VIPs from DC

Since Cville is a short two hour drive from DC, some of our favorite people from our nation's capital came to visit. Balkees, my college roommate, was visiting DC from Montreal, and Emily, another friend from Chapel Hill, lives in DC. They drove down to spend the day with us and brought homemade muffins, fruit from a local farm, and champagne for a brunch extravaganza! Along with Steve, Dawkins, and Rugby, we enjoyed a wonderful Sunday afternoon together. Balkees had just returned from a few months in Cambodia and brought Ellie gorgeous silk booties. I can't wait to put them on her. Balkees decided that the word for Aunt in Arabic is difficult to pronounce, but is close to the Latin word for Aunt, Amita. So Ellie will just have to call her Amita Balkees. Here she is with Amita:

Emily loves babies and spent lots of the afternoon holding Ellie. Emily is a fellow knitter and knit Ellie the sweetest gray-blue sweater, which she'll need for those cold Jersey winters! Emily was convinced that Ellie was going to be a boy when I was pregnant, but added three pale pink buttons to complete the sweater for Ellie;) Ellie is going to be the best dressed child. Thank you for coming, guys! We love you!

A few days later, Marcela, another VIP from DC, came to meet Ellie. Marcela and JC are good friends whose daughter, Ema, is Ellie's "godsister". (Steve is also Ema's padrino!) JC and Ema couldn't make the trip, but were SO happy to have Marcela visiting for the afternoon. She brought a delicious lunch for us and Steve. Ellie knew right away Marcela was an all-star mama and fell fast asleep in her arms. Marcela is an extrodinary knitter (I have such talented friends) who knit Ellie her first kimono. It is a gorgeous dark brown with a green belt. Thank goodness we're moving north where Ellie can wear her fabulous knitted creations. We love you, Marcela, it was wonderful to see you!

So far, Ellie has been a pretty good sleeper. But after a few busy days, we try to get some extra sleep when we can. Here is Phil sneaking in a nap with Ellie!