Baby's 1st Christmas

Eliza and her parents spent their first Christmas together as a family this year. Mommy didn't have a whole lot of energy or time to deck the halls, but since it was Eliza's first EVER Christmas it was important to have some semblance of what looks like a holiday in our house.

What did it take to have a Merry Christmas for our baby? First we needed a tree. And lots and lots of presents from Santa, of course.

One adorable Christmas themed outfit to be worn on one adorable infant.

Help opening said presents from a loving parent. While the other loving parent takes pictures. Age-appropriate gifts from loving relatives are also a must. The rattles pictured above are from Eliza's Aunt Jenny. And these books were from her Uncle Johnathan. Excellent choices.

Clothing is always an acceptable gift for a beautiful little girl.
The outfit was from Mimi and Grandpa. Look at those big girl shoes!

Then there is the changing of the outfits. And the reading of the Seuss. Hop on Pop?! How mean.

And no holiday is complete without ornaments. And Grammie, who is famous for her ornament giving, provided Eliza with her very first ornament.

Baby booties. How perfectly appropriate.

Of course Eliza received toys, clothes, and money from her grandparents, Mommy and Daddy, and Santa (she was a very good girl this year).

So, how did Eliza like her first Christmas? See for yourself:

Happy Holidays, Everyone!

Eliza: 5 weeks old

I don't know what makes Eliza look more tough; the Brooklyn Cyclones baseball cap or the Winnie the Pooh jammies.

Eliza: 1 month old

What is she looking at?
Oh, that lady again.

Eliza: 4 weeks old

Apparently, something's more interesting than Mommy and the camera .

Stir-crazy

Hello fellow readers! We hope you haven't missed us too much.

Since we last wrote, we have been trying to get used to most every day being girls-only day. Just when you think you've got something figured out, the baby goes ahead and changes things on you. Exciting? Well, if you like to be kept on your toes while on at most 3 hours sleep and about 300 calories, then yes. Of course we are deeply in love with Eliza, so even a night with no sleep is a night that is worth being a parent (for reals, people!).

To shake things up a bit, Mommy and Eliza decided to venture out of their house today. We've been into Manhattan for the doctor and the lactation consultant, but we haven't done much to introduce Eliza to the neighborhood we live in. Since later this week the temperature will be hovering around the freezing mark, Mommy thought today was as good as any day.

After a big feeding and a diaper change, we bundled up, loaded Eliza up in the Moby wrap, and walked outside. This was, of course, after Miss Kelsey took 15 minutes to express how unhappy she was with being bundled up and squashed into a baby carrier. But we talked it out and were on our way.

The cold was a bit of a shock to our daughter, who widened her eyes due to the temperature and then shut them tightly when a cold wind came by, and then proceeded to become a hibernating baby.

And to Mommy who really hasn't been out and about for several weeks, and forgot her gloves. Oh well, as long as Eliza is warm and as long as the snot coming out of Mommy's cold nose doesn't drip the baby's head, then we're okay.

Lesson #1 for Eliza: How do you make yourself warm on a cold day?

By drinking hot chocolate, duh!

Then we walked to Steinway Street to get a few temperature appropriate clothing for the wee one. Eliza was such a good sport. She stayed wrapped up for the entire trip and barely a peep was heard.

We got home and quickly took off our winter ware because someone was getting hungry.

Lesson #2: Appearances matter, even in winter.

It is usually a good idea to keep a comb or brush on hand when you take off your hat, so you may be presentable should the need for a photograph arise.

Yeah, it was a good day.

Eliza: 3 weeks old

This is what Daddy and Eliza do on Daddy's day off. They turn into couch potatoes.

I can't wait for the weather to get better. Those two need to be outdoors.

The Hoosiers are coming!

As soon as one set of Grandparents left, another set out on a road trip from Indiana. Their destination? Eliza, duh!

And so began the love affair between Grammie, Grandpa Whitey and Eliza.

All Grammie wanted to do was to hold Eliza, and squeeze Eliza, and keep her safe from the clutches of Mommy. Until it was time to feed or change a diaper, naturally.

Eliza felt very relaxed with them both. See how Grandpa Whitey makes Eliza tired?
And see how much trust Eliza has in Grammie? She knows she's loved.

We can't wait for the next visit.

Eliza: 2 weeks old

And already on the go. We had a big day on Wednesday. There was a doctor's appointment and a clothing and diaper spree. What a busy and exciting day.

Invasion of the baby snatchers

We have sooooooooooo many things to write about, because we've been very busy this past week or so. We're going to try to catch up on our posts.

This week we entertained Mimi and Grandpa. Who are they? Well, this is Mimi...

and this is Grandpa...

They are Mommy's parents, and they came up to see Eliza for Thanksgiving. They were really nice and completely adored Eliza (naturally). They helped Mommy and Daddy with household chores and made Thanksgiving dinner. In between all of that, they held Eliza and starred into her eyes and frequently asked when she was going to visit them. Daddy did ask Mommy if she noticed if their luggage was a little too large for their trip, as if there might be enough room to take home, ummmmm, perhaps a baby! Mommy made sure to keep a constant eye on her little sweetheart (as if I could keep my eyes off of her).

We were very sad to see them leave Saturday night, but we'll see them soon. But our house won't be quiet for long; more grandparents are coming next weekend. It's so hard being cute and in demand.

Moby-Wan Kenobi

This is what Mommy and Eliza got to wear on their first outing:


It's called a Moby Wrap. Eliza's still pretty small and, to be absolutely honest, Mommy likes having her real close. It takes a little while to wrap around Mommy, but, when it's on, Eliza is very secure. They took it out for a test carry on Wednesday and Eliza was pretty content the entire time. Mommy thinks they'll keep it.

Eliza: 1 week old

If you've just turned one week old, how would you celebrate? By doing this, of course:

Eliza and her mommy were at home by themselves for the first time since her birth and did very well (not as well as when daddy's home, but passable). Daddy has a gift for her when he gets home, so we'll celebrate as a family later tonight.

Happy Birthday, my angel!

Elizabeth Regan Kelsey

Here it is, the moment you've been waiting for:

Eliza was born on Wednesday morning at 12:35am. She weighed in at 7 pounds 4 ounces and was 20 inches in length. She is healthy, happy and ready to take on world. Her birth was a not-too-long but very exciting event. She was amazing for Mommy the entire time. She really wanted to get out to see the world. It took a little coaxing, but she knew her options, the easy way or the hard way. When she learned what the hard way was, she knew it was all or nothing and when for it.

Daddy and Mommy are very happy, to say the least, with her. We came home on Thursday afternoon and are slowly getting into our groove. We needed the entire weekend to get used to each other. Good thing it didn't take very long. Eliza is a complete joy and Mommy and Daddy can't keep their eyes off of her.

Baby Watch '09

Sooooo, yesterday was our due date. The day came and the day went, and there was no sign of our bundle of joy's arrival. Ah well. We're not in a rush if the baby's not in a rush. Just as well, Mommy has things that need to be done. Little of this, little of that (mostly last minute shopping so we're prepared and some light spot cleaning around the house). Looks like the baby has already learned to be considerate. Good baby.

But don't be fooled by our chillness; we are excited about our darling's birth. We know you are all anxious and eager. Not to fret, the baby will have her grand entrance soon.

Something gholish

By the pricking of my thumb, something wicked this way comes.


Happy Halloween, little one.

Coming soon!

Guess who's coming to dinner and staying for about 18 - 20 years? Let us give you a few hints:

Close.
Getting warmer.
Getting red hot!

Give up?

We knew you'd figure it out.