Counting to 10

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Ella has learned to count to 10 and can count to 12 on a really good day. She just recently learned to do it unassisted but this video is somewhere in between support and independence. I won't bias readers/watchers with my own judgement of this feat. Judge for yourselves. Enjoy!

Hiding in the laundry

Hiding in the laundry
Originally uploaded by Ella and Dewey.

Maybe if I am very quiet and very still they won't notice me in the laundry basket and I can finally go for a ride in that spinning machine in the basement. Shhhhhhh!

HELLO Kitty Cat!

We had a wonderful visit to "Auntie" Dana's last weekend in Chicago. Although Dana lives in a beautiful apartment right in the middle of the action, Ella's favorite part of the whole weekend was Dana's cat. When we were away from the apartment she asked for the cat and when we got off the elevator she sprinted to the door saying, "kitty cat! Hi kitty cat!"
Here Ella and Dana are singing to the cat:

And here is Ella and Dana looking for the cat after their singing sent her running under the bed. Oh well:

Thanks for a wonderful visit, Dana!!!

Uncle B, esquire

A big, fat congratulations goes to our favorite Uncle Brendan for graduating from law school last weekend. We know it was no easy task and we are very proud of you. You'll find no lawyer jokes here (but if you're in the mood you will find some here). We know of a nice spot in North Carolina to get some quiet Bar studying done.

A proud Papa Lawyer and his son. Brendan is clearly ready to take this lawyering thing very seriously!

Say Cheese!

Not so serious
Originally uploaded by Ella and Dewey.

This is what we get when we say smile these days. I guess it is better than running to the camera, turning away, not moving a cheek muscle at all, and just plain crying.
Look at that face!

They're Calling from Milan

Didn't you know that this spring's "it" look is overalls and a tutu? We've got America's Next Top Model and the next winner of Project Runway all wrapped up into one tiny little cutting edge package. Look out!

Helping in the Park

First of all it is 75 degrees and sunny in Boston today. Finally!!! In honor of the temperature, Ella and I spent some time at Cambridge Common today before her nap. Cambridge Common is one of many urban parks around town and it is surrounded by a lot of noise, traffic, and Harvard Square nonsense. While in the park we came upon another little girl and her daddy. She was just a little older than Ella. She was riding on her daddy's shoulders and wouldn't get down to play with Ella at first. He explained that she is afraid of sirens and wants to be up off the ground when they go by. A few minutes later it got a little quieter and she got down to look at Ella. And Ella looked at her. In a very non-interactive way they did a little playing.
Another few minutes later another ambulance flew by. The little girl ran to her daddy and Ella did what she always does when she hears sirens; with a half a smile and a little hesitation she yells, "Beep--Beep--Beep!"
[Side Note: Our oven is so dumpy these days that it often creates enough smoke to set off the fire alarm and Ella will go into BEEP mode when she sees us head towards the oven or even say the word oven.]
The little girl slowly made her way out from behind her daddy and joined Ella in the beeping song. Another few minutes went by and this time it was a fire truck (Really, Cambridge, Mass is a safe place to raise children--I think) and this time they both smiled big and yelled together, "BEEP, BEEP, BEEP!!!"
So in my mind, Ella helped a new friend get over a fear today. She did so in a very odd way, but she was helpful nonetheless. Now the next time Ella says, "hep, peese!" I won't hesitate to be the first in line to help my big helper!
Way to go, little E!

What a Difference a Year Makes

I have all of our pictures of Ella organized by month on my computer. Now that she is well past the 1-year mark, I sometimes look back a year to remember what she was like and reflect on how far we've come. For example, I was curious sorting through some pictures recently and thinking about the May 2005 Ella compared to the May 2006 Ella. In my current mind, there is no one cooler than the May 2006 Ella. My guess is that a recent guest, our dear friend Anne, may also agree with my assessment.
Exhibit A:
Late April 2005--Anne and Ella

Exhibit B:
Early May 2006--Anne and Ella

Thanks for a nice visit, Anne!

Happy Birthday to Dew!

5 years ago this very night Andouille Harris Perin came to live with us (technically he spent that night in the hospital but that's another story). The week before he lived in a shelter in rural Virginia, his name was Diamond, and he was just plain sad. The next day the vet told us he must be "about" 1 year old. By our calculations May 14th became Dewey's birthday and away we went.
Happy 6th Birthday Mr. Dewey! Happy 42, old man. We love you a lot. Sorry you could only spend about 15 total minutes outside on your birthday weekend because it has been raining in New England since April (or at least it feels that way). We owe you a long sunny walk!

Luckily, Miss Ella gave him some special birthday attention today.

Yup. That's right. She hand fed him his lunch piece by piece today.

Disgusting for sure! But very, very, very loving! And it won't happen again until next May...

Partners in Crime

Dewey, you keep a look out while I dump out Mommy's bag...
Then I'll get the credit cards and some change and we'll go out and get some ice cream and dog biscuits.

--Notice Dewey's classic older brother strategy of acting as if he knows nothing is going on just in case they get busted.