Just some updates.

We went on our big trip last week. Woot! Definitely had the feel of a practice run. A great time was had by all, and we'll do it better next time. First we went to Nathan's grandmother's in Maryland. Eleanor charmed everyone present. She loved the stairs and got comfortable at Grandma Judy's and Papa Scott's right away. Amy came over and got to spend the night. (Sleepover!! woohoo!) Nathan's Dad surprised us all by driving up on his motorcycle unexpectedly. That was really nice. Thus ends the relaxing part of the trip.

Then we flew to Massachusetts, and on the way the plane got struck by lightning. Right on the engine. Lightning? That really noisy bright flashy thing that destroys? Apparently planes, including their engines, have an immunity. Totally no big deal. In Massachusetts we spent the remainder of the week running around seeing as much of Nathan's Grandfather, Aunt Nancy, and Fuzz (the dog); Shanna, Randi, Ryan, Ms. Loraine, and Evie; Sarah, Bob, and their little boy Isaac; Auntie Alice; Ms. Ellie; Aunt Karen; Gail, Matt, Jason, Manny, Manny (yes, two of them), and Smokey (the dog); and my cousin Nathan, and his wife, Sarah as we could. In the process, Eleanor pretty much got over her fear of dogs. Fuzz and Smokey are both big friendly, but docile black labs, and she loved them so much. (: Her vocabulary also had a growth spurt. She now says milk, book, Ashton, Ella (what she calls pictures of herself), good dog, baby, nap, bed, bath, circle, oval, ready (as in Nathan's Dad: "Ready?" Her: "Ready!") and several others that I'm just too tired to think about.

The daycare called me today at 4:15. I get off of work at 4:30. Eleanor had a fever of 101.2, and as you can imagine, they aren't taking any chances with sick kids at this time. So I bring her to the emergency room, since the Dr's office is closed. No flu. She has a double ear infection. This is her first ear infection since she got her tubes, but we know they fell out about a month ago. I REALLY hope this isn't the rebirth of Eleanor's chronic ear infections. She had 8 by the time she was about 7 months old. She had an ear infection anytime we brought her to the doctor for anything, including vaccinations. I don't want to go through that again.

At least it's not the swine flu.