About Elsa

I am painfully aware of how much Elsa seems to get overlooked on this blog. I hope, so much, that the lack of attention is a positive thing. After watching some old family videos today of how microscopically focused we were on Heidi, I definitely feel better for letting Elsa fall through the proverbial cracks.

The thing is, in real life, Elsa has demanded quite a bit of attention. Most of it involves cleaning of some kind. I feel like I owe everyone I know an apology for talking so much about this one thing that has defined my days over the past year--the diaper watch. It hasn't been pretty. The low point might have been when Oliver took Elsa to watch ballet and somehow I had missed washing out the midsized fecal dreadlock in her hair, noticed by him only when the smell started to waft through the parent viewing area.

This past year has been a crucible for me--I am starting to refer to it as sanctification by crap, literally. My second baby has pushed me further than I was prepared for, and the actual triviality of the trial is what made it even more tragic and lame, and myself even lamer for not keeping it together better. Oh, how I pray it all gets buried in her subconscious.

But thankfully, God doesn't leave us there in the crap. It's been at least a week since that last event. And I am learning to pray through these gross moments and deal with them a little more courageously, and hopefully with the love my Elsa needs.

And each day, as her personality emerges, I celebrate her strengths and gifts. As my mom says, at least it all works right. So it's a gift. She has a deep interest in animals, insects, and babies. Although since she picked up a wasps' nest last week the insect phase might be done....but her little heart is very nurturing. She walks up to stranger's infants and wants to hug them and help with their pacifiers. She has a special baby voice for talking to babies. She uses it for animals too--especially puppies! Her physical skills continue to amaze me: she has nearly gotten pumping a swing down, swims confidently with a noodle (and lots of supervision), and can definitely take her sister down any day.

She is fiercely independent and only wants to cuddle for a minute or two in the morning--unless you are Gramps or Uncle D. She loves to touch, smell, and taste, but hates loud noises. She loves backpacks and camping and carrying large amounts of stuff around. She loves the color blue most of all, especially blue ice cream. And she loves her sister.

I can't wait to see more of who she is and who she will become--so thankful for every day with her. I don't celebrate her enough.