Eleanor - Two Months Old

My sweet baby is two months old.

Early this morning we went to the pediatrician for her two month well check and the dreaded first round of shots. The pediatrician is really pleased with her growth and development.

Eleanor took the shots like a champ. She was hungry so she wasn't a big fan of the oral vaccination. She screamed briefly when the shots were administered in her tights. By the time the nurse had finished giving her the third injection, Eleanor had pretty much calmed herself down. She nursed immediately after and has done great so far today. She has been very sleepy and cuddly.

Stats:
10 pounds 9.1 ounces
23 inches long (90th percentile - complete opposite of Genevieve)

Genevieve was not interested in taking pictures with Eleanor this month. Curious George was way more interesting.

Two Little Quack Quacks

Last night was my first time bathing both girls (aka my two little quacks quacks) together.

Eleanor was in the baby bath tub in the regular bath tub while Genevieve played with her toys. First I bathed Eleanor then let her sit in the water while I bathed Genevieve. I did put a warm wash cloth on Eleanor and occasionally poured water on her to keep her warm.

This is our usual set-up but usually once I'm done with Eleanor, Josh comes in and bathes Genevieve while I get Eleanor ready for bed. However, last night Josh had some real estate phone calls to take care of.

The one tricky part was how to get both girls safely out of the tub. Luckily Eleanor's car seat was right outside the bathroom so I wrapped Eleanor in a towel and placed her in it while I dried off Genevieve.

So cute to see my two little quack quacks in the ducky towels together.

Newborn Photos

We finally have pictures from Eleanor's newborn session. Wish we had more with Genevieve but she wasn't the most cooperative - it was nap time. Jolene offered to stick around till after Genevieve woke up from her nap but we didn't know if she would be any more cooperative then. Eleanor was only 5 days old at this point and we were unsure how well Genevieve liked her big sister role. Hopefully, we will have some good sister shots by the time we need to do the Christmas card.  

Once again photos taken by Joleen Pete Photography. Here are some favorites:

Crazy Few Weeks

It has been a crazy last few weeks. I feel like we are constantly playing catch-up on life.

First, Josh's mom and step-dad were in town to spend time with us and meet Eleanor. Next, we were in Indiana for 5 days for Josh's grandmother's funeral. Then, my dad was in town to spend time with us and meet Eleanor. Next, Josh's mom made an impromptu visit in hopes of being here when Josh's sister went into labor with her third. Josh's mom stayed with us and she did bring good luck to his sister. Then, my mom showed up to spend a few days with us before her big conference in Atlanta begins.

After all of that, some how we have an almost 8 week old and are less than a month away from having a two year old. I really can't believe it.

In the mean time, we are shuffling pretty much all our furniture around. We are in the process of moving Genevieve into a toddler bed so we can put Eleanor in the crib in her own room. Eleanor's future room is currently being used as our guest room. With all our guests in town it has had frequent use. Josh's mom and my mom left this morning, so the influx of visitors has subsided for a while. The guest beds can now be moved to our rec room in the basement. Once everything is shifted around I will post pictures.

6 Years

Yesterday marked our 6th wedding anniversary. So hard to believe it's been six years. 6 addresses, 2 daughters, a move to Georgia - we are still going strong.

I am so grateful for the loving, caring man that God has partnered me with. He is a wonderful friend, husband, father, and provider. Here's to many more years together and hopefully not many more addresses.

Every year we take a picture on our wedding anniversary to put in a book. Ideally we'd like a picture in it for every year and then look back on it at our 50th wedding anniversary. Below is this years submission and a few other years. I can't seem to find years 1-3 on our external hard drive where we store are photos. (Update: I found year 3 on my Facebook account and added it.)

June 14, 2014

June 14, 2013

June 14, 2012

June 14, 2011

June 14, 2008

Done?

So many people know after their 2nd or 3rd or X child, that they are done having kids. That their family is complete at that amount. Some of my friends have even gone as far as voluntarily electing to have their tubs tied.

Which leads me this question. How do you know you are done? What is that feeling? Can you describe it?

Josh and I half-heartily (I think) joke that we are done having kids. But with every time it is said, I question if I actually mean it.

Josh's Grandmother

We found out early Monday morning that Josh's grandma Chapman when to be with her Lord and Savior that morning. We knew this day was coming. She has been suffering from Alzheimer's since I came into the family in 2005. In recent years she's been a resident at a nursing home. 

Although we are sadden by the news we know that she know that she is in heaven. She is no longer in pain and is enjoying her new heavenly body. 

Below her obituary that appeared in the local papers.

Jeanette Mae Chapman, 79, of Angola died Monday, June 2, 2014, at Northern Lakes Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Angola. Mrs. Chapman was a homemaker. She was a member of the Faith Baptist Church in Angola.

She was born March 5, 1935, in Butler to Harold and Genevieve (Chapman) Shanks. She married Claude M. Chapman on May 21, 1960, in Hicksville, Ohio, and he survives in Angola.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to noon Thursday prior to the service at the church.
Memorials are to Faith Baptist Church.

Feller and Clark Funeral Home in Waterloo is in charge of arrangements.

Also surviving are two sons and daughters-in-law, Robert "Bob" and Linda Chapman of Angola and Timothy "Tim" and Diane Chapman of Buchanan, Mich.; a daughter, Claudia Ridenour of Angola; 10 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents and an infant brother.

Services will be at noon Thursday at Faith Baptist Church, 560 W. C.R 400N, Angola, with the Rev. J. Arnold Fair officiating. Burial will be in Circle Hill Cemetery in Angola.

To send condolences, visit www.fellerandclark.com

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday to Me!

Happy Birthday to Me!

Happy Birthday Dear Virginia!

Happy Birthday to Me!

In case you couldn't figure it out by my little song. Today was my birthday. My family tried very hard to make this a special day for me. 

My sister-in-law and I are our combined 4 girls headed to Firehouse Subs for lunch followed by LoriBells for frozen custard. Both offered specials for people on the birthday so I only had to pay for Genevieve's lunch. 

Josh got home a bit early from work so I was able to go and get my eyebrows waxed and a much needed pedicure.

Later, my sister-in-law and her family came over for dinner and birthday cake to help finish out the day.

I have loved seeing all the Facebook messages come through today. It has been touching to see people's personalized messages instead of the generic "happy birthday".

It wasn't a huge deal this year. That's next years plan. The big 3-0! Josh has been given fair warning since his 30 birthday back in October that I expect a huge deal made out of next year's birthday. Plus we are leaving tomorrow very early to drive back to Indiana for Josh's grandmother's final (blog to follow). So I was a little preoccupied with getting us all ready and mentally preparing myself for a 10+ hour car ride with a toddler, a newborn, and a beagle.

Here's to a great year and the last year I get to say I'm in my 20s!

Dethroning the Pacifier Queen

With two little one under the age of two in the house, we have lots of baby gear and accessories. One of those main items is the pacifier. For now that means two different styles of pacifiers.

Genevieve has loved her pacifier since about six months of age. During her last two pediatrician visits, they have made comments on her teeth shifting probably due to pacifier usage. Now that life is returning to our new normal after Eleanor was born, we are limiting her pacifier usage to only in her bed for naps and bed time. When we get her out of her bed, we ask her to put her pacifier back in. She does this much more willingly for Josh, then for me. I often have to distract her with food to get the pacifier and then hide it. So far she is doing well with the transition.

Eleanor, on the other hand, is just starting to take the pacifier on occasion. But usually only for me. I hear this is odd for nursing babies to take the pacifier from the mom. My mother-in-law did get her to take it one time but there were many unsuccessful tries before that occurred. Eleanor normally just uses it to sooth herself to sleep then spits it out.

When Genevieve finds Eleanor's pacifiers she goes and puts them in Eleanor's bed for her. The other day the door was shut to the room where Eleanor's bed is, so Genevieve went and put them in her own bed. Guess she is learning.