Bethany Turns TWO

It's true . . . She's TWO! Our dearest Miss B turned two on November 24th but we had a family party for her on Nov.21st. Our families were in town anyway for Baby Elise's blessing so we just did it then.

Bethany had a GREAT time and really enjoyed her day. Her daddy and Grandpa Leavitt got her balloons that morning to start off the day. She was so EXCITED about the balloons we didn't even need the party. She was sung to, had a cupcake then opened all her gifts. She LOVED all the presents and wanted to play with them right then after opening each one. It was kinda a hard concept to get her move on to the next item.

We had Mama Leslie, Grandpappy, The Dyer's and Grandpa and Grandma Leavitt here to help celebrate and make #2 very special for our sweet Miss B!

We captured it all in pictures so enjoy!














Just a note . . . we got her the baby doll, baby stroller and baby carrier so she could be her own "mommy" and maybe leave my baby alone . . . wishful thinking.

Happy Thanksgiving

A very Happy Thanksgiving from our family to yours!

Much love,

Ryan, Lori, Bethany and Elise

Happy Birthday Miss Bethany!

Today our Miss B turned two! The time has gone by way to fast. She has moved on from babyhood into a full blown toddler world. Things are getting pretty busy around here.

Bethany, you are the most beautiful, cutest, funny, curious, mischievous, hugable, lovable, kissable little girl we know. We love you so much and are blessed to be your mommy and daddy!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEETHEART!

P.S. B-day party pictures and post coming soon!

FALL - Finally!

We finally have some real fall-ish weather. Oh how I LOVE it!

Happy Halloween

Wow! What a great weekend. It all started last night with pumpkin carving (the pics are out of order). Bethany tried to 'help' but mostly the carving was done by mom and dad. Aren't the pumpkins looking great out in front of the house?!?!

Tonight we all had a great time getting into the Halloween mood. It was Bethany's real first time trick or treating and dressing up on Halloween. She had a blast. All day we worked on saying 'Happy Halloween' and 'Trick or Treat' and in the end every time we went to the door of our neighbors she would say 'Thank You!' What a sweetie.

The pumpkin carving begins . . .

Most of the pictures I got are of Bethany with her head down and her hands in her pumpkin . . . once she figured out there was candy in there that is all she wanted! She kept saying "candy, bite, candy, bite . . . '

And then there was Ryan . . . isn't his make-up artistry awesome!? He was Ace Frehley , the lead guitarist from KISS. My uber-cool rocker husband got lots of compliments and ooohs as the night unfolded.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN! We can't wait to do it all over again next year. Whew!

Trunk Or Treat

This past Wednesday evening was our church's annual Trunk Or Treat. It really is a great way to have some pre-Halloween fun!

Bethany's love of monkeys began earlier this year. First with the 'Oooh and Ahhh' blue and red monkeys from playhouse Disney, then she began to like the 'Do the Monkey' song by the Wiggles. Next - in July she visited the zoo for the first time and saw real monkeys and picked out a plush toy monkey for her souvenir. Now - here comes Halloween time. We take her to the store to let her pick out her costume and you can plainly see that she chose the monkey suit. I promise we didn't influence her. She LOVES monkeys . . . so now she is one.

Bethany has been wearing the costume pretty much all week around the house for fun. She had a great time at Trunk or Treat - as did we. Ryan was pretty into dressing up like a rocker from Motley Crew (80's band) and I of course was the evil villain Cruella. We had a ton of fun. Baby Elise just slept through most of it. She was just herself . . . there will be lots of fun dressing up for her in the years ahead!

Pumpkin Patchin'

Last Friday we visited the pumpkin patch and had a great time!

Elise's Newborn Photos

Here she is in all her beauty! Many thanks to Nikki for all the fabulous work she did capturing those first special moments of Baby Elise. There were so many great pictures it was hard to choose which ones to put up.

Photos by Nikki Humphrey

www.shutterviewphotography.com

1 month old

Baby Elise is 1 month old today! She had her 1 month check up and she is fantastic!

She now weighs 8 lbs 5 ozs and is 20.8 inches. I am pretty sure that we've been seeing some smiles the past few days. She is so much fun.

We have been very busy this week. Lots going on . . . more updates coming soon!

Three Weeks Old!

Oh.My.Word! In the words of my father "I want 300 more just like her!" Baby Elise is three weeks old today and we can't get enough of her. She is so stinkin' adorable and beautiful. She is so far a pretty easy going baby - sleeps well, eats well and is even tempered - except during her fussy time of course! We are getting into a more settled routine and I am working my 'Baby Wise' techniques as best I can. In case you are wondering this family is a Baby Wise family and I recommend it to others if you want your sleep back soon!

Ahhh . . . life is good. No, it is GREAT!