Auntie Diane came up to help me take care of the kids, so I could finish my final project and be ready for the final for my masters class. I was so grateful to have her come.

Hans at the party. He enjoyed watching and playing with the kids.
When we went out to eat with Grandma and Grandpa, Hans only wanted cherries.
Grandma and Elle
Grandma picked up Hans favorite food Yogurt with M&M's

Hans wasn't in the best of moods this week since he was still sick so when we went to leave he didn't want to go anywhere. He rested in the car and was much happier when we got to Wisconsin. It is rare to see Hans upset so I thought I have to include this.

Off to the surprise party for John's parents suprise party in Wisconsin.

Here are some more pictures of Elle for those of you who print them up. The weather got warmer last week so Elle was able to start wearing some of her cute clothes. Brittney came over to visit and both kids loved having her.

Hans had to have Elle in his play room to watch him play she seemed to enjoy it.

She likes the play mat for about 5 to 10 minutes. Hans would stay on it for hours maybe she will get there.
Elle loves to sleep in her boppy. She prefers that to anything else. Although I have started to make sleep more in her crib. She sleeps best when there is a lot of noise.

Hans has been so wonderful with Elle. He is so much better with her than we could have ever expected. Well I am officially half way done with my masters. Elle has been sick she ended up getting the flu virus that Hans had. It was hard last week to know what to do to help her feel better when you can't give her any Tylenol to break her fever. Elle is wearing the outfit my friend Gayle from work got her it says "What part of princess don't you understand." We found out this week with her being sick that fit her attitude.

Elle is two weeks in this picture! She is getting better at sleeping for a longer period. Last night she went four hours. It is the longest stretch since she was born.

This week Mark had off, which was so nice. We just hung out around the house and didn't do much, although we have had many visitors to see the baby and play with Hans. Over the weekend Auntie Grace and Uncle Chuck came to visit on their Harley. They came to see Elle, and bring her a beautiful dress and sweater. Hans has been under the weather so he wasn't to exciting until he got to go on the Harley. He loved when Uncle Chuck turned it on, and he got to sit on it. He wanted to go for a ride, maybe in a few years. It was so nice of them to come up and it couldn't have been a more beautiful day.

Auntie Kim and Uncle Erik with Elle.


Hans with his bob the builder hat.

We have had many visitors which Hans loves. Today Auntie Sheryl, who I work with and had her son in chemistry this year, came by. Sheryl brought a few outfits for Elle, which will be great for the summer. Yesterday, Auntie Kim and Uncle Erik came by for dinner. Hans loves having them around. He drags his Auntie Kim everywhere he goes, except when they played his favorite game hide and go seek. Uncle Erik and Hans got to do races and play basketball. Elle slept most of the time until she ate and then she got the hiccups staring at Erik, which is a frequent occurrence. Auntie Kim of course picked out the cutest clothes from children's place. I can't wait till she can wear them this summer!

Elle is totallydifferent from Hans. Everything Hans didn't like she loves. Her favorite spot is the baby swing and Hans cried anytime you put him in. He liked all the toys that he could be active. Elle loves to eat, sleep and dirty her diaper. Hans just always wanted to play.

Hans loves my scooby doo slippers. He goes around the house in them although he has a hard time balancing.
My two nephews couldn't wait to see Elle. They were so good at holding her and had fun running wild with Hans. Hans taught them all of his favorite games, but most of all he liked pushing Levi on his spiderman ride.
Elle's first day out. She is ready to go to the doctor. Her checkup went well, she is back up to 9 lbs.
Hans, Elle and I got to spend the day with daddy. He was off for two days, so that way we could run some errands and I could get a nap in.

Hans holds Elle for the first time. He has been so good to her and is very helpful with getting her diapers and throwing the dirty ones away.
Elle slept all day the first day home from the hospital and then was up all night this is a habit I am trying to break her of, so that hopefully I will get to sleep again.

Grandpa and Grandma came to visit although I only have a picture of Grandpa with Elle. We think that Elle might have Grandpa's beautiful hazel eyes. We will have to wait and see.

My favorite girls came over to see Elle. She loved being held by them.



Grandma Margaret hence the middle name came to see Elle Margaret. Auntie Dorothy drove Grandma and had the cutiest oufit for Elle and also some bath products for me. Auntie Dorothy has been such a blessing. She has become a close friend of my mothers since the passing of my father.

Her is our new little girl! Elle Margaret was born on April 2nd at noon. Hans and Elle are exactly two years and one day apart. These are pictures that we took while at Lake Forest Hospital. Well everything went well. Kari was in labor for seven hours which was much better than the 18 plus hours with Hans. Although since she had to be induced she couldn't get out of bed, so she had to lay there and just deal with the pain. After four hours of labor she got the epidural. Although it didn't work so the had to come back and do it again. While in the hospital Elle only cried a few times. She just slept and ate. We couldn't figure out who she looks like, but we kept getting told how beautiful she is. She has a very rosy complexion which makes her look so healthy and pretty. The person who took the picture said she hasn't seen a baby with her beautiful coloring.

On our way home.
Waiting for the epidural to wear off. It took four hours after labor before Kari could walk.

Hans is TWO!! On April 1st Hans turned two. He had a great time opening gifts, but what he loved most of all was all the tools. Christine and the girls got him a tool set, and then one of the gifts we got him was a whole tool set. It was definently a hit. He has been playing with it nonstop since he opened it. This week Hans gave up his bottle and now is working on potty training with Grandma. Although he is not showing much interest so we will see. His other new favorite thing is getting piggy back rides.