29 months

Still going strong with the monthly posts for Greta .. Hard to believe in a month she'll be 2 1/2. Most people don't believe me when I tell them how old she is. Not sure if it's how she talks of how big she is but she is just 2.

1. Fully potty trained. Only wears a diaper at night.

2. Loves the pool and is swimming on her own with a life jacket on

3. Enjoys watching shows - little Einstein, curious George, and Clifford 

4. Bottom molars are through and luckily no fever so far

5. Still struggling to sleep in her big girl bed all night.  

6. Loves all animals. Horses are her favorite. 

7. Has a hilarious "skunk" act she does - where she puts on a fake skunk outfit and sprays everyone. 

8. Knows a few letter and numbers. Working on learning them all. 

9. Is stubborn and that might be an understatement
10. Loves her little sister

These pictures about sum up her personality.

Happy and silly

Stubborn

Smart

Adventurous (can't tell but she was running back and forth when this picture was taken)

Curious (she's taking pictures like our photographer)

Lola's first baby sitter

Well I did it - left Lola (and Greta) for about an hour so I could quick run to Sam's for wipes and who know what else. Mary and the kids were in charge. 

Well this is what happens when you go to Sam's hungry and on your own. 

Lola did fine (I fed her right before I left) ... My bill didn't fair so well - haha! 

Three weeks old

Wow does time fly! Lola is already 3 weeks and doing great!! 

A few highlights

1. Weighed 8 lbs 10 ounces at her 2 week check up

2. Smiles a lot

3. Can follow a toy with her eyes and the head is shortly behind

4. Is good in the car - falls asleep pretty much instantly 

5. Is long and many newborn outfits don't fit anymore 

6. Pretty much goes with the flow

7. Is demanding when she wants to eat and a good little eater

8. Loves hearing Greta's voice and looks for her

9. Sleeps great! And has gone a couple 5 1/2 hour blocks at a time

10. Makes my heart happy 

Adventures out with the girls

I've been getting quite brave (or crazy depending how you look at it) and taking the girls out and about. 

First trip - Lola's 2 week doctor check up. Went ok but they want to see her back in a week to make sure she's gaining good weight. Weighed in at 8 lbs and 10 oz. Then to reward Greta's good behavior at the doctor to TCBY for frozen yogurt. This was more for mommy - lol. 

Second trip - Rolling Hills park only a few miles from the house. Success. 

Third trip - Park and Farmers Market. Greta loved it! Awesome playground and a local gymnastics group was there for the kids to play on a little circuit. My phone died so no pictures but Greta had a blast- balance beams, tumbling mat, bouncy thing (all that nice soft equipment). Is making me consider putting her in some gymnastics. 

Fourth trip - the mother of all... Meijer! With Lola in her car seat in the cart and Greta in the seat - I had little room for groceries. But we got everything on the list and no crying, whining, meltdowns or anything. Yeah!! Greta even got to ride the horse after, which I think was the highlight of her day and her face shows it.

Highlights of the first 2 weeks

1. Watching Greta endlessly give Lola kisses.
2.  Lola's sweet milk smiles.
3. Fitting into my pre-pregnancy pants -
4. Learning to parent two - oh my!
5. Lola being an awesome sleeper (hope that doesn't jinx us)
6. The way Greta says Lola's name
7. Sweet baby snuggles (although not as frequent as with Greta)
8. First trip out by myself with the 2 girls - only to the park, but we survived and had fun!
9. Baking with mom (donuts, hobos and bubble loaf)
10. 3 successful trips out as a family - Target, Walmart, and Home Depot.  The last one we even made it through lunch at Applebees!

I thank God for giving us 2 healthy, beautiful girls!

First trip to church

Only a few minutes late, but we successfully made it through our first church service with 2.  Greta was good and very excited to tell everyone about her new little sister Lola.  It was so cute!

Picture after church - not the best, but captures the memory!

Yes - Greta has a her toothbrush in her mouth - who doesn't need to brush their teeth right after church.

Lola all dressed up in Lila's strawberry dress... soooo cute!

Swimming with daddy

The pool is done! The rest not quite but the pool is useable and we've (well not me) but others have been using it.

It's also been great for Ryan and Greta! Gives them something special to do, just the 2 of them. And Greta is already becoming a little fish. I imagine next summer she's swimming. 

Reminding myself she's 2

It's been just over a week since Lola's big arrival and that meant lots of changes for poor Greta. And all in all I'd say she adjusting quite well... Even more so if I keep reminding myself that she's only 2. 

She doesn't quite understand why mommy can't pick her up or carry her. Or why at first she couldn't sit on my lap. Good news there is that I will be able to soon again. And has been helpful that I can put her to bed again and down for naps. 

Her schedule has gotten rearranged so to accommodate Lola's feeding schedule or naps or whatever it may be. 

Playtime was challenging at first because I couldn't sit on the ground. That's better now, and luckily Lola is quite laid back so I can now play with Greta more. Had to resist when Greta says "mommy you play with me. Come sit with me."

She's watched more shows on tv then Id like to admit but the last 2 days we've done better - one day watching none! And the other only watching because I thought she might fall asleep. 

Her whining is more often and demands more demanding. But we are working on that. This is really where I need to keep reminding myself she's 2 and there is usually a reason for the behavior - tired, hungry or she needs some attention like a hug.

Reality or somewhat real life starts next week when Ryan has to go back to work - then it's just us girls. Praying we can all get along - just kidding - we'll be fine if I keep reminding myself she's 2. 

And she really does love Lola and is going to be s great big sister. 

New visitors

Lola got to meet the rest of the Delaney clan this weekend. And I think she was sold :-) Greta was also very excited to have some little friends to play with. They swam, played in the sand, on the swings, with all the toys.... So great watching them all interact and play together. Also great to catch up with Jen and Ian.

28 months

Greta's turning into a big girl right in front of my eyes and no matter what I do, I can't seem to get her to stop or slow down. 

1. No longer has a paci

2. Sleeps in a big girl bed

3. Knows her full name how to spell it 

4. Knows where she lives (Ypsilanti - great listening to her say that) and on Crane Rd.

5. Is close to being potty trained 

6. Knows the alphabet and can recognize several letters

7. Still a ham and knows how to turn it on and off

8. Loves stickers 

9. Tests my patience and loves to challenge me - and not always in a good way. 

10. Is very independent and loves doing things "all by myself."

Love every minute of being her mommy.

First family day out

A little bit of a spontaneous trip, but Greta needed a hair cut something horrible since she won't let me put ponies or a clippy in her hair.  So we packed up the whole family (and I have to say I only had a small diaper bag) and off to get Greta's hair cut and if we were up for it a trip to Target.

Greta was super excited about her hair cut and did great.  Sat real still and looks so much older for some reason now.

Then we headed to Target and did some serious damage. Clothes, pool toys, food, you make it, we bought it.  And I'm happy to say, no accidents, no leaking and no crying happened.  (Way better than my first trip to Target alone with Greta when I had to buy new clothes for her by the end because she had pooped through so many - lol).

First few days at home

August 10

Home from the hospital - less than 36 hours after delivering. Was both good and bad to be home.

Aunt Julie and Uncle Jason came to visit

August 11

Greta loved Lola and loves giving her kisses

First sponge bath - Lola did not enjoy it at all.

August 12

• Broke down and had to pump to relieve pressure - but really going to try and not do it as much.  Hoping I can survive on only once a day.
• Greta and mom went on a shopping adventure (for new underwear for Greta - who's all potty trained now)
• Lola went on her first walk with daddy, Greta and Grandma 

• Mom chauffeured me and Lola to her first check up - dr said she's perfect :-) Weight 8 lbs and 2 ounces. Now we don't have to go back until her 2 week check up.
• Mom left after dinner 
• I had to wake Lola up to eat - Slept from 9:30 - 2:30 and then from 3:00 - 5:30
• Greta own bed from 8:45 to almost 7

August 13

• First day on our own and we survived.  Greta struggled a little and was starting to realize there is competition in the house, but not even sure it was competition that bothered her so much as that mommy can't do as much with her right now.  And that makes me feel like a horrible mommy.  But we are managing and I think Greta is getting used to it a bit more.  
• Aunt Mary and the kids came over to visit and help out a bit.  Also to swim in the pool which is ready to go.  Ryan was the first in and then Karle and then Kahle.  Greta and I put our toes in - that's about all I can do.  But felt nice.

• Lola had her first blow out here she needed a wardrobe change.
• Papa stopped over on his way back from his trip.  Greta was soooo excited to see him.  I let her stay up just for it and I think dad and Greta were both happy.  Greta put on the charm and hammed it up.  
• Lola slept from 9:30 - 3:00 and then from 3:30 - 6:00 
• Greta woke up about 1:30 and I heard her so I went to get her and found her in the nursery laying on the floor.  Got her back in bed and asleep in about 10 minutes.  Not too bad.

Very smiley 

My sleeping beauty!

Everyone Meets Lola

Sunday was a whirl wind of a day.  Everyone came to meet Sweet Lola, including Greta.  Which I have to say was one of the best moment. She came in very proud, wearing her big girl shirt, and the biggest smile on her face.  I wasn't sure how she'd react to me being all hooked up to meds and in a bed, but she did great.  And was super excited to meet her new little sister.

Ryan captured it all on video.

Here are a few other pictures of Lola meeting the family (a few missing ones that were there but no photo evidence - Aunt Mary, Uncle Scott, Kahle and Papa too)

Our family :-)