6 Years

January 22nd, 2006

It keeps getting better...

Elyse's 12 Month Update

Elyse Lillian, 11 Months, at the Feast in San Destin, FL. Picture by Kayla Marie Photography

 Elyse’s Words/Actions at 1 Year:

Words:

1.       All Done (both sign & words)

2.       Mama

3.       Dada

4.       Nana

5.       Baaawwwp (Poppy)

6.       Yes (& nod)

7.       Hi (wave & word)

8.       Nummas (nursing)

9.       “Yes Ma’am”

10.   Balloon

11.   Ball

12.   Bouncy Bouncy (while bouncing)

13.   Dod (dog)

14.   Dido (Dinosaur)

15.   No (& shake head)

16.   Bebbut (belly button)

17.   ByeBye (& waves)

18.   Button

19.   Book

20.   Baby

21.   NightNight

22.   Bath (word and sign)

23.   Amen (at appropriate time after the prayer)

24.   BayMen (basement)

25.   Burple (burp)

26.   Good Morning

27.   Dance Dance Dance

28.   Gentle

29.   Zerbert (w/ raspberries on tummies)

30.   Belly

31.   Tow (cow)

32.   Doll

33.   Kitchen

34.   DellDell (Adelle)

35.   Bow

36.   Cat

37.   Ta-Da!

38.    Bob

39.   Bottle

40.   Bottom

41.   Out!

42.   Eye
43. What Dat? (What's That?)

Signs:

1.       All Done (both sign & words)

2.       Yes (& nod)

3.       Hi (wave & word)

4.       Clapping (for happy or for more)

5.       No (& shake head)

6.       Blows Kisses

7.       Water (sign)

8.       Bath (word and sign)

9.       Patty Cake (plays the whole game since 6 months)

10.   Peek-a-Boo (plays the whole game since 8 months)

Sounds:

1.       Bawk Bawk (chicken)

2.       Neigh (horse)

3.       Meow (cat)

4.       BaaBaa (Sheep)

5.       Moo (cow)

6.       Elephant (with arm motion)

7.       Blub Blub (Fish)

Can Identify:

1.       Tummy (pats tummy)

2.       Head (pats head)

3.       Bebbut (belly button)

4.       Ears

5.       Cheeks

6.       Eyes

7.       Mouth

8.       Feet

9.       Bottom

Skills/Abilities:

Walked (November 10^th, 2011), began to really get it down the week before her birthday. Now she’s walking and starting to try to run. It’s precious. She also does this really hilarious thing where she “walks” on her knees. It’s so silly, and she knows it, so she laughs the whole time she does it. It’s becoming her preferred form of transportation.

Elyse loves to blow kisses, but isn’t big on giving them usually—so when she bestows a big, wet, juicy kiss it is a big deal. However, she is most prone to giving them when she has been instructed to put her head down on Mommy’s shoulder to get herself under control (to try to get out of discipline).

Elyse is much more stubborn than Claire was at this age. She knows what “head down” & “no touch” means, and obeys much of the time—unless she really wants to do something/touch something, then she weighs the consequences and usually goes for it at least once anyways. She has a very high pain tolerance, and is very willing to go through a small swat on the hand if it gets her what she wants.

Elyse needs to be included in everything, especially jokes. If someone is laughing, she will force herself to laugh heartily too. She wouldn’t ever want to be left out!

She also wants to be included in her big sister’s reading lessons. The other day she pulled out Claire’s reading book and started to point at the letters and say the sounds, just like Mommy & Claire (she wasn’t pointing to the correct letters, but she was saying the sounds that Claire had been working on). It is absolutely adorable!

Elyse loves looking at pictures of people, and will identify the people she knows (Nana, Poppy, Daddy, Mama, and Baby “DellDell” the most).

Ever since her little cousin, Adelle, was born, Elyse calls every baby “Dell Dell” and is obsessed with babies. She adores her cousin and loves to kiss her picture every day.

She loves to play games, and will spend long periods of time playing peek-a-boo (which she started playing at 8 months) or patty cake. She’ll start clapping and rolling to try to get the adults or older children around her to participate.

Elyse loves to tickle people—especially Nana’s feet!

She loves to help Mama with the laundry, taking things out of the washing machine and handing them to Mama saying, “Out, Out!” however, she doesn’t believe in putting things in the washing machine and tries to take them out when Mama puts them in. When I say in, she grins and says, “Out!”

When she’s tired she likes to play the “NightNight” game, where she finds a pillow (or pillow like object) and puts her baby and herself down on it saying, “NightNight Mama!”

When she is in the mood (Elyse is not the performer Claire is—she knows a lot, but only pulls it out on her terms), she will tell you how old she is, holding up 1 finger.

She waves “Hi!” & “ByeBye”

Elyse is my dancer. Any time there is music on she starts bopping, moving, and grooving. She will often say, “dance dance dance” while dancing or “bounce bounce” while bouncing. She loves music and trys to sing along too.

There was a song we learned in Hometown Nazareth at the Feast called “God with Us” that has a lot of rhythm to it and after each line there are 3 claps in a row. Elyse loves this song and will clap (the correct number of times and the correct timing) when she hears the song.

Elyse loves to kiss her dollies and will love them every time she holds them. She also loves to poke their eyes and say, “Eye!”

 She knows what many signs mean, but is not nearly as interested in signing as Claire was. However, if she really wants something she’ll pull them out. The one exception to this is the “all done” sign which she uses quite regularly and gleefully.

She is not sleeping through the night, and is still getting the majority of her nutrition from breast milk. She is willing to eat a little bit now, but prefers protein and starch to most foods (has no interest in fruits or anything sweet, oddly).

Elyse loves to climb—stairs especially, but she also climbs on chairs and anything else in her way. She only goes up, I haven’t taught her to go down yet.

Says “Yes Ma’am” after an instruction many, if not most times.

Says, “Amen!” after the prayer (or sometimes as a very obvious hint if she thinks the prayer is going too long. J)

Favorites:

Nana, Mama, Claire, Dada, Auntie (Cara), Uncle Ben, Uncle Jonny, & Miss Kayla.

Baths!

Showers!

Swimming (do you sense a water theme here?)

Animals (she stalks my parent’s cat, Loki)

Music (she dances, bops, bounces, and tries to sing)

Bows (every time she gets out of the car she pats her head to see if her bow is on, if it isn’t she says “Bow!” loudly until one is put on. She doesn’t feel dressed without a bow!)

Pulling Kleenexes out of Kleenex boxes

Following her sister and imitating Claire

Pulling anything out of anywhere (she’s a mess maker!)

Cleaning (with a Kleenex or napkin  she wipes things very proudly)

Pretend kitchens “cooking”

Her teapot from Aunt Sarah & Uncle Jason (it sings and makes sounds, and she LOVES sounds!)

Slides!

The circle of pictures on the back of Little Golden Books
Blowing Zerberts on any bare skin she can find

More About My Precious Treasure:

Elyse is a totally different personality type. She is not a performer, in that she does things on her own terms, when she is in the mood. She loves praise and thrives on it, but again, on her own terms.

She is very much a Mama’s girl, and I love that (even though it can be exhausting). I love my cuddles and sweet times with my baby. She also has lots of fun with her Daddy, and begs to go down to the “BayMent!” to play when she sees him. She has the most adorable smile I have ever seen it is infectious. You can't help but smile when she does, especially when she is impish.

She’s stubborn, strong willed to an extreme, and has a horrible habit of screaming a shrill scream—for attention, for what she wants, just because she’s bored. We’re working to break her of that, and once we do, my hearing will hopefully return to normal. She's bright and has figured out very early how to get what she wants, and that is my fault for giving into her screams and not being consistent enough. I still have a lot of learning to do on how to handle such a strong willed little girl, but I am so grateful for the opportunity to raise her with my wonderful husband.

Other than that, she is a ray of sunshine. Smiling and playing as soon as she gets up. She will wake up from a nap and immediately start crawling, like she has somewhere to go and can’t believe she fell asleep on the job. She has a shorter attention span than Claire did, but is very attentive for her age even so. She loves looking at books, especially when her sister “reads” to her. She is one of the most fun little kids I’ve ever seen, playing, talking, and exploring constantly. I love her to pieces and am so glad God put her in my family. I don’t know what I would do without my sweet Elyse.

Related Links:

Claire's 1st Birthday Update

Happy Birthday, Sweet Elyse!

Today my lovely daughter, Elyse Lillian turns 1 year old. This past year has been one of the best, most challenging, and most joyful of my life.

I have a memory post of pictures and developmental milestones I have been working on, which I hope to post later this week. For now I will leave you with my favorite picture of this funny, stubborn, adorable, precious girl I am blessed to call my daughter.





- Kate Ambrose

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Happy Birthday, Danny!

Today I am thankful for My Danny. He is one of the steadiest, hardest working men I have ever known. He is committed to his family above all else, and passionate about being the best father and husband imaginable. He is teachable, loving, kind, generous, and follows his own beat. He loves God, is hilarious, and is my best friend in every way. Not to mention, he is an amazing kisser. Happy Birthday to my Hubband. I love you so much!

Welcome, Adelle Christine Swenson!

This morning, at 1:07 AM after 46 hours of labor my brother, Ben and my sister-in-law Cara welcomed a precious little 7 lb 8 oz girl, Adelle Christine, to their family. She was 20.5 inches long, and absolutely beautiful! I got to the hospital around 1:45 AM (at the invitation of Ben--I didn't just barge in, I promise!), and stayed until almost 4, drinking in the sweetness of this perfect little treasure!

The whole family in madly in love with her!

We love you, Adelle!

Happy Birthday, My Sweet Girl!

My Eldest is turning 3. My Claire Ella--the baby who turned me from a woman into a mother, and made Dan & I not just a couple, but a family.

3 years ago, after 4 days of labor and confusion I delivered a beautiful 7 lb 14 oz baby which Dan received and placed gently into my arms. I remember weeping and repeating over and over, "Is this really my baby?"

I couldn't believe the Lord would entrust such a precious treasure to me. I still catch myself not believing how blessed I am to be her Mama. She makes me laugh and brings me immense joy (interspersed with spectacular frustration) every day. She is without a doubt one of my favorite people in the world.

I love you, Claire-Bear! Happy 3rd Birthday!

- Mama

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Health & Wealth

Laura Story's "Blessings" has really resonated with me lately. It seems like I am always hearing health & wealth from "Christians". Yes, God blesses us, but His ultimate blessings have little (nothing?) to do with not hitting traffic on your way to work when you were running late. I see so many attempts to see "God's direct will" in everything that the misreading of the Lord almost cheapens what He actually is doing. I hear such and such is "so obviously God's will for me" only to have that very thing not work out. Did God's will change, or did we possibly project our human desires on God, instead of listening in the still quiet?

I am guilty of this.

But I don't want to just pray for what I want our Heavenly Father's will to be, but rather, that His will is always done. This doesn't mean that I don't think God can be moved or wants to hear our prayers, but rather that I think Christianity and "Christianese" has made God a vending machine for desires and Satan a scapegoat for trials instead of looking at the complexity of a true relationship with a Father. A Father that sees past this job, this car, this big break to a tapestry of lives that He is weaving together into something much deeper and more beautiful than our minds can fathom.

That being said, when I found my lost car keys this week, I said a sincere prayer of thanks for that blessing.

'Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops,
What if Your healing comes through tears,
And what if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You’re near?
What if my greatest disappointments, or the aching of this life, is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can’t satisfy?
And what if trials of this life--the rain, the storms, the hardest nights--are Your mercies in disguise?


- Kate Ambrose

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Family Visits

This weekend we had a lovely visit with Dan's brother Jeff & his family--and got to meet our adorable new nephew, Brandt!

We all visited the Children's Museum of Indianapolis (undisputedly the best children's museum in the world) and had a lovely time together--we always enjoy our visits with them!



Dressing as dinosaurs in the dinosphere.



Dan & Brandt



Tyrannosaurs Jeff



Paleontologist Kate with my big dino find!



An attempt at a cousins shot, minus Brandt (who was sleeping). Horrible lighting and an iPhone camera makes for a crummy shot. :-(



Elyse & Brandt play.



The Jeff Ambrose Family

We're so glad you all could visit! Can't wait until next time!



- Kate Ambrose

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My Ballerina!

Thursday, August 4th, 2011 marked a big day for Claire Ella (and Mama & Daddy too!) because she took her first ballet class today--her first class ever without Mama with her.




She was so lovely.




Charming!




Her elegant Ballerina do required a lot of clips!




Meeting her new friends before class.

She was adorable, and hilarious (at one point her dancing looked less ballerina and more Quasimodo...) and the most beautiful thing this proud Mama has seen!




Getting stickers after class.




Mama and her Ballerina.




Happy Family. (Yes, Lilly is in just a blanket and a diaper. Major blowout right in the middle of class. Of course. :-)

- Kate Ambrose

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8 Months!

Our Sweet Elyse is now 8 months old!



Broccoli Face! (7.5 Months)

About a month ago we started trying solids. On the whole she's really not interested in eating, but boy does she love to make a mess!

She refuses to take almost anything I give her to eat, although she eats well for others. I think she knows she can get the good stuff from me. ;-)

If I give her the food to feed herself she will at least attempt to eat, so that's what usually ends up happening. I am not looking to wean her, buy I wouldn't mind her eating some solids. All in good time, I suppose.


First Toy Car Ride! (8 Months)

In other big news, she started officially crawling this week. She had been scooting on her bottom for awhile, but while visiting Mamaw & Papaw (my grandparents) she decided to put it all together--for a good cause, to go after Max the Dog!

Elyse is still very much a Mama's girl, and while it can be exhausting, I love it! She always has a ready smile and lots of babbling. She lights up for her Dada & Claire immediately. Claire is probably her second favorite person--with Dada, Auntie, & Nana tying for 3rd. :-)

Despite working on it for months (literally), she still hasn't gotten her first tooth, although I felt something sharp earlier so here's hoping...

Words:
Mama
Dada
Nana
Ella (Claire)
Lala (Auntie)
Neigh! (her favorite word, and what every animal says in her opinion)
Hi
Baba (baby)

Signs:
Nursing/"Nummies"
More
All Done (her favorite!)

Body Parts She Can Identify:
Nose
Mouth
Chin
Tongue

She loves to point--deliberately and all the time. She almost always has her little pointer out looking inquisitively for more information on everything. She's famished for knowledge.

Although we are considering transitioning soon, she is still co-sleeping with us for now. The main holdup being teething and lack of a baby monitor (ours broke). Also, admittedly, I love my baby snuggles.

She loves games, tickles, watching/interacting with her Big Sister, and anything thrilling (being thrown in the air and the like). She is definitely a thrill-seeker!

She is a sweet and joyful little girl, always bringing a smile to my face, but she is also incredibly strong willed and stubborn. Much more so than Claire (although part of that is that we were able to focus 100% of our attention/training on Claire). She will scream--shriek really--if she doesn't get her way. We are working on learning a quiet "inside" voice, but if you notice hearing loss in either Dan or me you'll know why.

Multiple times a day Claire reminds me that she and Elyse are best friends, and I hope that is forever true. I love my treasures.

Happy 8 Months, Lilly!


Claire (2.5) & Elyse (7 Months here)

- Kate Ambrose

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Ron Paul, 2012

"Ron Paul is an unusual politician​ because he doesn't simply pay lip service to moral principles​. He believes in moral principles​ in his mind and heart, and he fights for them passionate​ly. He understand​s that sound economics,​ moral principles​, and individual​ freedom all go together, like a seamless web. They cannot be separated,​ and they stand or fall together."​ – Murray Rothbard, 1981



- Kate Ambrose

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Hello, Summer!

This weekend officially opens summer for us Ambroses, and we couldn't be more excited! We spent a family Sabbath together at the Indianapolis Zoo--Lillian's first trip!


The Ambrose Family: Claire (2), Dan, Elyse (6 months), & Kate ~ 5.28.2011

After the zoo Nana & Poppy took the girls while Dan & I went on a date! We had a whole 2 hours to talk and enjoy each other with no interruptions (no matter how cute!), then we picked up 'Lysie 'Lils and took her with us to the drive-in while Claire went to bed at her wonderful grandparent's. We are sooooo blessed to have them close--they're some of the only people we trust with our treasures!

Tomorrow we are going to Cataract Falls State Park with my family for a cookout and general fun (and to escape the craziness of race weekend!).

Monday is up in the air, but most likely will include yard work and lots of family time.

It's exciting seeing the summer coming together. It will be filled with trips, friends/family visits, playing outdoors, house projects, Camp Outreach, and lots of family time. I love the summer!

Hope everyone has a fabulous Memorial Day Weekend, and a great start to Summer!

- Kate Ambrose

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Summer Dreaming... A picture update

To prove that I don't always dress the girls alike...

Elyse Lillian (5 Months) & Claire Ella (2.5 Years)

Mama & 'Lysie after a hot fun walk.

Claire playing/drinking from the sprinkler.

A Monarch Butterfly on the tree we planted in Claire's honor (korean lilac).

Claire ready to go on our walk (note Baby Tina in her "sling")

My Beautiful Lilly sitting up in the grass all by herself! (5 Months)

Cuddles with my treasures.

- Kate Ambrose

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Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day!

I'd like to wish a special Mother's Day greeting to my Mother, who is in CA right now. This is my first Mother's Day away from her, and I miss her! Mom, you are the best mother, friend, and especially grandmother that ever has been. Thank you for your constant support of our family, for your love regardless of the situation, and for your wisdom and grace you handle yourself with. You are a blessing to us and everyone around you.

"Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:"

~Proverbs 31:28

 My parents, grandparents, and their (great)grandchildren.

My Sweet Girls

Rollin' Rollin' Rollin'

To mark today, Elyse Lillian rolled over for the first time ever! It was adorable--back to front. She was cheered on by Daddy, Mommy, Uncle Jon, Miss Kayla & Claire Ella.


So proud of you, 'Lysie Lils!



- Kate Ambrose

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Babies Wearing Babies

Claire came up to me this morning and said, "I'm wearing my baby in my sling! Even doctors do that!" (she is convinced she is a doctormommy all one word)






- Kate Ambrose

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5 Months

At 5 months old Elyse is now saying "Dada" much to her Daddy's delight. She is also sitting up and playing with toys. It's all going by so fast!



-Kate Ambrose

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An Important Day

Osama Bin Laden is dead. This is worth marking.

10 years since 9/11. Wow.


- Kate Ambrose

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Elyse, 4.75 Months

Elyse had her 4 month well baby checkup lay Friday.



Elyse loves to sit up. She can't do it by herself, but requires very little to steady her. She looks like such a big girl sitting up playing with toys!



Elyse loves to vocalize. She has begun to make particular sounds--today (4/26) she said "Maaaa" to me 3 times--mimicking me. Not quite talking, but a step closer to it!



Elyse loves her Nana! Both my girls adore Nana!



Playing on her belly. Her head is strong, and recently she's been playing while on her belly. Still not rolling over--but she's close, especially back to front.




Elyse is over all an incredibly happy baby. The past few days she's been teething, and had trouble sleeping.

She loves watching her sister and is very much a Mama's girl. Her Daddy makes her grin every time she sees him and she loves to play with him.

We are still exclusively breastfeeding with no plans to stop or introduce solids in the near future. She is thriving. Almost 16 lbs and is 25 inches long--plenty of appetite but not ready for more yet, I think (or is it Mama who isn't ready?).

She brings us so much joy! I'm so glad she is a part of our family. It's hard to remember a time without her!




I love you, 'Lysie Lils!


- Kate Ambrose

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Oh to be 2...

Oh to be 2 and believe that everything in life can be fixed with bandaids, batteries, or tape and that "I'm sorry" really means you forgive and forget.


- Kate Ambrose

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My Loves

Reflecting on my blessings this Passover Season and all that my Lord sacrificed for me.



The blessing of baby cuddles.



The blessing of a happy, healthy, loving family.



The blessing of soft baby cheeks to nuzzle and kiss.



The blessing of a little baby turning into a beautiful little girl.



The blessing of a loving husband who adores his girls (all 3 of us!). And a baby who finds great joy in her toes.



The blessing of a little girl of great imagination who proudly wears rain boots, a backpack, and a stethoscope to the doctor and gives him an exam.



The blessing of matching Holy Day outfits from Nana, and at least one cooperative daughter to get a picture of.

How can I not be grateful? For everything.

As this Holy Season draws to a close I am increasingly aware that many don't know the abundant love I am blessed with in my little family. I can't wait until every tear is wiped away and everyone knows the love of their Heavenly Father because of the death and resurrection of my Jesus, the Christ.



- Kate Ambrose

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