Elaine, Grant, Jaxon

 There are many reasons why my first year as a stay at home mom was very difficult.  Maybe one day I'll share those reasons, but that isn't today.  Today is about some very special people who helped me soon after being home for over a year.  We met Elaine, Grant, and Jaxon at a BBQ hosted by our apartment complex last fall.  A few weeks later, Elaine and I with our kids crossed paths while going to the mail box, and I asked if she and Jaxon would like to join Eliana and I for a walk later that week.  That was the beginning of friendship in which we walked for nearly an hour almost every week, and I found my first new friend since being a mommy.

 Jaxon and Eliana played well together and learned to share together.  Just recently Jaxon learned how to walk, and it was hilarious watching them play peek a boo/hide and go seek around corners and in rooms.  For months Eliana has loved helping Eliane to push Jaxon's stroller during parts of our walks.

Elaine and her family moved back home to New Zealand last weekend.  We will miss their close proximity dearly.  I look forward to Skype catch up calls in the future.  I am so very grateful that technology will aid us in staying connected.

You can see a photo of Eliana helping to push Jaxon in his toy car a few months ago here.

Eliana is 20 months old!!!

Well, I guess she was 20 months a few days ago, but I just haven't been on the computer much to post about it.

Eliana continues to find creative ways of doing things, like how to crawl underneath chairs.

She continues to learn to mimic.  In the Fiful newsletter, there was a picture of a bunch of people with their hands up.  Eliana thought that was a good idea too!  

Eliana has scared everyone who watches her fearlessly ride this rocking horse that used to be Kyle's.  She has only gone fast enough once to make herself go head first overboard.  Thankfully, I happened to be getting off the couch to get something and caught her.  She had no idea of what happened.

Eliana continues to love to help.  I had swept the day before this picture was taken letting her hold the dust pan.  When I went to get something out of the linen closet, she got out the broom.  She even moved the rug out of the kitchen so she could completely sweep.  Awe, I hope she always loves to help!

Eliana and I walk with our neighbors Elaine and Jaxon on Friday mornings.  We saw them during a lunch time run to the mail box and decided to go for a walk.  Eliana had a blast pushing Jackson through our apartment complex.  I'm so thankful to have walking buddies.  The fresh air is delightful, and the conversations are a blessing.

Other things Eliana has been up to:
*She got a bottom canine tooth without a fever!  I think the other one is also poking through, but Eliana doesn't want me to check.
*Eliana decided tangelos are good.  You must understand, she refused to eat ALL citrus prior to this.  My friend Michele is right to continue to try foods that before were deemed inedible.
*Eliana loves grapes!  I'm so glad that even though they aren't in season, we can still find them at the grocery store.
*Many friends and family have commented about Eliana's hair noticeable growing.
*Eliana has fun with Michele and her kids while I teach art lessons on Thursdays.  Eliana so far can say Nate for Nathan.  I'm sure the other kids' names will come in time too.