Meeting my brother and sister...and Grandma...

While we were at the hospital, Grandma Carol came down to take care of Henri and Lili. Since Ellinor arrived late at night...Grandma stopped by the next morning to grab a sneak peek. Here are a few pics of the first visitors...

Look at how sweet I am....

All cuddled up....I'm a great sleeper!

Grandma trying to wake me up....

So tiny....

Jeff helped pick up the kids from school, and brought them to meet their new sister. Here they are...helping change a diaper. Henri, of course....loved it!

Holding their new sister....

They did a great job! Here's to life with three....yikes!

I don't know exactly what Ray Botch, my dad's uncle, looked like. But I spent my entire life hearing how much I looked like him. I am fairly certain...it might have been something like this. :) Grandma Mary would be proud!

More pics to come....

Baby Ellinor has arrived!

On February 13th, and 9:01 p.m., our little baby Elli arrived to join our family. It was a long haul....here are a few pics of the big day...

We were supposed to start the day at 5 a.m.....but there was no room at the hospital! So...we called back later in the morning....still no room...talked to our doctor....decided to meet there at 5 p.m. on the 12th....still no room....finally made it in around 9 p.m. and was induced. No way this baby was coming on Cousin Cookie's birthday. :(

Do I look worried....I was....

I was induced...and we pushed through the night, into the next morning and afternoon...and even through dinner. Unfortunately...baby Ellinor decided this was not the way that she was going to come into the world. We decided a c-section was the route to take. Honestly....I didn't care....I just wanted to move on to the next step...

Here she is!

7 lbs., 4 oz....19 inches long. The exact measurements of her mommy....

Opening my eyes....

Finally....I get to meet mom....

And Dad....luckily the anesthesia was great....and he was a great photographer, too. :)

Getting cleaned up....

And wrapped up...

I'm so cute!

Back in our room....cuddling with mom...

I have strawberry patches, just like my mom, too...

Snuggled with Dad...

Cuddled in....ready to sleep...

Night night....

Will post more soon.....

CDC Sunday...

A few times a year, the children sing at church...here they are...Henri and Lili on the right....



First song...

Second song....

Will post more soon....

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The Duke and the Dutchess come to visit...

This summer, it will be 17 years since I left for Japan to teach English for three years. My first friend and colleague in Matsubase, was Simon Wood. Over the course of the year we worked together--we had great times traveling, teaching, singing karaoke--and I like to think that I am partially responsible for Simon and Pippa's love love fire. :)

After weddings in the UK and Montana--we were thrilled to hear the Wood family vacation was headed to Florida. Of course...me being put on bed rest, and baby Elli arriving any day was a bit of a damper on our original plan to meet at Disney...so they came to our house for dinner. Here are a few pictures from our evening together.

Being Lego lovers...here are Matthew and Toby giving Henri and Lili their first official Lego collections. Note Toby's new American shoes. :)






Pippa and Matthew helping Lili create...






Henri showing Toby and Sam his toy collection....



A little trip to the park before dinner...



Sam found a nice, quiet place to rest.



Lili....outfit #2....



Eating dinner. Go kids table!






Lili and Simon...outfit #3.



11 years since we were last together...



More pictures to come soon.....

Pizza night...

With baby Elli arriving any day, and for a mom who is now on bed-rest, we have been blessed to have a series of meals delivered to our house. A special thanks to Kathleen who brought over pizza makings for tonight. We had a great adventure...

Here we are...spreading our sauce....



Adding some pepperoni...



Henri adds more...Lili is still working on the sauce....



Henri's almost done...Lili is still spreading...



Now for the cheese...Lili decided to skip the pepperoni...



Helping grandma put it in the oven...



Watching the masterpieces cook....



Helping grandma cut....



Our first bite....



Yum! It was a hit....



We've been converted. Homemade pizza from here on out! :)