The sun has started to peak out at us! We plan to take many long walks this summer! We started things out this last weekend and walked Giovanny and Ellie over to the Capitol, only to remember it was Memorial Day weekend and tourists were everywhere! We settled at the Senate fountain instead.
Giovanny did NOT like touching the grass…
but otherwise had a great time!
Most often, we have used this site to share our family “firsts“. But this week was a week of “lasts” for the lady in this family. I am officially joining the playdate world of stay-at-home mamas. After almost eight years working for the United States Congress, I packed up my desk on Friday and carried my boxes to the car…with just a few tears.
Over the last couple of weeks, I issued my last vote recommendations, wrote my last floor statement, edited the last set of staff letters, and had my last meeting with constituents. As Ella would say, “ahhhh-done” (all done).
On my last day, I made sure to make my last trip to the cafeteria (for anything with ice) and escape with the girls for a last pronto-guac at Baja Fresh. Just for fun, I even took one last call from an angry constituent, urging Congress to stop spending their money (agreed).
My friends keep asking me how it feels. Sigh…I just don’t know. It hasn’t helped that Ella has some mysterious sickness (fever and refusal to eat but no runny nose or cough) and is exhibiting major cranky pants syndrome. Actually, it is more like screech and cry and…make mommy’s eyes pop out of her head as she wonders what in the world she just did. Whew!
I have been privileged to have these years doing something I enjoy. Working on the Hill is exciting, demanding, challenging, and inspiring. I am convinced God intended it for me and I am thankful for every moment (oh, okay, ALMOST every moment).
I keep focusing on all the memories I will create with my little girl. She is learning so much and growing so quickly. I don’t want to miss anything! Even so, I know I will grieve during the transition.
One “last” that I will not regret at all…the last time I had to put on a suit! Mommy-land means flip-flops for me! Joel took my picture on my last day.
“It will be great mom! Me and you!”
Ella’s best bud, Giovanny, turned one this week! Today was his birthday party and the kids had a blast!
Ella wanted to try some cake too! “Pleeease daddy?”
Everyone wanted to help open presents!
Giovanny and Ella share the same buddies - Millie, Ella, Grace, Gio, Caed, and Violet (David escaped! Caed wanted to escape too!)
Grace, acting silly
Millie, the sweetheart
Caed, loving cake
Wesley, the finger eater
Wesley is almost exactly one year younger than Ella. Giovanny is happy to have another boy!
Happy Birthday Go-Go! We love you buddy!
pic
Ella had her 15 month checkup last week. She weighs 24 pounds 6 ounces (80th percentile) and is 33 1/2 inches tall (greater than 100 percentile). The little notes on our stat sheet have this advice for 15 month olds: “Limit television, read or play with your child instead. Make your expectations clear, praise for good behavior, set limits and be consistent.”
Make my expectations clear, huh? Is that all?
She might look like her daddy but she is her mama’s girl! We have a little performer budding. She is happy to entertain when you ask her to “shake your bootie!” She prefers to use her little chair as a stage.
We had some costumes out for the Variety Show this last weekend and Ellie thought they were perfect for play! (Disclaimer - Since I know you all think I never have her fully dressed, you should know she had pooped on her onesie so I took it off since it was almost time for pajamas anyway.)
“Ot! Ot!” (Hat! Hat!)
Ooooo, another one!
Here she is getting her groove on “stage”.
We had our annual variety show at church and as always, Nina choreographed a little dance for us. Much fun…pretty funny ending too…
