I have really enjoyed having time off work. I’ve had more time to play with Eli, cook and catch up on some things around the house.

Today marks the end of my 2011 Project 52. This year has gone by fast!

I am excited to see what next year brings.

Today E met Mr. & Mrs Claus at my work party we do for the kids. I was surprised how well he did sitting near Santa

He especially enjoyed eating (biting) the candy cane afterwards

Pictures from my dinner date with E at Taco Time

Why do kids enjoy eating ice?

Joey sent this picture to me one day when I was working

Is it really week 50 already?

Here is a picture of what E wore to church today

I tried to get a better picture but he wouldn’t stop moving. I love his face in this picture though.

and here is a picture of how we found him when we got home:

Probably from too much crying in the nursery I tried to rescue him once during the sermon but the good nursery worker assured me that he was okay and did not let him see me.

This is how E is every morning

I love it!

But I do look forward to the day when he will say “mom” before he says “dog”

E loves to watch the movie Cars. He will point to our TV (or any TV) and say “Cars?”. I usually tell him “later” but after 20 times of him asking, you might see me turn the movie on.

Here’s a picture of his face when I turned the movie on

I moved him to the couch to watch it and took this picture

He can sit and watch 20+ minutes of the movie without moving. I think Lightening McQueen is his favorite. He seems to point him out the most and say “Car!”

I can stop the movie at any point (I tell him to say goodbye to the cars) and he doesn’t get upset so I’m not too worried about this newfound love (yet).

A friend of mine posted a link to the ABC 20/20 story on Gabby Giffords & Mark Kelly: Courage and Hope and I loved it so I wanted to share it on my blog.

I thought the interview and story was well done. I love that her husband videotaped her recovery and that she is allowing the world to see it. What a brave woman. I wish her all the best.

This interview shows some good clips of speech therapists. So, if you ever wondered what I do at the hospital, this might give you an idea.