Ellie is now a month old and Abby is now one year and 10 months old, only two months away from from her second birthday. Both girls are changing so quickly… Is there any way to make time stop?

Today we celebrated those milestones with Grandma Zoe, who also celebrated a birthday as well. As I have sworn to live by the girl code, I will not reveal a ladies age. But we celebrated her 25th birthday… *wink*. The evening was relaxed. Shaun had planned to cook but because of the vaccine he received on Friday ( gotta keep Ellie protected from Pertussis, AKA Whooping Cough) he was not feeling all that great. Instead we ordered from Maria’s Kitchen, yummy and celebrated with an ice cream cake from Baskin Robbins… even yummier! We had a very lovely evening.

Ellie has been growing stronger and bigger with each and every day that passes. She is smiling now too! No, its not gas. They are actual smiles which are a result of an action.. generally mommy or daddy acting super ridiculous. I have been trying to catch a picture of her for the last few days now, but haven’t been successful. Luckily she cooperated today and I was able to capture it! She is going to have a beautiful smile just like her sister.

Ellie went in for her doctors appointment on Friday and passed with flying colors. Susie, the PA, was amazed at how strong Ellie is. While testing her strength, Susie had Ellie grab her fingers and at this point she usually pulls the little up a bit. Instead, Ellie pulled herself up. We have a another strong one on our hands! Ellie has gained plenty of weight and grown in length. As a nursing mother, this is music to my ears. Just when it seems as though I am not providing enough for my child, I receive confirmation that I am doing well and she is getting what she needs. That certainly makes my day.

Finally captured that adorable little smile. What a beautiful girl…. I am a bit biased.

Playing on her monkey mat, trying to figure out how she can get to the monkey swinging above her.

Still thinking about how to get that monkey…

Abby has grown so much too. I swear that in the 5 days I was in the hospital she changed into a whole new person. When Shaun wheeled her in to our room in her stroller the night before we were discharged, there was something different. She held on tightly to her new Woody toy and had a new sparkle in her eye. The sparkle of a little girl who was now a big sister and her mommies little helper. She has been a wonderful help to mommy and has learned her first chore, laundry! Ok so its not a lot, but its so sweet. Abby helps me put the clothes into the washing machine, making sure to separate each item before she puts them in and with a little guidance, presses the start button. Before I know it… she will be doing her own laundry. Until then I will relish in the little moments like this.

My sweet and beautiful little girl… She always makes me smile. How could a face like that not make you smile?

Our pretty, pretty princess… love those big baby blues!

It is so hard to believe, but Ellie is now two weeks old and changing so fast. She is growing by leaps and bounds and I want it to stop already! Time is flying and I think because I am only 2 weeks post partum, I am actually having a hard time dealing with it.

May parents left to head back home this past weekend and that was a very difficult day for me. Having them here made me so very happy and because I was unable to do much because of my C-Section, I had the chance to spend some quality time with them. Something I don’t get to do much of anymore… mainly because they are over 1,000 miles away from here! They did have a safe trip home and on Sunday even decided to take a detour home through Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone. Needless to say, I was very jealous.

On a very bright note, Jillian stayed even longer to help out and she has done great job. Abby is loving having Auntie J around. I am honestly not sure what is going to happen when she has to leave next week. Poor Shaun might have two girls sobbing in the car on the way home from the airport.

Ellie has been doing great and hasn’t tortured her parents too much. She has given us a few long nights, but this is to be expected. We have had a few segments of sleep that have lasted more then 2 and a half hours, so things are looking up! With each waking I remind myself that things change quickly and soon we will have lots of rest. That could just be wishful thinking too! Here is hoping for the best!

This past weekend we also took our first trip out to the Topanga Mall and Target. The trip only lasted about two hours but it was needed. I was starting to go a bit stir crazy and being inside constantly was giving me a bit of the baby blues. My friend Morgan suggested I get out, even if only for an hour, and walk around somewhere. So I did… and it made a huge difference.

Ellie also had her 2 week check up and once again passed with flying colors. She has a slight issue with an obstructed tear duct but its something that just passes with time. Abby had the same issue as a baby too. Its common in C-Section babies, as they don’t undergo the immense pressure of traveling through the birth canal. A little medical information for those that might be interested 🙂 She is growing well and gaining plenty of weight like she should be.

Baby Ellie feet… so tiny, skinny and long! She likes to curl and then spread out her toes, like a cat does when its stretching.

Ellie relaxing in her bouncer, sporting her cute outfit from Baby Gap. The shorts barely stay on, but I had to put her in this outfit! I am sure she will eventually grow into it.

Daddy and Ellie snuggle at the Red Robin in Glendale. It was Ellie’s first and last trip for a while to a sit down restaurant.