Frugal or Cheap??

So Nate and I went out to dinner on Sunday and after getting our receipt we came to the conclusion that we are either really frugal or really cheap. Our top ten things we came up with (in no particular order) are below. Read them and vote for yourself on the side.

1. We go to restaurants where we have gift cards or coupons. On Sunday we had a gift card, $5.00 off card and free appetizer. 2 entrees and appetizer for $15.00, actually gift card..free!
2. Use cloth diapers
3. Shop on Craig's List...pretty much our entire nursery and all baby gear for about $300.00
4. Rent movies at Redbox...$1.07 w/tax
5. Never buy clothes at regular price; actually we are still wearing some from high school. Plus Elyse's clothes we buy come only from garage sales
6. Giving Nate haircuts at home and plucking my own brows
7. Make sandwiches for road trips and flights
8. Dumpster dive for furniture, which we turn into something beautiful
9. Make 1 big meal and eat it all week to save food costs
10. Drive the same car Natalie had in high school

Cloth Diapers

So Nate and I have decided that buying diapers is outrageous. Therefore, after positive remarks from some friends who use them we have decided to give cloth diapers a try.So far it's been a successful two weeks. Elyse has gotten no diaper rash, they don't leak and they are easy to use! We are using Chinese prefolds and "Thirties" covers. I love the covers, they fit great and come in a lot of cute colors. I highly recommend using cloth diapers!

Tummy Time

Elyse is suppose to be working on strengthening her neck by having tummy time. She is getting pretty good at it, but she isn't a big fan. It usually only lasts about 5 minutes. We will just have to keep working on it.

Elyse Loves "Rebels"

So a friend and fellow Champlin Park Rebels employee, Becki threw Elyse and I a baby shower. We came early and saw all my students. They were so amazed at how adorable and small she was. Following that we visited a lot of employees of Champlin who were so sweet and loved meeting Elyse. I understood a lot of people had other plans after school but for those who showed, thank you so much, it was great! Also, thanks Becki for taking the time to throw a great shower.

Becki, Elyse and I Kristin, Elyse and I

2 Week Update

So Elyse turned two weeks on Monday and had her two week doctor appointment today. She did great; she must have loved everyone giving her so much attention. Her doctor, Dr. Davis was wonderful, I really liked her. She said Elyse was beautiful, precious and super healthy. Elyse also grew .5 inches since birth and now is 9 lbs, 3 oz. What can we say, she's a growing girl. Her legs are so long, I think she maybe become a basketball or volleyball player, and most likely taller than mom and dad :)

First Bath

Yesterday Elyse lost her umbilical cord, therefore that meant...Elyse got her first bath in a tub.

She loved listening to the water and wearing her adorable bunny robe from Grandma Sandy, "Grams"

Elyse wasn't too much of a fan at first, but when Nate splashed water on her tummy she did great. We just hope she will begin to enjoy it enough where she becomes a human fish. I think her favorite part actually was the end being all swaddled up in her towel getting lots of love from dad :)

Klauser Family Photos

So Nate and I decided we needed a good family photo. We believe they turned out pretty well. We hope to take some more soon (mostly of Elyse though)!!!

Grandpa and Grandma Klauser Visit

Grandpa and Grandma Klauser stopped by this weekend for a quick and enjoyable weekend. We were thinking they were wanting to see us; but nope, it's all about Elyse :) Overall, we think they became a major Elyse fan. In fact, we think it may have been a little hard to put her down to say goodbye. All three of us look forward to seeing them again real soon.

Klauser Family Photo

Meeting Elyse for the first time

What is Elyse thinking at this moment?

...Awesome, it's another grandma to spoil me!!!

Elyse appears to think that Grandpa's shopping style is the way to go

(you may need to turn up volume for Nate's commentary)

Elyse with Grandpa and Grandma Klauser

Another Klauser Family Photo

NIKE

Jenny and I have decided that Aiden and Elyse make the cutiest Nike sponsors out there. Not only would they make Nike rich, but use too :)

We would have preferred having them closer, but "fireball" Aiden got so excited that he would accidently hit Elyse. She didn't seem to mind though.

They were WAY TOO CUTE in their matching his and her outfits!!!

One Week Old Already

I can't believe it, Elyse is one week old today. So far the last seven days has to be the best week of Nate and my marriage life so far. We feel so blessed and we love our baby girl so much. Not only are we blessed for having her, but having our family and friends too. Elyse has had many friends visit her in the last few days. Elyse loves meeting new people; but who wouldn't like meeting people that are always saying how beautiful and cute you are :)

Baby Elyse with Grandma Sandy "Grams"

Baby Elyse with Tom, Jenny and Aiden (Elyse's future husband, according to Jenny and I)

Elyse with Joel, Nicole and Willow. Elyse and Willow are about 3 weeks apart

Elyse with her friend, Kobe

First Thumb Sucking

Elyse Gets Hiccups #2

We had a lot of positive feedback with Elyse's first set of hiccups, so we decided to blog another round she had last night. She gets them often, yet doesn't cry and seems to enjoy making dad and mom laugh. You'll have to turn your volume up to hear them well.

Welcome Home Elyse

After more travel than a new baby should have to take, baby Elyse is finally home!!!

Man this traveling thing is exhausting!!!

Plane Ride Home Checkout Elyse's finger...she's so bad

Someone was suppose to be sleeping and someone else wasn't

Enjoying California

So Nate and I decided to enjoy our last day in California. So we took Elyse to the ocean for about 10 minutes just to take a few pictures. It was absouletly beautiful, yet cool. The waves were large, it was very windy and the temp was probably around 75.

Praise With Paperwork!

We want to thank you all for your prayers! Because of your prayers we got a call this morning that our paperwork was approved. That's right 24 hours, pretty much unheard of. They said minimum of 5 days. We feel so blessed by what Bethany Christian Services has done for us. Anyway, we will be coming home tomorrow because of flight times and prices. We are so excited that we get to be back home and take some time to enjoy our little girl for a few days with family. We look forward to seeing some of you at church or next week. Please pray for save travel home. We love you all. I hope to get more pictures up today or this weekend.

Out of the Hospital

We successfully checked out of the hospital today at noon. She has done so well all day. We feel so blessed to have her as our daughter. We also want to thank you all for your prayers and sweet words. Please continue to pray that the paperwork goes well so we can leave by this weekend.

Our first family photo

Elyse in her carseat...she's ready to go for a ride Pretty in Pink Elyse's first bath

Both Elyse and daddy did a great job! Elyse gets the hiccups

(you may need to turn up the volume to hear it)