Christmas Card Pictures

Well, I guess since we now have a baby we can't have a Christmas card with pictures of us and dead things, at least that is what I have been told. These are a few pictures of Ellie from our first Christmas card photo shoot. We probably took 800 and I hope we picked some good ones.

Merry Christmas!!!

The Holidays

11 weeks (even though I am really 13 now)


Aunt Lindsey, Cousins Grace and Mary Lindsey over for a visit.

Things have been busy (although I can't think of what we have been doing), so it has been a while since I posted anything. We are all doing well. Survived Thanksgiving and preparing for Christmas. We had Jim's family over for Thanksgiving. It ended up being 13 1/2 of us. Ellie was the 1/2 because she didn't eat the meal, but she was definitely present. She did a great job with all the people, noise, and general chaos in our house. We had a good time and Jim did a fabulous job on the meal! I would like to take credit, but we all know who the chef is in our house! I was sorry that I didn't get to be with my family who all ventured to Charleston for Thanksgiving. One of the sad parts of living away from your own family is missing the holidays. Fortunately we will be traveling to Columbus for Christmas!!! Unfortunately this will probably be our last Christmas in Columbus. I guess it is time for us to start our own family traditions. We will have ALL of the Hannahans over for Christmas family dinner before we head to Columbus. I say ALL because it should be 18 1/2 of us. Hope we can find enough chairs and plates and glasses, oh my!

~~~~Thanksgiving Pictures~~~~

Kids Table~Virginia, Erin, and Thomas (Bridgett and Tommy's kids)


Jerry, Joy, Tommy and Bridgett


Missy, Robert, Catherine (Grammy) and Eric


Exhausted after everyone left


Melanie and Russ stopped by after Thanksgiving. It was great to see them and a very special visit for me! Don't they look natural with a baby, hmm.....

Ellie is doing great. She has a very sweet disposition and is learning to love her sleep like her mom and dad. She is such a good baby and we feel very fortunate for this. I am not sure that Jim knows just how fortunate we are to have such a good baby. She has really grown and we have had to retire our first outfit. So sad! There are a few more that are getting snug so I have been searching the internet for things on sale, you know I can't bare to pay full price.
Current favorite activity while momma plays on the computer.


Oh look! A monkey!

Jim and I are doing well. I still miss my friends in B-ham and wish we lived closer to Columbus! Ellie and I are enjoying our daily walks and our twice a week trips to see Mr. Burton (to workout) because there isn't much else to do. We have ventured to the grocery store and to pick out a Christmas tree. Of course we were accompanied by our over protective daddy. We are still fearful of germs and flu season and people in general ha, ha, ha.

I wish I could be with all of my friends and family during the holiday season and hope to see many of you soon!!!


Pictures from Ellie's first bath in the tub (first part of Nov.)


I may look a little scared, but I love my bath!

The Hannahan Elves

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Sleepless in Mobile

Last Friday we went to the doctor for Ellie's 2 month check up. Ellie weighs 10 lbs. 14 oz. but apparently she has a smallish head, about the 25th percentile, like it matters. The doc was trying to reassure us, but honestly neither of us really cared. I have a small head anyway and I think I turned out alright...well I guess that is still up for discussion.
Ellie had to get two shots and take an oral rotovirus vaccine. She did well, but screamed bloody murder when she got her shots and then had the worst pouty face. She was all out of sorts for the rest of the evening which wasn't fun.


On my way to the doctor

It was also Jim's birthday on Friday. We enjoyed just hanging out at home with the fussy Boo (that has become her in-house nickname, Ellie-Boo, Boo-Boo, Boo-Bear, Stinky-Boo, any variation will work). Jim got a new digital camera and enjoyed the carrot cake that Ellie and I managed to make so all in all we think daddy had a good birthday.


Ellie nd Jim on Daddy's birthday


Happy after singing the birthday song


This is what happens if you take too many pictures...

Deer in headlights!

Ellie was fussy all weekend and we think it was because of her vaccines. She has not been eating a lot and therefore she has not been sleeping well. Late nights are making for a tired and fussy momma! She seems to be feeling better today, but still not sleeping better. I am about to invest in a "raising babies for dummies" sort of book, so any suggestions are welcome! I need to find out the tricks of the trade to make a sleepier baby and Jim hopes it will help to make a happier wife/mother (me too!)
It is amazing how fussy one can get without sleep. It reminds me of college, but with less tests and less booze. The amazing part is, just when you hit a low point, something happens to make you feel like it is all going to be alright, a smile, a loud dirty diaper, a squeal. Mine was on Monday when I got a much needed surprise phone call from a friend (Thanks Stephanie!).
Here are some more recent pictures. Off to change yet another diaper...


So happy to get my diaper changed


Oops..too many pictures


New favorite place to hang out is on the kitchen counter


Why yes I am on a dish towel and I love it!

Video Surprise

I just figured out that our digital camera can also take videos.
This is the surprise I got while playing with it!



Now I just have to figure out how to rotate the video.

Ellie-vis!

Of course we couldn't go with the typical infant pumpkin costume.
Ellie got her first taste of Elvis on her first Halloween!
Mom and Dad were laughing hysterically at the costume but it didn't seem to phase our little one...she must love Elvis already!

Will the laundry ever stop?!?!?!?!

Hanging out on my chair

Just a little update. I am feeling completely inadequate! I don't know what I am doing each day, but I sure can tell you what is not getting done! It is very frustrating and I feel like we live in a pigsty! Our poor washing machine and dryer didn't know what they were in for when they got delivered to our house. I feel like they are both running all day long and we continue to have more laundry. Do you think it would be bad if I restricted everyone to two outfits per week? Hopefully I will be able to get on top of this wreck of a house this weekend. My mom is coming down on Sunday to stay for a couple of days. I know she will be able to help. I'll just try not to get lost in our clutter before then! The real truth is I would rather take Ellie for a walk then vacuum and sweep! But who wouldn't with this beautiful weather we are having!
We have had a few more visitors recently. Sarah, my friend from high school came by with her daughter Grayson. Grayson and Ellie have the same birthday, just 6 years apart. We had fun hanging out and visiting. Grayson has adopted Ellie as her cousin, considering the fact that they have the same birthday.


Sarah, Ellie and Grayson


Grayson holding "cousin" Ellie


We love visitors!

Joy, my friend from Liberty Park, also came by with her daughter Ella Joy who is 1 1/2. We had a great time visiting with them as well. It is so much fun to have my friends stop by and see us. With each visit it makes me feel like our house is becoming more of a home, plus it never hurts to see a familiar face and get a much needed hug from a friend! It really was fun to see both of the little girls and think about how Ellie will grow up like these precious little girls.

Joy and Ellie



Joy ang Ella Joy, Dorsey and Ellie

B-Ellie goes on a trip

Cousin Wynn, Aunt Peg, and Ellie

We had a great trip to Columbus last weekend. Ellie did great on the car ride and slept most of the way. We loved playing with the whole family. Her cousins Mac and Wynn were so much fun to be with and we enjoyed seeing Aunt Carter. Aunt Paige and Uncle Charlie were there briefly too. They were headed to Chicago and left Mac and Wynn with Baba and Grandchuck. Ellie earned her first nickname from Wynn who combined Baby Ellie into B-Ellie.


Ellie and Aunt Carter


Ellie with Aunt Carter and Aunt Paige


Wynn


Cousins Mac and Wynn with Ellie and Uncle Jim



Naked J-birds!

We also enjoyed our visit with my oldest and dearest friends Lynn and Shriver. They brought their girls over and it was surreal to see the next generation playing at mom's house. So hard to believe that all three of us have girls for first born.


Shriver and Ellie, Dorsey and Ellie, Kathryn and Lynn


Kathryn and Ellie
(They look just like their moms when they were little!)


Wynn, Kathryn, and Ellie playing dressup

We were exhausted when we got home, but loved every minute of our trip!

Heading on a trip!

I am currently procrastinating because I don't want to pack. Jim, Ellie and I are headed to Columbus this afternoon to see my family. My sister Carter arrived last night and my brother Charlie, his wife Paige and their two kids, Mac and Wynn, are coming in tomorrow! I can't wait to see everyone! It will be fun for Ellie to meet her aunts, uncle, and cousins. We will also get to see some of my dear friends throughout the long weekend.
I can't wait to see how this trip goes. I feel like we need to take the whole house with us. Jim's advice was don't worry because whatever we forget, your mom will go out and buy it for Ellie. Scary, but true.
Here's a little update on what we have been up to recently. Last Saturday, my Aunt Peg and Uncle Jerry stopped by on their way back to Columbus from Baton Rouge. It was great to have a little visit with them. On Sunday we took a field trip to the hunting camp. Yes, six weeks old and Ellie has already been to the hunting camp! Jim was going bow hunting with his brother Robert and Ellie and I were invited to come along for the ride. She did great on the two hour car ride and we loved being outside. It was nice to get away from the normalcy of everyday happenings. On Monday my friend Sarah and her daughter Grayson came over from Orange Beach for a visit. We loved spending most of the day with them! Grayson and Ellie share the same birthday, but just six years apart. On Tuesday we found out that Jim's dad had fallen and broken his hip. We didn't know whether or not he would need surgery. He probably would not have enough energy and stamina to pull through the surgery and/or the recovery process. His health is not great, but at least he is at the hospital where he can be taken care of and rest comfortably. They have found a nursing home that will be able to take care of him and he will be moving there tomorrow afternoon.
The rest of the week has been spent with a fussy baby. She just got in a funk each afternoon/evening and has had two not so good nights sleeping. Maybe a big trip is what she needs to wear herself out. We are off for a walk! That's right, more procrastinating. I hate to pack! I'll post pictures when we get back from our trip.

Locked Up Mama Cow Escapes

So this is Mama Cow at 1 a.m. Nothing like trying to go to sleep and having the feeling that your boobs are going to either explode or turn into rocks! So here I am pumping away instead of sleeping. Thought I would try to write some thank you notes and be productive, but I can't find my stationary. Oh well, if you are waiting for a thank you note, sorry you will have to continue to wait.
Mama Cow did make one major break through this week. Ellie and I now have a walking route and are so glad to escape the house everyday for at least an hour, but usually more. I do feel like I have been a prisoner in my own home for the past five weeks. On Saturday I told Jim that I had to get out of the house or I would go crazy. He looked at me like I was crazy already and then sent me to the grocery store. Gee thanks! It was good to get out and so on Sunday I ran away to Target all by myself. Have no idea what I did for an hour and a half, but I felt much better when I returned. So now each days excitement involves walking to Spring Hill College to walk the campus.
I talked to my good friend Melanie today. It was great to have a conversation with someone other than my mother, my mother-in-law, or my hubbie...not that I don't enjoy talking to the later two each and every day, but a nice change of pace. I really miss my friends at school and can't wait to get back to B-ham for a visit! By the way, Melanie and Lelie, I am sure that rest time is almost over...Have you finished your progress monitoring? :)
Milking session complete! Off to bed...

Here some pictures we took today.

Deep thoughts by Ellie Hannahan


Look I can sit up all by myself...well not really, but looks impressive doesn't it?


Chubs!

Family Visit

Ellie, Me, Goggie


Four generations named Elizabeth Dorsey.
Baba, Ellie, Me, Goggie


Baba and Grandchuck getting one last hug before heading home to Columbus.


We had a busy time last weekend. It started on Friday when my friend Libby, her mother Mary Pat and my pre-school teacher Tootie stopped by on Friday. They were in town for a wedding. We loved their visit!


Mary Pat, Jim, Ellie, Tootie, and Libby

On Saturday my grandmother, Goggie and my Aunt Shubie came down to visit us. Baba and Grandchuck were also in town for the wedding. It was so much fun to have them all here. It was great for Ellie to spend time with her Great Grandmother. We had four generations named Elizabeth Dorsey together. Goggie, who is 90, loved holding Ellie and talking to her. This won't surprise my family, but Goggie repeated the infamous saying, "Dorse, I wouldn't give a million for this." I told Goggie that she might have to up her ante and start making it a billion. Jim cooked us a wonderful meal Saturday night, crab cakes, which got rave reviews. I am amazed, and so appreciate, his talent for cooking!
Sunday we had everyone over for lunch. Jim's brother Robert and his family were able to join us too. It was a treat to have all 10 of us together and a great test for our renovations. It was sad to see everyone go, but we were exhausted by the time everyone left.


Goggie, Ellie, and Aunt Shubie


Ellie and her Great Grandmother.


Goggie and Ellie in deep conversation.


Grandchuck, Ellie, Me