Hearts Feeling Full

As Gary mentioned in Eliza's 27 month update, we've been praying with Eliza each night before bed and encouraging her to repeat after us.  We've been specifically using "God made the moon, God made me.  God bless the moon, God bless me" as a simple prayer for her to pick up on.  At first she dutifully repeated after us in her sweet sweet voice.  Then, she started ad libbing a little bit, saying "God made 'wiza!" (her name for herself)  Then she started adding "God made Mommy, God made Daddy," and any other family members.  Memorably, last week she gave blessings to Uncle Adam, his friend Bridget, and all 4 grandparents.  And she started doing this without any prompting!

However, tonight takes the cake.  The three of us went into her room following the bedtime routine.  I asked Eliza if she wanted to pray or wanted Mommy to.  She said "I pray!"  After prompting her just a little, Eliza looked up to the sky and prayed:  "Goooooood maaaaade the moooon.   Goooood maaaaaade meeeee.  Goooood maaaaade Moooooommmy.  Goooood maaaaade Daaaaddyyyyy.  God made YOU! [looking at me] And YOU, Daddy [pointing at Gary]!"  Oh my goodness.  She sounded like she'd been listening to monks intone their prayers!  Gary and I were trying so hard not to laugh that I had tears coming out!  And then that last part.  We lost it!

It gets better.  We asked her what came next.  And she said, again, looking up to the sky and in her monk-voice (I'll spare you the drawn out spelling!), "Dear God.  Thank you for Mommy.  Thank you for Daddy.  Thank you for me."  What a sweet, sweet, girl.  I'm thanking God for her this evening, that's for sure!

And since I can't post without at least one picture, here's a family shot from our August trip to Chicago.  Separate posts coming this week about our fun trip up north!

2013 Indiana State Fair Fun

Eliza took 2 trips to the State Fair this year!  A super fun trip with Granna and Grandpa and then a shorter trip with Mommy and Daddy.

Here are a few favorites of her first trip.

Collecting eggs for her basket

On a mission

Riding the blue tractor with "Papa."  She first picked the pink one but took off for blue!

Always so serious!

Being silly

Smiling with "Nana"

Posing with Papa and the Farmall tractor

 Here are some snapshots from her second trip with us.

Family self portrait

Loungin' and snackin'

Places to go, things to see

Cinderella!

Her face doesn't tell it, but she loved this. 

"Panda bear, panda bear!"

A bit shy with the goats

Checking out some piggies

Toddler Tuesday!

Eliza loves her Uncle Adam!  She got to spend time with him twice and August and she loved it!

Snuggling at home

Chicago visit

"Uncle Adam wear the headband"

Looks so nice!

mmm, ice cream

Silly, Uncle Adam!

27 Month Update

The biggest milestone reached in the past month is the advent of imaginary play.  The other day as she played with beach toys (buckets, rake, sifters) she told Abby that she was “cooking blueberries with fire.”  This has also translated in her artistic endeavors.  At school, she drew a picture with a bunch of squiggly lines with different colors.  She then told her teacher that she made a “rainbow.”  When she finger painted, she made numerous teddy bear paintings.  

 Eliza’s speech development continues to impress us.  Rarely does a day pass without Eliza saying something that causes Abby or me to pause and be impressed that she knows how to correctly use that word (the word “too,” for example).  It follows that her vocabulary is expansive; there is no way Abby and I could list all the words she knows. 

With her improved speech and memory, Eliza loves to sing.  Her favorites are “Twinkle, Twinkle”, “ABCD Song”, “Wheels on the Bus” (she goes through the whole set: wheels, mommies, daddies, babies), “Cinderelly”, and "Old McDonald."

 We have started to teach Eliza about Jesus and each Sunday she spends a little more than an hour at “Wiggle Worship” while Mommy and Daddy attend the church service.  Every night before bed we pray together as a family.  Typically, we say a simple prayer with Eliza repeating the prayer a few words at the time.  She seems to enjoy it as every time she repeats the prayer she has a huge smile.  When you ask her how to start the prayer, she knows "Dear God," and the she will say “Jesus!” She also knows to finish it with “amen.” 

 Also within the past few weeks, Abby and I realized that we excessively ask Eliza is she okay.  Whenever one of us coughs, says “ow,” or makes any sort of loud noise, Eliza asks if we are okay.  It’s obviously adorable.  We also should stop asking her questions that we know she knows the correct answers.  She now asks me what something is in her book and if I don’t respond quickly enough, she proudly supplies the answer. 

Gymnastics and dance have started once again.  She absolutely loves being in them.  After every class, the first thing she says is, “I have fun,” which just melts your heart.  I’m sure a post will be forthcoming.

June Fun

 Still playing catch up from the summer!  I wanted to share these sweet pictures of fun times in June.

Saturday morning stroll

Watching the Miss Indiana parade

With Grandpa and Daddy on Father's Day

Happy Birthday, Gianna!

Cousins!

Post-bath-time fun

Kisses from Daddy!

Reclining like a big girl and looking so long!

Ready for some shoppin'