And ONE more before I call it a night...

Today, while we were finishing up dinner, my mom called. As we were chatting, she and I got tickled. As she and I rolled on, we completely cracked up. I was laughing so hard I was silent, and tears were streaming down my face. About this time, I realized that Daniel and Elizabeth were cracking up, too. They were having the best time, right along with me and Gigi, even though they had no understanding of the hilarity that started it all. Once we calmed down, Daniel said, "Mommy, start waffing again!" I was thinking about my family and that we always find something to laugh about. I carry that with me from childhood. I have memories of all six of us (especially Ty's cackle) cracking up at the dinner table, at the movies, anywhere. I love that about us. I want my house to be full of laughter, too.

Then, I remembered this video.

someday, I'll tell you...

That before you could both communicate with words, you could let each other know how much you love each other.

That Daniel squeezes Elizabeth and says, "I wuv my sisser." every single day and says, "She's so cute," or "it's okay big giwl" or "let me help you."

That Elizabeth lights up whenever Daniel walks into a room. She bounces up and down, flaps her hands, and squeals with delight whenever she receives his attention.

I never knew that the sibling connection, that the love they have for each other, would be so apparent so soon. And, it's been like this for months, not just as of today.

I know they will drive each other nuts in the years from now that fly by much faster than they should. I know that they will squabble and fuss. And I know that they will bond over being so sick and tired of their mother telling them, time after time, in my exasperation of referreeing their disagreements, that before they could both talk, they were best friends. So they had should just get over it, and accept it. They are stuck with each other - and there's no better way to have it.

Back to E

I am catching up on blogging tonight.

Elizabeth is talking, "Baa, baa, baa" for the last week and today, "maa, maa, maa!" She said, "maa" before "daa" - that's my girl!

"Wizzie B" as Daniel often refers to her, is a side sleeper. I know when she is done and ready to be put in the bed because she will arch her back and twist to the side. When you lay her down to nap or at night, you know she'll go right to sleep when she buries her face in her bunny and rolls to the left.

Baby food is going strong - we have moved on to step 2. orange veggies and the apples or veggie/chicken or turkey combos are also going well. She eats Mum Mum rice crackers and mashed up banana like they are a delicacy. I am having guilt because I most of Daniel's baby food for him. This is one example of how Elizabeth is the neglected second child. Although, I am willing to bet a substantial amount of money that she will be a better eater then he because I am not so neurotic and "scheduled" this go round when it comes to meals.

Yesterday, we went to eat lunch with a new mom friend of mine, and Elizabeth just stared at a balloon on and off the entire time. I forgot what great entertainment they are for babies. A trip to Trader Joe's will be on the list for next week. They give out balloons there!

Elizabeth is as quick as a flash at putting things in her mouth. Little things. The pincher grasp is really coming along. She put a leaf and a rock in her mouth when we were outside on Monday and I didn't even notice. And no, I wasn't talking to someone when it happened! I am constantly scanning the floor for any tiny thing.

Blue, red, and purple are her colors, without a doubt.

Her hair - oh that hair. It's coming in, but it lays absolutely flat in the front and sticks STRAIGHT UP in the back thanks to her two, opposite turning cowlicks. aunt johanna, we are probably going to need your help on this one as she gets older.

Elizabeth loves to swing at the playground. She giggles with glee whether she in in my lap or on a baby swing.

Sweet. Lovable. Kissable. Irresistable. "Mommy, I wuv my sister," Daniel says to me everyday without fail. "Yes sweetie," I say, "We all adore her."

baseball lover

I am not sure, and I am not taking the time to read past posts, if I have recorded any thoughts on Daniel the baseball lover.

He l-o-v-e-s baseball.

Daniel talks about baseball, the Nationals, Screech the mascot, and the "Pwesidents" (teddy, thomas, george, and abe.) a lot - especially with Scott. Sitting still at a game is another story, but the interest is definitely there.

Scott is a baseball fan. I did not grow up loving baseball, and I am slowly coming around. I enjoy baseball games in person. Our neighbor, who was a pitcher in college, bought Daniel a Little Tikes tee for his first birthday. By about 18 months, Daniel could hit the ball off of the tee with no problem. We had to move it outside because, even with plastic balls, I thought he might damage something in the house.

Scott has not pushed Daniel to baseball. Daniel just plain loves it. We play catch in this house a lot. Next to racing Hot Wheels, it's his favorite thing to do. He puts on his hat and glove, uses a pitcher's stance, raises his knee on the wind up -- the whole nine yards. I have to say, Daniel is pretty coordinated. He throws one of those squishy balls to me at the pool ( he won't get in the big pool, Elizabeth and I get in and throw to him on the edge) and I would say, it goes a good 20 feet.

At the pool the other day, we ran into some acquaintances with a 7 year old nephew. They started to play catch, and the dad came over to me and said, "how old is he?" I replied, "2 years, nine months." He said, "He really knows baseball. He's talking to us about who is manning what base, who is pitching, he really knows the terms." Then, Daniel walked over and leaned over on his elbows on this post coming out of the grass - just watching. I called over, "What are you doing? I thought you wanted to play catch with them?" He said, "Mom! I the coach!"

We were playing catch today at the playground and he asked me where second base was.

When he was playing cars this afternoon, I could hear him talking about the Nats. Somehow, "Dmitwi (Dmitri) Young, Wyan Zimmewman, and Johnny (whose actual name is Ronnie) Beyeeyawd (Belliard)" were involved in the race.

It cracks me up and amazes me at the same time that a child so young can have such a clear interest in anything - not just playing it for enjoyment, but the actual logisitics and elements of the game.

It will be interesting to see how this hobby evolves, and once he has the chance to play tee ball on a team, if he will want to do it. Right now, he has told me that there are "too many kids" at the pool and in his summer art class, so I'm not so sure he's going to get into team sports!

And, if baseball does become a passion, I am fine with that, as long as he is on the honor roll!

Caution: We are entering the "why" zone

My son asked me, "Why?" after almost everything I said to him today.

I forgot that kids do that. My impression was that it would happen in another couple of years. Oh no, today it was full force.

And, I tried to accomodate his questions. I answered them, without clenching my teeth, until abut 6 p.m. By then, I heard myself say, "Because I said so." and I just started to laugh. Then, I would answer simply, and he'd ask, "Why?" again, so I started saying, "I already answered that question." "Oh," he replied.

"Do you want to go to the playground?" "Yes." "Let's go to Turtle Park; we haven't been there in a while." "Why?"

Elizabeth was having a coniption on the way home from the park. It was 7:30 and Cinderella's midnight had come. The party was OVER. She yelled the whole way home, and I chose the park about a mile away to walk to. I told Daniel she was tired, and we were going to walk home as fast as we could. "Why?"

I thought, "Didn't I just answer that question?" It's tough. I want him to be inquisitive, and I certainly don't want to "shut him down." But, by the 300th time, at 8 p.m., when Scott is away - it is a true test of character for me to not get cranky about it. I finally told him I was tired, which was the truth, and there'd be no more questions for the evening. He said, "Okay, Mommy. I tired too."

I absolutely adore my intelligent, articulate little boy.

update

just some anecdotal fun notes..

Daniel told me today that the clouds moving in the sky were going to Aunt Johanna's house....

When Elizabeth was crying and fussy before bedtime, he told me he thought she wanted Daddy...

We were walking to the "pwaygwound" this evening and passed by a house with a lot of ivy and low hanging trees. He said, "Mommy, this is the jungle." I asked him what kind of animals they have in the jungle and he told me "poison bugs." I think he got that from Backyardigans.

We arrived at the pool today right after it rained and Daniel ran straight over and sat down on the edge to dip his legs in. That's the most interest he's every shown. I was all excited, and then I realized it was because the pool was completely empty.

Elizabeth is babbling away. She is going to be crawling any day now. She pushes herself backwards and can stretch out and push back up to sitting. She LOVES Daniel's bed. She is obsessed with his bedrail and tries to pull up on it. Too funny.

Elizabeth is doing well eating her baby food thanks to time with Gigi in Orlando. Gigi got her right on track. She loves these Mum Mum rice crackers, too. We go to the pool about three times a week, and Elizabeth is the water lover of my two. She is happy as a clam splashing around, she just hates her hat. I had to buy the kind that ties around her chin, and when she is tired, she gets very angry about it.

Overall, Elizabeth has such an easygoing disposition. I can't wait to see how her personality further develops. She adores Daniel - he is her favorite entertainment. The turf wars have begun a bit. For the first time, she got mad when he took something away from her. She had my keys today and when I took them to start the car and Elizabeth let me have it!

wrestling

Much to report that will have to come later, but I had to share this. This evening, while Daniel, Elizabeth and I were hanging out on my bed, she rolled into Daniel. It was obvious she was doing this on purpose! I think she wanted to wrestle with him because she kept doing it and then laughed with glee when he nudged her back! (of course while I kept saying, "Don't squish her!") This little lady might give her big bro a run for his money!