Unseasonable

We have had some AWESOME weather here in Nebraska this winter. I hate the cold. Hate it. But lucky for me we've seen so many sunny days this winter I haven't yet sunk into that winter slump. Eloise and I took advantage of the sun's rays today and headed to the park. We sure enjoyed it!

Swinging and giggling.

So fun.

Merry-go-round.

So, Little Missy has been growing like crazy, learning new tricks every day. We've now had to remove all toys from the crib and can't leave her alone for a second. Now that she's also pulling herself up, Mommy has realized she also needs to remove the mobile, before Eloise does it for her. Here are a few pictures of a little girly who is supposed to be napping.

What are you looking at?

This morning I thought I'd let Eloise hang out before I went in to get her. After a few minutes of not hearing anything, this first-time mommy realized I better go check on her. Looks like we are going to have to move her night stand as well. She had reached for her roll of diaper liners (think toilet paper but wider) and had it strung out all over the place.

Here is my happy cruiser. Eloise is walking along the couches, tv stand, walls anything she can get her hands on. She gets so proud of herself.

Here's Eloise mastering her toy she got for Christmas. She thinks she's pretty neat. (Mommy and Daddy think so, too.)

Bug

It's been too long. Way too long.

Christmas was great. Busier than "holiday break" should be I suppose. But wonderful all in all. We got to see all of our families to celebrate Eloise's first Christmas.

Eloise got some fantastic new toys that have kept us busy. Chasing after colorful balls and building towers of blocks just to have them knocked down my little missy. Not to mention some adorable new clothes. I tell you one thing, I will never get sick of doing Eloise's laundry. I love hanging up her cute little dresses and folding her tiny socks. There's just something about little girls clothing that I can't get enough of. 

Justin was excited to get some new Chargers gear. (Unfortunately, just in time for the end of their season. He'll be ready for next year though!) He's also been "busy" playing his new Xbox.

I was incredibly spoiled this Christmas. Getting a new Kuerig coffee machine, a Kindle Fire and I got to use my Christmas money on a new camera! I also got tons of stuff of my Etsy favorites list. Too much.

The best gift may have been being able to spend some time at my parents house hanging out with my family from Atlanta. Both my sisters live down south along with my nephew and niece. It is a killer on this girl whose family means the world to her. But we enjoyed our time lounging at Grandma and Grandpa's house. Unfortunately, all that closeness spread quite the bug around and now pretty much every one of us is sick.

We took Eloise to the doctor who has not only her first ear infection, but a double one at that! I've loved all the cuddling (well the 3am time is a little rough) but just hate how uncomfortable she is. Eloise is such a happy little girl, you can tell how awful she must feel by how unhappy she has been. We are praying that the medicine works quickly so that she can get back to her happy self again soon. During this time I've realized again how thankful I am to still be breastfeeding. Day or night, when Eloise is so upset and completely inconsolable, when I begin to nurse her, she will calm down almost instantly. It has been one of the most amazing experiences of my life and I will forever treasure those times with her. It saddens me the old she gets, the closer I know we are to the day that she will start to wean.

Her 10-month birthday is just about a week away. I just cannot believe it, but I will say, I'm already having a blast planning her first birthday party. It's gonna be a "hoot"!

Baby's 1st Christmas ornament. 

New jammies and new toys!

Breakfast and funny faces with Grandma.

The beautiful, Miss Maeve.

Watching the burning logs in the fireplace.

Lazy morning in a kimono.