Pool Party

Today I went to a party with Mommy and Daddy. It was Mommy's friend Caty's birthday, so we went to her parents' pool. Mommy really wanted me to swim, but I found this really big tennis ball to play with, so I didn't want to get in.

Finally, Mommy grabbed me and I waved to Daddy. But the water was really cold, and I don't even like baths, so I was pretty miserable.
















Mommy got the hint, and put me down to play. I sat on the side of the pool while all of the other kids and grown ups enjoyed the water.
















Here are the ladies that Mommy works with and their kids.
















I like parties, but maybe I'll enjoy pools more next summer when I'm one.

New Tricks

I've learned how to wave "hi" and "bye-bye" now. I'm also good at giving hugs to Mommy when she says, "huuuug", although I think I've forgotten her name. I definitely remember Dada's name, but was a little scared of him when he shaved his beard off.

Here I am with Dada. His beard is starting to grow back already.

Flying Up North

Mommy, Daddy, and I flew in an airplane to visit my grandparents. Here's a brief overview: get strapped into a carseat, meet new people, play on the floor, sleep in a strange place, repeat many times.

We left home on Thursday, August 14, and flew through Atlanta to White Plains, NY. I watched a Baby Einstein video on Daddy's computer to pass the time on the plane. Then we rented a car and Mommy drove us from the NYC area up to Syracuse. I listened to Mommy sing silly songs and watched Daddy sit in the back seat of the car and play with my toys. Despite their efforts, I was really sick of being strapped into my seat by dinner time and cried a lot. But Mommy and Daddy were impressed with my day as a whole and called me a good girl many times.


I spent the night in a hotel in Syracuse, and then went to Grandma and Grandpa Rose's house. We played on the floor and I got new clothes from Grandma Rita. Then I went for a walk with Aunt Suzie (and Mommy and Daddy) and played with Uncle Ron. That night, I went to Temple Concord and Rabbi Ezring blessed my Hebrew name, Ilana Clada.

On Saturday, we did more playing at Grandma and Grandpa Rose's house, and then I napped in the car while we drove to Hemlock Farms in Pennsylvania to see Grandma and Grandpa Lindars. Grandma Alice had some V Tech toys for me, and I played on the floor a lot there, too. That night we went to dinner at a restaurant, and then Mommy, Daddy, and I checked into a new hotel. Sunday was a cookout at my grandparents. Aunt Wendy was there, and I met some more Lindars relatives, too.

Finally, on Monday, we drove back to the airport, flew through Atlanta again, and came home to Greensboro. Mommy and Daddy were really impressed with my behavior on the way back. I was good in my car seat every time they strapped me in on Monday.


Here are some pictures from my trip. Uncle Ron did a puppet show with my favorite ducky.

At the hotel in Pennsylvania, I liked the pattern on the bedspread.

I had fun on my trip, but I'm really glad to be home now.

Eating Cheerios

I've been working hard for the past few months, trying to figure out how to get these little O shaped things into my mouth. When a grown-up puts one in my mouth, it's very yummy, but when I try to pick one up, it gets caught in my fist and I can't get it out.

The past few days, though, I've been getting some of the O things into my mouth! I can pick them up with my thumb and another finger (Mommy calls it the pincer grasp), and then I stick all five fingers in my mouth. I use my tongue to find the yummy O, and then I take my hand out of my mouth. I'd estimate I get about 75% of them into my mouth, and the rest fall on the floor, into my seat, or inexplicably into my diaper (even when I'm wearing clothes).

Since I'm getting better at feeding myself, I've been allowed to try pears (yum!), biter biscuits, apple slices, bananas and tofu. I still use my mesh feeder for grapes because I might choke on them. Everything else I eat is either mushy babyfood from a spoon or best of all, milk from Mommy.

That reminds me, I understand a few words now. The first thing that Mommy realized that I could do is look at Daddy when she asked, "Where's Dada?" Now, she has checked me on a few words, and I understand Dada, milk, Mama, ball, up and truck. Whenever Mommy or Daddy says "Up!", I get all excited and raise my arms because I know they are going to pick me up. I can say mamama (sounds like mum mum mum) and dadada, but don't say them in relation to Mommy or Daddy.

We're working on waving and clapping. Sometimes I wave, but Mommy isn't sure if it's coincidence or if I do it to say hello and bye-bye. I haven't learned to clap yet, but everyone always claps for me so maybe I'll start doing it myself soon.

I'm going to be taking a plane and visiting Syracuse and Hemlock Farms later this week, so I'll blog more when I get back.