Eleanor: 10 things

1. I love little toddler vocabulary. Eleanor definitely says "yes!" Or "sure!" She also says "clean up," which sounds like "mnnnup." She even sings a little; it's pretty darn cute. She loves to wave and say "hi," especially when she's pretending to talk on the phone. I love it when Ellie walks up to someone, crouches down and says "hi!" She's also starting to say "beebee" (baby). Other times I hear her repeat a random word we say, but I can never get her to repeat it. I swear I've heard "uh oh" and "choo choo."

2. Eleanor is super obsessed with princesses, not just Frozen. I always knew that would probably happen eventually, I just never realized it happened so early! She just inherently recognizes them; it kinda weirds me out. To be honest, I think it's the dress. All little girls love sparkly dresses, I guess? The other day at HomeGoods, Ellie saw some princess wall decor, and may have suckered Mom into buying them. She's definitely my little princess now.

3. Speaking of princesses, Eleanor's new favorite is Sofia the First. Anything purple and frilly, Ellie now loves. We don't actually have cable to watch the show, but we checked out the DVD from the library. The kids loved it so much we went back to rent another the next week. Unbeknownst to me, our library only has ONE Sofia DVD. But of course, it's all Eleanor wants, so we just keep checking the same one out over and over. Same four episodes. The songs are literally haunting my dreams.

4. Other favorite new show: Curious George. She loves that little monkey! I can't say I mind; it's a pretty tolerable show. Also adorable: her little monkey call, "ooh ooh ah ah!"

5. Eleanor's new favorite food: guacamole. She just eats it by the fistful.

6. Eleanor is not afraid to tell you what she wants. In fact, she's a bit of a tantrum thrower already. If she wants something or can't get something to work or misunderstand her, she screeches something terrible. Sometimes she'll even melt to the ground. So it begins. 

7. Oh dear, we have a climber. Ellie loves to climb on everything. I remember Jude climbed a little, but not nearly as crazy as Ellie. She's always up on the table, standing on her push car, up and over the couch, even on overturned bowls. At least she hasn't figured out she can climb out of her crib yet!

8. Eleanor's realized that if she wants to keep something out of big brother's hands, she has to hold onto it tight. She's starting to claim her territory constantly, grabbing her toys and clutching them to her shoulders while shaking her head and screeching, daring anyone to try to take them. The fights over things have become quite intense; it's what siblings do, but it sure is frustrating.

9. Eleanor has started to dance! You know, that funny little toddler dance. She'll bounce her knees up and down and shake her head and shoulders. She also loves to sing (or rather listen to me sing) little songs. Ellie loves "head, shoulders, knees and toes," "once there was a snowman," and "Itsy bitsy spider." I just adore the way she lights up when we sing with her and tries her best to dance along. 

10. Eleanor has become very protective of mommy. If anyone else gets attention from mom, she is not very happy. The worst is if Jude tries to sit next to me or on my lap, Ellie screams and tries to pull him off. I've got a momma's boy and momma's girl. It's a never ending mom fest all the time around here!