To Eleanor: Month Two

Dear Eleanor,

If it's possible, I think your second month of life has gone even faster than the first one did! Time is going too fast, and soon I'll have to go back to work. But I've tried my hardest not to dwell on that, and instead soak up all the time I have left with you at home.

We've gotten much more acquainted with each other this month. I was so thankful to have Daddy stay at home with us during your first week, and then Grammie during your second week. But now we are solidly on our own, and I think we're doing pretty darn well! We have a pretty good little routine down and I am loving it! I try to have at least one thing planned for each day- even if it's just a trip to Target or a friend stopping by. You are my little shopping buddy! It's so easy to just stick your car seat in the shopping cart and walk around the store. I get out of the house & get a tiny bit of exercise, and you usually sleep. Perfect!

We survived your first round of shots at your 2 month doctors appointment. I was prepared, and I think I handled everything really well- no tears from me, just you! You're still pretty tiny, but you're 9lbs 8oz this month! That's almost 3lbs gained since you were born- way to go baby girl!

You have started crying real tears this month. It's so sad to see your little pouty face and huge tears run down your face! Thankfully, that only happens when you're REALLY mad, which isn't too often.

You hit another big milestone- you are now out of your newborn clothes! I'll be honest, it was a little sad to pack up all your sweet little pants and onesies. But who would have thought you would be 2 months old and just now outgrowing your newborn wear?

I am just loving being your Mama, little girl! You are, by far, the greatest accomplishment of our lives!

{Our 2 month picture together never happened. We had a hard enough time just getting this picture!}

Love,
Mommy

Snow day!

Rich has been wanting a snow day SO badly, but his school rarely ever closes. Stinkin' farm kids!!! But my sweet hubby got lucky today and got the call at 5am that school was cancelled!

He has also been able to get good use out of his snow blower this season. My parents gave it to him last Spring after finding a great deal at a hardware store that was closing. It's definitely a lot easier to clear the snow with the snow blower rather than shovel- especially since we live on a corner lot!

So other than snow blowing, the three of us hung out and watched movies/The Food Network and took naps! It was a wonderful day together, and I am definitely looking forward to Rich's spring break already!

Here are a few cute sleepy pictures of my loves:

9 months of baby bump!

I wanted to have all of my "bump" pictures in one post so that I can see the progression. Here we go...watch me grow!

Visit with Uncle Dan & Aunt Kayla

A few weekends ago now we were invited over to Dan & Kayla's new house in Palatine. Technically this was Eleanor's second time at their house, but the first time was on moving day!

Kayla made us a delicious dinner & we watched a movie together. Very relaxing! Eleanor was a champ and slept almost the entire time we were there! Here are a few pictures from our visit:

Visit to Milwaukee

Today we took Eleanor on her first trip across state lines! Although to be fair, we only live about 25 min from the Wisconsin border. My great Aunt & Uncle (on my Dad's side) were thrilled to meet their great GREAT niece!

Here are some pictures from our visit!

Blogger App

Okay people- I have had a revelation! Apparently there is an app for the iPhone that let's you update your blog from your phone! Perfect! Maybe this will help me be more consistent...or at least post more cute baby pictures!

Posts coming up:
Ellie's birth story
Letters to Eleanor- Month 1

To Eleanor: Month One

Welcome to the world Eleanor!

Dear Eleanor,

How is it possible that you have been here for an entire month already? While the day you were born did not go exactly like I had imagined, having you as a part of our family has been even more incredible than I ever thought possible. I was so eager to meet you, and yet so completely exhausted by the time I was finally able to!

Your first picture with Daddy

Definitely not my best photo, but it was our first together

We had so many people that already love you come visit us as the hospital. It was so fun being able to show you off to everyone, and we all agree that you are perfect in every way! We had wonderful nurses who took such great care of us all. We were in the hospital Thursday (the day you were born) through Monday morning. You went to the nursery every night except for the last one. Sorry baby girl, but Mama needed some sleep! 

Getting your hair washed- you love it!

Two of our favorite nurses- Jo Jo & Kathy!

Proud Papa

Right from the beginning, you've been a good eater. Breastfeeding has been going really well, and I am extremely happy about that. I love having those quiet moments with you, even if I do feel like a dairy cow most some days. You are a pokey little eater and fall asleep most of the time. I am constantly tickling you and blowing on your face trying to keep you awake! But seeing your little eyes looking up at me, and hearing your little grunts while you eat is just so precious. I don't think that makes sense to anyone else, but I absolutely watching your little fingers curl up around me and slowly relax as you fall asleep.

You screamed through your first bath at home, but you absolutely love having your hair washed! While we were still in the hospital, I asked one of my favorite nurses (Kathy) to wash your hair before your photo shoot. She warned me that babies either absolutely LOVE having their hair washed, or they completely flip out. I was eager to see which you would be- and you loved it! It's the funniest thing to watch you immediately relax once I start massaging your head. Lucky for you, we do a lot of hair washing! It gets pretty greasy with all the touching it receives. Oh, that hair! I couldn't have been more surprised to see you come out with so much dark hair. It's usually in a little baby fauxhawk, which is hilarious. You look so sweet with all your little headbands, although you're so tiny, hardly any of them fit yet!

Still pretty exhausted, but loving our snuggles!

Going home from the hospital!

Speaking of being tiny- you are such a peanut! Weighing in at 6lbs 9oz when you were born, you definitely surprised us all! I knew you would be on the smaller side based on our ultrasounds, but I never expected you to be under 7lbs. We didn't even have clothes small enough to fit you. Aunt Lo & Aunt Ashley had to go out and buy you newborn sized outfits to take you home in. You may be small, but you already move like crazy. You have a strong startle reflex, so you love being swaddled. When your arms are unwrapped, they are usually waving all over the place. You didn't lose much weight after birth, and you're gaining weight just fine. Your doctor did ask me to make sure to feed you every 3 hours though, which has made it hard to get much done!

 

 

Sweet little Ellie, I love you with my whole heart and I have since the moment I heard your sweet little screams in the operating room. People had told me that this kind of "Mama love" would be the most intense kind of love, and I though I understood exactly what they meant. But my goodness- now I realize how much I didn't fully understand. Until now. I could sit and look at you for hours, and my heart is just so full. I am so thankful that you are finally here! You made me a mom, and I just couldn't be happier to be yours.

Love,
Mommy