Laurel Elisabeth Stevens

Thanks for your prayers and concern for us as we had a routine little surgery this morning and Elisabeth got tubes in her ears. We were a bit disconcerted by Elisabeth’s bug this weekend, but that passed and the surgery took place as planned. It went fine, and of course, she had the makings of an ear infection already in progress. So we are on the road to recovery. If that is all you wanted to know, then stop reading. The rest is just the ramblings of a mom! Some interesting moments: As soon as the dr. came in to see us before the surgery, Elisabeth began a chorus of “Go home, have snack” (she couldn’t eat or drink after midnight). This did not stop until she was given some medicine to help sedate her (before they rolled her away) and she got quiet and began to look so happy. Actually she was already very calm, but this made her even calmer. To pass the time I asked if she wanted to sing. Her favorite song of late is “Old MacDonald.” She always chooses an appropriate farm an...

Elisabeth did get to see her reindeer, and John and I learned a few things about them as well. Did you know female reindeer have antlers too? And they have a tendon in their ankles that makes a clicking noise; hence "Up on the housetop, click click click." Unfortunately, almost as soon as Elisabeth saw the reindeer she was ready to move on and see some other things: the dogs that were barking like crazy upon our approach, and the horse and donkey nearby. The familiar is just so nice. Consequently it was hard to get a picture of Elisabeth with the reindeer. Oh well. She continues to talk about seeing them. I've noticed a bit of revisionist history on Elisabeth's part since we've been home. If she sees a picture of a snowman, she says, "Bitty made no-man." Hmm. Grandma, did Elisabeth make a snowman? We tried to get her to help us, but Daddy did the rolling, and Grandma did the decorating. Bitsy cried and said, "Doh in-yide. Doh in-yide." But now,...

Grandma and Mommy help Elisabeth get used to what little snow there was. The real fun came later with some sledding. It is hard to capture the delight on her face, but Elisabeth loved it. She even went by herself a few times (the hills were a gentle slope in John's parents' backyard.

Elisabeth partakes of a special Stevens tradition: Grandma's Christmas cookies. She had 3 and loved each one! Grandma and Grandpa look on as Sandy opens her gift. Of course Elisabeth is always ready to open "nother present." Uncle Andy and Elisabeth enjoy a tickle. We all laughed as Fernie and Elisabeth provided the entertainment for the evening.