20 Months Old

Today, Ellen turned 20 months old and is acting more and more like the 2-year-old she's going to be in just four short months. She's silly, smily, busy as ever, talking in longer sentences (e.g., "I don't know where the baby is.") and starting to test the limits. We've seen snippets of tantrums, which I'm sure will be come significantly less humorous once the novelty wears off. For now, we have a hard time keeping a straight face whenever Ellen tries to assert her independence.

19 Months Old!

Look who's 19 months old! Ellen is as great as ever ... She's constantly on the go, growing like a weed (she's already more than half my height) and talking up a storm. A couple of favorite new additions to EVB's vocabulary: uppy-dehmo (armadillo), How-wo & Baba (our next door neighbors, Howard & Barbara) and bankit (blanket).

First Haircut

It took us almost 19 months, but Ellen finally got her first haircut. There were plenty of fun toys and other distractions at Kids' Hair to keep EVB preoccupied for most of the ordeal. The only part Ellen objected to was the blow dryer ... Overall, she did really well. We were very proud!

Before: Looking a little shaggy ...

Before: The beginnings of a mullet ...

"Who are you and what are you going to do to me?"

Sprayed down and getting a good comb-through ...

Ooh, a cape!

EVB not so sure about what is going on ...

Toys!

Our little ham!

Uh oh ...

Trying to escape the blow dryer ...

Putting your head between your knees is a good survival tactic ...

Pretty little ponytail ...

All done!

Ellen's cute little bob!

Ellen's New Playhouse

Ellen has a new playhouse, which she absolutely loves!

EVB helped Mom & Dad with the assembly.

Mostly, she directed the work.

Before long, the house was complete and ready-to-go! EVB loves the stove ...

the telephone ...

and her very own mailbox ...

But Ellen's favorite feature is the door.

She goes in and out, in and out, over and over again.

Ellen's playhouse is also her favorite new poopin' spot!

18 Months Old (1.5 Years!)

Ellen is officially one and a half ... that's halfway to 3! Wow! At 18 months old, Ellen continues to be very busy and extremely entertaining. We could spend hours just watching her. EVB's newest tricks include:

• Twirling around in circles (it's her latest dance move)
• Running at an increased speed (I swear, there I times when I can hardly keep up with/catch her)
• Walking backwards throughout the house
• Blowing bubbles (usually with a little help from Mom & Dad)
• Sitting in a booster seat at the table (she's been anti-high chair lately)
• Saying new words/phrases, including: "Hmm...Let me see," "Where'd __ go?", "airplane," "cars," "whoa," "oh boy," "oh baby" and "poop"

Big 18-month-old!

Book basket ... seems like a logical place to sit.

EVB embracing her artistic side.

"Hoppy" Easter

Ellen had been preparing for Easter for several weeks by mastering the word "hop" and trying to hop like a bunny (or as Ellen says, "bubby") around the house. The big day did not disappoint. The Easter Bunny brought Ellen a new teaset, a book ("Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See") and a number of other little goodies. EVB behaved wonderfully during church and even complied with an off-schedule nap before we headed to the Johnsons' house for the afternoon. Ellen was a social butterfly at the party and had a blast on the Easter egg (treasure) hunt. What a beautiful day to be outside! Ellen especially enjoyed hearing and seeing cars, birds and airplanes as she ran around enjoying the outdoors.

Ellen's loot from the Easter Bunny.

Tea for Ernie ...

Pre-hunt photo op.

Hunting with Daddy.

A rare photo of the three of us. :)

Ellen LOVES being outside.

Taking a much-needed rest after lots of running!

17 Months Old

Ellen is a very busy 17-month-old! She's constantly on the go, which is fun, but can also be tiring for her adult caregivers. :)

What Ellen is up to these days:

• Running (usually laps around the house)
• Walking backwards
• Spinning around in circles
• More dancing
• Bowing (usually after a dance performance)
• Playing ring around the rosie
• Stringing together more words to make sentences (e.g., "I see Elmo," "I see paci,", etc.)
• Continuously adding to her vocabulary - recent favorites include "saw-bees" (strawberries), "Berp" (Bert), "whoa," and "suh-pize" (surprise - not sure where that one came from)
• Giving mom and dad lots of snuggles
• Toting Ernie everywhere she goes

17 months old and very happy!

EVB loves to arrange all of her "babies" on the steps. (Ernie is in her left hand.)

Ernie is allowed to join Ellen at mealtime, but after a few messing encounters and subsequent washings, he isn't allowed to sample her food ... so, Ellen will periodically remind Ernie to "sit" as she munches away.

Being so busy takes its toll. :)