Welcome, Little One!

Our newest little Gremore...Leila Francine was born on 9/10/11 weighing 7 pounds 10 ounces, 20 3/4 inches long. Leila means "dark beauty" and Francine is after my grandma on my dad's side and means "free". John 8:36 says, "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed". That is our prayer for our little beauty, whether she stays dark haired or not :) That she would know Jesus and live free in Him!
I have been thinking of certain memories with my grandma Fran...she would sing to us, decorate little baskets for Easter and hide them around their house, make the best chop suey, and never came home from their trip to Florida without a funky designed swimming suit for my sister and I. We are honored to pass her name on!

Two weeks before Leila arrived, we received a big box in the mail full of activities. We participated in an activity exchange where each mom made 30 of the same activity and then mailed them to the coordinator who divided them up and sent each of us 30 different activity bags.

The snowflake felt patterns is one of Gretta's favorites.

Here is Gretta working on some letters....

Now, unto lowercase :)

Sammy and Gretta both got a kick out of the making their own puddy....

This kept them busy even longer than I had hoped!

One of my favorite memories with Linds and Josh and the kids while they were here. Almost every Sunday that they were in the area, we got together for lunch AND supper....we wondered why don't more people do this more often?!? The kids played to their hearts content and the adults enjoyed each others company. On this particular Sunday, the kids were gearing up for a movie.

And now for some birth stories and pics :) Contractions started at 3am but became more regular around 7. Got to the hospital around 8 in case she would make her entrance quickly; we should have known that wouldn't be the case considering she was due 6 days earlier :) The doctor broke my water around noon and she was born at a little after 2pm.

This was the first time the three stooges met their newest little sister. They had been staying with Grandma Lo and Grandpa Jer for a few days already, and it was past bed time for them when they arrived...I remember thinking that two [quiet] nights in the hospital might be a wise option this time :)

Proud grandparents Gampy and GG

Grandma Lo and Grandpa Jer with grand baby number 4 and one more coming this month...can't wait to meet Bri and Amber's little one!

Great Grandma with great-grand baby #8

Uncle Brian and Auntie Amber counting the days until it's their turn!

Another visit from GG along with Granny....and they brought dairy queen...need I say more?

Olivet and Leila just wanted to make sure they can borrow each others shoes...some day :)

A fun visit from Auntie Amy, Uncle David, Ally and Johnny

Ready for the ride home. As soon as we got home we gave Leila a tour, first to Gretta and Sammy's room, and then to Sy's. Leila will be in our room until we move her down the hall with Gretta in a few months and move Silas upstairs with Sam. How fun to have a "boy's room" and a "girls room"!

A great visit with Aunt Sally and Uncle Jim

Thanks to so many friends and family members for your generosity in bringing over meals. We were definitely spoiled! The cake pops above are from Uncle Mikes Bakery....yummmm!

I walked into our room and found this laying on the bed. Gretta has been Leila's fashion coordinator from day one!

During an attempt to take Leila's 2-week photo...

Despite the face, Leila enjoyed her first bath...especially getting her hair washed; must take after mommy :)

Gretta started her first ballet/jazz class on Wednesday. She finally gets to twirl and dance with some girls her own age and a wall full of mirrors...a little girls dream!

A class of six 4-5 year olds getting ready for 50 minutes of bliss

Finally, a piece of life with four little ones...what does one do when the laundry needs to be put from the washer to the drier and needs two hands to complete the task? Why, find a nice cozy spot for the littlest one to rest!