Fun Photos

Eloise's Great Grandma and Grandpa (aka Gran and PaPa) started a tradition a while back we call "Second Sunday Soup". The second Sunday of every month we gather the family together for lunch and conversation. These days we ask ourselves what we ever did for entertainment and conversation before Eloise was here.

Eloise with her Grammy.

Playing with Auntie LeAnne.

This was a such a sweet moment. Eloise was looking out the back window, so Gran went outside around the house to play peek-a-boo. Eloise shared a kiss through the window to her Gran.

Eloise and her Great-great Aunt Marti.

Here are some other fun things we've been up to...

Oh, the joy of boxes and bubble wrap.

Bath time fun!

Eloise is the happiest when she is standing.

Look, Ma! One handed!

And of course, loves standing up to play with her table.

Here's Eloise with her friend, Addison. Addison is 2 years older than Eloise (their birthdays are only a week a part) and she is a great sharer! Eloise has gotten so many cute clothes that Addison is too big for and also has a ton of toys that Addison wanted to share with "Baby Eloise". So sweet.

The second round of baby-food-making happened this past weekend. Eloise loves her food!

Here she is! 8 months old, folks!

My big, beautiful girl.

Full of Thanks

As much as I hate to admit it, getting up at 4:30am sets me up for a great day. And so, I am thankful for a quiet, chilly morning at my computer with a warm cup of coffee.

And so starts my favorite time of year. I think being a parent of a now 8-month-old (say what?!) it's taken right up until the day before Thanksgiving to really start feeling it. Even though I've been Christmas shopping for months now, the tree is up and decorated with presents underneath, I think I've just been waiting (like a kid) for that holiday break from work. (Or maybe it's the 60 degree weather we are still having here in Nebraska!) After today, it will be all family time for five days and I can't wait!

Some of my best memories growing up are from family holidays. I'm so thankful for the importance of family that my parents instilled in me. There is nothing, here on this earth, more important to me than all of my family. And this year, I am so excited to be sharing that now with my darling daughter. Holiday or not, this is one loved child.

So this morning, I wanted to reflect on the overabundance of things I'm thankful for. I'm blessed beyond words, more than I know I deserve. But I pray that I would never take these things for granted. That Thanksgiving would be celebrated all year round.




I have an awesome God. He has provided for our family in numerous ways this year. Praise and glory to Him for the many blessings in my life.

I have an amazing husband. I'm thankful for his hard work, not only to provide financially for his family, but the hours he puts in raising Eloise. The thankfulness I have for this fills me with so much joy, it brings tears to my eyes. This is a man, a husband, a father, who so his wife could go out with friends (for the first time since Eloise was born) re-created Eloise and I's bedtime routine to a T, only instead of a breast, he had a bottle. I love this man! Oh, and he does the grocery shopping. :)

My darling daughter, Eloise Margaret. Sometimes I still can't believe you are mine. Everyday I thank God that I get to be here to see you wake up. To feed you breakfast. To play with you. To read to you. To sing to you. To rock you. To hold you. To kiss you. To change your diapers. To take you on field trips. To dress you in cute cloths. To make you laugh. To wipe your tears. To watch you make it to the next milestone. There is nothing I will cherish more than to have been here for you. You are the sunshine of my life and I love you dearly.

For grandmas and grandpas, aunts and uncles. I'm so thankful for the love and support you've always shown Justin and I, and now to see an overflowing love for Eloise has made that even more special. We are so thankful for your time. Time is everything when it is spent with family. I'm thankful for the memories that are being made.

I'm thankful for my boss and co-workers. Because they have supported my decision to stay home with Eloise, I'm able to work part-time. I so much enjoy my "break" in the day to come in to work and see my friends.

I'm thankful for Mom Groups and play dates. For the friendships I've made and support and advice given. I'm also thankful for the wonderful women who watch Eloise and her friends while the mommies hang out.

Many times it's the small things in life that deserve our thankfulness, so I shouldn't leave out that I'm thankful for my Kindle. My iPod. Super Why! and Yo Gabba Gabba. Coffee. Amazon.com. Consignment stores. Nutella.

Ok, so my list could go on and on, so with that said, I do realize how much I'm thankful for. This holiday season is going to be the best yet!

Best to you all! And may you find many things to be thankful for. Happy Thanksgiving!

Home Videos

Eloise has been doing a lot of new things lately. Waving "hi", standing up, eating new foods and most everything comes with lots of giggles. Here are some of our latest adventures...


Eloise loves playing with (and pulling!) my hair and I love to tickle her with it!

Here Eloise finally figures out what you are supposed to do in a Johnny Jumper!

It's quick, but here Eloise waves "hi" and shows off her new trick of standing up next to the couch all by herself.

Here Eloise tastes Chipotle for the first time. With her reaction, Justin and I decided she really is ours. ; )

And here Eloise tries yogurt for the first time. (I think she'd rather have Chipotle.)

Oh the fun this family is having with our growing girl. She is the love of our life!