Photo Shoot and Photoshop

Nathan just loves all of Elizabeth's clothes! We were lucky enough to get quite a few hand-me-downs from a friend, and Nathan has gone through them all with me, sorting sizes, finding what matches...and eventually planning what to wear for Elizabeth's "photo shoot". I've realized this is his first chance to play dress-ups with a doll! When I told him he got to be my assistant photographer, he even got dressed up himself. (Button-up shirt, tie, belt, etc.) It's him I should have taken pictures of!

The long story short is that the photo shoot itself was disasterous. The pleasant Elizabeth got grumpy...after laying her on the lawn on a blanket, I remembered the lawn has recently been fertilized...the list goes on! So much trying and planning and NOTHING darling to show for it.

The great irony is that after I'd given up...brought Elizabeth back inside...changed her back into her sleeper and wrapped her up and gotten her to sleep...I tried a couple last shots. It's after all the "trying hard" was over that we got the beauty below.

This is the shot as I first took it:

This is after a little fun in Photoshop Elements:

Visit from Mom Franson

After my mom and dad headed home, we had about a week of doing family life on our own. Then, Mom Franson flew in and has been here through this past week. It's been a great time to get to share Elizabeth and be taken care of! We're so grateful she would come!

Family Pictures

Sharing the Moments with Grandparents

We were so lucky and blessed, really, to have my parents come and be with us for more than a week! They arrived the evening before we were induced. It turned out to be such a great chance for Nathan and Joshua to really connect with them again...the first we've seen them since their mission. Couldn't have asked for a better time to be together!

At the Hospital

We had a scheduled induction on Friday, April 17th. After spending all day on pitocin and hoping for progress (with little to none) they kept me in the hospital overnight on some "prepping" medication...and started me on pitocin again the next morning. Finally, mid-morning they broke my water and progress happened! By 1 p.m., Elizabeth was born! We are so grateful to have her safely here!

Nathan and Joshua seeing their little sister for the first time.

Playing peek-a-boo.

Isn't she lovely?!