1st Christmas

I know, I know... it's been 19 days since the last post, and I'm sure some grandparental figures are antsy for updates. I can assure you, we've had our hands full over the last month. I was sick for over 2 weeks, then Justin got sick, then Ellie got sick, and we topped it off with pink eye for Ellie. Pepper in some teething for good measure. Also mixed in there was a 10 day multi city "journey" to visit various family and friends. Needless to say, we're EXHAUSTED. It's never felt so great to be at home, healthy, and back into a routine. While the last month has been a real challenge, it reminds me of just how lucky we are.

In the midst of the holiday craze, Ellie turned 9 months. Since we were on the go, our pics below are a week late and showcase Ellie's lovely case of pink eye.

Some highlights of our trip:

KC: 

: Oklahoma Joe's homecoming dinner

: Lunch with the Lunds and Dreilings. Getting to meet sweet Georgia was the best. She wins the award for best baby hair, hands down. Lucy and Ellen fought over who could feed Ellie. They ended up taking turns which was adorable. Ellie reveled in the big girls...

: Play date with Ellspermanns, Bennetts & Lash kiddos. Natalie and the Imbers joined in the fun too.

: Eve's Eve party at the Dreilings

: Christmas Eve visit to see Mrs. Johnson

: Christmas Eve afternoon in urgent care (Ellie developed a really bad rash all over her face and spiked
a high fever. Turns out it was just a contact rash and the fever the result of her fighting a virus.
Nonetheless, we're glad we had her checked out.)

: Christmas Eve night with The Lawrences at Uncle Mark's house

: Christmas morning with the Jurys/Lawrence ladies at Grammy's house.

: Christmas afternoon at Dad's house


Chicago: 

: Cousin Elizabeth was so nice to share all of her toys and baby gear with us. Ellie just loved having a built in playmate for a few weeks. Elizabeth only refers to Ellie as "Baby Ellie"... we're convinced that she'll still be calling her that 18 years from now:)

: Spending time with Bama & Gampa, The Woods, and the Detricks was so much fun. Justin's cousin, Andy, his wife, Charity, and kids Sarah & Pete came to visit from Ohio. It was great to catch up with them as well.

: Ellie looooved the Woods' dog, Bernie. Bernie was so sweet and gentle with Ellie. We let Ellie know multiple times that she can love on our family members' and neighbors' dogs all she wants... we're non-commital on the dog front as we have our hands full!

Now that we're all finally well (knock on wood), we've spent the New Year getting back into our routine. It's been cold in Austin, so we're housebound more than we'd like to be. We got out yesterday for our first walk in weeks (usually a daily happening here), and Ellie was in HEAVEN.

We look forward to a happy, healthy, and prosperous 2013!

KC Bound! 

Ellie and Papa Jack read the paper together every morning. Well, Papa Jack read while Ellie shredded and ate the paper.

Snuggle time with Grammy

No fear here. Ellie holding Santa's hand:)

Play date. Ellie loving on Chase Bennett

Molly and Georgia Lund rocking amazing hair at the Eve's Eve party at the Dreilings

Dede and my Elf

Jeff and Brandi Dreiling, the wonderful hosts

Johnson and Justin cut from the same cloth

Just another day in the life of costume junkie's wife

Ellie's not impressed

Ellie loves her Auntie

Nana time!

So pretty, rash and all...

Cousin Elizabeth sweetly sharing her toys. Pretty sure Ellie slobbered over every single one.

Bama and her girls;)

Since it was bitterly cold, this was the closest we got to the great outdoors. WE DON'T MISS CHICAGO WINTERS!

Cousin love! Challenging to get a pic of the girls sitting still...

Homeward bound. We travel light these days.

Ellie's geared up for this afternoon's game.

Justin shaved his beard into a mustache for a day. Ellie hangs her head in shame...

Brrrrrrrrrrr

Super excited to be outside!

Thomas Girls' New Year's Eve cocktails

One of my favorite Christmas gifts. Justin customized these "Rock Chalk" shoes... look forward to sporting them in a couple of weeks at the UT/KU game in ATX.

9 months, pink eye and all! She's so active that we had to bribe her with various gadgets...

Mid sneeze pic

Grammy had a stuffed raccoon (long story) that Ellie was pretty obsessed with. Judging from her reaction, I think she thought it was a dog...

Ellie was deprived of her daily outdoor walks for about 3 weeks. She was all smiles on our walk yesterday...