I'm sure many of you will recognize these delicious beauties, so I'm not even going to pretend like I made them. Traders Joe's knows how to do cookies right.
Eloise has been a bit under the weather lately. But besides from the mess below her nose, you'd never know it. She is such a happy kid, loving the camera on her these days, which is good since Mommy can't seem to get enough pictures of that face.
Eloise did 'so big!' today for the first time on her own! She really is getting 'so big'! I couldn't help but include video footage of it as well. She just can't stop doing it!
It's crazy how quickly Christmas comes around when you are a grown-up. I remember as a child, tearing off each green and red paper ring, day after day, counting the days left till Christmas Day was here. I wish it was still like that. I hope that having Eloise will bring out the kid in me where our family can start traditions, new and old, to celebrate such a magical season.
We just couldn't wait any longer and let Eloise open up one of her presents under the tree. Her good friend Henry got her a great new toy! And she just loved the ribbon it was wrapped in.
My first attempt (ever) at creating a "gingerbread" house. Oh, what fun I had! I think this will definitely be on the list of new traditions we start with Eloise for the Christmas season.
I find myself thinking back to this time last year. I was pregnant, day-dreaming about what this year's Christmas would be like having a daughter to celebrate with. It's CRAZY that we've fast-forwarded to that already. I do love seeing the additional gifts under the tree for Miss Eloise. It's fun to think of all the traditions we have yet to make and all the great memories that are starting to take shape. I have a feeling this will be the best Christmas yet!
It's a Christmas miracle! My wonderful hubby made a special trip to pick me up some Cultiva coffee, ground specially for a french press. Something I've been meaning to do for myself for about, oh, 6 months now. Thanks, Babe. I heart you.
This year we got to celebrate Thanksgiving three times. De-licious! Eloise enjoyed all the yummy food and our families sure enjoyed having her cute face at the dinner table this year. It's funny when a baby enters a family and we all think hard about what we ever did for entertainment and conversation before they were here. Holidays are taking on a whole new meaning with Eloise is our lives. We are blessed.
Eloise was helping me put up the Christmas tree.
And "helping" me wrap presents.
Eloise's first Thanksgiving!
Cuteness.
Waiting to eat her second Thanksgiving meal.
Mmmmm, stuffing!
Uh, Eloise...you got a little something...right, there....
Eloise serenaded us with a little piano music after dinner. (Video footage below.)
Helping put up Grandma's tree.
Ooooo, sparkles!
These presents are fake, Grandma!
Gotta get it just right.
We were so glad to get to visit some of our family who we don't get to see nearly as often as we'd like. And of course got to see the puppies, too!
Eloise's cousin, Shelby, reading to her. :)
Mmmmm, crackers.
There's just something about Papa Jerry that captures the attention of a child. Still does it to me.
Playing peek-a-boo with cousin Tristen.
Tristen teaching Eloise how to drive.
She is a natural.
Flower Child.
Not funny, Mom.
My favorite present under the tree.
My sweet, chubby baby girl. Love, love, LOVE her!
Here is Eloise's piano debut...
And footage of her first driving lesson...
In other news, Eloise is saying "Dada" now...
And last but not least, a tear-jerker. (In a laughing-so-hard-you-are-crying sort of way.)
