The Godfather.....

Two weekends ago, Jason and Andrea (Jason's girlfriend) came Saturday afternoon to visit and meet Susanna. Jason is Susanna's godfather. He also helped Jake with some shingling that Chris (my uncle) and Jake had started that morning.

Susanna and her godfather Jason.

Jake and Addy checking out the strawberry plants. They are growing really well. We did lose some plants, but I think we will still have plenty.

Addy riding on the lawn tractor with daddy last Wednesday. This tractor is the first mower we purchased after buying the house. Jake brought it up from the poll barn because we sold it! Earlier that day Jake purchased a brand new zero-turn mower.....that was the highlight of our week.

The Pear tree in FULL bloom......hopefully they don't all freeze off :-/.

Jake taking the Zero-turn for a spin.

He mowed all of our yard in less than half the time it took us normally with our other mowers. He came in from mowing and could not stop talking about how much he LOVED our new mower. Addy and I were having fun watching him mow the front yard. That thing goes really fast.

Oh Susanna....

Susanna is getting big! She can do many things.....eat, sleep, and poop (did I mention she poops A LOT!). It's crazy going through the whole baby thing for the second time. Remembering how our first one was at that age and also the big difference between our 18mon. old daughter and our newborn. They change so much in such a little amount of time. It is also hard to get your mindset back to having a little baby. I can't just go outside with Addy anymore whenever I want to. Susanna either has to be sleeping or the temp. warm enough to take her out with us. Susanna's cord fell off last Monday. It was kind of icky looking. All of Sunday it was just barely hanging on. It looked painful, but I was assured by a nurse when I called the hospital that it was perfectly normal and it didn't hurt her. Jake was excited to be home when it fell off. Now, a week later, it looks like a normal belly button.

So tired she can barely keep her eyes open.

Kung Fu!

And she's out!

Addy and mommy enjoying some popcorn.

This past weekend was pretty laid back. It rained most of Friday and Saturday. Jake finished varnishing the door for Addy's room. Now it is all ready to be installed....yay! No more Chinese style blanket door! On Sunday, he hauled over some straw bales from a neighbor's to use for mulching the garden. The garden is all tilled and ready to plant. We are way more prepared  for summer and the garden than we were last year. Jake has been working on the flower garden in front of his shop (with Addy's help :-). She likes to help so much that she tries to use Jake's tools......usually ending up almost hurting herself or someone else. Jake asked me to find some "kid" gardening tools. I looked all over with no luck. Until my mom told me she found some on Amazon. I ordered them as soon as I could get to the computer. I don't know who's more excited for their arrival this week......Addy or mommy ;-).



At home again......now with TWO children :-)

Where do I even start! Well, we came home from the hospital on Monday (two weeks ago). Jake had the whole week off of work, it was a big help to me to have him around. The first week home seemed to fly by way too quick, I loved having him home! Jake was able to keep Addy busy and he helped around the house a lot! He even let me sleep in every morning while he took care of getting Addy up and making her breakfast. I have the BEST husband ever! I forgot to mention this in the previous post, but our labor nurse said we were the perfect pair during the delivery of Susanna. She said we work very well together and that we should be on a birthing tape (if I was actually asked to do that I would say NO THANKS!). But I thought it was a compliment. The doctor said she didn't think we should be, because we would make labor and delivery look way too easy. Jake was the best "support person." He helped me through each contraction and encouraged me every step of the way. After Susanna was born I was filled with joy because I got to meet our new little daughter. But, more importantly, I was filled with love for the man God gave me to stand by my side (even through something as dramatic as the birth of a child).

Anyways, moving on....... :-). Last Friday Sue and Roger came to see the baby and to help with some things. Roger left on Sunday and Sue stayed till Tuesday. On Saturday, Roger helped Jake with some projects. They trimmed out some windows and our bedroom door (yay!). They also started building the building over the concrete slab that was poured last fall (see pictures below). Sue helped with too many things to count. One thing her and Addy did was wash windows. When they were all done Addy was very mad that there was nothing left to scrub. She is going to be my window washer ;-). We really enjoyed seeing Roger and Sue, and appreciate their help!

On Tuesday both Addy and Susanna had doctor's appointments. The doctor said Addy was doing good. She is still low on the charts for weight and high on the charts for height. She is my tall, skinny girl (but built solid like a horse)...... who seems big and huge after having a newborn. Addy had to get two shots. She didn't even cry or flinch for the first one. But the second one she got a little upset. Both Jake and I had to get that shot...... we were a little sore after it so we knew she would be too. Susanna is also doing great! She nurses really well and her weight is up past her birth weight (which is the goal at the two week appointment). She was born at 7lbs 2 oz., she left the hospital weighing 6lbs. 10oz. and on Tuesday weighed 7lbs. 8oz. At least we know she is growing :-).

Susanna just chillin after we got home from the hospital.

Jake with his two girls

Daddy fell asleep with Susanna.

What a cutie!

Addy had to join the fun :-).

The west wall is assembled and up.

Working on the rafters.

Roger getting ready to put plywood on for the roof.

Jake using the air nailer.

Looking at it from the northwest.

From the north.

Grandpa Loegering and Susanna.

With Addy.

Susanna in a milk coma ;-).

Addy was so proud of her bowl of popcorn....she loves popcorn. That morning Jake was getting Addy breakfast. He was puzzled as to why Addy was just staring into the garbage. Then he figured out that we had thrown away some popcorn the night before. So, we decided to make popcorn early enough for her to enjoy some too.

Munching on her popcorn.

"Yummm" (in Addy's words)

Susanna with Grandma Loegering

Unlike Addy, Susanna likes the pacifier. As you can see in this picture she has even figured out already how to hold it, to keep it from falling out of her mouth.

Addy having fun with some play dough.

Addy's Reaction.....

Everyone's first question is "what does Addy think of her new sister?" Well, to answer that.....she likes Susanna a lot. She likes to touch her, kiss her, play with her fingers, hold her, and sit next to whom ever is holding her. That all said....she can be naughty too. She sometimes gets upset when the baby needs to be fed or changed and it is taking time away from her wants and needs. She does things that she knows she is not supposed to because mommy can't do anything about it while feeding the baby. Wednesday this week was my first day alone with both girls. I think after a couple weeks Addy hopefully will get used to how things are going to be from now on and behave better. She has her moments but for the most part she is already getting better.

Update on our "little" garden.....

Everything is growing awesome! We just planted the tomatoes and marigolds last Friday. We got a little behind with the baby coming and all. But the marigolds have popped up and the tomatoes won't be too far behind.



Cauliflower and Broccoli

Marigolds in the back

Celery

Impatians

Geraniums

Green Peppers

Onions (just after a hair cut :-)

Cabbage

Garden Salsa Peppers (hot peppers)



We welcome our new baby girl Susanna May!

Susanna May, our little bundle of joy, was born a week and a half ago, at 7 pounds 2 ounces. I started having regular contractions around 8am. We got to the hospital just after noon and she was born at 2:58 that afternoon. There were no complications thanks to the prayers of many people on our behalf. The nurses were excellent, especially our labor nurse. It was so nice having a baby during the day instead of in the middle of the night (like Addy). Jake and I felt a lot better this time, more rested and relaxed. Instead of not being able to get out of bed for over a day I was up and moving within a couple of hours. My parents took care of Addy while we were in the hospital, we really appreciated it!

Soon after she was born.....the first few minutes she spent with her momma.

7 pounds and 2 ounces

Daddy with Susanna.

All snuggled in with momma.

Jake said I looked ten times better after Susanna's birth versus Addy's birth.

Addy came with Grandma and Grandpa to meet the new addition, she didn't know what to think at first.

Grandpa Gapp and Susanna.

Easter Sunday! Addy came to show mommy and daddy how pretty she looked in her Easter dress.

Helping hold her baby sister.....

....... and giving her lots of kisses.

Me and my two beautiful girls!

Family picture....you can never get a good smile from the older child ;-).

Daddy fell asleep with Susanna.

Susanna up close.....I think she looks like Jake.

Looking at daddy.

Doesn't she look so much like him?

All dressed and getting ready to go home!

Full body shot.

Both girls slept all the way home....it was a nice quiet ride :-).