Happy Thanksgiving

This Thanksgiving we have so much to be thankful for! First we're thankful for the new addition to our family. Rosalee is a wonderful baby who we fall in love with more and more every minute. We are also thankful for the love and support that our parents have shown us throughout our lives, but especially since the birth of our girl.

Marie is thankful for Jesse being willing to wake up with her in the middle of the night and help with the baby. She is also thankful that the school district is willing to work with her on developing a flexible schedule to work with students in the home so she can spend more time home with Rosalee.

Jesse is thankful for good family and good food. He's also thankful that the semester is almost over and that he's doing really great in his classes.

Rosalee is thankful for her parents who do their best to take care of her. :)

Rosalee posing by the turkey and rolls.
Mom and baby

Rosalee showing off her pretty rose dress that we put her in for the holiday.

Cute baby girl!

Jesse and I love taking pictures of our beautiful baby!

Here's Rosalee posing with Jesse. I took several pictures before this and the flash would startle her. I think she's making this face out of protest of having her picture taken. :)

This is one of my favorite pictures so far! My mom thinks her lips look just like mine.
One of my favorite things to do with Rosalee is snuggle her. She's so small, adorable, and loving that I just can't help myself! We spend a lot of naps like this on the couch.
Jesse is already adapting to doing things around the apartment with Rosalee. Here he is putting a puzzle together with Rosalee sleeping on his shoulder.

We <3 grandparents!

Over the past three weeks Jesse and I have been VERY fortunate to have our parents come and visit. Jesse's parents came right before Rosalee was born so they were able to see us in the hospital, attend her blessing, and then spend some time with us after. My mom came to visit for the week of Thanksgiving. She's enjoying being a grandma for the first time. Any time Rosalee needs to be burped or held my mom is the first to volunteer!
My mom came to my school with me to visit the students and show them Rosalee. My mom was great at helping the students and working with them even though we were just there to visit.
Mutti (German for mommy) and Rosalee making funny faces at each other.
Grandpa James bouncing Rosalee
Grandma James and Rosalee in Rosalee's jungle room.
Grandma James and Rosalee
Grandma James spent a lot of time making nice blankets for Rosalee.

Birthdays

My niece and nephew both have birthdays this week so when they came for Rosalee's blessing we celebrated their birthdays. Jesse's sister Beth made a pink castle cake for Lindy and then Tyler had Cars cupcakes for his cake. Lindy had fun playing in the frosting and with her new doll. Tyler was excited to get Scooby Doo items and Play-Dough toys. It was fun getting to have a little party for them.

Rosalee's blessing

On Sunday the 11th we blessed Rosalee at church. I was nervous to take her into public so soon, but it was the only time we could bless her with Jesse's parents in town. Plus I was baptized on the 11th of November 2001 so that day has a special place in my heart already.
My mom made the dress for Rosalee's blessing. She cut, sewed, and finished the whole thing in less than 8 hours. Then she overnight mailed it to me so we'd have it in time for the blessing. I'm very thankful that she was willing to stay up and work on it so we'd have it on time.

Jesse's mom made her a white blessing blanket (the one she's lying on in the picture below) the day before her blessing. She worked on it the whole time she was here, staying up late to make sure it was done in time for the blessing. I think for any other children we'll plan the blessing for a month or two after the baby's born so we won't stress out the grandmas!

A big yawn for such a little girl.

In her blessing she was told that her smile would light up those around her and I already see that happening with Jesse, me, and everyone who's seen her.

This is her all dolled up for church. Her Aunt Beth gave us some red slippers that matched the gown PERFECTLY. Jesse picked out the bow for her head after twenty minutes of debating. He's so cute about things like that!

Her cousin Lindy wanted to rock her to sleep. She held her, with help from her mom, and rocked her saying, "rock a bye the baby" over and over. It was really cute. You can tell by the smile on Rosalee's face that she LOVES being rocked. Lindy also loved giving Rosalee kisses and hugs.

Rosalee Helene

Rosalee Helene James was born Tuesday the 6th of November 2007. She weighed 7 pounds and 9 ounces and was just under 21 inches long. She has A LOT of thick dark hair and several noticable cowlicks. Jesse and I think she has my dad's wild child hair and Jesse's nose. Other than thoes features we aren't sure who she looks like. She is a happy healthy child and we are very excited to have her here.

Just seconds after being born.
Our little beanpole!
Her cute little face
Our first family photo
Mom and baby
Dad and baby
Mom and baby napping together

Rosalee's first night home in her crib