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?!

Our Little Sweetheart!

We are so excited to announce the birth of:

Elizabeth Ann
Born: Saturday, April 18th
Weight: 8 pounds 14 ounces

More information and pictures to come!

Two Things to Love about March

#1--Kites

Recently, we were at the dollar store recently and found a kite for a dollar...then as we were checking out we found an even better deal. 2 for $1! We were so excited! We carefully put the kite together and waited until Greg got home to give it a go. The effort that ensued on Greg's part was totally endearing. Never has a Dad tried so hard...with such a crummy product! After running all over the nearby baseball field trying to have success...and thankfully, finally breaking the kite in the process... I decided we ought to "splurge" and head to Wal-Mart to get a "real kite".

Ten dollars and two evenings of fun later...we're so glad for a reason to be happy when it gets windy in March! (Although Joshua and I were smart enough to stay in the car at least part of the time this time...because it was 32 degrees and we were sure we could see snowflakes swirling in the wind.) So, don't be worried Joshua didn't have his chance to hold the kite. Some of us were just smart enough to choose otherwise. =)

#2--Basketball (See my other blog for the details.)
Playing with Preschoolers

Finished Quilt

I just need to sew the little pink bow on the turtle and this quilt is done! Kind of fun to have a "finished product"! Now I'm going to work on some matching burp cloths. Will post progress as it comes.

A Magical Moment

Learning to ride a bike did not come easy for me. I think I rode my "Big Wheel" until I was about 7 years old and then my parents got me a scooter to help me "transition". My memories of the the early moments of trying to learn on my banana-seat bike are of panicked screams for my dad not to let go of the back and lots of tears.

So on Sunday afternoon...when the day had turned beautiful...and Nathan asked Greg to take off his training wheels, I braced myself for what was to come. I looked out the window to see them out there doing one of those "picture perfect" moments of a dad holding onto the bike and a little boy trying very hard. The amazing thing was, by the time I dashed to grab our camera, that stage was passed! Nathan was riding on his own! He has done amazingly well...right from the start. (We think we owe some to scooter he got for Christmas that he's been riding around on in the Church gym through the winter.)

What a magical parenting moment to really see your boy "take off" on one of the great "firsts" of life!

The Mother I Wouldn't Be

My sister Carol is 4 1/2 years older than me. I feel so grateful that in each of life's steps..I've had her to follow. The example I'm most grateful she has given me is that of being a mother. I know that I would be a different kind of mother myself if I didn't have her ideas and influence in my life.

One of the things we enjoy doing together...although we live quite a distance apart...is generate ideas for fun things to do with our children. Sometimes we even follow through with them! =) Many of the creative "projects" I've posted on my blog are really ideas from her.

We've thought it would be fun to do a blog together...of creative ways to enrich the lives of preschoolers. Both to share ideas with others and, even more, to motivate ourselves to reinvest in our children's lives in the days ahead.

Here's the link:
www.playingwithpreschoolers.blogspot.com

Would love for your to check it out now...and in the days ahead...and give you comments!