pudding

I've found that in "survival" mode I've stopped doing a lot of the extras and just focused on getting through the day in one piece.
Usually if I put in a DVD it's because I have lots of things I want to get done and I"m buying time - but today I sat and watched and braided her hair. It was kind of fun girl time.
Thanks Aunt Jenn for the darling outfit!! I couldn't wait for warmer weather so we put a long sleeve under the tank.

For dessert at lunchtime Analise got to have a pudding. I had more fun watching her eat it than anything else! That's some concentration!

Eli's first . . .

SMILE!

Sunday morning Eli shared his first smile. It couldn't have come at a better time for me. Daniel has been gone to Boston since Thursday and we found out today that due to the volcano he isn't expected to come back until next Saturday. I was pretty disappointed and a little daunted looking at the next week but I was reminded that I have so much to be thankful for when I saw this little one's smile.

More pictures

Sorry these pictures are going to seem a bit disjointed . . . but do your best to just imagine some fun narrative to go along with them.
I have to tend to a crying hungry baby . . . gotta go!

Grandma J's visit

Analise had so much fun during both of her Grandma's visits and I feel so blessed to have had them come.
Grandma J brought lots of new books along and spent lots of time reading and playing.






I realized after she left how much she held Elijah - because all of a sudden my back and neck got really sore!







Feeding the deer at the park near us . . .






We took the boat to the old city of Yvoire on the other side of the lake. It was nice to sit and have a coffee in the sunshine before heading home again.






On the boat - Analise is giving lots of hugs and kisses to Grandma. We sure love her and miss her! We're looking forward to seeing all of our family again this summer!

Easter

Getting ready for Easter church service . . . Analise recently had her first hair cut (thanks to Grandma J.) and she was watching Caillou while mom curled her hair a little.









Now mom turned Caillou off and said it was time to go to church . . . yeah, that didn't go over well.








Thanks Grandma M. for the sweet dress!
This Easter Analise got really into noticing crosses and was happy to point them out all over the church, quite loudly. Then when we would acknowledge the cross she would start crying and saying "Oowee, oowee" until we said "Yes, Jesus hurt himself and his friends were very sad."
It's great to see that she's already getting this idea, but I wish she could do it with a little less volume!

First Easter as a family of four . . . I'm still not really used to that thought yet!