'Carolina In My Mind'

Last week Allie and I one-upped James Taylor by hitting the road and actually going to 'Carolina' for a visit with her Grandmom and Grandpa. Needless to say, I was a bit nervous about a 6 hour car ride with an 8-week-old, but Allie was VERY nice to me. We left a little after 7am and she kept on sleeping so I kept on trucking. We made great time on the trip and she slept the whole way. For the first two days of our trip, Grandmom was partying in New Mexico with her sisters, so Grandpa got some quality Allie-time (I tagged along). My mom came back to North Carolina late Monday night, but mustered her Grandmom powers to be up and ready for an early morning start to her time with her Granddaughter. We had a blast enjoying the warm weather, taking walks, rocking on the back porch, meeting friends, and, of course, we managed a little bit of shopping while we were there (the results of which are painfully cute, in my humble opinion). And, if there was ever any doubt, it is now official, Allie is totally smitten with her Grandmom and Grandpa. She was full of smiles and 'conversation' and, as if that wasn't enough, she decided to show off for her grandparents by sleeping through the night for the first time! We were sad to leave on Friday, but I think Chris may have reached through my phone and pulled her back home if we hadn't. Here are a few of our favorite pictures from our trip. Thanks Grandmom and Grandpa for a great visit!

When in the South, one must have a fabulous hat.

Grandpa working? That's funny :o).

Southern Comfort.

I'm just so happy I can't stand it.

Grandmom's quilting board says I'm 23 inches of cute.

A shot of 'Team Let-Suz-Run-Again'...thanks ladies!

Why am I in a corner? I've been so good!

Our happy girl.

Hanging out in my jammers.

Mid pre-bath conversation with Grandmom.

I...look...mahvelous.

It's a 'Shore' thing...I make this suit look good!

All that sleeping made me tired.

Happy to have his girl back home.

It's Miller Time!

On Saturday, Allie and I went for our inaugural road trip. What better location for the first trek than Lynchburg, Virginia, home of the Miller family including one of Allie's devoted aunties? Katie and James were kind enough to let us share their Saturday and we had a great time catching up and enjoying good food and shopping at the JC Crew 'I'm marked down so much it's scary' Returns Store. We left early to try to convince Allie it was still time to be sleeping on the ride there, spent time with the Millers and then put her in her PJs and left at night to try to convince her it was, once again, time to go to sleep. She did great! She was on her best behavior for her hosts and flirted and 'coo'-ed with the best of them. We made it home a little before midnight, she had a snack, and then went right back to sleep and we both woke up at 7 the next morning. A perfect ending to a perfect day - thanks Katie and James!

Who's got two thumbs and loves her Aunt Katie...? 'This girl.'

Hanging with the hosts.

This place is great! I give it the crooked smile stamp of approval.

And a few more pictures of our girl at home for good measure...

Yep, just hanging out with my pup.

Happy girl...crazy hair.

Happier girl...still crazy hair.

It's Raining Men!

We're keeping a close eye on our girl these days. We know she's cute and cuddly, but we feel strongly that she's too young to tie herself down just yet. That said, all of these lookers would have permission to take our girl on a date...in 20 years...with us as chaperones. We're thrilled to welcome the newest future suitor to the lineup, Brendan Hall Montgomery! Congrats Montys!

It's me, Brady. Being the oldest, I've been around the block a time or two (in the stroller with Mommy) and I know what I like. I like long crawls on the beach, showing off my many teeth, and just being all around cute.

Allie, William Bruce, here. I've got a onesie for every occasion, and I've already mastered the double-gun dance move from my mama. What more could you ask for?

Allie, Brendan. I'm the latest model...No seriously, I'm four days old today and pretty much adorable. Plus, I'm Jersey-born like your mama. Fist pumps all around!

But until that time comes, these guys are all she needs...

My pop,

my grandpop,

my grandpa,

and, of course, my daddy.

'Child of Blessing, Child of Promise'

These are the first lines of the baptismal hymn that our family and church family sang to Allie on Sunday when she was baptized. The entire day was a blessing to us as we celebrated the gift of God's Grace that Allie receives without having to do anything to earn it, our promise to raise her in the Christian faith, and the congregation's promise to support us in this. It was very meaningful to be able to share the day with those family and friends that could make it and we know others were supporting us from long distance. Chris and I have been attending our church for over twenty years (since before we were 'Chris and I'). We first met during one of the annual church mission trips. My mother worked for the church for over twenty years, and Chris' mother currently works there and has for over ten years. My grandfather confirmed me in the sanctuary in which later Chris and I were married and in which our daughter was just baptized. All of this is to say that Sunday, March 20th was a very good day...

For those of you hanging around New Jersey 30 (ahem, 1) years ago, you may recognize this dress, handmade (and smocked) by my mom for my baptism.

Four generations of grandparents and great-grandparents who love our Allison Kathleen.

Alan's clearly a pro. She slept during the entire ceremony (no mention of how much she slept the night before need be included).

Allie's first chance to meet her Pop and her Greatgrandmom (Mumsy). Clearly she's a fan...and a bit too awake for pj time.

Jeremiah 29:11 'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'

Blessed to be able to take this family photo :o).

Live from New York...it's Aunt Erin!

Greatgrandmom (Memom), cracking our girl up.

Aw, gee, Dad...I love ya.

Joy.

One Month!

As Allie is half-Suz, it should come as no surprise that her 1 month 'birthday' is cause for celebration...or at least a new blog post. She's a very different little lady than the one we met one month ago on the 12th. Turns out she has blue eyes (still), neck muscles, and (to our delight) smiles :o). All of this means that Mom and Dad are having to tap into 'parenting' skills rather than just competing to see who can be the better bed,  but we haven't broken her yet, and she remains cute as ever (in our humble opinion). Here are a few snapshots of what life's like at the Eicholtz home these days...

The Incredible Lounging Eicholtz Ladies

And again...

Squishy cheeks.

Check me out, I check things out (and there's a little of the smile:o).

That dragonfly's still staring at me. I can't say I blame her.

I make one month look good.

It takes a lot of neck muscle to hold up this much cute.

That's right...a lot...of...neck...muscles.

Got it.

Sigh...I wish my mom would stop taking credit for my posts.

Can't Say We Didn't Try...

Saturday night was not our best night. A Blue Devil loss during basketball season is never a good thing in the Eicholtz household, but it's an even worse thing when it's at the hands of UNC. At least we can say we did our part...

We put on our Duke gear...

We practiced our Cameron Crazies cheers...

We talked serious strategy with the ref...

Who me? I've never seen this man before in my life. (Remember what we talked about, Zebra, or I'll withhold sleep...I'll do it.)

But all to no avail. Seriously...I can't watch anymore. Someone put me to bed.

Let the Education Begin!

Allie's been introduced to some of the finer things in life this week with Grandmom's help. She watched her first Twilight movie and read her first Twilight book (OK, fine, she was sleeping while Grandmom and I watched the movie and then while Grandmom sailed through the book). She's seen how quality time for Mom and Dad at Blue Ridge Grill is always a good thing, even post-baby, and she's had her first visit to Ann Taylor Loft where three generations of the Wintrode/Eicholtz females took the place by storm. Well, at least Allie decided to take the place by storm when she got hungry, but she's cute enough that she can get away with it and Grandmom and I were focused enough that we still made it out with a fabulous purchase. All in all, an educational success for our little girl!

Family photo before our first (short) post-Allie date. Thanks, Grandmom!

Team Edward member in the making.

Seriously, she looks like she needs more kisses.

Daddy's girl.

Who loves shopping...hmmm...let me think...

Me, definitely Me.