Taking Elly Out to the Ballgame March 17, 2010

When I find myself on Elly duty I ask, “What should we do today that I’ll enjoy the most?”* So it was on Sunday that Elly and I went to a UNCW baseball game.

* Note: This is why I take her to record stores with me. It’s also why I’m up for Dad of the Year.

We arrived late, and, since UNCW baseball doesn’t draw a crowd, sat down behind home plate. Fortunately for both of us, there was room for Elly to roam in search of treasure (i.e. rocks). We were also next to some grandparents who a) knew everything about UNCW baseball and b) loved entertaining Elly. Double bonus.

So she was happy and I was content as the game settled into a pitchers duel. Tied in the bottom of the ninth, UNCW’s leadoff man sent one high into the blue-gray sky and over the fence for a walk-off home run. Elly cheered along with everyone else and was even allowed onto the field after the game with the other kids — they ran the bases, she played in the on-deck circle.

It was a good day. I hope for many more like it.

Elly’s Belly March 14, 2010

Elly has some very distinctive physical characteristics; her beautiful smile, her sparkling blue eyes, her kissable cheeks, her adorable…potbelly. 

Lately her belly has been getting lots of attention. It seems everywhere we go someone has something to say about the roundness of it.  When I joked to Jamie that her belly looks like mine did when I was when pregnant with Elly he was quick to point out it’s not nearly that bad. Her pants have to sit below the belly and sometimes her shirts barely cover it! Girl, I remember those days.

People love the belly, as do we, but sometimes when we look at it after meal it’s hard not to wonder if it’s normal for her belly to be that extended. I will confess, I recently googled something along the lines of ‘bloated toddler belly’ and just like any other time I’ve googled a health concern it didn’t go so well.  Like when I had an isolated case of hives and the internet convinced me that I had an autoimmune disease. How does Jamie deal with my craziness?! Thank goodness his calm energy is there to balance me out a bit.

So, I added protruding belly to my list of topics to address with the pediatrician at her 18 month appointment. I’m pretty sure I noticed his eyes bug out a bit when he saw my long list which I tried to cover up a little too late.  He too has had to endure my craziness over the past 18 months, but at least he’s getting paid and I’m sure he’s heard it all and has had to deal with much more neurotic moms than myself, right!?