Dangerous

This is my Evie's new favorite word.

I don't think she really knows what it means.

Me: Evie, why don't you have your pants on? E: Luke pulled them off of me. Me: Why? E: Because he's dangerous. (He later told me she asked him to help her go to the bathroom and couldn't get her pants off by herself).

E: I want to go outside and play in the snow. Because it's dangerous.

E (handing me the decorative little pumpkins with handles she's been carrying around the house for days): Here mom! It's breakfast time! Me: Thanks. Will you please put the pumpkins downstairs now? E: I can't. It's dangerous.

E: I'm dangerous. Me: Why? E: I took my boots off.

Photo Shoot

My sister is an amazing photographer.

She came down on Friday and we did an impromptu photo shoot of baby Lily at our house.

I love the way these turned out.

Lily and Grandpa. This is her most common awake expression. My dad is so great with her -- and with Luke and Evie too. He cleaned and entertained the kids and sent me away for naps. I am grateful we got him for almost a whole week!

Some closeups. These are my editing jobs - not nearly as good as Caroline's.


Here are Caroline's photos. She was full of great ideas. We rigged up a baby hammock for this one.
I especially love the colors in these ones. I think the first one is my favorite.

Cuddled in her pink blanket - and we actually got some eyes open.

Baby in a purse - another one of Caroline's ideas. I love it.
Thanks Caroline - I love them!

One

One week old already. It's been busy for the newest member of our little family.

She visited with Daddy (I think I caught him telling her football stories already).

She snuggled and slept.
She got dressed in real clothes.
And slept some more.

We came home from the hospital.


And she snuggled and slept some more.
We've loved having Grandpa Walton and Caroline and her boys around. We really appreciate all the phone calls and visits and meals. Thanks everyone!

A few more candids from the hospital. The baby is doing wonderfully - she sure loves snuggling. I'm feeling really good. Luke and Evie are having a blast with Grandma Walton and have come up every day to see the baby - they ask to hold her and love to touch her toes.

Getting ready for the delivery

First pictures

This one cracks me up.

Proud big brother

Poking "baby sister" in the nose

A few close ups.

Snuggling Daddy

My 3 munchkins

Posing with Aunt Caroline

Lily Susan

She is here!

Lily Susan arrived at 8:53 this morning, weighing in at 7 lbs 6 oz and 21 inches long. She is doing great and has lots of thick dark hair (which is rare in this family!). She has been busy getting lots of cuddles from us, plus my Mom and sister who have been watching Luke and Evie today (thanks!). Evie wanted to hold her and pet her and poke her in the nose. Luke will meet her this evening! I'm feeling pretty good, too.

Here are a few pics -- I'm sure there will be more!

Getting ready to go this morning:

Proud Grandma

Proud big sister

My 2 girls and I

Evie loved her little toes

Ecstatic cousin Ryan

Grandma and her 2 granddaughters

Tomorrow?

I doubt we'll top this 8.7-kilogram (19.2-pound) baby born in Indonesia (ouch!). But our hopefully-slightly-smaller baby is due to come tomorrow by scheduled C section. We'll post some updates tomorrow!

If you need a good laugh . .

Join us for kindergarten soccer.

It is an hour of pure entertainment.

First of all, please notice our very manly purple jersies What our team lacks in skill, we make up for with intimidation (note the determined look on Luke's face).

It's pretty easy to tell where the ball is. Look for the pack of 5 year olds -- it's somewhere in the middle. Just don't be distracted by the girls picking at butterflies or dancing on the sidelines (that will totally be Evie as a kindergarten soccer player).
Doing a goal kick is a much-sought-after privilege (but what great form he has!).


At the end of the hour, you have a bunch of tired, sweaty, happy kids. Luke's been doing really well - he's even scored a couple of goals. But you can generally find him on our side of the field, trying to play goalie (a natural defenseman, after my own heart!).
Then, of course, there is the kindergarten soccer photo. Professionally done.

This picture really needs no comments. Except "What was that photographer thinking?" And "How long did they laugh about it when they got home that night?"