Sorry for the deluge of cute baby pictures! Well, not really sorry because we were so in awe of our miracle that I wanted to document every minute of it.
Eric and Chasten's family sent us this cute and creative gift - everyone picked out their favorite childhood book. There were a couple more that came a little later. We love books at our house so this was an awesome gift!
My parents came up for a week at the beginning of March! Dad was already scheduled to come then to stay with Spencer and Mason while Alan and I went to NYC. Alan had to time the Nike Indoor National meet there and we were planning to go out a few days early for a couple getaway. That plan had to change once Grace came though. Alan still needed to go for work and I knew I would need some help taking care of all three kids while he was gone so Mom joined Dad and they both came. Michelle got to hang out at Lindsey's house for the week.
I was SO glad they came to meet Grace and they literally saved my sanity while Alan was gone. It took Grace quite awhile to adjust to her new home and sleep was ROUGH for about three months. Rough like waking up every 2-3 hours. I would not have survived that plus all of the boy's activities on my own for four days. They were so helpful with the kids and it was really nice to have some adults to talk to during the day.
I volunteered to coach Mason's team long before we knew Grace was coming, but it all worked out. Our team, The Olympian Reader's, consisted of five 3rd grade boys: Mason, Krew, Winston, Hunter, and Cooper. We met after school one day a week and it was a challenge to keep them engaged after a long day of school. They were a rambunctious and fun group! ;)
Since we had five team members, one had to sit out every battle. Every team got to participate in two pool play battles to determine rank. Then we began a single elimination tournament. The Olympian Readers made won their first tournament battle but lost the second. They were bummed but it wasn't as tragic as some battles I've witnessed. It was fun and I hope Mason decides to participate again next year.
Minute-to-Win-It activity day at the church. Mason loved the donut eating game!
Grandma and Grandpa took us out to lunch at Biscuit's Cafe before heading to the airport on their last day. I was very sad to see them go and so very grateful for their sacrifices to be here to help that week. It meant the world to me!
Grandma Rasmussen wasn't able to come visit right away but she sent a beautiful hand-made quilt for Grace and McDonald's gift cards for the boys.
I spent A LOT of hours holding this sleeping baby in our rocking chair the first couple of months she was here. Sometimes I napped too but mostly I just tried to soak in the specialness of those moments.
Gracie really likes looking at us upside down. Haha!
Unlike Spencer and Mason, she liked tummy time and was surprisingly strong for a preemie.
Mason has had a difficult time adjusting to not being the baby of the family anymore, but that hasn't translated in any animosity towards Grace. He loves her and can't get over how cute she is.
Leprechaun trap. I wasn't sure if Mason was still a believer or not, but he definitely wanted to still make a trap. :)
First day it was warm enough to play in the sandbox!
Spring Band Concert for Spencer. He has come such a long way in his clarinet playing and still really enjoys band. He also played the piano for one of their numbers.
Mason picked out this stuffed fox as a welcome gift for Grace and it was her favorite toy for awhile.
I was able to run a lot of errands while Grace napped in her car seat for the first couple of months. She would fall asleep almost instantly in there.
We took the boys to visit our friends in Camas one Saturday and Alan, Grace, and I went to IKEA. I was looking for a couple of things, but we wound up only buying three new toilet brushes. Haha!
We weren't up for traveling anywhere for Spring Break so we tried to do some fun local things. Brick's and Minifigs is always a must for these two Lego lovers.
Big Al's bowling and arcades
We always like to explore a new city over Spring Break. This year we chose Salem because it was just a day trip. Unfortunately, the Capitol Building was closed for major renovations. We still walked around the grounds though and found a cool river-front park with a carousel.
We stopped for pie at the Willamette Valley Pie Company on our way home. It was a fun day!
Easter was at the end of March this year and we had our usual egg hunt in the back yard. Spencer may have to donate his cute, yellow bucket to Gracie next year!
Mason found a mustard packet in one of his eggs! Haha!
Showing his haul to our neighbor friend, Arya. Sadly, Mason left his bucket and eggs outside overnight and some critter found them and ate all of his chocolate. Mason learned a hard lesson.
We took Grace to Church for the first time on Easter Sunday. This was the first little outfit I had purchased for her and she only wore it once. Our family pictures didn't turn out amazing, but I'm so glad we took them anyway.
Neon Dance party at Ridges Elementary. Mason doesn't care much for dancing, but he bought some snacks and this cool glow stick and had a good time.
Lauren and Lily had told us that Angelina liked the baby swing they had so we registered for one. It was back ordered though and took forever to get here. We wound up only using it handful of times because holding her and helping her attach to us was so important at the beginning.
Primary Easter Egg hunt at the church! It was a gorgeous March afternoon and Mason had fun.
This was also Grace's first social outing. She slept in the wrap carrier the entire time. We didn't take her to Church for about two months because it was still RSV season and we didn't know if she had been vaccinated against it or not. We had requested her records but her original pediatrician took forever to send them.
Grace would not stay asleep lying flat on her back for a long time, so she either slept in her car seat or this bouncer seat. When she started sliding out like this, we knew it was time to break that habit but it was still really hard. We were desperate for sleep and struggled to find the safest and best way to help her sleep.
Big Al's bowling and arcades
Teri and Jim were so kind and invited us to Easter dinner at their home. I wish I had taken more pictures! Jim's Mom and Aunt were also there. I took Grandma Larsen's strawberry Jello and a green salad and Teri did all of the rest. It was delicious and fun to spend some time with them! They are pretty much our only family in the area so we're so grateful to have them!
We are also so grateful for our Savior's resurrection and Atonement and the peace and strength they provide in our lives. Happy Easter!
