Computers for babies

We gave Natalie an old old old notebook computer and she carries it around all the time. But while she was away at school, Eloise found it under the table and it kept her busy for quite some time.

Eloise's new ride

It took us a while to get the wheels on (translation: mommy couldn't do it and it took her a while to get daddy to sit down and do it in 10 seconds), but that didn't stop her from enjoying some time behind the wheel.

She has already learned to text and drive...

After the wheels were on, she had even more fun. She even took it to the family room drive-in showing of Mickey Mouse.

Kitchen fun

Eloise has discovered the cabinet with all the kid plates, cups, bowls, etc. She loves to scoot into the kitchen and make a mess. Day after day.

2015 Hayes family photos

The day before Thanksgiving, we all put on our smiling faces and teamed up with our friend and wedding photographer, Matt Wheeler, to capture the complete Hayes family and all seven grandkids.

Here's a sneak peek at few of our favorite photos...

 

 

Celebrating ONE Year

With the holidays, Scott's chaotic work schedule, family in town and time slipping away at our fingertips, we decided to do a small party for Eloise. We had Scott's family over on a Sunday afternoon for dinner and playtime.  It was significantly less chaotic and more enjoyable than what we did for Natalie.

Ooooooooh, some super soft new jammies with sparkly hearts on them!

Her cousins were excellent helpers.

A new stuffed doggie from Grandpa Larry and Gramma Judy got big giggles and immediate hugs.

After all the presents were opened, Eloise sat in the middle of the party and read one of her new books. She really LOVES looking through books.

Cuddle time with Andrew.

Sharing her doll with Riley.

Eloise ended up going to bed before cake time, so we sang to Karla instead. She turned 24. And it was probably for the best since Eloise didn't do so well with her cake the first time around.

12-months: A year with George, the Growth Giraffe

"This morning when mommy came in to get me, she was singing again so I know it's my birthday. But when she carried me out into the kitchen, there were balloons and streamers all over. She explained to me that today was my real birthday and that I am now officially one YEAR old."

Eloise and George: November 18, 2015

Eating breakfast and sharing a lil with Gus.

"After dinner later that night, mommy, daddy and Natalie sang the Happy Birthday song to me and I got to blow out a candle and have my very first cupcake! Mommy thought I wouldn't like it (Natalie didn't like the way the frosting felt on top of her cake) but I proved her wrong and dove right in. I didn't stop until it was all gone. And then I used my handy baby sign language to ask them for more. They said no. So I brushed my teeth and went to bed. Sadly for mommy and daddy, I woke up a few hours later when my tummy hurt and I threw up my cupcake all over myself and my bed. I took a nice warm bath and then spent the rest of the night giving mommy some snuggles until 4am in the big black rocking chair. Guess cupcakes aren't my thing."

For comparison, here's a link to Natalie's 12-month blog update:
 http://suburbanhayes.blogspot.com/2012/04/12-month-birthday-year-with-measurement.html 

Dog bone giggles

I finally managed to capture a glimpse of how well these two play together and what an amazing dog Gus really is with kids.

Disclaimer: this is probably one of my favorite videos of all time.

https://youtu.be/3ycu0nvR_0o

11-months, really? Already?!?

"Truth be told, mommy forgot my birthday. The day started off like any normal day and it wasn't until later that she remembered and took my photo in my crib with George. It's tough being the third kid."

Eloise and George: October 18, 2015

"Over the past month mom says I have really developed a personality. I started showing everyone that I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO BIG with my arms. Natalie thought it was so funny that she had me doing it every 10 seconds or so... so I don't do it very much anymore."

"Unfortunately, daddy had to do a fair amount of late nights and traveling for work over the past month, so mommy did a lot of what she likes to call creative parenting. This involves things like: dinner in the bathtub, Happy Meals Wednesdays in the park after school, and lots of wagon rides."

  

"I learned to really love my rocking cow. I liked it before, but this past month I fell in love with it. I can make it go on my own and while mommy needs to stay close by, she doesn't need to hold me anymore."

"I learned the difference between throw-up and spit-up. I don't like either one. But mom and dad helped take care of me and I conquered my 3-hour stomach bug that arrived suddenly one night at midnight or so. The next day when I was feeling a little better, mom let me try on this pumpkin costume that used to belong to Natalie. It was a size 3T, so it was a little big but we had fun anyway."

"I like to stand up, but I am not very strong or confident yet. I cannot pull myself up, but if you help me up and give me something to hold on to, I will hang out and play/dance for a few minutes. But you need to stay close by because when I fall it is not always very graceful. And if I fall onto my tummy or back, I cannot get back up to a sitting position. And I get very upset if this happens."
 

"Mommy and I made a lot of trips to Basha's (our grocery store) while daddy was gone. Mommy said it was because her brain was fried and she couldn't ever seem to remember to get everything on her [non-existent] list. I didn't mind though because it was something to do and I have lots of friends who work at Basha's that love to see me. Here I am wearing my donut jammies and staring at all the donuts. Mommy tried to show me that the donuts on my pants looked like the ones in the case but I didn't get it. Nor did I get a donut. "

"I did lots of playing with my best friend, Gus."

"I ate my first spaghetti."

 "And I learned to share my Cheerios (but not my bottle) with Natalie's baby, Scarlett."

 

"Oh, and I love love love love to read books. I also really like it when someone reads them to me, but I am content to look at them by myself, as long as they have pretty pictures."

For comparison, here's a link to Natalie's 11-month blog update:
http://suburbanhayes.blogspot.com/2012/03/11-month-birthday.html