Elise's Blessing

We blessed Elise on February 13th in our ward here in Maryland. We chose our date well: not only did we have to be there for 9 am church, we had to be there on DAYLIGHT SAVINGS DAY. That was super fun. This Daylight Savings nonsense has got to stop.

Despite some kids waking up at 8:45 am, we managed to make it to church really close to on time. Jon gave Elise a beautiful blessing. In the circle were Jon, both dads, Bishop Lyman and our good friend (practically family) Craig Knox. 

After sacrament meeting, we braved the cold for some pictures outside (thank you, Melissa!). Our kids were super cooperative. 

The Bloods and Mikesells.

Seth's not much younger than the twins were when we blessed him:

Doing some post-blessing stretches:

Beautiful little princess:

The men:

Our family:

Did I mention how cooperative our kids were?

SUPER cooperative.

Mom, Dad & baby girl

Copying Elise's monkey face

Now for Elise's beauty shots in her gown:

Dress from the Mikesells,

amazingly soft blanket from Aunt Lori

Another blessing blanket from Grandma Sara

I loved the lacework on the bottom of her dress

Possibly my favorite picture from that day:

All worn out after her photo shoot:

Daddy is also worn out:

Totally passed out in Daddy's arms:

Havre de Grace

With some careful coordination, we were able to have my parents, Jon's parents and Jacob & Joanna there for Elise's blessing. We'd had gorgeous weather that week, but of course it was cold and miserable while they were here. But, in an effort to entertain, we headed to the boardwalk at Havre de Grace. All pictures were taken by my dad, since I was too busy pushing a giant double stroller around.

Seth looking unimpressed by the marsh.

Catherine and the tiny lighthouse.

Jacob was heartily disappointed in our lighthouse.

Beautiful girl

Picking the holly berries

Catherine & Joanna checking out the cannon.

Seth had a hard time believing this was a cannon.

He was also disappointed that it was non-functional.

Aaron only cared about the swings.

Best set-up ever: Grandma to push, Grandpa to entertain.

Elise was thrilled by the whole adventure.

Not our best hosting activity, but at least Mom Blood got some chocolate out of it!

The First Bath

The first bath was a big deal. Seth and Catherine (im)patiently examined Elise's belly every day to see if her cord had finally fallen off. It was a glorious day when it was finally gone! Everyone was excited to help bathe the baby:

Obviously we need a bigger bathroom.

Jon kicked them all out not long after this.

Getting stripped down

She LOVED it. 

We have a water baby on our hands!

Aaron snuck back in to observe.

Made it out alive!

The post-bath hair.

Brown, but definitely some reddish tints.

Life Goes On

Despite what it looks like (and feels like, generally), life isn't all about Elise around here. Luckily the big brothers and sister are not just adapting, they're LOVING their little sister. 

This is my new life.

Nursing a newborn with a toddler on my head.

This one is thrilled to have a sister!

She loves picking out Elise's outfits.

There is a LOT of electronics use right now.

Something that will have to be reigned in once Mom is less sleep-deprived.

This never gets old.

Also: a great excuse to keep sitting on the couch.

We (Jon) finally hung up the pictures above Catherine's bed. LOVE!

This is in the center:

My good friend Warnick designed it for me, and it's perfect for the princess theme.

We also braved the park on one gloriously warm day (only because Grandma was there with us):

Aaron looks terrified because he was.

This is everyone's new favorite activity:

A trampoline has been the best investment ever for our kids!

We also do some serious arts & crafting when we get burned out on electronics (it does happen!):

Elsa paint-by-numbers was a perfect gift from Aunt Lori!

We're all a little more tired, a little more disorganized, and a little more prone to hanging around the house, but life is still really good!

Elise at Two Weeks

(This picture cracks me up. Thankfully you're only cross-eyed when focusing really hard)

At two weeks old you weighed in at 7 lbs. 12 oz. and were 21 inches long. Hanging out right in the 30th percentile. You shocked us all by being completely unfazed by the PKU heel prick. She even had to prick you twice: absolutely no reaction.

First post-hospital pediatrician visit.

Always sticking those feet out! Always!

*you are quite good at letting us know when you're getting hungry. It generally looks like this:

                     "Umm......guys?                I'm getting hungry. Notice the tongue?"                  

*you are a decent sleeper. Once you finally go down for the night (usually around 10:30), you'll generally stay asleep until at least 6 am. You wake up about every two hours to nurse, but then go right back to sleep.

*however, you are an incredibly LOUD sleeper. I am amazed at the noises and squirming you can manage while still dead asleep. We would kick you out of the room, but I'm too lazy to run down the hall to your room every two hours. Also, it's cold at night and you're a nice little heater to snuggle with.

"I am a perfectly quiet sleeper, I swear!"

*you were born with strangely flat ears. We called them your elf ears. But they've flattened out by now. Guess you'll have normal ears after all!

*you caught a nasty cold from Aaron (fourth child problems). You were so congested--you sounded like Darth Vader when you breathed. Between the congestion and throwing up mucus, I was a little worried about how serious it was. Luckily you never got a fever and were over the worst of it after a few days.

*you still look uncannily like your big sister. Left: Elise. Right: Catherine

*newborn diapers may fit your tiny bum, but they are not containing the mess. You are happily in size 1 now. You've also outgrown all your preemie and newborn outfits--you're too tall!

One of those adorable outfits you've already grow out of!

*you nap during the day in your swing, but we haven't had to turn it on yet. You prefer to nap in our arms, but it's not always an option.

Preferred nap location.

Alternate preferred nap location.

*you're not one to spit-up in the traditional sense--you rarely spit up right after eating. You like to wait an hour or so after eating and then spew out something that looks just like milk. Usually in the middle of sleeping. And then you gag on it and scare me to death.

*we just started the pacifier for your fussy times at night. You seem okay with it, but not enthralled.

*you wear mittens (socks, actually. Or a onesie with built-in mittens.) all the time. Otherwise you'd claw your eyes out.

Little kitty cat

*Catherine was very impressed with the time you managed to projectile poop all over yourself, the couch, and Grandma. She told several people at preschool about it. 

*you can nap without a swaddle during the day, but not at night.

Sleeping like an angel

*you sleep in your car seat. This is a big deal after Aaron, who screamed in his.

Getting sleepy...

*you are a very mellow, easy baby. We rarely hear you cry.

You are a baby doll! We love you!