As Eleanor begins to smile more and more, her smiles have remained elusive to our camera. I finally caught some sleepy smiles as she was waking up. Mornings seem to be her “happy time.” She coos, smiles, and loves to play. Will she be a morning person? Still too early to say.
This weekend Ben and I celebrated our 26th birthdays with a visit to Chicago. My sister Lindsey lives there, and we spent much of our time enjoying her company amidst the backdrop of some of the greatest architecture on the planet. Eleanor was a superb example of good babyness and slept through both flights, except for a little time she enjoyed listening to Ben’s Ipod (see photo below). Some of the highlights of our trip were:
• Taking in the architecture aboard a guided river cruise
• Touring the home and studio of Frank Lloyd Wright in Oak Park
• Making Ellie wear a silly Bear Hat all weekend to stay warm
• Chai Tea French Toast at Lindsey’s restaurant and Soy Mocha’s at Intellegentsia
• Eating Deep Dish Chicago-style pizza with Marissa and Jim
All in all we enjoyed our trip to Chi-town (yes I know locals hate that, but I like it.) Ben took about 200 pictures of buildings and would love to talk to you about them. I got to spend quality time with my fantastic sister, and Ellie got to look like a bear, What more could you ask for in a vacation?
Someone asked me yesterday if the two months of life with Eleanor have gone by fast. I thought about my answer and I realized that it is becoming harder and harder to remember life without her. It seems like I’ve known her all my life because she has so quickly become a part of myself, my world isn’t complete without her. I am so thankful to God for the blessing of a little person to care for. Maybe only moms can understand this, but I love spending time with Ellie. Everyday, I think about how much I enjoy being a mom, and not just any mom, but HER mom. Sometimes when Ellie and I are alone during the day, perhaps driving somewhere, I talk to her and I think about how much I enjoy her company. We are good friends in that way. We enjoy quiet moments together and hanging out with no agenda, expectations, or false pretenses. Our relationship will undoubtedly change as Eleanor grows up, but maybe one day we will be good friends again.
Below are some pictures of Ellie from the past couple weeks.
Eleanor posing for fall photos on her two month birthday.
Mommy’s favorite thing to wake up to.
Ready for a cold day in Chicago.
Ellie with the Hippos at the SD Zoo
Eleanor recently had another baby shower in her honor. While we were at Grandma Ruth’s house we took these photos of the four generations of Mothers and daughters. Some of my own favorite photos from my childhood are the pictures of Rebekah and me with our Great Grandma Maggie. I know that someday Eleanor will treasure her pictures with her Great Grandma Clara, Grandma Ruth, and Grandma Pat. I’m hoping that she can meet her two other great grandmas, Bobbie and Iris, very soon.
Ellie with “Great” Grandma Clara, my mom’s mom.
Four Generations of Juli’s family.
What a lucky girl to have such great grandmas. Here’s Ellie with Pat (Ben’s mom), Ruth (Juli’s mom), and Clara (Ruth’s mom).
This Little Piggy-The World of Ellie Bear, Lulu, and Cubby 