A Nostalgic Afternoon

Now that Eleanor is almost one month old, she's finding herself increasingly nostalgic. This afternoon she decided to play dress up with some beautiful baby clothes from the past.

A month or so before Eleanor was born, Dave and I met a wonderful woman at an Adirondack Park lecture. She introduced herself as Eleanor and Dave and I told her happily that hers was the name we hoped to give our unborn baby. A few days later she called Dave at Clarkson and told him that she had some baby clothes that she'd like to give us. A few days later when we visited her at her home, we found that she had boxes upon boxes of beautiful baby things that had belonged to her children. Many of the clothes date back to the 1950s and all are beautifully preserved. Most of the clothes are for older babies, but I found a few today that fit her perfectly.

You'll also notice some adorable knit bunny slippers on Eleanor's feet. These arrived in the mail yesterday. My very dear friend Caitlin sent them and said she saw them in a store and could not resist (we're glad she couldn't!).

Emily, Eleanor, Eleanor and Dave

Eleanor and I also found time today to look at some art books. Eleanor's great grandmother Phyllis Beck was an artist (see her website at www.phyllisbeck.org). Sadly, she passed away this past summer, and while we regret that Eleanor missed the opportunity to meet this incredible woman, we can feel comforted by the opportunity to share with Eleanor 'Maw Maw's artwork and art books (of which we have many). Eleanor is a great 'looker' and seems to enjoy images with bright colors and strong contrasts. Here she is visually devouring one of Maw Maw's Mary Cassatt books.

Little Baby, Big Crib

Since we brought her home from the hospital, Eleanor has been sleeping in a 'Moses Basket' inside a 'Pack-and-Play' next to our bed. This way we can nervously check to see if she's breathing every 20 minutes or so throughout the night. It's also easier to feed her when she's so nearby and we have the added benefit of listening to her funny 'baby elephant' noises that she makes when she's in her REM mode of sleep.

Frightened by horror stories of children refusing their own beds in favor of sleeping with their parents up to the age of 5, we've decided that we'll soon be transitioning Eleanor to her own crib. But as you can see, it's a big crib, and Eleanor is such a little baby. . . perhaps we'll wait just a few more weeks.

New to This Earth

As of this Tuesday Eleanor will be 1 month old. Time has flown so quickly and Dave and I have cherished every moment of Eleanor's life... even when she's suddenly wide awake and ready for action in the very early morning.

Eleanor is still up every 2-3 hours in the night, but we're getting used to napping during the day and though we feel a little 'slower' cognitively, sleep deprivation hasn't been that bad so far. Here's hoping she's one of those babies that drops a feeding around 6-8 weeks.

Our friend BA sent this outfit to Eleanor. It's screen printed by an artist and reads 'I'm New to Earth.' How fitting for our little alien baby.

I LOVE Being a Girl!

Eleanor revels in the joys of femininity...

Delicate pastel clothes and surroundings
(thanks Suzy and Jim)

Magical ruby slippers
(thanks Maureen and Steve)

Ruffle-bottom white tights
(thanks Jeff and Melissa)

A dad wrapped around my little pinkie finger
(thank you God!)

The Big Gain

Eleanor has gained 2 pounds already- bringing her in at a whopping 8 pounds 11 oz! She has done well at all her doctor visits, and has only a case of 'baby acne' to get rid of before she'll have a perfect bill of health.

Family Resemblance?

Dave and I think that Eleanor has Dave's eyes and Emily's mouth and chin... Anyone have an opinion?

How are the kitties doing?

Dave and I have often been asked how our two cats, Ramona and Gracie May, have reacted to the new baby. As you can see in the above photos, they've acclimated well. Ramona did spend the first week in a near coma, refusing to come upstairs, but has now begun to bravely approach Eleanor. Gracie May took a different approach. She pointedly ignored Eleanor from the moment we brought her home, and has since shown her subtle displeasure by sitting in Eleanor's baskets, and on her clean blankets and toys.

The Monkey Tradition Continues

When my sister and I were babies, we had a stuffed monkey that, according to my mom, we always smiled at no matter what our mood. Grandma Cheryl sent us this stuffed monkey for Eleanor a few months ago and it has been waiting on a shelf in her room for its debut... and Eleanor loves it!

Before the Bath

The Many Expressions of Eleanor Beck

Not amused... 'Enough flash mom!'

Winsome... watching shadows move across the wall

Delighted... or is it gas?

Quizzical... 'Why are there socks on my hands?'

Purely Gratuitous

Eleanor does her best Sumo Baby impression

Blanketed with love

Eleanor has no less than 10 baby blankets! So many of her admirers have gifted her with lovely blankets that we're never at a loss for the perfect wrap for the occasion. Thank you Aunt Julie, Sarah, Helen, Grandma, Conners and Piersons, and Canton-Potsdam Hospital for all her fabulous knits!

Tummy Time!

Our doctor recommends that all babies spend a small amount of supervised time on their bellies in order to strengthen their back and neck muscles. Eleanor seems to generally enjoy her 'tummy time' and is already proficient at turning her head from side to side.

Grandparents visit Eleanor

The minute my my parents found out that I was in labor, they began their 3 day trip to Potsdam from Minneapolis. They arrived road-weary but terribly excited on the afternoon that we came home from the hospital. The newly minted Grandma and Grandpa were instantly smitten with the latest Beck. They stayed for a week and were incredibly helpful to Dave and me. They cooked, cleaned, burped, changed diapers and dispensed valuable advice.

Grammy and Pa Pa Beck arrived a week later from Arcadia, MI and provided a fresh wave of pampering for Dave, Eleanor and me. They brought along Dave's baby book and several precious baby mementos that Eleanor will someday be able to enjoy.

We all ate very well and were able to sleep a bit thanks to all the grandparents.

Eleanor travels home from the hospital (all 3 blocks)

Sleepy baby newborn!

Eleanor spent 48 hours in the hospital. Dave and I were so comfortable in Canton-Potsdam's Birth Center that we almost felt like we were on a cruise! We had elaborate meals brought to us 3 times a day, snacks available in a mini-kitchen across the hall, helpful staff and a bright, sunny room full of pleasant furniture and artwork. When it was time to leave, we dressed Eleanor in her pink-ruffled going home outfit after daddy very quickly ran out to install her brand new car seat. The two minute drive home was uneventful. Eleanor slept the entire time and didn't wake up until dinner.

Eleanor Irene Beck has arrived!

3/3/09 at Canton-Potsdam hospital.

Dave and I are the happy parents of a baby girl! Eleanor Irene Beck was born in Potsdam, NY on March 3rd at 1:46 p.m. after a 15 hour labor with no complications. She shares her birthday with her Great Aunt Marilynn Erickson and her late Great Grandfather David Karlen Bennett. She weighed 6 pounds, 12 oz and was 20-21 inches long depending on multiple measurements. We feel incredibly blessed to have been given such a healthy baby and cannot wait to get to know her as the days and weeks go by. We know already (based on her exuberant vocalizations) that she's a rather passionate person, and have noticed she's inherited her dad's furrowed brow which she uses to make a range of expressions such as 'the Godfather' and the 'deeply considering' look. Her wild facial expression are giving us little glimpses into her blooming personality.

We hope that this blog will keep you up to date on Eleanor's development and activities!