The Parrillo Family

Eloise is just starting to appreciate her toys. She likes those that play music, rattle or have mirrors. Fortunately, her little play mat has all three. I wasn't able to catch her playing with her toys on this video, but I swear, it has happened. Her happy little coos made this video worth sharing, anyway.

Jake talked about what he likes to sing to little E. Here are my two favorites. My Darling, Wilco Its no surprise that Jake and I love Wilco. The lyrics from this song are so sweet, I cried the first time I read through them. Yes, having Eloise has made me a little emotional. Lullaby, Ben Folds Five Kind of a silly, dreamlike lyrics, but I love the chorus.

Eloise has just started sharing "social smiles" with us. It is still a little hit or miss, but she will smile when she sees either Jake or my face after a bit of an absence. She will smile back at us when she is relaxed and playful. They don't always last very long, but I was so happy to catch this big, gummy, grin. The only thing cuter than that smile are her three chins. Cutie patootie!

Here is our new family in front of our gorgeous Fraser Fir. It was such a magical Christmas. Jake and I couldn't stop dreaming of the days when we can tell E about Santa and share all our traditions with her. We were so excited that she was there- so little at one week old, but still celebrating with us.

A little late, but still exciting. Little E is happy and healthy at one month. Mommy set her up in the living room with her cuddly little horse and took a million photos. Here are some of our favorites. Happy days, my love! We can't wait to watch you grow!

...and brought the cutest outfits for Eloise!  We can't wait to put them on and strut around the neighborhood this spring. How nice of her to spend Sunday morning with us - and she even said she liked our coffee cake (which Jake made!)!

(Originally posted on Jake's blog here .  If you're not reading it, well....you should be.  Go subscribe via email .    Get goin.  I said...Get go-in!) When we arrived home with the babe from the hospital, we were greeted by this home-crafted sign on our dining room windows. Nat's mom and dad came over, shoveled our snow (so did Equation Boy/Man), brought over a "Birth Day" cake, left behind some presents and hung up this cute sign.  All very thoughtful gestures.  But the sign stands out for a few reasons.* First, it was hand-crafted.  I hate to use the term home-made; that makes things sound amateurish; and this thing is anything but amateur.  Dianne used some pretty cute fabric and strung up the sign in Nat's preferred lower-case letters.  But, the other really interesting aspect to the sign is that it is re-usable (as in not temporary).  Not as in....take off this girls name and slap up another one if/when we have another kid ...

Some nice lady from Daddy's HR department sent me some new clothes! Guess who's feeling lucky today? Me!

Stay with the video until the end.  It is worth it!

"I don't want a bath." "Trus

Eloise sure is! Bunker down tonight, Chicago.

Eloise had more visitors this week! Nat's good friend Gina came by and visited for a few hours. She's a mom in her own right, so she knows her way around a new born. And...Jake was happy because she brought pizza! Also, before she went back to California, Nat's long-time friend Amelia stopped by and spent a some time with Eloise. We're lucky to have such great friends!

We're just beginning to figure out how to handle all of the visitors - and one of our first was our good friends Matt & Suzie. They came by for a visit and gifted Eloise that cute hat! We're looking forward to seeing more friends in the coming days and weeks.