Hand, Hand, Finger, Thumb

Happy solstice, everyone! It's a rainy, dark day here in Portland, and we're glad the days will be getting longer and lighter from here on out. Here's the latest news from the homestead.

Imogen, now 14 weeks old, has found her hands! Here she is examining them with much concentration.



Nana and Atman are currently visiting us for the holidays, and we're having a lovely time. Here they are doing some Tai Chi in our living room with Elliot.



Elliot has also expanded his show repertoire from Jack's Big Music Show and Maisy into the world of Blue's Clues (the main reason being that Blue also peeks out of the credits at the end of the show, just like Mel the dog does on JBMS). Here he is imitating Blue on the credits, with Nana and Atman getting in on the action, as well.



And in a follow-up to my last post, the NYU Ransom Notes ad campaign has been pulled. You can read their explanation here. And here is a link to the article about the cancellation of the campaign in the New York Times. Thanks to everyone who wrote letters asking that the campaign be reconsidered.

We hope you all have a very happy holiday this week. Stay tuned for pictures of the Christmas festivities here at the McElroy abode.

No One Here's Been Kidnapped

By now most of you have heard from me regarding the NYU Child Study Center's "Ransom Notes" ad campaign. This ad campaign is "designed as a provocative wake up to create awareness and spark dialogue about childhood psychiatric disorders". However, the format the organization has chosen to get this message to the public is one that is offending many people in the disability community. It portrays children with certain disorders (namely autism, Asperger's, OCD, ADHD, bulimia, and depression) as being kidnapped, and not as the unique, whole individuals we know them to be.

The ransom note signed "Autism" is particularly offensive. It reads, "We have your son. We will make sure he will not be able to care for himself or interact socially as long as he lives." Does this look like the face of someone who's been "kidnapped" by autism?


I didn't think so. This ad campaign is due to be launched this month, and I urge you to read about it and tell the folks running the campaign to rethink their approach. I haven't seen any major news organizations that have picked up the story, but it is being discussed on several blogs (just Google "autism ransom notes nyu"). This particular blog has a sample letter and the email addresses of those to whom you can voice your concerns. I urge you to do so.

To quote my dear friend and author of several books on raising kids on the autism spectrum, Ellen Notbohm, " View autism as a tragedy and that's what you will get. View it as a prison sentence, and that is what you will experience. But autism poses no inherent upper limits. Why not view it as a retractable-dome stadium? Right now, when you look up, all you see is the ceiling of the house. But pull back the retractable roof, and it's the same house, but the question now becomes - how high is up?"

We should all be so wise.

Thanks to all of you for your support of our family.

Deck the Halls

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas around here! Yesterday we got our tree and had a wonderful time decorating it with family. Elliot got a head start with the lights.



He also had a great time picking out ornaments and instructing everyone as to where they should be hung on the tree.

Imogen of course loved all the pretty lights.

We were joined by Denny and Phyllis and Nona, Papa Pat, and Papa Mr. Vic Victor. They were being even sillier than the kids.

And even though he has a cold, that didn't stop our little elf from having a wonderful evening.

Today Imogen has her big brother's cold, too (it's nice when kids share, isn't it?), and it's snowing here in Portland. Happy holidays!

Gobble Gobble

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! The holiday was a busy and festive one here at the McElroy household. Amazingly, we served dinner on time, everything was delicious, and the kids played happily together all day. We were joined for dinner by Nona, Mr. Vic Victor, Papa Pat, Urban, Austin, and the entire White clan. Here is a photo of the feast.

And here is Wolf thoroughly enjoying his turkey leg.

Imogen got all dressed up for the occasion, wearing her very first dress.

We had a fantastic visit with the Whites this weekend. The kids had a blast, and Imogen loved meeting her cousins and Uncle Greg (she was already well acquainted with her Aunt Tess, aka the baby whisperer). Here is Greg doing some baby whispering of his own.

Baby Imogen was especially popular with the girls. Here she is being admired by Willow and Erin.

And finally, here is more proof that the kids all had a fantastic time together. Elliot sure does love playing with his cousins!



We hope everyone had a lovely holiday. We're thankful to have all of you wonderful family and friends in our lives.

Cuter by the Double

These are some seriously cute kids we've got here. We are anxiously awaiting the arrival of the Whites today for a fun-filled Thanksgiving weekend. Until then, here are some new pictures for you to enjoy. Have a wonderful holiday!



Eat lots of sweet potatoes and check back for Thanksgiving pictures soon!

Imogen's Making an "A"

One of Elliot's least endearing activities these days is to climb all over me and Imogen while we're nursing. He was doing this very thing yesterday while Imogen was starting to get frustrated and cry, and I was starting to get frustrated and cry myself. Just at the point when I thought I couldn't take it anymore, Elliot said, "Imogen's making an 'A'!". I looked down at her hands, and sure enough, her frustrated little fist was in a perfect sign language "A". How do these tiny people know just how to melt your heart and when?

At preschool, the kids watch a video called Signing Time. We tried to get Elliot to use sign language when he was so late in talking, but he never took to more than a couple of signs ("eat", "milk", and "more" - can you tell what his priorities were?). Murphy's Law, now that he talks non-stop, he loves sign language. His favorite signs are the alphabet, because they allow him yet another way to spell - his favorite activity (aside from hassling Mama and Imogen while nursing, of course). I guess we'll be teaching Idgie sign language now so she can talk to her brother!

Here are a couple of cute videos of the kiddos for you. First, Elliot engaged in another favorite activity - watching Feist's "1234" video on YouTube. Then there's Imogen with the hiccups. What's more adorable than a baby with hiccups?



Hope y'all are having a lovely autumn. We've been enjoying the long Indian summer we're having here in Portland, and so is our cat, Rufus.

Now go rake some leaves!

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween! On Tuesday, Elliot and Mama carved the two pumpkins we brought home from the pumpkin patch a couple of weeks ago. Here is Rufus posing with the "scary jack-o-lantern" and the "happy jack-o-lantern".

We decorated the front porch with lights, scary skeletons, a thunder machine (thanks, Atman!), a strobe light (thanks again, Atman!), our jack-o-lanterns, and scary music in anticipation of many trick-or-treaters in our new neighborhood. Alas, we only had about 6 or 7 batches of kids. Ah well, more candy for us!

Despite losing one of our real chickens earlier in the week (RIP Dottie - Dixie is now all by herself and looking pathetic since she is molting - we hope she makes it through the winter), we had a very chicken-oriented Halloween. Elliot was a chicken, and Imogen was a baby chick. Here they are in all their poultry cuteness.






We took Elliot trick-or-treating for the first time. He liked ringing bells, but was a bit unclear on the whole concept. At one house, he inspected the candy, decided it wasn't worth his while, and set it back down on the doorstep. By the end of the few blocks he had figured it out, though. Here we are headed out into the night.



And here is Elliot eating his Mike-and-Ikes. He doesn't like chocolate, so it was nice that he got one thing he could enjoy. Yum, yum!

Hope y'all had a great Halloween. Boo!!

Ladybug Picnic

Our bedroom has been invaded by ladybugs. And there are a lot more than a dozen at this picnic! We had a couple of sunny Indian summer days this past week, and ladybugs were flying all over the place outside our second story window. However, we have no idea how they are getting inside said window. Here are a couple of shots of one corner of one window.

Now picture that over four corners of four window panes and you'll have an idea what we're dealing with here. And no matter how harmless they are, no one wants to feel something crawling on her neck at 3am. Elliot is enjoying catching them as they escape from the windowsill and putting them back on the panes. And Thomas continues to catch batches of them in Elliot's bug catching jars and releases them outside on the rose bushes.

My favorite ladybug moment so far (well, it's funny in retrospect) was when I was nursing Imogen on the bed a few days ago. Elliot was watching (his favorite activity) and asking, "Who's having nursie?". I said, "Imogen". And then Elliot said, "And who else?". And I said, "Mama is giving her nursie". And he said, "And who else?". I said, "No one". At which point Elliot said, "Ladybug is having nursie," and promptly dropped a ladybug on Imogen's face. In a completely disproportionate reaction, I shrieked and flung the ladybug across the room. Mother bear instinct, and all. It was only afterwards that I appreciated the planning Elliot must have put into his little joke - gathering the ladybug and holding her through the whole setup. What a card.

Anyhow, it could be worse. Like ants. Or termites. Or bees.

I'll leave you with some pictures of the adorable children.


1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12 ladybugs came to the ladybug picnic! Sheesh.

The Adventures of Chicken Boy and Acne Girl

We just had a most excellent visit with Bubba Joe and P. They made us meals, entertained the kiddos, and most importantly, painted our upstairs bathroom. It was a dingy, white 1950s addition on the house, and now it is a fresh, hip 1950s retro bathroom. We love the light blue and brown! Here they are showing off their handiwork in true Vanna style.

While Bubba Joe and P. were visiting, Elliot's Halloween costume arrived in the mail (thank you, Ebay). He decided he wanted to be a chicken (Imogen will be a baby chick - stay tuned!). Of course, he had to put the costume on right away. Here is the chicken boy clucking with glee.



Aunt Tess also visited us last weekend to attend the baby shower Pam threw for Brittney (which was great!). Here she is doing her best baby whispering.

She and Elliot also made up a very fun game, within minutes of her arrival.



In Imogen news, the girl currently has a raging case of baby acne. We still think she's beautiful, of course. Here she is, in a preview of her teenage years.

Stay tuned for Halloween pictures coming soon! Boo!!

Nothing Says Autumn Like the Pumpkin Patch

Elliot's preschool, School of Autism, went on a field trip yesterday to the pumpkin patch on Sauvie Island. The kids all had a blast on the hay ride out to the patch, where Elliot decided he wanted a green pumpkin. Here he is picking one out.

Also popular were the crazy-shaped gourds.

Elliot also enjoyed feeding hay to the goats, sheep, pigs, and rabbits in the animal barn and having a picnic snack with all his pals (though he had his eyes on the family eating Burgerville at the next table, which he decided would be much more delicious than his GFCF muffin!). Little sister Imogen slept through the entire affair.

Imogen turned 4 weeks old yesterday and will be one month old tomorrow. Go, girl! Here she is visiting with Nana, who left to go back to Colorado today (we already miss her!).

And here she is with Uncle Mike, who swore he wouldn't hold a baby under one year old. He got caught off guard when Thomas handed her to him to hold while he did something else! It worked out alright, as you can see.

And finally, here's Elliot playing with the super swell characters from Jack's Big Music Show that Nona made for him. He loves them a little too much...

Now we're looking forward to the arrival of Bubba Joe and P. this week. And here's a shout out to all the wonderful mamas who have made us dinner over the past few weeks - y'all are awesome!

Everyone Needs More Birthday

As if the excitement of his actual birthday weren't enough, we had a kids' birthday party for Elliot last weekend. The party was all things bug, and here's a picture of the semi-disastrous ladybug cake that Mama and Nana made (at least it was yummy!).

Elliot had a blast with all of his pals. He especially liked the "Happy Birthday" song, though he was a little unclear on the concept of candles, as you can see.



Elliot has also been having a great time visiting with Nana this week. Here they are having an afternoon of trampoline fun.


And of course Imogen is still all the rage around the McElroy household. Here she is being adored by Mama and Elliot.


Elliot's school is going on their first field trip this Friday, to the pumpkin patch on Sauvie Island. So stay tuned for some very autumny and Halloweeny pics soon!

Happy Birthday!

Elliot turned four years old yesterday - Happy Birthday, Elliot! He had a wonderful day. Mama made gluten-free, casein-free cupcakes for him to bring to preschool, which were a big hit (especially the Skittles on top!). Then we picked up Nana at the airport in the afternoon and had Elliot's favorite meal - Burgerville - for dinner. Finally, once properly hopped up on sugar and french fries, Elliot opened piles of presents. Here he is happily singing the alphabet song while working on one of his new puzzles.



The day was enough to wear anyone out!


Actually, that's Elliot passed out on the playroom floor after a huge tantrum a few days ago. But we'll pretend it's birthday bliss, instead. And yes, Imogen really does continue to sleep when placed on the changing table. At least until the diaper comes off!

Imogen turned 3 weeks old today. She's still a happy, sleepy baby most of the time. Here she is during a rare wakeful moment.

Also in the news, Thomas installed a rock climbing wall on the back of our garage. He's very pleased with himself, as you can see.


Now if it would just stop raining.

The Men in Her Life

Since Thomas has been complaining that there are no pictures of him on this blog yet, here is proud Papa snuggling with little Imogen.


Big brother Elliot got to hold Imogen for the first time this past weekend, now that he's over his cold. Idgie was ok with it at first, and then the crying began. Elliot is really great with her and likes to give her hugs and kisses when she cries. Here he is looking cute and concerned.

We also took a little video of the siblings' first snuggle. Enjoy!

Spelling and Pronunciation

My kiddos are going to be just like me - doomed to have their names either misspelled or mispronounced for the rest of their lives. I've cursed them! Since some of you have been asking about Imogen's name, here is a little background on the names of both kiddos.

Elliot's name (not spelled like Elliott from E.T., or like Eliot Hall of our Reed days, or T.S. Eliot, or Elliott Smith) is Hebrew and means "My god is the lord". Which has exactly nothing to do with why we picked it - we just liked it. His middle name is Mitchell, named for his uncle who died in 1999. Mitchell is also Hebrew and means "Who is like god?". Maybe Elliot will be a priest when he grows up. Or an atheist. Here's the trouble maker himself, snuggling with Mama a few days before his little sister was born.

Imogen's name is pronounced ihm-uh-gene and does not have an "e" on the end. It's a Gaelic name and means "maiden". Her middle name, Norah, is in honor of Thomas's aunt Honora who died this past year. It is an English name meaning "woman of honor". I'm sure she'll be an absolute angel, no trouble at all, as a teenager. We're calling her by the nickname "Idgie", which we shamelessly stole from the movie Fried Green Tomatoes. Here she is having an herbal bath with Mama a few days after coming home.


Now I'm going to get back to making sure no one spells my name like a spaniel, or a province in France, or, heaven forbid, a certain pop star.

Welcome Imogen!

The newest member of the McElroy family, Imogen Norah, arrived in the world on Friday, September 14th, at 11:33am. She weighed 6 lbs, 5 oz, and was 19 1/4 inches long. She came fast and furious, after 10 hours of slow labor and 1 1/2 hours of intense labor for Mama. Here she is at one hour old.


Imogen came home the next day to adoring big brother Elliot and has been kept good company this week by Mama, Papa, and Aunt Kate, and several friends and family members who have stopped by to meet her. So far, she spends a lot of time like this:



Poor Elliot was sick with a cold all week, but now he can finally get close enough to enjoy his new little sister.


Mama will be on her own with the two kiddos for the first time on Monday, so stay tuned for the adventures that are sure to come!