Pitchfork Music Festival 2011

Mark and I made our first outing together sans Elaine over the weekend to attend the Pitchfork Music Festival. We only went from 5-10pm on Saturday this year, but it was so awesome to get out of the house together and let Grandma and Grandpa Brandi take care of Elaine. I was practically bouncing down the sidewalk as we made our way from the condo to the car. I love my girl more than anything on this earth, but mama needed some time away! Mark and I had a blast and Lainey was a little angel for her grandparents (or so I'm told).

Since we got a late start, we only saw four acts: Radio Dept, Dismemberment Plan, DJ Shadow and the headliners, Fleet Foxes. I want to listen to the Radio Dept album--I think I'll really like them, but they have a softer sound, so they were getting drowned out by the other stage. Fleet Foxes were great! I was worried the sound wouldn't be good, but they sounded awesome.

Big, big thanks to Lonnie and Frank for making the trip to Chicago, so we could get out!!!

Enjoying a beer and some grown-up time away from home!

Such a big girl!

Elaine had her two-week check-up on Monday, and we're happy to report that she's a whopping 8 pounds and 21 1/4" now! I think she's gained most of the weight in her cheeks and chin. She still has her skinny little legs, but her thighs are starting to chunk up. Everything looked good at the appointment and the doctor was impressed with how strong her neck is already. Mark continues to insist that she's a genius, because she can fold her hands together at her chest, something the books say shouldn't happen until the second or third month. I guess we'll see... : )

Check out pictures from Elaine's second week in the world:
https://picasaweb.google.com/108972281042192931151/Week2070411Thru071011?authkey=Gv1sRgCNa52Z7unOS1GA#

Someone has a belly button!

Elaine's umbilical cord fell off last night! Looks like she'll have an innie!

Daddy takes the night shift!

So, the bright side to our breastfeeding issues is that Mark can take part in the late night feedings with the bottle! Although I still had to get up to pump, it was nice to only be awake for about 15 minutes versus an hour or more to feed her and get her back to sleep. Lainey didn't make it easy on him though. She spit up all over her pajamas, so Mark had to changer her. I had done laundry during the day, but didn't put it away in her drawers, so he couldn't find her newborn p.j.s...hence the rolled up legs. The arms actully fit her okay. Looks like she's going to get Mommy's monkey arms!

Just Us Girls!

We're on day two of Mark being back at work, and we're holding it together reasonably well. Elaine and I even ventured outside for a little errand yesterday to drop a package off at UPS and buy some stamps at the FoodMart across the street. The entire walk was less distance than a block, but it still took me almost 15 minutes to prepare everything, get the stroller downstairs, and get out the door. Hmmmm...maybe we should have been more aggressive when trying to sell our condo--a second floor unit of a walk-up building isn't ideal with a wee one in tow. Elaine did great though! No tears--just her standard scowl she gets whenever we put her in the car seat. I'll have to get a picture of it the next time we make a trip! She looks a lot like Mark with that expression on her face. : )

I just got the CD with all of the professional pictures taken at the hospital. I can't believe how much she has changed already. Her jaundice seems to be a thing of the past, and she's now sporting sweet rosy complexion instead of the "fake and bake" look brought on by the jaundice.



She loves her daddy!

We're still working on our feeding issues, but she seems no worse for the wear. I think she'll be growing out of her newborn diapers and maybe even some of her onsies in the next week.

Introducing Miss Elaine Rae Brandi...

Elaine Rae Brandi
Born Monday, June 27, 2011 at 9:59 PM
7 pounds, 10 ounces
20.5 inches

She's here, she's here!!! Okay, so she's been here a week, but I'm just getting around to updating this blog.  Mark and I are head-over-heels in love with this little girl! We're adjusting into our new role as parents and our new lack-of-sleep schedule...I took a three-hour nap today and it was GLORIOUS!!!

Check out pictures of her first week:
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/sredir?uname=108972281042192931151&target=ALBUM&id=5625288284054836017&authkey=Gv1sRgCPvM1b-sk-n48AE&feat=email