Ellie's smile

Eleanor is just over two months now. Today she got some shots, and then joined Cy, Julie, Katie and Howie for a tour of Avago. It was kind of funny, ocne I started showing them the Avago test labs (which essentially look like an episode of Hoarders, but electronics themed) everyone seemed strangely eager to return to the beautiful sunny day outside.

My favorite thing these days is that Ellie has started really making eye contact, and gives cute little grins and coos when she sees us. It's spotty, most of the time she's just starting off at nothing. But several times throughout the day she'll lock eyes and give me a big smile.

She's still quite the bobble head, and still like to keep her limbs stiff and curled up, but I can see those things fading. Best of all, she's sleeping way better! Just now (11:45pm) Katie fed her and put her right back to sleep. I'm incredibly thankful she's sleeping better, because my turn is coming soon. Katie returns to work this Friday, so I'm on nights!

New people and old ones

Eleanor is almost 7 weeks now. We love having our new little girl and all the fullness she brings to our family.  It's very fun to show her off and have people be excited about her, but I'm finding that it makes me a little defensive of Howie. Everyone used to be all excited about Howie and think he was so cute want to see pictures of him...but it's all about Eleanor now, and that makes me want to push him forward and say "Look! Howie is still cute and fun, don't you want to see him too?"  I don't want my first baby to be forgotten just because I have a newer one. And it isn't that I don't want people to be excited about Eleanor. I love her! I just get fiercely defensive of my little boy. I guess there really is something about your first child, that little person that unwittingly launches you into parenting and makes you realize you'll never really be prepared for any of this.
  Then again, there are days like last Friday when he screams all the way through the grocery store as if I'm electrocuting him, and then I'm not quite as inclined to feel like people should be excited about him... But most of the time, he's my little boy who I love and don't want to be overshadowed by the newness of his little sister. I guess part of parenting is making sure each kid knows how very special and loved they are. Shouldn't be too hard- I have two super great kids.
-Katie