BREAKING NEWS: Toes Discovered!

Every few days Eleanor seems to make a major discovery. On the car ride home from Michigan, I noticed that Eleanor kept stubbornly putting her foot on my arm (yes, I rode in back with her) no matter where I placed it. Hours later, she reached up with both feet, like a little monkey, and grabbed at her mini mobile with her toes. She now reaches, holds, and sucks her little feet, socks and all.

Her finger sucking came to a frenzy this past weekend. We'd hear her slurping, sucking and squawking with her fingers, thumb and fist in her slobbery little mouth at all hours of the day.

Yesterday, I noticed that she was grabbing at things WITH PURPOSE and then of course, putting them in her mouth. Now anything within reach goes directly into her mouth; blankets, hair, body parts that are and art not her own, kitty fur, bibs, toys, stray socks, you name it! She even tries to 'talk' to us when things are in her mouth, and makes hilarious noises that seem to mimic creaking doors, ancient winged mammals, and delicate feminine sighs that melt my heart.

These developments are so much fun for Dave and I to witness. And they seem to literally happen from moment to moment. We are completely smitten with our giggly, smiley, messy little friend.

We're back in Potsdam

Hooray! I am SO over that car seat!

Daddy is so glad to not drive 11 hours/day!

Goodbye Michigan...Potsdam Ho!

Playing Patty-Cake with Grammy & Papa

Tomorrow bright and early we'll leave for our 2-3 day trip back to New York. We've had a wonderful two-month journey and Eleanor has met so many people that are so important in our lives that it could not have been a better trip. Here are a few parting shots of our last night in Michigan.

Tummy Time Eleanor peering over Mommy's knees

On the shores of Lake Michigan

Grammy, Papa, and Annabelle

Eleanor reading to Daddy (wait a minute...)

Cherry Hut, Art Walk and Friends At Last

Eleanor's first trip to the Cherry Hut

This week Eleanor had her first outing to the Cherry Hut; a very cherry Beulah, MI tradition. We sat in a corner booth and Eleanor entertained herself by looking round at all the bright red faces that make up the restaurant's logo. We had cherry chicken salad, cherry muffins, cherry-aide and of course a bright red cherry pie to take home.

Crystal Mountain Art Walk

We also went on a fabulous sculpture walk in the forest trails of nearby Crystal Mountain Resort. Eleanor didn't see much because she was asleep in her Bjorn, but we're certain she gained at least a little culture through osmosis.

Since Arcadia and its surrounding cities were very warm, we spent some quality and air conditioned time at home with Grammy and Papa. We were also pleased to see that our kitty Gracie May finally made peace with Annabelle The Dog. A few days ago there had been an incident when Gracie May hissed and swatted at Annabelle in order to steal her supper. It seems now that Annabelle has forgiven our wayward kitty. Hooray for gentle Annabelle. It cannot be easy to suddenly share one's home with two felines, especially when one of them is such a stinker.

Eleanor and Papa

Grammy and Eleanor

Gracie and Annabelle are friends at last

Happy Father's Day!

Dave's first Father's Day

Eleanor has one fantastic father! She also has two wonderful grandfathers. She was lucky to see both grandfathers for extended periods of time during the last few weeks.

We celebrated today with church, a lovely Father's Day brunch (cooked by Grammy) and a relaxed afternoon of eating ice cream at the Trading Post and napping. Ah, napping. What a great day!

Dad and Papa with their little peanut

Papa bounces Eleanor on his knee

Malts, popcorn and drinks at the T.P.

Dad's week at Arcadia

Eleanor in Grammy's lap

Dave finally came back to us today after his wild week as a teen camp counselor at Camp Arcadia. He had a great group of campers this year and as always some fabulous fellow counselors. Eleanor and I spent most meals and many afternoons with the wives of the other counselors. We had the difficult job of sitting on the patio chatting and swinging on wooden swings on the beach looking out at Lake Michigan. I spent many blissful hours reading on the beach while Eleanor napped. The weather was perfect. Here are a few photos from the week.

Dave on the porch with his group t-shirt

All the children of the counselors who are

working at camp this week pose for a picture

Happy family on camp's 'Dress Up' night

Dave pushing a sleeping Eleanor in the Trading Post Soda Fountain

Pretty Ladies

Good Times in Arcadia

Eleanor at Arcadia

Since Dave is working as a counselor this week at Camp Arcadia, Eleanor and I get to go into camp for lunch and dinner every day! The chef at camp is very talented and makes the most delicious meals from mostly local producers. We've had so many delicious meals so far and have a cook out there tonight!

With Grammy on the deck

Wide Awake!