Eleanor starting her long day with early morning exercises
Eleanor’s three-month photos with Kam
She was a trooper
Eleanor presumably looking at mom’s brunch with envy, wishing she was on to solid foods
Meanwhile, Des went on an adventure with grandma Anne to the botanical center. Des was clearly ecstatic for the annual LEGO exhibit
French fries, mac & cheese, grilled cheese- oh my!
Post-nap, staring at dad’s new grow light for starting seeds in the basement
Bedtime stories- vicuña violining!
For dad’s birthday surprise, mom brought Des and Ella to work. Des was glad to be there, but was really all about the oversized birthday balloon.
Eleanor meets one of dad’s team members, Diana
After work, everyone meets up at Blatt for a birthday beer and dinner
Since the walkways hadn’t been shoveled yet, Des walks circles in the front yard until finally making his way to the front steps
Up bright and early for breakfast at Dixie Quicks. Clearly need to go more often, as Desmond was confused when dad suggested pancakes with the dinosaurs.
Des wanted to enjoy his pancakes and berries in peace. “No pictures mommy. No pictures.”
The main attraction: model train expo. Several hours of staring at trains, he still hadn’t had enough.
Inspecting the snowmelt
Legos and leftover enchiladas
Baby sister reaching for the elephant
Christmas morning began at 6:47am. Des wasn’t quite ready to start the day, so he lounged in mom and dad’s bed for a while, then watched How the Grinch Stole Christmas for the third time this season while the lightning storm passed. About an hour later, he was ready to shuffle downstairs and see what Santa brought. Or go get a pretzel.
All things “rocket ship!”
Des balanced being very thankful with wonder and distraction. About right for a toddler.
Eleanor slept through most of the morning activities, but woke up in time for breakfast
Desmond was most enthralled by his new train set
Assembling and reassembling, then further reassembling
After waking up from his nap at ma and pa’s house, Des was ready for round two. Proudly holding the R2-D2 ornament from aunt Megan, Viv, and Liam’s recent trip to Disney World.
The rainstorms continued, with 25mph wind gusts
More swirly, light-up toys
Ella relaxing with aunt megan
Playing with Liam’s new race cars and trying to bump each other’s riders off. “OVERBOARD!”
Back home, Des shows off his train to grandma
Ella, before everyone was just tuckered out.
A wonderful Christmas together, the first as a foursome.
Des showing grandma how the magnetic “spinnyos” work
Eleanor beginning to excel at this head lifting game
…but zonked out soon enough.
After decorating the tree this morning, Des returns after his nap to survey the results
Grandma starting another round of “pass the baby”
Playing with legos of various sizes, as you do
The boys pointing to their favorite ornament
Breaking in the table and chairs as an actual eating surface
Goulash and cuddles with grandma
Grandma stopped by for a late-afternoon snuggle
