Hellooo Midwest!

This past weekend, Ellianna and I flew home to visit family.  She was an excellent little traveler.  First flight left McAllen at 5 a.m. and she did great.  We landed in South Bend around 1 p.m. after having layovers in Houston and Chicago.  I was nervous about having 3 flights which meant 3 sets of take-offs and landings, but Ellianna did great.  She furrowed her brow slightly with the pressure changes but didn't cry.  She either nursed or slept during the flights and when we landed for good, was full of smiles.  She was able to meet almost all of her extended family!  We are looking forward to Christmas when she can meet those she wasn't able too this past weekend.

Grandma, Aunt Amy, and cousin Savannah

I tried to remember to take pictures of everyone with Elli but unfortunately, I didn't do as well as I was hoping.  I apologize ahead of time if you didn't get your picture with her, we'll have to do it at Christmas!  We spent a few days in Granger meeting her extended family on my side.  Then we spent the day in Rockford so she could meet her extended family on Ryan's side.  Next was our final days in Granger where we visited with some friends.  Ellianna did great, enjoyed being held by everyone, and gave everyone her gorgeous smiles.  She is at such a fun age right now where she smiles and coos to whoever is talking to her.  I know she will develop some stranger anxiety later; which made this trip perfectly timed.

Meeting some cousins

Some highlights of her trip included learning to tolerate car rides, finally finding a lullaby CD that calms her, picking her first pumpkin, and watching football or baseball on tv.  We may need to invest in a portable DVD player for our Christmas road trip as she seems to enjoy the colors on the tv.

Great Grandpa and Grandma Failing

Great Grandpa Priebe

The beautiful colors of the leaves reminded me how great the Midwest is in the fall.  If only it didn't get so cold in the winter!  I felt like a tourist because I was loving all the bright oranges, reds, and yellows of the leaves changing colors.











It was an exhausting weekend between the travel and socializing but we managed to fit almost everything into those days.  The first two days back home, Ellianna and I slept in until 9 a.m.!  As wonderful as the weekend was, it's nice to be back home again so Ellianna can be on her schedule.  This weekend gave me a heads up for our Christmas road trip and Ryan and I will have try to maintain her regular schedule.

Only 2 months until Christmas!