Happy Times

Left yesterday to come back home. The week went so quick and it's always hard to leave. (I guess that's not going to change ...) Even with all that driving, it's more than worth it to see and hold my sweet grandbaby!

In this cute picture Ella is talking to me and was giggling and laughing. There is nothing better than a baby laugh!

Mornings right now are an especially happy time for Ella. She is well-rested, well-fed and ready to "talk." I'm already missing those special times with her.

I had no idea that I could fall so much in love with a grandbaby!!

One Happy, Smart Baby

Arrived Monday and I can't believe how much Ella has changed in the past two weeks. She is a happy little thing and will spend really long periods "talking" to you, smiling and cooing. She loves when I name parts of her face and body and especially likes when I touch her lips or rub her head. Ella is very smart and seems more like a 3 month old rather than an almost 6 week old. Just this week she has started to try getting her fist/fingers in her mouth and is working really hard at it, drooling all over everything in the process.

Tuesday morning Kelly had to run into work for a conference call and to talk to her boss about her plans. I got to watch Ella. I put her in a sling and took her out for about 45 minutes, walking and sitting by the lake. It was pretty hot outside but that's perfect for Ella. We spent much of the time with her in the sling. When she started to get fussy I took her out and we had fun chatting, as she leaned against a Boppy (which I have decided is totally useless for nursing, but that is a whole separate topic!). And just in time, her mommy was home to nurse her.

In the afternoon Kelly and I took Ella out for coffee. She was such a good girl as her mom and I sat and talked. She loves to be out doing things, staying active. In her sling she can see everything that's going on and really feel a part of life. And, what baby wouldn't love that closeness? Kelly has a nice little wardrobe of slings so lucky Eleanor will be carried around a lot, just like her mom was!

Trying Out Her Bumbo Seat

Looking at this picture it is so hard to believe that this sweet little baby is only five weeks old. This was her first time in the Bumbo seat and I hear that she was pretty happy for about five minutes. (And that head cocking is not because of poor neck control. Her mom said that Ella was actually looking around the room!)

Oh, and not only is Ella strong, but she is smart, which shouldn't come as any surprise. Ella already anticipates common events like nursing and she quiets as soon as Clint starts handing her to Kelly or if Kelly gets the pillow or lifts her shirt. What a clever little girl!

I can't wait until Monday when I'm heading back down to give this little one a full week of hugs!!

Dairy Free

Nothing could be cuter than my sweet, sweet grandbaby so totally relaxed while bathing in her Puj tub.

Eleanor's skin is absolutely perfect and soft and free of rashes and bumps. And, her mom can take all the credit!

After Kelly left our house last week she decided to try a dairy-free diet to see if that could be what was making Eleanor gassy and uncomfortable. Though it's only been a week, and it can take two weeks or more to eliminate cow's milk protein from your system, Kelly has seen much improvement. Eleanor is sleeping better and doesn't seem as uncomfortable. She is crying less often and seems happier. Her skin is clearer and her diaper rash is virtually gone. What new mom wouldn't want all this?

It's a tough thing for a nursing mom to go dairy free. I tried it several times with Kelly and I really wasn't very successful. I loved my dairy back then but I'm guessing now that she wouldn't have had the awful eczema that she had around 6 weeks if I could have given it up. I'm sure she also would have had less tummy troubles.

I wonder if Matt, who was my most relaxed baby, benefited from me doing without almost all dairy during his pregnancy in hopes that he would be smaller than my other two (and he was close to 3 pounds smaller than Kelly - 8 pounds 3 ounces!) He was a happy baby, not at all gassy or uncomfortable and he slept really well.

I couldn't be happier that Eleanor is feeling better. And, because she is more comfortable, Kelly is less tired and is able to really enjoy her gorgeous baby.

The Family Meets Eleanor

Eleanor took right to Grandpa Gene, as you can see by the picture. Mommy and daddy took a well deserved nap the evening they arrived and we enjoyed resting on the porch with our sweet grandbaby -- as well as doggie Bridget. Luckily they got that nap because Eleanor had a pretty major meltdown from about midnight until two that night. We heard they were thinking about just knocking at our door and handing her over for a while ...

Backing up a bit, Eleanor's first trip out of state was quite successful, although it took longer than normal with the added stops they made. As Kelly and Clint said, it was the first time in her short life that she was out of arms for such a long period of time and she did great. She wasn't really fussy until close to the end of the trip. Her new pacifier helped out.

Uncle Josh got to meet and hold his new niece. The minute he first held her he was surprised how soft her skin was. It was sweet to watch their interaction.


Uncle Matt, almost 20, is not into babies, but he did spend a fair amount of time looking Ms. Eleanor over when she arrived. I think she is cuter than he expected!

Great Grandma Anne loved meeting and holding her first great grandbaby. Since she is almost 87 she feels too unsteady to walk around with her but she totally enjoyed gazing into Eleanor's eyes and holding her. I had to steal her back so I could get some time with her ...

Two more firsts for Eleanor (beside it being her first road trip and first trip out of state): She had her first trip to the pool and wore her first bikini!

The water was pretty cold but she got a little dip in it and then spent much of her time nursing under a beach blanket to help protect her sensitive skin.

She also had her first bath with mommy and I heard it was blissful for both. She went to bed earlier than normal that night before they left without fussing and slept well. What a good girl.

Oh yeah, and another first -- not so pleasant. Eleanor had some congestion, maybe a little cold. Poor thing. She seemed healthy otherwise, eating well and sleeping normally, so her mom and dad are keeping an eye on her.

This morning, before they left, Grandpa carried Eleanor upstairs to lie in bed with me for a while. She was so sweet -- happy and cooing. I hated so much to see her and the kids go back home! Kelly nursed her, sitting next to me on the bed, and it was time to leave. Now they're safely back home and this house seems very empty without them. WE MISS YOU AND LOVE YOU!!