Doctor Visit

We were off to a busy start today... a pretty full schedule including Asha's first visit with the Pediatrician, and school for Priya and Taj. A neighbor brought a pretty basket of scones, that have been nice for snacking on today. Grammie and Bapa walked Priya to her bus stop.

Then it was time for the doctor visit. I went with Erica and the baby to the Doctor. Bapa took Taj to pre-school while we were gone.
I don't know how often the Doctor's office has someone who wants to take pictures of the visit-they probably thought I was a little nuts... oh well ;-)
The Doctor was very nice, and spent a long time on the visit.

Of course Asha was not very happy about being undressed. Then she had to endure being measured and weighed. She was crying, and suddenly found the back of her hand, which she started sucking on, and calmed herself a bit. It was so cute! She measured 19.25 inches in length, and weighed approx. 5 lbs, 13 oz. We are still waiting to get the results of how the jaundice is measuring, but the doctor thought she was looking pretty good in that regard.
Unfortunately for Asha, she had to have that nasty stick on the heel, and she really felt it, and she really let us know how displeased she was! (sorry about the blurry pictures, but that's the way it goes sometimes.)

In the afternoon we picked Priya up at the School Bus. She had taken a picture of Asha to school and showed it to her class, and told her class about her new little sister.

This evening Erica's very sweet neighbors prepared a wonderful gourmet dinner for us. It was delicious! Thank you so much!

Asha's 3rd Day

Asha is 3 days old today! She is so sweet, and just keeps getting more beautiful. Asha is just a delight. She loves to be held. She's a real sleepy head, sleeping the day away... EXCEPT, for waking promptly when she is hungry, which is approx. every 3 hours. She is a good eater!
So far today, she has required 3 changes of onesies, and outfits...and a blanket or two. I think she will be increasing the laundry load around here for sure.

Priya and Taj did make some time today for playing out on the deck, and later with neighborhood friends.

Priya enjoying the day. Back to school tomorrow though.

If you didn't already know, Taj is crazy for tools!

The day started with a delicious breakfast casserole which a nice friend of Erica's made and brought by for us. Rajiv took Priya and Taj to the park for some playtime.
Here is the little angel. Erica was hoping that she would like a binky, and so far she does...

It's exhausting being a big sister!

Being a big sister is hard work! Priya was wanting to hold Asha for the umpteenth time on Saturday. We looked over a few moments later to see these two sisters both sleeping soundly. It was such an adorable sight!

A big welcome

So many caring friends and family have called, sent flowers, stopped by. A new baby brings so much joy to everyone!
Today, the 29th, Erica and Rajiv took Asha into the hospital lab to check the status of her jaundice. So far, the condition is okay, and no cause for alarm.
Taj and Daddy have gone to play a little golf. Erica and baby are taking a nap... Priya has just finished playing with a friend, and so we are the only people in the house who are awake at the moment...

Asha's Arrival

What an exciting time this is! Asha arrived on the 27th of August. She is healthy, and such a beautiful little girl! The delivery went very well, and Erica and baby came home the following day.
Rajiv and Erica are happy to be home with their family of "five" now!




Asha has a very happy big brother and sister! They want to be with her all of the time.


Priya assisted in dressing Asha in her very first baby outfit.
Asha is one lucky little sister, to have such a loving big brother and sister!

Leaving for the hospital

Today is the big day! Erica was ready to go a bit early. Rajiv had a couple of post-op patients to check on early, and then they would arrive at Lutheran Hospital at 8 am.
Erica called a bit after 9 am to say that the Doctor had broken her water (and, yes, it hurt A Lot!) and they had started the pitocin. Now, we have to be patient, which is not easy. Will update when there is news to report!
Here is the picture from early this morning, as Erica and Rajiv were leaving for the hospital.
Erica was looking radiant and at ease...

First Day of Pre-School for Taj

I arrived in Denver the morning of Aug. 26th. Erica and Taj picked me up at the airport. Priya was at school. We took Taj to preschool, and then Erica had her Doctor Appt. I picked up Taj from preschool and didn't get lost except for passing by their street on the way home. Taj noticed right away, and we made a U-turn and went back :)
Erica's doctor decided that she did not need to go to the hospital that night. Eight a.m. on Thursday the 27th would be soon enough.
We met Priya's school bus in the afternoon. She had had a good day at school she said. She looked so cute with her back pack! There are several mom's and kids who make the school bus walk each day, so that makes it fun.
Daddy got home from work early. We had a nice evening, and Erica had a dinner made ahead that we just had to heat up.
Erica had everything nicely planned for the exciting day ahead...

CREAMY MUSHROOM & CHICKEN SOUP

Here is a soup recipe that I found on Becky Higgins Blog. I made a couple of changes: I used less butter, probably about 4 Tablespoons... and I used 1 1/2 cups of fat free half and half in place of the 2 cups of cream. It is delicious and full of vegetables!

6 Tbsp. butter
1 medium onion, chopped
3 Tbsp. flour
2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. pepper
6 c. chicken broth
1 lb. mushrooms, sliced
3/4 c. sliced celery
3/4 c. chopped carrots
2 c. quartered baby red potatoes
1 c. chopped yellow squash
1 1/2 c. frozen corn kernels, thawed
2 tsp. thyme
2 c. light cream
3/4 c. grated Parmesan, plus more for garnish if desired
2 c. chopped cooked chicken

In a large post, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onion and saute until tender, about 6 minutes. Stir in the four, salt, and pepper and mix until smooth. Gradually add the broth, then turn the heat up to medium-high and bring the soup to a boil. Add the mushrooms, celery, carrots, potatoes, squash, corn, and thyme. Reduce the heat and simmer the soup, covered, until the vegetables are tender, about 30 minutes.

Add the cream, Parmesan, and chicken. Heat the soup for an additional 10 minutes, but do not let it boil. To serve, ladle the soup into a bowl and sprinkle it with more Parmesan, if desired. Makes about 15 cups.

The Wedding Cake

Here is a photo of the wedding cake. I had a slice, and it was tasty as well as pretty!

Wedding Day for Matthew & Aubrey

It was a beautiful day for a wedding. The weather was perfect. It was a morning ceremony at the Salt Lake Temple, and after much photo taking, the family went to a luncheon at The Spaghetti Factory in Trolley Square. Christian and Aubrey's sister Brittany had some special words for the bride and groom... Christian's made me sniffle. And the Fathers had some nice things to say too. Aubrey was beautiful in her wedding gown, and Matthew was very handsome in his tux. The photo collection are my photos, but not to worry, there was a professional photographer as well! Of course there was a reception that evening, but I think the only photo that I took was of the cake. (it is still in my camera, and I will post it later.) You can click on the photo page to see it larger : )

Sara - Called to Serve

On Sunday August, 16th we had a family get-together in honor of Sara. She is leaving on her mission to Oregon. She gave a wonderful talk in Sacrament meeting, and after church, we all gathered at the Chris and Holly Cooper home for a luncheon. It was a wonderful afternoon! Sara looked beautiful with a new "do", and just look at that beautiful smile! We will miss her, but know she will be an awesome missionary, and will touch the hearts of many, as she shares her knowledge and love of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

What Did You Say?

Here is the beginning of a collection {to someday be a book} of cute things said by the grandkids and others... Hoping Mom will let me do a page on the funny things she has said to the butcher... What do you say about that, Mom?

Here is the cover:



And here is a cute one of Priya and friend having a discussion about physics. LOL!
{remember, you can click on them to better read the text }



And finally, even one from my long ago childhood.




Any family members who read this, and can think of one that they would like to add, please just let me know!