JSP Blog »

Ellie’s been full of smiles and has started to coo. Mike and I are officially goo. Not even mush, we’ve melted way past that point.  We had some fun this morning, on our last Saturday together before I go back to work, taking Ellie’s 2 month pictures and playing around with our camera’s remote. It always cracks us up, trying to take self-portraits, because our modeling skills definitely leave something to be desired. (Well, mine and Mike’s, anyway. I shouldn’t speak for “the girls.”  Especially Dorey. She definitely knows how to “smize.” She also seized the opportunity to lick Ellie’s toes.) These photos truly show the chaos that is my little family. Oh how I love that chaos.

Ah…Fall. My favorite time of year. Crisp air, snuggly clothes, college football, colorful leaves…it just doesn’t get any better than this time of year. It was a gorgeous weekend and Mike and I had a lot of fun enjoying the start of the season with Eloise. We took her to the Lincoln Park Zoo for the first time and enjoyed several walks in Winnemac Park and around the neighborhood during which Ellie actually stayed awake. Maybe Fall will be her favorite season, too. I mean, she totally rocked her first pair of big girl jeans, so what’s not to love? I find those little jeans just absolutely hilarious. They cracked Ellie up, too, aparently.  I was thrilled to finally be able to capture this little squirt’s smiles and giggles on camera.

Eloise turned one month old yesterday and rocked her drs. appointment this morning, weighing in at 7 pounds 12 ounces. Our “Ellie Bean” is getting bigger! Mike and I have started to witnessed some of Ellie’s sweet smiles and contagious giggles in the past few weeks. Her laugh is the cutest thing I have ever heard in my life and it’s hilarious that our daughter finds a way to crack herself up, even in her sleep. (What in the world is she dreaming about? I wonder if Eloise has her dad’s Monty Python sense of humor. Heaven help us.)   Now I just need to be quicker on my feet to capture that smile on camera. (Maybe once I figure out how best to work a shower into my daily maternity leave schedule…) Mike and I have been blessed to receive so many darling outfits and amazing handmade quits and blankets from friends and family for Eloise. My aim is to work all of them into photos…as my clients all know well, I am a sucker for a good wardrobe change! So many adorable options…so little time! Thank you, Kevin and Neda, for Ellie’s adorable pink dress. I can’t get over that cardigan. All Ellie needs are some big pearls and she’s ready to hit the quad at Denison. Or maybe spend some time shopping in the Hamptons. The quilt in these photos was made by Mike’s Aunt Fran, an extremely talented seamstress who truly outdid herself this time. She created the quilt out of vintage handkerchiefs which she has collected since she was a girl. A few belonged to Mike’s grandmothers, which is just so special. Thanks to everyone for the ongoing love and support. We’ve loved sharing our happiness with you.

It’s been an incredible, life-changing two weeks. Mike and I continued to be amazed and overwhelmed every time Ellie smiles, stretches, squeaks, stares into our eyes and grasps our fingers in her little hands. We wanted to share some of that joy with you. When you have your tissues ready, click on the image below to start the slideshow.

Eloise Celeste

July 26, 2012

It’s hard to believe that our baby girl is already just over one week old. Eloise is thriving and Mike and I are settling into a happy routine at home with her. Ellie’s such a good baby. I had been fully prepared for a noisy, incessantly screaming, colicky train wreck of a baby because that’s exactly who I was as an infant. Instead, it looks like Eloise inherited a lot of her daddy’s patience and calm because we’ve found ourselves with one chill baby on our hands. Dodged that bullet! Mike and I have officially become those parents who think their baby is the most beautiful, perfect, angelic, special child in all the world. We’ve also become obsessed with all things girly and pink. Didn’t see that coming, but the photo below speaks volumes. Sorry, Ellie. You may hate us for this in your teen-aged years, but this is one for the wedding slide show someday.