Grandma, Grandpa, and Janna's Visit

Grandma, Grandpa and Janna came over for a visit this weekend, and as always, they weren't here long enough!

We enjoyed beautiful weather, went to Chicago's famous "Walker Brothers" for some yummy breakfast, played at the park, and just enjoyed visiting with one another.

Janna experiencing her first German Pancake 

Once Hylie finished devouring her breakfast, she started working on Dad's! 

 Guess who forgot to pack a hat?

 

Loving some chocolate covered strawberries!

And reading with Grandpa

Dad didn't leave without helping with some projects around the house.  He hung a new steel door for our garage (to replace the inside door that *surprisingly* didn't hold up to the weather well) and helped Geoff build and install our raised garden bed.  Thanks, Dad!

Eliana - 5 months

Eliana is becoming quite the chatter box.  Most of the time it is extremely cute--unless it's 3:30 AM and you really just want to sleep.  Ha ha!  Lately, Eliana has not been sleeping well in her crib.  She'll nurse in the middle of the night, fall asleep, but when I put her back in her crib she wakes up and just starts talking up a storm.  I usually can't fall back asleep as she spouts her soulful sonnets, so I usually give in and go back to hold her.  In just a few minutes she is out again, but then the whole routine starts over the second I put her back in her crib.  Hmmm...who needs sleep anyways?

Eliana is also getting more giggly and aware of her surroundings.  She's started grabbing at things and even gets a few things to her mouth from time to time--that is if her two little fingers aren't already there!  She's also found a taste for knuckles and will gnaw on anyone's hands that are near.  With the warmer weather coming around, Eliana's also showing a liking for the great outdoors!

Beautiful Dresses

Recently, Hylie has been totally obsessed with dressing up in her "BEAUUUUUTIFUL" dresses.  I can't lie, I kind of love it!

Super cute jumper made by Grandma!

 This is what you get when you ask Hylie to smile...

This is by far, Hylie's ultimate favorite dress.  Grandma Nelson made it from one of her bridesmaid dresses.  I wore it when I was little and now (thanks to Grandma) Hylie gets to wear it.  One day I came into Hylie's room and she was longingly staring at this dress hanging in her closet.  She turned to me and said, "Cinderella doesn't have this beautiful dress, just Hylie."  Ha ha!  Thanks, Grandma, for this remarkable heirloom!

Easter Dresses

While I was visiting Mom and Dad in PA, I was able to take the time to sew some matching dresses for the girls for Easter.

Hylie definitely loves to twirl!

Easter

We had an enjoyable and quiet Easter over General Conference weekend.

Hylie was pretty excited to wake up to some surprises from the Easter Bunny.

She was tickled to find so many hidden eggs around the house and even more excited to see what treasures were inside!  This year, Hylie was kind enough to find Eliana's eggs as well.

We were grateful for the time we had to listen to Conference and reflect on the love our Heavenly Father and Savior have for us.  We know our Savior made it possible to return to Them through His atoning sacrifice and resurrection.  We are blessed to have the knowledge we need to experience His grace and to be strengthened and enabled so we can improve and change.  Indeed, our lives are meaningful and blessed because He lives.

Oh, That Lip!

Recently, Eliana has been a little fussy when Mom's not around.  Our friend, Jen, tended to Hylie and Eliana a few weeks ago and took these pics before Eliana totally lost it...

Eliana - 4 Months

My, my!  Where has April gone?  For the record, these "4 months" pictures were actually taken at the beginning of the month, I just haven't sat down to our computer to blog until now.

So our little cutie is 16 lbs. 5 oz. and 25 1/2" long.  She's growing like a weed and getting more and more adorable each day.  She's starting to sleep better which is indeed a welcomed change!  (But did I just jinx myself for typing about her improved sleep???)  When Eliana does wake up in the middle of the night to eat, she rarely cries.  I'll hear her start to snort and then coo, she definitely gets her calm mannerisms from her Dad!

She still just manages to roll from her back to her side and every once in a while she wiggles into a new spot on the floor.

Eliana has decided that she enjoys sucking on two fingers at a time...which two fingers varies.

Little things that I adore are her rolly polly little legs--especially when she first gets placed on the changing table, she'll give a nice stretch that makes me giggle.

Eliana also keeps her knees bent most of the time she's on the floor and turns her little feet so they touch.  Okay, you're right, I find everything she does pretty cute.  I'm her mom, it comes with the territory.

And for kicks, here's a little comparison of what Hylie looked like back in her 4 month days!