Precious little things in a big, crazy city...

Yes, folks, that's how she fell asleep one evening, hair in one hand, doll in the other. 

Mom swoon.

NYC adventures via video

The spinning top chairs at the Children's Art Museum:

Ellie was OBSESSED with the penguins at the Central Park Zoo!

Ellie's first time on a carousel

And some Central Park swinging.

Travel Videos

The first is some daddy/Ellie time in the airport, followed by a little bug in the big city, Ellie meeting little Levi, and some early morning chatter we've titled "zappa zappa zow".

Introducing Ellie to NYC

The last leg of the crazy October travel took us to none other than our favorite city - NYC! I was so excited to introduce Ellie to a place that is so special to both Brad and me, and I couldn't wait to see how she reacted to all the people, sounds and smells. (In case you were curious, she LOVED it - she is my daughter, after all.) Brad had work on Monday and Tuesday, so on Saturday after the wedding we flew from STL to NYC, where we had two days as a threesome, and then a couple of mommy/daughter days. This trip also happened to fall on our anniversary (part of the reason E and I tagged along) - more on that in another post.

I couldn't believe it had been three whole years since I'd been back, and man I missed it. It's funny how some places just fill your soul with warmth the second you arrive, and for me, NYC is one of them. I had a little smile on my face starting the moment our plane landed that didn't go away until we left.

Upon checking in to our hotel Saturday evening (which was RIGHT across the street from my old office building - talk about crazy!), I shared with the woman at the front desk that we were celebrating our anniversary, and she gave us complimentary access to the Grand Club, an area on the 16th floor that offered free breakfast, non-alcoholic drinks and hors d'oeuvres in the evenings. SCORE! This made life SO much easier in terms of getting Ellie fed, etc, not to mention saving us a TON of money.

Sunday was our anniversary, and I had made a reservation at a place called Stanton Social for brunch (owned by Chris Santos who is one of the chefs on Chopped - Brad and I are obsessed). Sadly this was the first time E decided she was NOT happy to be eating at a restaurant, and so it wasn't quite as enjoyable of an afternoon as it could have been. Sigh.
We left brunch and walked across the Williamsburg Bridge to Brooklyn, where we met up with my friend from college, Josh, and his son Levi, who is 4 months old (and about the same size as Ellie!). We hadn't seen each other since 2009, so it was an absolute treat. We enjoyed a lovely afternoon/early evening of catching up and watching our babies play.

Monday, Brad didn't have to work until the afternoon, so we took Ellie to the NYC Children's Art Museum where we enjoyed music, stories, and her first attempt at putting color on paper (didn't go so well - she just wanted to eat the markers hahaha!). We took the Subway there - E's first ride! - and I was amazed at how she just went with the flow. She even instinctively knew to hold on the pole - I almost died. Perhaps it was a coincidence, but it seems this is a theme with Miss E - no matter what the situation, she just seems to ADAPT, and I both admire and adore that about her.
We walked from the art class back through Washington Square Park and Union Square before hopping back on the Subway for E to get back for her afternoon nap. When she woke up, B was at his meeting, so E and I took a walk through midtown, stopping to get her out of the stroller at Rockefeller Center and Bryant Park (one of my favorite spots in the city).

Tuesday B had work all day, so E and I took to the streets. We spent the most picture perfect day you could ever hope for in Central Park, at the Central Park Zoo, Children's Zoo, Carousel (her first ever ride!), and the park/swings. She napped in her stroller while I strolled through the gorgeousness of the colors changing around me - I wish I could adequately describe how at peace and in love I felt in that moment. So much love for my daughter, the life we share as a family, in my absolute favorite place. Makes me tear up just thinking about how happy I was.
We snaked our way north through the city blocks, peeking in windows and looking up the real estate listings, before making our way to my old stoop. So surreal - I know it happened, but it feels like a lifetime ago.

There are strange comforts when you go back to a place you used to call home: the convenient store next to my front door was still there, being run by the same people; the park across the street was still bustling with local kiddos; my go-to pizza, sushi, and grocery store were all still there. Maybe everywhere you once lived is like this, but it's amazing how in a city so huge with so many people walking past you that you can quickly feel comfortable and like you're home. I have a sneaking suspicious it's not like this everyone you once lived - only in the places that still have a hold on a tiny piece of your heart.

The flight home was brutal - 5 hours, Ellie's longest to date, and also her worst (although to have one not so great flight when her grand total is 15 flights is pretty incredible). Not to mention three plus hours of turbulence. We were happy to be home, and now have amazing new memories of our favorite city that include our daughter. We can't wait to go back. A link to all our NYC photos is here.

Aunt Claire gets hitched!

At the airport - and E looking like SUCH a big girl with her sippy cup!

The start of our travel was to celebrate my best friend Claire getting married. To STL we went (E and I on Wednesday, followed by B on Thursday). Mimi drove over from Wichita to stay with E in the hotel so B and I could enjoy the rehearsal dinner/reception/drinks out without worry, and we were so, so grateful! The girls (including Mimi) enjoyed a sleepover at Carlie's house on Wednesday - it's so nice to have SPACE with Ellie. The wedding on October 16 was beautiful, and Claire looked stunning. Two nights out in a row is such a luxury for us, and we were tired, but happy on Saturday morning. A great weekend with great friends, and so fun to introduce Ellie to a few people she still hadn't met. We love you, Aunt Claire!

10 months!

October has been CRAZY with travel, and so while I managed to take her 10 month photos on time (actually, three days late, but close enough), I'm just now sitting down to write the post. Needless to say, we're happy to be home for awhile!
I still cannot believe that we hit double digits - Eleanor Claire is TEN whole months old! How do we only have one more monthly photo session before we hit the big O-N-E?! She continues to light up every room we walk into, and makes every single person she encounters smile with either a wave, point, or smile in their direction. Sister loves a crowd and knows how to work it (as was so aptly pointed out by the group of people on the shuttle bus taking us from the airport to our car). Her "talking" is hilarious, and she is interested in everything.

A few stats and what's making her special these days is below:

As of 10/9/15:
Weight: just under 19 pounds
Height: guessing around 28"
Loves: DOGS! and animals of all kinds, mommy, giving kisses, water/bath time, cottage cheese, string cheese (she loves dairy, just like her mommy), swinging, music class
Hates: when mom leaves the room (oh, the horror!), when she feels like no one is paying attention to her (unless she's fully engrossed in something, in which case she is completely oblivious that she's been left by herself)
Size: 9 month and 6-12 in the baby gap/gymboree brands, size 3 diapers
-She's figuring things out and it's amazing to watch. She's a total mimic and will clap when you do, point when you point, etc.
-Along those same lines, she figured out how to play peek-a-boo! Took us a second to realize what she was doing, but she was in a dress and lifted her skirt over her face, and just stayed that way. Then she'd slowly bring it down and look at us and smile. Once we started saying "Where's Ellie?" she immediately put her skirt back up over her face and brought it down when we said "Peek a Boo!". Incredible. (Modesty to be worked on at a later date :)
-She's a TALKER and can make all kinds of crazy noises with her tongue. I have had a lot of people say they think she'll be an early talker.
-Still not moving around much. She sits and plays and when reaching for a toy will flop herself onto her stomach, but hasn't figured out how to then move forward. She does a little bit of scooting on her butt.

Dad's favorite things about Ellie:
1. Her genie head bang (think Barbara Eden granting wishes)
2. Her clicking noise
3. How she will initiate waving at people
4. How stinking happy she is

Mom's favorite things about Ellie:
1. She's my sidekick, errand buddy, and best friend. I am loving all the time I am lucky enough to get to spend with her.
2. Her babbles, and how proud I feel when she "meets" people out and about and feels secure enough to start a "conversation" with them. I love to see how she makes so many people smile.
3. When she grabs my face to give me a smooch.
4. Her other hand when she's nursing.

46 weeks!

45 weeks!

Technically spent in NYC, so taken just a couple days late :)

Independent Woman - the video series

One thing I'm loving these days is how (at times) E can be a very independent little girl. If she finds something entertaining enough, she'll sit and play and be completely content not needing any extra attention from me. These are the times I actually find I watch her the most intently - it's incredible to see her little mind working so hard. I especially love when she does something that she finds amusing, and makes herself smile or laugh.
Often times her best independent play is when I'm cooking and she's just hanging in the kitchen, as evidenced by the videos below.

Baby babble video series

And here are a few recent videos of E at her best - talking and making sound effects :)

Swing video series

I've been taking tons of videos but realized I haven't been good about posting them here.
Below are a couple of E swinging - one of her favorite things to do!

Water baby

Ellie has been taking swim lessons the past few weeks, and yesterday B was able to leave work early so he could watch! I love that I get to do these fun things with her, but it always makes me a little sad that B doesn't get to witness some of it. He couldn't believe how much she loved the water - from the moment we walked in the door she started smiling - she totally knew where we were.

He was also able to snap a few pics :)

44 weeks!

Kiesling family fun in CO

 Last weekend we had our inaugural Kiesling family vacation in Colorado Springs! What fun to see the babies together for the first time, as well as spend quality time with Grammy, Grampy, Aunt Kasie and Uncle Drew, and Brad's cousin Martha Ann and her sweet family. Lots of snuggles, toys, books, bubbles, and deer out our window. We explored Cave of the Winds as a whole family, and our little family took a long walk each morning in the cool, crisp, fresh  mountain air. Martha Ann even did a mini photo shoot of all of us - photos to follow :)
We are hoping to make this an annual event - it was such a fun four days and we can't wait to see everyone again soon! Photos from the trip are here.

E figures out peek-a-boo!

While we were in Colorado Springs with our Kiesling family, Ellie figured out how to play peek-a-boo! Amazing to witness her putting the pieces together!

E in photos

A few shots of E attempting to enjoy some fresh air while working through her fevers, and a few after it finally broke. This girl is pure joy. I can literally feel her absorbing every little thing she witnesses, and I can only hope we're showing her lots and lots and lots of LOVE.