Sitting pretty

Ellis vs. the Giraffe

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Fall Sunday

The light was beautiful yesterday afternoon. Erik and I took Ellis for a little walk around the neighborhood and enjoyed our last (possibly!) outdoor ice cream of the season.

5 weeks

This was probably our busiest week yet. I made it out to the new Moms group in the neighborhood on Tuesday. There were about 10 other Moms there and it was so great to talk with everyone and see all of the adorable babies. Ellis was on her best behavior. We had a few gorgeous fall days this week and it was so nice to take a few walks and introduce Ellis to the park. That same morning I took Ellis for her one month pediatrician appointment. She's gained 2 pounds in her first month and is putting on some very cute baby fat in her legs, arms and face. Even her fingers are a little rounder!

On Wednesday, we ventured up to the Upper West Side to visit Simone and Sophie. Simone is going to give birth any moment now and I really wanted to visit before the big day. Sophie is going to be a great big sister. Watching Sophie play in Central Park makes me really excited for when Ellis will be an adorable and active two and a half year old. After that I met up with another mom in Greenpoint for a beer. It was my first beer in months and it tasted so good!

On Thursday, I had a follow up appointment with the breast doctor. The week before she had done a needle aspiration (sounds more painful than it is) to help with my clogged milk ducts. Things are looking better and despite the setbacks with breastfeeding, I am relieved that Ellis has been a great eater and that I haven't thrown in the towel...or the boob! After the doctor, Erik and I took Ellis to our offices to meet Paul, Alison and my FSG family. It was surreal to be back in the office after a month. Thankfully it made me excited about designing again when I return in January. Hopefully loving my job will make those first weeks away from Ellis a little easier. That night we went out for our first dinner at a restaurant. We're learning that going on off nights or a little earlier will be the easiest with a baby.

On Friday, Marijke and I went to Dumbo to visit Josephine in her new studio. What an amazing space and view! Then it was into the city for a little shopping and Sara and Kari's birthday party. Everyone was so excited to meet Ellis and I was so excited to catch up with friends and have a night out!

On Saturday, we had a nice last brunch at home with Marijke, said goodbye and went into the city to meet up with the families from our childbirth classes. It was so neat to meet all of the little ones and to share stories with the other parents. We even managed to do a little photo shoot on the bed. The "baby orgy" (as one Dad called it) was one of the most hilarious and fascinating things I have ever seen.

Marijke's Visit

Yesterday we said goodbye to Marijke after a really great three week visit. It was so nice she was able to come to NYC for as long as she did. We had a lot of fun and she was such a big help with Ellis, the doctors, and everything else. We really got to know each other and I will always look back on these early weeks with Ellis and picture Aunt/Tante Marijke there.

I surrender...

to the milk coma!

4 weeks!

Took a little trip to Long Island City for lunch yesterday. Ellis does great on adventures outside. She will usually sleep the entire time! We met up with Henry and checked out the newly opened park in front of his building. It's a beautifully designed space and we can't wait to spend some warm afternoons there with Ellis in the Spring.
I took this picture of Max looking adorable on the couch yesterday. The cats seem to be adjusting well to Ellis's arrival. They are curious but respectful.

Three weeks!

Ellis is three weeks old today! I can hardly believe it. She's grown so much. Rein, Christa and Marijke are in town to meet the little lady. Yesterday we managed to take Ellis for her first meal in a restaurant! It was quite the milestone. She slept the whole time, but it sure felt great to get outside and do something normal. Hopefully I'll be able to go into town this week to buy some clothes!

One week home

Can't believe it's only been a little more than a week since we came home from the hospital. It feels like thousands of feedings and diapers ago! We've made a few trips outside since last Thursday and took Ellis to meet her pediatrician on Monday. She's back above her birth weight and is very healthy. Her umbilical cord stump fell off this week. She got her first real bath today and wasn't a big fan. If she's anything like her Mom though that will soon change. We're not sleeping a lot, but it's what we expected and we are very thankful for the naps we've managed to fit in.