Laurel Elisabeth Stevens

My 17 year old cousin, Anya was here this week. She is a budding photographer, so along with a lot of babysitting and help, we got some great pictures. Here are a few. Anya and Elisabeth walked to the park one hot morning. Elisabeth's favorite thing is to swing. We are trying to teach her to "pump" her legs, but I'm guessing Anya didn't know that, so Elisabeth enjoyed many pushes. Elisabeth getting ready for church on Sunday.

Elisabeth is learning to swim. I'm so amazed to see my daughter, once petrified of the water, trying to touch the bottom in 2 1/2 feet of water, and telling me she wants to jump in, and actually trying to kick and move her arms. Today we made a brief visit to the pool--it is hard to know which rules to follow and which to forgo--the "don't swim during peak sun hours" rule, or the "make sure your baby gets his nap on time" rule. Today we broke the sun rule, but we were only there from 12 to 12:40. Anyway, Elisabeth enjoyed the slide at the kiddie pool for a while, but soon she realized that the kiddie pool is just too shallow. That is unfortunate, because the best shade is next to the kiddie pool, allowing me to sit on the side with Henry and occassionally put his feet in the water. He's not too fond of the pool yet, plus I'm not too interested in getting him in the lovely pool water. And today he has his first runny nose. It is so pitiful to hear hi...

I guess I'm not taking enough pictures, because when I look at the bottom 2 of Elisabeth (at 3 months), I see Henry, but if you are just looking at these 3 of Henry, you probably don't see much of Elisabeth. Enjoy. Elisabeth at age 3 months (for comparison purposes!)

4 months apart in age, but about the same size--Charlotte and Henry. Charlotte, however, acts her age as she later grabbed Henry's hand, and engaged with the family hovering over her. Henry merely looked pensive. Both were due for naps. Charlotte also has a lot more hair (and Henry is beginning to lose what little he had).

It depends on the snapshot! It is hard to capture the little guy (esp. with my lovely camera technique). So until Auntie Kristen can photograph Henry again, you'll have to do with my takes. Elisabeth and some cute friends (Harris and Dani) in a box. Mother's Day

I've skipped a lot, but here's one so you know what Henry (7 weeks) and Elisabeth look like now

Henry was baptized in Virginia Carlson's (Laurel's grandma) baptismal gown (top picture). Here is wearing a Gray family (John's mom's family) heirloom gown. John was baptized in this. See any resemblance? Snuggling with Grandma, climbing trees with Grandpa