Fabulous Firsts!

This past week the Beck family has been out and about experiencing all that the North Country has to offer. Eleanor has taken traveling in stride and has developed some very exciting new habits and abilities during the last few days.

On Sunday Eleanor made it through the entire church service without crying. She and I did some bouncing in the back while Eleanor's little eyes and ears adjusted to all the incredible stimulation provided by the choir, the crowd and the stained glass windows. During coffee hour, the ladies of the Quilting Guild of the First Presbyterian Church presented us with a beautiful Pooh quilt for Eleanor.

On Saturday the three of us went to the Sustainable Energy Fair at SUNY Canton. It was hot! With strong sun, light wind and temperatures in the 80s, Eleanor was wide awake experiencing these new sensations. She didn't quite make it through any of the lectures, but she and I had a good time strolling around looking at all the latest green technologies.

Eleanor is now sleeping in her crib at night in her own room, and she has a sleeping schedule that involves 4-5 hours of continuous sleep! Typically she now feeds around 8:30 and sleeps until 1 or 2 a.m. and then feeds again around 5 a.m. However, we took her for her first trip to the mall yesterday and she became so overstimulated that we didn't get her to bed until midnight last night. I think she inherited my love of shopping gene. Her beady little eyes were darting all over the place and she was nearly hyperventilating with excitement as we strolled her through Sears. Wait till I show her Nordstroms this summer!

Another milestone was accomplished this week. Eleanor took her first bottle from dad. She hardly hesitated as it was offered and gulped down the entire thing with gusto within minutes. Dad was in charge of the early morning feeding on Saturday morning and I got to sleep in- it was heaven!

Finally, we wanted to announce that Eleanor is now smiling at us and nearly chuckling. She looks us in the eye and her little mouth erupts into the sweetest little expressions of pure joy. We love to see her expressing happiness. It is such a joy to see our little girl respond to us in this way.