Two Weeks' Notice

Wow. Two weeks old tomorrow. I'm afraid she's going to be 16 before we know it. Scary. Until then, however, we will continue to adore her. Our little Jolie.

{{ Side note: On the name... we wanted to name our little girl something French. I was a French major and therefore speak French as well. We both are madly in love with Paris (and had possibly our most romantic adventure there in '06). And really, a French name would be pretty rockin' for a sweet little girl. Unfortunately, French names are very French, and we didn't think "Françoise Anderson" would cut it. I liked Margot, but Derek said it was too old-lady and wouldn't even consider it. (I still like it; tell no one.) And one day (pre-James, actually) I thought of using a non-name as a name: Jolie.

In France, "jolie" is not a name. It's an adjective. It means "pretty." I suggested it, but Derek embraced it. Pretty much the man has veto power and lacks any suggestive creativity. But once he likes a name, he sticks with it. (Though I suppose he came up with James Russell... so maybe the "lack of creativity" comment is unjust.) Anyway, we liked Jolie... but what middle? Or would Jolie BE the middle?

We played around with lots of names and eventually decided on Elizabeth as a middle. Naming a kid "pretty" is nice, and you hope your daughter is... But I was hung up on the paranoia of what if she thinks all she IS is pretty? I wanted a middle name of substance. Elizabeth fit. I mean, really... Queen Elizabeth I was uber-substantial. A hugely important monarch. Amazingly independent and strong. Loved by her people even today... and not cause she was pretty. It worked. Then there's Elizabeth in the Bible. And Elizabeths throughout time. It's a name with a good amount of history behind it. It makes her name more classic, so that James Russell and Jolie Elizabeth don't sound too clashy. And Elizabeth Ann was my doll's name as a child. She's currently napping in my hope chest in New Mexico. Really, it's totally fitting.

Other side-notes to my side-note (which is very long; sorry): My mother's middle name is Joanne. Derek's mom is called Julie. Joanne + Julie = Jolie (nice to conclude since James is absolutely and undeniably named after his grandpas).

So Jolie Elizabeth it is. }}

Okay. Dang, I'm long-winded. Here are pictures. I'll go easy on the commentary.

Post-bath (first one at home)

She loves her fingers... especially for dinner.

Here she is sucking on her index finger and thumb.

The posh sleep set-up. (Our kids are spoiled.)

She sleeps with us, either between us or in our arms.

I know she's super spoiled that way, but shoot- if

she'll sleep 4-5 hours at a time that way, she's

spoiling us, too! It's only fair to return the favor. :)

I LOVE this series of photos.

James + Jolie = Best Friends Forever!

What's up with the nudie cop? Hm... (Cute, though, no?)

This is how we roll. :)

Here's a super-cute video of my kiddos. If you can't hear

clearly, at the beginning James is saying, "Smile! Cheeese!"

He doesn't get that she can't ham it up like he can. Also,

apparently Jolie is Momma's Darling and James is

Daddy's Good Boy. Glad we sorted that out. :)

Jolie and her adoring fans

Yes, I painted her nails. Already.

Cherubic. Man, I love this girl.

Daddy feeding (and dabbing drool off) Jolie.

Derek really is wonderful. He wakes up when I do.

He feeds her, changes her, loves her... and still

does all the "manly provider stuff" too. I'm a lucky girl. So is she.

Thank you, Grandma! :) Grandma Marilyn came

and stayed with us for a couple of weeks and was AMAZING!

Really, she deserves a post of her own. I didn't know she

(or anyone, really) was capable of being absolutely and

totally devoted to taking care of other people. She put

110% of herself into helping us... and I really don't know

how we'd have done it without her.

Anyway- I love you, Mom.

And thanks.

Here are James and Jolie with a few gifts my mom got

while out shopping. James "gave" Jolie her present.

Luckily he knew not to put it right on her face!

Here's Grandma Marilyn with our kids. (Weird... kids.)

And here is perhaps my very favorite pic of Jolie so far.

She. Is. So. Beautiful.

Like I said before, we're all quite smitten.

Really, though, can you blame us? :)