We found out that I was pregnant on 08.08.08, so it seems fitting to write about baby Eleanor today, 09.09.09.
She’s four and a half months old, seventeen pounds, and starting to wear her 6-9 months clothing. She’s *so close* to sitting on her own, I think she’ll get it within the next week or two. The cradle in the living room has been outgrown and replaced by an ExerSaucer from Brandon’s sister. It’s hideous, but Eleanor loves it.
She’s a charmer, smiling and cooing for us! She’s practicing all kinds of new sounds too. When she first learned how to razz and blow bubbles that was all she wanted to do. Then having mastered that, she moved on to various ah-ahl-aw sounds and also trying to squeal. She sounds like a very odd animal, but we’re looking forward to her first real squeals of delight! We figure we’ll get the really good laughs then too, since her laughs are still very breathy right now.
Look at that hair!
She can’t crawl yet of course, but she’s quite good at inching her way around. She can do a full 180º if given enough time and the inclination. She’s also an expert roller. She learned how to roll from onto her stomach at three and a half months old and now she does it almost immediately if she’s placed on her back. She finally flipped from belly to back (supposedly the ‘easy’ way to roll and usually the first) a couple of weeks ago, but she’s only done so four or five times.
Our doctor is splitting up the vaccines so that she only gets two shots at a time instead of four, but we have to go every month instead of every other. My heart breaks for her when she gets her shots, but she calms down seconds later.
Eleanor is still an exceptionally good sleeper, but she has been less consistent lately. Last night she slept 10 hours straight, but the night before she was up for a couple of hours in the middle of the night. The occasional night wakefullness started around the same time that she started taking longer naps during the day, so I guess it’s a trade-off. It has become even easier to put her to bed for the night though. I lay her in her crib while she’s sleepy but still awake, she stretches a little and gets comfortable, and then she goes to sleep.
I still let her nap on me a lot. Not because she won’t nap in her crib (she will), but because I love it and I know it won’t last forever. I’m going to miss her little hands holding on to me and her contented sighs, so I’m relishing it while I still can.
Some days I feel like I’m finally finding my rhythm with work, but then I have several unproductive days in a row. The shop is still closed for maternity leave and I really want to open it again, but I have a lot of work to do before that happens. I’ve been working on new designs, adding new products, and doing a lot of administrative work. Every time I think I’m close (“two more weeks!”), I realize that there’s still much to be done. I’m still blogging (hi!), but I have slowed down a little in that regard as well. I have a million ideas to write about but time is scarce. Thanks for sticking with me as I adjust.
All said, I just have to tell you… I love being a mama.
Sarah
September 9, 2009 at 9:46 amIt is hard feeling “unproductive” when you have a new baby, but in the end, the shop can wait for a little while longer but your sweet little baby cannot. Enjoy the precious time you can spend with her while she is still young and needs you so much!
Ali
September 9, 2009 at 9:52 amIt is such an adjustment isn’t it? Just when I think I get the hang of it something changes again. Love this update :)
Redmaiko
September 9, 2009 at 10:05 amSeems to me you got your life straight. :) Eleanor is adorable and I don’t blame you for wanting to spend as much time with her as possible!
luuvely
September 9, 2009 at 10:07 ami wouldn’t trade it for the world :)
Emily
September 9, 2009 at 10:18 amDelurking to say that she’s beautiful. Definitely enjoy letting her fall asleep on you while you can! My little guy is almost 10 months old and is so squirmy that he won’t sleep on me anymore- I love everything else about this age but I sooo miss that wonderful feeling of his little body passed out on top of me….
Audrey
September 9, 2009 at 11:26 amWe love reading about you being a mommy! Don’t rush getting back to work. It can wait. Thanks for sharing your experiences!
jo
September 9, 2009 at 11:28 ami agree with the previous commenters. you’ve got your priorities straight. they grow and change so much in those first few months, you’re right to cherish every bit of time that you can be with her.
Tanna
September 9, 2009 at 11:50 amEnjoy every minute of it! I used to let my babies nap on me as well. I miss that the most. The little sounds and an occasional sleeping smile or giggle.
SarahV
September 9, 2009 at 11:56 amI have a 17 month old and have not had a job on the outside since his birth. I have moments when I feel vastly unproductive, but then I remember that I am forming a person who will, if I do my job right, be an awesome, loving person and a positive contributor to the world. That’s pretty productive, after all. Congratulations!
Danielle
September 9, 2009 at 12:05 pmWhat a sweet blog today. Now I want to have babies!!!
Sarah
September 9, 2009 at 12:10 pmI’m with you. The mama gig is the best gig out there. Enjoy her while she’s small. Mine is almost two and I can’t believe its gone so fast.
Audrie
September 9, 2009 at 12:18 pmI think being a mama is the best and most important job… everything else can wait :)
Sarah R.
September 9, 2009 at 1:09 pmThank you for sharing about your baby girl! She is just beautiful!
I am expecting a little girl any day now so your posts like these are great for me to see what I have to look forward to.
Carol
September 9, 2009 at 1:11 pmYou’re doing great. Sounds like you’re getting a lot done behind the scenes for your shop, so don’t think for a second that you’re being unproductive at work. And look at your precious girl; you’re definitely being productive loving and taking care of her. BTW, thelast two pictures are killing me with cuteness.
Laura_theSCOOP
September 9, 2009 at 1:36 pmI think you summed up the new/working mom experience very eloquently.
Nuit
September 9, 2009 at 1:42 pmAw Eleanor gets prettier and prettier by the minute! she is precious! congrats Nicole, I think you are adjusting just fine :) maternity is the best.
Leslie
September 9, 2009 at 1:56 pmI love your Eleanor posts. They make me very happy! She’s such a pretty and clearly smart little girl.
I love the face shots, but I gotta admit, that photo of her leg with the widdle crayon bandages is KILLING ME! I had to go back and look at it twice–so button cute!
Kristina
September 9, 2009 at 2:53 pmI can still remember napping with my mom, hearing her heartbeat. I can’t think of any other memory that means more to me.
Amanda
September 9, 2009 at 3:03 pmShe looks so sweet Nicole and I bet you’re a fantastic Mom! Can’t wait to see what your shop holds when you’re back up and running, but no worries… we’ll all wait as long as you need, I’m certain!
Akiyo
September 9, 2009 at 3:05 pmWhat an adorable baby… this made me smile. :) I hope one day soon I’ll experience motherhood. I love the crayon band-aids, so cute!
Tracie Yule
September 9, 2009 at 4:59 pmI love the picture of her sleeping. I also love all of her baby rolls!
To me, the best feeling in the world is a sleeping baby in your arms. My daughter was so warm and smelled so good (still does) that I couldn’t get enough of it. She’s three now and I still love taking naps with her.
Charla @ For the Sake of Time
September 9, 2009 at 7:05 pmGod bless you and God bless that precious baby! What a joy in your life. It goes so quickly. Enjoy each and every moment of her life.
Charla
traci in virginia
September 9, 2009 at 8:03 pmShe’s beautiful. It makes me long for the days when my “little” ones were little (they are 12 and 9). I think you have the right idea. I used to hold mine all the time when they napped and I never regretted it. If I close my eyes and think hard enough I can almost feel their pudgy little warm bodies in their terry cloth sleepers. There is nothing like it!!! Enjoy every minute of it!!
Anitria
September 9, 2009 at 8:21 pmYour daughter is SOOOO cute. Enjoy every fun, crazy,exhausting moment because it goes by sooo fast. My daughter is 10.5 months and she just started walking. It seems like just yesterday she was a cute little baby blob in my arms and now she is all over the place :)
wanderluster
September 9, 2009 at 8:55 pmBabies do have a way of reshaping your world, don’t they? Every time I have one of those moments, whether I’m counting the minutes for a breastfeed to end, or checking the clock to see if its nap time, and I feel that need to email/blog/clean/launder/do something… I remember that I won’t get that moment here in front of me ever again. Its a great gift to just slow down and enjoy the little miracle in my arms.
The photo of Eleanor sleeping on you is so lovely.
Down Pillow
September 9, 2009 at 10:34 pmOh, she is such a sweetie :) Love these photos. The first one is really cute – she looks like she’s in deep thought about something.
Heather
September 9, 2009 at 11:15 pmWhat a great update! Thanks for sharing your photos and experience, she’s soooo adorable.
Fiona
September 10, 2009 at 2:08 amThis is such a lovely post! Eleanor is a darling!
Ann van Poperingen
September 10, 2009 at 8:26 amI left my comment for this post in your last post! Sorry ’bout that.
Leyla
September 10, 2009 at 10:18 amAww these photos are just darling! She’s the cutest!
Erin
September 10, 2009 at 11:24 amShe’s so darling! Eleanor is such a cutie and it’s more important that you enjoy your days with her (and your husband) than move at a quick pace to open your shop. There’s never enough hours in the day.
Heidi
September 10, 2009 at 12:50 pmEven though I am sure we all miss you more frequent posts, I know that I have enjoyed that your blog is peppered with posts of Eleanor and your journey of being a mom!
Life is all about balance, and you have a lot more to balance now. Don’t fret! You’ll find the right balance between it all.
Glad you are enjoying motherhood so much!
Natalie
September 10, 2009 at 1:22 pmaww she is so adorable! Love the crayon bandaids :)
meta
September 10, 2009 at 2:27 pmMy baby will be 1 year old next week. It’s great to read your post. It reminds me of how it was… and how fast things go.
Enjoy!
Georgia
September 10, 2009 at 7:13 pmAww.. I love the update. I was never around small children growing up, and I’m still waiting on someone in my family to have the first grandchild – so reading your post is like lighting a match in a dark room. Little Eleanor is such a cutie pie… What a fabulous duo you two are!
megan
September 10, 2009 at 9:49 pmi loved hearing the update.
you are a lucky woman. take advantage of all those sweet moments.
there will always be time for work later!
Eleanor is adorable.
Bex
September 11, 2009 at 2:24 amShe’s just perfect, isn’t she? XXxx
Laura Lynn
September 11, 2009 at 10:00 amGood for you for choosing what shots and when. My baby is 16 months and he still only gets two at a time. We should be all caught up by 2 years old. I was surprised at how many the Dr. said were “unnecessary” anyway. Babies are wonderful – enjoy all the time with her. They grow so quickly! Thanks for sharing!
Kaci
September 11, 2009 at 1:04 pmShe is sooo adorable!! I love seeing her updates on your blog!
I was so interested to see that you are splitting her vaccines! I don’t have any kids – yet! but vaccines and their consequences are definitely something I am interested in. I happened to catch the interview Matt Lauer did with the doctor that originally said that there was a link between vaccines and autism. They were saying that he was then paid by vaccine companies and so on…but never once did they ask why it was such a big deal to do the vaccines individually??!?! Does anyone know this answer? Are doctors okay with doing this – or have you moms seen doctors scoff at the idea? Just curious!
leslie
September 11, 2009 at 3:40 pmSo glad to hear you’re enjoying your new role as Mama! =D And you’re right! It does go by quickly. . .I would love to hold my babes as they slept…they’re too big for that now, and I miss it so!
matthew
September 11, 2009 at 6:11 pmyou have such a great site, please let’s separate design and baby. she’s cute and all, but I come here for your design…please don’t take offense to my comment.
cassidy
September 11, 2009 at 11:06 pmOooh . . . chubby little baby legs! So cute! :-)
Anna
September 13, 2009 at 12:27 amHello! I just started following your blog! Your daughter is beautiful. I have a 5 month old boy at home (and a 15 month old, you do the math). But I totally understand the feeling of relishing every moment. The moments you want to hold onto because you know they’ll be gone quick!
Macy
September 14, 2009 at 3:11 amAwww so cute! Why do babies have to grow so fast? :))
Heidi
September 15, 2009 at 8:42 amThank you so much for sending this update! And Eleanor’s pictures are so beautiful!
Pencils
September 15, 2009 at 10:42 amI love being a mom too–my baby is going to be a year on 10/1, which is very scary to me. She was Eleanor’s size just yesterday, it seems, and now she’s walking and every day she comes out with two or more new words. But it’s wonderful, babies are just amazing. I understand now why people keep having more!
Congratulations on your beautiful girl!
Pencils
September 15, 2009 at 10:52 amBTW, I particularly love the photo of Eleanor asleep–babies sleep with such abandon! She’s such a chubby little darling.
Audrey
September 18, 2009 at 1:01 pmOh my gosh I absolutely adore those little yellow crayon bandages. How cute is that?
Justina
September 20, 2009 at 12:03 pmHello! I’ve been following your blog, and its amazing how you manage to juggle motherhood and everything else! I’m a mum to a 8 month old boy, and they seem to grow so so fast! Relish those moments with your little girl… :)
QTKT
September 23, 2009 at 10:03 pmShe is so cute. Cherish it while you can, the grow up so quickly, it’s almost sad. This is my little
Mallory.It seems like yesterday she was that young.