Family Photos

Another one of my friends here in CT, Maria, is also a talented photographer and spent a Saturday morning with us.  We took some pictures at our house, but the majority of the shoot was on Yale campus, in front of some fabulous stone walls. Here are some of our favorite shots:

Family of four :)

Love this one!

John still has a way to go with figuring out "cheese"... 

John:

 Sure love this busy boy!

Eliza:

 

Yes, none of us can get enough of those kissable cheeks!  

And John sure is a sweet big brother.

Great photo session!  Love these babies.  Now I need to research some tips on how to get John to smile for next year's...

Eliza's Newborn Pictures

One of my friends here in CT, Heather, gave me the gift of a newborn photo shoot.  Miss Eliza chose not to nap during the time we were there, so no sleeping baby shots.  Instead, she calmly stared at the camera for the majority of the pictures. Amazing for one week old?  I love how these pictures capture her content and social nature. 

Attempting a "sleeping newborn" shot... she wanted none of it

 I love this sweet baby girl!!

Eliza's First Month

Happy One Month Birthday, Eliza!

Already I can't imagine our family without you.

I truly can't get enough of this beautiful little face and delicious cheeks.

Asleep:

 

Or awake:

Your brother sure adores you:

 And so does your dad:

 So far you have enjoyed your many "firsts".

Thank you for a great first month!  I hope your calm, social, and happy disposition continues and you learn to sleep through the night soon.  We sure love you and are wrapped around your little finger already :)  

October

Beyond welcoming our darling Eliza, October 2012 will mainly be remembered for the following: Enjoying my mom's help for two weeks, falling in love with New England Fall, and viewing the excitement of Halloween from the perspective of a two-year-old.

Favorite memories from Grandma's visit:

Cookies

Playing at the park 

(and in general Mom wearing John out so he would nap well!)

Brooksvale Park

Pumpkin Picking at Lyman's Orchards

We sure miss you, Mom!

Our first New England Fall:

John LOVES jumping in leaves!

I have never enjoyed Halloween as much as I did this year!  John and I were immersed in the world of pumpkins, ghosts, candy, and Trick-or-Treating as we read books, drew pictures on paper and outside with sidewalk chalk, played with stickers, drew faces on little pumpkins, carved big pumpkins, made Jack-o-Lanterns out of Play-doh, made sugar cookies, celebrated at a preschool parade, and of course indulged in Trick or Treating at church and in our neighborhood.  John loved it, and we had so much fun with his enthusiasm.

John was very interested in helping Dad with the pumpkin carving 

But left the gooey stuff for Dad

Poking in the shapes

And he was so pleased with the lit-up final product!

Our Play-doh Jack-o-Lanterns

Best part of the month, by far: Any excuse to dress up as Cookie Monster

Halloween night, Eliza and I dressed as milk and a cookie to accompany the cookie fiend 

John deemed Eliza's oreo as better suited for his cookie monster toy

And ultimately himself!

John loved Trick-or-Treating, stopping periodically to hug Matt's leg and exclaim, "Thank you, Daddy!"  Effusive attention from strangers plus candy handouts... does it get much better?

What a great month!