This week we celebrated Ellie’s third birthday. Her actual birthday was on a Wednesday, so after Ellie was surprised with her mama made Neverland set and Totoro set, we spent the day with friends at the zoo and then met up with Gramma and Grandpa for ice cream and a carousel ride.
















This weekend, we celebrated Ellie’s birthday again with a Peter Pan Party! Ellie had her very own Peter Pan dress and we were lucky enough to have a pirate ship only a block away (Our neighbor built one for his children and now rents it out for parties. How could we not get it?!) Family and friends came to celebrate. It was a very hot August afternoon and I think a little overwhelming with all her friends and family in one place, but at the end of the day, she told me, “I am such a lucky girl Mama. I had the best party.” Well, that was all worth it.

THREE!
Thank you to everyone who helped us celebrate our girl!!

More Portrait Project catch up!
31/52

Eloise: you are three! Spunky, smart, sweet, challenging, imaginative, energetic, dramatic, loving, funny, THREE!

32/52

eloise: This week has been an overwhelming one. A birthday and then a big Peter Pan birthday party. Fun, emotional, exciting and busy. A love this child so fiercely. It’s amazing we are celebrating three years with her. I’m looking forward to what 3 has in store.

I couldn’t let National Breastfeeding Week go by without writing anything. So here I am.  It has been  almost 3 years since I started breastfeeding my daughter. And now here I am, lying upstairs nursing her to sleep for a nap, three days before she turns 3. 

We’ve been going through a very big transition because of circumstances where I will have to be away from her at night time for the first time in a couple months, therefore, we’ve been slowly trying to wean her from those night time nursings. Im not going to lie. It’s been quite the difficult road. Even though she only nurses at nap and in the early mornings these days, milk in the night time is a very sacred thing for her and it’s been painfully hard to take it away (even though we’re being as gentle as we can throughout this process). We are still nursing in the mornings at wake up and some nap times too. So not completely weaning. 

Nursing an almost 3 year old has been a challenge. I love it one day, the tender, sweet moments it brings and the next day I wonder why I ever decided to nurse so long. But it usually always comes down to ‘because Ellie still needs it’.  We tend to push our children into growing up so very quickly and forget that even though they seem to know a great many things in their young years, they are still so very small and for Ellie, that closeness and ease that mamas milk brings is unlike anything else. There is no real time line with nursing for me. I’ve certainly grown weary of nursing late into the night. And routines are changing and some days , milk is much less. Ellie often asks for almond milk now or cows milk . I think she’s working toward weaning in her own ways as well. I am patient (sometimes). And I don’t think I am entirely ready to give up our nursing relationship just yet. But I do believe we are getting closer to closing this door and opening another. And when that day comes, I will look upon these days with pride and with love. I will most likely forget the challenges but keep the joy of breast feeding close to my heart. 

Thank you for all your kind words about my Grandpa Earl. It was really wonderful getting to spend some time with my Grandmother up in Washington. Learning more about my Gramma’s husband. Being reminded of how they met, what he was interested in and what they enjoyed doing together for the 20 years they were married. We talked of the week I spent with them when I was in college and the trip we recently took two years ago, when Ellie got to meet both of them (ironically enough, it was the same exact week, two years ago). I got to talk painting with my grandmother the master painter and we got to enjoy a bit of the incredible beauty that Whidby Island and its surrounding areas has to offer. A quick, but very meaningful trip.

My Grandpa Earl passed away earlier this week. He was my Grandmother’s second husband. And although he wasn’t my real grandfather, he had been around long enough that I considered him my grandpa. I spent a week with him and my grandma when I was in my early twenties. Listened to him tell stories about his favorite things. Giving me lessons on history and the way things work. He was a painter, an oil artist. He had a beautiful studio out behind his home. The last time I went to visit, it was filled with art and supplies, but lacked his presence. His hands and heart, too tired to paint anymore. 

The last time we were up visiting was when Ellie was just about to turn one. He made these delicious pancakes. We brought home his recipe and Ellie and Jeff make them every Saturday morning. 

Were heading out to Washington to be with my grandmother and for the service this weekend . I will probably be absent in this space for awhile. 

  
(My parents, grandmother, baby Ellie and Grandpa Earl). 

It’s summer time and we’ve had long, warm days, filled with pool parties, ice cream, barbeques, and lots of outdoor play time . It was a fast weekend, but nice. We are all going to bed tonight, tired,  sun-kissed and happy. How was your weekend?



* streamer in first photo is from BeneathTheRowanTree.

28/52

eloise: this little one is gearing up for her 3rd birthday party in a couple of weeks. A Peter Pan party to be exact. This funny kid can not only sing every song from the musical Peter Pan, but can recite the first page of Peter Pan the book. She only wears pink or blue dresses (because that’s what Wendy wears), but wants a “green Peter Pan Dress” for her party. She cracks us up with her knowledge of everything Peter Pan. I so hope she enjoys her party.