The Boy and Me

My funny valentine

2012-02-16T21:46:00.000-07:00

Goodnight Sweetheart

2012-02-13T10:25:00.000-07:00

If you give a toddler a cookie...

2012-02-06T11:36:00.001-07:00

Eleanor steals cookies meant for my neighbors. And says thank you. What a polite little cookie-burglar...

Books? I didn't know you could read.

2012-02-06T11:06:00.000-07:00

Kid book swap party at the Curtises. Ellie had a bit of trouble with the "swapping" part vs. the opening up of the book part, but she still had fun. We came home with a lovely mermaid book (even though Mike has pointed out that it teaches incorrect marine-life behavior, for example, that a mermaid cleans the teeth on 'nice sharks'). I though the whole half-man, half-fish thing would be the glaring error. Merman!!

Eleanor has been spending some time with her best friend and second cous James. Those two get into trouble twice as fast -- but they're pretty cute.

We've been experimenting with the first tufts of a ponytail -- although Ellie likes to graciously remove the rubber band and hand it to me if she discovers it. It's kind of a cross between a mullet and a Sumo topknot.

Playing at the park. Going down the slide, riding on the swings, eating sand, chasing ducks, trying to swim in the frozen pond.

Valentine's decorations. Note the bullets on the top shelf ** not part of the 'original' holiday vision** thank you husband.

Snacks. Eating the almond butter off of the bread.

And reading - Ellie is really into books now. Books before naptime, and before bed, and at church, and at playtime. The other night while she was teething and we were up at 3 am (I use that term loosely because only one of us parents was actually 'up' and not in a prone position in bed), we read through her entire board book library. Her favorite is 10 babies by Gyo Fujikawa.

Saggin' in her skinny jeans.

After-bath naked time. Anything goes, including wearing her hat as a kind of crocheted loin cloth...

New petti romper! I finally sewed it after buying the fabric at the LA garment district on our last Malibu trip. She seemed to like it, although she tried to pull out the hair thing immediately, sigh...

Cutence.

So this is Christmas...

2012-01-11T14:42:00.001-07:00

Last Christmas, I gave you my heart

2011-12-10T23:25:00.001-07:00

80's christmas party. 'nough said.

ellie discovered toilet paper.

yep. matching footie pajamas.

ellie's first ornament last year - the lil' "peanut"

santa meltdown = check.

Gobble Gobble in the Sun

2011-12-01T12:37:00.001-07:00

We had a great Thanksgiving in Palm Springs last week. A big turkey-sandwhich thanks to Grandma Lavon and Grandpa Jim for flying us down there to spend time with them. Ellie enjoyed the sun and water (although she enjoyed the hot tub more than the pool... :-)). Gobble Gobble!!

Malibabe

2011-11-22T11:22:00.001-07:00

Ellie and I had a wonderful trip to Malibu last weekend. Eleanor got to have her first beach outing (with progressively less and less clothes as she gained more courage in crawling out in the ocean), we Xana-did, visited with our Aunt Zia, rocked the night away listening to reggae music (just Ellie, with her sweet "Wave" babysitters), ate way too much food, spoken in Australian accents, sampled farmer's market fare ala hipster style, baked apple pies, did a pre-birthday ellie party, went Thrift-diving at Hidden Treasures, did some light star-gazing, raised our blood pressure while shopping at the fashion district (my Dad did not come...so he can live to see more grandchildren) and generally lived it up. A big thanks to Madison for bringing us all together with her luscious voice and rollerskating calves -- and thanks to my parents for making it happen.

Love you --- they call me Kiiiiiirrrraaaaa -- which is good, 'cuz that's my name!!

Falling in love

2011-11-19T13:08:00.001-07:00

I'm a little behind in getting my fall photos up -- I took these a few weeks ago when our neighbors had a leaf-poolaza going on in their front yard.

Saturday Breakfast - Daddy's eggs. Nothing better.

Our trip home to Coeur d'Alene to see my brothers in Les Mis. They were fabulous and we had a nice time getting caught up with all the family. The grandmas really hated having Ellie around too. Such a shame she isn't loved...

Happy Birthday

2011-11-17T13:09:00.001-07:00

**Note: this is the only .2 seconds period I could keep that hat on...so glad I made it the night before a la 1 am....

Guess you can climb up in the dishwasher when its your birthday.

What? This is helpful, right?

Playing in the leaves on our birthday walk-about the neighborhood

The Party
Bears. Beets. Battlestar Galactica (ok....only the first two things). Potato Bar. Hot Chocolate. Cake. Ice Cream. Juvenile Diabetes (just kidding! eat up kids....)Pink. Brown. Poofs. Ears. Frosting. Polka-dots. Toddlers. Presents.

Our First First Birthday - Hooray for Ellie!

Stealing people's food....I think she's taking that Yogi-bear complex a little too seriously. Do you' wannasteal a pic-a-nic basket, Boo-boo?!!

The "I got caught trying to steal the bottom part of my cake" tears. See that mangled paw? Yeah....

It's so fluffy I could die! Safe to say the bear was a hit.

Let's get this show on the road peeps. I was told there was cake.

More stealing of food. Sigh...

Sweet "On the Night You Were Born" that I balled my eyes out to later on when reading our bedtime story...dancing polar bears...gets me every time!

The morning after...a duckie!!! The peanut decided to..

Mount it. Lovely.

Happy First Birthday Sweetheart. Love <3, Mom &Dad

Isn't She Lovely?

2011-11-10T11:15:00.001-07:00

Shake, Shake, Shake Señora!

2011-11-10T11:08:00.001-07:00

Another edition of my document-Eleanor's life so far-series. This is our 'belly party' video, or all the fun we had in being pregnant and expecting our little peanut. Since she was a surprise we normally called her whatever "size" my iphone app told me -- so pea-baby grew into blue-baby, then mango-baby, then basketball baby at the end!

I had such a great pregnancy (thanks Mom for the good genes!!) and had pretty smooth sailing except for the famous frozen yogurt meltdown. (no footage there....dang....some things are better left for the imagination, especially since the image of me weeping over watermelon sorbet is probably etched into my poor husband's conscience forever.

Enjoy!

And in the morning...I'm making waffles!

2011-10-31T10:57:00.001-06:00

This year we went as Shrek, Fiona -- and donkey. I felt the insane urge to try and emulate my mother by sewing Ellie's costume myself from scratch. Let's just say I watched an embarrassing amount of vampire diaries while holed up in our office/craft room, me swearing at my sewing machine and the downy loft of fur sticking to every surface ala "North and South" lung-disease style. I'm glad it's over and there was no way that Eleanor was not going to wear her hood and ears for pictures. Case closed.

Mike was a good sport. He wasn't exactly psyched about the face paint until I explained that the same paint could be used for face camo -- then his mood brightened.

We went to a cool Halloween party at our cousins, the Seely's, in Draper. They have a gigantic garage that we decorated for the event that was kept toasty warm. The kids had a great time exploring the haunted tunnel, going for a midnight "forest" walk around the house, bobbing for apples, and eating donuts on a string. My Dad was even able to join us as we was here for my brother's regional soccer tournament (go Aggies!). The only hiccup was that he only grabbed the scary Scream-mask of his costume...not the dark cloak that was meant to accompany it. So he looked like a haunted Lululemon yoggie instead.

I think she bit her fingers. Classic mishap....especially when teething!

Riley's prize-winning Mad Hatter costume, ala Cheryl Cooney (actually, most of the best costumes around the room emerged from her costume shop!)

RAHHHH!!!!!!!!

the haunted cemetery (in the garage....)

Boo from Monsters Inc

witch -- glad my prized DI dress form could come to life!

The smiths -- Star Wars

Megan and family were Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz characters, of course once the kids were set loose it was prolematic to rally them all for a picture!

Elisa went as Mike Wazowski from Monsters Inc with her cute belly.

Britt, Kelly and James

This is the obligatory after-party meltdown. And this is without any sugar....sigh....Ellie's new trick is to throw her body prostrate on the ground in a show of extreme protest against the current set of conditions.

Happy Halloween to all!

When there's something strange...in the neighborhood...who you goin' call?

We did the mash...

2011-10-15T00:43:00.001-06:00

We have loved our gorgeous fall weather and have taken advantage of it to do lots of halloweening (yep...ive decided its now a verb, the act of going to pumpkin patches, dressing up in costume, dressing up in orange and black, taking LOTS of photos, continually adding to my halloween decorations because I can't get off pinterest...etc., etc.,)

Here are a few of my favorites.

But I don't want to be a pirate!

this is when she saw a neighbor girl with a cookie...not even joking

not so sure about the John Deere, Dad was stoked on it...Ellie was withholding judgment at this time

first pony ride

playing in a dried corn box...we found bits of this corn more than 15 minutes later...still in her cheeks...such a little chipmunk...

daddy warming up her hands

getting colder...the owl hat is coming out

playing up at Gardner Village during the witchfest

I couldn't resist...I know its a lot of orange, and pumpkin...forgive me daughter of mine...

James enjoyed it too

trying to escape at lunch, ellie loves crawling on pavement for some bizarre reason

and now we try to eat the rocks...yum...wasn't there some character in the Neverending story that did that?

new witch hat...totally frivolous-husband-eye-rolling purchase that I feel was 100% justified.

I rest my case.

All the crandall cousins -- such good sports!

Ellie and Auggie

2011-10-04T20:42:00.002-06:00

Grandpa Auggie stopped by last week while he was paragliding (and like I had to tell Elisa...that's not a figure of speech for a *less* than thrilling board meeting...) He was a good sport in reading Ellie a bedtime story, having to shorten the story for her 45 second attention span. Love you Dad!

Summer 2.0

2011-10-03T12:45:00.001-06:00

eating green smoothies..yum..

playing with dogs...we love new little Jet

hanging out with Nanna Niece

playing peek a boo

playing with Dada

smiling for her many pictures...

hanging out with uncle trey

hoarding food along her luscious thighs...

this is the face she made when we told her about the byu-utah game

seeing aunt madi

going to her first Dew games skateboard vert... you know...typical baby things...

Its kind of like the endless summer, with the same amount of half-nakedness, but less surfing...

10 months

2011-09-22T15:20:00.002-06:00

Hard to believe its been 10 months already, although what parents says,"yep...its gone by soooo slow.." Ellie loves dancing, electronics, belt buckles, protein, frozen peas, climbing stairs, being chased, baths, and watching her bird mobile spin. She hates getting dressed, getting changed, or being denied an opportunity to "feed herself"...considers herself highly independent. What crazy joy parenthood is.

Eleanor's Birth Video

2011-09-18T22:49:00.001-06:00

A more nostalgic (and shorter...e.g. 29 hours into 3 minutes) version of the arrival of our darling firstborn. Rated PG. (ok...maybe PG-13...I'm in the tub but you don't see anything...although believe me I was stark naked by the end of the birth and didn't give a hoot about it)

Yes it took 10 months to finish it -- but now I can look at the footage and not feel the contractions/pressure waves/ infant skull-crushing against my backbone and pelvis-labor. Now I just cry and get excited for the next one. :-)

Naps, nakedness and Nana Niece

2011-09-09T10:04:00.002-06:00

She's a burrower...just like her daddy.

Indian food out on our "patio"...she loved the rice. And Mom's fingers.

Hugs to Nana after her overnight visit while picking up her new car. It took her about an hour to leave.

Naked time in the baby pool!

She loves watermelon, really, but she also loves to make faces...this is another gift from her father, although I have been told I have no poker-face myself.

And I wil call it my squishy and it will be mine...hugging our Beatles-singing-sunflower from Grand-Aunt Jamie.

Oh so big.

I'm not tired...I just have a little bit of raspberry in my eye...really...

Is that chocolate or poop? Oh boy...its poop. Our first (and pray last) naptime-poopalooza...literally. It was everywhere...including all over her binky (I'll spare you the pics but they are archived for posterity's/senior yearbook sake). I love that she is just looking at it--huh...yeah...that is a lot of poop...

All fresh and clean...napping in her diaper...a wonderful summer tradition.

Weddings?! I love weddings..drinks all around!

2011-09-08T10:03:00.001-06:00

This summer was full of wedding-events as we celebrated Alyssa and Tyler's nuptials. We had the pre-ception in Idaho Falls the end of July and the big shindig in Coeur d'alene in mid-August. The ceremony at the Spokane Temple was short and sweet (and very reminiscent of our wedding there 4 years ago...especially since the same gentleman officiated...crazy how time flies.) The party then moved to the Ratelles backyard with good food, some dancing, and a lovely evening of pink, purple and blue.

Sh....shut your mouth.

Joshua was a BIG help in cleaning up. JK -- he was a good helper during the day...

Thanks Benny...you're a huge help.

Wingardium Leviosa...It all ends here.

2011-07-26T09:36:00.000-06:00

Sorry its taken me a bit to get this pics up. Thanks to everyone who could come -- I've been a HP fan for a long time and it was fun to throw a party before the midnight showing. It will likely last me until I throw a Harry Potter party for Ellie someday....

I went as Bellatrix....

And Eleanor was the Golden Snitch. Adorable--right?! Thanks to Nanna for whipping up a custom gold pantuit the day before...gotta love a seamstress in the family....

pumpkin juice

sorting hat bread

beetle the bard "wings" /chip and dip

Grandma Suzie was down here for the Young Ambassador Showcase and was nice enough to watch Ellie for the party-planning, cleanup, and midnight showing of The Deathly Hallow!!

James and Kelly

Wizard Cupcakes

The Deathly Hallows...

our mini whomping willow

floating candles in the 'great hall'

some wand magic via sparklers (note how excited they BOTH are about the fire)

Mike said Ellie would go in Gryffindor...of course! (Its also the only House he knows since he hasn't read the books or paid that much attention to the movies...yeah....Huffarump is NOT in HP).

We also had butterbeer, deviled dragon eggs, and spinach artichoke dip (to go with the sorting hat bread...although honestly...it was more of a decorative piece than a apetizer..came out kind of hard).

Expecto Patronum!!

Fourth of July II

2011-07-25T23:35:00.000-06:00

yuum....cucumbers...just like her Auggie

Ellie loves Grandpa's hair...

And AJ

What? We're just evening out the sides...

If you can't get your kid to smile...join them....

Ellie's new trick...clapping.

And her new favorite sleeping position, at least when a new tooth is coming through...

You're a grand ole' flag

2011-07-18T17:01:00.001-06:00

New developments...Ellie can climb now. This is her peering over the edge of her crib, looking mighty darned pleased with herself.

And me putting her on the ground so I could adjust her crib. It was a sweltering knuckle-banging task that reminded me I needed to vaccum and dust the nursery thoroughly. But baby girl is safe again and now has to cling to the bars of her crib ala Shawshank Redemption to cry "sanctuary!" when I put her down for her nap.

Eleanor and James at the pool...James with a vintage-inspired singlet bathing suit I made (obviously great craftmanship, erego its falling off his shoulders...baby's bodies are so diverse, seriously.)

Ellie and Lexy -- a long-lost aunt of hers that she loves, even though she only got to hang out with her for 24 hours. We have missed L&J so much since they moved to North Carolina but it was so great to see them at the crossroads of our respective vacations.

Our Fourth of July was spent up in Idaho. Eleanor was spoiled rotten by all of her family and was a hot commodity. Here she is with Grandpa Doug jumping on the trampoline (she loved it!)

Us at sunset BBQ.

With Uncle Caleb, both still in pajamas.

Watching Aunt Hannah ride in the Distinguished Young Women float -- go Banana (crutches and all -- she's such a trooper!)

Ellie and Grandma Suzie.

Ellie and Aunt Hannah.

And Aunt Madison. Note the overalls...she has about a dozen-pair.

In one of her Fourth of July outfits (how was I to know that she would receive more than one-- in addition to the one I made her? so it became a red, white and blue-themed week...nautical IS in style you know).

Ellie and Mom at the Griffitts' famous hillside slip-n-slide.

The grandpas and their girls.

The boys out on the logs during the fireworks.

Ellie and peonies photoshoot - Suzie had beautiful pink peonies in our room that reminded me of my bridal bouquet -- I had to snap a few pics with Ellie -- even though she tried valiantly to eat them.

Puppies!

Loved being on the dock and putting her toes in -- wasn't quite enamored with a full body dunk in the frog-ring. Let us know she preferred to sunbathe and bid her time until the lake warmed up a bit.

Canoeing with Grandma.

What a backside. (with more hair coming in -- exciting!!)

Cousin Mylee being so helpful in feeding Ellie. She adored her and gave her hugs and kisses at least 20 times a day.

Buddies in matching outfits!

And an open-mouth kiss. Well -- we didn't specify where she was supposed to kiss her...and Ellie pretty much tries to put everything in her mouth..so yeah...we'll work on it. Or she'll get really good at softball -- just kidding!!

Nonno & Nonna

2011-06-28T09:38:00.000-06:00

I have some great memories of visiting my N&N in Tucson, AZ -- but it was particularly sweet to have a special visit with just them and Ellie and I this past week. We were spoiled rotten (she's the first great-grandchild to visit) and I'm pretty sure the larger Saddlebrooke area was made aware of just how fabulous my little girl is to her great-grandparents.

Frankly, I'm a bit suprised my Nonna didn't take out an ad on one of her real estate listings...

Here are some pictures from our adventure -- unfortunately I was a huge dolt and forgot my camera battery, but I was able to snap some pictures on my Nonna's camera.

We walked, swam, ate, and napped -- not a bad vacay as I judge it, even with peanut getting her second tooth in (more fun--teething--love it!!)

Love you lots N&N, and thank you for a wonderful trip!

Cousin Babies

2011-05-31T21:18:00.000-06:00

Doesn't that kind of sound like a kind of doll? Maybe one where cute babies are almost as fascinated with each other's hands and toes as they are with their own? I shot the babies in our neighborhood park the other day -- even though it was a bit cold. The babies were good sports.

Ah...Ellie resting her hand on James.

Telling him a secret.

Sitting so proudly these two!

Giving him a kiss...

And trying to eat his head!! Well--can you blame her -- it is a good size noggin! (jk Kelly...he's handsome...look at those beautiful blue eyes of his)

When you wish upon a star

2011-05-17T18:01:00.020-06:00

Yes -- my Mom -- Nana Niece and the f-word...FIFTY. She wanted to celebrate by taking us to the happiest place on earth...Disneyworld! We had a fabulous time -- took advantage of Fastpasses/baby switch cards to maximize attraction enjoyment and minimize lineage (I'm making it a word) with military-grade strategy. We did 5 parks in 3 days and threw in a night at Cirque d'Soleil, a firework show, and a morning at the pool. It was hot and crazy, and yes, there were frequent cries for naps (from my Dad :-). Ellie had a blast with her aunts and uncles -- and she got to meet Mickey as well. She loved him, and wanted to stuff his huge oversized white gloved hands in her mouth.

Do you not realize I have had diarrhea since Easters?

2011-05-16T17:11:00.002-06:00

Ok -- probably inappropriate for a holiday surrounding the life and death of the Savior...but I am reminded of a certain discussion I overhead my own parents having...about whether "urinated" was kosher for the opening line of our annual Christmas letter.There were concessions...my Dad "sprinkled' on the evergreens.

So -- Easter. Main breakthrough this year -- the holiday-shaped Reese's taste better.

Don't know why but they do. And -- because they are a seasonal candy item, one must take advantage of them -- although I'm pretty sure you won't find most people hoarding their Costco Christmas ribbon and then trying to explain to their spouse why it is so offensive that it should be opened and consumed by...anyone else.

Anyway -- we had a lovely Easter. Friends, family, ham, deviled eggs (why do we only eat those at BBQs and Easter -- do eggs not reproduce pretty regularly all year-round?). Church was wonderful -- I love Sunday meetings where music takes the lead -- its always seems easier for people to relax and let themselves feel closer to the Savior with beautiful music.

We had some firsts -- for Eleanor's first Easter I decided to make a dress (my first!) so I could continue my family's tradition of matching (or coordinating...as styles/tastes allow) outfits for Christmas/Easter. I was pretty pleased with the way the dress turned out, although it was too big (safety pinned in back for pictures...felt like a Hollister employee). I did line in with some soft fabric, remembering the times that I may not have reacted as warmly and appreciating as I should when my Mom made something less than comfortable. The fabric was leftover from her nursery -- so now she has a dress that matches her room -- which I think is pretty cool. Maybe we'll dress her up in it and play Where's Waldo/Ellie when she's camouflaged in her crib.

Ellie was a great sport for many rounds of photos -- including of her with her first Easter basket (tissue paper instead of fake grass because tissue paper is her favorite...to eat...and I was not interested in finding plastic grass in her cloth nappies).

It was so nice of our cousins to include us in their family's celebrations -- and we had a blast hanging out in their beautiful backyard in the foothills of SLC.

I think this would be captioned -"what the h$ll? Uhm...I gave you my smile...let's discuss my next feeding and how its not coming fast enough."

Oh! I crack myself up!!

Loved the ears.

Loved the mommy and baby bunny.

Loved the tissue paper (and links? who knew? these toys aren't just a means to an end so that we wouldn't be forced to backtrack through our hour-long retail therapy stroll through Target again to retrieve a lost toy-- they're great all on their own--yay!!)

Love our cousin James. Decided not to include the shot where Eleanor scratches him out prison-style (just kidding Kelly!)

Oh..sweet girl and the spring flower. Of course then she tried to eat it. And I had to quickly think back to my girls camp training of poisonous flowers...yikes! uhh...gee...I know how to start a fire with a battery and steel wool -- is that all helpful?

Daddy daughter hammock time.

Me and my girl. I love that little peanut.

Life moves pretty fast...

2011-04-26T14:33:00.000-06:00

Graduation Day -- although there were no spontaneous parade numbers or Charlie Sheen to make it half as exciting.. (does anyone else see the irony that he was playing a drugged-out teenager in the police station in Ferris?)

That's me... front and center, thank you law school choir.

Wore red shoes. Didn't really care if they were appropriate or not.

Getting hooded. Felt like a Jedi.

And...of course....my favorite study partner.

Eleanor's First Tea Party... and other adventures

2011-04-25T13:46:00.001-06:00

It was Mike's idea actually (although my execution..who knew you could learn to make a tricorn hat off of youtube? see...I knew that black foam I got on sale at Michael's would come in handy someday). While it was a personal struggle to bypass an opportunity to dress Ellie up in pink decadence...this did have a larger comic effect.

some photos with our fabulous photographer friend Mel

And....the promised nursery pics (I had to wait for a day when it was clean...let it be known in full disclosure...it will never look like this again...)

Ellie with probably her favorite toy, an ostrich beanie baby given by Grandma Suzie. I think the draw comes from the pointed beak -- which looks suspiciously like a nipple.

Dad babysitting. Apparently, our definition of "quality time" is different.

Yeah. She's totally out.

Daddy-daughter nap. I love these shots because my own Dad is such a devoted evangelist for naps -- in all shapes and sizes.

Sunday pic. Mom decided it was time for spring. Fake it till you make it, I say.

Lest you think my daughter is giggles and sunshine all the time. Uhm, no. She has what parents like to affectionately call "personality". She can cry... and scream with the best of them.

Not happy!

This is the closest I've come to capturing her perfect "frown" she does with her downturned lip...its pretty much the cutest sad face you'll ever see.

Walkabout the neighborhood.

Cheeks.

Some naked time on the bed.

Rolls. Love it!!

Another sunday pic.

Dad put her in the bin. I've never put my child in a bin. She is trying to eat her way out.

Our 5-month picture.

Is just starting to sit up...she can hold this for a few minutes now (meaning she is putting yoga gurus to shame the world over with her far over she is leaning)

Spring Break -- woo!

2011-04-12T00:30:00.001-06:00

We visited Palm Springs last week to see the Ratelles/grandparents there. It was warm, it was sunny -- Eleanor got to romp around almost naked. She loved it.

We visited the Air Museum on a particularly scoring day -- the kind that makes you wonder if a place like Palm Springs is really such a great locale for aging folks and even more aging air conditioning units. Mike loved it (like he wouldn't?). The sun was wonderful.

On a personal note -- I have now posted 100 entries on this blog -- which I find somehow satisfying. And -- I have officially passed the bar...which means someday I too could have my bulbous head on a bus with a snazzy slogan like...one call that's all. Something to look forward too. Cheers for the sun.

I've been playing around with lightroom quite a bit, if you can tell by the shots. The best thing -- all of these are still saved in their original non-trendy-I think I'm a photographer now that I have a DSLR-format. Excellent.

Nobody puts baby in the corner

2011-03-30T16:54:00.001-06:00

4 1/2 months already...crazy! Time flies when you are carried around all day...

Who wouldn't want to spend time naked with an Elmer Fudd hat on? Seriously.

4 months calendar pic.

Fell asleep with her "chic" at Nanna's house...pretty much the cutest thing ever.

Cousin Kate's princess party in Walla Walla.

The only way Provo beats Malibu...

2011-03-25T22:29:00.000-06:00

The existence of one very special niece..Eleanor Mae. Thus, the only reason why Auntie Madi would choose to spend her spring break from the luscious shores of Cal-i-fornia in P-town. We loved having her-- we went to the aquarium (Ellie slept through almost all of it...woke up for the penguins at the end...what impeccable zoological timing), walked, watched (bawled) through Steel Magnolias for the first time, painted out toenails, had a cousin Pizza night, and generally chilled with out favorite baby.

Here are some highlights -- thanks for visting Ruski!!

Pretty in pink...or naked

2011-03-09T19:04:00.000-07:00

The bar is over, the weather is warming up, and Eleanor is enjoying her cute clothes...and her naked time. Life is good. My sister Madison visited us for her spring break from Pepperdine (I know...we are pretty cool right? it had NOTHING to do with her favorite -one-and-only niece in residence). I will post some pics.

Happy Valentine's Day!

2011-02-14T14:07:00.001-07:00

Studying for the bar sucks...

2011-02-02T15:52:00.000-07:00

But at least my baby is cute!

Eleanor's Blessing Day

2011-01-12T23:30:00.000-07:00

She wore a gown made with love by her Nana Niece -- while all I could contribute were her matching slippers. Michael gave her a beautiful blessing in our home ward up in Coeur d'Alene and we felt very privileged to have so many of our close family members and friends in the circle to welcome her with love.

Buddy the elf-- what's your favorite color?

2011-01-02T22:55:00.000-07:00

Happy Christmas!!

2010-12-27T10:16:00.001-07:00

Sorry for the quality on these pics-- they're off my phone. I need to
upload some of the bajillion photos taken on our spiffy camera--but thethought of booting up my computer has filled me with such law school PTSD that I haven't been able to stomach it.

Eleanor has been a goodsport while she has been trussed and staged for multiple photo
shoots-- in multiple outfits. She got a ridiculous amount of stuff for christmas...enough that's it's a good thing she usually goes through more than one outfit a day.

Hope everyone had a fabulous Christmas. We were just excited to have our little bundle with us...and she did in fact loving laying down under the tree.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

2010-11-25T15:15:00.001-07:00

Happy Thanksgiving!! We have so many things to be thankful for -- but most of all the safe arrival of our little "indian."

Much love -- Mike, Britt and Eleanor

She's here!

2010-11-17T17:40:00.001-07:00

Pictures, birth story, full gush of a proud mother to come -- but in the meantime enjoy this:

Eleanor Mae Ratelle, born November 16, 3:24 am, 8 lbs. 3 oz, 19 1/2 inches long.

More pictures here.
And here.

40 weeks...or close enough

2010-11-10T12:57:00.002-07:00

So no...I don't have a baby yet.

And despite the serene appearance of these pictures, I am still the normal impatient person I have always been and am feeling very ready for a baby now, instead of a bump.

So, these are my *last* official bump pictures...and here's hoping that this baby decides to greet the world sooner rather than later and put a big smile on Mom's face. My official due date is 13th/14th/15th (I believe the tide schedules in Maine are involved...as well as El Nino)..so baby is not late...yet. But somehow, I believed my darling alien would surely want to break free from the womb and stretch its limbs in a proper way.

Apparently not. Apparently its more fun to gyrate in a way that would put Shakira to shame inside of a stretched abdominal cavity, rather than the great wide wonder of the world.

So, I am resigned to rotate back and forth at night like some hot dog at the 7-11 station, and I am considering having a plaque installed on my favorite bathroom stall. Come on...let's start this party baby...get your game face on and join us!!

Is Michael ready? Well...the Daddy-to-be has chosen to celebrate these last few days of fatherlessness by killing Cubans and Russians in a drug-induced torture frenzy (e.g. Call of Duty: Black Ops). Maybe not a time-honored tradition of yore, but he has been game for nightly eating-out dates while we revel in the lack of a carseat/infant SUV. Parenthood...here we come.

38 Weeks

2010-11-10T09:29:00.000-07:00