Ellie's First Thanksgiving

Ellie had a great first Thanksgiving!

She watched Calvin sit patiently for food while Nanie made Thanksgiving dinner. He scored plenty of scraps.

Ellie sat with Pops, and he introduced her to Suduko and crossword puzzles.

She wore a special "First Thanksgiving" onesie passed down from my cousin, Mandy.

Uncle Ake stole her again and again, whether she sat with Mommy, Daddy, Pops or Nanie.

Ellie never seemed to mind. In fact, she thought Ake was hilarious.

I figured if Ake was going to keep stealing her, he might as well do some work and feed her, too! So, this was Ellie's Thanksgiving meal.

Then, she studied with Daddy some.

Haha! She was looking for her foot. She doesn't like for them to be covered up where she can't get to them.

Then, she moved on to finding her dolly's foot.

What are you thankful for, Miss Ellie??

She's probably thankful that Mom's camera will eventually run out of battery...

I tried to get a few pictures of Ellie and me, but I couldn't angle the camera right.

I asked Uncle Ake to take our picture, be he said no! That's why he's an Ake.

Our little turkey wurkey

And her wittle turkey toes

Daddy smothered her with Thanksgiving kisses

"Is it time to eat yet??"

Almost...

These pie pictures are strictly for Patrick and Elijah, who are absolutely pie-obsessed. We had Pumpkin Pie (which is a huge treat for me because no one likes it like I do!)

And we had Derby Pie (Louisville tradition)

Calvin's after-dinner nap. He was stuffed.

Books and Papers and Finals Galore

Oh man. I don't know how Brice does it. He has been working OVERTIME this week and studying for finals and writing papers all while his family was in town for Thanksgiving. And yet he is STILL in a good mood and praising God for Seminary. I would've quit two semesters ago.

This has bound to be the worst semester yet. We had a baby, Brice has taken on more responsibility at his full-time job, and that Thursday night class about killed both of us. I've never been more tired of school, and I've been out of college for three years now!

I am so excited about Friday. Friday means the semester is OVER. And in just 22 days, we will venture out on a Christmas road trip to Texas. Can't wait!

Catching up

It's only been a few months since the Lands last visited, but there was so much to catch up on! Ellie now rolls over both ways, is close to sitting up by herself, and is so much more alert.

Uncle Ake, I must say, is an ELLIE HOG!

Haha it looks like she's pointing in this photo.

We think she's starting to teethe. Pops' thumb felt just right on those baby gums.

Ellie listened intently as Pops' and her Daddy talked theology.

Until, of course, Uncle Ake stole her away again!

Nanie bought Ellie some teethers at the grocery store. We put them in the freezer, and Ellie really seemed to like the cold.

Although, the thumb is always the best choice, right?!

Catching up with Nanie and Pops.

Uncle Ake joins the party.

And Calvin can't be left out. Actually, Calvin was so excited to see his Nanie that she wasn't able to see the baby until she gave him some attention. He was jumping all over her and whining. He has a good memory when it comes to the giver of all table scraps...

Blake moved the rocking chair so Nanie could rock Ellie and watch TV. The living room was crazy this week because Blake slept in there, the baby's toys were everywhere, and the furniture was rearranged. I just pretended not to notice.

Blake and Pops fight

And Ellie sleeps through all this??? I guess there's just nothing like Nanie's arms...

Family Arrives!

Brice's parents and brother drove up from Houston, and they arrived in the middle of the night a few days before Thanksgiving.

Pops put our second carseat base in his Suburban so we could all ride around Louisville together.

Ellie's new ride.

And Uncle Blake was here. He totally looks like a Superhero in this photo, but I will never, ever admit that to Blake.

Ellie just loves her Uncle Blake.

We went to Penn Station for lunch. Yum!

Uncle Blake set Ellie up on the table with us. Actually, I should just call him Uncle Ake. It's a long story, but I call him Ake, and he calls me Ney. I've been trying to say, "Uncle Blake," but it is just too hard to remember that (I was mainly calling him Uncle Blake so I wouldn't have to be Aunt Ney one day). But I give up. I even caught Blake referring to himself as, "Uncle Ake." Ha!

Daddy Daughter Date

Brice and I had a craving for Sonic drinks (we heart Sonic ice!), but I hadn't had a chance to get a shower that day. So, Brice bundled up Ellie and took her along so I could enjoy a long, hot shower with no chance of a baby interrupting me.

Of course, I snapped a few pictures on the way out the door. We realized it was Brice's first time to take Ellie out without me. Ellie loves her Daddy so much; they both had a great time.

Baby Bath

Ellie loves her baths!

And she looks super cozy in her baby robe from SuSu!

Ellie's Ponytail

Miss Elisabeth has been sportin' a ponytail this week. It's the most fantastic little ponytail around!

Can you believe all that hair??

Calvin and Ellie are becoming fast friends.

She thinks he is so funny. Amazingly, he is so gentle around her.

Look at them staring at each other! Ha!

"You are one very cool dog, Calvin!"

Ellie holds her bottle

Ellie reached for and held her own bottle the other day!

Sittin' up

Guess who is trying to sit up all by herself now??!

Mandy Kitty

My cousin, Mandy was a kitty cat for Halloween. She is so stinkin' cute, and I just had to share these photos!

I absolutely ADORE this one!

Such a pretty kitty.

Lovin' the tail

Meow! You should vote for Mandy Grace at www.peanutsphotocontest.com. She is a finalist for Sally Brown. You can vote everyday up until December 4th. More details here.

Mandy Kitty and her mommy

Mandy kitty and her Daddy

Ellie hugs

Ellie hugs are the BEST!

Pretty in Pink

Watchdog

Swinging Outside

We've had a really nice Fall this year. It was warm outside up until this last week. For a few of those warm days, I took Ellie's swing outside. She LOVES being outside, and I really wanted to get in some sun time before winter and depression set in. Of course, Ellie was so cute in her outside swing that I had to take lots of pictures.

Calvin rolled around in leaves. He certainly knows how to enjoy this great weather!

I think she looks like her Nanie here! So cute. It's something about her mouth.

Hehe. Where'd Ellie go??

Calvin started digging up all his bones while we were outside. He is the most paranoid puppy dog. He's convinced that we're after his bones, so he digs them up and reburies them right in front of us. If he catches us looking at him, he will find a new spot to hide them. What a strange game.

We love her

Chinese food and Christmas lights

With Ellie sick this week and me sick last week, I hadn't been out of the house in a WEEK. Not even a grocery store run. So, when Brice got home from work on Friday, we bundled up the baby and went on a DATE. Oh, it was wonderful.

Calvin stayed behind to guard the house. What a good doggy.

I wore my new shirt from Brice's mom and size SIX jeans. Yep. They were a little snug, but I am soooo close to getting back to my old 4's! Brice even let me get a quick picture on the way out the door. Can you tell he was ready to go? He had just picked up the baby's carseat and paused long enough for the picture. Silly husband. He was super hungry for Chinese food.

We headed to the mall to eat at Yang Kee Noodle (thanks to Will and Jenny for introducing us to that yummy place). Afterwards, he bought some M&M cookies from the Great American Cookie Company and sat by the big Christmas tree to enjoy our dessert. I love this photo of Brice - eating his cookie and admiring the tree!

Baby Ellie had been napping the whole time but woke up while we were eating our cookies.

We thought Ellie might enjoy seeing the bright lights on the Christmas tree, so we took her closer.

She seemed to enjoy the lights.

But I think she liked the shoppers better. She likes to be social!

Daddy telling Ellie all about the pretty lights.

I LOVE when she rests her head on us like this.

We tried for a family photo in front of the tree...

I always cut off Brice's head in pictures. oops.

Cute baby!

Oooooh pretty lights, huh Ellie?

Looking for that thumb. I guess it's time to go home to bed!

Calvin Kisses

Now that she's discovered him, Ellie will reach for Calvin every chance she gets. It's cute but so gross.

What a big girl!

What a big girl sittin' on the bed and talkin' with her Daddy!

Loving those polka dot feet

Baby Ellie is growing up so fast!

She often holds the arm of the thumb she's sucking. I guess to keep it in place?

Haha! I gave her a rose from the vase on our dresser. She was very curious about it.

Baby in a Basket

For Brice's Mom's birthday, I planned on getting some photos of Ellie to frame for her. So, for several days, I tried setting Ellie up in different poses and pretended to be a photographer. Eventually, I gave up because the pictures were just not coming out as wonderfully as I had envisioned. That's when I finally took Ellie to a studio. Even so, I still caught some sweet expressions of my little model, and I just had to share them!

Wrapped up in dots

Wrapped up in red

Busy Baby Feet

Best Nappers

And the Best Napper Awards go to...

Calvin the Puppy Dog...

And Ellie the Baby Doll!

Action shot

Haha one more roll over photo - Ellie in ACTION!

Baby Bug

A friend from Brice's work passed along several outfits to Ellie. In the bag was this super cute ladybug costume. You know I had to try it on her.

I love this baby bug!!

Pockets and Ponies

Nanie gave these kitty cat overalls to Ellie awhile back, and she is now fitting in them. They are cute with their little pockets. I stuck Ellie's hands in her pockets, and she actually left them there long enough for me to snap a few photos.

Ellie Cat with her Big Girl pockets.

SuSu sent Ellie a new dress, and Ellie seemed to really like it. She kept picking up the material to look at it. And then, of course, she tried to eat it.

OK I absolutely LOVED My Little Ponies when I was little. My mom found these overalls and figured any baby of mine ought to have them. The ponies printed all over the outfit have little pink bows on their heads. How cute!

I wonder if Ellie will ever play Ponies with me?

Those Baby Toes

Ellie discovered her feet over the last few weeks.

How Ellie Rolls...

Going...

Going...

YAY!!!

Long Sleeves

I put this new onesie on Ellie the other day, and she was fascinated by the long sleeves. Maybe she liked the pattern? She stared and stared at the sleeves and then tried to eat them. Within minutes, her sleeves were so drenched in slobber that I had to change her outfit!

Ellie's Mouse Dress

Who wouldn't want candy-striped leggings?

And a mouse in their pocket??

Favorite toy

I think it's decided that this is officially Ellie's favorite toy. I'm not sure what it is, but she loves it. She never tires of this thing and always seems just as curious about it as she was the first day she saw it.

The last time my mom visited, we ran into a little resale shop to look around. My mom picked up this toy, and we commented on how funny it looked. Then we noticed how Ellie was so captivated by it. My mom paid all of $4 for this thing, and we hung it from Ellie's carseat. It was either that day or the next that Ellie started reaching for it - the first time she ever reached for a toy!

Goofy toy. Goofy baby.

Ellie's 4 month Pictures

We took Ellie to get professional photos for her Nanie's birthday. They turned out really cute!

Ellie liked the camera flashes and gave some good smiles. I wonder if that's my fault because I take so many pictures of her? Oh well. It's better that she like the camera flash than be scared of it!

I love how she's playing with her feet here.

Heehee! I just love her "Ellie" diaper cover

A big thanks to the Hopper family for that beautiful dress!

I love that profile and those sweet cheeks! You know how much I kiss those baby cheeks??!

I'm normally not the biggest fan of studio portraits, but I liked Portrait Innovations. They were nice, quick, and not terribly expensive. They even print your photos right after the shoot, so you can leave with them rather than wait two weeks.

Seriously, she's my real, live baby doll!!

A onesie to honor the Abrahams

Ellie got a surprise in the mail the other day - a few onesies from SuSu, including this one. It reads, "Miss Annabelle's Ballet and Dance Studio." I IMMEDIATELY thought of the Abrahams! They have a little Miss Annabelle, and she looks just like the doggy on that onesie! Abrahams, you should call Carter's and cash in on that onesie design! Notice the baby leg warmers? Ellie really looks ready for dance class.

My happy girl! She manages a few smiles for me even though she is soo sick and snotty and miserable this week.

We were having a great time rolling around on this blanket...

...and then Calvin decided to try to claim it.

Ellie won, though. All she had to do was start rolling, and Calvin hopped out of the way!

Eat her up!

I could eat her up!!! She is just so cute!