Not a Newborn Anymore

I admit it. I've been in denial for the past several weeks. I didn't want to acknowledge that Ella is growing so fast but I can't deny it anymore. She is no longer a newborn. I guess we're supposed to want to see our babies grow and learn and reach their milestones--and I do get excited when she does something new. But with each milestone and each tiny piece of clothing that gets stored away, I feel a little sad that I couldn't have my newborn for just a little longer. Today was the last time she will be able to wear her first Sunday dress because I could barely button it this morning. So before it goes into a box to await another little girl, I decided to pull out my camera and snap some pictures. 

So off it went. I'll wash it and fold it and put it into a box then move on to celebrate her progress. And in a few years when the dress comes out again, I'm sure I'll marvel to think that Ella was ever that small. 

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles

Plane...

Train...

Automobile...

Ella has taken a ride on all of them. Last weekend we took a family trip out to VA so Blair could attend a conference. I have never been out that way so we went a couple of days early and spent some time in DC and Maryland (where Blair grew up). We stayed first in Maryland with my friend, Melissa, then took a train down to VA where we stayed with Blair's sister, Melissa. Here are some of the highlights from our trip:

The Washington DC Temple

My first crab feast--complete with brown paper on the table, a whole roll of paper towels, and whole steamed crabs covered in Old Bay Seasoning. Pretty tasty! We had a nice view overlooking the river, too. 

A whirlwind tour of some of the monuments in DC

I forgot to bring a hat for Ella so Melissa fashioned one out of a blanket. We tried to stay out of the sun as much as possible, anyway.

The WWII Monument--very beautiful

And this one is for Brent. Extra points to whoever can identify where this was taken.

I guess Ella can never complain that we don't take her anywhere...she's pretty well travelled for 2 1/2 months old. We're back now with our noses in the books again. Maybe we'll take a break from traveling for a few months...or maybe not. 

Elizabeth

Some of you may remember that not long ago I took some maternity pictures of my friend, Sarah. She invited me back to take some pictures of their expanded family. Their cute baby, Elizabeth, is four weeks old in these pictures.  They were all taken in their home with natural light and Sarah and Adam were very willing to put up with my suggestions. I felt like a kid in a candy store because I had so much fun working with them! Enjoy!

Back to School

There are lots of things I love about this time of year--the weather is cooling off and fall is just around the corner with beautiful colors and piles of pumpkins everywhere. I used to get excited about new school supplies and new classes, too. But this year the start of school was much less exciting to me. It will be my last year of formal classes and by this time next year I hope to have earned my master's degree. I should be excited to finish--but it breaks my heart to leave Ella so I can go to class. Thankfully, I only have to go to class 3 times a week. Blair stays with her during two classes and his niece takes her for my third class. I really couldn't ask for better arrangements. But I'll be glad when I'm done and can stay at home with my sweet little girl.

Boise...Again

This weekend Ella and I went to Boise again. I went partly so my mom wouldn't have to drive alone and partly to spend some time with my family--especially my sister who lives in Mountain Home (about 45 minutes out of Boise). 

Her husband is a doctor in the Air Force (hence the military haircut) and is being deployed this week to Kuwait for 4-5 months. She's also pregnant with her 5th child and will deliver in December while Phil is gone. On Sunday we had a big family dinner at my brother's house in honor of Phil. Three of my brothers and my sister were all there with their families. Blair couldn't come with me and we all missed him. It was a delicious meal and it was wonderful to have so much of my family all together. Before dinner I took some family pictures for my sister so each of the kids could have a picture of them with Daddy. We're proud of Phil for serving our country and know it will be hard for Cherry Ann while he is gone but we'll all do what we can to help and support their family.

Blessing Day

Sunday was Eleanor's blessing day. Fortunately, I don't have any awful stories about her emptying her stomach onto the dress or having a blow-out 3 minutes before the blessing. Everything went really well and Ella was quiet and happy through the whole meeting. She wore the dress I wore for my blessing.

My sister, cousin, and niece were also blessed in this dress. We'll embroider Eleanor's name there with the rest of them. After the meeting we couldn't have family and friends over to our apartment for visiting because it is too small so we went to a local park and had a light lunch. The weather was beautiful--a storm was moving in but didn't hit until later. It was nice to visit with family and friends who traveled just for the occasion. We'll have beautiful memories of the day!