7 weeks and counting....

Time for more pictures....

Peaceful!

Play time.  She kept trying to lick him.  he he he...

Little Lady Bug and Mr. Kiki

Snooze time with daddy

Love!

Be sure to watch the very end of the video.  Eleanor says her first word.  he he he....
 

More Kids Art

I love it when the kids draw pictures. I love it even more that we have a scanner and can preserve all their many drawing on the computer and the internet. Saves a lot of space. Here's a few from the last few months.

Isaac's depiction of Virginia Granger Elementary School

Along with a hand writing sample

Family Portrait by Cael--October 2013

Sign For Eleanor's Homecoming--Nov 2013

2013 Santa letters

Their Santa letters get funnier every year!

 He he he...even the ones Rob helped with are a bit...grammatically challenged.  Love it.

Gotta get them in the mail today...oh...and I should probably start shopping, too.


 

Mamma's BIG helpers

This is a pretty typical scene at our house.  Cael absolutely ADORES Eleanor and will ask to hold her about every 5 seconds.  Sometimes it's a little overwhelming...but most of the time it is quite helpful.

Yesterday I was on the phone with VISA and my bank, working through some fraudulent charges that had posted to our account.  To say I was stressed is an extreme understatement.  Eleanor was up from a nap and was a little fussy when, all of a sudden, she broke down and started screaming.  I was totally frazzled and ready to pull my hair out.  I called for Gabe, pointed to the pacifier, and requested he take her in the other room and do what he could to take care of her until I was done.  

I came out 30 minutes later and found her fast asleep in Isaac's arms.  What???

Apparently Gabe had handed her off to Cael within seconds of leaving the room.  Cael had worked his patient magic and calmed her down.  After she had fallen asleep he handed her off to Isaac who continued to snuggle and love her until I came out.

I was shocked. 

One, because in a stress panic I handed her off to one of my boys and proceeded to forget all about her (I must have REALLY been desperate) and two, that the boys had handled the situation so marvelously.

Thank goodness for good help.  This is SUCH a different experience than last time.  Having a few years on the boys makes a HUGE difference. 

Feeling very grateful.

Video: Eleanor 3 weeks

I took a short video of little Ellie Bell this morning.  For remembrance sake and for our families who are far away and wishing they could snuggle and hold this little lady.


 


Yeah...she's cute.  I know.


 

Ellie's Firsts

First look at mommy

First look at Daddy

First snuggle

First Bath

First Hair Bow

First outfit

First car ride (poor rashy/swollen baby)

First night home (so so rashy)

First days with Isaac

First days with Gabe and Cael

First sponge bath (I detest sponge baths)

First dress-up

First tongue picture

First show of brotherly love

Just cuz it's cute

First Priesthood Blessing

Cutest Daddy Picture EVER!

 

My Ellie's gonna be a star!

Within hours of Eleanor's birth, we couldn't help but notice her uncanny resemblance to one of Hollywood's greatest stars....two weeks later, it still holds true.

photo of Eleanor taken 11/17/2013

 However, a friends mother (who happens to be an artist with a keen eye) discovered a far more flattering likeness....

I wholeheartedly approve....

Either way, she's a beauty and we love her.  Podling face and all. 

Baby Eleanor's Blessing Day!

It's time I started using my blog again instead of bombarding FB with a bazzilion pictures.  I've got a LOT of catching up to do. 
It wont be in order but now is as good a time as any to start. 

Yesterday (Nov. 17th) we took little lady Eleanor to church to give her a name and a blessing.  It was a beautiful, stress less day, even with a houseful of guests, and she received a beautiful blessing too.  Here's a few pictures from the day.  

Baby heads are so sweet.

Showcasing the beautiful dress Grandma Harding crocheted for Eleanor.

Daddy, Eleanor, Mommy

So in love!

The priesthood--Uncle Brett, Grandpa G.  Daddy and Eleanor, Great Grandpa T., Grandpa H.

Grandpa and Grandma G, Daddy, Eleanor and Mommy, Grandma and Grandpa H.

Three Generations of Awesomeness

Four Generations of Awesomeness

Daddy, Mommy and Eleanor with Aunt Carrie and Uncle Brett

Uncle Andrew holding the precious little Lady.

Cousin "C" and Little Eleanor--two of the four female grandchildren on the Gillespie side

Cael and his cousin "J".  Two peas in a pod.   

Thanks, to everyone who could be there, for making it the great day that it was.

(all other Gillespie brothers and male cousins were left unphotographed in order to preserve the sanity of the adults present)