Thomas Tidbits...: Visitors and Beach Time

We were lucky enough to have Nana come to stay with us for a few days and take care of Eleanor while our nanny, Laura, was on vacation. They had a great time and Nana managed to keep up with the little maniac. I was busy with work and prepping for our vacation, so these were the only pictures I was able to capture.

Post bath, running around like a wild animal, and managed to capture this.

Eleanor loves being serenaded to with the Rock Chalk chant and insists that one of us wear the Jayhawk hat.

A last minute surprise - we didn't realize that Nana was on our flight to Houston (connection to Panama City and KC). Having an entire row and 3 laps for Eleanor to bound around on was a treat!

Next up, Watercolor! We rented a house for a week with The Lunds and Dreilings, and we had a great time. There wasn't much relaxing with a toddler that goes NON. STOP. Nevertheless, the scenery was beautiful, and it was nice to unplug and not work for a week. Eleanor and I caught a bit of a cold while we were there, but all things considered, the trip was a success. Eleanor was on her best behavior because 1) there was constant action 2) big kids 3) babies 4) adults constantly doting on her.

Eleanor loved the sand but didn't so much care for the ocean or the pool. She preferred the constant roaming and checking out the scene wherever we landed. That translated to me and Justin "herding" her during her waking hours. We were lucky enough to have Bama, Gampa, Uncle Nick and Aunt Jane there for a couple of days, so the extra hands on deck were helpful.

This weekend we had my cousin, Katherine, in town with her husband, Joe, and adorable 1-year-old daughter, Joslin. The little cousins had a great time together, and we got a taste of life as a family of 4 (we babysat Friday and Saturday while Joe and Katherine were at a friend's wedding festivities). Lucky us, we get to see The Shipleys in a few weeks at my cousin, Liz's (Katherine's sister), wedding in Santa Barbara. Even luckier is that we'll aunts, uncles, grandmas, great grandmas, etc as extra hands on deck. Probably a bit more relaxing than the 2 on 2 action we had this weekend while babysitting.

New happenings:

: We have a parrot on our hands! Eleanor tries to say almost everything we do, and she retains more than we ever thought possible.

: E loves being a helper now. If you give her a "job," she'll gladly help out (most of the time). See grocery unloading video below.

: We have a super snuggly daughter right now, and I can't get enough of it. Lots of unprompted hugs, kisses, and cuddles. She was never like this as an newborn or infant, so I feel I'm due for some backlog of love from her.

: On a similar note, I'm pretty sure Eleanor has a pretty good idea that something is up... That "something" being a baby on the way. She ONLY wants me to hold her, and she's super aggressive with my stomach - lots of rough housing.

: Ellie has a new obsession with counting and ABCs. While she still has a lot to learn, she does a remarkably good job for an almost 18 month old. It amazes me how much she learns each day and how nothing gets by her - she does not skip a beat.

: She's now started calling me "Mom." Huh? She'll throw out a "Mama" every now and then, but I'm sort of stunned with this shift. Don't I have a few more years of Mommy before we graduate to Mom? It's like she's already too cool for me;(

The Crew - Grant & Lucy Dreiling, Ellen & Georgia Lund, and Eleanor

Our walk to The Great Southern for breakfast before hitting up the beach. The Lund and Dreiling kiddos had never been to the beach - a fun first for all.

We rented bikes for the week, and Eleanor loved the rides.

The older kids had a glowstick party on the dark front porch... Ellen Lund showing off her goods.

Daily color time was a life saver as all kids loved partaking.

We were able to catch the 2.5 seconds that Eleanor relaxed on vacation.

E showing Gampa her prized tape.

Family beach pic before dinner at The Pizza Bar.

Frat Dads on the beach. I was up by our beach chairs, and our neighbors, 20 year old sorority girls, asked me, "Um, are your husbands frat guys?" Huh, what tipped you off, the loud music, cracked beer immediately upon arrival, a touch of arrogance?

Eleanor's first introduction to beach sand (other than when she was there at 6 months old).

Justin venturing out with Lucy and Ellen.

Beach babe.

This was about a far as she'd go in the water. Not a fan.

Sticker time.

More coloring and sticker fun.

Building sandcastles with Bama and Gampa.

Gampa burying E's feet with sand.

Thanks to Lynn, Allen, Nick, and Jane's babysitting services, the adults were able enjoy a delicious meal at Fish Out of Water. We overate and were even able to see the Watercolor Labor Day Fireworks before dinner. Great evening out!

Happy girl at the pool.

Refused to get in the pool, but dumping water onto herself wasn't a problem.

One of the few moments where she has an angelic face, rather than an ornery one.

Playing peekaboo around the corner.

Family shot in front of our house. Photo courtesy of Mr. Jeff Dreiling.

Barefoot nature walk. In all her glory.

Our adorable home for the week: 134 Mystic Cobalt. It was perfect for our needs.

Erik with his good luck charm pre Fantasy Football Draft.

Ellen and Eleanor watching some "shows" on the iPad.

It's hard to believe it's been 3 years since I made this walk to meet Justin at the altar. Our first house built, 1 beautiful baby, our next home in the works, 2nd baby on the way. So much to be grateful for!