HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRAMMY!

A special announcement from Eleighsa...

Costumes

This year Eleighsa has broadened her horizons...when it comes to Halloween costumes. We couldn't be more pleased, as she's been the same pumpkin for the last three years. She is a pink poodle and Elaina is a car air freshener. A lot of people that we know dress their children in similar costumes or with a theme. I asked Garth if he could try to come up with a "theme" for these two very different costumes. He said that we could always go with the theory that the pink poodle was riding in the car and stunk it up so now we need an air freshener. Brilliant. We officially have a theme.

NEW!

New to the Bodnar blog site...VIDEO! Aren't we techie?! Excuse the darkness, but at 5:00a.m. the sun isn't awake yet either. Don't tell Eleighsa we were playing with her beloved "Panda" which is the yellow sparkle beanie baby.

Fang

Elaina has another tooth as of Wednesday, October 24th. She has a fang (eye tooth) and a bottom tooth now. Before too long she'll have the same toothy grin that her sister perfected four years ago. Below is a picture of Eleighsa Christmas 2003.

Pumpkin Patch

We took our fifteenth trip this season to the Pumpkin Patch on Friday. I wasn't able to capture many shots, but we'll be visiting at least ten more times before Thanksgiving.

I woke up for this?!??!!?

Words are not necessary...sometimes you just have to know when to say enough is enough.

BIG News!

Elaina is getting her first tooth! It's been trying to come in for a week and it's still barely above the surface of her gum. I can't wait until it rears it's pearly little head...sleep is non-existant. I've tried to photograph the tooth, but it didn't turn out. Here's something sweeter to look at instead.

7 Months

Wow. It's already here and I'm left sitting here wondering how it happened so soon. I savor these moments and wouldn't mind being frozen in time. Elaina is now 7 months. The past six months have been a whirlwind. She started eating babyfood, sitting unsupported and giggling as though there was a comedian in the room. She's just the sweetest baby and I'm so glad she's mine. Eleighsa told me that she talked to Elaina and asked her if she'd stay little, Elaina agreed. Somehow we don't think Elaina is holding up her end of the bargain. She's growing, matter of fact she's huge. We're in the midst of a clothing crisis because of this. Elaina has flown 2340 miles in a month, still has hair that resembles Charlie Brown and is entirely toothless. I am in awe and utterly speechless. So much happens so soon, if you blink you'll miss it. One day I'll wake up and will not be able to remember some of the details. The small things that touch your heart and allow your thoughts to linger. Like the way she cannot stand to have her feet covered by anything. With all of her power and might she'll fight off every sock and blanket. She'll kick until she cannot kick anymore. Or the way her face turns as red as a lobster as she presses her chin to her chest creating a triple chin when she gets mad. They say life flashes before your eyes...make it worth watching. This is worth watching. Happy 7th month Miss Elaina!

Predicament

When Elaina was around 5 weeks old we decided to go to Toys R Us and present her with the Fisher Price Baby Papasan Infant Seat. Oh joy! The features include: plush padding, countoured seat, bunny toy just in case she'll need some entertaining, calming vibrations and last but not least 8 soothing songs. So soft...so cozy. It was $50 of baby soothing bliss until she decided to quickly grow out of it mere weeks after the purchase. I haven't had the heart to pack it away with all the other outgrown items and I decided to leave it in the living room. About a month ago someone decided to move into it. Someone quite large for the chair might I add. Someone who I wouldn't dare allow to touch one baby item. She doesn't bathe everyday (or even once a week) and her breathe is horrid (don't tell her I said so). No, it's not any of the humans living in our home...it's the dog. Chloe. Garth wouldn't believe me because in his eyes sweet precious fur baby can do nothing wrong. I have evidence, pictures to prove it. Case solved...dog guilty. But it's not that easy. I figure if we cannot use it and know of nobody else who can, why not? Her old bones welcome the soothing vibrations and classical music. I'm over the dog being in the baby seat because Elaina hasn't used it for months. Now the real question lies - how on earth is an almost 40 pound beagle squeezing into this?!?!?


This is the picture off of the Fisher Price website...



















Sweet baby Elaina enjoying her seat at 6 weeks old

















The new occupant. BUSTED!

6 Months

Elaina turned 6 months on September 15th. This is what happens in 180 days. Amazing.

Helping Out

Eleighsa asked if she could help feed Elaina. She did a great job and Elaina didn't seem to mind at all. What a sweet memory captured.

Field Trip!

One of the reasons you never ask your child to say "Cheese!" I've made a rule a few years ago that we can no longer ask Eleighsa to pose for a picture. This is the end result...an overly stiff and hiked up smile.

Eleighsa had a field trip at school. The annual trip to the big pumpkin patch. There's nothing quite like fall in Maryland. It was a sweltering 90 degrees. Somehow hay rides with sweaty children doesn't seem to be everyone's idea of autumn. It was still a lot of fun. What's even greater...they all received a small pumpkin upon leaving.

Remember class pictures? You know the ones...where someone is looking somewhere they shouldn't, someone is picking their nose, and someone else doesn't even realize that there's a picture being taken. Ah yes, I'm glad that I could refresh your memory. Below is one of those pictures. Isn't is the greatest thing you've ever seen? I love the craziness of class pictures.

Before leaving, I called for Eleighsa outside the bus window. This is the photo that I captured. Her eyes are smiling. I love that.

All of my life there's always been one important job that I've always wanted to do. I'm destined. I've just never been given the chance until now. It's a job that I take seriously and one that I'm proud of. Most dream of being doctors, nurses or lawyers. My dream in life has been to be a homeroom mom. I can finally announce that I am officially a homeroom mom. How cool is that! Eleighsa's fall party is at the end of the month. Be on the lookout for more crazy pictures and stories.

Flying Baby

Elaina joined me in Florida for the MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) Convention. What a trip it was. It had to be good if the woman behind me commented on how wonderful my baby was. She's a jetsetter. Of course her giraffe tagged along (see last photo). There was quite the dramatic experience in security due to her favorite squeaky friend. Somehow the giraffe managed to free itself of the plastic bin where you place your items and then became lodged in the rolling belt. It turned into a dire situation. No giraffe in sight and we weren't going to leave without her beloved. Friends don't leave friends behind. Finally someone spotted it and Elaina was once again all smiles.