Eleanor at One

My little girl, sweet little Eleanor, turned one this week. It's so cliche, but it's so true: with kids, the days are long, but the years are short!

We just love everything about our Ellie. She's such a bright, happy, fun baby. Here's a few things about Ellie at age one.

Eleanor did finally give up the crazy army crawl and just crawls on her knees. But, she still doesn't walk. This really surprises me, given how incredibly anxious she's been to get moving this past year!

Ellie loves to eat! She eats more than Jude does and will eat just about anything. We only give her one bottle a day at this point; the rest of the time she munches on real people food.

Even though she hasn't had a real first word yet, she makes some adorable noises. My favorite is her high-pitched, soft "OH!" when she sees something she recognizes or something she likes. The other great one is her "yeah" or "yes," but it's always a growl sound! (She really is saying yes when she does this. I'll ask her if she wants to do something and she'll often respond with her yes growl.)

Oh boy, this girl never sits still. She is constantly up in your arms for 3 seconds, then back down for another 3, then wants up again, then the chair next you, and on and on. Playing with her is exhausting, and trying to get through say church with her is no small feat.

Sadly, my Eleanor is not a cuddler. Neither of my kids were :( Sometimes, though, she'll stop playing and take a 2 second rest on your chest or the floor, then get back up and go full speed again.

Eleanor is extremely attached to mom. It's the same phase Jude went through (that lasted FOREVER). It's nice to be loved, but really, I'd love a break even more sometimes! (Both my kids are over-attached to me. Most of the time Peter is basically useless; they just won't go to him at all, unless I'm absolutely not home.)

Some of her favorite toys are Little People. She loves to try and copy what I do with the toys, like drive them in the car or put them in the house. She also loves to open and close things. The toy she loves the best? Mardi Gras beads! She wears them everywhere, including church, and can take them on and off herself.

Ellie is a screecher! She has this high-pitched cry she makes when something doesn't work the way she wants it to, or I walk away to make dinner. I think it's a girl thing; Jude did not do that at all.

Eleanor is so dramatic! Take a toy from her and it's the end of the world, waterworks, quivering lip and all.

I could go on and on about how sweet and cute this little girly is. Baby boys are fun, but I really love these baby girls! I'm looking forward to many years of cuteness, and maybe many years of drama, from this little one!

We love you Eleanor! Happy 1st birthday! Keep being our bright little ray of sunshine!