Elimena

25 months

2009-06-09T01:00:00.006+10:00

I am in the middle of a mental developement spurt. My words are starting to stream in threes and fours. I seem to be picking up new words in each conversation.

We've been practicing colours and counting this month.
Mum thought I could count to two (definitely) and three (sometimes). Often though I think the numbers go as - one, two, five! As in one bike, two bikes and more than two bikes is five bikes :)
Then the other night when we were out walking and looking at the stars and moon, I showed her that I could count to TEN. Just as Dora had taught me. Mum almost fell over in shock.

Much to mum's distress I dropped my midday snooze one day. She hopes that I don't do this again for a while...She quite enjoys the down time, because as you know the life of a toddler is go-go-go for every other part of the day!

I am further testing the boundaries. I now clearly know what they are but just like to check occasionally.

Food is food at the moment and nothing more. I'm not too fussed what I am eating. I'm not too excited by anything either. Some meals I want it. Others I'm not overly into it.

I understand the concept of time. When dad went away during the month, we noted his return day in my calendar and we marked off the days until he came home. I didn't get as upset as I usually would because I understood that he was coming back. I gave hime lots of cuddles when he came home.

I am enjoying both imaginary play and dependant play. Thus enabling me to make "real" friends that I look forward to seeing.

Lachie Rules...

2009-06-06T01:00:00.005+10:00

Lachie was a bit put out that his contribution wasn't mentioned in my birthday post.

So I'd like to thank him for doing this (see piccie below) while we made the cake on the morning of the party...

...and thank you for doing this (see piccies below) while the party was on, so that mum and dad could organise the party and so that I could get all of the attention :)

Thanks Lachie, you're a great little brother!

Dress Ups are Fun!

2009-06-01T10:37:00.000+10:00

...particularly when you find cool hats...

Toddler Room

2009-05-29T23:18:00.001+10:00

I have proof that I am no longer a baby :) I moved up to the big cool Toddler Room for the 2-3 years olds at playcare today. My best friends Sophie and Isabella moved with me. The games and activities in the Toddler Room are way more fun!

Fat hands & cool sunnies...

2009-05-25T01:00:00.003+10:00

A big thanks to Dom and Sus for helping mum out last weekend while dad was away.

Thanks to Sus (who had cool sunnies) I still got to go to my swimming lesson on Sunday morning :)

Thanks to Dom, who kept us company at Emergency on Sunday night. You can kind of see my fat hand in the piccies. Unfortunately I had an allergic reaction to some sort of bite and so we had a little adventure. Dom came along for the ride :)

Big kisses to you both!

Towers...

2009-05-21T01:00:00.004+10:00

Has someone been playing with my Lego? Every time I look at my animal enclosure tower it has changed...

Dad we need more Lego, pur-leeeese?

Iced-T

2009-05-18T00:04:00.000+10:00

Beyond monthly fact updates, this is a great example of watching Elimena in her natural habitat.

She loves Iced-T.
She pronounces her words carefully (Ice-d T) but also enjoys long sentences that clearly make sense to her.
Elimena likes to celebrate success & happiness with a self-congratulatory clap.
She is very aware of the people around her, and always talks about her family a lot. Mama? Dada? Baby?
She enjoys wearing a Dorothy the Dinosaur outfit and likes to point at it saying "Dor-e-thy". When putting it on we always say bye-bye to her toes and "h-ands".
Lately, Elimena also enjoys her injuries - talking about them, having them kissed better and hopefully remembering to point at the correct spot.

Eli Knievel

2009-05-14T23:31:00.003+10:00

No offense Doh-Doh, but riding around the house in tandem on my bike with Josh and Nate is a lot more fun!

Birthdays!

2009-05-13T11:00:00.004+10:00

On Saturday mum, dad & Lachie had a birthday party for me and I had the best time ever! We went to Muston Park with some of our family and my play friends. The weather was perfect and we had super company! The food was yummy too...Dad didn't even stop me went I went back for my third mini-croissant! AND I had a cool butterfly cake. Mum and Dad considered attempting to do a Dora cake but as they were making it on the morning of the party they decided on the safer option of a butterfly :)

To those who came to my party - THANK-YOU THANK-YOU THANK-YOU - I had a blast!

I'm Two!

2009-05-09T23:00:00.001+10:00

I'm two now and oh-so-clever!
* I can run, skip, jump but not hop. Can I walk you ask? What's that?
* I like riding in the stroller while we go for long walks.
* I've started big girl swimming lessons where I don't need a parent in the water with me. I am learning to jump in the water and swim to the side. Mum is very excited about this as my enthusiasm for the water is a concern for her.
* I love playing with other kids and mum and dad think I am an energetic bundle of fun.
* I love climbing and going to the park. Mum and I started Gymbaroo this week. I love it because it involves lots of climbing and lots of songs. Perfect combination for fun :)
* My favourite foods are cheese and chicken of all kinds and my favourite drink (when I am allowed to have it) is Ice Tea. I love corn on the cob too!
* I love colouring in and puzzles.
* I've been learning my colours of late.
* I am good at putting three and four lots of words together.
* My manners are beautiful and I still know the magic of the word "please?" and an innocent smile.

Four day weekends...I've got the stamina!

2009-04-13T08:23:00.014+10:00

We get a really long weekend this weekend - four days with everyone at home!

On Friday, (down from Muswellbrook) my friend Luke Austin came over to play. That was lots of fun.

On Saturday we went for yum-cha (otherwise known as dim-sum or yum-mo!) with Nanny and Grandfarmer. Unfortunately Lachie is too small to eat any and so we all had to eat his share.

Nanny and Grandfarmer went to the show on Friday where they were "big stars". They were on channel 7 news talking about the Easter Show. I was so lucky because they even made time in their seafood-eating-star-schedule to bring me home a showbag. (If you are not quite sure what all of this is about - ask them!)

Then yesterday was Easter and the Easter bunny came and saw us. We started the day with a yummy breakfast feast. There are some piccies below including one of me being silly with the yoghurt at the end of breakky.

Then we went to the park for a picnic lunch, a play on the play equipment and to see the ducks. In the afternoon Grandpa came over and we went to the POOOOOOL!

Today we're off for a picnic in the park to see some friends who are down from Bris-Vegas :)

It's been a great weekend and I know mum & dad are exhausted! but I've got the stamina to keep up this pace :)

23 months

2009-04-09T01:00:00.006+10:00

* The first word I mention every morning is "POOL?". I am loving my swimming lessons and love playing in the pool.
* I only have one bottle a day...in the evening. I don't really need that one but Mum and Dad enjoy giving me a cuddle while I drink my bottle in the evening. It is a nice way to wind down ready for bed.
* I've found the joys of High Five. So Dora and Wiggles are sharing their air-time. I am getting really good at dance routines. I can follow along really well now.* For breakfast my favourite this is weetbix and I have decided that I take it with cold milk now...so we have three weetbix fans at the breakfast table and all three have their weetbix differently.
* I am enjoying dress-ups at the moment. My favourite things are my Dorothy the dinosaur PJs and my butterfly wings.
* Four girls between the ages of 12 and 3 have moved in next door. I am having a great time playing with them. I can't wait for Lachie to get older :)
* I am eating really well at the moment and will try pretty much anything. My favourite foods are still fuite and cheese :)

Daddy's girl

2009-04-07T01:00:00.001+10:00

Mum sees this on the kitchen sink at 3am and thinks....ahhh! Daddy's girl :)

Bubble Beards and Bucket Heads in the Big Bath

2009-04-05T01:00:00.002+11:00

Lachie's post reminded me that bath time is fun in our house.

Of late, I've taken to making bubble beards or wearing a bucket hat.

Bag Lady

2009-04-01T01:00:00.001+11:00

Tips for young players (like my lil' bro' Lachie...)

You can cheat at peek-a-boo...when there is a hole in the bag :)

Little People

2009-03-29T11:12:00.004+11:00

Little People from Nathan Wallace on Vimeo.

Dough Making with Dad

2009-03-22T18:05:00.002+11:00

Last weekend, after working out what "cream of tartar" is, Dad and I made playdough. It was lots of fun!

Wiggle-Span

2009-03-21T06:42:00.001+11:00

Cousin Juliette and I both LOVE the Wiggles. We like to get as close as possible to the television so that we can get an uninterrupted view!

If you really must distract us from the Wiggles, it better be important and brief :)

@ 22 months

2009-03-09T20:00:00.007+11:00

* I'm a big sister now and am YET to show any signs of jealousy. Stay tuned...
* Lachie gave me a cool "baby" of my own and it came with a stroller, port-a-cot, mini-gym and change table. I am loving playing with the stroller in particular. There are some pictures of me playing with the stroller in Lachie's post.
* My favourite food at the moment is cottage cheese.
* My words are coming along in leaps and bounds. I surprised mum and dad by asking for avocado at dinner tonight. I also enjoyed saying (and trying) "iced tea" tonight.
* I am loving my swimming lessons and playing in the pool with mum and dad. I've been to the pool a few times with my cousins Emma & Juliette which has been lots of fun :)
* I can climb into the car seat myself. Baby Lachie has a "baby" car seat next to mine.
* I get very interactive with Dora now and answer all the questions at the right time.
* I like to skip every where and am trying really hard to jump.
* My favourite words are "Oh no!" and "Uh oh"
* My manners are beautiful. I know that if I say "pleeeese" with a big smile I can pretty much get anything!

Cuddles

2009-03-08T18:46:00.002+11:00

Cheese!

2009-03-04T23:14:00.002+11:00

Lachlan was getting a little camera shy yesterday, so I decided to show him how it's done:

PS: The secret to a beautiful smile like this is having cheese as your favourite food, cottage cheese as your second favourite food and milk as your drink of choice.

Lachlan - I'm a big sister!

2009-03-03T06:42:00.002+11:00

For months now I couldn't quite understand why we kept calling mum's tummy a baby... Well today I finally found out.

I'm a big sister! Lachlan William Wallace is almost 22 months younger than me. I can't wait to show him the ropes - toys, food, parental manipulation.

Here are some shots of me getting my first cuddle, enjoying the action from up high where I could see properly (no I was not considering options) and practicing being a big sister.

PS: Mum, we miss you. Please come home soon!

@ 21 months - I am a big girl

2009-02-09T18:13:00.002+11:00

* I sleep in a big girl bed and have a big girl hair cut :) Although now that I have a big girl hair cut mum can't give me a pony tail at the back anymore. She is waiting for my fringe to catch up to the rest of my hair so that she can give me pig tails!
* I don't think I need a nappy anymore and try to take it off at any opportunity. Mum and dad have you thought about trying to toilet train me?
* I did have fear for a week or two but I have decided it is overrated and have moved on.
* I have started to get my two year old molars and so my mouth is a bit sore at the moment.
* I love reading books and looking through my family photo album. I am getting really good at knowing all of the names.
* We are spending lots of time swimming and I am loving it :)
* Mum and dad are loving all my kisses and cuddles at the moment and say that I am lots of fun to play with :)

Another typical busy weekend...

2009-02-01T22:40:00.002+11:00

It was another busy weekend at our house but a fun one as usual. Even though mum thinks I am getting my two year old molars and I am a bit under the weather, I put my chin up, showed a brave face (mostly) and kept up with the hectic schedule.

On Friday night I got to play with Nanny, Grandfarmer and Uncle Andrew. Which was great as I don't get to see them enough! Mum also made me a photo album with family photos in it - which I just love looking through. Mum & dad are quite impressed with how quickly I am learning the names.

On Saturday morning I played with Granddad, Grandma Helen and Great Grandmum. It was great to see them too.

Then I had a nice long snooze in my big girls bed...zzz...

In the afternoon, we went to the shops as it was really hot and with my sore mouth I wasn't quite up to the park. While we were at the shops, mum & dad took me to the hair salon to get my first hair cut. I really am a big girl now - check it out. To dad's frustration, mum wouldn't let them cut my fringe (she is trying to grow it to all be one length) but my new bob looks very glamourous. Here are shots from the back, the right, the front and the left side...

As for Saturday night....I can't remember. I piked around 7pm. My sore teeth / gums had got the better of me and so I had a yummy bottle and went to bed.

Sunday....what a day. We went to the park in the morning, came home for breakfast and then I had my first swimming lesson. It was sooo much fun. We flapped around in the pool, singing songs, splashing, kicking, jumping - it was great fun. Then we went home for lunch and a sleep. The afternoon was kind of boring as we are getting the house sprayed on Monday and so mum & dad had lots of organising to do. That was ok though, I watched a bit of the cricket, Dora, helped out and swindled the odd cuddle here and there.

All in all it was a fun weekend. Hope you had a good one too!
Love Eli XX

Weekend in Leura

2009-01-25T07:37:00.003+11:00

Last weekend we stayed in Leura with the Wallace clan. It was fantastic... Heaps of food, play time with Emma & Juliette and there was a park nearby that had great equipment and more ducks than I've ever seen!