First Trip to Beech

We hadn't made a lot of firm summer plans before Eloise was born, in part because I couldn't bring myself to really believe that we'd be skipping the many weeks in the NICU part and bringing a baby straight home and in part because I just didn't know what kind of baby she would be and whether travel would really be an option.  Lucky for us, she's the best kind of baby and there was no NICU for us.  So, we started planning a few little long weekend trips here and there.  The first one though was to Beech Mountain.  It was Clara's first trip away from home too and so it was fitting that Eloise also travel there for her first road trip.  She slept the whole car ride (well, really, the whole weekend, let's be honest) and we enjoyed some much cooler temperatures and beautiful sunsets.  I have a few random photos from the weekend which honestly don't look much different from our lives at home, but it was still nice to have a change of scenery while nursing, burping and rocking this bundle of love.

Mountain breakfast...

 Hiking with Daddy. Clara is taking it very seriously.

 These are the first on-camera smiles I got of Eloise. Melt.

 Sisters loving on each other, away from home.

 Family shot on the porch, watching the sunset (me in my PJs; don't judge)

She traveled so well, I think we'll do it again!

A Few Firsts

Here are a few of Eloise's first firsts.  Her first bath on June 10 (it took that dern stump 22 days to fall off!) and her first bottle, on Father's Day (June 15).  Her big sister loved helping with the bath and Eloise loved it too.  I thought all babies screamed like a banshee in the tub for the first time (Clara sure did!), but it's definitely the highlight of Eloise's day.  She kicks and splashes and mellows right out.

She took the bottle like a champ and even though we haven't done many since then, I'm grateful that she knows how and will oblige.  I may just have to leave her side some day.  I could write many posts about how different the feeding experience has been this time around.  I take nothing for granted, knowing what a struggle it was with Clara and still find myself surprised and shocked at the beauty of the ordinary.  Here's to bottles!

And just for bonus, a shot of Robert with both of his girls before church on Father's Day.

A Girl, Her Daddy and a Turtle

You may remember when Robert showed Clara a toad he found in our backyard?  Well, it was only one of what I'm sure will be many many encounters with backyard nature.  I'm thankful for that daddy and how much he wants this little girl to appreciate God's creation and be willing to get a little dirty to check it out.

We were all loaded up in the car and about to head somewhere, when Robert popped in the backseat with this little critter he had found.

So, of course, we had to all get out and go watch him creep around in the backyard a little.  Clara had just started saying the word "turtle" a few days before, so it was fun to watch her see one live and in action!

 "Hi Turtle!!"  And back into his shell he goes... Guess I can't blame him!

 Here's a little video of their encounter.

Watermelon in the Pasture

Perhaps you noticed in the Father's Day pictures I posted that Clara was wearing an adorable watermelon outfit?  Well, yes.  And couple that with the gorgeous backdrop of pasture in Elbert County, GA and I couldn't resist snapping a few more treasures.  (Don't worry, there are more beach photos coming soon too. But these were too good to resist.)

Here is a younger version of Robert and me many moons ago in 2004

I have been replaced in that hammock and I can't think of a better replacement....

 Happy times.

Say it with me now, "Thanks Be To God."