Twenty-One Months with Eloise Marie

Super late, but I MUST FINISH. I can do it! I can do it! P.S. I am NOT doing this with our next children...Love each of you but NOPE! Once again....WHAT DID I THINK I WOULD BE DOING AS A STAY-AT-HOME MOMMA!?! WHY DID I THINK I WOULD HAVE TIME TO BLOG EVERYOTHER DAY?!?!?! I did not have a grasp on the reality of motherhood. I'm getting better though. ;) Anyways...Here you go! Almost a year late. Now onto 24-months and getting my stuff together for baby #2!

21 Months Old! 

Weight: 32 lbs

Length: 36 inches

1. Eating?
This girl loves to eat, just like her parents! Her favorite thing seems to be mac n' cheese and sweets, and she is learning how to use a fork and spoon. She still nurses at night, and it is a special time for each night together.

2. Sleeping?
Oh what a good sleeper still...Thank you Lord! She snuggles in a sleep sack, but won't need it for much longer I'm thinking. She's so cute though, isn't she?

3. Milestones?
Ellie has learned how to have some sass and has a hard time sharing most of the time, which has led to her first timeouts in the recent months. She sits there usually, so we are glad about that part at least!
Her little posture is so cute it almost makes you want to scoop her up and snuggle her instead though!

First time-out for hitting Cash, and all he wants to do is be closer to her. HAH!

She has also had an increasing interest in stickers and coloring, which is FABULOUS for restaurant outings. But she's also started screaming without notice if she doesn't get her way, so this stinker sometimes gives us a run for our money!

Annnnnd another example of her sassy attitude...
I think that's a teenager look she's giving me? Oh dear...

Now that the girl's got walking down to an art, she's loving running and dancing! We've had some great times watching her use her new skills...you can tell by the look on her face she's having a great time too. 

Dancing with Dad is THE BEST!

And let me tell you...her sassiness and attitude has also brought big laughs and great joy. She's becoming quite the ham with her silly faces and "CHEESE!" smiles. My goodness girl...

I said "Go stand by the tree and say cheese!" and this is the hilarity I got!

We have enjoyed seeing her play pretend a lot more lately, which is why we decided to get her a kitchen for Christmas. She loves her shopping cart, her babies, and blocks too!

A strange and somewhat gross new thing she does is just like me...picking sock fuzz from her toes! When I was a little girl, I'd take off my socks for bath time, get all the fuzz out, and then I'd try to put my socks back on to "make more fuzz". What a goofy kid I was too!

And the last but certainly sweetest milestone these past months has been learning to show affection for not just the momma and the dadda, but for her buddy, Cash and even Lucy sometimes. Sweet girl!

Kisses with eyes closed even! So silly. 

4. Activities and adventures?
Since it's taken me almost a year to post this and I should just get it finished, I'll highlight our activities with pics! :)

Last Full Moon Bike Ride

All things fall...pumpkin patching, leaf picking, walks to the park, and lots of time outside!

An adventurous day in babysitting! 

Pride activities and Alumni Band...We love the Pride and think Ellie does too!

Our sweet little Boo for Halloween...A silly little dream of ours for over 10 years. Our first date was to see Monsters Inc! Doesn't she make a perfect little Boo? We helped by dressing up as Sulley and Mike. 

We love hosting backyard parties, and of course, our annual Fall Festival!

Our anniversary weekend is one of my favorites of the whole year...it's when we usually host the Fall Festival, and then we've started the tradition of picnicking at OU under our favorite big tree! And this year, we got some really great pictures of our girl running around there too. Love these!

One of my favorite pictures of 2014!

And of course...professional pics too! It started rough with a grumpy toddler but ended well with gorgeous shots!

Ellie's first OU Game...Heavy rain was in the forecast so we bought three tickets super cheap and braved the rain to see the restored Pride! Exciting adventures for the Valentas family as always. 

Thanksgiving! Ellie with the leaves we'd picked alllll fall! We didn't take many pics because we were so tired, but still had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend!

O' Christmas Tree...Picked our second real tree from the same family run business. We got one a little big for our living room, but loved it all the same!

All decorated finally!

LOOK AT IT! LOOOOOVE!

We celebrated many important birthdays in December, but the biggest one for us was Dadda's 30th.

Lots of sweetness for Dadda's birthday lunch!

We also threw him a fun surprise birthday at Upper Crust with LOTS of friends and family...and it was LEGO themed! What a fun day.

We visited Santa a few times this year, and Ellie was not a fan at any point, but the pictures are priceless!

Devon Tower/Myriad Gardens 

Penn Square Mall

Christmas shopping with the Valenti! A really fun and special tradition!

Since Tess and Ashley would be gone to the Phillipines for Christmas, we celebrated early and got to be host for the evening! Our house is small, but it was snuggly and warm for the night.

We did our holiday trip to Nebraska a little different this year, since my Dad retired from Morris Press after 30 years. So we visited his work on his last day, and had our Christmas celebrations early!

Lots of plaid and Grampa Larry love!

We prepared and shopped for everything before we left, which was good because Chris got the flu in Nebraska! We got back on Christmas Eve Eve, but it was nice to not have to travel after the busy-ness of the holidays.

Ohhh Christmas...You are so so so magical!

This year was full of unusual circumstances for Christmas...and to add to it, much of the Daniel family was sick and couldn't attend the celebrations! So we hosted everyone at our house again on Christmas Day! It was special to share our home with both our families on our most favorite holiday.

Lazy Christmas break days....Ahhhhh....They were oh so good to us, and included just enjoying time together. Many days of pjs, snow falling, fires in the fireplace, and eating good food.

Before we took the tree down, we told Ellie to hug the tree. Her affection is so sweet!

5. Favorite item? 

Probably her new Christmas toys...her kitchen with dishes and play food, her table and chairs, her shopping cart, her babies...She is a great independent player now! YAY!!! She is so cute to watch pretend play.

6. Favorite moment these past months?
I can't pick just one or even a few, because fall and Christmas are simply my favorites, and we certainly enjoyed them. Both seemed extra "magical" this year, as Ellie was able to do and enjoy more of it, and I loved seeing the wonder in her eyes during this time. What a sweetie.

7. Looking forward to these next months?
Slowing down after a busy holiday season. Working on ideas and projects. Warmer weather for more time outside, and of course, Ellie's Monsters Inc. birthday coming up soon!

8. Visitors?
None new for us, but met Brandon Berardi on a quick trip to Dallas! What a cutie Kim and Matt!

9. One thing I've learned:
Again, with the second time around for events and holidays, we've learned better how to let go and relax. Every moment doesn't have to be captured and documented but enjoyed. Would I have done the first year any different still? Probably not, but so glad to be here now.

10. My message to Ellie:
Your spunk and spirit has certainly begun to shine these past few months, and though some days it makes being a parent the toughest job in the world, I love these things about you too. You are so much fun to be with, and I wish I could remember every little thing about you at this age...the way your little body feels in my arms, the way you say "momma" and "dadda", the frustrated look you get when you don't get your way, and the silly first "cheesin'" smiles you have given us. This fall and holiday season has been magical in so many ways...we survived your firsts and now we get to relax a little and enjoy these seconds with you. Love you beautiful girl! Can't believe how soon you'll be TWO!

And a few more favorites that didn't fit in any other categories...

18-months old and a day of fun with just momma

Swinging in our front yard in December!

Sometimes Oklahoma can't make up it's mind between seasons...
but fall and winter together sure are beautiful! Especially with this gorgeous girl!

The first snow of 2014 also meant the first snow for Ellie to really enjoy and play in! Loved the few minutes outside enjoying it and Lucy did too!

Big beautiful snowflakes to match the big beautiful smile!

Ventures with the Valenti: Sonic Summer Movie Nights

If you know me you know I love the Myriad Gardens, and make visiting this city's gem at least every other week, whether it be for their free barre3 classes, their Full Moon Bike Rides, activities in their Children's Garden, to enjoy the delicious Ice House burgers and splash pad, or at one of their MANY family friendly activities. They are each my favorite in different ways, but when it comes to being with a group of people you love, eating great food, and enjoying being outside, this is one of the best things our city has to offer!

The Sonic Man, out to greet
the kiddos! 

What: Sonic Summer Movie Night's FREE outdoor movie on the Great Lawn at the Myriad Gardens at 9:00 pm...WITH FOOD TRUCKS!!! They also have activities for kids that connect with the theme of the movie, as well as story-time nearby at 8:45.

Who: Because the event is !!!FREE!!!, anyone and everyone is welcome to join. Just a first-come, first-serve basis! Both blankets and chairs are welcome, they simply ask for you to be courteous to other viewers. 

Where: Great Lawn at the Myriad Gardens. Address is 301 W. Reno, OKC, 73102, and you can find tons of info on activities and events by clicking here.

When: Each summer, the Sonic Summer Movie Night series begins the first week of July, and goes through the middle of August, and each Wednesday night they show a different movie at 9:00 pm. This summer has the best line-up I've seen so far...and we still have three more weeks left! YAY!

Our favorite part: 
THE FOOD TRUCKS! Did you know I love food trucks? There's something magical about being able to get some of the best food in mere minutes from a mobile kitchen. I have several favorites, of course, as a self-proclaimed-food-truck-foodie, but one that has NEVER disappointed is The Saucee Sicilian. Here's a visual sampling of what they serve, but there's SO MUCH MORE to try.

PIZZZZAAAAA...

Their homemade foccaia topped with rosemary and sea salt...My favorite!

And their desserts are no joke either...S'more Calzone!!!

And the people that make and serve your food are the icing on the cake. It's like going to a Mom & Pop Pizzaria on wheels...you can just taste the care and love cooked into each bite. It's sounds a bit dramatic but it's true! Just look at their sweet faces...

The Mama of the truck...
Always taking the orders in a way that
you dreamed your Italian Mama would do! 

Great-Aunt Nonna. Many of her recipes are being
recreated daily in this awesome food truck.

The nicest guy you'll meet, and owner of the Saucee Sicillian. 

Now I see the face that inspired the logo!

So last week, I got the nerve to become a super-creep and ask to take some of their pictures, which then led them into asking me to come on board! WOW! I was super stoked, and loved seeing this tiny space where they make their delicious pizzas.

They make each one as it is ordered, so it is fresh, hot, and AH-MAZING. After being topped with the best homemade ingredients (not only do they make their own bread AND cheese, their meats are shipped each week from their family's NYC deli), they pop your pizza into their 800+ degree oven for 90 seconds, and VOILA! Pizza magic. For more info and the whole story on one of my favorite family-owned food trucks, head on over to The Saucee Sicilian's website, and go find them this week! You won't be disappointed, I PROMISE!

From creation...

To cooking... 

To pure crazy deliciousness!

Not only did they invite me on their truck,
they gave me a free serving of Nonna's Balls...
They were as good as meatballs get!

Things we would do differently next time:
Again, read as "Things I've learned to do differently..."
1) Make an evening of it and GET THERE EARLY. I'm saying 7:00 early. Stake out your spot, spread out the blanket larger than you think you'll need it, and just hang out. If you get bored waiting, there's always the nearby splash pad, Thunder Fountain, and Children's Garden. Getting there early also means you can walk right up to the food trucks and get the firsts of everything.
2) Even though there's food trucks, bring your own snacks and drinks. As the lawn fills up and the movie starts, you'll want to stick to your spot, because it gets really busy.

Some of the my favorites from Back to the Future on July 15th:

Eva's first taste of Roxy's for her birthday!

Ahhh the Devon Tower...You never disappoint!

And a few from Wizard of Oz on July 26th:

Roxy's...My FAVORITE ice cream truck and brick and mortar!
More next time on this sweet little truck....

What a amazing view! I love this city.

There's three more weeks left! Get out there and soak in the final days of summer with your family. Dishes can wait. School supplies can wait. Sleep can wait. ;) Hope you enjoy it as much as I do, and that we run into each other there!