The Itsy Bitsy Spider--Remix!

Here's a video clip of Ellis dancing to Vimal's Itsy Bitsy Spider remix. She definitely prefers this version to mine!

10--It's the Magic Number!

She still looks good in purple...thanks for the outfit Nonna

Ruffle Tushie
Aerial View 2, with ruffles

Ellis turned 10 weeks old yesterday and when I weighed her she was right around 10 pounds. So, I've decided to list the top 10 things we love about Ellis (although there are, of course, more than 10).

10. The way she quacks like a duck while trying to suck her pacifier

9. The girly noises she makes after she eats

8. The cooing and storytelling she does after she wakes up

7. The way her hair gets really fuzzy and kissable after a bath

6. Her victory stance after beating daddy's swaddle and breaking free

5. The way her monkey length arms stretch out of all her 3 month outfits, making the long sleeves seem like 3/4 length sleeves (thanks a lot Daddy!)

4. The way she celebrates waking up from her naps by doing the running man

3. The way she dances when daddy does The Itsy Bitsy Spider remix

2. The way it feels to hold her while she sleeps on us

1. Her smile that lights up a room and makes the sleepless nights worthwhile

Erin

An end to our New Moms class...

All the new moms and their little ones...

Group tummy time
Sleeping through the group circle time"Hey mom, why is Sawyer screaming in my ear?"

So today marked the end of our "New Moms and Newborns" class. It's hard to believe that the six weeks are finished. Ellis and I will definitely miss the class, though I doubt that she'll miss being woken up by other screaming babies. But, don't get me wrong, Ellis definitely woke others up as well. Anyways, I guess I'm not considered a "New Mom" anymore though I still feel like one! But, hopefully, we'll keep in touch with all our new friends from the class.

Erin

Easter Sunday

If only I could go to church like this...

Traveling to church
"Stop taking my photos now mom"
"I love the bows Nonna" First Easter dress

Yesterday was Easter Sunday, and it marked the first time that we had been back to church since we had Ellis. She loved the music and was perfectly quiet and peaceful until the music stopped and someone started talking. After that, she wasn't having it anymore so we ended up out in the hallway. Oh well, we tried. And she did, of course, look great in her Easter dress! Enjoy the pics...

Erin

A Few Extra Pics...

She props herself up on her elbow to eat!
Going for a ride with daddy
I love my Uncle Bro!Are you going to feed me or just take pictures all day?

A Range of Emotions

Happy!
Surprised!!
Frustrated!!!
Pissed!!!!

Ellis is nine weeks old today and, as you can tell by the photos, she's started to show a range of emotions. In general, she's a happy baby, but when she's pissed--she's pissed! Her cries are often more like yells, and Vimal and I are learning to sometimes just let her be alone. She usually works it out if you give her some space...as long as she's not hungry, of course. I guess she gets her temperament from her mom!

Erin

Smiling, Talking and Missing Uncle Bro!

I'm posting a little video clip of Ellis. She's started smiling, cooing, and reacting to things around her! And she's definitely missing her family, particularly her Uncle Bro as you can see in the video. Enjoy!

Erin

Some Milestones...

She's started smiling!

My birthday luncheon with my writing class
Everyone wants to hold her, of course!
Drool
Go Duke...Daddy and Mini-Me watch the game

Today, Ellis turns 2 months old! And the last week has been filled with some very big moments in our lives.

1. I turned 30, and the wonderful women in my writing class had a luncheon for me. It was so nice to get out and feel like a girl again...wearing a dress, sipping wine, talking about books, and eating decadent food cooked by a fantastic chef, Sarah Bollinger. Of course, Ellis was the hit of the luncheon which meant that I had my hands free all afternoon.

2. Vimal and I left Ellis with her first babysitter, Joanna. They seemed to have a great time, and Vimal and I had a wonderful dinner at The Top of the Hub in downtown. I had always wanted to go there for dinner but hadn't ever had the excuse to splurge for it, so my thirtieth birthday provided the perfect excuse. And when we got home, Ellis was smiling and happy. Joanna later told me that she sang to her the whole time...guess I better start polishing up my song list.

3. Ellis began sleeping in her crib! For the past two nights, she has slept all night in her crib. She still wakes up around 4 a.m. to eat, but then she goes right back to sleep and right back in her crib. In fact, I'm pretty sure that I had a harder time with the transition from her bassinet to her crib than she did. She's already trying to leave us!

Anyways, the last two months have been a wonderful blur, and I can't wait to see what changes the next two will bring.

Erin

She's a Golden Pig--No Really, She Is!

With my former co-workers at the annual Chinese New Year party
Ellis with her best buddy, Joanna
A perfect gift for a Pig (from Vimal's boss)
Stretching and smiling after a big party (My new favorite photo!)

Tonight, Vimal and I went to a (belated) Chinese New Year party at my old workplace. We had a lot of fun and Ellis was definitely the hit of the party! She, of course, loves the attention though you couldn't tell it because she slept through the whole thing! Anyways, I realized that Ellis was supposed to be born after Chinese New Year making her a Rat, but since I was induced early she is, instead, a Golden Pig (the golden part only happens once every 60 years and is supposed to be extremely lucky). I had to laugh about that since, when she's munching down on the bottle, I often call her Porky the Pig.

Following are a few characteristics of pigs, according to Chinese customs, that I hope she adopts:

1. They are usually honest, straightforward, and patient people

2. When others are in need, they are often there to offer support

3. They love nature

4. They are tolerant and peaceful

5. They are lively and warm-hearted people

I looked, just for curiosity sake, at some characteristics of Rats and this is what I found...

According to tradition, Rats often carry heavy karma and at some point in life may face an identity crisis or some kind of feeling of guilt. Rats are said to often have to work very long and hard for everything they may earn or have in life. Traditionally, Rats may face extreme hardships and suffering throughout life. Rats in general should guard themselves against hedonism and nostalgia, as it may lead to self-destruction. Gambling, alcohol and drugs tend to be great temptations to Rats.

All I have to say about that is...Thank God she's a Pig!

Erin

Nine Pounds and Counting...

9lbs, 2ozs

She hates going to the doctor's office
But, she loves her daddy!

Just a quick post to let you all know that the doctor's appointment this week went really well and Ellis now weighs in at 9 lbs 2 ozs...and counting. At this rate, I might actually be able to get her out of Newborn sized diapers by her 2 month mark. I'll post more this weekend...

Erin

Six Weeks...Already!

Aerial View
Grumpy Sleeper
For one minute, she liked tummy time...
Then, she started to complain...

Then, she gave me this look so I picked her up!

Last week was a little rough! Ellis had her one month check-up, which really took place when she was almost 6 weeks old. Disappointingly, she had lost one ounce since her appointment the week before and I was crushed! When we told the doctor some of our concerns with her spit-up/food intake, etc., we were sent to Children's Hospital for an ultrasound of her abdomen to make sure that nothing was blocking her intestines. It was awful having to hold Ellis while she screamed her head off so we could get the ultrasound, but luckily the doctors didn't find anything abnormal and Ellis seems to be eating/digesting better. We have another weight-check appointment on Wednesday, so I'm really hoping/praying that it goes well and that she's put back on that ounce, plus more!

On a lighter note, I really think that the 3 of us have gotten into a rhythm lately. The past two nights, Ellis has slept one 5-hour block so we are crossing our fingers that she will keep it up. We are, of course, trying to stuff her during the day so that she still gets enough food since she's eating less at night.

Okay, I'll post more after her next appointment...hopefully with good news of weight gain!

Erin