Yes, we are THAT family!

I have decided that holidays, even the small ones, are so much more fun with a little one! And we're about to embark on some BIG holidays....Thanksgiving and Christmas! I can't even begin to tell you how excited I am about spending this special time with our Annie Louise!

When I found out Annie Louise would be making her arrival sometime in early September, I started thinking about Halloween. Always the planner, I guess! Anyways, I had several ideas for her costume, but didn't want to do anything until after she arrived since we wouldn't know her sizing and whatnot (good thing we waited). Then, she made her big arrival, and everything kind of went to the back burner, if you know what I mean. Having a newborn kind of puts everything in perspective! So, when my mom and I begin to think about what Annie Louise was going to be for Halloween, I was stumped. She can't sit up yet, so I wanted something that would be cute and practical. And I wanted B and myself to get in on the fun, too - so it had to be something for the whole family. My mom actually came up with the idea....

A family of scarecrows!

I can't believe my husband actually dressed up, too! I don't know if I'll ever be able to get him to do it again! It was definitely a hit, and we had so much fun! We went to our downtown "square" for a trick-or-treat event, and Annie Louise was definitely the star of the show :)

I mean, how stinkin cute is this sweet baby? I could just eat up those cheeks!

Stitched with love...

I only have a minute to post - Annie Louise is sleeping, and I am going to try and catch a few zzzz's before she wakes for her next feeding! I had to post this picture of our sweet doodlebug (that's one of her many nicknames) because I just think it's too cute for words...

After lots of rocking, patting and soothing, we finally got this angel to fall asleep during her newborn pictures. For some reason, my child would not fall asleep for her pictures, and I was just dying to get some of those "sleepy" baby shots. Thankfully, we had the most patient photographer, Joy Dement, and she was just so nice to stay with us until she finally gave it up!

Now for the story behind the picture...all of the quilts in the picture are very special to my family. Some of them were quilted by family members, and some of the squares in the quilts were put together by family members. Some of them were even quilted by Annie's namesake, my Great-Great Aunt Louise. The fabrics are very plain, nothing fancy - probably from old feed sacks, from an old shirt, some are probably from old dresses that weren't wearable anymore.

The very top quilt (the dutch doll) was quilted by my Great-Grandmother Harris, and I believe it was one of the last quilts she made. I still love to snuggle with that quilt, and the wear and tear on it shows. I had this "vision" of Annie Louise laying on the quilts because they are just so very sentimental to me. I am so thankful that Joy was able to capture it. I don't know why, but whenever I see these quilts (or wrap up with them), I am reminded of all the time and love that someone put into it. And it's beautiful. It's like our families - sometimes it's not easy, and we have to really put a lot of effort and work into our relationships, but it's all worth it when we have someone to snuggle up with. So, thank you, Joy, for capturing this all-too-beautiful picture for me. I will always treasure it.