Happy 7 month birthday E!

Eleanor is 7 months old today. I don't even know what to say about that! We've been very busy this month!

• Eleanor has tried a bunch of new foods, including carrots, squash, apples, and bananas. I continue to make as much of Eleanor's food as possible. It's a labor of love, that I love.
• Eleanor rolls ALL over. If she wants something, she will roll for it. Stomach to back and back to stomach.
• I think Eleanor is going to be a side sleeper - she always manages to get herself on her side and cuddle her "lovey". A pink blanket.
• Eleanor has a renewed love for her NUK. She loves to suck on it when very sleepy and calm. She doesn't need it to sleep, but likes it.
• Eleanor can sit and balance on her own. She can't get into the sitting position on her own, but if you sit her up, she stays there.
• Eleanor takes baths in the "big duck bath tub". She has so much more room to stretch out and roll around. Eleanor loves bath time and does not mind getting water in her face.
• Eleanor will smile at the camera. When she sees me take it out and hears the flash pop up, she smiles. She doesn't always look and she doesn't always sit still, but she smiles!
• Eleanor really reaches for things. You can see her thinking about how to get something. Last night, she had two toys, one in each hand. My mom presented another toy to her and you could see her just thinking, what do I drop?!
• Eleanor LOVES her big sister. Nothing Emma does can upset Eleanor. Emma can make Eleanor laugh like crazy. But Emma still thinks spit up and pureed carrots are gross ;)
• Eleanor loves to talk. She can just sit for minutes and minutes and babble away. Sometimes she'll screech and scream.
• Eleanor loves to sing. If she is crying, sing to her. Especially her Ella Bean song!
• Eleanor loves her bouncy swing, but is getting a little big for it.
• Nic still doesn't like it when Eleanor spends the night somewhere else. He is in love with his baby girl.
• I never knew how much I would love my daughter. She amazes me every day. She is the most beautiful thing in the entire world.

A camping we will go...

Well, if you prayed for us this past weekend, I appreciate it - BUT - I think a few more prayers could have helped. It was COLD!!!

Eleanor was such a trooper. We left Mequon around 3:30 on Friday, we ran into a few unexpected work delays, but only 30 minutes late, which seems to be my new standard. We arrived at Yellowstone Lake Park around 6:30 and set up camp right away. Nic's sister, Jolene, and her boyfriend, Dick, were also camping. They were already making us dinner. It was so nice not to have to worry about it! Salmon, potatoes, corn and bread - we ate better our first night camping then we do at home. Eleanor slept in their HEATED camper while we sat around the fire. Then it was back to our tent. Cold does not describe the weather our first night. It was in the upper 40s. E slept in pajamas and her sleep sack. Nic woke up a few times during the night and turned on the tent heater for 1/2 hour increments, but a tent can only stay so warm for so long. Eleanor woke up at 4:58. Her hands were ICE cold. I seriously was scared for a minute. We turned the heater on and pulled her into bed with us. Nic made her a bottle and we all snuggled for awhile.

Nic and Eleanor took a walk and I got to sleep for awhile in the heated tent - so nice! Eleanor fell asleep on the walk. With Nic and I right outside, we kept the heater running for the duration of her nap - she slept for 3 hours. I think she was so happy to be warm!

We made breakfast when E woke up - remember, it's only 9 now. That's what happens when you wake up at 5 AM! It drizzled a few times during breakfast and clean up, but eventually the clouds broke and the sun began to shine. We went to the lake for some fishing, but when Eleanor got crabby, Nic and I both took her back to the tent to try and catch a family nap. It was our turn to make dinner - Even Eleanor ate dinner this time. Then we all sat around a nice warm campfire. Eleanor was so funny - we almost forgot about her. She just sat in her stroller and watched the fire. I think she was really interested in it, but I also think she knew if she got fussy, we'd make her go back to the cold tent and get ready for bed. She just wanted to sit by the fire with the grown ups! She stayed up until 9:30! Saturday night Eleanor slept in her fleece "snow" suit. It had hand covers, but she still work up at 5:48 with REALLY cold hands. Neither Nic or I woke up and felt we needed to turn the heater on, but it was still a cold night.

Additionally, we were robbed on Saturday night! Nic decided to put the food in the car before he crawled into bed. As he walked into the screen porch, he saw one raccoon scurry into the woods. The raccoons had opened our Tupperware container and made off with the potato chips, Gardetto's, Triscuts, loaf bread and Chex Mix. They opened and tried the Pita Chips, but I guess they didn't like them. Nic ran into the woods after the raccoon, he was so pissed his Gardetto's were stolen. The raccoon just sat and watched Nic (watching him) and eating his new found Gardetto's. Finally Nic had all our food back, which we ended up throwing away anyway - we didn't want to eat food already tasted by raccoons. Nic said it was just the principal of the issue and that is why he ran after the raccoons. Gosh, I wish I would have seen that all! Nic is still pretty pissed about the Gardetto's.

We had every intention of going hiking this morning, but by the time we got our camp site taken down and packed up, we were ready to head home. The sun was shining, but it was still only in the uppers 60's.

Camping, in general, with a 6 month old was not a bad experience. It is, however, a lot of work. I'm just not sure it's worth it. What did she get out of it? We could easily go hiking around here one day, have a campfire at home and all sleep warm and sound in our bed. Would I do it again - Yes. Did we have a fun time - Yes! Am I exhausted - Yes. Do I think Eleanor is sleeping better in her bed tonight, wearing only one layer, and warm - Yes. Will I look back on this weekend some day and laugh - I already am!

I Lost Eleanor!

Yesterday, Nic and I were running around, trying to get ready for my Great-Aunt's 90th birthday party. I put Eleanor on the floor, on her blanket, sitting up (which she does like it's her job!). I went into the kitchen to grab who knows what, I came back into the living room and she was gone! Then I heard her adorable noises...coming from underneath the piano.

In the last week Eleanor has learned to roll and roll and roll. She gets such a kick out of herself. Then she runs into something, a piano, an ottoman (how do you spell that piece of furniture?!) a basket (we only have 1 or 2) and she gets SO mad! It takes her awhile to remember she can roll the other way. Eventually she figures it out and starts rollin' again! It's just sooooo funny!

Someday, I'll learn how to post video. Then you could watch Eleanor scootin' all over. I really didn't think E would be a crawler, but in the last week, I changed my mind. She LOVES her new freedom and I think she will figure out, very quickly, that there are other ways to move!

What a GREAT weekend!!

Friday I had off and spent the entire day with Eleanor! We made baby food and went out to lunch with Grandma. Eleanor sat in a high chair like a big girl!Then Nic came home and we went to the Grafton 4th of July celebration with our friends Katie and Dave.

We ate at the park, danced with the UW Marching Band, Nic won $100.00 at pull-tabs, we walked home, Nic and Dave found some swords, we had a fire, drank a bottle and a half of wine and watched fireworks. *Phew*, I'm tired just thinking about it.

Saturday we went to the 7 hour Cedarburg 4th of July parade. Nic didn't want to go, but I told him it was Eleanor's first 4th of July Parade and he had to. Next year, I promise I won't make him go. It really is dreadful!We went back to my parents house and celebrated my birthday, then went home and all three of us took a nap! We went to family friend's house for a traditional 4th of July Party, which was also a surprise birthday party. I ate WAY to many desserts :) Nic ended up taking Eleanor home early, she was tired and we didn't think she would enjoy the fireworks anyway (since she didn't like the blender the day before!).

This morning we went to Church, ended up having breakfast with my parents and sister's family, did a few chores and then took Eleanor to the Grafton Pool - her first trip to the pool! She loved it! I even got her face wet once and she didn't mind. She cried when we took her out! I'm so glad it was a success!

It turns out that Cabo and Patrona are starting to like each other - that didn't take too long!

And look who is sitting up - all by herself!

Eleanor is sleeping and I should go to bed too. It's one of those weekends when I don't

even mind going to work tomorrow, it was just THAT great!

Happy 4th of July

There is something about this day that makes me want to stand up and sing the national anthem. I just want to take a moment and remember the real reason that we are celebrating this day. While I do think the 4th of July is one of the more funny holidays, there is real reason to why we do what we do.

I need to clarify the first part of the statement. I think it's funny because every city, across the nation, turns "Mayberry" for one day. We have parades with children's bikes decked out in crepe paper and streamers. We have picnics with too much food and we all settle back at dusk to watch fireworks. Funny.

But why do we do this? Today, we really celebrate our freedom. And while today's government sticks their fingers where government's fingers don't need to be stuck (whoops! Side bar of political opinion)...we really are a great nation! A nation of freedom, choices and independence.

Today while you watch the people walk behind the horses with a shovel, while you eat your second bag of cotton candy or indulge in the second beer, tonight while you watch the fireworks, remember the many that are away from families, giving up their freedoms to fight for ours.

Rebel With a Cause

I'm not sure if this is illegal...I think not, because I'm giving credit...

Monday I took a much needed day off. Not many plans, just hanging with Eleanor. We had the best day ever! The only thing we had planned was her 6 month pictures. I couldn't believe how great she did! I told Nic that I would buy an expensive camera and then I wouldn't get E's pictures professionally done...but come on, how can you resist. This time I did good! I only used my coupon and selected one pose. $7.99 (well, + $4.99 so I could view the pictures online) later, I had E's 6 months pictures. I am going to post some of my favorites online, but as I'm giving credit to JC PENNY'S in MENOMONEE FALLS, I think I won't end up in jail!

You must know, my heart explodes with love for this little girl. I think she is just the most amazing, most beautiful person ever. I never, ever, knew this type of love existed!

Let me see that tootsie roll!!

And when I say tootsie, I mean Eleanor!

Last night after dinner, Eleanor and I were playing in the front room. I was talking to Nic about something and he came into the room where we were. Eleanor kept rolling to her side and then - she was on her stomach! You would have thought we won the lottery! We were so excited! And to think we were both in there, just watching her! What are the chances?! I can't believe how proud of her we were - are!

Now she thinks she's hot stuff! You put her one place and the next thing you know she is somewhere else. She rolls all over - it's hilarious!

We really shouldn't swaddle her anymore now. I know, people have a hard time believing my 6 month old still likes to be swaddled, but she does! A lot! Last night I tried to do a loose swaddle; she slept OK, but it took a little for her to fall asleep after waking up. It's Nic's night tonight, hopefully he can have better luck.

Hopefully I'll be able to document the roll on film and post. She is just SO much fun!!