She knows she is. She's sure she is. She's H-A-P-P-Y!
A special visitor is coming!
Eleanor is pumped for Grammy Cheryl's visit this weekend. Now she isn't monkeying around about that!
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| I get to wake up to THIS every morning! How blessed am I? |
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| Thanks for the sock monkey jammies and lovey Grammy! |
My Cool Jumperoo
Mommy put me in a cool new toy she called the Jumperoo. She said cousin Lucas had tons of fun using it and that I would too. My legs are still a bit short for it, and they don't quite touch the ground. However, with the support of a pillow beneath my feet, I manage to still have an awesome good time. I especially enjoy the yellow monkey hanging from the jungle trees. Woah, I can hardly wait until I can actually jump in my 'roo! Mommy says I'll be a jumping queen!
Love,
E. Claire
Love,
E. Claire
A Shower for Desmond
Last weekend we had the pleasure of honoring Baby Desmond and showering Sam and Hector with much love! Meg, Danny, Kyle, and I hosted a party to celebrate Desmond's impending arrival. There were giraffe decorations everywhere, yummy treats, hand decorated onesies and burp cloths, and lots of folks ready to welcome Desmond. Little Hector Desmond will be here in no time at all, and we couldn't be more excited for the fantastic parents-to-be. See you March 5th, or somewhere around then, Desmond! We can't wait to snuggle you.
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| Beautiful Momma (and my sweet friends) |
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| Crafting Success |
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| Desmond's Mommy and Daddy |
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| Thank you, Kyle, for saving the day with these D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S desserts! You are the best. |
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| Love These Two |
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| Parenthood looks like it will fit Danny well. |
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| Eleanor was trying not to steal the show, but that's asking a lot. |
Eleanor's First Snow
It was nineteen degrees this morning, and there were beautiful white blankets covering the ground. We almost had to cancel our coffee date with new friends. Luckily, the sun came out and melted enough snow so that we could venture out safely.
Although Eleanor is still too young to appreciate the snow or even know what it is, we're excited about the day when we can go sledding with her and make snow angels together. And, of course, we'll teach her all about wearing her pajamas inside out, which almost always guarantees a snow day around here.
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| She's already the cutest snow bunny that I've ever seen! |
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| Family Portrait |
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| Snow showers are fun! |
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| "Mommy, it's cold. Put away the camera, and just put me in the car already, please." |
My Movie Date
There's a theatre nearby that does "Mommy and Me" showings once a month. They keep the lights dimmed and lower the volume to make it more welcoming for mothers and their babies. It has been frigid and in the twenties lately, so outdoor activities haven't been an option. However, a movie was a great alternative that still allowed us to get out of the house. Eleanor and I checked out yesterday's feature, "Les Mis." The off and on cries, spilled Cheerios, strollers parked in the aisle, and impromptu diaper changes made for an interesting theatre experience, but they didn't bother us a bit. In fact, Eleanor slept through most of the movie on my lap. She made a fantastic date, and I'm already looking forward to taking her to another flick!
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| Eleanor was very comfy in her sleeper pajamas. If only I could wear a pair to the theatre too. |
I'm a Sports Fan
Gooooooo Bulldogs!
Mommy says I should root for Samford... except when they're playing Furman! Then, it's Paladin time! Good thing I look cute in red AND purple!
Love,
E. Claire
P.S. Thanks for the bib Aunt Kate!
Mommy says I should root for Samford... except when they're playing Furman! Then, it's Paladin time! Good thing I look cute in red AND purple!
Love,
E. Claire
P.S. Thanks for the bib Aunt Kate!
Playtime Questions
Suddenly a Bumbo fan? Maybe.
Always a fan of rattling elephant feet? Most certainly!
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| Thanks for sharing your elephant booties with me Millie! |
Back to Tummy
Today Eleanor rolled over from her back to her tummy for the first time on her own. Something tells me that she was saving this trick in her back pocket and waiting for the perfect day to debut it! Happy Birthday, Unc Unc!
Just 'Cause...
Eleanor looks so, so, so stinkin' cute in her footie pajamas!
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| Concentrating and Playing |
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| Awwwww! |
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| Looking at this picture brings me joy! |
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| We have more than gotten our money's worth out of this play mat from Craigslist. |
From Swaddles to Sleepers
Now that Eleanor is strong enough to roll over, she has powerful chest and neck muscles that allow her to partly pull up her body. Anyway, this posed a problem when she was swaddled at night because Eleanor couldn't return to her back since her arms were restrained. So, we stopped swaddling Eleanor. After a week of very little sleep (for me and E), I realized that Eleanor didn't have enough room in the bassinet with her arms and legs free.
Next, we moved her from the bassinet to her crib. Yes, she is now sleeping in her nursery and not beside Mommy. It's nice being able to rely on the monitor, but I'm also sad that Eleanor doesn't need me so close anymore. In terms of her bedtime routine, she still has an evening bath and feeding, and she uses her Sleep Sheep sound machine when we put her down (around 9:30-10:00 p.m.). Her lullabies play softly throughout the night to help muffle other sounds that could wake her. Eleanor's sleep sack and sleeper pajamas keep her nice and cozy in her nursery, and I find peace knowing that her crib is the best place for her now.
Eleanor is still sleeping well for 8-12 hours, but we're having to get up to give her paci and move her from the crib railing back to the center of her mattress. When she's too fussy to have anything to do with her crib, Eleanor loves sleeping in our bed right between me and Kyle. In fact, she snuggles right up to me, and sleeps like a rock there. Don't worry; we're not letting it become a habit, but it is nice to have this trick in our back pocket when we're desperate for some zzz's.
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| This Summer sleep sack is my favorite because it has two zippers, which allows you to easily open it from top to bottom or vis versa. |
Next, we moved her from the bassinet to her crib. Yes, she is now sleeping in her nursery and not beside Mommy. It's nice being able to rely on the monitor, but I'm also sad that Eleanor doesn't need me so close anymore. In terms of her bedtime routine, she still has an evening bath and feeding, and she uses her Sleep Sheep sound machine when we put her down (around 9:30-10:00 p.m.). Her lullabies play softly throughout the night to help muffle other sounds that could wake her. Eleanor's sleep sack and sleeper pajamas keep her nice and cozy in her nursery, and I find peace knowing that her crib is the best place for her now.
Eleanor is still sleeping well for 8-12 hours, but we're having to get up to give her paci and move her from the crib railing back to the center of her mattress. When she's too fussy to have anything to do with her crib, Eleanor loves sleeping in our bed right between me and Kyle. In fact, she snuggles right up to me, and sleeps like a rock there. Don't worry; we're not letting it become a habit, but it is nice to have this trick in our back pocket when we're desperate for some zzz's.
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| Baby girl's growing up in her big girl crib. |
Mid-Fifties Means Walk Time
Considering it's usually in the thirties, this is pretty warm for Virginia weather in January. So, Eleanor and I made walking a priority today. The dogs were so glad we did.
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| Eleanor sported two of her new Christmas gifts- her cupcake hat knitted by Auntie Reba and her Bible verse bib from Aunt Debby, Uncle Jim and Cousin Justin. Eleanor loves being reminded of her family! |
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| Can you tell why I call this Eleanor's cupcake hat? |
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| This is what an hour long stroll does to Sugar! |
Look Who's Four Months Old!
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| My Sweetie Girl is getting sooooo big! |
Date: January 9, 2013
Weight: 12 lbs. and 3 oz. (12th percentile)
Height: 24 in. (31th percentile)
Developmental Happenings: turns head to the direction of noises or when called by Mommy, still sleeps 7-10 hours at night (but without a swaddle now), laughs at silly noises and faces, smiles in response to strangers' "hellos", sucks on fingers and fists, prefers Avent pacifier to Soothie, enjoys being worn in Baby Bjorn when facing the world, rolls over from tummy to back and halfway from back to tummy, likes sleeping on her side or at least with the side of her face touching something soft, snuggles to sleep in Mommy's arms when she's tired and the lights are low, stands and stomps while being held, sits up with support in Mommy or Daddy's lap, can be held on a hip without needing head support, still super squirmy with crazy kicking legs when layed down, intensely focuses on toys and actually grabs and pulls them, enjoys playing with fabrics and loveys, captivated by rattles and other fun noises, communicates less by wailing and more by whiny crying, makes a huge and open mouth smile when she is extra happy and playful, lasts longer without crying during tummy time, fewer messy diapers, tries to pull herself up and doesn't like being strapped into her carseat, growing blonde hair to replace the dark patches on her head, hangs on to toes
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| Honey, who shrunk Lexi Bear? |
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| There's that personality I love! |
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