Bryn's Visit

My parents stopped by on their way to Tennessee to visit my sister Myriam and Bryn convinced them to bring her with them and she'd stay with us.  We had such a fun week.  Not to mention she was such a big help to me! Keaton came too but went on to Tennessee with my parents.  They had to get in the pool the first day they were here even though it was very over cast.

We were all sad when Mema, Pepa and Keaton left. 

Eloise loved Bryn.  We played the iPad, got treats from Sonic, played Beatles Rock Band, went to the gym, danced and went swimming everyday - sometimes twice a day!

We also spent some time at the little park in our complex.  Bryn beat me at volleyball.  I'm sure anyone watching us were laughing at me trying to play being 9 months pregnant.  It was fun and more of a workout than I thought it would be.

We were so excited when Mema, Pepa and Keaton were on their way back.  Every hour Bryn would say how much longer till they got here. 

It was such a fun week.  If only Bryn knew how much help she was to me.  I wish she was still here.  She's such a fun kid!

Potty Time?

For the past few months Eloise has been showing interest in the toilet.  She wants to get on it, flush it, clean it.  So we got her a potty chair.  I was going to try potty training since she seemed so interested.  Then I read online bringing a new sibling into the family wasn't the best time to start, so we never did anything with it other than put it in her bathroom.  

She had to get back on after her bath.  Silly girl!

When we're in her bathroom she has to sit on it and doesn't want to get off.  I started putting her on her potty chair before bath time.  Nothing has happened till tonight!  She did it - she peed in her potty!  We cheered and gave each other high fives.  I'm sure she doesn't really know why I was so excited but she will!  My baby is growing up too fast!

Baby Shower

I wasn't expecting a shower for baby number two but Glen's unit decided we needed one.  Even though they were all so busy they gave us a sweet little luncheon.

 Eloise loved seeing her daddy at work.  He was in and out a lot and every time he'd come back in the room she would get so excited, like she hadn't seen him all day.  So sweet!

 

 The cupcake was the only thing she would eat.  She's a junk food junky!

At some point in the day someone joked that Glen had made Eloise's dress.  About three different people asked him about it.  They really thought he made it.  It was so funny.  I guess you never know.  Anyone could have a hidden talent!

Once she saw this puppy card she claimed it as hers.  (This is the face I get when I ask her to say cheese.)

 

We are so grateful for the shower.  It was so unexpected but greatly appreciated.

Coloring

Eloise loves to color.  Well, it's more scribbling than coloring.  She has filled two notebooks already.  I printed out some coloring pages for her but she just scribbles around the pictures.  She does like for me to draw shapes and write her name on her pages.  She will color over the shapes and says "EEE" while scribbling through her name.  She was so cute coloring at the table the other night.

 

 When she finished a picture she'd clap and cheer.  She's my silly girl!

Callaway Gardens

Glen recently discovered that military get free admittance into Callaway Gardens.  It's a beautiful area with gardens, a "beach", biking and hiking trails, golf courses and so much more!  We went there for their Christmas lights display in December which we got a military discount for so we just assumed we'd have to pay admission any other time.  We were wrong!  

We decided to go to the gardens and butterfly house before we hit the beach.  Eloise had a good time running around the garden.  She was so good to look and not pick the flowers too.

 

 Yes, I'm HUGE!

 Eloise wasn't too impressed with the butterfly exhibit.  There weren't as many butterflies as I thought there would be and we didn't sit still long enough for any to land on us either.  We'll have to go back again sometime - maybe they'll be more out.

She was not impressed.

 On our way to get lunch we stopped by the pioneer cabin.

 After lunch we planned on going to the beach but on our way Eloise fall asleep.  She didn't get a nap earlier so we decided to let her sleep and come back another day to swim.

A quick visit home

A couple weeks ago we made a quick weekend trip to Macclenny.  It's so nice to be able to decide the night before to visit home.  Yes, I know I've said it before but I love being so close again.  It's funny that even on short notice Granny made a key lime pie for me.  She's the best!  Eloise loved it too.

When we first went to Granny's Eloise ran right past her and straight to the toys behind the couch.  Crazy girl!  She loved swinging and coloring with sidewalk chalk too.  It was so HOT we just couldn't stay outside for too long.  

Eloise had a good time swimming with her cousins. They let her "push" them in and she laughed and cheered when they took turns doing tricks off the diving board.  Eloise kept getting up on the diving board too but wouldn't jump to me.  Uncle Bobby finally dropped her in from the board.  She was proud of herself like she jumped in herself.  Silly girl!

Hudson didn't want to be there.  Can you tell?

On Saturday morning we went bowling with the Padgett's!  It was so much fun.  It was Eloise's first time at a bowling alley and she loved it. 

 She was everyone's cheerleader.  Even for mommy's gutter balls!

She had to look at the balls and try to figure out where they kept coming from.

Eloise LOVES Chapman!  She had to hug him every chance she got!

 

 

Chapman wasn't the only one getting love from Eloise. Bryn got lots of hugs and so did Uncle Bobby.

 She also enjoyed a little snack.

 If there's music she's going to dance.  She of course had to dance by the lanes, dangerously close to swinging bowling balls!

 

 It was a FUN time!

After bowling Eloise went home with the Padgett's and  Glen, Carson and I went to see The Dark Knight.  Having someone to babysit is awesome!

As always the trip was too short but so good!