The Tens Folk: 2014

Hi everyone! I'm sure most of you have heard our exciting news...we now have a daughter named Eleanor Jane! She was born August 8th, at 3:01 pm, weighing 8 lbs 6 ozs and 20 inches long. I will spare you all the gory details of my labor and sum it up: Yes, I had an epidural; No, I did not have a C-section; Yes, everything went well; Yes, my parents were there; Yes, I went into labor at a barbecue restaurant. It was that good. (Fette Sau in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, for all you overdue moms-to-be out there.)

On Monday, Eleanor had her one month birthday. We celebrated with a trip to the doctor and her first ride on the subway! She grew two and a half inches in the past month, putting her in the 97th percentile for length. She also gained just over a pound, 65th percentile. Eleanor has been smiling at us for a few weeks (gassy smiles or not, we'll take them). She can respond to our smiles and lifts her head up for long periods to look at us. She loves her baths and dancing with mom and dad to music and looking at her "high-contrast" books. It is still so surreal for me and Steve that this is our baby! She is so good-natured and cute. We appreciate all of the well wishes and support from everyone.

And here is the part you've all been waiting for!

Newborn Eleanor

Sleeping with Dad

Getting ready to go home

Chubbiest cheeks

First nap in her crib

Nap with Mom

Expelliarmus!

Who is this man holding me?!

Thanks for the outfit, Aunt Brenna and Uncle Jake!

I thought I'd check off my yearly blog post a little early this year (hardy har har). Just in time for our 3-year anniversary tomorrow!

In case you haven't heard the big news: WE'RE HAVING A BABY! It's a girl and she's coming August 3rd! We can't wait to meet her. Steve has been reminding me how much of an "unholy terror" he was as a child (although I'm not sure why he's been saying this). We've already started getting some baby clothes. One of our favorites is an outfit Steve picked up on a recent trip to Shanghai. (picture below) I've also been getting really into children's books, so if you have any suggestions, pass them along! I have begun to realize how much some children's books have influenced my current personality/preferences (or maybe it's a chicken and the egg scenario). While reminiscing, I found that three of my favorite books are all food related: Bread and Jam for Frances, Scrambled Eggs Super, and The Funny Little Woman. So many cooking and eating experiences revolved around these books, and I hope I get to share them with our little girl (ie, setting my place just so on top of a napkin, making bites come out even, making ridiculous scrambled egg concoctions).

A few stats about the little one:

25 weeks as of 4/20
Size of a head of cauliflower or rutabaga
Hair has color and texture
Sense of equilibrium developing
Constantly on the move! We've been able to see her kicking and punching for a few weeks now.

In other news, Steve is currently finishing up his second year of law school! Woohoo! In May, he will be heading to LA to intern at Irell and Manella, a small firm with offices in Century City and Newport Beach. Halfway through the summer, he will switch to work at the Department of Justice's Anti-Trust Division in Washington, DC. After next year, we will be moving to DC. Steve was hired as a clerk for a judge in the DC Circuit Court of Appeals.

I am finishing up my second year of teaching (nine more weeks-but who's counting?). I am almost finished with my Master's and I graduate in mid-May. This program has been the most difficult thing I have ever accomplished. I have learned so much and made so many great friends along the way. I think I'll be eating a giant ice cream sundae when the end of June rolls around.