Some Chloe Updates...

A couple weekends ago, Colin and Claudine came to visit and we had a great time enjoying time by the pool and going to the Bavaian Chef. Chloe is still spending one day a week with Kit, which has been really helpful for us. As you will see from some of the pictures below, she is getting big. She loves the water, so bath time or time in the pool is always a happy time for her. She says Mama and Dadda pretty regularly and is beginning to associate those sounds with Grant and I which is so cool. She is quite the crawler and loves to pull herself up to a standing position. Chloe is a very active little girl at 7 1/2 months. She holds her bottle on her own now, but can't quite pick up small object, like Cheerios. Dinner time can sometimes be challenging, but thank goodness for Layla, our dog. She is sure to clean up the mess on the floor, especially after Chloe decided that she will only eat if she can feed herself. she newest frustration, is that when she is in the highchair, and doesn't want to eat, she shakes her head from side to side until the spoon goes away. Amusing, but frustrating. She also loves drinking water from her sippy cup.

Out with Grandma Kit at the pool. Yes, we have plenty of Sunscreen!
Check out the left overs from the Bavarian Chef! I have never seen so much food!
Chloe was eating some of the many sides that are prepared family style at the Bavarian Chef. I don;t think she is sure what to think of them. Not your typical formula taste!

Chloe has these letters that are for the bath that she likes to chew on and explore while getting clean.

After she had pulled her self up in the crib for the first time.

This is one of my favorite pictures, as Chloe is beginning to recognize herself in the mirror as herself. It makes her happy to look at herself before we get in the bath....hopefully she won't be too vain.

Chloe feeding herself...No mommy assistance needed.

Meghan's Farewell

One of my best friends since 6th grade is moving to Boston and last weekend I had the opportunity hang out with her one last time before she moves in Late June. We had a great day filled with friends and laughs. While visiting Meghan in Harrisonburg, we were also visiting Diana, Wes and Payton. Here are some of the pictures.

Meghan playing with Chloe and Payton.

Getting ready to go for a walk enjoying the day.


Chloe is all smiles and enjoying the sunny day!


Chloe's first horse ride on Blaze with Diana and Meghan. She actually loved this and really wanted to pull the horse's hair.

We were having a great time laughingat their faces. So sweet!

Missing Ashley, but this is our little group. I am really going to miss Meghan, but I love Boston, so I am excited to make it back there again soon.

Texas Part 2: Mom and Richard's Wedding

I will post more on this when I get the pictures next week.

Visit to Texas: Part One--Kimberly's Graduation

On May 14, We headed to Texas again, only this time to Austin and San Marcos to see my baby sister graduate from college. She started out down the path of nursing school, but quickly realized that was not for her. The ended up focusing on Communications instead at Texas State University in their College of Fine Arts. We helped her move out of her apartment the day before (OMG...I'm so glad I am not a college student anymore) and dined at the Gristmill Restaurant and Bar. Most of the place is outside and the tables run along a bank that over looks the Guadalupe River (See Grant Below). It is a spectacular setting located in Gruene, TX where there are many cute little shops and B&Bs. If you are ever in the Austin area, this is a great place to visit. Here's Chloe taking it all in...

The next day, we were up bright and early for the graduation. We got great seats and I was able to snap a photo of Kimberly getting her Diploma. Chloe was very good and slept though most of it, but at least she was there!

We had Her graduation lunch/dinner at the Macaroni Grill near our hotel. Since we were early we were one of the only parties in the restaurant, which is always good when you have a baby. I highly recommend the house wine, which is very good and reasonably priced.

We went out on 6th Street in Austin to celebrate! Chloe, Richard and Mom decided to go on a Carriage ride with Chloe so grant and I could have some adult time out. Chloe spewed all over Richard, which made for a few laughs....

Grant and I at the Library Bar in Austin! No reading or studying going on here....

A wedding and a mother...

When I found out one of my best friends from college, Morgan, was engaged, little did I know when her wedding came around, I would be a mom. I remember when I visited her last year just before she moved back to Philly, I told her I was watching my weight, and didn't want to attend the "oh so great Martini bar" we had been planning to go to for months. Her first reaction, "Yeah right!" What is going on? She knew me too well. There was no way I was turning down a good martini (not that I am an alcoholic or anything, but a social drinker I am). So I spilled the beans. She was newly engaged and I was pergnant.

Moreover, little did I know on the weekend, of her wedding, I would be spending my first mothers day weekend celebrating her new marriage to John, and Grant and I would get our first vacation from being, parents since Chloe was born in November. I must say, it was bliss! We got to sleep in, go to a sheeshy wine bar, walk around with no place to go, have margaritas in the middle of the day, have a picnic lunch in Rittenhouse Square, and go shopping in cute stores that don't exist in Charlottesville. We finally had a beuatiful weekend away with gorgous city weather. A mother and father's day break, but we couldn't help but to think of Chloe.

Look at that face, how could I not miss this precious child?

As we walked though the city, we couldn't help but to notice all the moms with the cute strollers. We said things like, "I've seen about 20 of those strollers" (seriously, if you live in Philly, you are not cool unless you have this stroller). We noticed many fathers with their little buddle snuggled up in infant carriers with their manly diaper bags. For a second, we stopped to think about what it is like being parents in a big city? When we left Chloe with Grant's parents for two days, the back of our Jeep would have suggested we were leaving for a month! How different it would be to have a baby without a car? I would be much skinnier, am sure...Nontheless we couldn't help but to go into every little boutique baby store and admire all the cute baby things, that we couldn't afford...(Seriously, $60 for an infant t-shirt with the Beatles logo). We kept looking at our phones wondering if we should call and check in on Chloe, and we did, and all was well. Seriously, what did we do with ourselves before we had Chloe?

As we shared our weekend with Morgan and John, we met their family and friends. We shared pictures with each other's children and grand children. Each time I attend a wedding, I am reminded of the love I share for my own husband and how our love has shaped me as mother. I hope that Morgan and John can also feel this love someday if they choose. We enjoyed Friday night at the Belmont Mansion with a view of the Philadelphia city Skyline that is priceless. We then shared Sat. night at the Kimmel Center where the ceremony was of the Quaker tradition, where I was honored to share why they should be wed. Despite many blisters, we shared a wonderful evening fully of laughs and dancing to celebrate the new husband and wife.

For Grant and I, this weekend in Philly was about Love. A lifetime of love and happiness for a friend and their new marriage, the love of the city where I used to live, the love of a mother and father missing their daughter, a love for each other and the loving marriage we are so lucky to have.

Social Girl!

Chloe has reached 6 months of age! What doe that mean to you none baby friends? Well, for us it means Chloe is sleeping though the night! 1.) She goes to bed between 7 and 8 and gets up around 6:30 am. 2.) She laughs and smiles more than she cries! This means we can take her lots of places now without people looking at us like they are about to explode because we are the ones with the screaming kid. This has been a lot of fun. 3.) She is 6 months and it has gone by so fast! We are really just trying to take it all in and enjoy all the little moments. She is doing all kinds of fun things now and is really starting to blossom into a little person.

Last weekend, Nikki, Kristin and I went wine tasting at Keswick and Barboursville Vineyards, Two of my favorites. Chloe came with us on our girls day out and we had a blast sampling good wines and enjoying a picnic outside.


We also brought Chloe to Scott's birthday bash where she was happily playing on the floor with her toy.



Grant and I also took her swimming, which was so fun. Enjoy the video of her babbling and newly discovered joy for water.

Visiting Texas!

This past weekend, Chloe had her first plane ride. We visited Grandma Betty and "Gram"pa Richard, Aunt Kimberly and other Texas folks. Chloe did so good on the plane. I couldn't tell if people were gazing at us as we were waiting for our plane because they thought Chloe was cute, or that "oh my God, I hope that baby is not sitting next to me on the plane." Yes, I became the person on the plane I hated most sitting next too!
We safely arrived in the Lone Star State with some great weather. Grandma Betty, Chloe and I were enjoying an early, warm, breezy morning on the country swing in the back yard. Chloe loves this swing, as she was really fascina ted by how the wind was moving the trees.

Kimberly and Chloe enjoying the day outside on the deck, but don't put me down!!!!!

Julie's Visit from Boston

Earlier this month, one of my very good college friends, Julie, came to visit the McElwain family. Julie flew in from Boston and we were so glad to have her. She got to meet Chloe and kidnapped me for a great night out! We had fun listening to the bands at Fridays After 5 down town and then we had lovely dinner at Zinc, where we had their trout, mac and cheese, and Brussels sprouts. Yes, I did say that. Brussels sprouts. They were amazing! French tapas at their best. But, there's nothing better than dining with friends outside on a great night, good food and Divine wine.

We never seem to get enough family shots anymore because on of us is always taking the picture. Julie happily snapped a few family shots in the middle of Grant working in the yard. You have to take them when you can get them, especially with Layla!


This is just a great Chloe picture. One of the little moments and one of her many funny faces that I happen to be lucky enough to catch...

Wino

Over the past few weeks, Chloe puts all things in her mouth. Just about everything she touches goes straight in the mouth. A little scary, so we are really having to watch her closely. A couple of weeks ago I was eating a frozen yogurt desert and Chloe grabbed it with her death grip and just about dumped it all over her head. The next day, she was eying some kids at a baseball game with ice cream cones. Not only is she getting better with her hands, but I think she is also getting better with smells. She has become very curious about things that smell strong. Hence, this photo.

As I was enjoying a glass of wine at Connie's house, Chloe was like a dog on a bone trying to drink out of the glass. Hard to tell that from this picture, but the combination of her fascination with her mouth and her newly discovered "taste" for smells has resulted in this funny moment. However, we did not actually ever let her drink my wine. No, we are not "one of those" parents.

Music to My Ears

This past weekend, we spent Easter with Kit and Larry. Chloe was being her usual energetic self playing on the floor. Now it really feels like there is something new every day. She has discovered her feet and will sometimes chew on her toes.

She was also really curious about the piano. She stays with Kit one day a week and she says that Chloe really likes to listen to her play the piano. She has a swing set up in the living room where the piano is, and she seems to be calmed by the sound of music. I always put classical music on before bedtime and it has recently helped her get to sleep. However, this weekend, Chloe was very interested in playing the piano!

Sweet Peas!

Today Chloe got to eat something besides milk. She has been very curious about our food lately. We often have her sit at the kitchen island with us while we eat dinner and she tries to drink our water or pick the food from our plate. So despite the Drs. recommendation to start her on food at 6 months, I made her some homemade baby food. Apparently, this is a growing trend according to this latest Washington Post article on the many benefits of making your own baby food. Thanks Grumppa Larry!

Get excited Chloe!

Yeah Peas! Something I can eat besides milk!

All steamed up!

Purred Peas Instantly! Just add milk!

Peas! Peas! Peas!

Feeding success. She's licking her Paws!

No more peas Mommy, please!

Why I (Erin) am a Carolina Basketball Fan

A little over 4 years ago it was January 2005. I was sitting in a hospital room watching a basketball and football with my Dad. It was a good way for the both of us to spend time together while also getting our minds off of the inevitable. I just kept thinking, one day soon, I would wake up and never be able to watch sports with him again. We will never be able to talk to each other, to have dinner together or to just hang out. My Dad had always been involved in my life when it came to the sports I played and those where I cheered. He spent a lot of time taking my friends and I to high school basketball and football games, cheering on our team. One year, we even won tickets to the Washington Bullets (now the Wizards) where I was able to take many of my friends. Sports as always a big part of my life growing up.

When I got to college, I spent most of my time studying. I was afraid of failing out of school, thinking that I wasn't smart enough to be at UVa. There were so many talented people around me I felt like I couldn't do anything else in my spare time but study to keep up. So when I graduated with a good GPA, went to study for a summer at Harvard, volunteered 50+ hours per week and had the pick to attend Yale or UNC Chapel Hill for Grad school, I think I finally realized I was probably over thinking things a bit. I didn't go to a lot of parties, nor did ever really get into the sports scene at UVa. I knew when I visited UNC for grad school that it was the perfect fit for me because it seemed to have the balance between being a great school with fun people and atmosphere. I needed some fun. Little did I know that my time at UNC would be challenging in a way I never imagined.

Between by 3rd and last semester of school, my dad was diagnosed with lung cancer in January 2005. He went from having a cough at Thanksgiving, to not being able to stand at Christmas, diagnosed on his birthday (Jan. 5) to passing away mid January. My break was anything but a break. The Doctors were not sure how long he had, 6 months at the most. I prepared my self to defer my last semester to stay at home with my Mom to help with Dad. I was prepared to put my life on hold to be with my family. Unfortunately, I didn't have that much time. My dad passed away a week after his diagnosis on Jan. 16. I was able to spend some time mourning and celebrating my dad's life before returning to school two weeks after the semester started. And that is when it hit me. I could no longer see or talk to my dad again.

Although I had many supportive friends at UNC, I felt alone and empty when I returned and that was an unusual feeling for me. This is really when it really hit me that he was gone, too soon. We had much more to talk about. More games to watch together, more Cowboys-Redskins match ups to watch with Grant and I, he was supposed to walk me down the isle and be there when I had my first child. There were more ball parks to go to and more UVa football games to see. I couldn't keep thinking about what I couldn't change. I needed something to do.

After returning to UNC, a friend invited me to come wait in line on a Sat. morning at 6am for a chance to get selected for basketball tickets for a few games, Florida state, UVa and Maryland. I thought, "What else better do I have to do?" At Carolina, there are not enough student seats for the number of people who want them, so the tickets are distributed on a lottery basis. This time, I was lucky enough to get in the nose bleed section with my friends, so we went, and stood the whole time, cheering. It as so much fun and exactly hat I needed. They kept winning, and winning, wand winning. Through out Feb, we kept going and stood in line for a special lottery for the Home, Duke-UNC game. My friends and I were lucky enough to be the 15th pick, which meant that we were given tickets to right behind the basket. This was Bliss! There was so much cheering and I never knew what a sports fan was until I discovered Carolina basketball.

In April of 2005, UNC won their 4th National championship. The night of the game I was coming home from Philly after spending the weekend looking for a place to live, but I didn't miss the big win. The streets outside my apartment flooded with people celebrating and cheering. Everyone was happy and blissful. Carolina basketball that semester gave me something to look forward to, something to smile about. I needed Carolina basketball more than it needed me. Watching Carolina that year, gave me the strength to move on with my life after such a sudden tragedy. they gave me something to hope for, and something to look forward to during this hard time. Sports was something Dad and I shared together, and perhaps that year that is exactly what happened in spirit. The Carolina spirit lives on. This week, they won their 5th NCAA championship. I couldn't help but to think of my Dad and remember why I started watching Carolina Basketball games in the first place.

One of my dearest friends from childhood lost her mother to breast cancer this past weekend. I spent time with their family, watching Carolina in the final four together with their family and friends. The evening was lighthearted and fun, despite the immense sadness and mourning, a feeling I know well. I couldn't help but to remember how far I've come in the healing process, but I also know how hard the road ahead is for my friend. Was this win my Dad's way of saying, "Erin, I am here for you and here for her." The love of sports was something Dad and I both shared, and I think it is something we will continue to share as time goes on. Through out this past weekend, I couldn't help but to think about my friend and what will be her Carolina Blue?

Life with the ladies.

My family is all dudes. Seriously, until Chloe there hadn't been a female on my dad's side of the family in 80 years or so. I do have Blair and Mel on my Mom's side, but I was probably 14 when they were born, and they lived in Florida, so I didn't see a whole lot of them. All of this is a long winded way of saying that I was never surrounded by all of the stuff little girls have growing up. Like this:



So lame. In any event, aside from the pink clothes, pink walls, pink blankets, pink bibs, pink bottles, pink toys, pink diapers and pink breast milk (seriously gift givers, there are other colors), you wouldn't really know Chloe's a girl without checking. But I know what's coming, and I dread it:

Girl's Cartoons


She's watching GI Joe.

2 Reasons Why We Love our House

One thing we had and hadn't considered when we bought our town house: We are really close to our neighbors, so close in fact that our neighbor's living room is closer to Chloe's room than our basement. An epiphany! Wha-la! While at our neighbor's house w/some friends watching basketball this weekend, we realized our monitor works from their house! It was the greatest thing ever because we were still close by and could still hear Chloe if she woke up. So we babysat our own child while still having a good time with friends. A much needed break for us. Good thing for us, we like our neighbors!

When Chloe gets old enough for Kindergarten, her School is in our backyard. So that means we can be one of those parents who walks their child to school. The school playground is right outside our house. We spent some time outside this weekend, as the weather was really nice. Chloe was enjoying the baby swing, making some funny faces at me while I took her picture.

Food for Thought

Every week, Grant and I both enjoy Chloe's present discoveries and look forward to see what the next week brings. Every day, her personality ripens a bit more into the pretty little girl that she is becoming. As I have mentioned in previous blogs, I really thing she is going to be a real talker. I am not sure I have ever seen a baby with as much energy as Chloe, but then again, I have not been around many babies. Here is a glimpse of what we deal with every night before bed. Maybe she will be a singer? a comedian? Quite amusing, really.




It is the 40th anniversary of the story, "The Very Hungry Caterpillar". This was one of my favorite books as a child because I loved all the pretty colors. Perhaps, it is the precursor as to why I decided to study science. I learned early about the life cycles, fruits and veggies, and the need for food as a means of energy. Reading this book to Chloe as an adult has made me think about how simple and similar life really is among different species. Something that starts as a very small egg enters the world with fundamental needs. For some species, this is food, for the more sophisticated, food and love among other things. Throughout the life process as parents, we provide our off spring with the things they need to become beautiful creatures. When I was reading to Chloe and got to the end, when the very hungry caterpillar becomes a beautiful butterfly, I couldn't help but to think about how beautiful she is today and will be tomorrow.

On a funnier note, she is at the phase where everything goes in her mouth, the very hungry Chloe was trying to eat the very hungry caterpillar...The fundamental need for food is so instinctual. Although I think this behavior suggests she is ready for baby food, we are waiting until 6 months at our Pediatrician's recommendation.


This weekend we also too her to her first UVa baseball game. Thanks to Nancy, we got this really awesome backpack for Chloe, which I think is going to prove very valuable in airports and crowded places. We thought we would try it out since strollers don't maneuver well up and down stairs at stadiums. Grant and I are always amazed as to how much stuff it takes to have a baby. We have used just about every bit of all the many gadgets in our house.

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