Erika in White

Don't you just love her cute little fingers in this one!! so cute! (and yes, unfortunately, she is taking a poopie while wearing this beautiful dress....) I can't wait to see the pics Sarah took last night.... not to rush you in any way, Sarah :)



Yesterday was Erika's blessing day. Can I just say how much I LOVE to have my babies blessed. Hers was a beautiful blessing. Nate always gives such perfect blessings. I am so grateful to have a husband who can do that for our kids.



We have Sacrament meeting last, so as soon as my Sharing time and Primary were over (I was still really nervous again.... but the excitement from having Erika blessed helped drown it out a little), I took her into the Mother's Lounge to get her ready. It was a special, sweet time for me and my little girl. I love those moments where all you can hear are the whisperings of the Spirit. Erika is a sweet little one. I love the feeling I get from her. She just makes me happy. I will always cherish that time getting her ready though. She was funny once we got her into her dress, as I was taking the picture in fact, she filled her diaper. And then again a few minutes after her second diaper change. When we left the room there were 4 dirty diapers to throw away..... needless to say, we double-diapered it for the blessing..... didn't want to take any chances :) Noah taught me that :). Anyway, she was beautiful. I am so glad I decided to get the long dress again like I did with Charity and Kelly. It really doesn't matter, but I just think they're so cute!! She did have her headband on up until the end of her blessing when it fell off :) She's not so fond of the hair things. We'll have to see how that goes because I just hate making her wear them. I feel so bad. They do look cute though.....

Her Daddy blessed her and she had Grandpa Russ, Uncle Lynn, Uncle Jared, Uncle Mark, Uncle Chris, , Grandpa Mottishaw, and Brother Oaks (our home teacher) in the circle. We were sad that Uncle Dan and Uncle Brent only made it in time to hear the blessing from the foyer, but hey, at least they were there right! I had brought a notepad and pen to write down the things that were said in her blessing, but as it started I just felt that listening to it with just my ears would be better. So I decided not to write it down. I was glad because you miss a lot of the FEELINGS when you do that. I was so impressed with how overwhelming the Spirit felt as he said her name "Erika Ruth Maynes".... couldn't help but feel like it was really meant to be her name. I will never question that again :). She was blessed with so many wonderful things. I guess I'll just record those in her baby book :). But anyway. We were so grateful for everyone that participated in the blessing and came for the thing afterward. It's nice to have family. It's nice to know we are loved and supported. Thank you!

Grandpa Russ and Grandma Ruthie with Erika

(I don't love this picture of me :) but it's the only one I got! If anyone got a better one they want to share.... I will gladly take it! shoulda sucked in)

Grandma Hatch with Erika.

I wish you could see her eyelashes in any of these pictures... she has the most amazing eye lashes! I remember being excited when I could barely see Noah's, but Erika's are already longer than mine I think!! They're just beautiful. You'll have to see them in person I guess because I don't think my camera can do eyelashes good enough.....

I also wish I had taken more pictures. That always happens when I run around like a crazy person, and sweating like a pig..... but it was a nice day :)... one to remember.

**I forgot to mention that I was able to use the blanket that Nana started (I finished) for her. It was fun for me to feel like Nana had a part in her blessing. I love my Nana.

***Charity was SOOOOOO excited for this day. She told me there were FOUR things that made it so she couldn't even sleep. 1. Erika's blessing. 2. New teachers in Primary (with a new class including Kelly!). 3. Family coming over for food. and 4. Mommy is teaching in Primary! (I love that they like me coming in there, they're always so sweet about how it went too)