1 Month

Yesterday Miss Elle turned one month! Sam and I have learned so much as first time parents, we have worked hard however when I look at the growth our daughter has accomplished this month I am astonished and humbled. If we have worked hard to learn and grow she has worked even harder. 

Elizabeth Enck Kirkendall currently weighs 10 pounds 6 ounces. I have no idea how long she is, I will work on that for the ensuing months :). Not only has Elle grown over the past month she has discovered a few of her favorite things...

She loves being fed, here she is after her lunch. Happy as a clam.

She also doesn't seem to mind being photographed. Here are a few of my favorites from her one month shoot. 

Most of all Elle likes her swing and the ceiling fan. No one can settle her like the swing and no one has received more smiles from Littles than the fan in our living room. We are excited for the day when she really does favor human faces of large inanimate objects!

A sweet post call reunion.

Elle in an intense workout routine with mom.

However, some our favorite things are mornings at home, a return from a long day's work, and watching her new developments. 

We cannot imagine life without Elle, as we reflect on the past month I am reminded of what it means to grow. Already she inspires us, may we continue to learn from this precious child. 

"Nobody can discover the world for somebody else. Only when we discover it for ourselves does it become common ground and a common bond and we cease to be alone."

 Wendell Berry

Christmas

We had a wonderful Christmas holiday! Here are a few pics from the day.

Sam and Jennifer finished a Bob Dylan puzzle. We endured 2 hours of  Dylan music while they pieced the puzzle- Sam was in his happy place.

We took advantage of the weather and went for a walk to 12 Hills Nature Center.  Miss Elle was cozy in her front wrap carrier. 

Photograph by Sam

We were fortunate enough to have received a very nice camera from our parents and are having a lot of fun learning to shoot pictures of Elle as well as the nature that surrounds us.

We also received news that Auntie Jenn is engaged to be married!! We are so excited to welcome Toby to our family!!

Sam eating at Hattie's with Elle in the front carrier

Being a Christmas baby myself we were able squeeze in a celebration in Bishop Arts for my 30th. 

I can't help but be cliché here, although we received many generous and thoughtful gifts none can top the gift of Elle's presence this Christmas. 

First Friends

The friendship is not a reward for our discriminating and good taste in finding one another out. It is the instrument by which God reveals to each of us the beauties of others.”

C.S. Lewis

Over the past several weeks Elle has met many new friends. Not only has our visitors company been timely, we are very grateful for all of the beautiful gifts, flowers, and meals given to us. 

I tried to capture these moments but I must admit my failure to do so. So many of you have supported us over the past several weeks and are not represented here. Thank you for your friendship and love.

Charlie and Evie brought Elle birthday gifts the day after her birth. It was a wild ride but despite her fits of crying she really loved the visits. :)

Charlie and Ma had quality story time a few days later while Elle and Evie played in the nursery.

Several of our Oak Cliff neighbors have come by to say hi. Thank you Killorens, Tibodeauxs, and Borjas for your company!!

Elle enjoying story time with Aunt Meggie and Pa. 

Relaxing with Ahh…

Ali came to stay with us as Sam transitioned back to work. We were so grateful for her company, she not only inspired productivity but also enabled much needed rest for all.  

Katie and Clint, Annie and the the Tibodeauxs graced us with their presence Christmas morning for brunch. Not only did Sam and I enjoy hosting again, Elle loved spending the morning with family and friends.

Elle has loved meeting her new friends so much that she is beginning to warm up to bath time knowing that her guest might appreciate a clean hostess.

Elle also wants you all to know that every day she is growing and this morning she was proud to announce that she is now "sooooo big", so please keep visiting as not to miss her new developments that she is so eager to share.

One Week Birthday

Sam here. It's been a very good week since we got home from the hospital on Sunday. Lots of happenings, which I will just try and relay here with pictures. Elle has been doing great and allowing us to get some (pretty dang good) sleep so Audra is feeling quite chipper. Elle has been a ton of fun, spending some time awake just looking and taking in whoever is holding her. Today is her one week birthday and she seems to be growing up already!

Elle enjoys spending lots of time in Ma's arms

Went for a walk and saw Santa! Elle was very excited!

She enjoys her morning sunbathing

We've had some great visitors too!

Charlie and Evie were very excited to see her and were very good about being gentle

Aunt Meggie came to visit

Aunt Meggie used her camera to take some portraits, shown below

Then Aunt Meggie left. Before leaving, she showed us how to swaddle a baby so that "they can't bust out". Here's how we found her mid-nap...

Can't swaddle me

Out for a nice walk with our friends Mimo and Gina

First visit to the Twelve Hills Nature Center

Nick and Annie came for a visit

Then overnight an ice storm blew in. We were among the 300,000 people in North Texas who lost power. We took turns holding Elle so that she could keep us warm (seriously, she was like a little heater!). Luckily, as of two hours ago, power was back on. 

Texas ice storm

We're having a great time with our new little addition. Miss y'all and would love to see anyone who happens to be is in the area. We are also very excited to welcome Charles Elam Reed into the world. Happy day 1. 

Much love, 

Elle, Audra, and Sam