One Week New

Happy One Week Birthday sweet baby Lena!! How we love you already! You seem to be a calm snuggly baby who loves to be swaddled and held. You are so tiny and Emmie seems like such a big girl beside you.  We're so thankful you are here Lena Sue!

Lena's first days

She is here

Lena Susan arrived a bit unexpectedly on Monday May 19th in the evening after 4.5 hours of labor.  She was 6 pounds, 11 ounces and 19 inches long.  Everyone is doing well and we are rejoicing in the gift of life in our new wee lady.  Lena means "Child of Light" and is also a reference to Mary Magdalene, who was healed by Jesus and brought the good news of His resurrection to the disciples.  Her middle name comes from her paternal grandmother, "Oma" Sue Dieffenbach.

Little Lena is two days old

Emmie is proving to be a loving big sister already!

Gatherings and trips

We've kicked off summer with our first fire-pit gathering with friends and children.  Days before our friends welcomed their second daughter (and we welcome ours) into the world their sisters had fun splashing and playing, then later watching firelight.  It'll be fun having four little girls to grow up together.  We also had a great little field trip to the Upper Schuylkill Wildlife Center where Emmie was so exited to see owls, foxes, donkeys, hawks, turtles, frogs and chickens.  

Summertime?

Here are a few pictures to document the warm summertime weather we've been enjoying this last week.  The days have been filled with bubbles, side walk chalk, slides, water, bathing suits, bird watching, rocking on the porch and lots of bare feet.  As we wait for little sister's arrival we are thankful for beautiful weather, new sprouts in the vegetable garden and our little Emmeline. 

36 Weeks

Dear Baby girl.

They say you are small for your 36 weeks and 2 days but I think you're just right and you feel rather large to Momma just now. You're a funny little stinker, sleeping a lot when the docs want to monitor your movement but moving so much when its time to sleep.  You had us going last Saturday when we thought it was really time to head to the hospital. But then you decided to wait a while.  I think we're ready on the outside world, ready to hold you and meet you. Emmie is practicing everyday with diapers and rocking the swing, with pushing the stroller and pretend nursing.  The diapers are washed and your room is almost ready. Momma can't see her feet anymore and Emmie can hardly sit on my lap anymore.

Spring is finally here.  But I am cherishing these last days with you safe inside. Grow and be healthy sweet baby and we'll meet you soon. When will it be?

Your room!

These dresses were your great grandmother's baptismal dresses. Emmie has one in her room too!

Hi Little Sister! I'm Emmie.  I'm ready to meet you (I think).

18 Months Old

 Dear Emmeline,

You are 18 months old! (Plus a few weeks) You are our sweet girl and this may be the last month as just the three of us here. We are cherishing these memories.  You have so much energy right now but can sit through a church service too.  You still love to conduct any music you hear, do your dance moves, sing "la la la" to the warmups of Momma's students and play piano.  You are starting to have imaginary play, which is as sweet as can be. Your babies do all sorts of things and they appear throughout the house. You especially love to comb their hair, put them to bed or change their diapers. We think you are going to be a superb big sister.  You are decidedly opinionated and have a vocabulary of over 50 words and many full sentences.  Your favorite activities right now include going on slides, swinging, side-walk chalk, smelling flowers and playing with water.  You are still a little shy around people you don't know and don't like large crowds of people or children but you love your beloved people and talk about them all day long.  Recently you've been asking for your "Bible" and love learning about Noah, Joseph and Adam and Eve.  You are currently getting four eye teeth and it seems that when you do anything you do it the hard way.  But you're a real trooper!  Your favorite foods right now are strawberries, blueberries, yogurt and peanut butter.  We love you darling girl and ask that God will bless and keep you as we transition to a family of four any day now.