Rain, Rain, Go Away

I'm sure I speak for most of us when I say, "rain, rain, go away." It was a long, cold, wet week. And with most of it spent indoors, we had to resort to some new activities to pass the time. This included building a tent in the living room, washing Ella's tricycle in the hallway, teaching Ella how to change Jack's diaper (her idea, not mine), and plenty of potty-training escapades and imagination overload. The weekend was still cold, but at least dry, and we were able to see Cousin Abbie and Eric, as well as meet Uncle Jeff and Aunt Kristin's new pup, Pitch. Ella and Pitch are now buddies, and I'm sure we'll be hearing about her furry friend for days to come. Fingers crossed for some spring weather this week!

A tent in the living room means great fun!

Eating her lunch in the tent.

Washing her tricycle in the hallway.

Jack got a new hat for summer!

Quite content on Eric's lap.

Jack showing off his new toy - Sophie the Giraffe!

Making Jack laugh.

The many faces of Ella.

Ella and Pitch at the park.

Best buds!

Ella wanted to help change Jack's diaper. One time she got to it before me!

Ella also had to model Jack's new hat.

Uncle Jeff and Jack.

Big boy!

A Whirlwind Weekend

As promised, here are Jack's stats from his four-month appointment. He weighs 13 pounds, 11 ounces, and is 25 inches long. What a happy, healthy little boy we have! The doctor advised waiting to start solids until he's six months old (which I had planned to do anyway). Based on his interest and excitement when he watches us eat, I'm predicting he'll be a good little eater! 

What a whirlwind weekend! On Friday, the entire Collins crew arrived - Sam from Kansas City, Abby and Brian from Austin, and Grandma and Papa from Iowa (and locals Erin and Martin, of course). We didn't have a lot of time, but we managed to cram in a lot of fun, including bowling, a trip to the zoo, and a night out to a comedy show for the big kids. Ella had been talking about our visitors for the last couple of weeks, so she was very excited to spend time with everyone, and will surely miss them!

We were so desperate to get out this past week that we made a trip to the park in the rain.

Jack kept pulling his hood over his eyes!

Uncle Sam reading to Ella.

Daddy helping Ella bowl.

A trip to the zoo!

You can hardly see her little head, but the train was Ella's favorite thing at the zoo.

Playing with Papa at the park.

A sibling reunion!

Pretending to lay on the beach - if only it was real!

Reading new books with Grandma.

Brian and Abby snuggling with Jack.

They might be related.

Four Months Old!

What a good week! The beautiful weather allowed plenty of trips to the park and walks around the neighborhood. In turn, we realized that the fresh air and exercise wears Ella out enough to fall asleep in her high chair at meal time. Though she stopped napping altogether more than a month ago, we're holding onto a sliver of hope that she may be a summer sleeper! The sunny days also brought out her shades, and as you'll see below, she hardly took them off this week (she also is rocking a new smile, which I hear is reminiscent of her Dad's as a kid). In other Ella news, she went on her first sleepover to Aunt Erin's house! Uncle Martin was traveling, so Erin thought Ella would be great company. She experienced Ella's fight against sleep at it's finest, even saying that they played a game of "sleep chicken," resulting in Erin attempting to tiptoe out of the room a few times only for Ella to pop her head up and say, "What doing, Erin?" Despite a restless night for Aunt Erin and a few lives lost on her cat, Arlene (who Ella loves to chase), the gals had a great time and Ella is already talking about going back. Jack turned four months old on Tuesday! He's been great about putting himself to sleep lately, but not without a bit of chatting first. His little voice is so sweet; he's just such a happy guy! Jack's doctor's appointment is this week, so stay tuned for a height and weight update.

He's so excited to be four months old!

Playing at the park.

Bundled up for a walk to the library.

A squirrel jumped on our stroller at the park.

I love this photo because it captures both of them perfectly: Ella grabbing the attention, and Jack being chill, thinking "Girl, you crazy."

She fell asleep in her high chair three times this week! Maybe its time to resume naps:)

This monkey was a gift to Ella, and has her name on it. She never cared for it, but Jack loves it!

Practicing her golf game in the hallway. Thanks for the clubs, Grandma V!

She needed a break.

I shouldn't be the one giving her lessons...

Catching up on her reading at Starbucks.

Hanging out with her new friends, Dylan and P.J.

Feeding her baby!

Backpack - check. Moo Cow - check. Ready for her first sleepover!

Ella ate three pancakes for breakfast!