morning, as I was making my breakfast, I was surprised by how quiet Ellie was playing in the living room. That should have been a big red flag because as I went over to her I realized she had got a hold of her liquid vitamin D supplement and was drinking it. Ahhh, I called poison control immediately with my heart pounding. Luckily, they said it's impossible to acutely overdose on vitamin D because it is water soluble.

#2: Attempted poisoning . . . check!

So after a strange morning Drew and I decided to meet for lunch at my favorite new hangout, The Tot Spot Cafe in Woodinville. It's a cute cafe with a huge playarea for kids. Ellie was standing in the big firetruck play toy when another little girl decided she was finished sharing and proceeded to push Ellie out. Ellie landed hard on her head. Her first big fall.

#3: Battery . . . check!

The scary thing is . . . it's only 2pm. So like I said we are well on our way to completing the lyrics to the new song . . . "50 ways to maim your baby!"

Squishy . . messy . . goodness!

Today, we carved pumpkins with the grandparents.

Love the possible captions on this series of photos . . .

Ooo, a pumpkin.

Looks tasty.

I think I'll give it a try.

Well, that's . . . different.

But next year I think I'll try carving instead of taste testing!

Pucker up!

A few weeks ago, at Drew's birthday dinner, Ellie got ahold of a lemon. The face she made upon her first taste was just priceless. Some families might take it away to save her from another puckering moment. But the Nobles, no we grabbed the camera!

Three cheers for Ferber!

Why didn't we do this sooner??!! That is the question bouncing around in our minds this week!

As you know, Ellie has never been a sleeper. At nearly 1 year she was still sleeping like a newborn at night, waking 2-4 (or more) times a night and requiring that she be nursed or rocked back down to sleep.

Drew and I havn't had a good nights sleep soo long that it was beginning to affect nearly every part of our life! I wasn't even excited to see Ellie in the morning because I felt like I had been parenting her all night.

That was final straw for me . . . if I'm not enjoying motherhood . .. something drastic has got to change!

I had always been afraid of Dr. Ferber (the Director of the sleep center at Boston's Children's Hospital and author of Solve you child's sleep problems. Dr. Sears, attachment parenting guru, has berated Dr. Ferber's methods as unsympathetic to children and negativly coined the term "ferberizing."

Well, I am surprised to say Dr. Sears was wrong.

Yes, ferberizing Ellie did come with some of crying but I really don't think it was more crying than before. Plus, after 3 nights she fell asleep, by herself, in her crib after 30 minutes and slept for 10 hours straight!!!

As I sit here and write this post she is currently screaming in her room because it is nap time . . . naps still need major work.

But, overall, Ferbers methods have led to huge improvements with sleep!

Here is Ellie attempting to stay in the loop by skimming though the book.

Fall hike to 'Lake No-where'

The weather was beautiful this last weekend so we decided to head up to the mountains for a hike. Well, actually Drew wanted to go hiking and threatened (I mean, asked) me to come along.

I don't exactly love hiking. I would much rather go 'hiking' in the city, along with some window-shopping and a yummy lunch.

Ellie, though, seems to take after her dad and happily hung out in the ergo, falling asleep for most of it.

Yes, that's me looking very disgruntled at the fact that I have to wear the backpack. Before Ellie, Drew would pack all the gear by himself. And I wasn't too happy when I found he had hidden 2 beers in the backpack to have with lunch. But the return trip was much lighter with the beer in our bellies instead of on my back.

We never did find the lake we were headed to, apparently some bushwhacking had to be done in order to find it. With Ellie on Drew's back, bushwhacking was strictly prohibited.

It would be quite funny if someone was observing us hike . . . Drew is in his element . . . breathing the mountain air with a spring in his step. And I'm counting the minutes till we get to return to the heated car and later a warm bath.

Oh well, opposites attract right . . .?