Resemblance?

If you can get past that ridiculous tent thing over my head (sorry, mom...), tell us who you think Elynor most resembles. Personally, I think it's a combo - Rye's blue eyes (hard to tell in his B&W pic), curly hair, and mouth, and my nose/face shape. Oddly, I think she looks remarkably similar to my sister Katie's baby pics. I'll see if I can get my hands on an electronic copy of one.

Mad Hatters

A few weeks back I helped throw a baby shower with a "Mad Hatter's Tea Party" theme for my dear friend Alisha (& her husband, Stephen). Elynor didn't join me at the party, but she loved the excuse to sport her adorable hat from Auntie Katie. I think we'll have to find a mom & tot tea party just to show off these great hats!

Here's a pic at the shower. Mom & I stayed up until the wee hours making those awesome playing card decorations... we were all high on the permanent marker smell!

With His Loves

Our Valentine's Day celebration consisted of a high school basketball game at Marshall High School (recently crowned city league champs) and dinner in Chinatown at Little Three Happiness (name inspiration for our fave foodie site, LTH forum). I guess you could say Ryan celebrated with all of his loves!

Elynor's first high school basketball game.

A Lesson On Compassion

From our 1-year-Elynor's-senior friend, Annikah: Compassion.

Do take a minute to read this story. Sometimes we can learn so much from the kiddos. Thanks for sharing, Roxanne!

A Whole New World

We spontaneously introduced Elynor to the world of real food this weekend. She's been reaching for our food while sitting with us at dinner for the past several weeks. So on Saturday, Ryan decided it was time to give her a taste. He dramatically marched to the kitchen, poured some rice cereal into an adult table spoon and then ran it under the sink. Hardly the ideal first feeding - my skepticism rose as I sat at the table, waiting.

But my skepticism was soon proved wrong. The lack of proper feeding utensils or mixing technique proved to be no problem for our hungry munchkin. She apparently loved the cereal, reaching for more. We tried it again on Sunday - still no baby utensils, but a full bowl full. And again, it was as if she was eating a hot fudge sundae. Oh, girl... you just wait. You've just entered a whole new world!

A Valentine's Day (and 5 mo. b'day) Photo Shoot

Elynor sends some tummy love! Mwah -

Peace

Carter's Sleepsack: $10
Crib Pad: $12
Loaned Toy: Free
Wake-up bedhead & crusty nose: Priceless

Over A Week

Since my last post! It's been fun-filled. Here are some highlights (though I realize I didn't take many pictures, so these don't do our week justice) -

Our first swimming adventure at Grandma & Grandpa's hotel.
Despite the chilly water, Elynor loved it!

Grandpa got in on the action too (Grandma was our photographer)!

Chillin' with Auntie Katie (whose Indiana sweatshirt was later banned from our home).

Mirror time with Uncle Danny.

Elynor Goes to the Polls

Evidently she didn't agree with my choice of candidates. Sorry, honey. Only 18 years until your cries can have an impact!

Day at the Museum

This has been a culture-filled week! On Wednesday Leslie & I packed up Elynor & Trinity (Ed had some boy's time w/ Everett) for a trip to the Museum of Science & Industry (free in January - probably b/c so many of the exhibits were closed for renovation). Elynor took it all in from the comfort of her stroller seat. Does this marvelous museum behavior suggest we have an intellectual on our hands? Good thing we balanced things out with the chick flick on Tuesday.

Mesmerized by the bubbly neon light room.

Our first visit to a "working" dairy farm (she's now ready for the real thing with Grandma/Grandpa Westrom).

A streetcar from Chicago's Archer Ave. - do you remember this GG Jean?

A final stop at the fish tank (all the fish were at the top).