Rite of Passage

I've avoided taking Eleanora to a professional "portrait studio" preferring instead to capture our own snapshots in a more natural setting. I finally broke down and subjected her to this rite of childhood. Although I much prefer the style of photos taken by the photography student we hired back in November, a few turned out too cute not to share.

Happy Birthday Dad!

Oh how I wish we could be with my amazing, sweet, loving Dad-o today to celebrate his birthday! We love you!!

Sending some birthday love to Opa!

Feeding Frenzy

Eleanora got her first taste of solid food this week and loved it. She practically jumped out of her seat to get more. It was a little sad for me to admit my baby is growing up, but seeing the sheer joy on her face from food (she must be related to my family!) made it totally worth it.

Eleanora was also sporting this timely shirt in honor of April 15th (thanks, Brianne!).

6 Months Old!

Checking out her own sippy cup for the 1st time

She loves to "help" me make the bed!

Today our little peanut is six months old! She has had a very busy and exciting few weeks with a fabulous visit from Aunt Natalie who was here for eight glorious days. It was pure bliss to spend time hiking, baking, exploring, cuddling, and of course, dancing around the house in our pjs.

Adding to the fun was a brief but wonderful visit from UB and AJ. Uncle Bob (UB) brilliantly packed the famous popcorn popper in his carryon to add to the magic, and as always it did not disappoint!

Eleanora also celebrated her first Easter. She especially had fun checking out her basket from Erin and John...I mean the Easter Bunny.

Eleanora's favorite pastimes at six months include grabbing, pulling and kissing (ok, more like drooling on) our faces, giggling at Charlie playing fetch, pulling herself up to standing while holding our fingers, and having a chat in her crib with her favorite stuffed animal before drifting off to sleep.

Home Sweet Home

Eleanora and I braved the winter weather and headed to PA for a wonderful week of family fun. Ella was a charming traveler, flirting her way through the friendly skies. She loved-loved-loved time with her adoring family (Gibsons, Petris, Hoffmans and Bentons!) and being an especially cuddly caretaker to Mena after her surgery.

Enjoying a "sip" of water

Hanging with her buddies Isabelle and Georgia

We are so glad to be home with Ben but are certainly suffering family-withdrawal. Thank goodness Natalie, UB and AJ are all coming in the next week!!

Growing and Growing

I know it's cliche', but I honestly can't believe how fast Eleanora is growing. She seems to be making new discoveries every day - grabbing, holding onto and throwing toys, reaching for Charlie's soft fur, and talking to her stuffed animals. There is nothing better than seeing her break into a big grin when either of us enter her room to "rescue" her from her crib. She loves being around people whether is charming them at the grocery store, staying up too late when we have friends over, or miserably crying in her car seat because she can't see the action. Her latest trick is to "pray along" in church. She's quiet as a mouse during worship, but then starts talking as loud as she can as soon as the pastor begins praying sending me on a mad dash to the cry room.

Her favorite time of the day continues to be bath and story time. No matter how unhappy she is after struggling against getting her pj's on (this girl loves to be naked), she quiets down as soon as Ben begins reading her favorite stories. She is completely mesmerized!

Every day brings new challenges (teething!) and new joys and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Laughing at Charlie


Laughing at her personal paparazzi!

Loving bath time (as always!)

Delicious toes!


Not so sure about sitting up on her own...

Much happier with help!

Fabulous Family

Last week we were visited by a couple of glorious Gibsons. My Dad and Mena braved the long flight to Arizona for a wonderful visit with us. We jam-packed in the fun with visits to the Desert Museum, Gates Pass, San Xavier Mission, St. Philip's Farmer's Market, and Mt. Lemmon. Miss Eleanora loved-loved-loved time with her Opa and Mena and is certainly missing their constant attention!

More photos from Dad and Mena's Trip

Missing Poppy

A kiss from Poppy

It is unfathomable to me that it has been one year since Poppy passed away. I can still hear his booming laugh, see his twinkling eyes and feel his scratchy whiskers as he put his famous "bear claw" on me. I am at a loss for words to describe this giant of a man and so I will defer to the words I spoke at his funeral...

When I was about 4 years old, I helped Poppy plant his garden. He dug the holes and asked me to put one seed in each. We paused at one point and Grandma took a picture of us: him leaning on his hoe, and me looking up at him, waiting for my next job. That is a photo I will always treasure, of my gentle giant of a Poppy lovingly directing me and including me in his world.

Poppy's love for his family was as organic as his love for the earth. He joyfully and lovingly attended to the needs of his family. He sowed unconditional love in each of us. He carefully removed any weeds of bitterness and resentment from his own heart. He fertilized with joy, gratitude, laughter and a heavy sprinkling of his favorite stories. He tended the seedlings with compassion, devotion and his sweet, easy way. He reaped a harvest of abounding love from a family who can't bear to let him go.

My Mom had a beautiful relationship with her Dad. She looked for and found the same qualities she loves so in her father in my Dad. It was those same qualities that I saw modeled in my Poppy and Dad that first drew me to my husband, Benjamin. It's clear to me that these are all gifts from Poppy, the man who modeled all that is good and honorable. For this and for the many gifts Poppy has given, I am thankful. I can see his sweet eyes, wet with emotion telling me how much he loves me and for that I am most grateful.

I love you Poppy.

On this day I will cherish the memories that are never far from my mind. I will look at his picture in Eleanora's room and tell her once again of the amazing man her Poppy was.

Big Girl!

Stylin' for her first dinner at Guadalajara's

Eleanora is growing in leaps and bounds. She loves to talk while we read her a story (we are sure she is reading along!) or sing along to any tune (her favorites are the Beatles and "Rubber Duckie"). Last week she rolled over from her back to her side for the first time in order to snuggle up to her Daddy.

Exhausted after "tummy time"

Of course the big news in the Hoffman household was the Steelers Superbowl victory. Eleanora cheered for the black and gold at her very first Campbell party. The food was glorious and the company fabulous as always.

Happy Inauguration Day!

Regardless of how you feel about President Obama's policies, today was undoubtedly a huge step forward for racial equality in America. It makes me very proud to be an American!

I spent most of the day to soaking in the momentous occasion. Thanks to Erin, Eleanora was dressed appropriately for the day's events!