Baby Eleni Lynn

Miami Seaquarium Adventures

2009-07-06T15:46:00.000-07:00

Eleni went to the Miami Seaquarium (think smaller version of Seaworld) last weekend. She was so inspired by the Destin Dolphinarium (?) that she had to see some marine mammals of her own. Aside from the somewhat depressing living conditions for the huge orca (teeny tiny tank shared with three rowdy dolphins) the park was lots of fun.

The dolphin in the picture below looks like part of the Miami Seaquarium logo in the background, but it was one of the frisky little NW Pacific dolphins frolicking around the tank! These guys were way cuter and more agile than the boring old bottle-nose Flippers.

Apparently you are best suited to train marine mammals if you are a thin, cute, perky blonde between the ages of 19 and 24:

Look at this long hair! She looks like a little woman, it is somewhat disturbing:

Here we can see the Hankollari nose blooming on Eleni's face...

xoxo! Thanks for reading! Eleni will be coming to Albania (Permet and Backa) in September!

(Eleni do iki ne Permet dhe Backa ne Shtator!)

Snapshots from the Week

2009-04-11T10:45:00.000-07:00

Here's a handful of random shots from the week.

We'll start with one of Eleni at her best...she is mid-tantrum. Obviously looks like she is totally miserable and being beaten by her parents, but really I just told her she couldn't have cookies for breakfast. What a drama queen.

Here's Deni, her placid little brother. Nothing can bother this kid! Too cute.

Eleni the loving older sister plants a kiss on Deni's puzzled forehead:

Someone feels much better, even without getting those cookies!

Thanks for reading!

Baby Deni Update

2009-04-04T15:00:00.001-07:00

At just over three months old, Baby Deni (sorry for the earlier name confusion...it's Deni, not Danny/Daniel) is growing fast! He's a chubby little nugget and Eleni loves him very much, when she's not consumed with jealousy over the attention he gets from his family :)

Below is Eleni's Jealous Face...she does not like sharing her grandpa with a new baby!

Stay tuned for more updates!

Day at the Beach!

2009-04-04T14:10:00.001-07:00

Uncle Lulian and Aunt Lizzy took Eleni to South Beach on Saturday. She really enjoyed the new fountains near South Point, and loved the ocean even though the waves scared her a little bit :)

By the way, I can never figure out how to put the pictures into a post in the order I want...I meant for the first picture to be last, and the last to be first, so scroll to the bottom and look at them in reverse!

Eleni, looking cute at the end of the day:

Save me, Aunt Lizzy!

Oh no, the water's too high!

Eleni liked this fountain at first...

Safe from the water with Xhaxhi Luli!

Brave Eleni in the fountain

We caught her dipping her fingers in after crying like a baby at first

Yippee!

Here's Lizzy trying to get Eleni to go in the fountain.

Eleni, posing on the stairs for the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue: The Toddler Version

Looking like a wet rat with Uncle Luli:

A true Permetar, Eleni was not terribly fond of the water at first:

Getting rained on!

Making friends

Checking out the air traffic:

Taking a contemplative stroll in the sand:

Beautiful day!

Spotted by Lulian the paparrazzo:

On the way to the sand! The clouds were to the north, we stayed dry until we hit the waves:

Thanks for reading!

Ponytails and Cereal

2009-03-28T08:19:00.000-07:00

We've been very busy around here with architecture projects, medical school and a new baby Hankollari (pictures of him are coming!)

Eleni has been busy growing out her luxurious hair, growing taller and thinner every day, and trying new foods like cereal. Her favorite food is still Uncle Luli's pizza :)

Come back soon for new pictures of Eleni and her little brother Deni together.

Welcome, Deni!

2008-12-30T18:46:00.000-08:00

Daily Routine!

2008-12-06T18:15:00.000-08:00

I guess it is true, Albanians will eat anything!

Helping grandma' making the bread.

She is catching the cooking bug at an early age!

She is starting to show her real roots by chewing even the bone!

Hey everyone! We are back!

2008-11-30T16:28:00.000-08:00

We have been a little busy lately, but we have some exciting moments to share with you. Stay tuned, we will be right back!

Cell Phone Update: MetroMover Ride

2008-10-11T15:09:00.001-07:00

Eleni is a city girl. She takes the MetroMover train to and from daycare every day! Lulian and I picked her up the other day and on the ride back we snagged some sweet seats in the front of the car. It looked like we were floating over the city on our ride home:

Eleni's latest word (in addition to everyone's names, "baby", and "two"): yogurt (or "yogi", as Eleni calls it!).

New Video!

2008-09-27T09:19:00.000-07:00

Please enjoy this clip of Eleni singing a song taught to her by her favorite babysitter that's not directly related to her, Megan! Then watch as she polishes her soccer skills with Uncle Luli and her dad. Don't be fooled; the soccer clip looks like it was filmed on top of the San Andreas fault line during a massive earthquake, but it was in fact filmed in a Miami high-rise apartment.

A Classic Eleni Moment!

2008-09-12T08:16:00.000-07:00

Children's Museum

2008-09-06T07:16:00.000-07:00

Uncle Luli took Eleni on a little field trip to the Miami Children's Museum....

Eleni was a little scared of the huge animal hanging from the ceiling...the large dolphin in one of the following photos.

"Luli, get in here and see this!"

Splashing in the fish tank (full of plastic goldfish).

Here she is checking out the real fish:

Trying to hang out with the big kids playing dress-up:

Shopping!

Gone fishin'!

The huge scary dolphin that Eleni was afraid of:

Behind the wheel...get outta the way:

More fish:

Walking the plank!

Up the stairs, all by herself:

See you soon!

ELENI EATS SPAGHETTI!

2008-09-01T09:24:00.001-07:00

Eleni has finally trained her human captors how to feed her. All this time, it seemed she wanted Uncle Luli's ragu! Here she is, devouring a pile of spaghetti with meat sauce. She was even kind enough to share with her friend Viola and Uncle Luli.

Come back tomorrow for more updates! Sorry for the long hiatus, Uncle Luli has been a busy student all summer!

ooo?!!! Lizzy is back?!!!

2008-08-05T13:40:00.000-07:00

Latest Outfit.

2008-07-24T06:31:00.000-07:00

The band is taking a break for a while. Everyone is working on their solo projects, therefore no more rehearsals for now. There is talk of a reunion though. Rehearsals for the tour start August 1st.

Band Rehearsals

2008-07-02T18:38:00.000-07:00

One of Eleni's favorite people!

2008-06-04T16:58:00.000-07:00

She happens to be her favorite babysitter! Next to her uncle Luli!

New Help!

2008-05-17T12:31:00.000-07:00

We recently hired new help and aside from the language barrier, we are very happy with her!

Auditioning for Gilligan's Island kids show!

2008-05-07T08:27:00.000-07:00

Eleni and her goofy faces. Vintage!

2008-05-01T17:28:00.000-07:00

Special Message from Bubs!

2008-04-24T17:20:00.000-07:00

Uncle Lulian has been working feverishly on final projects and exams for the spring semester. With less than a week to go, he needs a little extra motivation. Special Guest Blogger Bubs passes along the following message:

Luli,

I know right know you may feel like this:

Or, maybe even like this:

And I bet you wish that instead of studying, you could be doing this:

Or maybe this:

But don't worry. You're less than a week away from straight As! And then you will feel like this:

Love,
Bubs
xoxo

Cell phone photo update. Vintage!

2008-04-19T22:00:00.000-07:00

Hankollaris hypnotized by Bubs and Chubs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Little Helper

2008-04-15T17:46:00.000-07:00

Since taking to the ground running, Eleni has been getting into everything in her quest for entertainment and nourishment.

Here she is, contemplating her next move:

Why not help Grandma unload the dishes?

Let me get that for you!

Next mission: FIND FOOD

Yum, cucumber! How else do you think I keep my girlish figure?

Hey, this thing looks like fun:

My work here is done!

Eleni speaks. Finally!

2008-04-10T21:53:00.000-07:00

She's got a smart mouth. Just like her Uncle Luli.

Splish Splash!

2008-04-06T08:02:00.000-07:00

For her first birthday, Eleni received an inflatable kiddie pool from one of her generous friends! She brought it with her on a visit to Lizzy's house. The water was a little cold, but Eleni managed to convince her elders to tote buckets of warm water from the shower to add to her pool. Ridiculous but true!

At first, unsure:

Aunt Lizzy gives a splashing demonstration:

Looks like fun! I'll try it:

When the water was warm enough for Her Highness, she got in:

Oh man, this is great!! What was I waiting for?

Jolly grins:

Come on in, the water's fine!

Handy hide-and-seek bucket:

Note to self: no pet fish for Eleni...she likes to throw them out of the water.

Sleepy girl:

Not pictured here: the poopy water after we stupidly took off her (loaded) swim diaper while Eleni stood in the pool, the 45 minute tantrum during her bath afterwards, and the messy watermelon-eating at lunchtime.

What a fun day!

Recent Recap

2008-04-03T07:06:00.000-07:00

Check out these recent pictures of Eleni & co:

Snoozing with Dad before he goes to work:

Chillin' out with G-ma on the balcony:

Little purple lady:

Is it too soon to potty train??

YAY! LIZZY'S BACK!!

I missed you, now let me chew your cheek (she's working on kissing):

Ben looks like a referee in this vintage pic:

Ugh, Mom, come on, not in front of my friends (another old one):

Cheeeeeese-y grin (this one's old, no teeth on top yet!):

In other news, Lizzy and Luli did a test-run of a delicious recipe that they hope to share with MK, Megan and Gayle when they come to Miami for a day before they fly out to Paris! We will also set a place for Em who is flying out of New York. Sorry Milli! We'll eat your share!

Eleni out on a friday night

2008-03-29T16:08:00.000-07:00

Out on the Town

2008-03-27T19:48:00.001-07:00

Liz and Luli took Eleni out for a quick walk on Lincoln Road on South Beach this week. Eleni had fun barking at passing dogs and staring at street performers! She also demonstrated her mastery of peekaboo.

Check out her top teeth in the last picture!

First Birthday in Pictures

2008-03-27T19:20:00.000-07:00

On Sunday Eleni celebrated her first birthday (officially on March 24) with her parents, grandparents, and many neighbors and friends. Here's a recap in pictures (the video is in the post below!):

Oh, look at me, I'm so lovely in my pink birthday dress:

Kisses from Grandpa:

Eleni loves balloons (here she is with Grandma):

Is this the beginning of something wonderful??

Not if Eleni has anything to say about it! (Sorry Erik!):

Eleni was puzzled and alarmed by her blazing birthday cake:

Uh, what do I do now?

Uncle Luli showed her how to enjoy the cake:

CAKE FACE

Sneaking a peek at the camera:

Check out my front teeth!

With Aunt Elidiona:

Presents and cards!

Where's Eleni?

THERE SHE IS!

More cards...

New bib!

The lovely Albanian ladies:

Happy birthday Eleni! Thanks to all her friends for the gifts and their company at the party!

Birthday Party!

2008-03-27T15:40:00.000-07:00

Update Coming Soon...

2008-03-26T14:49:00.000-07:00

Stay tuned for an update in the next 48 hours involving the following thrilling events:

1. Roseola Outbreak
2. First Birthday Extravaganza (7 racks of lamb + 10 bottles of wine?!)
3. First Steps--on video!
4. To Shave or Not To Shave Eleni's Head?

Be patient! We're working on it!

Average Weekday with Eleni

2008-03-13T20:17:00.001-07:00

Eleni doesn't get out and about during the work week. We don't have any fun weekend pictures either; Luli and Liz have been very busy with papers and tests lately. Here are some pictures from Eleni's average weekday with Grandma.

Checking out the bathtub before getting in (no sharks!):

Splashing with Mommy!

She really loves her baths...clap clap!

More zealous clapping:

Clean and contemplative before bedtime:

Earlier in the day, trying to feed her dollie:

Trying to figure out which way the spoon goes:

Gangsta Eleni Lynn rules the streets of Miami:

Learnin' her Aunt Lizzy some farm animals:

Focused reader Eleni:

We're going to show that little girl on the Today Show who can read!!

Leave us a comment! Sorry it's been so long since the last update! If the weather permits an outing this weekend, we'll have something else to post on Monday!

Locomotion

2008-02-23T17:25:00.000-08:00

On Saturday, Eleni took advantage of the beautiful weather and took her Uncle Lulian and Aunt Liz to the park on Key Biscayne. She suggested they rent a Surrey (or a "4-cycle", as Lulian calls it), and her uncle was happy to oblige.

Here are the happy travelers early on the trail:

Eleni was loving the cool ocean breezes (similar to those experienced during X-Marks-The-Spot):

Cute sweaty neck as the hour went on:

Eleni was pointing at birds all day...or perhaps telling us how old she is (practicing for next month's birthday):

Being pushed around by two out of shape adults really wears a girl out. Water break!

(most of the water was consumed by her t-shirt....)

Here's the money shot:

Here we were picking up some speed, and Eleni was throwing her arms out like she was on a roller coaster:

Here she is pointing out native flora and fauna to Aunt Liz:

Eventually Princess Eleni grew tired of the constant photography:

She ignored us and examined the mechanism of the Surrey wheels:

By the end of the trail, Eleni was wiped out and looking for a cold one:

Waiting to take the bike back in...

Later on at dinner with Aunt Elidiona, here for a visit:

After dinner, she took her Dad for a walk:

Look at the ground clearance on that step! March, comrade:

Delicate lady-steps:

All in all, a great day...

See you soon!

Movin' and Groovin'

2008-02-20T19:27:00.000-08:00

Eleni has been practicing standing up on her own:

She hasn't managed walking alone yet, but she sure likes to move around:

Want to cha-cha??

See you soon! Thanks for coming by my blog, y'all!

Gelato and Playtime at Grandma's

2008-02-19T20:54:00.000-08:00

After a few splashes in the (highly chlorinated) public fountain, Eleni continued on to the gelateria (ice cream shop for you Americans). She had a bite of chocolate goodness and played some silly games with her Aunt Lizzy:

She shows off her first two teeth to Uncle Luli's camera:

More silly games at Grandma's house. Like the tilt-your-head game....

...and of course, America's pastime...

...and eating (another one of America's pastimes). Here she has an orange wedge.

No pictures, please!

That's enough updates for today! Bye-bye!

Swinging in the Keys and Playing in the Fountain

2008-02-19T20:11:00.000-08:00

Here are some recent photos of Eleni from her day trip to the Keys. The fountain she loves to splash in is on the way to the gelato place, where Eleni likes to hang out and pick up cute boys. Just kidding! She actually likes to eat gelato and make funny faces. And splash in the fountain.

MEEM Concert

2008-02-12T08:36:00.000-08:00

On Monday afternoon, Uncle Luli took Eleni to the medical campus for a concert by MEEM, a group of talented musically-inclined medical students. Eleni had a lot of fun dancing and clapping her hands (although usually at the wrong times) and made lots of new friends. She was quite impressed with Colleen's bouncing game.

Heidi showed Eleni how to warm up her face muscles for an on-stage performance ("Grape.....raisin! Grape.....").

Eleni looks a bit confused in the last picture, but she had a great time. We forgot the camera so we only have the shots someone else took (thanks to Matt M. for that!). We don't have any pictures of Eleni playing with a 5-year-old girl named Samara, who was very eager to take her home and have a little baby all her own...

Adventures with Eleni

2008-02-06T20:39:00.000-08:00

Recent Events Recap

2008-02-05T07:40:00.000-08:00

Showing off her new noise when the planes fly by: OOOOOOOOOH!

With Uncle Luli, looking puzzled but precious at the piano at a recent wedding:

At the park, looking unimpressed and slightly annoyed:

Coming in for her close-up:

We're waiting for the call from Regis and Kelly this week. Eleni has kindly cleared her schedule for next Monday when we anticipate arriving in NYC for the crowning of America's Most Beautiful Baby. Looking forward to seeing cousin Sam there too!

Vintage Eleni

2008-02-03T18:20:00.001-08:00

Early Days

2008-01-31T14:40:00.000-08:00

Welcome to Eleni Lynn's website! We will post pictures and videos to keep you updated on her most fascinating moments...from crawling around on the floor to screaming at bathtime, you won't miss a thing!