This is a typical scene during our chat sessions.  If I remember correctly, about 10 minutes later on this particular day I couldn’t see my sister at all because Claire decided to join the pile.

Now, if you have followed this blog at all there are countless posts about Claire.  Unfortunately Conor and Kieran have gotten MUCH less air time.  I would like to take this moment and gush a little about Conor.  This boy…sigh.  He is the biggest sweetheart EVER.  E-V-E-R.  As is common with boys, his verbal skills came along much more slowly than Claire’s (and who knows–maybe he didn’t feel the need to talk since his sister took care of most of the talking for him) but lately he has become much more talkative.

As soon as Eleanor appears on the screen, I hear a big intake of air and then “LELLIE!!!!” (well, sometimes it’s BABY!!!!).  He then spends the rest of the Skype time asking me to alternate between Eleanor and the cats.  It sounds a lot like this: “Kitty?  Kitty?” [I pan to the cats, giggles ensue] “Lellie?  Lellie” [I turn to Eleanor, giggles ensue] “Kitty?” You get the picture…He also likes to kiss the camera to show his affection.  How sweet is that?  There was one day where my poor sister’s computer was probably covered in fingerprints and lip marks because Conor and Claire both had about a 5 minute kiss session sending kisses my way.  The other day Conor was upset because Claire had gone somewhere without him, so I offered up an Ellie Skype session to make him feel better.  He was eating breakfast (pancakes, in case you are wondering), chatting it up with Eleanor and me.  We did the obligatory apartment tour (the cats, our exercise ball, and the baby), we made some animal noises (cats now say “rawr!” in case you were wondering), discussed the dinosaur on his shirt, and just enjoyed “hanging out.” Claire typically pops in to say hello, inquire about where Uncle B is, and then runs off to do whatever she was doing or asks to play games on the computer and Kieran just hangs out much like Eleanor does, but Conor truly seems to be the one that enjoys it most.

I love these sessions because I at least get to see this munchkins more than I would normally.  Conor has been much more interested in me since Eleanor came along, and I couldn’t be happier.  I love that little boy fiercely!  I mean, he brought my sister her robe after her shower the other day.  He isn’t even two!

Alright, enough of my little gush fest.  And no, Skype did not sponsor this post or have anything to do with it.

(Eleanor helping Brandon study for his exams and yes, she only has one sock on)

Not that I mind–she’s proved to be quite the entertaining sidekick!  I also have a backlog of non-iPhone photos to share, but they are still on my camera (along with some family portraits of my sister’s family…yes Jen, they are still on the camera…SIGH) and I just never seem to get around to downloading them.

(chatting with a polar bear.  That literally kept her entertained for about 30 minutes straight. Also, thighs!)

I have to admit it’s been a little overwhelming at times, being mom full time AND working part time AND attempting to keep up with chalk + dot.  I still dream of a day when chalk + dot can be a serious money maker, but for now I have to keep the day job.  These past few weeks we have gotten into a much better routine which has been great.

(Ellie and I out at lunch with Brandon)

For a while I was getting frustrated and upset because I felt I was always half doing something–half taking care of Ellie and half trying to work at the same time, which meant neither task was getting my full attention.  Of course in my sometimes-still-a-little-hormonal state I mentally spiraled down the road of how I was going to miss so much of Ellie growing up because I wasn’t able to focus on her.  After I got to the end of my mental pity party (I mean, let’s be real–I am fortunate to be able to be in the situation where I can stay at home and still earn money!) I decided to institute a strict schedule where work time is work time and Ellie time is Ellie time–no trying to combine the two.  I work while she naps and once she goes down at night.  When she is up, the laptop goes away.

(Ellie in her Easter best.  And yes, there are photos from Easter on the camera too)

So far for the most part my scheduled time has worked out quite well.  Of course there are days where naps are a mess and I don’t get any work done, but then I just put in extra time in the evening or the weekend and try not to get upset or frustrated.  I just have to accept that things are beyond my control and I just have to do the best that I can.

(Me: “Brandon, you need to see the look your daughter is giving me!”)

It’s amazing how quickly the time goes when your days are built around mini-cycles.  Wake up.  Feed.  Play.  Wind down.  Nap.  Wake up. Feed.  Play.  Wind down.  Nap.  Wake up.  Feed.  Play.  Maybe cat nap.  Bath.  Feed.  Bedtime for E, work time for me.  That’s my schedule in a nutshell.  The time seems to slow during the final cycle because Ellie gets a little crabby because she only gets a cat nap in but that means she is up for a longer period of time than normal.  She enjoys the bath so that helps pass the time but as you can imagine crabby baby = slowed perception of time.

(Mrs. Pickle in her new sun hat, waiting for Brandon to get his new glasses)

Well, I guess I ended up writing a little more substance than I had planned!  Check that out–675 words and counting. My goal for this blog going forward is to yes, chronicle the goings on of our life, but also incorporate a little more reflection, share a little more of the inside me.  We will see how that goes.  For now, I’ll leave you to stare at the pictures of Eleanor.  Go on, scroll back up to that picture of her with the polar bear and those amazingly scrumptious baby thighs.  You know you want to.

For my sanity and for the sake of fresh air, I try and get out at least once a day, and have done so since Eleanor was about a week old.

It’s amazing how much attention you get when you are out and about with a baby, especially a younger baby. People remark “Aww, a baby!” and ask how old, boy/girl, etc. I don’t mind these interractions typically (unless someone is trying to touch Ellie, then I mind) but sometimes people volunteer suggestions that are a little bit…unnecessary. I am always polite and return their comments with a smile or nod and then wait until I have my back to them to roll my eyes.

Some of the comments I have gotten are:

“It’s too cold to have her out in this weather!”
“She’s not warm enough!”
“Why are you holding her like that?”
“Can she breathe?” (this is when I had her in the Moby wrap, and she had face-planted into my chest. Yes, she could breathe, although I was tempted to say no, she can’t)

And my favorite, while taking Ellie on the bus:
“On the bus at this age! Well, she is going to be immune to everything…”

When Brandon and I are out with Eleanor and we get the comments, Brandon always remarks how I really can’t go anywhere without someone saying something. Nope…luckily I am confident enough in my parenting that nothing really gets to me. Smile at the time and then laugh when I recount the “advice” to Brandon later.

The week after my birthday proved to be a long week for some reason.  The baby was crabby and not sleeping well which puts a big drain on everyone.  On Friday around noon I was at a café working, and I got a call from Brandon asking what I was doing.  I said I was working, but just about to pack up and go home to which he replied “Good.  When you get home pack an overnight bag for you and Eleanor.”

Woohoo!  I love surprise getaways.  Brandon booked us a room at the Seal Cove Inn in Half Moon Bay, where I took him for his 29th birthday.  It’s a beautiful, cozy spot that is only 30 minutes from our home so you feel  like you’re getting far away without taking up the whole weekend to get there.

Between some good naps that day and just how relaxed Brandon and I were, Eleanor was amazing on the trip.  We had such a great time!  I even got a soak in the jacuzzi tub while Brandon entertained Ellie.  We took walks along the coast, watched a movie, ate, drank and just had an extremely relaxing time.  A jacuzzi tub, a fireplace, a comfy bed, fresh baked cookies…what more could a girl ask for?

Trips like this are a great refresher, reminding me of all I have to be thankful for (and it’s a lot!). Thanks to Brandon for making this trip happen…such great memories as one of our first family trips!

Motherhood has been good to me this far, and I feel so blessed to have this sweet, healthy little girl. As typing isn’t so easy at the moment I will continue this post in photo form. Here are various photos taken with my phone over the past few months.

Yes, Brandon and I are very excited to announce that we are expecting!  I hope in light of this news that my posts here will be more frequent…I’ve missed blogging here!

Okay, this is a little belated, early in the year Edyta asked if she could use my apartment as well as my face for an bridal shower inspiration shoot. I was thrilled with the request and agreed immediately (well, after it was cleared with the husband).

I have to admit I was a little nervous about the” modeling” aspect, but I was ridiculously excited about the whole event and to see how it would come together.  I really didn’t know exactly what would be happening, other than it would be taking place in my dining room.

There were a whole slew of extremely talented people who brought this together and made this gorgeous shoot happen so pop on over to Ruffled, where this was featured, to get all the details.  There’s a link to a gallery at the bottom of the post to see all sorts of photos!

SO.

My dad had his knee replaced on Thursday (icky), and so the last few days have been spent hanging out with the family and with Dad, taking turns entertaining him at the hospital.  I have to say I’m guessing one of the highlights was his visit from Dr. Claire.

(on the left, Claire walking with Uncle B. She had to hold a hand through the parking lot and she chose Uncle B; on the right, poor dad and his plethora of hospital bracelets)

Dr. Claire came in her scrubs with stethoscope around her neck help PopPop get better, administering “medicine” and also giving him a card she had made him. She loved asking PopPop lots of questions, and watching him recline and sit up in the hospital bed.

Aside from hospital time, I got lots of kiddo time but yet again I left my camera, so these iPhone snapshots had to suffice.

Here we have Conor and some rapid bead-flinging action, and Claire coloring with her chalk.

Overall it was a nice weekend with family, just unfortunate circumstances. Get well soon, Dad!