Elaina Grace

Artsy

2007-12-21T06:30:00.000-08:00

Every morning before school I'm rushing Eleighsa along to get into the car. Every morning she stops to draw on something. She'll push her finger across the fresh dew of the car to draw a family, city or something resembling modern hieroglyphics. Sometimes she'll drag her creative fingers across the frosted glass of our front door to create something I can't imagine or see. Every morning I say, "Eleighsa hurry up...we have to go." Each and every morning she leaves the house with her masterpiece left unfinished. It got me thinking that one day she'll be grown and I won't have all these little fingerprints around our home. What will this home look like without finger paintings, fingerprints and crumbs? This world is a blank canvas for her and she's drawing the pictures of life.

Zonked

2007-12-21T06:26:00.001-08:00

This is how Elaina sleeps in the car...hoping that a curious fly is never around, it might get swallowed.

Another Field Trip

2007-12-05T17:12:00.000-08:00

Eleighsa went on another field trip. This trip was to the Festival of Trees. Various individuals and businesses decorate trees and they are put on display. It's gorgeous and zaps you with holiday spirit. The kiddos weren't so sure about it, I'll let the picture tell the story...

Well that's the story because that's the only picture I got. They had a train tree which she found amazing. Not much in the mood for pictures I guess.

Little Miss Giggles

2007-12-05T17:10:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas!

2007-12-05T16:35:00.000-08:00

First Snowfall

2007-12-05T16:25:00.000-08:00

Announcing the first snowfall of 2007...

Eleighsa is excited, she's in snowman mode. Ok so it's more like dandruff than snow...

Finger Foods

2007-12-05T16:17:00.000-08:00

Elaina has learned that self feeding is much more fun and challenging than spoon feeding.

Come here lil' fella...

Gotcha!

Mission accomplished.

Chloe has been like another leg on the highchair. She waits for a morsel to fall and goes in for the catch. Elaina makes it easy on her. She looks over the side and throws food to her. So much for the doggy diet.

Toys

2007-12-04T12:47:00.000-08:00

This is the way that Elaina plays....

This toy was given to Eleighsa 4 years ago and she's enjoyed it so much that we decided to save it. Elaina now plays tunes on it. I'm not sure if the music she plays resembles Beethoven or Elton John. She also enjoys hitting the ivories on Eleighsa's keyboard. Notice how close she gets to the small mirror. She thinks she's cute...I think she's right.

Update

2007-12-03T05:01:00.001-08:00

It looks as though I've been on a blog vacation, but to be honest life has picked up speed. Elaina and Eleighsa are keeping me busy which means that I have a lot to update. Eleighsa has been invited to 4 birthday parties (yikes!), went on another field trip and had a class party. Elaina has sprouted more hair (yes!), gotten more pearly whites, is determined to crawl before Christmas and turned 8 months.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRAMMY!

2007-10-30T13:16:00.000-07:00

A special announcement from Eleighsa...

Costumes

2007-10-30T12:44:00.000-07:00

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!

2007-10-26T04:57:00.000-07:00

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

2007-10-26T04:42:00.001-07:00

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

2007-10-22T17:25:00.000-07:00

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?!??!!?

2007-10-22T17:15:00.000-07:00

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

BIG News!

2007-10-22T17:06:00.000-07:00

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

2007-10-16T16:57:00.000-07:00

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

2007-10-16T16:18:00.000-07:00

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

2007-10-03T18:07:00.000-07:00

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

Helping Out

2007-10-03T17:58:00.000-07:00

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!

2007-10-03T17:14:00.001-07:00

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

2007-10-03T17:04:00.000-07:00

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.

First Day of School

2007-09-04T18:10:00.000-07:00

Today was Eleighsa's first day of school. There wasn't any lingering by the classroom door. She gave us both a confident, "See you later mom and dad!" while waving us out of the building. She loves her teachers and can you blame her? They are genuinely good women.

Today she learned that bees like sandboxes so it was off limits for the day. She colored a few pages and wrote her name. She had a snack of cookies and juice. Today was a chance for her to meet more friends and to learn the Pledge of Allegiance. It was a good day.

When I picked her up, her teacher talked to me about Elaina. She said that Eleighsa talked about "her baby" and about how she was just in mommy's belly. I'm just the rent-a-womb, it's her baby after all. She does an excellent job with her baby sister.

She wore a red polka dot tank top with red leggings. Yes...leggings have made a 20 year comeback. It's about time.

Now onto the pictures...

Tomorrow's Excitement

2007-09-03T18:29:00.001-07:00

It's the eve of her big day...the day Eleighsa will be heading off to school. Ok...so it's not college and it happens to be only 2 minutes away. But this is big time for her. She's prepared for this day all summer and at last the day is arriving. She's had the items on her school list bought months ago. What was on that list? Napkins, tissues, and an art smock. Those items have been stowed away in her closet anxiously awaiting the day that they'll be taken to the bright lights of her very own cubby. She had to have her fingernails and toenails polished tonight. She's already chosen what she wants to eat for breakfast. All the while knowing she is carrying the cutest bookbag ever to have been made (thanks Aunt Luann & Uncle Paul!)

While visions of chalk dust and crayons dance in her head, I'm wondering where four years have gone. One minute I'm holding onto her hands to teach her to walk and the next I'm walking hand in hand with her to school. So much happens in so little time. Off to Pre-K she goes!

A day in the life of a baby

2007-08-31T18:08:00.000-07:00

Elaina is ready for solids. On September 15th she'll be 6 months and I had hoped that we would be able to wait that long. It's bittersweet, yet another milestone that appeared to be lightyears away seems to have snuck up on me. The doctor gave us the green light when she was 4 months, but she wasn't ready. Maybe it was me who wasn't ready and still isn't now.

I often think of how it would feel to be so new. Elaina is experiencing newness and the world around her is wonderful and untarnished. What does it feel like to touch skin for the first time? To taste a spoonful of bananas bursting on your tongue? The sound of a dog barking? The sight of a butterfly fluttering by? It's the purity of babies and the vibrancy of this new existance. Everytime I touch her soft new skin I get a glimpse into her world. Babies really are a great way to start people.

Touch

2007-08-31T18:03:00.000-07:00

Ten tiny little fingers that always want to play,

That never stop exploring the wonder of today.

Ten tiny little fingers that from the very start,

Will reach out for tomorrow yet always hold your heart.

Creativity

2007-08-31T17:29:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I get into the Martha Stewart mood and want to do something creative. Thank goodness it only lasts a few days or Garth may start to wonder. I love all of those funny onesies that are available, but to me they just aren't funny enough. I've decided to make a few. Today Elaina wore the one that said, "My finger may be small, but I can still wrap daddy around it." I'm off to bake bread or something...

Adventures

2007-08-26T16:22:00.000-07:00

We took a family trip to the newly rebuilt park. Eleighsa loves the tire swing and Garth can really get it going. She's yelling, "Faster! Higher! Make it spin more!" while I'm sitting there about to lose my lunch. I have no idea how she can handle spinning like that let alone at that speed. A 12 year old boy even stopped to watch and said that she was braver than he was.

The next adventure was to Delaware for the Wilmington & Western Railroad. We took a two hour train ride and Eleighsa could barely sit still. Everyone there was incredibly accomodating and friendly. The best part about it is that the railroad is that it is only run by volunteers. Would you be out riding the rails in nearly 100 degree heat? Me either. They have a heart for the railroad and the history and that is what truly made it enjoyable. Unfortunately, I had left my camera at home. We did some school shopping and made it just in time to visit the train station and board. No time to even purchase a disposable camera. I guess those memories were meant to be stored elsewhere. http://www.wwrr.com/

Happy 5 Months!

2007-08-15T19:23:00.000-07:00

It's been 5 months already and this is when I wish life came with a remote control. Staples has become famous for their easy button and I could only hope for a pause button. It would be wonderful to just be still and be left in the moment. I pray that these precious moments are etched into my memory forever, tucked away safely to always remember.

A baby will make love stronger, days shorter, nights longer, bankroll smaller, home happier, clothes shabbier, the past forgotten
...and the future worth living for

It has been an honor and a privilege to have her in our lives. There's nothing better than waking up every morning and knowing that this indescribable baby is waiting for me. Happy Five Months Lainey Girl!

Yes!

2007-08-15T19:13:00.000-07:00

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT!

Elaina has discovered that there are other forms of life out there.
Yes...please contact the media.

U.F.O. sighting - unexplained flying objects CAPTURED!

She's found her feet and she's never letting go! She tries to put them in her mouth, but her belly gets in the way. Lucky for her, she's found two new best friends.

New Toy

2007-08-05T16:15:00.000-07:00

Elaina has a new toy...another to add to the 150 others that she's hoarding. Garth picked it out for her and brought it home. I just knew it would collect dust and that she'd have no interest in it whatsoever. It is a teether/rattle. She has 10 teethers and at least 20 rattles. No way will she even bat an eye at this one. Nope. No way. Turns out I was absolutely wrong. She loves it. She'll sit for an hour just chewing (mauling) it and shaking the rattle on the other end. Why is it that I go out and buy the hottest and newest toy to hit retail, only to get a ho-hum reaction from her? Daddy goes out and buys her a clearance toy at Wal-mart and you would've thought he went to F.A.O. Schwarz. It's a conspiracy I tell you!

Bathtime and Bird Nests

2007-08-01T18:11:00.000-07:00

What on earth do these two things have in common? A lot around here! Yesterday Eleighsa decided that she wanted to make a craft. She wanted to make a bird nest. Hmmm... Below is a picture of her happy little nest. She put a smiley face on the egg and inside of the egg is a small teddy bear. She said that she has 27 eggs to hatch. Just wonderful, I can barely keep up with the egg that she does have. She's taking this quite seriously.

As for bathtime that came later in the day. Garth bathed Elaina in the sink and I captured the photo of that...

There's nothing quite like seeing him stoop down almost a foot to bathe an 18 pound, wet, wiggly baby in a bathroom sink. It really is the small things in life...never knew bathtimes and birdnests could be so entertaining and so wonderful all at the same time. I have to run, I have 27 more "bird babies" to care for.

It's a good thing!

2007-07-30T20:35:00.000-07:00

Words uttered over and over by Martha Stewart, which also happens to ring true in our home. Our girls adore one another, it IS a good thing! Eleighsa loves everything about her little sister and finds new ways to make her laugh daily. During our bedtime routine tonight while reading stories, Elaina just did not want her sister to go to bed. She kept looking at her and giggling throughout storytime. It's pure sweet baby bliss. I'm glad to be a part of it. Could you imagine? A life so full of fun and wonder that you don't want to close your eyes for one second in fear that you'd miss something. I think I've found the secret to life. Now I need to bottle it up and sell it.

The other night after Elaina's bath we went to her room and I had forgotten to get a q-tip. Eleighsa said that she would keep an eye on her so I ran to the bathroom and then back into her room. Upon returning I stumbled upon the most precious sight...Eleighsa putting lotion on her sister. I quietly tiptoed backwards to find the camera to capture this innocent moment.

The best thing about having a sister, is that you always have a friend...

4 Months...Already?

2007-07-26T08:28:00.000-07:00

Monday was Elaina's 4 month appointment. I still cannot believe she's four months already. Time is flying by, we've been having so much fun. She is currently 18 pounds, 26 inches and her noggin is measuring 16 3/4". What can I say, she's her mother's child...she has a big brain. Very smart. Eleighsa is still crazy about her little sister. At times she acts like the mother of us all. "Mommy, you forgot to give sissy her giraffe." "Mommy, don't bounce sissy she'll spit up." "Mommy, sissy needs a burp cloth." We hear this over and over everyday. Bless her heart because I actually do forget a lot of things. She's just like a handy dandy buzzer that goes off everytime you need reminded of something.

Mission: COMPLETE!

2007-07-15T07:27:00.000-07:00

I'm proud to announce the first smile to be caught on camera. Elaina smiles all the time, but once I pull out the camera there's not a gummy grin in sight. That was until yesterday, July 14th...one day shy of her being 4 months. Good things come to those who wait!

Sleepy

2007-07-14T09:42:00.000-07:00

Elaina has been crazy tired lately. I think she's going through a growth spurt. How much more can she grow? She weighed 17 pounds at 12 weeks. Who knows what she'll weigh at her 4 month appointment on July 23rd.

She's been sleeping for atleast three hours at a time. She will wake up to eat and play and go back to bed for another three hours. This goes on from the time she wakes up around 6:30-7:30a.m. until she goes to bed for the night around 7:00-8:00p.m. Nothing more to update unless you would like to know more about her eyelids.