"Thinking: the talking of the soul with itself"- Plato

I found this quote and thought it was very approriate for my post. I am having some severe mommy concerns. My little girl STILL isn't talking. She turned 23 months old today and right now she only says "More", "shoe", "tanks", and "mama". We have no concerns about how bright she is. She comprehends everything we say. Dave pointed out too that she never has been one to blow away the milestones like crawling, walking either. Pretty much just about the time I would get all worked up with worrying, she would decide it was time. I am thinking this will be no different. The last couple of weeks she does talk in sentences. We do not understand what she is saying at all but she is definitely trying to tell us something. This is different than before when she was just silent. So I am going to definitely have them test her hearing and anything else they think might be holding her back. I am ok if she needs some speech therapy. I just worry it's something big. I keep telling myself she's fine but its hard not to consider the worst.

On the things she does get, her comprehension astounds me. We can't have conversations with her unless we really mean what we are saying. I even mention the word "outside" and her little butt is at the door attempting to put her shoes on and then at the closet getting her jacket. The other day a friend watched her and Ella kept going to the door and to discourage her from wanting to go outside, she told Ella it was too cold."Brrr" she said. So Ella goes to the coat closet. Oh and I have to keep the back door locked. She doesn't try to escape without me - yet- but if the dog wants in, she is nice enough to open the door for her. The other day I forgot to lock it, walked into the kitchen,and all of a sudden I heard the door opening and then crying. She pinched her fingers closing it. And Ella is also a great "helper". She now thinks it is her job to empty the dishwasher and thinks anything is fair game. She goes first for the knives and plates. She is so sweet all the time. That is what I focus on when I am worried. No matter what she is the best thing to ever come into my life!

The games we will play!

I thought this was going to be just a blah post. Things are gray here. I have been a little worried about Ella and her lack of words. I plan on talking to her doctor at her 2 yr appt. I haven't felt the need to rush her in because the last week she has been saying more. They moved her to the next room at daycare and I really think it's helping her come out of her shell. Her teachers seem to think she is just shy. That is what I believe too. I am ok if she needs some help. I just want to make sure we start it as soon as possible if it is needed. Who knows what our future holds after my job is over. We also attempted some potty training today. Yeah- she's not ready. We would sit on her potty fine for about 5-10 minutes, and I would ask her if she was done. She would pull her pull up up and head back out to play. Nothing in the potty. I kept her pants off to make it easier to go often. Well three times today, she went 5 minutes after we tried. It was so frustrating to find that her little flowers had disappeared. I think I am going to wait until she is talking more.

So after a very slow day, our evening picked up. Ella has learned to play hide and seek! She goes in her bedroom and closes the door, and I go hide. Then she opens it back up and comes looking for me. We had a lot of fun. About half the times she found me with no help. Other times I had to give her a little hint. We had a lot of fun.

I had a redneck, white trash moment tonight. I took my almost two year old to the liquor store on the corner. I had food stains and all. Before I left the house, I almost put her in her jammies, but I realized then it would be obvious I left the house with her just to go buy beer. Why did that make a difference? I DID leave the house just to buy beer. Dave and I have taken to having one in the evening a few nights a week to relax. We have decided to try different kinds. Tonight I got Bell's Hopslam. Should be interesting.

Happy Mother's Day!!

I just want to wish all our wonderful mom friends a almost belated Happy Mother's Day (11:59 PM)!! I hope everyone one had a nice day with family.

We started our celebration last night with Dave's mom. We had a very nice dinner together. Ella was a little antsy but nothing a couple of walks around the restaurant didn't cure.

Our day today had its ups and downs, but it started and ended on the perfect note. I got to sleep in until 8:30- WOW! Dave and Ella were going to get me coffee but I got up too fast for them. I got some fun cards including one Ella made at daycare that was super cute. Also Dave gave me a gift certificate for the salon up the street. I am excited to go get beautified very soon. I am thinking highlights but not sure. I may opt for the manicure instead. It was very wet and yucky today but we went out and had lunch and walked the mall. I have to fess up that the low today was my grouchiness. I haven't been feeling well at all and it definitely caught up with me. I got over it a little by the evening and Dave gave me some time to scrapbook which was fun. It was so neat looking at some pics of Ella when she was just a tiny baby. I will have to take some pics of what I got done when I am not so tired.

Snack attack hit which is why I am up so late! Off to bed now!

If I could freeze time....

We went to Cleveland this weekend for a long overdue visit. It was such a wonderful, fun weekend packed with music, laughter, and lots of love. We hadn't seen my sister and brother and their families since February. Sometimes it can be a bit overwhelming when we all go so long without seeing each other because you feel you have to pack everything in. This time was we were all relaxed and let ourselves just be. We got together to celebrate Jason's birthday (Apr 23), Parents anniversary (Apr 25), and Mother's day. There were a lot of presents going on and they were all very cool. I got some tunes, much needed car washes (very cool gift!), and some yummy smelling body butter. Seriously yummy. I can't wait to put it on! Oh and a few weeks ago, my mom got me some coconut holders. Figure that out on your own!

I am always curious about how Ella will respond when we go down there. Every time we go it has been a couple of months and she is doing new stuff and will have new experiences. This time though- wow. She was much more interested in playing with her cousin who is 3. I know they all try really hard to win her over, but I think she remembered everyone this time and had smiles for all. The magic moment came on Saturday night though. My whole family just loves music and most of us were blessed with some talent (yeah not me). Almost every time we get together, impromptu jam sessions happen. This time, my little girl got to finally see what our family is about. The music started, and I would have sworn something possessed Ella. She was so into the music. She was dancing like a mad woman. Every so often she would just look around and you could see the joy and love on her face. She laughed and danced so enthusiastically. There really are no words to describe. And her spirit was contagious and I think we all put more into it because of her. I know I got teary eyed a couple of times. I am really lucky to have such a special family.

I am trying really hard today to relive a little bit of that jam session. We are definitely back to the grind today and to start off my morning, I rear ended someone! *sigh* There was only a little mark on his bumper and he didnt seem concerned. I really don't think it was even from me, but I bumped him pretty good. I have to call the insurance company and mention it but I am sure it will be ok. Hopefully I didn't just jinx myself. Well, the day can only get better from here.

Oh and Ella is moving up to the big girl room today. Toddler 2!! I just can't believe that my baby is growing up so fast. She really has lost all her baby look in her face.

Finally - some new pics!

Wow, way too long since I updated. We are doing good. Ella is getting to be such a big girl now. Still not saying much but she definitely comprehends so I am trying not to worry. The weather WAS beautiful so we have been spending so much time outside. Ella loves the outdoors. She doesn't have but a few toys, but she likes to walk around and pick up sticks. We found a simple slide for $5 on craigslist. Ella loves it. The only downside to going outside is that we can't get her back in without a fight. Her tantrums have gotten so bad. Fortunately they don't happen too often. I am learning the best way is to just not give in.

I am very bummed- I made a prototype of Ella's 2nd birthday invites. It turned out so cute! I worked so hard on it too. Then last night I went to put away the stamps I had cleaned and I couldn't find the number 2. They are clear stamps so hard to see against the white paper towel where they were drying. I scoured the floor and even stuck my hand in the garbage disposal with food in it! Ew. I think it is lost :(. I am going to try to find a similar sized 2 but it will mean having to buy a whole set of numbers. Dave is so sweet though. He was telling me to just buy a new set of the birthday stamps ($15!!). Just not worth it. If I have to do the "2", I could just draw it in. More work though. I could just have no 2 also. I just hate when things walk away like that! So frustrating.

Ok here are some pics from the last couple of months. I am trying to organize our photo site so I can email family and friends pics. So maybe by the time she's three I can send updates. Loved ones, don't hold your breath!


Ella's tea party



Ella and her friend Rachel



kissing babies

post fall at daycare- thank goodness it wasn't her eye!

the perfect snow angel




Ella loves hats!


Cool shades!





Mommy and her girl- We love Sarah McLachlan!!

Taking a break

So I am taking a break from working at home today. While trying to figure out what to eat next (seriously having a hard time with the food lately), I decided to google myself for the first time in a long time. Now I didn't use my married name because well I haven't had it long enough really. So I googled Heather Hurley...
Check this out.

http://www.amazon.com/Heaven-High-Gear-Joan-Brady/dp/0671007734

This is my life story. I am not sure which part rings truer- the career as a successful stripper or that I hang out with a guy named Joe, who is really God and has a prosthetic leg. After reading the synopsis, I think I would be asleep before the 2nd paragraph ends. I do like the stripper part. Lots of green to be made there. hmmm....ok, maybe in the next life. Now I have to get back to typing reports.

Sad news

Dave's dad, Ernie, passed away at 2:30 AM on April 4. Dave's mom, Dave, and his brother, John, were all there when he went peacefully. It has been a rough year for all of them. Dave and his dad were really close and were always doing things together. His dad wasn't able to do as much these last couple of years, but Dave still went to spend time with him as much as possible. Unfortunately, I only got to know his dad for a couple of years before he started to get sick. I do have memories though. Dave is a lot like his dad and that was very easy to see right away. His dad was a gentle, intelligent man. He seemed to love history and geography and was always telling me stories from the places they had been and showing us maps to help us plan our trips. He also seemed to throw out jokes at the most unexpected times and have us all cracking up. He will be so missed by his family and friends.