summer "vacation" from the Baldry home

Ok, so this is mommy's best attempt at an excuse for our absence from the blog over the past 6 weeks.... we've taken a little summer "vacation" from blogging, but no loss of pictures to share! So...here is a recap of what we've been doing busying ourselves this summer.

Lots and Lots of friends and family visitors! We have pretty much planted ourselves at home and invited everyone to come our way. The result has been lots and lots of memories made!

First, Auntie Jess (a.k.a. "Nanny Jess") came to spend time with us and help mommy "cope" with the new circus that was now the Baldry quintet! It was very hard to see her go, but she wouldn't give in to our pleading to stay (for 4-EVER!).

We miss you Jess (and your super duper yummy chocolate chip cookies!)

Then, Mimi and Papa visited from Montana.
Elijah didn't take long to snuggle right in to them being here...

And Hannah has now officially become a Mimi fanatic...

and, has always had her way with her Papas.

They even took baby Elijah to a night out on the town in Lake Geneva...and teased him with ice cream (not nice)!






Next, we got a visit from our long "lost" friends, the Gunnells. I had a hard time keeping track of all the boys, but oh what fun we had!

Welcome back to Wisconsin friends!
Please come to Fort Atkinson as MANY TIMES as you can tolerate the Yukon!

And most recently....we got to meet Paul and Emily's little guy. What a cutie! It was so great to catch up and realize the blessing of friendship that is untouched by the miles that separate us!

Thanks for making the extra effort to connect with us! Safe return to New York!

Father's Day

My Daddy is a very special daddy. He does many things that I have to be thankful for. He is my protector...my playmate... gives me guidance... makes me laugh... my instructor. Thank you daddy!

Sorry...no Hannah shots in this posting (but she is very grateful for daddy too).

Our week at Noni and Papa's

Noni and Papa invited us to come and stay with them for a few days while mommy and daddy settle in with baby Elijah at home.

We miss them, but Noni has done a fantastic job of keeping mommy posted with pictures.
So, I thought I'd share them with all of you too.

There is never a shortage of food at Noni/Papa's house, but this trip we got to make our very first visit to the strawberry farm! Much to Papa's surprise, we actually put the strawberries in our basket (vs. our mouths)...

Well...ok, so we had to taste at least one!

Treats are something we've learned come readily when we visit, so it didn't take much charming to get these delicious cool treats.

Who could resist these happy, smiling faces?

If we're not IN the kitchen...we're playing kitchen.

Culver's is a definite guarantee when with Papa and Noni...

Hannah has a death-grip on this spoon...she's on a mission to get that italian ice.

We also got to visit Moniqua, the horsey in Noni/Papa's neighborhood...which is always a highlight of our trips.

What's a week without at least one trip to a park? (even though we now have the bestest park in our very own back yard, it's still fun to go to new parks and try out the equipment). and a real special trip is over to GG's and Great Grandpas.
He even let me ride his tractor! Thanks Great Grandpa!

Overall, it's been a pretty special week, bonding with my sister and going on lots of adventures with Noni and Papa. We are real anxious to get home though and see baby Elijah, Mommy and Daddy. From the sounds of their voices, they are pretty excited to see us to!

our venture home

First, b4 we ventured home Hannah and I got to go up to the hospital
one more time and see little Elijah...
Still trying to take it all in, all his tiny little features
and funny/squirmy little faces that he makes at us.
Of course, I had to sit on the "doctor stool"...
and Hannah was curious as to what all those buttons were on mommy's bed.

Then it was time to get Elijah bundled and ready for the 3 mile trek home!

Daddy's such a pro at this car-seat thing they didn't even bother a car seat technician.

Here are a few shots of our first interactions at home...

Hannah showing off her dolly in her new stroller from Noni...

And lots and lots of lovin' for Elijah

Hannah has developed a very unique approach and tone whenever around Elijah...
one we had never heard before, but so tender and loving!

first introductions...

Mommy's send off yesterday.... (see you on the other side baby!)

Here are a few pictures of our first introductions with little Elijah Paul Baldry, born at 1:22pm today (June 11th). We just "knew" it was going to be a boy this morning when discovering he shares a birthday with both Joe Montana and Vince Lombardi!

Papa Tom was the first visitor to arrive
(anyone that knows Papa Tom...does that surprise you :-)
He's getting braver....holding little Elijah within the first few hours of life!


Of course he also enjoyed introducing his little princess to her new baby brother...


Noah played coy at first...

But warmed up quickly to his little brother...

He even took the role of family photographer (trained under his Uncle John John)

And then there's little Hannah... "baby...baby...baby".
She can be a little spit-fire, but put her baby brother on her lap
and she is very gentle and loving... (for now)

Thanks Auntie Sharon, Noni and Papa for visiting us today!
Looking forward to making more introductions over the next couple of days!

Nite nite baby Elijah....sleep tight!

Elijah Paul
7lbs, 7oz
20 inches