Eleanor's first trip to Disneyland

We couldn't deprive Eleanor the opportunity any longer. :)

We just had to go. It was a necessity. There was no way we could live with ourselves if we didn't take Eleanor before she was 6 months...it just wouldn't be fair. :) 

Like I mentioned before, we were in need of a quick pick me up and it was good for our souls to go.

Eleanor did fantastic and I think she's addicted already, she's already pushing us to go again.

We went over President's weekend and knowing it would most likely be busy, prepared ourselves to just relax and enjoy the feeling you have when you are there. 

It was busy, but wonderful all the same with perfect weather too!

 Good thing it was perfect weather too, because maybe an hour into the day, Eleanor had a great blowout all over her pants and so the rest of the day was spent drying those out. 

 Loving to stand! It was such a new experience with new worries and new excitements. 

 The hands are ALWAYS in the mouth!

 First vacation sink bath! Funny thing about getting ready in the mornings was that we weren't necessarily faster, but it was amazingly more relaxed. With Jonas and Maggie it felt like we were racing against the clock to be ready, so the rest of the group wouldn't be waiting for us. We always had to wake Maggie up early so we could do her treatments. With Eleanor she was the last to get ready and even with a bath it was pretty dang quick. The best part was not having to wake her up to pack up and leave...we could pick her up while sleeping and put her in her car seat. Simple as that.

 First ride in Disneyland...in honor of her brother! Of course sister too, but it all started with him! First time in 6 years waiting in the regular line too...bittersweet.

  I love our classic Dumbo picture!

 Oh Grammie and Papa...what better Disneyland partners could we ask for.

 Eleanor sure agreed!!

Many times this trip we were amazed at the simple things that Eleanor could do that our angels couldn't. It's as simple as looking around where SHE wanted to look. While holding Jonas and Maggie's heads for them and trying to help them see what we thought they'd want to see, often times they were straining to see elsewhere. If Eleanor wants to see something up, down, to one side or another it's so easy for her to control herself! 

I'll admit there were times it felt like a little piece of joy and magic were missing. All those memorable visits with extraordinary experiences happening is tough to compete with, but it's a new adventure we're on. One we hoped and prayed for for a long time. It's going to be great and we've got a lot of time to enjoy it!