Home Sweet Home

We are officially moved into our new home!  I'm so thankful for my husband who worked and continues working so hard to buy our home and make so many improvements.  All weekend he was tirelessly moving load after load from the duplex to the new house, finding and fixing leaking plumbing, and countless other tasks - many of which I'm probably not even aware.  Now, it is Monday morning, so he is again at work, while Eloise and I sit snugly in our new house and watch the snow fall. 

The nursery is very cozy.

I love how Eloise sleeps with her face on her hand.  (I really think she has her daddy's chin!)

Here's the kitchen.

Here's the living room.

And of course, Grandpa & Grandma Williams' house is right next door!

Buying diapers & saving $$$

If you have a baby or toddler in diapers, you may want to check out Amazon.com/mom. 
After paying for diapers at the grocery store, I decided to shop around a bit for the best deal.  Costco doesn't sell preemie, newborn, or size 1 diapers, so I won't be buying there for Eloise for some time yet. 

I decided to search the internet for the best deal.  I came across Amazon's Mom page - something I'd never heard of before.  Not only are the diapers a little less pricey, but if you start a 'mom' membership (no fees or dues), you get an extra percentage off and free 2 day shipping.  To make a long story short, I spent $27 (incl. tax) on 168 Huggies newborn diapers, when I would have spent at least twice that buying locally.  These savings could really add up! 

Like the lepers in the book of Kings, I did not want to keep this to myself.  I started thinking of all of my friends I wanted to tell, when my wise husband told me to blog about it! 

5lbs 11oz!!!

Now we can really say Eloise is getting big - or bigger, anyway!  When she was born, our baby girl weighed 3lbs 15oz.  In the first few days, she dropped to 3lbs 11oz.  Now, at six weeks old, she weighs 5lbs 11oz!  (She is still ten days from her due date!)

She is definitely 'filling in' now.

Eloise has graduated into a new size of clothes - from preemie (left) to newborn (right). 
While newborn clothes are still tiny, they're a lot bigger than preemie clothes!

Nursery Comfort

Last night the carpet was installed in Eloise's room.  Our baby nursery is getting to be very cozy!.  The carpet is so soft and very comfortable.  I know now that it's worth the price we paid  (of which I had been very skeptical).  Of course, Nate told me all along that it was worth the price and that I would really like it.  When will I learn? 

I am very thankful to have such a loving husband who wants such good things for Eloise and me. 

Helping Uncle Chris install the carpet

 


"Raise your hand if you like the carpet!"



Eloise is wearing a day gown her Grandma Williams made her.

Kitchen Cabinets & Countertops - At last!

After two and a half months, our kitchen is beginning to look like a real kitchen!  It's a good thing, since we want to move in next weekend.  :-)

I love how the sunlight streams in the new window. 



I think the color of the granite does a very nice job of tying all of the elements together. 



One month old & growing!

Eloise is one month old today and she's growing!  She had a checkup today.  Now she weighs 4 lbs & 15 1/2 ounces.  That's a whole pound more than she weighed when she was born, which means she has gained a quarter of her birth weight in one month.  Dr. Steinweg gave her a very good report. 

Here are some pictures of our 'big' girl! 

Aunt Veronica made these pants.

Grandma Williams made the hat, sweater, and booties.

Doesn't she look cozy?  (and there's room to grow)

  

Working on the kitchen...

We've been making progress on our kitchen this week.  It's really starting to come together and look very nice.  Our goal is to move in before Thanksgiving! 

Planning meeting.  Notice the cabinets in the background. 

Eloise even has a part in making the house ready. 

I think she's a favorite 'break time' occupation!

Grandpa loves Eloise.

Installing the beautiful flooring

It's nice having a contractor in the family. 

Will this giant refridgerator fit through the kitchen door?

It takes some trickery...

and a lot of man power!  (Good thing we have brothers!)





Fun with Cousins

Eloise is my parents' fourth grandchild born this year, preceded by Elizabeth, George, and Lucy.  I can't wait to see Eloise interact with all of her cousins as she grows.  These pictures are from dinner at my parents' house on Tuesday night.  We are very blessed. 

Annie Rose, Lucy Patricia, and Elizabeth Jane

Lucy is very friendly. 

Of course, Elizabeth won't be out-done. 

 

Eloise has to wait to play until she's a bit bigger! 

"Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

 As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.

 Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed,

but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate."  Psalm 127:3-5

We are very blessed. 



Home at last!

Eloise is home!  We brought her home with us on Friday, the same day she turned three weeks old. 

We were all ready to go!  Here we are waiting for the valet to bring our van. 



When Nate pulled out his phone and I realized it's as big as Eloise's head, I had to take a picture. 



On Saturday we took Eloise to see our new house.  (I had told her about in the hospital.)



Doesn't she look 'at home' here?  (in the midst of the remodel)

Eloise took her first trip to Home Depot!  (It's the first of many, I'm sure!)

Our new cabinets are here! 



Back at home, Eloise loved her Daddy's piano playing. 



We are so glad our little Eloise Joy is home with us. 
God has been so good to us.  We are very blessed!