Eleanor - Three Months Old

I think I always say this but time is sure going too quickly. Eleanor maybe my last baby so I'm trying to soak in and enjoy every moment.

Eleanor is doing really well holding her head up. If you are holding her, she wants to sit up straight or look over your shoulder but not lounge back.

Eleanor is smiling all the time, cooing at us when we talk to her and we think she even laughed once when Josh sneezed.

Eleanor has enjoyed going into her new Sunday school class while Josh and I are in church. The ladies enjoy rocking and snuggling her.

Eleanor (and Genevieve too) attended their first wedding a couple of weekends ago.

Eleanor still won't take a bottle. The little stinker! Josh is convinced that if we try every day for 2 weeks, she will eventually give in and take it. Today is day number 2 of this 2 week experiment.  We are hoping to go to a marriage conference in Chattanooga in October and leave the girls with Josh's mom. Obviously she will need to eat while we are gone so taking the bottle is necessary.

Tonight I am going to try having Eleanor sleep in her crib in her own room. She has been sleeping in our room in the pack n play. I've noticed that she has trouble staying asleep once Josh gets up. Hopefully her own room will help her get more shut eye.

I asked Genevieve if she wanted to take pictures with Eleanor. She said yes and laid down on the blanket even though Eleanor was in the chair

My 3 babies

 

Tummy time and learning about Sophie

Genevieve likes to play with the sticker when I'm done

Ingenious Plan

Last weekend, we went for a visit to Northern Virginia for a family wedding and to visit our old friends. Josh came up with an ingenious plan for Genevieve's sleeping arrangements. We had recently moved her into the toddler bed and thought the pack n play would be too small for her. So we took her toddler bed mattress with us. Wonderful plan.

The first night in the hotel, Genevieve got a little fussy and seemed to be a little scared. Until she saw her bed. She got so excited and climbed right in.

She slept wonderfully. Even took a couple of naps, which I thought there was no way of that happening.  She did wake a couple of times in the middle of the night and I think she didn't know where she was, so she would snuggle with us in bed for a bit.

Other hotel room antics:

Early morning snuggles

Talking to Daisy on the hotel phone. Had to unplug them.

Tucking bear and herself in the king size bed

Happy baby Eleanor

Playing with her pretend phone our friends gave her as a gift. I thought she would sleep with it

God Gave Me You

Happy Birthday to You!

Happy Birthday to You!

Happy Birthday dear Genevieve!

Happy Birthday to You!

Last week my oldest baby turned two. The last two years have seemed to flown by. I really don't know where the time has gone.

Last weekend we were also celebrating the wedding of my second cousin. During the reception, Genevieve pulled me on to the dance floor. Blake Shelton's song "God Gave Me You" took on a whole knew meaning as I danced with the birthday girl.

Cause God gave me you for the ups and downs

God gave me you for the days of doubt

And for when I think I lost my way

There are no words here left to say; it's true

God gave me you

Gave me you

I am so blessed that God gave me this sweet little girl. Even as we are entering the time of terrible twos, I'm excited to take this journey with this precious gift from God.

I love you baby girl! Happy 2nd Birthday Genevieve!

God Bless America

God bless America,

Land that I love,

Stand beside her, and guide her

Through the night with a light from above.

From the mountains, to the prairies,

To the oceans, white with foam

God bless America, My home sweet home

God bless America, My home sweet home.

We had a wonderful weekend here in our new town. For me, the 4th of July will always mean spending time with my family on beautiful Lake Wawasee in northern Indiana. We were there last year and I hope to be there next year but it just wasn't possible to go this year. Friends and family kept us busy during the holiday weekend. 

On Friday the 4th we enjoyed a parade in downtown Cartersville. Josh hopes to be in it next year with his Thunderbird. We then went to the local park for some food and games. For lunch we had Josh's sister and her family over for a cook out. Later that night we were invited to a friend from church's house for dinner and to watch fireworks. Genevieve didn't allow us to stay for the fireworks. They didn't start till 9:30 (2 hours past bed time). She made it till 8:30 but then pretty much crashed. Maybe next year. I really thought she would enjoy them.

Saturday morning we went to the local Harley dealership for some hot dogs and music. Later that night Josh took his Thunderbird to the first Saturday of the month cruise in. The girls and I met him there to look at old cars.

Sunday morning was spent at church and the afternoon and evening we tried to recover from all our festivities.

Pictures from the parade:

Pictures from the park. Genevieve was all excited to see the horses until she had the chance to ride one. She also got to pet some goats.

Testing out some motorcycles at Harley Davidson:

Posing on the front steps:

 Josh and Genevieve with the Thunderbird at the cruise-in:

I've been trying to find time to make a flag wreath for a while now. One day last week both girls napped at the same time so I was able to finish it.

Both Grandma's

A couple of weekends ago both Josh's mom and my mom stayed with us. I really think Genevieve liked having them around. With all the visitors we've had since Eleanor's birth, I think she's adjusting to the coming and going of people and is more welcoming to them.

My mom was in town prior to a Christian women's conference held in Atlanta. Josh's mom was in town because she had a few days off and was hoping to be here for the birth of Josh's sister's baby. Josh's sister's in-laws were staying with her, so his mom stayed with us since we had an extra bed and room for her in the rec room in the basement.

Eleanor with Grandma Patty

Genevieve wanting Grandma Patty to chase her

Genevieve reading books with CC

We've enjoyed having guests around and are glad they've gotten to meet baby Eleanor. I'm definitely in need of a little break though particularly since I have washed the bedding from our last group of guests.