Ivey Has Arrived!

We have had a few very busy and exciting days. Ivey arrived on Wednesday afternoon at 3:58, after what her parents tell us what a beautiful labor and birth experience. Jenny will blog the birth story soon I'm sure. We weren't there as Suzi was at our house that day.

Suzi loved the Ragedy Ann doll I made and gave to her on the day Ivey was born. She promptly named her new doll Rosie after Caillou's little sister.

Then she taught Rosie how to play her bodhran,

Suzi was thrilled to meet her new sister. She loved her immediately and sang "Happy Birthday" to Ivey within the first few minutes. We all know what a wonderful big sister she is going to be.

I couldn't wait to hold our new little granddaughter.

They say she has my nose . . . God bless her.

Then Grandpa got his turn.

My favoritie picture . . .

our precious babies together.

The Last Flowers of Summer

We picked the last of Suzi's zinnias ans sunflowers.

She was so pleased with them that we decided to snap a picture.

My Gift from Jenny

This week Jenny gave me one of the most special gifts I have ever received. It is a bowl, a very specific kind of bowl. She made it just for me. It is a bowl made of a plaster cast of her belly . . .pregnant with Ivey! She made the cast, trimmed it, finished the edges and painted it in my favorite colors with a hydrangea (grandmother's flower) and ,of course, a butterfly.

The colors went so well that I took these pictures on a chair in the sunroom. I haven't decided just where to put it to show it off best, but I doubt if I will put anything in it. It's just too pretty to cover up.

I have always been pleased with the fact that all three of my children realize that gifts don't need to be expensive, store bought items to be very special and much appreciated. I believe I still have every handprint in clay, painted flower pot, drawing and painting that they gave me as children. These treasures number too many to keep on display, but they are my most prized possessions.

Waiting for Ivey

Now that I have finished making Suzi's Ragedy Ann, I think I can safely say that we are ready for Ivey to arrive. Ragedy Ann will be Suzi's special gift from Grandma and Grandpa on the day Ivey is born. I made one for Jenny when she was 2 years old and placed a musical button under her heart that played "It's a Small World". The button was guaranteed to play 10,000 times. When Jenny wore it out about 20 years ago, I searched everywhere for a replacement. When I finally found a source for them I ordered half a dozen, gave Jenny's a doll a transplant, carefully put the rest away and prayed for granddaughters. Suzi's doll has one of those buttons under her heart. I have already started on Ivey's doll for for when she's 2 years old.

Today Suzi and Jenny spent time on the porch blowing lots and lots of bubbles.

Suzi and Grandpa wrote on the driveway with sidewalk chalk.

Jenny checked her email while she and Jordan waited for supper.

Suzi and Grandpa practiced nursery rhymes and

I snapped pics of everyone so that I could blog tonight.

Ivey, we are officially ready for you!