My Book Lover

Michigan Visitors!

Last weekend our good friends the DeLanges came to visit!  I was dying to see them especially because laurel had a baby three weeks before I had Eleanor and I could not wait to meet little Leah!

Unfortunately their two year old Briana, was just over being sick and she was a little crabby and tired a majority of their trip.  It made us all pretty tired and so we mostly just relaxed, but you can't do much more with four kids anyway! :)

I also didn't get many pics of the weekend, and NONE of the adults.  Oh well!

Ben and Brie took a bath to try and calm their fussy-ness.  

The babies!  Leah and Eleanor are only three weeks apart, but they are 3 pounds different!  Don't you just want to squeeze Miss Leah's adorable cheeks?!

We also take this picture of Alec with the kids when we're together.  Not sure how it started but it'll be fun to see how the kids change through the years!

Morning fun!  I love this picture of the four of them. :)

We plan to visit them in Michigan this summer!  Can't wait to see how big he babies are then!!  Thanks for visiting guys! :)

Do You Want to Build a Snowman?

Family Fun!

Brad's family came to visit a couple weeks ago on a Saturday morning/afternoon.  Bennett loves his Grandma, Grandpa, and Uncle Nate!

"Picture!"

Bennett & Eleanor

He loves her, folks!  Makes my job a bit harder, because he doesn't just ignore her the way some of my friends' toddlers do with their new babies.  I'm playing interference a lot, since he gets pretty close and sometimes unknowingly is too rough for a baby.  But I wouldn't have it any other way.  He's such a sweet big brother!  From saying, "Honey!" when she cries, to "Oh really?" when she coos at him, it's the best.  I can't wait to see their relationship grow and change over the years.

Bringing Eleanor toys.

"Eleanor!  Sit here!"

"Tummy time!"

This was completely supervised!

Visitors From Green Bay!

On Sunday, Pete ("Grandpa Pete"), my Uncle Mike and Aunt Connie came to meet Eleanor and see us and Bennett!  They even had to drive through some snowy roads in downtown Milwaukee.  We loved catching up and seeing them.  Bennett LOVED the attention and continued to say "Uncle Mike!" for quite a while after they left.  He's looking forward to visiting Pete's house this summer, which is complete with an apple orchard, huge garden, and a pond!  He's also right near the N.E.W. Zoo, so we'll definitely go there, too.

Smiles for Pete!

Eleanor got a little fussy, but Pete rocked her to sleep!

Thanks for visiting guys!!!  

Shoveling With Dad

Brad had to snowblow the driveway after church, and Bennett insisted on helping.  I bundled him up, and sent him out to help shovel once Dad was done snowblowing.  He was such a good helper! :)

And of course fun in the cold is followed up with hot cocoa.  It was Ben's first experience, and he LOVED it!

First Bottle!

Eleanor had her first bottle tonight.  It happened unplanned.  I nursed her before dinner, around 5:30.  Then after dinner Ben and I ran to Target for a few things, leaving Brad home with Eleanor.

Well after about 30 minutes I got a text from Brad that Eleanor was crying.  Thankfully we were just checking out.  

We rushed home to find that we were too late.  I guess she'd been crying almost since we left!  Poor Brad was super stressed out.  Thankfully I had one pumped bottle so he tried it.  It definitely calmed her down but not without a lot of effort (she only took it in the boppy lounger).  And she only drank 1 oz, then still wanted to nurse after.  

Ben Says the ABCs!

We've been singing the ABCs to Ben since he was born pretty much, and now he's getting pretty good at saying them too...

We've also been working on colors and counting.  He can count to 8!

Eleanor's one month doctor visit

Eleanor looked great and healthy at her doctor appointment!  She is still long, at 22.5 inches which is the 94%.  She is consistent with her weight at the 29% - she weighs 8lb 13oz.  And her head circumference was 37.5cm, which is the 72%.  I got the A-okay to let her sleep as long as she wants at night....so we'll see how she does with that!  I've been waking her up after 4 hours for my own comfort.  

We love our sweet girl and can't wait to watch her grow and learn!