Time with Grandma T

Playtime

Cooking lessions


Lots of kisses...

...and Hugs

My mom had the opportunity to visit earlier this month and was able to spend two days with Saela. They played with all of her toys and read all of her books (multiple times.) They spent sometime in the kitchen...hopefully Saela learns all of her tricks and takes over the cooking duties in 7-8 years. :) ...and of course there were lots of kisses and hugs. It sure was nice timing too since I had a cold and Steve had a couple of evening commitments. Her visits are always too short - but we always take what we can get...we miss you!

Pretty in Pigtails

I know - it's been awhile...time seems to go more and more quickly these days. How can it already be February of 2009? Look at my big girl - she will be 18 months old in 18 days. EIGHTEEN months - it hardly seems possible. I heard this song on the radio today about the stages of a child and how each stage is difficult - but to hang in there because "it won't be like this for long." I was just thinking the other day how some tasks seem like they are never ending. (I was washing Saela's high chair tray for what seemed like the 1000th time.) My very next thought, however, was that someday I won't have to wash this highchair tray - and that means my baby girl will have outgrown the need for such an item. The following are the lyrics from the end of the song...

He lays down there beside her

Till her eyes are finally closed

And just watching her it breaks his heart

'Cause he already knows

It won't be like this for long

One day soon that little girl is gonna be

All grown up and gone

And this phase is gonna fly by

So he's trying to hold on

It won't be like this for long

It won't be like this for long

It Won't Be Like This For Long by Darius Rucker

These words are so very true - it's hard to remember Saela as an infant. Each day she learns something new or says a new word or understands more of what we say. She truly is amazing. As much as I am ready for baby #2 to get here - I also want the time to go slowly - because when he (yes - he) arrives - Saela will be almost 2. TWO!

When Did That Happen?!?!

As I sat and watched Saela play with her legos today - she looked like such a little girl. When did she get so big...so smart...so independent? I realized there were so many things that have changed - and yet no specific date to mark the differences. When did she go from being this floppy little being - to knowing what to do with her arms when I am putting on her shirt? When did she go from not understanding words - to understanding? She will now go get something if I ask, or head to the stairs if I say "let's go change your diaper," or run to the bathroom if I say "do you want to take a bath?" (Hopefully she'll run that fast when I say "do you have to go potty?" When did she become opinionated about her outfits or her shoes? (For the past 4-5 weeks she would only wear one of her pairs of shoes!) When did she starting pointing at objects that she wanted or signing please or saying "ease, ease, ease?" When did she start being able to make the choice between milk and water? When did she become particular about her food? (The whole food thing has been mildly challenging.) When did she go from my baby to my toddler - time now marked with major milestones - and so many more that are blurred along the way. One thing though Saela, you will ALWAYS be my baby girl. I love you.

My Little Pony

Saela and her pony (from the one and only Santa Claus.)

Happy New Year 2009

Mom thought I did such a great job last year on the Greens New Year's letter that I should keep on with tradition - so here I am again.

Let's see...where to start? I was fortunate to be able to see much of my family over the year. I took my first airplane trip in February when Mom was off work in between residency and her new job. We went to Minnesota to visit her family and friends and had a great time. I was able to see my Grandma & Grandpa Tillman, Aunt Kara & Uncle Ben again and meet a lot of Mom's lifelong friends. (Dad wasn't able to be there because he was in Asia for work.) In July, my cousins Connor, Tessa, Gavin and Caleb visited with their parents, my Aunt Kristin and Uncle David. It was great seeing Uncle David and Tessa again and meeting everyone else. Then, in August, we went back to Minnesota to celebrate my 1st Birthday! This time I was able to meet my new cousin Kaylee. We had a nice party and then went to the lake house for a day - but it was pretty chilly for August. In addition to the trips I took, I have spent a couple of long weekends with Grandma & Grandpa Green and I just love playing at their house. My Grandpa Ellwein visited me in March & December of this year - and we had a wonderful time bonding. He even helped take care of me when I was sick.

Shortly after I returned from my second trip to Minnesota, I started real school. I go everyday of the work week and my favorite activities are art and playing in the muscle room. My teachers say I'm never ready to stop when art time is over. I'm currently working hard on expanding my vocabulary and learning how to run instead of walk everywhere. I'm looking forward to teaching all of this "life stuff" to my new brother or sister who will be here in about 5 months.


Whew...enough about me...Mom started her new job in March of 2008. She is enjoying herself and although her days are quite busy, she is always home to tuck me in at night and she never has to work on the weekends. She has passed the written portion of her board exams and must now take her oral board exams this year to be "Board Certified." Then she will just have to retake the written portion of her exams every 10 years. She has otherwise busied herself with taking care of me and harboring my new brother/sister.


Dad continues to work for IBM from his home office. He was promoted in 2008 and we are all very proud of him for his accomplishments. He traveled overseas for two weeks last year for business and may go again this year. We miss him during that time but know it's important for his work. When he has a chance, Daddy will play basketball with his buddies at our church on Tuesday nights and will of course take in a Spartan sporting event whenever he gets the chance. (Mom also wanted me to say an extra special thanks for picking up her slack while she wasn't feeling well over the last few months.)

Jax and Jilly continue to give us unconditional love as Mom recently posted. They are always happy to see us and thankfully have never been quite as destructive as "Marley." This makes it easier to overlook their urinary incontinence issues (they take meds daily), chocolate eating fiascoes, and general rambunctiousness.

We are much more "settled" than we were a year ago at this time - *most* of our boxes have been unpacked! Next year we will be a family of *six* and I will have much again to report. God has bestowed so many blessings on our lives and we are so thankful for each and every one of them. May He bring peace and prosperity to you and your loved ones in the coming year.

Love,

Saela and Family

P.S. Mom & Dad were a "disco" couple for Halloween - this THANKFULLY isn't their usual attire!

Kisses

Christmas Moose sets the stage.

"You want me to do what?"

"Hmm...I'm thinking..."


"Okay - Daddy can have a kiss."

"A Christmas kiss for you too Christmas Moose."

Jax & Jilly

Jilly (almost 3) & Jax (almost 4)

So Steve and I saw the movie Marley and Me over the weekend and thus I felt obligated to give our Best Boy Jax and Pretty Girl Jilly some face time on the blog. For all dog lovers - a very good movie - but bring some tissues. The movie is very true to life and shows that having a pet is not all fun and roses - but the rewards far outweigh the daily grind. Both Jax & Jilly show us unconditional love each and everyday - even if they've just been yelled at or haven't been played with in what seems like forever. They follow us everywhere and would defend us if we were in harm's way. It's hard to believe that we've had them for almost 4 & 3 years respectively. Jax is still our happy-go-lucky-throw-the-ball-for-me-please-please-please boy. He LOVES to be outside. Jilly continues to be a tad more calculated and loves to eat - anything and cuddle up for some loving. They see me off every morning and greet me every night that I come home - and on the rare occasion that they are not waiting at the door - I miss them. What gets me most about them getting older is that Saela and Baby #2 will have never known life without them - and that thought gets me teary almost every time.