Sisters

 Eliana has really enjoyed having baby sister come out to play!  They can sleep through each other crying.  That amazes me since I can't sleep if either of them is crying, and Kyle can sleep through both of them crying.

 Natalie likes to turn to see her big sister.  Eliana enjoys holding Natalie for brief moments.  She loves to bring her things like toys or blankets.  One day, she brought Natalie her favorite pajamas and laid them next to her.  I pray that they will have a great relationship as they continue to grow.

Did you notice the smile on both of their faces?  Natalie was three weeks old the day this photo was taken.

Trying to get great photos of both of the girls can be quite a challenge.  I loved Eliana's face in this photo enough to go ahead and post it even though it isn't Natalie's best.  I had this mini photo shoot yesterday.  Initially, I was just taking photos of Natalie on a cream colored blanket.  Eliana ran and got her blanket and joined Natalie up on our bed so that she could take some photos too!

Natalie is 4 Weeks Old!!

 

This photo is from Natalie at 2 weeks old.   She has more hair than Eliana did at over a year old.  I'm curious to see what will happen when it falls out.  Maybe she'll go bald for a while, or maybe it will turn out to be a light color of hair. 

 We are curious if she is going to keep these blue eyes.  Eliana's were brown to start, so we'll just wait and see what little sister's will do.

 Natalie has been smiling for us.  It is such a delight. 

Natalie is sleeping well.  Last night she went for six hours from the beginning of one feeding to the beginning of the next.  That was a first!  She has gone a few times for a five hour stretch.  Most of the time she goes three to four hours at night.  I'm not nearly as sleep deprived this time around.  I am SOOOOOO thankful that the Lord has answered my prayers about Natalie being a better sleeper than Eliana was.  Another answered prayer is that Natalie doesn't spit up nearly as often.  In the last few days she has been gaining strength in her neck so that she can hold it up and look around for a few moments at a time.  Her legs are getting stronger too as she tries to stand on me when I burp her.  I can't believe four weeks has already gone by.  We are adjusting well.  I hope to keep the blog some what up to date, but we'll just see how things go.  I hear that second babies don't get nearly the amount of photos taken.  Natalie has hundreds of photos, but we'll just see how many actually get to the blog.
Well, it sounds like Eliana (who is just having rest time now since she started opting out of naps the week before Natalie came) went in to quiet Natalie who has started to fuss.  I'm off to go check on my sweet girls.

September - Fair Time

Regular milk or chocolate milk?

Baa, Baa Sheep

 Here we are getting to pictures from September. We got to go visit a small town fair and the animals were the highlight of the day.

This little piggy stayed home...

How about pumpkin pie for the whole neighborhood?

Its a floral sea anemone. :)

Rachel: It is a duct tape jacket!

Guess Visit

Grandpa and grandma with the sisters

Position the camera, click without bumping, and RUN into place!

Grandpa Mark, Natalie, Grandma Bonnie, Daddy, Eliana, and Mommy

Smiles + Looks at the camera = Miracle

Grandpa and granddaughter

 Dad, I absolutely love this picture!

Eliana-zilla loves to destroy any and every tower that gets in her way!

 Thank you! - Eliana

Clack-clack. Clack-clack. "What is that sound?" "Oh, it is Eliana rocking in the kitchen!"

Bonnie, the enchiladas were a hit; even with Eliana "fussy eater". Her favorite part was the crunchy edges. "More crunchy, pleeease!

Wings

Daddy, I want to wear my wings.

Daddy: Are you a bird?
Daughter: No! I am Eliana.
Daddy: Are you a flying zebra with a unicorn horn?
Daughter: No! I am Eliana.
Daddy: Can you fly?
Daughter: Yes! I am Eliana.

I am two, and I think that what I say needs to go.

Here I am

Sleeping while dad gets breakfast ready for big sister.

We are off to see the pediatrician.

Mama took me outside for the first time.

Here I am with my Daddy.

My big sister is Eliana. She is so excited that I have finally come out to play.

"First Impression"

Before big sister would hold me, she needed to have my blanket across her lap. I love my blanket, Aunt Marcie!

Wide awake.

My Nanny came to visit me.

Welcome Natalie Grace

Natalie Grace

Born October 9, 2012 at 12:19am

8 lbs 3 oz and 20-1/2 inches long

Name Meaning

Natalie: Christ's birthday
Grace: Unmerited Favor

Corresponding Bible verses

Isaiah 9:6-7
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.

Ephesians 2:8-9
 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.

Personal Importance

Besides sounding pretty, we love the meaning of Natalie Grace because of its spiritual importance. Humanity has chosen to reject their Creator's love and lordship. This rebellion has severed our relationship. God's ultimate desire is for restoration. John 3:16-18 says, "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son." These three verses sum up God's great love and plan for salvation.

May Natalie be an instrument in the hands of God. May she love Him with all of her heart, mind, and soul. May she love others how He first loved her.

Baby Shower

 Rachel with the help of Sarah, Aunt Marcie, and Aunt Dacra threw me a beautiful shower on August 18th.  Trisha took the photos for me.  Since she doesn't live in town, it took a little while for me to get the photos.

We played some hilarious games like trying to figure out what white substance was in various bags.  Was that flour, salt, sugar, or laundry soap?  The guests had to try to not say baby.  I gave my clothes pen up almost immediately.  Friends and family wrote down some very thoughtful wishes for the coming baby.  Rachel read aloud a game as we passed a diaper around to our right or left depending upon what she said. The teacher in me thinks it would be a GREAT game to remind students to listen carefully.  I loved all of the games!

 

Janeth, me, and Mary                         Joanne, me, and Judy

One of the most special times was the time of prayer.  We'll be needing prayer as we continue to prepare for this wee one.  We've made it to week 39, and we didn't even make it to week 37 with Eliana.  We'll need prayer as we labor and deliver.  We'll need prayer as we transition from a family of three to a family of four.  I've been praying specifically that that this wee one will sleep better and not spit up on me all the live long day like Eliana did.  I was so very blessed by all of the prayers.

 April's little Amelia came a few days after my shower.  It has been such a blessing to have a neighbor who really understands pregnancy and to watch as she has transitioned to a family of four.

                  Theresa, Michele, Emily, me, and Lynda                  Rachel, me, and Sarah
The photos above are of family and friends who have made many special memories over the summer with us.  I'm so very grateful for them.

                                      Aimee and me                                 Aunt Marcie, me, and GramE
It is always a blessing to have family from out of town come.  The photos above and below are of family who went the extra mile, literally, and encouraged me by their willingness to give up an afternoon.

                           GramE, Aunt Debbie, and me                  me, Taylor, Mom, and Trisha
 Awe. I was just reflecting on how many sweets I had that day.  I figure since I am very careful most days about how much sugar I intact, due to me initially not passing the glucose test, I could splurge for one day.  Pass the M&Ms!

                                          Mom and me                                        Trisha and me
Thanks again friends and family for blessing us with tons of diapers, encouraging words, thoughtful gifts, and you love.