A Warm Welcome

10-27-11

Eleanore, everyone loves you already!  The Topeka Angels soccer girls threw you a "Welcome to the World" baby shower.  You were a big hit.  They were all commenting on your big cheeks and little feet.  :o)  You wouldn't remember because you slept through the whole thing!

I want you to remember it though, because this shower was a wonderful example of the warm welcome that you and your parents have gotten here in Topeka, Kansas.  The generosity and warmth that was shown by the soccer girls and their families was beyond what your Mommy and Daddy had ever expected.  They had cake and punch and snacks and all kinds of wonderful, thoughtful gifts for you!

At the end, they all went around and shared something that they wished for your future.  Here are a few of their wishes:
My wish for Ellie is...

• To be a successful athlete and a smart student.
• For her life to be filled with happiness.
• That she will become a great soccer player and that she will never give up.
• That she turns out to be whatever she wants to be (hint: a soccer player would be very good!).
• That she love and be loved; may she have a heart filled with laughter and may she never walk alone.
• And the list goes on!

I hope all of them come true Little Eleanore!

Tummy Time?

10-24-11

Well, not exactly.  I wish it counted as tummy time!  It's my favorite way to cuddle with you Eleanore. 

I think Daddy likes it too.  He didn't want to move!

  I don't think you did either...judging by the way you are looking at him.  :o)

Just You And Me

10-24-11

Well Ellie, we survived our first few days alone together.  That first day, when Grandma and Grandpa left, was a tough one.  You seemed to feel Mommy's stress and wouldn't stop crying (which of course didn't help the stress level).  Daddy was greeted with tears from both of his girls when he got home that night...probably not the welcome he was hoping for. 

After that you and I figured it out though.  We make quite a team!  Doing things with only one hand is becoming second nature.  I'm trying to sleep when you sleep, but that's so much easier said than done.  I do get at least a little shut-eye while you're dreaming away, but I also try to keep up with a few things like laundry and your brother Rockne.  He's feeling quite left out these days, so Mommy tries to play with him a little outside when you're fast asleep - thank goodness for the hand-held baby monitor! 

Your Mimi and Ga arrive tomorrow, so our time alone will be put on hold for another few weeks.  In fact, I have a feeling that I'm going to miss you...I'm not sure Mimi is going to let you go once she gets a hold of you!  You're going to love visiting with them.  They can't wait to meet you Little Ellie!

The Unexpected

10-20-11

Hm, so it's been over two weeks and I'm definitely learning how to be a Mommy as I go Little Ellie.  You are teaching me lots of new lessons.  Most of the lessons are things that no "What to Expect..." book will ever tell you.

For example, you won't find the answers to the following questions in the pages of any book:

• What do you do when:
• Your baby throws up the entire contents of what she's just eaten in your lap?
• You get urine all over your sleeve because she decides to pee after you take off her diaper?
• She projectile poops directly into your hand as you're changing her?
• You accidentally squirt milk up her nose while trying to feed her?
• The dog decides to lick a dirty diaper that lands on the floor?

Answer: LAUGH!  That's about all you can do to keep your sanity.  You're definitely giving me a lot to laugh about Sweetie.  I enjoy every little adventure we take together each day.  What will tomorrow hold?

 (This is AFTER the clean up by the way)

Your First Week

There were definitely a LOT of firsts for you this week!  You met your Grandma and Grandpa Briggs for the very first time just minutes before you turned one day old.

 We brought you home the day after you were born (one day early...Daddy insisted) to introduce you to your bedroom, house, and of course your brother Rockne.  He's not so sure about you, but I think you're growing on him...he seems to want to be close by most of the time.

You also watched your very first Notre Dame football game with your Daddy.  He says you must be a good luck charm, because they won!

Your least favorite "first" of the week was probably the bath that Daddy and I gave you.  You screamed through the whole thing.  I hope you learn to enjoy it more, otherwise we'll just have to leave you smelly!

Overall, I'd say it was a pretty good first week for you.  You're eating well (thanks to Mommy), and gaining weight like a champ.  You've already started on your second chin.  :o)  I'd say you look pretty content Little Miss One-Week Old.  We love you and can't wait to continue to watch you grow!

At the Hospital

10-4-11

Mommy just wanted to document the day leading up to your arrival.  Daddy kept telling me it was a "textbook labor" which was a good thing.  You made it easy on me.  Don't get me wrong, it was hard work, but nothing out of the ordinary happened and you arrived perfect, as expected.

 Of course, since you came out the natural way, your head was...well, you were a conehead!  It didn't take long, though for it to go back to its natural shape.  :o)

Introducing Eleanore "Ellie" Marie Messmer

10-4-11

You're here! You're here!  You're here!  Your mommy's water broke at 12:45am and woke her up.  Hours later, on October 4th, 2011 at 3:07pm you came into our world and changed our lives.  At 7lbs 5oz and 20.5 inches long, you were pretty big for being 2 weeks early!  Mommy's glad you came when you did!

So, the moment everyone's been waiting for (especially me)...pictures of our new little angel!