Month 12 aka Happy 1st Birthday

 Well Miss Eleanor, we made it. A whole year, and we are all coming out on the other side. It's been a wild and crazy year. You have such a personality. You are definitely unique and your own person. You were all tulle and tutu's the day of your birthday. These pictures were taken around 4:20pm, your official birthday. A whole year old.

 Birthday snuggles from your big sister. She loves you so much and can't wait til your older so you can play and be buddies. It warms this momma's heart to hear her talk to you and ask your opinions and chatter away to you. You generally want nothing to do with hugs, snuggles or cuddles. You just want to go, go and go some more.

 You opened a few presents, but really only wanted the paper.

 Your beautiful cakes from Aunt Nickey. The big cake was the real cake for us to eat, then the little smash cake.

 Your dad made you the cutest little cake topper. It is a close match to your sisters.
 

 You were very unsure of what was going on with the candle and the cake. After the candles were removed, we had to stick your fingers in the cake and then eventually you got the hang of it.

 The inside of the awesome rainbow cake, that wasn't smashed.

Happy birthday baby girl. It's been a long year, but at the same time, it has flown by. How does that happen? We have certainly had our challenges, but we have all become stronger, and there is always more love then I am sure your Dad and I thought possible.
You completed our family. A family of four. Your Dad and all his girls. lol.

You came into the world with so much hair, and it's usually pretty crazy looking. You will pull bows and elastics out when you realize they're in. You are crawling for little spurts, but mainly get around bum scooting. You are so quick at it. You pull yourself up on everything and walk around holding onto things. I am sure walking by yourself won't be a long way off. You like to get into everything. My goodness. Nothing is safe near you. You will even eat the plant or the dirt, depending what you can get into. You are finally sleeping all night in your crib and most nights you go down pretty well. Other nights it's a bit of a battle, but that is the way life seems to be with you. You don't make things easy for us. lol. But you're so cute and those big blue eyes melt our hearts most days. The screaming and screeching, not so much. I really can't wait for you to start talking and communicating better. You are so excited to see your Dad or I after a day of daycare. You love going though and love being with the other kids.

Eleanor, my wild child. We love you so much and wish you the happiest of birthdays, and here's to a great year ahead, full of new and exciting challenges. Cheers to the first of so many more birthdays. We love you.

 Right after you were born. The afternoon you completed our family.

And later that night, meeting your sister for the first time. By far, one of my favourite pictures of all time.

A rare site

 Went for a hike recently and Eleanor decided to fall asleep in her carrier. A very rare site, don't think that has ever happened. (ps-how cute is that little hat?)

And done. She probably slept for a good half an hour like that, bouncing around on my back.

Month 45

Time is not just flying by, but rapidly disappearing. Your fourth birthday is right around the corner. Hard to believe. A month of school down, and you are still loving it. You travel on the bus daily and get upset when mom is there to pick you up instead of going to Kristins. Oh the drama.

 You are loving ballet class.Miss Dani, your teacher, is so nice and patient with everyone. You are learning lots of different ballet positions and various balance and acro things too.

You of course LOVED the trampoline.

Audra, my little ham and clown. You are so funny somedays. We love it when you bust out the belly laugh and get your sister laughing too. You want to do everything and be independent most of  the time. (except for the times that you "can't" do things. Not sure why that's started or why you pull that nonsense, but hopefully it goes away soon!)

Who says school isn't exhausting? lol. didn't even touch your ice cream. That's how we knew you were definitely tired.

You and Dad making mom's birthday cake. So cute. It was a yummy cake and I loved that you wanted to make it for me.

Waiting for the bus. This was picture day. The little dress was made for you by mom. It is so cute and I think we'll be able to wear it into the winter with a shirt underneath. You love dresses and always want to wear a dress to school. I try and make sure you do, I'm sure there will be a time that you won't want to wear dresses anymore. Can't wait to see how your school pictures turned.

Wow you're getting so big. The time is just zipping by. You are making friends and having lots of fun at school, which is great and makes this momma happy and proud that you are adjusting so well.

Apple Season

 Another year, another trip to the apple orchard. It was such a great morning. We went to Frootogos up in Waterdown. They have a great selection of apples and their farm is nice and big.

 Eleanor was perfectly content to sit in the wagon and chomp down apples. For someone with 4 and 1/2 teeth, she got through that apple in no time.

 Early in the season so lots of low apples for Audra to pick.

Another great year for apples. Made lots of applesauce and some apple snacks, and we've been enjoying our picked apples for lunches. Yum.