Fearless Frog

Abby LOVES swimming. We didn't do swim lessons this year because she is already so advanced that the class wouldn't help her at all! Abby can kick and use her arms to go where she wants to go. She also holds her breath for a long time. Since Grandma Quiggle has been in town, we have been going to the pool almost everyday. Here are some pictures from our day at the pool.

Katie just chilled in her carseat for an hour while we swam. What a good girl!
Abby loves to snuggle after swimming so here we are snuggling!

Grandma snuggled Katie when she got a little fussy towards the end.

Grandma Quiggle has been wonderful to have here! We have made 10 freezer meals and I have been able to run lots of errands, get a massage, and take it easy! I love having family in town!

My Tadpole

Abby swimming from her frog to me.

Abby swimming from the side of the wall to me.

Abby swimming from the steps to me.

I'm just missing a video of Abby jumping off the side and swimming to me. She loves to jump into the pool and swim!

Abby just can't leave Katie alone. She is still constantly hugging, kissing and wanting to carry Katie. Anytime I try to take a picture Abby wants to be in it as well. Here are my two girls!

Katie loves her awake time. She is happy and content to sit and look around. Katie has been so much easier than Abby! She has been the best sleeper at night with no awake time as well. Abby and Katie take naps at the same time during the day so I can get a good hour or two nap as well. Let's just say I have been getting more sleep than I thought I would get with two girls.

Katie loves to snuggle and I love to snuggle her!

Snapped a picture right as she was smiling!

My cute girl helping with breakfast this morning. We always have to wear aprons when cooking.

Yesterday Abby was climbing on the table during dinner. John told Abby, "We don't climb on tables like animals." Abby then replied, "I not an animal, I a girl!" She is too sweet! She also knows daddy is a boy and mommy, sister and Abby are girls. It's amazing how quickly she learns and picks up on things. Her energy and happy attitude are infectious. I can't help but laugh with her all day long. She will introduce herself to people saying "I'm Abby" and shake their hand. I just can't believe how big she is getting!

2 Week Check Up

Katie had her two week check up on Tuesday. She weighed 6 pounds 6.5 ounces (up from 5 pounds 11 ounces when we left the hospital) and was 20 inches long. Yea!! The doctor wasn't worried about her at all and her jaundice was all gone. The only problem now is she has a cold! Abby developed a cold last Wednesday and gave it to me on Thursday. I was hoping Katie wouldn't get it but sure enough on Monday night she started coughing. The doctor said it was okay for her to have the cold but if she gets a fever of 100.4 or higher I need to call immediately. Hopefully this will pass quickly and my little one won't have any complications.

I am still trying to keep Abby from smothering Katie too much. On Wednesday I was in the kitchen making dinner when I peeked at the girls in the front room. Abby had gotten Katie out of her car seat and was carrying her across the room! Luckily she had her around the waist and not the neck but I was definitely freaked out. Let's just say Katie goes wherever I go now to ensure that doesn't happen again.

Overall Katie is a great baby! She sleeps at night and has 2-3 awake times during the day for about 1.5-2 hours each time. I have been napping while the girls nap and have been keeping up with the house work. We are getting a little stir crazy because we don't go outside much because it is so hot and I don't dare go to the store with both of them. I am excited because my mom comes tomorrow so that means we can go to the pool everyday next week! Yea for family coming to help!

My Girls

Katie was having some awake time on the floor and fell asleep. Of course Abby can't leave her alone so here are some pictures of them. Abby wanted to snuggle and be just like sister.

I love my girls!

First Week as a Family of Four

This week has been surprisingly easy but busy for me. When I got home from the hospital, John got everything out of the attic for Katie. Our friends Donny and Laura were in town so they came over to visit and they helped out! The boys got the crib ready with minimal supervision while Laura entertained Abby and I fed Katie. Sunday was devoted to washing clothes, setting up the swing, organizing all things baby and making sure Abby didn't smother Katie with too much love. Abby absolutely LOVES Katie. She's constantly kissing and hugging and petting baby sister. Here are some pictures of them snuggling.

Katie loves her swing. Too bad Abby is always stopping it to kiss and love on sister.

We gave Katie her first bath and of course Abby had to be naked and right next to her the whole time. Abby then insisted she have her own bath because she wants to do the same thing as sister.

Grandma VanDerwerken is here to play with Abby and help with Katie. It's been nice to have a reinforcement in the house!

Daddy with his two girls. Abby loves to snuggle with whoever is holding Katie.

On Tuesday morning we went to the pool! Abby and John went swimming while Tina, Katie and I hungout in the shade. Katie was so cute with a huge hat on lounging around.

Abby doing pushups with John.

Laying out with Daddy

Abby is such a good big sister. She gets a diaper and wipe for me whenever it's time to change Katie. She also gets Katie's binky and a blanket for me too. I almost had Abby completely potty trained but when Katie came she wanted to wear diapers just like sister. I guess we will have to try again in a few weeks. Katie was sleepy for the first 4 days at home and always ate and went back to sleep at night. It was wonderful! Now she can't decide if she wants to be awake or asleep so it's hard when she's waking up ever 10 minutes. It's nice to know that this only lasts for a few months and then it's back to sleeping through the night. I am feeling great and am ready to continue life like normal with our new addition. I have been so blessed to have Katie be so healthy and strong, Abby be such a good sister and have John really step it up a notch helping out and taking care of our family.