"Cut-Cut!" for Elodie!

She is now almost 3 years old and this will be only her second official haircut. I had to do something because her daily tangles (a.k.a. "bird's nest"), was really making her look frazzled. Especially when she has too much sugar and goes ape (that's pretty funny actually).

Anyways, it turned out really cute.

It is shorter than ever before in back and layered too in back (to blend in with the daily tangles she gets), and then it is long in the front on the sides. Layered and cut the bangs a bit shorter to blend. Took about 3 inches off the length!

The chocolate around her mouth is another story.

Very 1920s! very Louise Brooks (minus the dark makeup that is) ;o)..

Our little monster..

Our little dinosaur to be exact. Something she can play with all year round really.

Lots of candy, lots of running, and lots of scary decorations (key word, "robots")..;o)

Happy Halloween 2010!

The Happy Faces of Elodie Pumpkin..

This is a little early and the pumpkins have now gone flat, but I thought I'd show you the carving I did of Elodie's faces she drew on the pumpkins, dimples for Mama and Elodie included, and glasses for Papa. 

Sort of Tim Burton'ish, which is very cool, and considering she is only 2 and 1/2 yrs old.

Happy Halloween my fellow ghouls.

xoxo Jenn & Family

Cute handmade Surprise box for babies and infants

My best friend's daughter, Ella Bleu, was going to turn 1 years old and I wanted to make her something special.

When she was at my house she loved my daughter's "What's in the Box" box I bought her on OneStepAhead (http://www.onestepahead.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=535356), so I thought I could make her this and it would be more of a personal gift and a sort of challenge for me.

I got to use some recycled materials too like packaging cardboard, ribbons, an old French book, and some crinkly plastic bag from our bread (to make it crinkle when you push the cat and butterfly).

She loved it, but let me know what you think.

p.s. The little stuffed toys were bought at Toys R Us for just a few dollars, but Ikea has tons of little stuffed animals for cheap and they are cute too.

Elodie gets her first REAL haircut!

OK, so it is just snipping off her "mullet", and a few bangs around the ear, but it made quite a big difference.

She was having this sort of 1960's, Carol Brady look, and with her taking her clips out of her hair all the time, her hair was getting pretty uncontrollable.

She still has the bird's nest problem in the back of her hair, but that happens automatically every day and that's mostly my fault for giving her my very fine and thin hair.

So, a few dobs of leave-in conditioner, some cute barrettes or bands and voila! a cute girl she is!

Pee-Pee pot!!!!

I told her just the day before, when I was changing her diaper, that she needed to start using her pee-pee pot. And, if she did, that there would be an award system in place (a.k.a. "a surrrppprrriissssee")

Well the very next day Elodie proceeded to get naked, went to her outdoor kiddie pool, then said, "Mama! Mama! Pee-Pee". I wasn't prepared, I fumbled around and ran to the bathroom to grab her portable Ikea one and took it outside and put it in front of her, then backed away slowly from her (as so not to pressure her), and she sat down and went. Sounds ridiculous, but I almost cried from joy.

Patrick was so excited that he went out and bought about 30 little "surprises" to award her when she uses her pot. She's already done it about 5 times now.

Our little girl is growing up!

Elodie tending to the garden..pretty funny

Wow! Her first time in her OWN bed!

Now I know what you are thinking.."what??, she is 2 years old and just NOW she is sleeping in her own bed??", well, yep! it all started with her being born during a cold month of February and I didn't want to find her in her crib as an ice cube the next morning, so in the bed with us she went..and so time went on...and on. So, this is a big accomplishment.

I told her to hop into her bed for her nap (as if it was the usual thing to do), then she spent about 20 minutes alone in her bed, reading some books, and then she came to get me, I laid down beside her and she went right to sleep. No fuss, no crying, nothing.

To be continued....yeah!

xoxo
Jenn

p.s. Notice that the bunny required some tucking in too. ;o)

Going to the snow...burrrr!!!

Went on our annual trip to one of our favorite cold spots in the Winter..Montreal!

Ahhh..the food, the pastries, the books, the shops, and the coldest snow!!!

Elodie went last year, but was in the crawling stage, so really, this was the first time for her to spend time walking and playing in the snow. Lots of fun, but too short!!!

Elodie's turning 2 years old!!!

Yep, our little Elodie is going to be 2 years old on the 18th of this month. Unbelievable since not too long ago, she was just the size of a little football. Not only has her size changed, but her face has too. She's no longer this little chubby baby face, but a little girl is appearing. Amazing how she has a lot of our personality traits (good and bad ;o)), but really has become her own person and what a character!! Great sense of humor, and very goofy like her Mama and Papa. Such a good sport about a lot of things..traveling, food, trying new things. Elodie--we are so excited to have you in our lives and I can't imagine life without you luvvy.

2/18/08 Day of Birth

2/27/08 9 Days old

25Jun09- 4 months old

8/17/08 6 months old

13Nov08- 9 months old

2/18/09 1st Birthday

7/7/09- 1 and 1/2 years old

26Nov09- 21 months old

1/10/10-1 month before her 2nd birthday

Just saying I love you Elodie..

Hey my little poot-poot. I just wanted to tell you that I love you and appreciate you so much.

Not too long ago, I was completely frustrated and overwhelmed by your terrible two tantrums, and overall behavior. Although it was expected to happen, I didn't know how to handle it.

Now, I am looking at you in a whole different light. I understand that you sometimes act out because you still cannot verbally communicate with me and that must be very frustrating for you. I've gained new patience and insight on how to communicate with you so we both get what we want and need from each other.

I think of those parents that have missing children, I think of those Haitian children who lost their parents, I think of those children who are not loved or are abused, or who are ill or have a terminal illness. It all reminds me how lucky I am to have you every day, in my arms, and enjoying life with me. I don't take any of it for granted and look forward to all the days I will have with you and you with me.

Big kisses and hugs to you my little girl...xoxo Mama