The one with the New Normal

So... we are family of four and trying to sink into a new normal. This past week has been one that was challenging and wonderful to think in terms of "normal."

1. My mom came this week... and it was totally wonderful. It was good to have her here for so many reasons.. Sure the house is in the best shape it's been in since Eleanor was born/her baptism/her baby shower. But to catch up and have support is something that I will never forget. She's let me nap, drove me around town, and read Eleanor 15 million books.

2. The airport had a visit from Air Force One with President Trump and
Ivanka Trump. During our outings, Mom and I (and Grady) also made sure to sit on the route to catch him waving by. First president to see in person for me.

3. We made it through our first holiday weekend/first weekend as a family of 4. I won't lie - it was exhausting especially since we could seem to synchronize nap times. Being Labor Day, of course the
weather wasn't the best... it was windy, so we did get out of the house and go play at the mall's play place. But that was probably our big excitement for the day... well, that and Matt made a prime rib, to celebrate us and Grady being home.

4. The next weekend wasn't nearly as crazy but was equally as tiring. Grady wouldn't go to sleep one night... so after waking up at 2:30, we finally got him down at 5:00, which wouldn't have been bad but Eleanor woke up with blood curdling screams at 4:45 and wouldn't go back to sleep. Whoever thought parenting was a breeze can sleep at my house any time. Everyone looked forward to naptime We may not have accomplished a lot that day but survival may have been the only goal.

5. Eleanor is getting more used to Grady around... she looks for him on his side of the car, she checks his pack and play and will wave to him. We still are working on the aggressive head patting or the limb polling but things are coming along. It is very cute when she tries to say, "Hi Baby Grady"... it doesn't exactly come out that way but it's a step in a positive direction. She was really thrown off when Jess came to stay for a night and she brought Baby James (who is about 6 weeks older than Grady) with her. We were able to take his newborn shots despite having 2 babies and a toddler who didn't seem too interested in taking pictures.

6. Eleanor is still growing and changing. She now can tell you what a frog says, with her tongue. She can tell you where her nose, mouth, ears, eyes, belly, and hair is. She's still pretty reliable on the cow sounds. She could read books ALL day long! Matt and I have a good majority of them memorized.

MJR organizing closet.
comes out, MJR: Hey! Look what I found! (wearing Hawaiian shirt)
EER comes out of bathroom: Hmmmmm? (says skeptically and looks at him questionably)

MJR: So-and-so plays tennis.
ALR: I'm not surprised.
MJR: What does that mean?
ALR: Well, so and so plays a lot of preppy sports, why wouldn't tennis be in that list.
ALR: Do you know what sports I played in school?
MJR: Here's my cow?
EER: Moooooooo!!!!!!