Friday, September 18, 2009

A day at the park

I guess at some point this week I have come to the realization that life again has changed. Elisa is walking and there is no doubt about it. She stumbles and falls, but always gets back up and her distaste for crawling is all too apparent. I guess I knew this time would come, but considering the suddenness with which it's upon us, I can't help but feel a little nostalgic for her babyhood. It's over.

Now she's a toddler and her enthusiasm for all that she can reach and run to and grab is paramount. She loves exploring and greeting people which is on constant display at the park. Today was a nice autumn day with plenty of sun and a cool breeze in the air. Here she is buzzing about without a care in the world. For the first time I found her walking straight ahead, yards and yards away without so much as a glance back at me. Hard to believe a year ago, Nacho and I were two bleary-eyed zombies wandering around the neighborhood with a cute little vampire who nearly tried to eat my soul. Yes, things change. Do they ever.

But even as she changes, there are some things that remain. Her smile and her laugh are still as infectious as always. And in many ways, I feel like I'm only beginning to scratch the surface of her personality. Every day brings a little more...and in another year, I can't wait to see where she's running to next.

Monday, September 14, 2009

My favorite girl





Elisa is my girl. My favorite girl, as I like to call her. She will always be my little girl--even when she's not. I like to tell her that even if I have another little girl someday, she will always be my girl. At least I'm telling her now, before she remembers it and can taunt a little sister with that knowledge. So here she is playing around with me on a rainy old day. She even let me pull her hair back and didn't try to take the rubberband out at all. That's my girl.

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Blogging is weird

It's always sort of a surprise to me when someone comments on the blog. Whether by leaving a note or mentioning it to me in conversation or email, I remain stupified that yes, there are people reading this and watching our little videos from time to time. I guess I started this as an extension of my old diary habit (which began with a Hello Kitty diary in 3rd grade), but with an intention to let family and friends in on the life of our little girl. Why then that I'm surprised by any of the attention is a bit strange, but true nonetheless.

Perhaps it's because I read so many other blogs and websites on all sorts of topics and I never really think that I'm part of their world. It's voyeurism pure and simple. My favorite motherhood blog right now is www.dooce.com which the amazing Heather Armstrong writes. I don't know how I only found out about her this year, but she's had the website up and running through both of her pregnancies and has the best way of bringing such truth and candor to all things. And profanity. She is pretty hilarious sometimes. If you want to really enjoy a peek into first time motherhood, go back to her posts around January 2004 and read on. I did and I was crying with laughter and nodding to myself for a good hour today (while Elisa napped, naturally).

I guess the difference between that kind of blog and this (other than the fact that it's national media and Ms. Armstrong is #26 on Forbes most influential people in media list) is that with Elisa, I feel like people who read this are a part of her life because they are seeing and experiencing the same things I am. And even though we may not see them it's nice to know she is a part of their lives as well. My friend Lisa who writes a great blog called Dear Hugh Laurie (I would add a link here, but I have no idea how to do that) just crossed a blogging line by visiting a blogger she reads who lives in Sweden. It was fun to read along as she made it into that virtual world and beyond. Of course, I don't expect any strangers to come over and hang out in Elisa's room with us, but there is something kind of cool about using this medium to share and make connections. Many of my neighborhood mom friends have started or shared their blogs with me after reading about us on Elisa's Baby Blog. I love that it's something others are inspired by or feel moved to read. There are so many choices out there for us to nourish our brains that sometimes I forget to even look at the news because I am so immersed in this virtual playground of blogging.

Since my mom's good friend Karen enjoys reading along on here (and especially our videos), I'll end with this latest clip of Elisa dancing around the room. She's quite a mover and shaker, you know.

Monday, September 7, 2009

Labor Day Weekend

Labor Day is the official "end" of summer in most parts of the country and with the almost fall-like weather here in New York City, it sure felt like things have changed. We opted for a picnic in Central Park and a chance for Elisa to try out her new walking moves in Sheep Meadow. Here are a few pics from our lazy Sunday...



Saturday, September 5, 2009

The moment we've all been waiting for...

It started with a few steps in Spain and then suddenly this week, Elisa really took off. She isn't exactly running yet, but each day she tries more and more consecutive steps. Of course, being a multitasker, she has to try to carry things or drink from her bottle while talking and walking as well. Here she is in all her newfound walking glory.