Elizabeth Frances

Yes, it's a big name for a little baby but we like it. There are lots of nicknames she can choose from or go with the traditional longer name (we've been calling her Ellie...tried out Lizzy but Ellie seemed to fit better so far!) Frances is my grandma's name.

She arrived at 7:44 am on Friday, August 21. She weighed in at 8 pounds, 2 ounces and measured 20 inches long. Grandma and Grandpa D. were wonderful and watched Joshua and Abby all weekend so we could focus on Ellie and recovery. I am very grateful for such caring and wonderful parents!!!

She's struggling a little with jaundice (so did our other children) but looks like she won't need light therapy. Other than that, she seems to be doing well so far. We're going back for a weight check tomorrow and hopefully she's starting to gain. She's been such a sleepy head and falls asleep while eating all of the time!

Joshua and Abby are in love with her as are the rest of us. Here are a few pictures:

Oh so helpful...my little chefs!!

Joshua and Abigail love to help me in the kitchen. They really WANT to be helpful. But mostly, they make more work for me. Usually, I don't mind because it's a great time to teach them about all sorts of things from measurements and numbers to following directions. Sooo, I usually let them. Or sometimes I'll limit it to just Joshua if Abby is napping. This photo does not do justice to the craziness that generally erupts on my kitchen counters (and floor)...but it does show their joy in helping me bake. (We were making muffins here.)

Do you let your little ones help in the kitchen? Do you have any kid friendly tips or recipes?

Just a few more days, some baby love and a layout!

It's almost time for Baby #3 to arrive! Just a few more days. We're busy making sure everything is as ready as it can be. Here I am this weekend...nice and plump. :) This photo will complete the layout below (from sketchapalooza).



I had a weekend full of baby love from some friends! I had a nice evening with the mom's group Saturday night. We ate tacos, Ericka's yummy homemade salsa, cake, played a shower game and they even gave me a wonderful baby gift!!! I was totally surprised! Thank you ladies!!!

Also, my friends at Paper Popsicles had a Virtual Baby Shower for me. We played games, visited and some of them even created BEAUTIFUL layouts to send to me for the baby album! I want to say thanks again to all my scrappy friends over there!!! :)

I hope you all have a wonderful Monday!

A couple of layouts

Here are a couple of layouts from Sketchapalooza. Both were made from sketches by me. Hope you like them!! I completed 19 layouts for the class...there was only one sketch I didn't quite get around to completing. I always feel sooo productive with the sketch classes...love the challenge to get layouts done! We have another sketch class coming up in a couple of months. You can find out more here- http://feelingscrappyclasses.blogspot.com/search/label/Classes

First glimpse layout

I used the sketch up at http://kraftgirlkits.com/category/blog/ for this page...had a lot of fun creating it. After several boy pages, it was really nice to use pink again! Lighting wasn't so great yet...but it is really a nice crisp white with pretty pinks. :) The papers are all from an older Paper popsicles kit.

A couple of boy layouts

Finally got a chance to scrap a couple of pages! These are for Joshua's album. Funny how I still end up with so much red and blue on his layouts. Hope you like them!!!

The Biker Boy layout uses a sketch from http://www.noteablekit.com/blog/

Menu Monday

Ok, I have been a real slacker lately about posting my menu. So here's what I have planned for the week (hopefully I can stick to it! LOL)

Monday- Spaghetti alla Ceci, salad

Tuesday- CP BBQ chicken, rancher's potatoes, corn

Wednesday- Homemade Pizza, salad

Thursday- CP meatballs (with some kind of sauce...I haven't decided), rice and green beans

Friday- Quick Crustless Quiche (sooo yummy...we ate it with salsa last time. Oh, and I used bacon and cheddar instead of ham and swiss.), hashbrowns

Saturday-Not sure...maybe out.

Sunday- Mexican Lasagna (or something in the CP)

Birthday pictures

If you ask Abby, she *might* tell you her real age (two). But, a lot of the time, she'll tell you she's four (like her brother) and start laughing. She is so funny! Here are a few birthday photos.

(She only wanted to eat the frosting! LOL)

Abby is 2!!

I can't believe Abby is turning 2 years old! To celebrate, we moved her into her newly painted and decorated space (sharing a room with her big brother now for a while-his side is decorated in Thomas the train), into a toddler bed and out of her crib. Here she is...she loves her new bed. And after the first couple of days, she is actually staying in bed for naps and bedtime. LOL (It was a rough couple of days though...stubborn little girl. :) )


It's also Jeremy's birthday! Happy birthday to two of my favorite people!

Goodies!!

Want to win some fabulous goodies?? Paper Popsicles is giving away a really great prize on their blog! http://paperpopsicles.blogspot.com/

This bag contains 12x12 patterned papers, bling, chipboard, buttons, flowers, key album, Stickles.....!!!! Check out the Message Board and blog on http://www.paperpopsicles.com/ to find out how to be entered to win!!! (or use the link in my sidebar) Winner announced July 20th so you have until midnight July 19th.