2 months old

My sweet, baby girl is 2 month old. 

1. Loves to play her piano
2. Eats a lot
3. Has slept the last 2 nights for 6 hours straight (prior to that was about 4 hours)
4. Is very happy and smiles a lot
5. Enjoys her bathtime
6. Favorite toy is her giraffe that plays Rock-a-bye-baby
7. Makes lots of great faces when sleeping
8. Snores (even in church)
9. Needs her fingernails cut at least twice a week
10. Is the pride and joy of my life

Stats from the doctor
Weight 11 pounds, 6 ounces (65th percentile)
Height 23 1/4"  (82nd percentile)
Head Circumference 15.8" (82nd percentile)

And 5 shots and one oral.

But words from the doctor - "She's perfect" and I agree.



She Sleeps

A great night at the Delaney house.  Greta slept for 6 hours straight last night!  I proably only got about 4 of that because I set my alarm for 1:30 am every night just to make sure she's still okay.  And of course I did the same thing last night and she was fine so I kept hitting snooze and then I finally reset the alarm.  9:30 pm to 3:30 am - go Greta go!

Happy 1 Year Anniversary!

Hard to believe it's been one year already.  Ryan and I have had one amazing year and I can't wait for the many, many more to come.

Top 10 highlights

1. Having our dream wedding at our house
2. Going to Alaska
3. Ziplining
4. Startinga new job
5. Ryan getting his dream car
6. Getting a new puppy, Miller
7. Having a successful garden
8. Ryan farming with mom and dad
9. Having a beautiful baby girl, Greta
10. Discoving an anniversary tradition

I made him a video of the highlights of our year.  But can't figure out how to post it.

Poor Karle

Well I've decided that Ryan and I shouldn't go to Unionville anymore because it usually involves a trip to the ER or intensive care for someone... first Jason, then Grandpa, and now Karle.  My sweet, sweet girl tripped at Erica's graduation party and had to get 3 pins put in her elbow and is now out of commission for a while.  Praying for a speedy recovery!

A few happy moments from the trip home.

Back to work - kind of

Time is going to fast and I'm not ready to go back to work at all.  But I'm easing back into it by working a few half days from home and then roading tripping to Pittsburgh with my mom and Greta for a few days and then back to work full time (2 at home and 3 in the office).  My heart aches already just thinking about it but I'm praying the God helps me though everything that is to come.

But my sweet baby girl has been a trooper while I'm working at home and napping good and playing good while I'm on the phone or a conference call.

Our garden has been found

Rascally deer found our garden. Last year, we had no problems except the raccoons who ate our sweet corn but that wasn't until August.  Now 2 day after we planted it the tomatoes, cucumbers and spinach have been eaten.  So not happy.

Eaten tomato plant

Deer tracks

2013 Garden is in

Ryan and I spend a couple hours on Sunday getting the garden planted.  Greta helped by hanging out in the back of my car or the stroller.  She was a trooper.

We have lots of tomatos, peppers, peas, beans (green and yellow), onions, summer squash, spaghetti squash, watermelon, and some volunteer pumpkins.  Sweet corn still to come.

Greta's got spunk

So my quiet little Greta has developed some spunk.  Now when she wants to eat, she wants to eat now.  Not in a minute or even 30 seconds, but now.  She gets he pouty lip out and then "sings" as loud as she can.  At first I was worried something was wrong, but have no fear by baby likes to eat.  Can't wait to find out how much she weighs at her 2 month appointment next week.

Apple trees flowering

After planting 6 apple trees a year and a half ago we have some beautiful flowers in them. Hoping that means we'll get some apples this year.

Strollin' in Style

Greta is the proud owner of a BOB stroller.  It's like the Cadillac of strollers in my opinion.  It has brakes, shocks, the works and has a nice, non-bumpy ride to the barns. 

Can't wait to try it out at the new park Rolling Hills we've discovered.  It's only 3 miles from the house and it awesome.  Paved trails, a playground (for when she gets bigger), a water park, sledding hill and cross country in the winter.  Such a gem.  Greta and I went twice last week and plan to continue.  I'm also working in a little workout on our walks.

Taking a bottle

We've started testing out the bottle. First attempt 2.5 ounces - no problem. Was still hungry so I warmed up another 2 ounces and nothing. Figure it was too cold for her. So that milk was wasted - boo! Next night she drank 3 ounces - yeah but then spit up about a half if one.  So far it's going good.

Looking like spring

Spring us finally here! Beautiful sunshine. Warm temperatures. Really green grass. Budding trees. Flowers. I love it!

Ready for planting

The garden is officially ready to be planted. Julie and Jason brought down the tiller to work up the old garden and the new addition. Looks awesome! Now it just needs seeds to be planted.

Welcome to God's family Greta

A very special day for our family and especially for Greta as she was baptized into God's family at Christ Our King in front of family and friends.  When Pastor Tom did the sign of the cross upon her forehead and breast, she smiled at him.  Such a beautiful moment - it was like you could see the Holy Spirit enter her. 

A quote from a great card, "As you make a commitment to raise your child to know and love the Lord, may you be blessed with His love and guidance... and may you know the joy of following His perfect way."  I hope and pray that Ryan and I can instill in Greta a strong, solid faith to grow upon all throughout her life.

6 of the 15 people who have worn the Christening dress

Greta and her sponsors - Aunt Julie, Aunt Mary and Uncle Ian

The Delaney family

The Ewald family

After the service, the family went to Weber's Inn for brunch and it was one of the best I've had.  Then it was back to the house for a celebration with more family and friends and give everyone an opportunity to meet Greta.  A great day with beautiful weather.

Yummy recipes

Prior to Greta coming, I made lots of frozen meals.  So far we've eaten 3 of them - 2 were new recipes and I love them.   Here's the recipe for one of them.  The other one we loved was a chicken pot pie but now I can't seem to find that recipe.  Will post when I do.

Crock Pot Cream Cheese Chicken Chili

 2 chicken breasts, still frozen
1 can Rotel tomatoes
1 can corn kernels, do not drain
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 pkg. Ranch dressing mix
1 T cumin
1 t chili powder
1 t onion powder
1 8-oz pkg. cream cheese_________
Put the chicken in the crock pot.
Top with the tomatoes, corn,
the drained and rinsed beans,
ranch dressing, cumin, onion and chili powders,
stir to combine then top with the cream cheese.
Cook on low for 6-8 hours, stirring one or twice
 to blend in the cheese.
Shred the chicken into large pieces
and serve over rice.
Can also serve in tortillas or taco shells.
Serves 4

Gorgeous weather

Finally, some nice weather is here!  Sun is shining and the grass is green and growing like crazy.  This also means we can finally go for walks.  But paranoid new mommy - the sun is too bright.... it's too warm... is she cold... it's too windy... it's too bumpy.  She does love the walks though, puts her right to sleep.

1 month old

My precious baby Greta is already one month old.

1. Is a good sleeper and usually only gets up about once a night
2. Likes music and watching the lights change on her sun
3. Starting to smile
4. Has outgrown many of her newborn clothes
5. Sleeps well in the car
6. Took her first road-trip and sleep over at Grandma's house (with mommy of course) and met great-grandpa
7. Is a loud pooper
8. Is pretty laid back
9. Very alert baby
10. Melts my heart every day

First Trip to Unionville

Unfortunate circumstances brought Greta and I on our first trip to Unionville.  A visit to the funeral home to support Alicia and her family and for Greta to meet them all.  And to visit Grandpa in the hospital and for Greta to finally meet for Great Grandpa - Grandpa Ewald (as Karle and Kahle have named him).  Of course we also go to see mom and have our first sleep over there - which went great!

Greta meet ons and tons of people while we were home - Uncle David, Aunt Alicia (and her family), Aunt Judy and Uncle Larry, Aunt Lori and Uncle Randy, Sherri, Jean Roller, and finally Grandpa.  After a scare at the hopsital for Grandpa, Mom and Greta and I headed up there.  Unfortuantely Grandpa wasn't with it enough and was in CCU so Greta didn't get to meet him.  But the next day we went back and they got to meet.  Such a beautiful moment - 1 month old and almost 95 years.  I think Greta was great therapy for Grandpa.  I pray that he continues to get stronger every day.

4 generations

Something so beautiful about hands