trick-or-treating

How many years do you have to do something to make it a tradition? Last year we took Eden to the Trick-or-Treat on the Row - a large gathering of little kids, parents, and sorority women. She was a bee ...

This year, we returned. She was a dancing cow [Ashley reused the bee tutu because Eden loved it so and just though of something that would go with it]. When I got home, Eden saw me and immediately started dancing. Ashley told me that as soon as she put the tutu on, Eden started to dance. I guess she knew what her costume was.

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Ashley and I invited some friends (since we have some this year). Jaye and Mark have a daughter named Sylvia who is a little older than Eden. Mark was on his way from work so we packed the kiddos in Lola and headed toward campus.

On the way, Eden and Sylvia had a blast. They laughed (although we're not sure at what) and pointed (mostly at people riding bikes and walking dogs) and just acted completely silly.

Once there and parked (which was a chore, but Eden and Sylvia were clueless laughing and carrying on the whole time), Eden and Sylvia started holding hands and walking toward the trick-or-treat festivities. On the way, Eden found Sylvia's stuffed animal. She had to hold it ... and kiss it and hug it and kiss it some more.

Of course Sylvia is a bit faster than Eden, so the handholding did not last all night.

Surprisingly, however, her walking by herself down the street did last for quite a while. She really did not want anyone to hold her. She did quite well, walking and pointing and waving and acting shocked at all the costumes. She also yelled quite a bit - in a good way - mostly to let us know all the cool stuff she was seeing.

We also got to meet up with Marie, a friend from Eden's PDO class, and her husband Brett. Eden went right to Marie. Then, when it was time for us to part ways, Eden did not want to come back to me or Ashley. She cried and clung to Marie. As we walked away, she kept looking toward Marie and trying to call her back. I guess Eden likes her.

When we got home around 7:00, which is 45 minutes past her normal bath time, Eden did not seem tired at all. She looked out the window to watch Sylvia leave. Then, she bounced on the bed as we told her all the fun things she did that night.

So, perhaps it is a tradition now that we've done it for two years. May the tradition continue ...

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Here are some extra videos from the night ...

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No, Momma

Sunday morning after all the LSU-AU weekend excitement, Eden did not want to be apart from Ashley for a second. "Can Daddy get you breakfast." Break down cry fest. "Can you let Momma dry her hair?" "Sure you crazy loon if I can be right under her nose while she does it." {Ashley thankfully obliged and sat on the floor to dry her hair}

... while I brush my teeth ...

Drop off at the church nursery a little bit later was brutal on both Eden and Ashley that morning. Eden was grabbing onto Ashley with her arms AND her legs saying "No-o-o ... Mama." This was the second Sunday {the second one ever} that Eden got upset when we took her to the nursery. Of course they told us Eden was fine a few minutes after we left, but Ashley said she just might not be able to do it again. What's the point if she'll grow out of it soon anyway?  Ashley has also been wondering why it is that Eden's first breakdown being dropped off happened right after she learned how to actually say no, as in "No, Ma-ma!" a.k.a. "No, Momma, don't go! PLEASE don't leave me!"

When we headed to the contemorary church service an hour later, Eden was back to normal, dancing to the praise music and running up for children's time. How could her morning and later in the day be so different? Come to find out, we think she is cutting a tooth. Go figure. This only supports Ashley notions that she shouldn't leave her baby when she's crying.
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Update from the Editor:

Well, dropping Eden off at PDO on Tuesday was not any better. She grabbed onto me with her fists tightly and her strong legs aroung my waist and screamed as I tried to put her down. It was not fun. I stood in the hallway and heard her calm down, but still. Graham says I have to let her walk in on her own from the car, not pick her up, and talk to her before going in. I did the talking part but forgot the do-not-hold part, so maybe that will work next time.

On Wednesday morning, we were all outside as I was leaving for work. Eden desperately wanted me to hold her, and then put one hand on either side of my face and looked at me and said, "No-no, Ma-ma" and then proceeded to try to take my scarf off. If that's not a clear message {one that will melt your heart}, I don't know what is.

So, any advice for someone just now going through this? Any advice other than "you just have to do and it'll pass"? I know you smart people out there must have some strategies to share. Please send them our way!

thanks, ashley {and graham}

my favorite lsu fan

I suppose toddlers have intuition like full-grown adults. Eden's seemed to be heightened this weekend. "Hmmmm. Who can I buddy up to who will spoil me and love on me and treat me like the princess I am? My uncle Thomas!" Indeed.

Thomas and Jennie got to town around noon; Eden was still asleep. So, the four of us ate lunch and chatted. Then, Eden woke up around 2:00. Jennie and Ashley went in to get her up. About 10 minutes later all three emerged from Eden's room. Ashley was holding her. We introduced her to Thomas. She sat in Ashley's lap staring. "Do you want to go give Thomas a hug?" we asked thinking there was no way she'd go over there right then - she usually has to warm up to people for a little while {especially after a nap}. The response? She immediately got out of Ashley's lap and walked directly over to Thomas giving him a huge hug. She had him wrapped around her pinky finger for the remainder of their stay.

The incentive for their trip {aside from seeing Eden} was to see Tiger Stadium in person for the first time in 20 years. On Saturday afternoon, we walked to campus and set up some chairs just outside our building. The area behind our building seems to be the quiet zone which was perfect for Eden to run around ...

... and to do some helicopter and airplane spotting.

The next morning, Eden was up around 6:30 {for good}, and we fixed her breakfast. Thomas and Jennie joined us a little later ... and Eden continued her gotta-have-me-some-uncle-thomas gesture.

In case you're wondering, she loved her some Aunt Jennie, too.

Of course, one of Ashley's favorite parts was rearranging the room for our esteemed guests. I do have to admit that I like the way it looks like this.

Overall, another fun weekend, although we hope they can stay longer next time {and can bring down Emma and Syler too}.

As promised ...

Here are the pictures of playtime in Nona and Big Daddy's (Eden says "bi," for Big Daddy) backyard ...

Who knew Big Daddy was such a good artist?

Actually, it was quite fun to see Eden really warm up to my dad this trip. She was still on breathing treatments and not wanting to do them. Saturday after her nap, the only way to get her to do her treatment was to tell her she could watch football with Big Daddy. After the treatment, I told her to tell him thanks and give him a big kiss. She did {she holds her hand to her chest for thank you}. After that, she wanted no one else to hold her or take her outside but him. Then, once outside, she wanted him to help her draw with the chalk and to blow her bubbles. "Bi. Bi" Quite cute.

The infamous wheelbarrow ...

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my fun weekend @ nona and big daddy's

Two weekends ago (yes, we know we're behind) Ashley scheduled a trip to see her sister in Pensacola. Since Mobile is on the way, it seemed like the perfect excuse for me to take Eden to see her Nona and Big Daddy.

When we drove up (around 7 PM Friday) and got Eden out of the car, she immediately showed off her new word ... "Nona. Nona." My mom melted. It was great. Later that night, Ashley headed off to Pensacola after we put Eden to bed.

Saturday morning started with breakfast at Waffle House. I ordered orange juice. Of course, Eden wanted some. The only problem? Eden has never had orange juice. She drank nearly a quarter of the cup full ... primarily from a small creamer container that served as a baby-sized shot glass.

After breakfast we swung by the house to pick up some snacks so we could head to the park. Once Eden was just about buckled in her car seat she started saying "Dada. Dada." "What Baby." Then it happened. Eden's outfit became soaked with spit up ... a mixture of orange juice and milk ... not a good combination. Apparently she just had to get that out of her system because afterward (and after a new outfit) she was as happy as ever, ready to climb the gym at the park.

And to see-saw with her Big Daddy and Nona ...

After her nap, it was time for lunch ... yogurt ...

After lunch was playtime in the backyard with bubbles and sidewalk chalk. She also got to push around the red wheelbarrow I used to play with at my Big Daddy and Mama II's house (pictures and video to come).

Since she was not feeling well, she stayed home with Nona while my Dad and I went to church. In her usual fashion, she shared some cereal ...

We let her take a nap there, and Ashley came back from Pensacola around 2:00. Overall, it was a great weekend, full of fun and new experiences. Hope to see y'all again really soon!

two-track mind

Last night as I was reading a Curious George book to Eden, I began to think ...

I'm so glad i got the orange and white striped top at Target today. She's gonna look so cute in it at Boo at the Zoo ...  wonder when her black tights are going to be here ... should I have spent $4 dollars on black pants when I already ordered black tights? Oh well, she can wear the black pants with her pink dress with balck polka dots, but she could also wear the black tights with that. ... $4 is fine for a pair of play pants that she can wear tomorrow ... she is going to be meowing all afternoon with those cats on the front of her shirt ... oh, she'll look so cute and she can wear her white jacket with the ruffles if it's cold ... Is Josie going to be in a costume? ... should I wear something halloweeny ... ...

huh. I'm still reading this book to her out loud ...

And I just turned a page so I'm actually reading to her out loud while I'm thinking this.

How long have I been reading out loud and thinking this if I turned a page and didn't even really know I was doing it?

And, then it just got to be too much thinking so I tried to just read the words and look down at her and take in what I was doing. How strange is that?! To be reading a book that you don't have memorized out loud but be thinking something else at exactly the same time.

One of my dear friends says she works out parts of her dissertation while reading her daughter Beatrix Potter, so at least I know I'm not crazy. But, the more I think about it the more it seems so, so strange. How in the world does that work?

{ajb}

3 fun things

Eden surprises us with fun things all the time. Here are three of the most recent.

The other day, Ashley took her to the library. They walked around and chose books. Eden also stopped in the middle of the library to sit in a chair and read a book ... by herself. After entertaining herself, Ashley put her in the car. Just before pulling out of the libarary, Eden said "Book. Book." then starting acting like a monkey. Apparently she wanted one of the new Curious George books they had just checked out. Great memory, Eden. Here is the view Ashley had on the way home {yes, she was pulled over on the side of the street in our neighborhood when she took this photo} ...

The next fun thing is that Eden decided to sleep one morning that Ashley went to work early but I decided to try and sleep in ... that's my girl! I woke up around 8:00, and did not go into her room until 20 minutes later. Wow! When I told Ashley she said, "What was she wearing?" We recreated the clothing, the temperature of the house ... the whole nine yards. What was she wearing? We call them The Lucky Monkey Pajamas {thank you Alli, Jeff, Fable, and Ever!}

Finally, Eden really, really enjoys all her hand-me-down clothes. She gets them from Fable and Ever {e.g., Monkey PJs above} and from Josie West, her slightly older BR friend. How do we know she really, really enjoys these clothes? Well, she decides to needs to wear them the moment we get them, while Ashley was sorting them in the den ... and she wears them in random combination of course ...

playtime with daddy

Eden and I have lots of fun during playtime with Daddy. Sometimes, she likes to pretend. For instance, she enjoys pretending that she is a baby and takes a bottle.

Then gets burped.

Yeah, burping!

After a good meal, the best thing to do is to hang upside down and be spun in a circle ...

...which makes it hard to walk straight.

We also like to play football. She throws me the ball and then I hand it off to her as she runs for a touchdown.

She also likes to watch football (but not too much - just enough to teach her how to play the game).

Although we play most days, Friday's are "our days." We get to spend the whole day together. Other things we do are: run, go to the dog park, play at the grocery store, and play hide-and-seek. I'm glad she is keeping me young.

silly goose's peek-a-boo

my new puppy

Since Eden loves puppies so much, I decided to give in and get her one. Meet Pup-Pup ...

I picked up Pup-Pup while shopping with my sister over the weekend {um, yes, this is Ashley writing, not Graham}. At only a few dollars to purchase and no future costs for the imaginary food it will take to feed him, Pup-Pup seemed like a good investment. As you can see, he fits perfectly on Eden's magnet board and was a super-exciting surprise when I showed him to her on Monday morning.

Eden was thrilled. She started carrying around Pup-Pup, giving him kisses and kisses {and pushing him to my mouth so I could kiss him}, holding him in the crook of her arm to rock him, and then wrapping him in a small blanket so he could go night-night in her bed {almost made me want a bigger pup for her. almost.}. He's really the perfect puppy for us ... super calm, hangs out with you wherever you want to go, easily entertained and entertaining, travels well, and is super quiet.

Someday, when Eden can actually ask us, we'll consider getting a real-live puppy, but for now Pup-Pup is just right.