Baby Wants Pearls

Yep, we've reached the grab-everything-in-sight phase.

And so the trouble begins...

New Toy!

Brian and I didn't think Ellie was big enough to play in an Exersaucer, until Bri found her playing in one at daycare when he picked her up. Turns out she's been big enough for weeks. What do we know? So we borrowed one from Mike and Sari and OH MY GOD. It's her new favorite thing in the world.

Grandma's been in town and it's been a big weekend in our Tiny Apartment. Brian took very literally the pediatrician's advice to just feed Ellie whatever we're eating, and pureed up some crackers, cheddar cheese, and salami... Oy vey. She also had steamed carrots for the first time, and if you look closely at this photo you'll see her face is still stained orange.

Since our apartment can only hold so much baby equipment we returned Mike and Sari's swing, and it suddenly feels likes like Ellie is growing up much too fast....

6 Month Stats

Ellie had her 6 month check up this morning, and she's living up to her nickname of Little E...girl is tiny! But the doctor seems confident that introducing solid foods will bulk her up in no time.

Here are her stats:

Weight: 14 lbs. (14th percentile)
Height: 24" (4th percentile)

The doctor said not to bother with rice cereals, but to just start pureeing whatever Brian and I are eating and give some to Ellie. The only rules are no honey, and no nuts. This should be entertaining.

Chim-Chiminea, Chim-Chiminea...

(Please forgive the crappy cellphone picture)

Since Brian and I can't exactly go out at night anymore (silly baby) we're determined to make our summer nights in as enjoyable as possible. Say hello to our new chiminea! Now we can sit out back by the fire while Eleanor sleeps the night away inside. Best idea ever. Plus, we smell like campfire!

6 Months!

WOW. Six months.

Everything I could say has been said a million times before. So, thanks for sharing your life with us...

Just a few shots of you and your dad to help you celebrate your un-birthday. And I may help myself to a cupcake.

Philly Family

Sunday brought us to King of Prussia, PA to visit with Brian's mom's side of the family. Mike and Sari came with Leila too, so the whole clan was together. We ate bagels and lox, and the yummiest blintz souffle. Ellie can't wait till she can have her own plate of whitefish. Ew.
I didn't get too many good pictures since I kept hesitating to throw the big flash on the camera. I need to get over that!

How Does Your Garden Grow?

Ellie spent Saturday acting as my gardening supervisor. She told me which flowers to plant where, and which containers should go by the front door. Truthfully, she's a bit of a dictator.

More pictures of the garden to come in a few weeks when we're finished!

No Words

Food!

Ellie eats! We gave her rice cereal for the first time while we were in the Catskills...She was not amused.

I wanted bacon and eggs!

Birthday Presence

Tomorrow's my birthday, and we're celebrating by joining some good friends at a house in the Catskills for a long weekend. Which means I get to spend my birthday cuddling E for four straight days. Couldn't be better if it came wrapped in Tiffany blue.

I'll be sure to take loads of pictures!

Happy Easter!

Hanging with Pauly

Ellie and Paul had a mini-reunion yesterday afternoon when I stole out of work a little early to catch a baby-yoga class. Missing these classes has been one of the hardest parts of being back at work...

As soon as we can crawl, we'll make a break for Atlantic City...

No one will ever suspect these faces.

First Passover

Always a glutton for punishment, yesterday we hosted 12 people and 4 babies in our tiny apartment for Little E's first Passover. They say it takes a village, and we've got some of the best peeps in the world. Thanks for coming over to share the holiday with us. And for bringing food, and for making the whole day possible. We may recover by summer. Chag Sameach!

Good Morning Sunshine

My Favorite Uncles

...because every girl needs someone to take her shoe shopping.

Too Cool for School

Aunt Bess makes sure E is properly accessorized.

Nontraditional Lawn Furniture

The return of spring means we can open up our backyard and effectively double the size of our apartment. Here's Ellie chilling in her bouncy seat while Brian and I were working up a sweat cleaning up winter's mess. All she needs is a pina colada and a cabana boy.

5 Months

Happy 5 months old, Ellie. You're the best in the world.

Truth in Advertising

Luck of the Irish

Return of the Rogue Eyebrow

When E was born she had one eyebrow hair that refused to play well with others. We affectionately called it the Rogue Eyebrow because it was white, almost two inches long, and stuck out of her brow like a feather in a cap. We considered clipping it, but I was strangely attached, and felt like it exemplified part of her "babyhood." I almost cried when Brian's father unceremoniously PLUCKED it while I was taking a nap. Not that I'm holding a grudge.

Now, however, I'm happy to report that the Rogue Eyebrow is growing back! Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, E once again has one eyebrow hair that's not like the others. And I'm seriously thrilled. Viva the Rogue Eyebrow!

Happy Hump Day

Checking out the park on Sunday...

Practicing Her Pout

Something tells me I'm going to be seeing this look a lot.

Spring has Sprung!

With apologies to our Vermont readers, it was 55 degrees and GORGEOUS this weekend in NYC. We saw our first crocuses of the season, and celebrated by hanging with cousin Leila at the "Tot Lot" in Prospect Park.

Back to Work

I didn't quit my job today. Hooray!

Don't get me wrong; it certainly wasn't easy. I bawled on the subway, and RACED home to pick her up before she forgot who I am, but it wasn't terrible. I figure this whole week is going to be crazy hard, and then it will start to seem normal. Hopefully.

Sweet Dreams

What I found when I got out of the shower this morning...Saturday's don't start much better than this.

Snow Day!

I wish babies were like puppies and you could plop them in a snowdrift and take pictures as they FLIP OUT. Maybe next year.

Stupid Day Care

I don't find it at all coincidental that Ellie has her first fever two days after joining day care. Grrrrrrr.......

Pic of the Day

For my mom, who complains that there haven't been enough Ellie pictures lately...

Day Care

Well, Ellie is officially a Sunflower Kid...I go back to work next week, and Ellie starts full-time at the local Sunflower Day Care. She spent two hours at the center today and yesterday as a sort of "getting to know you" period. She was great, and totally chill. I, of course, was a total mess. This wasn't unexpected, and I'm sure it will get better in the coming weeks. But still, Monday morning is going to be a bit of a shock. I'm just going to be in denial for the rest of the week and pretend it's not happening.

In other news, E had her four month check up! She's now 12 pounds 2 ounces, and is 23 inches long. She's still small for her age, but is perfect. And we're beginning to think her eyes might stay blue...

Although we won't start her on solid foods for another two months, the pediatrician said to go ahead and start letting her taste flavors. Some things she suggested are lemon, balsamic vinegar, garlic, and the smell of fresh bread. Fun! That should make for some entertaining photographs.

Vacation's Over

Note Brian's carefully cultivated "vacation-hair."

Now it's back to setting the alarm clock and showering every day. Totally no fun.

Little Pig

Yesterday, Ellie laughed so hard she snorted. It was awesome. In other news, practicing using your hands while relaxing by the wood stove is not a bad way to spend an afternoon.