Sunday, April 7, 2013

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!



Sunday, March 31, 2013

Happy Easter!

I hope you all had a wonderful Easter weekend - we sure did! Jeritt was off on Friday, so we took a trip out to the Skokie Exploratorium and met up with our friends, the Smith family (their kids, Harper and Harrison, are the same ages as ours). Ella wore Jeritt out climbing through the maze of tunnels and slides, and Jack pretty much slept through it all. On Saturday we joined our friends, the Borgmeyers, for an Easter egg hunt in their neighborhood. We did the same one with them last year, and Ella has definitely learned how to hunt for eggs in the past year. She hit her 15-egg limit very quickly! Ella was very excited to meet the Easter Rabbit (that's what she calls him), and loved the petting zoo. Later in the day, she ended up getting sick, and we're still not sure if it was the result of too much candy and cupcakes at the egg hunt, or if she's got a bug. Regardless, Ella stayed home with Jeritt today while Jack and I attended Easter lunch with the Short family. And upon our return, we took a nice, long walk to enjoy the fantastic weather - while it lasts!

Happy Easter from Ella and Jack!
Ella was impressed with her egg coloring ability

Sharing her eggs with Gary. 

Jack sporting his Easter tie.

Making cookies with Mommy.

Thanks for the cute outfit, Aunt Joan!


Her latest best buds - Gonzo and Alligator.

Wearing her apron (or 'acorn' as she called it) to make cookies.

Pretending to take a boat ride.

Yes, she dressed herself for bed.

Jack can sit in the Bumbo chair!


Easter egg hunt.




Sampling the goods from her Easter basket.

Jack riding in the carrier during our trip to the Exploratorium. 

Playing at the water table.

Ella loved the goats and bunnies at the petting zoo.

Meeting the Easter Rabbit.


Encouraging her friend Mia to meet the Easter Bunny. 


Jack enjoyed eating his tie.

Hugs for the Easter Rabbit!