More pictures....

Finally... some pictures that are not limited by my basic camera or the amateaur that operates it! A couple of weeks ago my friend Brie came over and took pictures of Sadie for me, and I am thrilled with the results! She was so nice to work us in right before the holidays when I'm sure she was super busy, on the spur-of-the-moment. Check out her blog at: http://bhlphoto.blogspot.com/ Her prices are super-reasonable, and she was a natural with my kids, even though Broden was as uncooperative as they come for the pictures.

Speaking of, why is it that some kids are total hams most of the time, but put a nice camera with a great photographer behind it in their face, and any happy expressions fly away? This is not the first experience we've had with this. Check out the following.... all with super-talented photographers who have plenty of experience with kids.

You know a photographer has talent when they get a great picture of an uncooperative child. Good thing we love Broden's serious side! But I promise, he does have a smile under there!

Just 'cuz we think she's so cute

One of my favorite things since bringing Sadie home has been watching Broden. Which I'm really grateful for, because I wasn't sure how he'd react to having a new baby at home. Everyone else in our house has to fight for a turn to hold her. He is surprisingly gentle with her. She's the first person he asks for when he wakes up in the morning and the last person he kisses before he goes to bed. He tells everyone who comes to the door about her. It doesn't matter if it's my visiting teachers, Christmas carolers, our neighbors, or the mailman.

Did I mention that Dan's parents had a houseful of family visiting this Thanksgiving (and, of course, Sadies birthday)? The night I went into labor I was trying to be a good sport because I wanted to see everyone. (And I didn't think it was real labor yet.. don't ask me why, it was only 5 days after my due date!) We were at my in-laws house with the whole crew, including 3 of Dan's siblings and their spouses, 9 little kiddos, 2 uncles and an aunt, a cousin, and Dan's grandma, along with his parents. We didn't see everyone as much as we planned on, but we were at least able to wait until everyone got there before we went to the hospital. It was quite the send-off. (Funny side note... when I was on the phone with the nurse seeing if I should come in, I was downstairs where all the kids were playing. The nurse said, "Sounds like you guys are having a party there! Come on in and we'll check you, but we would prefer it if you could just bring your husband and leave your kids at home." Too funny... she thought they were all mine... and if they were all mine, like I would really tote them all along with me to the delivery room!) I love this picture. We don't get to see Dan's grandma very often, and when we do she usually hides from the camera. Not everyone who was visiting got to see Sadie. The hospital has really strict rules for visitors right now, and we were lucky to get Jacey in for a few minutes. The day we got home from the hospital Dan's 2 sisters and his grandma came to the house to meet her though.

This Christmas present will be a hard one to beat!