We're on Our Own

Now that reinforcements have left the Mudrick household, I guess it's time to update the blog. We've been busy around here with my parents, my brother Tyler and his wife Summer, my sister Natalie and childhood best friend Lindsey in town over the last few days. Don't worry, not everyone was staying with us, but it was great to have family around that could entertain Ethan for hours on end (and if they couldn't, the trusty iPad could for them). Ethan will sure miss the attention, and we will for sure miss all the help entertaining Ethan and Eleanor holding/snuggling so that we could relax. My angel of a mother even stayed up for 3 hours in the middle of the night with Eleanor crying most of the time so that Ben and I could sleep. At least I know now to stay away from pesto for a while.

Eleanor's 1st visitor, and baby holder extraordinaire.

Yes, we got my Dad to hold a baby. Unbelievable.

Lindsey quickly became known as "Aunt Lindsey" and stole Ethan's heart when she brought him a Buzz Lightyear present and watched Toy Story 3 with him.

Auntie Nattie and baby Eleanor. Not to be upstaged, she brought a stuffed animal elephant from India that had a Buzz Lightyear laser (aka a bindi) on top of it's head!

Since we can't get Ethan to hold Eleanor, this is as close to a family portrait that we have.

Life with 2 kids is going well so far, though I haven't spent more than 2 hours alone with both kiddos, so I guess I'll have to report on that some other time. Ethan doesn't seem super interested in Eleanor, though he does say, "Aww, Eleanor sad... baby Eleanor crying." which makes me believe that he really does love his sister. He will offer her his toys on occasion and her binky, but will not kiss her or touch her at all. He also refuses to call her anything but "baby Eleanor" which is funny since when we call her Ellie, he will quickly tell us, "No, not Ellie. Baby Eleanor." He overall seems to be adjusting well to life with another person in the house.

Sleepy smiles never get old.

Like her brother, this girl can make anything look good.

Ethan has managed to stay occupied with the bat cave that Eleanor so generously brought for him when she arrived.

So that's what's been going on around here. Plenty of fun, great guests, good food and lots of spoiling us and our kids. Is it too soon to ask for people to come back and visit?!?