Life with Ellie

How did 2 weeks go by already? It seems like just yesterday that I was waddling around the neighborhood trying to induce labor. In the blink of an eye, our lives as we knew it changed... for the better, of course. We are experiencing all of the cliche new parent changes - time running in fast forward; sleep deprivation; figuring our what makes Ellie tick, only for her to change the very next day; constantly worrying that our daughter is happy, healthy, and comfortable; changing a diaper, then hearing a loud diaper explosion 30 seconds later; non-stop laundry running trying to rid our textiles of  poop, pee, spit up, and germs.

Despite all of the various changes and stress, we are loving life with Ellie. Her personality is definitely already starting to blossom. We've learned that she loves to snuggle, embraces constant stimulation, eats more than any newborn I've ever known, hates the confinement of a swaddle, has the most aggressive rooting tendencies, enjoys holding hands with just about anyone, and like a true Austinite baby, she LOVES music. Her favorite tunes to date are anything by Jim James/My Morning Jacket.

We had a big week with Ellie:

: Nana visited this past week from Kansas City - Ellie and Nana even hung out solo while we ventured out for our first date night post-baby.

: Great Great Aunt Sally and Uncle Jim visited from Georgetown - how lucky is Ellie to have "great greats" in her life (and in Austin)! However, Aunt Sally insists on just AS because adding a G would make her "GAS."

: We went to the doctor again this week, and Ellie is up to a whopping 8 lb 3 oz.

: We've been on many walks in the neighborhood and also had a date with Nora Dennis, who was born the same day as Ellie.

: Goodbye umbilical cord, hello bath time!

We are soaking in the last 2 days of Justin's paternity leave. Thank God for FaceTime because I don't think Justin will be able to go more than a few hours without a pictorial update on his daughter. Ellie already has Daddy wrapped around her tiny little fingers;)

The newest member of the Thomas household - our very own power washer

Now that Justin has a daughter and a power washer, I think it's safe to say he's fully domesticated.

Miss Ellie - 2 weeks old

Nana brought my baby pictures from KC, and it's obvious that we have a mini Sarah on our hands;)

Ellie, just minutes after birth

Ellie loves her Nana;)

First walk in the neighborhood

Great great Aunt Sally & Uncle Jim came for a visit. Ellie's lucky to have them so close - just a 45 minute drive from South Austin.

4 generations!

Ellie loved her first real bath

Our Bathing Beauty:)

Breakfast date (or sleep date?) with Nora Dennis and her parents, Mark & Elisa. Ellie is only a few hours older than Nora...

Ellie showing Nana cheek tricks. Lots to work with here...