Aquarium: 1 Kruegers: 1

We were not defeated by the Virginia Aquarium this time! How did we swing this victory, you ask? Three easy steps to success: 

1. Chris came! 

2. The stroller did not come! 

3. We went on a Friday, not MLK weekend! 

Walking through the dark, twisting passages this time I realized it was absolute fun suicide to bring a stroller on a crowded day last time. Especially when Eloise just wailed the whole time anyway. Some exhibits are set up to resemble swamps, marshes, submarines, whatever. Those are not places you’d bring a stroller. Or kids I guess. 

But anyway, one passageway was like four feet wide. Today it seemed thrilling and interesting. Last time it felt like Isaac had disappeared while I was stuck in traffic. 

Another crucial fun difference was that Eloise slept the whole time and did not poop all over herself or me. 

In conclusion, we had such a nice time we overpaid like suckers for those campy green screen photos. A family picture where you can see everyone’s eyes! On Eloise’s Four Month Birthday! I must have it! 

To commemorate Eloise’s One-Third Birthday: she can roll from front to back and back to side! She and Isaac laugh at each other all during lunch and dinner. She has a very distinct Eloise Giggle. I go into her room sometimes to find her totally propped up on her arms, looking around, and when she spots me she absolutely lights up in a huge baby grin. She hates poopy diapers. From birth until shortly before Christmas, Eloise slept five to nine hours in one stretch almost every night. I thought I had hit the baby jackpot. 

Then Isaac, Eloise and I all got the flu the week before Christmas and she stopped sleeping completely for the next month. Now she’s finally started to do a four or five hour stretch again. One night she did seven. Last night she did about five hours at once. I’ll take it. This week she also stopped upchucking every single thing she eats and packed on about 500 pounds and grew about two inches in three days. She’s already fitting comfortably in some nine month clothes! But mostly still six month onesies. Three month clothes are totally outgrown. 

Isaac similarly had a growth spurt recently. One day I noticed his 2T pants were finally getting a little short, and three weeks later all his 4T stuff fits and most 3T stuff does NOT. 

I love my kids so much. Especially after a successful visit to the aquarium, a tasty dinner while watching Bears, and some Sauvignon Blanc!