2018 Recap

Here we are again at the end of the year and I ask yet again, Where did the time go?!?!

Eden brought a lot of joy but all in all it was a pretty mundane year for the most part for the rest of us and our happenings. No changes in the work front. Luba still works at the International Institute and I’m still managing the ABA department at Easterseals.

I’m still part of a book club and these women keep me challenged! They are really an oasis here for me. I continue to part of a cooking club. There are 6 of us and we meet monthly in one person’s home. That host sets the theme and buys all the ingredients. The rest of us show up, cook and then we eat together. I was part of a cooking club in CA and loved it so much. This keeps me fresh in the kitchen and also reminds me of my dearly missed CA girlfriends.

Eden is growing like a weed and thriving at her daycare center. She is now 21 months old. She is talking SO much. She uses 2 word phrases frequently and is throwing in some 3-word phrases every now and then. She knows the names of everyone at school and in her family, names some numbers (her faves are 4 and 7), and names shapes. We can't even keep up with her vocabulary. She definitely makes this Speech Pathologist mama proud! Right now, she is really loving the 1973 classic Charlotte’s Web. It takes me back to Lucedale Elementary - library - Ms. Tolbert- rain days with no PE.

I’m going to post some highlights through the months so you can see what we have been up to and how Eden has grown! We are pretty boring so not much changes with Luba and me.

January

February

We had a "mommy and me" Valentine's Day date at the zoo.

March

Eden turned 1! You can read more about her birthday by clicking on this link.

 

April

Eden started walking!

May

We visited Grant's Farm. Eden loved the carousel and feeding the goats. We made a trip to Mississippi for Memorial Day at the end of the month. On the way back, we visited the Civil Rights Museum in Memphis. It was humbling to walk through this as a family knowing that long ago our family would have been illegal.  

June

July

We visited Purina Farms and Eden loved watching the dog show! We spent the 4th of July in the neighborhood!

August

We visited Butterfly House and the Zoo. She also discovered the joy in having pink toenails.

 

 

 

 

 

 

September


We went apple picking at Eckert's. Eden LOVED sampling apples although it was the hottest day of the year, ever, in any part of the world. We went early in the morning but melted quickly. We had more park trips and zoo trip including cousin Niko. We also took another trip to Mississippi for Labor Day. Eden went to her first Cardinals game on Easterseals night. She had a blast and sat through the whole game!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

October

This month, Eden had Child Dedication at the church we have been attending, The Crossing. She also owned trick-or-treating. I thought she would be shy but she went right up to every door step and held her hand out or bag open for candy. I'm still not sure what to think of that boldness at her young age yet.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Video of trick or treating

November

Luba’s parents visited! This was their first time in the USA and meeting Eden. They had only seen pictures and videos so this was a special time for the family. They also got to experience Thanksgiving. Eden relished having her grandparents living with her for 3 weeks. My mom also came up to meet the Mntangas and spend Thanksgiving. We went to the Zoo and hung out at Forest Park. The Mntangas got to experience a snow! We decorated the Christmas tree as a family.

 

 

 

 

 

 We also got to celebrate Mom's birthday when she was here

 Mrs. Clause was here to help out

 

 

 

 Brady was home from college

Eden scored a great Denver hoodie!

 South Africa, Vietnam, & Mississippi representing!

 the turkey hit early

(although it looks like wine hit)

December


So far, we have had breakfast with Santa at daycare. As you can see, she was not impressed. She asks for "more Santa" each time she goes to daycare. I'm not sure what she would do if her wish were fulfilled.

 

 we celebrated "Lulu's" birthday

We got a visit from Laura & family!

 Santa came early and brought a kitchen set!

  

 

 bossing around boys already

and carrying a purse

 

 

Eden LOVES Mexican food. She lived her best life on Cherokee Street, a street in St. Louis that has authentic markets and restaurants. This is my favorite video and sums up her personality:

That wraps up our year! We hope you have a wonderful holiday season!


Love,
Danielle, Luba & Eden