A literal mind

I've had a deep cough for over a week. The following conversation came this morning as a result.

Eliana: Mama, I don't like it when you cough.
Mama: Me either. I don't like it when you or Lilah or Daddy cough too.
Daddy: That's right, coughing is for the birds!
Mama: Will you pray that Jesus will heal me, Eliana?
Eliana: Yes! "Dear Jesus, please help us not to cough, and help the birds to cough. Amen"

Lilah @ 18 months

What a little treasure our tempest is at this age. It has been wonderful to get home and settle back into a routine. Lilah is a much happier girl at home!

Words: She is starting to take off with words. Here are the words she's saying off the top of my head: ball, yes, oh no! cheese, up please, more, whoa!, book, dog, duck, ta-ta, bye bye, I... you! (I love you), I got it, ouch, milk, shoes, hat, chair, knock knock, baby, hello, ola, estou bem, night night, kiss, and of course, the names of her family. She is starting to mimic phrases from Eliana. She makes just about any animal noise and is attempting to sing songs with us. She has also been babbling for a long time and looks quite serious when she's giving you a good long "talk".

Hobbies: Her favourite things to do are: dance, eat, brush teeth, nap, cuddle her blanket, pinch Eliana, wrestle with Daddy, cuddle with Mummy, read books, play outside, pretend to talk on the phone, suck her thumb, pack up toys and sing songs. She uses Eliana's little chair as a pram, and pushes dolls around in it. If I am preparing food in the kitchen, Lilah will stand at the door and tackle me when I come out. She grabs ahold of my leg and won't let go! She often comes up to me, puts her arms in the air and says "Up!" It's going to be a good shock for her to share her mama when baby #3 comes!

Foods: If Lilah had a choice, she would be on the carbohydrate and fruit diet. While Eliana is our little carnivore, Lilah loves most kinds of carbs and turns her nose up at meat! She is drinking out of a normal plastic cup and only occasionally spills (though sometimes it may be on purpose to play with water). She is also venturing into the feeding herself with a fork or spoon season. We are thankful for those pink plastic scoop bibs, Grandma!

Lilah, we love you precious one.

The prayers of a three year old

This was Eliana's prayer last night.

"Dear God,

Please help Mummy, Daddy and Lilah and me"

Please save me.

Please let us go out for a coffee in the morning, and then go to a park, and then get on an airplane.

I love you.

Amen"

snapshots from West Africa

Our family undertook a one month training course in West Africa during September and November. It took four days of travel to reach our destination! Here are some snapshots of our time there.

Eliana enjoying a cold poppa on one of our very hot 9 hour bus rides.

Looking for crocodiles with Daddy

My African babe

Grinding nuts for dinner with our host family.

Our wonderful host.

 

Walking out to our host family's farm

Lilah all wrapped up.

 

Pretty package

Thanks for our new party dresses Grandma & Grandpa! They came just in time to dress up for Daddy on his birthday.