The beauty of the binkie

<p>This week we discovered Jeannie likes to soothe with a binkie. Thinking this might cut down on the spitting up. Wednesday we had a big family day at the zoo for the second time this week. Of course the part I enjoyed most was the ape house. The babies were busy playing together and rolling around in the grass. We managed to sneak Jer in through the members entrance and met up with aunt Gloria. It was a beautiful day out and there was everyone and thier brother out at the park. We all shared some half pb sandwiches and then headed out to the WAB for lunch. Liesl was kind of crazy with Colton on the patio and took off upstairs and hid from daddy in a photo booth. Jer,Scott and Mom came back to the house and hung out for the afternoon and slept through some kids movies with us trying to recouperate from the day. It was fun hanging out with Jer until the wee hours talking. Always an interesting and insightful story from him. Mom and I went up to the cottage with the girls yesterday afternoon. Aunt Barb's handyman is working on renovating the cottage bathroom. Looking forward to that. Jeannie sat in her car seat on the beach with her binkie while Liesl swam and I mucked the lake. She had an awesome time playing in the lake with Oma and I but seriously needed a bath or should I several after being in there. We are on our way to west branch to go to the lumberjack for lunch. Looking forward to seeing daddy again when we get back.

Jeannie is 6 weeks. Can't believe it

Mom and I and the girls have been going to the cottage a lot in the past couple of weeks so Jim can get the house all painted and carpeted and a new couch moved in. We got a lot accomplished up there and it is getting a face lift. Hoping to go up there more and the renovations will be nice. Liesl even has her special toys up there and Jeannie her pack and play. We visited Sturms and Dee and Grady this weekend and had fun at the farm in Blanchard with Grady and Dee. After an overnight at the cottage and a sleep in and a wonderful walk in the woods we headed back. Liesl was treated to a carriage ride by Oma and she really loved it plus the chicken dinner. We waited up for daddy watching the wizard of oz and Alice in wonderland on our new couch with our new paint job. Can't wait to show our "new house" off. Jeannie has been very vocal lately and spent a lot of time giggling at aunt Gloria on daddy' s birthday. Daddys birthday was great. He even got a piper games and tons of friends and family and fun. Jeannie sleeps a ton still but when she is awake she is so aware and her neck is super strong. She can scooter herself forward and lift herself on her arms very easily. Liesl has been getting a little more normal since everything has been slowing down. She is very glad for summer to be here.

Life changing events

Liesl has been through a lot of life changing events this past month. She rolled very nicely with the birth of her little sister at the beginning of April but mid month we lost Ota in a terrible accident. Liesl asks about him almost every day because he was so much a part of her life and they loved each other so much. She asks if she can wish on the evening star and says that she wishes that she could see Ota again. They had an amazing week before he passed, playing all day one day together. The day of the accident he saw almost everyone because it was Jeannie's coming out party. He had a very good day with all of is and got to hold little Jeannie and told Samantha how much he loved to hold her because he loved the way she smelled. He also said that Liesl was his beautifiul angel and Jeannie was his other angel and was going to be as beautiful as her sister. We all miss him terribly and it has been rough for all of us to explain to a preschooler the events that have come to pass. They have left Liesl clingy and on an emotional roller coaster that everyone can't help but notice.  We fight for finding normal every day. Thursday we had a family picnic at stoney and I sat back and watched daddy with liesl on the swings. They looked so beautiful and happy I saved that moment in my mental pictures. More followed during our picnic and I appreciated the beautiful day and company. It was a very healing time.

Jeannie is a very good little baby. She sleeps a bunch and is not hard to put down.......yet. let's hope this keeps up. She does a lot of spitting up though and I wonder how she is gaining so much. She is mommys little piggy. Most of the time I can't even keep her in clothes she spits up so fast. I have been using cloth diapers and wipes still only have 7.....waiting on another 36. Hope they come soon. She is very alert when she is awake eyes wide open and watching you... Studying you. She props herself up on her elbows a little. She has had her first bath too now. Yesterday I took her into the shower with me and it was probably 30 minutes before she got spit up all over again. I have been wiping her down with the home made face wipes and some exima cream because she is breaking out so bad. Today she had her first bottle from Oma. Oma took her for an hour while I ran home for something. Good thing I was prepared and pumped earlier in the week. We have new carpet now and soon paint so have not spent a whole lot of time at home. Looking forward to some family time with the barbeque and swing and planting my garden. Liesl loves gardening. Let's hope that keeps up