my weekend

We have been crazy busy for weeks and it finally caught up with me. Thursday night we went to see The Hobbit. Before we left I started feeling sick. I felt awful the whole time and even considered going to lay in the car. The movie was so good though and I was able to last through the whole thing. Walking to the car I was in so much pain.
The next morning my throat was completely swollen and I couldn't move because my neck was in so much pain. Dave was leaving that day to go to Philadelphia to play a show. Luckily, my sister was in town again. She got Elinor up and played with her so I could sleep. I felt bad because our girls weekend was ruined by me not being able to leave my bed. I was able to get so much needed rest, which I haven't been able to get since early in my pregnancy. Courtney was here Friday and Saturday and took care of me and Elinor the whole time.

Courtney took this while I was sleeping. It's her favorite thing to do. 

Sunday morning Dave came home. After taking a nap he took Elinor out for the day. Yay more rest for me. I slept most of the time and laid around. Now it's Sunday night and I'm finally able to sit up. I hate being sick! but I'm so lucky to have an amazing family to take care of me.

 another one from Courtney while I was in bed.

We are staying home for Christmas but heading to the midwest right after. I plan to take it easy until then and hope Dave and Elinor don't get what I had.

Japan

We had so much fun with my sister here! It was so helpful and I was able to get so much done. Thanks Courtney! 

Elinor and Auntie Courtney snuggling on a walk

Sunday Elinor and I fly to Japan for a week of vacation with Dave. I'm so so excited but also so so nervous for the flight. It is a direct flight but that long with a 10 month old! She has always done fine on flights. I bought some new books, loaded the ipad with shows, and bought some new small toys. I also am packing her headphones she wears for shows so she can get some sleep and nothing will wake her. I hope those help get us through it. Anyone have any more suggestions?

salem with auntie

My sister is in town! She came to help out my last week alone. Our first trip of the week was to Salem for some Halloween fun with a baby owl. There was a dog/cat costume contest. Elinor loses it when she see animals so that was funny.

 Elinor and Courtney. As soon as I put the hat on her she stared and was very serious.

 Walking with Courtney. She spotted a ball

 and the went after it

you can see where we used to live behind her. Oh I miss it there so much (the town not the apartment)

 waving to more dogs

 baby owl

We had so much fun. We have plans for me to organize/clean the house and more fun outings. Hopefully it involves Elinor wearing more costumes. 

Half Birthday Party

We were very excited for Elinor's half birthday. My sister came in town for it. Really she comes once a month and decided to come with gifts. Ellie got 2 new awesome books and teddy ruxpin dvd! Thanks Auntie Courtney!

reading pride & prejudice with Auntie at the library

Even though she had got shots the day before she was in a pretty good mood. Just a couple of meltdowns when she just needed to eat and snuggle up with me then she would be back to normal. 

big 6 month old

After work Dave picked us up and we went to Veggie Galaxy for a birthday dinner. She was so happy looking around at everyone. She always thinks everyone is there to see her wherever we go. When we sat down though she got a little fussy so I fed her. I ordered tofu eggs and bananas for her. She ended up falling asleep after eating. She didn't wake up until we got home.

We had brought her leftovers home so when she woke up we lit a candle and sang happy half birthday to her before dinner. She thought it was hilarious. 

I have to wash her diaper we use to take her monthly picture so I hope we can get those done soon!

Sisters!

My sister has been pretty good at coming once a month to visit. Last weekend was her trip for April! 

we went to rockport on Saturday to walk around and eat at Top Dog. 

Ellie liked watching seagulls out the window

Really that's me. I even doubted it at first

 Really that's Courtney. I always wore contacts and had darker hair, she always had blonde hair and mostly wore glasses. Now we are twins. 

 Dave, Courtney and the sun

 Daddy and baby

 For my night off, Courtney and I went out to eat and then saw Archers Of Loaf. Last time we saw them together it was 1998! We have been listening to them since I was 13 so we both immediately had flash backs of sitting in my moms basement rocking out. 

 Elinor and Daddy had fun but right when we got home she had woke up ready to eat and then snuggle back to sleep.

 Sunday Dave went to practice so it was just the girls. We ran some errands and I forgot my wallet (oops! thanks for lending me money Courtney!)

 new sunglasses

 Had a coffee date but Ellie thought she really needed some too. She is obsessed with that green straw!

We came home took naps and then watched Being Elmo. Courtney and I cried and Elinor laughed. We haven't watched any kids shows around her but anytime a muppet came on she started smiling and got so excited. 

Getting some Auntie snuggles in her new blanket that Courtney made! 

and then we made pizza....and donuts(not pictured)

This weekend we are headed to Philly again so more family time! I know I've said it before but I'm so glad Elinor is getting in all of these visits with relatives. Hopefully Courtney will be back next month!

sisters!

Since Dave was out of town this weekend, my sister came to visit and help out. She came to meet me at work on Friday. The first thing she did was grab Ellie and gave her all the kisses. She ended wearing her in the moby the whole day. I really think half the time Ellie thought she was me. Her son used to confuse us when he was little.

We had a great girls weekend! We ate a lot, shopped and gossiped. Elinor ate a lot, slept and got more cute clothes. It makes me sad Ellie being so far from all of her family but lucky we have been able to see at least one of them once a month. I want her to know her grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins!

Thanks for coming Courtney! We miss you!