Four Generations - Something to Clap About

I've said before how lucky Ellie is to have great-grandmothers on both sides of Phil's family. (The longevity on the Haberkern and Whiting sides of the family is truly astounding.) We never pass up an opportunity to have visitors, so Grandma Connie and Great-Grandma Dot came to see us at the beginning of their trip to North Carolina. The weather wasn't very cooperative for Great-Grandma Dot's first trip to Princeton, so we ended up visiting the Princeton Art Museum instead of the previously scheduled outdoor activities. Ellie seemed to enjoy the museum, or at least being carried around for an hour.

Recently, Ellie learned that she could clap (loud noise using just your two hands...whoa! Please refer to the video below for her first claps caught on video) After a few photos of Ellie and the four generations, she decided she'd had enough with the pictures - more clapping!

The Times They Are A Changin'

Melissa and Julie, my college roommates from UNC, are dear friends of mine. These women have been with me through all of the ups and downs. Four babies later, we are all mothers and decided to celebrate Mother's day weekend together in Princeton. Six adults, one three year old, and three babies under the age of 1 under one roof for four days = big fun!

The little ones;)

The little ones + big brother

Growling atop the Princeton Tiger

Enjoying the sunshine

Learning to share toys

A little time outside with the babies

Still laughing after all these years!

Swimmin'

Ellie has always loved bath time, so I was really hoping that she would continue to love the water and enjoy the pool. Every Thursday morning, we go to swim class at the Y. She LOVES it. The teacher is wonderful and is very purposeful in using the time to teach swim skills while making everything a game. Ellie is the only girl amidst 7 other little guys which seems to be par for the course these days (many of her friends are boys). It is a very sweet time for Ellie and me to have together every week. I think I like it almost as much as she does!

Learning to blow bubbles - Ellie usually tries to lap at the water and drink it instead, but one of these days she'll get the hang of it.

Learning to "reach and pull" with her arms

Mama and Ellie

After swim class is over, it's time to play at home!

Babies, Toddlers, and Godparents Rule

This weekend we went to DC to co-host a baby shower for our friends Mike and Rebecca at the Scotts. While we anxiously await the arrival of baby boy "Acorn" Schaefer, we celebrated with friends, BBQ, and lots of presents. Both Ellie and Ema (the coolest two year old that Ellie knows) can't wait to have another little one around. Acorn won't even know what to do with himself with two girls trying to show him ropes of being a baby and then a toddler;) And of course, her favorite padrino was there for the weekend, too. Both Ema and Ellie love their padrino and hang on every word he says:

Playing in the sandbox is so much fun for Ellie these days. All the playgrounds we go to in Princeton have one, but Ema's was way cooler!

Ema also read to Ellie, pointing out the words in Spanish and English. Thank goodness someone is going to teach Ellie Spanish!

With the azaleas in full bloom, padrino posed with his goddaughters. Happy times!

And a visit to DC wouldn't be complete without seeing Ellie's godmother, Julie. She loves Aunt Julie and Uncle Eric, and particularly loved reading with her. Ellie chose the challenging book "10 minutes til bedtime," which has no words. Aunt Julie is such a good storyteller!

Home Alone

Who wouldn't trust this baby to be left in Princeton without Mom and Dad? :) Ellie told us she was ready for a week with us because she wanted a visit with her grandparents all to herself. Nannie, Gung, and Grandma came to Princeton and stayed with Ellie while Phil and I went to Europe. Phil had a conference in Croatia, and we added on a few more days in Slovenia. Ellie loved every minute of her special week with three people who adore her (and spoil her rotten!)

Uncle Jonathan and Aunt Katherine came for a few days to help out. Uncle Jonathan was extra good at spoiling Ellie with her favorite snacks: Mum-Mum rice crackers. Delicious!


Grandma Connie went to swim class with Ellie - this is one of her favorite weekly activities! She loves the water and is starting to learn the basics of blowing bubbles, reaching her arms out in the water, and kicking.

The Waldrons came to visit one day so Ellie could spend time with her Great Aunt Catherine, Great Uncle Pat, and Great Aunt Judy.

Kisses for Grandma Connie all the time!

Gung is BIG fun on the playmat. They like to growl together;)

A very special thank you to Nannie for all the countless hours holding Ellie, singing to her, and playing. You are the best! Phil and I enjoyed our vacation more than we ever thought possible because we knew Ellie was so happy at home with her three grandparents. Thank you for everything!

Lost on Campus

Happy Easter!

Ellie's first Easter was a glorious day in Princeton - 70's and sunny with blue skies, just perfect! We went to church together and spent the day with Nannie and Gung. The highlight of Ellie's day was her first taste of lamb for dinner (she loved it, as she loves almost all food so far). A quiet day at home with family was just what we needed.

Nannie and Gung brought Ellie a new baby lamb stuffed animal...and she wanted to share it with Daddy, too!