The Guys in My Life

There are two men in my life now (one of them very little).

One Week Old

I’ve been working on survival around here. One day at a time. Make sure everyone is fed. Try to get some sleep.

As much as I want to break out my camera and attempt to get some nice photos of my adorable baby, I’m settling for snapshots for now. Actual attempts at photography will come soon. Once I can focus on a little more than survival. Recovery can be frustrating. So can hormones.

I’m so in love with this little boy.

Our Little Guy

He’s here! He’s finally here!

(Actually, he’s been here for a while, but we’ve been settling in and trying to adjust to having a newborn around.)

Curtis Elliot

Weight: 7lbs 5oz

Height: 20in

Newborn smell: absolutely intoxicating

Parents: infatuated

Sisters: excited and proud

First Day of School

Eleanor had her first day of kindergarten last week. She was so excited to start school, and it has been such a smooth transition. She even agreed to let me take her picture before we drove her to school –and she looked at the camera! –and she smiled! I almost had to pinch myself! We bought her a new skirt and sweater to wear the first day, and she wore a pink (her favorite) shirt. She is now enthralled with that sweater, wearing it every day and calling it her “lucky sweater” or her “special sweater.” She requested a ponytail with two clips in her hair, so that’s what we did.

Saying goodbye to Daddy. Cool as a cucumber. I love that he was able to be there to drop her off for the first time – not that she needed any extra support. We probably could have dropped her off at the curb and she would have strode right in.

“What do you think about going to kindergarten?”

Her routine is to go in, hang up her backpack on the hook by her name, and then go find her nametag. She takes her nametag to the table and writes her name on a piece of paper, and then she puts her nametag back with her written name in front of it. I told her goodbye while she was writing her name. She has no problem at all with parting. She’s excited to be there and learn, and she doesn’t have any trouble with the separation.

Lined up and waiting for parents at the end of the day. And still happy.

She ran to me and gave me a huge hug. What an exciting day!

When I imagined this day in the past, I always thought I would have to pull over to cry on the way home from dropping her off, such a big day for my little girl, growing up so fast. The real experience was actually quite different. No tears were shed. I love that she is going to be one of the oldest in the class. I think that extra time really helped her and me to be prepared. She was SO ready for this, and I was excited for her. I love her confidence. I love her enthusiasm.

She enjoyed school through the rest of the week, giving me a big, excited hug at the end of the day each day (which doesn’t hurt my feelings one bit). On Friday, she wanted me to take her picture with a sign saying “fourth day of kindergarten,” but we didn’t really have time. I asked her last night if she knew what today was, and she hollered, “my fifth day of school!”

Phaedra has also enjoyed the change. At first, she would ask if we would drop her off at school, but she hasn’t minded when I’ve explained to her that she just comes with me to drop off Eleanor. She loves Eleanor’s classroom, and she tries to hurry and find something to play with before we have to leave. We have enjoyed our quiet time at home together. Sometimes she helps me with things around the house, and sometimes she just enjoys playing without competition for the toys she loves most. Now, when Eleanor gets excited about going to school the next day, Phaedra gets excited about taking Eleanor to school the next day.

Flirty Skirts

My Aunt Kathleen sent these darling skirts for the girls a while back, so I had to take some pictures of them wearing them for her to see. I wish I had my aunt’s talent—and access to such beautiful fabrics! I ambushed the girls as we were leaving my nephew’s blessing, so I didn’t get the highest level of cooperation. Eleanor was coming down with a cold, so she was especially whiny and grouchy. Phaedra liked showing off her skirt, but she’s still a challenge when it comes to actually getting her to look at the camera. I might have to take some more pictures next time they wear the skirts if they are in a better mood. At least the skirts look cute!