EG Tour Stop 1: Chicago

We have officially started our Ella Grace tour. Stop 1: Chicago, IL. We arrived here Saturday and are having such a great time. We are staying at Brian's grandparents house (Brian's dad's parents) in Oak Park. Below are several pictures of them with their Great Grandchild.

Grandma & Grandpa Meewes w/ Ella Grace

Brian's parents and brother, Eric, sister, Jen, and her two children, Mia and Riley, along with her fiance, Ben, and his two girls, Casey and Alicia, came in for the weekend too. On Saturday, all of them, along with several other relatives, Bob, Jackie and their two girls, Ari, Andy and Steph, came over for dinner.

Mia, Ben, Jen, Ella and Andy

Sunday, we visited the Hauert side of the family (Brian's mom's family). We went over to Tom and Mary Ann's house for a BBQ. They and their children, Jess and Tommy, were great hosts (I forgot to get a picture of them). Ella Grace also met her Great Grandparents, Papa and Pat.

Papa & Pat with Ella Grace

Riley and Ella with help from Mom

Mr. Meewes and Ella

Eric playing with the kids

Mia with Ella

On Monday, we headed downtown to see Chris and Steph's condo (Brian's brother and wife). After, we ate lunch at a local Irish pub and then attempted to go to the zoo but the rain and cold weather made that trip unsuccessful.

Chris with Ella Grace

Brian's parents & Chris

Us with Eric

Check out this family (minus Steph:))!

Today, we're taking it easy at Grandma and Grandpa's.



It's been a great trip! Next stop, Savannah, GA...

Doodle & Otis

We're back! It's been over a week since my last post. Below are a few pictures I took when Ella Grace was sleeping in the bed with me. I ran to get the camera and when I came back, Otis was watching over her.

Daddy's Home

Brian's First Triathlon

Brian competed in his first triathlon last weekend in Memphis. He finished in 2 hours and 51 minutes and placed 30 out of 69 in his group - not too shabby for his first race! Congratulations B!

Brian & his brother, Chris, before the race

After race

1 Month Well Check

As I mentioned in the post below, Ella Grace had her one month well check this morning. Below are her stats:

Height: 21 3/4 inches
Weight: 9 lbs 5 oz.
Head Circumference: 37.8 cm

2 weeks ago:

Height: 20 1/4 inches
Weight: 7 lbs 13.5 oz.
Head Circumference: 36.4 cm

She falls at 55 percentile for all 3 measurements. We have us a healthy, baby girl who is growing like a beautiful weed!

I did get in a little trouble for letting her always lie on her left side - she has a dent on that side of her noggin. So I now have to make sure I am changing the direction she sleeps in her bed every night and work on getting her to lie on her right side more during the day. I also have to do a better job of ensuring she is getting 40 minutes of tummy time a day. Bad mommy!

Slumber Party in Seattle with Julie

Ella Grace & Aunt Julie

My best friend, Julie, came to visit us in Seattle! She arrived Thursday afternoon and left today - we're very sad! She was a HUGE help and I enjoyed catching up with her as we only see each other once, maybe twice a year. Ella Grace loved snuggling with her!

We took it easy on Thursday and Friday. Saturday, we enjoyed strolling around the strip right around the corner from my house. We took in lunch and a good milkshake at Husky's Deli. Later that night came thai take out and we watched Bride Wars at home while snacking on our candy:)

Sunday, we did some damage at Target and then strolled along the water on Alki Beach. Of course, we were craving a margarita so we enjoyed an early dinner across from the water at Cactus. Ella slept the entire time! Such an easy baby! Because of my sweet tooth, 20 minutes before Cupcake Royale closed, we walked down there to grab a cupcake. Yum!

Early this morning, Julie went with us to Ella's 1 month well check. She's such a good sport and had the chance to meet Ella's extremely comical pediatrician. I'll post a separate note regarding the well check visit. We dropped Jules off and picked Brian up at the airport early this afternoon. We miss her already!! See you in August!

She found that thumb again.

Little Gorilla

1 Month Old Pics

Yes, I know I take a lot of pictures! But who wouldn't when they have a baby as beautiful as ours!!! Ella Grace was 4 weeks old yesterday but I believe she is technically 1 month old tomorrow as that would be 30 days. 30 DAYS! Wow, typing that just shocked me. It has gone by way too fast.

I love this picture

Look at that hand - so prissy!

She is wearing my cousin, Susan's dress she wore home from the hospital when she was a little baby.

4 Week Old Giraffe Picture

Our Cute Doodle