My Little Shark Lover

As my two-and-a-half-year-old naps in her newest shark shirt and her shark house shoes wait patiently by her bed, I am called back to that day in history when I first learned that Eliana had a real passion for sharks. She was only 13-months-old at the time, and we were enjoying the Tennessee Aquarium's new saltwater exhibit with my family. Eliana took one look at the sharks swimming by and excitedly cried out, "Shark!" She was in love from that moment on. When we finally did leave the exhibit she made sure we knew how much it pained her. I bought her a shark stuffed animal when we left the aquarium. She still has it. She still loves it. She still wants more sharks.

I just love that she loves sharks. I guess because it's such an obvious expression of a unique (and adorable) personality.

Welcome to the World of "Solid" Food

Okay, so Evangeline's introduction to solid food brought on...mixed reactions. The day was January 5th, and our little princess was celebrating turning 6-months-old. Princesses, we know, are not big fans of change, but we lowly servants, at times, must encourage them to broaden their horizons.

I mushed up a small amount of an organic avocado and diluted it with a little bit of water, as I just wasn't up to thawing some breast milk and I hate to waste any of it. I probably should have just done it anyway to include something familiar to the taste, but I guess I was just hoping that she would find the avocado so delectable that she wouldn't care. But Evangeline wouldn't be a princess if she didn't care, now would she? And so began The First Supper...

The spoon certainly made a big hit. She was adamant that she, not I, would hold it. So, into the mouth it would go, where Evangeline simply intended to gum at its nice, rubbery end, when suddenly there was a taste of something new! Her face exclaimed, "What is this?! This isn't Mommy's milk! I didn't sign up for this! What are you doing to me?!" Then, after the shock wore off, her face would say, "Oh, well, I guess it's not that bad. Maybe I did overreact just a bit. Oh, look--a spoon!" and we would get to experience the fun all over again.

This is quite the opposite of Eliana's reaction to trying solid food for the first time so many moons ago. She had responded as if to say, "Where has this been all my life?!" A lover of food, she was right there to coach, comfort, and clean up after her little sister.

Our Little Princess

This picture says it all...

More pictures to come soon!

Happy New Year!

The past month has been so busy that I haven't had a chance to post. It's been a good kind of busy, though--visiting family and friends in Tennessee and Georgia. I'll hopefully get a chance to post some pictures in the next couple of weeks, but, until then, I'll try to entertain you with just a few of the cute things Eliana has been saying lately:

I not my name. My name is Mommy now. There are different kinds of mommies. I don't know why there are different kinds.

I love Grandma. I love Daddy. I love Eliana.

I'm such a good mommy!

Eliana has pretty, curly hair.

Kayla (her cousin), you my granddaughter.

My eyes is cold. I need to wear my sunglasses.

I don't like sleeping.

I cannot go to bed because I sick.

Don't look at me, Evangeline! I trying to eat!

Evangeline, don't look at my food!

I love you, baby sister!

I'm so proud of you, Evangeline!