Reading

Our daughter loves to read, particularly to be read to, but the other day, she started "reading" a Sandra Boyton book. She has looked at books and told a story before, but this is the first time she actually said what was on each page. No, I don't think she is a genious - it was just a simple book that she could look at the pictures/colors and remember what the pages said. But as Elise's mother, I was still tickled by it. Enjoy!

Hello Spring!

Okay, it isn't exactly Spring-like outside, but it was last week and there is the promise of sun and warm temperatures later this week as well. We were able to get out and play in the sandbox and yard last week, as well as practice riding the tricycle. Elise is very excited about the mild weather and asks to go to the park everyday.

We started a rewards chart for not peeing in the pull-up during nap time. Five days in a row and we go to Bruester's for ice cream. We have two days down, and we're all rooting that Elise makes it through the next three days. We're all ready for Bruester's! Here are a couple pictures of Elise, Daddy, Sam, and Scooby enjoying some tea and strawberries during a tea party.

And finally, since I'm now 20 weeks, I figured we might as well post a baby bump picture. Actually my friend Tam posted one on her blog and it was fun to see, so I followed her lead. Elise wanted to show off her baby bump as well. Just a few more days and we'll know whether we're growing a baby boy or girl :).

Go IU!

Not too much going on here in Bloomington. We are enjoying the Spring weather, although it has been dampened a little bit by colds for Elise and me. Luckily, we both seem to be on the tail end, so hopefully that is the end of the winter illnesses.

Elise and Wes had the chance to go on a Daddy-daughter date to the IU-Northwestern game this weekend. I think Elise was the good luck charm in breaking IU's humiliating 11 game losing streak! She had a great time - made it through the whole game and the overtime!

Even though Wes is a little embarrassed by his geeky wife for posting this, I just can't resist. I got all the stuff pictured below for $2 out of pocket, plus I earned more CVS bucks for future deals. Want to give a shout out here to my CVS mentor, Shauna, and to my coupon-doubting sister-in-law, Molly!

Tests were negative

Praise God - Elise does not have a peanut allergy. So, what caused the hive breakout? We're not sure. I read that viruses can cause hives, so perhaps she had some sort of bug. Or, maybe she was exposed to something else and we'll discover sometime later what it was. Regardless, we are very thrilled that we don't have to avoid peanuts.

February Happenings

Elise's allergy testing was definitely traumatic on both her and me, possibly the nurses, too. Initially, one nurse came in. After about 30 seconds, she said, "Let me go get another nurse." That nurse came in and said the same thing. In the end, we had five nurses plus me holding Elise down. I'm certain she was more scared than anything! The nurses at the peds office really have the worst job. We love Elise's doctor, but she gets to just do the fun stuff. The nurses have to do all the needle-related duties.... It hardly seems fair. We should know by the end of the week if she is allergic to peanuts or shellfish. Here's a picture from right after we got home from the doctor's office.

The rest of the pictures are our more happy-go-lucky Elise. Even she is craving Spring - she "went to the beach" in our foyer the other day and yesterday had me take her outside to blow bubbles.

Wes brought home some mustache stickers, so she put them on her and Scooby - her Build-a-Bear dog from Nana and Papa J. You can't see Scooby's mustache, but it was pretty funny.

And this is just one of those rare, Elise is smiling and looking at the camera at the same time pictures.