Eleanor is 8-months-old!

She looks like a baby model!

Such a pretty smile, but I didn't use this one because it's out of focus.

This is the look I got after she fell out of the chair - for the second time. Oops! I caught her both times, though. She just wasn't very happy with me.

Then she started trying to climb out of the chair to see what her brother was doing. The official 8-month picture was the best I could do with a baby girl who doesn't sit still for very long these days!

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Austin Aquarium

Cohen kept saying, "I don't like pirates." That was as close as he'd get to this guy!

Working up some courage to feed the rays!

He did it!

It's hard to tell from this picture (because it was super dark in there), but this ray is eating a shrimp right out of Cohen's hand! I couldn't believe he was brave enough to do it!

Cohen was fascinated by this shark - who happened to be named Jack.

I thought this was neat - these are shark eggs and you can see the babies inside there! (I can't remember what kind of shark it was).

A newborn shark pup.

Cohen watching Jack the shark some more!

Eleanor was there, too - it's just hard to take pictures of her when I'm wearing her!

Will won a family membership to the Austin Aquarium at a silent auction a few weeks ago, so after Eleanor's appointment on Tuesday, we went over for our first visit. There's not much to it, but it was neat to see. The best part (aside from being able to feed the rays), was a big indoor jungle gym that Cohen could play on! It'll definitely be worth returning to on those hot summer days that are coming up quick!

The end of our DOC Band journey!

This is the *official* picture that we're going to submit to the DOC Band Babies 2015 calendar! It's not my favorite, but that girl does NOT particularly like having her picture taken, especially when we want to pose her. This one will have to do!

Waiting to see our results!

Pretty girl with crazy hair!

Hanging out with brother while we wait!

All done!! Yay, Eleanor!

Tuesday, May 20, 2014 was our *DOC Band Graduation* day! I am so pleased at the difference the helmet made in Eleanor's head shape. I will admit, her head is not 100% perfectly round - she still has a little bit of a flat spot on the back right, but Will and I agreed that our goal in this journey was never to make her head perfect, it was simply to make her head better - and we achieved that. As we got to see the before and after pictures, I was amazed at the difference it made in the symmetry of her face and facial features. Her eyes and cheeks look SO different. Her ears are still a little asymmetric, but that has more to do with the torticollis than the plagiocephaly, which we will continue to work out in physical therapy. All in all, I'm glad that we did the helmet. It wasn't my favorite thing (nor was it Eleanor's favorite thing), but we did our best to make the most of it, and seeing the results, I'm happy we persevered and got through the past 10+ weeks. It was well worth it!

Fun at the Kiddie Park

Eleanor riding the "carriages" with Cohen! He's an incredible big brother!

Teething. What else can I say? Her fingers are constantly in her mouth these days!

Cohen driving the boats!

Driving the cars is serious business!

But it's also pretty fun! Pretty girl! (I sent this picture to Will and his response was, "Eleanor is riding rides, too?!?!")

My attempt to get a picture of all three of us. Not as easy as I thought!

Cohen on the carousel!

Eleanor keeping an eye on her brother!

Cohen getting his face painted. He said, "I need a baseball because I play baseball and I love the Texas Rangers."

Riding the space ships!

Snack break - popcorn is the best snack!

I took the kids to the Kiddie Park last week to a special Invite-Only event. It was a TON of fun and Cohen probably thanked me six times on our way home for taking him there. We've been there three or four times before, but this was the first time Cohen was really old enough/big enough to thoroughly enjoy it (and remember it). Eleanor had a good time, too, and ended up falling asleep in the carrier as we were walking around the park!

Mother's Day 2014

Muffins with Mom at Cohen's preschool. It lasted about 3.5 minutes before he politely informed me that he'd rather be outside playing with his friends!

Silly faces before school!

Her hair is so curly at night, so in the morning it's just sticking up everywhere! Love it!

Mother's Day morning! Pretty girl!

 

The two reasons I get to celebrate Mother's Day! I am SO lucky!

This is my first Mother's Day with Cohen and my first with Eleanor side-by-side. Must be something about that day that gives my babies crazy hair!

A beautiful bouquet of yellow and orange tulips, original artwork and a funny questionnaire from Cohen, a great card and a shopping trip for some new summer clothes all added up to a WONDERFUL Mother's Day! I love those two (and their daddy) with all my heart!