Finger Painting

In between diaper changes and feedings, we have been able to squeeze in a little bit of toddler school. It's actually easier to do toddler school, than to try to go anywhere because we can just fit it into our day. On Tuesday, Hannah had a ball finger painting with a mixture of glue and shaving cream (I just used equal parts of glue and shaving cream and added a little food coloring). It's funny how she started out with just using a few fingers and by the time she was done it was up to her elbows, in her hair, and on her belly...but boy did she have fun. The cleanup was easy...just threw her in the shower :)

Pioneer Days

Last Saturday, we were able to get away for some family time together. We enjoyed Pioneer Days at a nearby park. Hannah had so much fun, and has been talking about it all week long. I'm so sad that my camera battery died right in the midst of the fun, but was able to snap a few pics before it went. She got to pet baby rabbits, cows, piglets, and even got to milk a cow (for the first time). We went on a hayride, and she got to ride a pony. I carried Isaac in my wrap, which he loved....what a fun afternoon!

My sweet baby boy

9 days old

First Stroller Ride

We enjoyed our first walk on a beautiful fall day last week. We were excited to try out our new stroller...seems like it's going to work out just right for the two of us! The fresh air was good for everyone!

A story for Baby Isaac

One of my favorite stories when I was a little girl was "Are you My Mother?" I decided to get this book from the library for Hannah and like me, she just loved it! We've read it to her so many times that...well...you'll see :)

Here she is sharing one of her favorite books with her new brother...

First Sunday at Church and 1 week old

Born on a Sunday...in church the very next. I guess that's life as a PK :)

He was warmly welcomed by our wonderful church family!!

Isaac Micahel...one week old

First Bath

...and he didn't cry at all. He just laid there and enjoyed the warm water on his back..what a sweetie!

poor guy had to dry off in a pink towel (thanks to his sister) but with the pic in black and white...he'll never know right?!

First Outing

By Saturday, I was definitely getting a little stir crazy. We were planning to head to the Farmers Market for a walk and some fresh air, but rain in the forecast changed our plans. We headed to an area library instead. We've only taken Hannah to this library one time before...boy have we been missing out! What a great place to play and explore..especially on a rainy day! I feel bad that I didn't get any pics of Isaac...but he did just sleep in his stroller the whole time.

veggie painting!

there was a fun Eric Carle rug...she jumped from animal to animal for probably a good 20 minutes. :)

A week with Nana

We were so blessed to have my mom here with us during Isaac's first week home. "Nana" was a huge help! She helped with lots of household work like cleaning windows, sweeping/washing floors, cleaning the bathtub, vacuuming, etc. She also was a great help with Hannah and Isaac, she gave me time to take naps, helped at night, and was an encouragement to me as I began my adjustment of being a mom of two. I don't get to see my mom as much as I would like, so this week was special time for the two of us. Thanks Mom for giving of yourself to bless our family!

Nana and her new grandson

1st Doctors visit

Isaac had his first Doctors visit on Wednesday. His weight was down to 7 lbs. 1 oz and the nurses measured him at 20 1/4" long (I guess his length is up for debate). Dr. Bullach had us get his bilirubin levels checked again, as they weren't coming down. Dr. Bullach told me to be sure to nurse him every 2 hours as that was how his levels would get better. Aside from the jaundice, everything else was looking good.

The BIG sister

Many have asked how Hannah is doing with the transition of having a baby in the house. I'm thankful to report that she loves Isaac. She loves to hold him, sing to him, read to him, give him his binki, etc. Her behavior for the first week wasn't the greatest...but I'm thankful that she is getting much better and hasn't taken anything out on Isaac. She seems to be adjusting well and has fun just lovin' on her baby brother.

climbin' up to take a peak...

....and the next thing I knew she was right in there with him

Coming Home

With being born so early on Sunday morning, we were able to leave the hospital the next day. We arrived home at 2:30 on Monday afternoon....just 36 hours later after birth.

Daddy getting Isaac ready to go

all dressed and ready to go home!

trying out his new bed

a surprise for Hannah when she wakes up from her nap

Welcomed home by Hannah, Uncle Jay, Nana, Pop,

and Grandma & Papa. We are so blessed to have wonderful parents that share in our joy and excitement!

Welcome home little Isaac...looking forward to many wonderful times in our home with you!

Welcome Little One!!

On September 12th our family welcomed to the world sweet baby Isaac Michael

Born at 2:36am

7 lbs. 10 oz (exact same birth weight as his big sister)

22 inches long

We thank the Lord for a healthy baby boy and feel so blessed to have him!

Psalm 127:3-5

Sons are a heritage from the LORD,
children a reward from him.

Like arrows in the hands of a warrior
are sons born in one's youth.

Blessed is the man
whose quiver is full of them.
They will not be put to shame
when they contend with their enemies in the gate.

First snuggles

one happy big sister!

and baby makes 4!

Hopefully I'm back from my bloging break. I think that keeping up with the blog will be a little more difficult now but I sure will try to share pictures and our adventures as a family of 4! Thanks to those of you who read and have shared in the excitement of our growing family!

Sponge Painting

For school today, we talked about Mommies. We read books about Mommies and talked about what Mommies do. I said that mommies make bagels, and give hugs and kisses. Mommy thought that was pretty good. I also got to sponge paint and loved it! I was very precise with my painting and stayed in the lines as best as I could. We painted hearts and flowers because that's what Mommies like. By the time I was done, Mommy had added lots more hearts and flowers to my page and I had them all painted! Such fun!

Toddler "School"

Hannah and I both love and thrive off routine. I have learned from my teaching experience that really all children do. Routines are a way to keep your family calm, secure, and at ease with life's variables. When children know what to expect next they will feel safe, secure, and confident. I'm so excited for the new routine of fall! Now, I do know that both of our worlds are about ready to be rocked with a new baby coming, but we are going to at least start out with and hopefully return to a good routine.

This year, we are starting what I like to call toddler "school". Hannah loves to learn, and is constantly asking questions....I love to teach and am anxious to have some formal learning time with my sweet 2 and half year old. So..twice a week, we will be spending just a little time during the day doing "school". We started out with the theme of families...which is perfect for us with the new baby coming. We have been reading lots of family books, and even made a family book of our own. She is memorizing Colossians 3:20 and learning that God made her a part of a family. Here, she is sorting pictures of family members that she colored.


I'm amazed at how quickly she learns and how eager she is to learn. She asks what sounds words start with all the time, can name most of her letters, and is doing things like sorting and counting with no trouble at all! I count it such a joy and a blessing to be home with her each day and to be her teacher. What fun we have together!

Labor Day

Well as another pregnant friend said today, it was a "non-labor day" for me. I was hoping that maybe today would be the day...but that's okay. We sure enjoyed spending the day together. We decided to set the list aside and focus on enjoying our little family of 3. We headed over to Franklin for their art festival and parade. I felt good that it was close to home, just in case...and was glad to get some good walking in (praise God that my back is feeling a little bit better so that I can at least walk a little bit).

The parade was small, but we enjoyed what we saw.

Hannah loved seeing all the dogs up close!

After the parade we were able to spend some time with the firefighters. Hannah got to sit up in the fire engine, got a hug from Sparky the Fire Dog, and was excited to get her own fire hat.

We came home for lunch and Hannah's nap..then had our own little cook out. After dinner, Seth built a fire and we celebrated the end of summer with marshmallows and smores. What a great day with my sweet little family!

our little firegirl making sure that Daddy is being safe while building his fire :)