Elliot & Sam & Friends

Ellie & Auntie Kassi gear up to go shop for mini vans!

Neighborhood Cafe has not seen the likes of us in a while.  Grandma & Grandpa Visit.

We wanted a picture of the girls (as seen on Charlie's Blog).  It was funnier to watch the lead up to the final pics, which Elliot wanted no part of.  

Finally Charlie said no to the papparazi too.  The next morning, when the excitement wore down, Elliot wanted to hold Mattma all by herself.

And why is it that I am up and about able to take pictures of Kassi sleeping with Samantha while simultaneously Ben was putting Elliot down for a nap, ahem, and I was cleaning up breakfast?

Elliot shows Samantha some tummy time tricks.

Super Sammy J

At 1 month, Samantha was 8 lbs and 21 inches.  She is gaining weight and neck strength, and tiny smiles.

More Mini Van

Ok, I forgot all the funny commentary I had about the minivan I love/loathe.  Something about how much Ellie enjoyed tearing up the showroom floors and being left to run wild in each cabin we toured.  So naturally when we got ours home she wanted the same free reign of the cockpit - which we gave her while Ben set out to turn our sedan back into a grown up car...it ends with the Ben using his vacuum in the trunk and 2 hours detailing the trunk and no time left for the interior of the car - but rest assured your luggage will ride in spotless style if we pick you up at the airport, even if you are kicking trash around your ankles in the car.  Oh! and this was all last Sunday, leaving Monday wide open for us to go buy new extended jumper cables to start said new van from whatever Elliot turned on and killed the battery while playing unattended.  

12 Days - The Wheels on the Van Go Round and Round

12 Days.  That is exactly how long we had Samantha before we broke down and bought not just a second car, but a mini-van no less!  See with the Acura sedan, 2 tall parents and ginormous car seats, there was just no room.  Driving home from the hospital, my knees were in the glove box and that was as far back as I could put the seat.  Nobody could sit behind Ben as the driver (too tall) so Elliot's forward seat was right next to Sam's rear-facing - which meant easy access for reaching in and "helping" Samantha as we drove.  It also meant that one more passenger in the car put us at capacity.  And if Samantha was melting down and needed a little pinky to suck on, Elliot was very intolerant of anyone reaching over her to get to Samantha, which made Elliot melt down, cry and bat our arms off of her.  Man, it was a long ride from Davis Square home...Poor Auntie Kassi was the first to experience this, and she was a trooper riding back there with the girls.  And volunteered to ride along with us as we visited all the dealerships on the Auto mile on Saturday (and then demanded to be left out of the process on Sunday).  Thank you Kassi!!!

Shoot...29 more pictures to post and Sammy just woke up...