Just a thought

I'm currently reading "A Little House Sampler" by Laura Ingalls Wilder and her daughter, Rose.  In it, Laura writes stories about her life at Rocky Ridge Farm (which was after she was married to Almanzo, and they moved to the Ozarks).  Her daughter Rose writes of her adventures as a young woman - she became a famous, world traveling writer.  Anyway, I came across these four small paragraphs today that really made me think (written by Laura):

"Why should we need extra time in which to enjoy ourselves?  If we expect to enjoy our life we will have to learn to be joyful in all of it, not just at stated intervals, when we can get time, or when we have nothing else to do.

"It may well be that it is not our work that is so hard for us as the dread of it and our often expressed hatred of it.  Perhaps it is our spirit and attitude toward life and its conditions that are giving us trouble, instead of a shortage of time.  Surely the days and nights are as long as they ever were.

"A feeling of pleasure in a task seems to shorten it wonderfully and it makes a great difference with the day's work if we get enjoyment from it instead of looking for all our pleasures altogether apart from it, as seems to be the habit of mind we are more and more growing into....

"...Not that I object to joy riding!  The more the merrier, but I'm hoping for a change of mind that will carry the joy into the work as well as the play."

Baby Doll Birthday Party

In February, Abby went to a friend's "baby doll birthday party". All the girls brought their strollers and baby dolls and we took a walk around their neighborhood. Abby loved it!

Picture of the Week

The weekend

Last weekend we had such beautiful weather, we packed a picnic and escaped for a few hours to the park.

Abby was stylin'

Abby and me (23 weeks pregnant - finally starting to show!)

Even Garrett let loose and got in on the action.  We had a great time!

New Dress!

I've been sewing a lot lately, and I finally tried my hand at a dress for Abby. I've always thought that I wasn't cut out for making clothes (I prefer quilts and other crafts), but this was really easy! It took me an hour to make this one, since it was my first, and I have since made six more in different sizes and fabrics to sell this summer at the farmer's market (my friend Abbie and I are going to be sharing a booth to sell things we've made). I plan to make more for Abby, and for the market stall, as soon as I can buy more fabric.

I made Abby try the dress on as soon as I was finished making it, and she loved it so much she didn't even want to take it off! Hopefully I can start making more clothing for her.

Picture of the day

Garrett's really got an eye for taking pictures.  He's loving his camera and photography is quickly becoming a favorite hobby of his.  It sure helps to have such an adorable subject!

Finally, an announcement

I'm sure everyone knows this by now, but we are having another baby GIRL this July!!  We are so, so excited and I can't wait to see Abby with a new baby sister.  She is so motherly towards her dolls, and I know she will have so much fun with the new one.  I'm so thrilled to have two little adorable girls - double the kids, double the fun!  Really, we couldn't be happier.  

I'm due 07/08/09 - kind of fun, but since it's so rare to actually deliver on your due date, I don't have very high hopes for that.  But it sure makes it easier for us to remember the due date!  Just don't ask me how many weeks along I am, because I have no idea.

And now for the big question.... NAMES!!

Here's what is currently my number one favorite, but I need your input.  And when I mentioned it to Garrett, he said he didn't hate it, which is really saying something!

Elle.

We'd call her Ellie.  Here's my ONLY concern, though: her name would be Elle Woodbury.  Does that name remind you of anything?  As in, a certain famous dumb blonde character from 2001?  If you don't know what I'm talking about, then GREAT, it doesn't remind you.  If you DO know what I'm talking about, tell me: is it too close? (The name is Elle Woods - I love the movie "Legally Blonde", but I don't want my kids to have names similar to "famous" people or characters).  

Input, please!!