{Adding Y to everything}

Jack's language has just exploded over the past few weeks...2-3 new words everyday and repeats everything and finally starting to put words together. David and I noticed we were now Daddy and Mommy which is a change because we were always dada and mama. But then we also noticed everything else has a Y....the best being....Papa Jim is now Jimmy. He use to be called Jimmy when he was younger, but no one ever calls him that anymore...Jack does now. My dad has tried to correct him and now he is doing it even more. I actually think it is sweet and endearing. He loves his Papa Jimmy so much!

{2 Months Old Already}

Abby is two months old already! She has brought so much joy and love to our family already. David and I were both a little nervous about having #2. We love Jack so much we didn't know how we could possibly love another child so much....Well let me tell you....You CAN! It was love at first sight again. Actually I have more love for the both of them than I could ever have imagined possible. I love being a mom to TWO wonderful and amazing children. The love that Jack already shares for Abby is so sweet and precious. I am sure they will be best friends...

Don't get me wrong she will have to learn to hold her own with Jack.

My Dear Abby,
We love you so much already sweetheart! You make my day just by smiling at me. I love to nurse you (you are much much better at nursing than your brother). It will be so hard for me to go back to work next week. I will miss you like crazy. Know that mommy and daddy love you so much!!

Highlights over the month

You traveled to the Lake of the Ozarks. You did awesome riding in the car!

You loved to be swaddled.

You are starting to sit in the bumbo already.

You like to play on floor mat.

You really don't like tummy time (your brother didn't either)

You have been sleeping in your bed since 1 month. You aren't sleeping through the night yet though...Still waking to eat around 230-3 but sleeping until 7-730 then. I think this might happen for a while since you have reflux and can only eat so much at one time. I understand....1 time a night is very manageable!

You are smiling and cooing like crazy! I can tell you are a girl and that you are going to love to talk!! I feel like I already have conversations with you! I cherish this time!

You are growing out of your 0-3 clothes very fast and you are wearing size one diapers. PS - I have somewhat stopped cloth diapers...You have grown out of the newborn ones and I just can't seem to get the One size to fit you right. Still working on this.


Here are your stats:

22 inches long -- 30%
11 lbs 3.8 oz -- 56%
Head 39 cm -- 53%

You have grown 3 inches and gained a little over 5 lbs....Yeah! This makes a nursing mom feel great!

You are the best little girl God could have given us. We have a busy next few works...Daddy his working hard to get the crops out of the field, work is going back to work, and your baptism is coming up shortly.

Love you sweetheart!
Mommy and Daddy

{Park with Grandma D}

On Friday my mom had the day off of work so we ran so errands, had a fun lunch with my Nana and Dad as well. Abby was perfect! She slept through it all. We picked up Jack from the daycare and we all headed Tipon Park for some fun! Great day!

{Farm Progress Show 2011}

We went to Farm Progress Show in Decatur. It rotates every year back and forth between IL and IA. We took Jack the year he was born. This year was much more enjoyable from a parents standpoint. He just loves farming so much! Jack was so excited to go and see the TRACTORS! They didn't disappoint. He had a great time...All SMILES. It was super hot though. We got there early and saw lots of demos and the latest and greatest in farming. We decided to watch the combine demonstration which was kinda funny to me that all the farmers would walk out in the field about 1/2 mile to watch combines combine when they can see that everyday on their farms...But they do have all of the brands....GREEN, RED, YELLOW etc. The yellow did by far the best...Which makes me happy even though CAT doesn't own it anymore it is still powered by a CAT engine! BIG YELLOW! A great day with David, my dad/papa Jim and brother Brian/Uncle BOO! Thanks for such a fun and memorable day!!!

{More Photos}

My friend and hair stylist Heidi came over and took pictures of Abby last week. We had such a fun afternoon playing dress up with Abby. Heidi has taken many of Jack photos and we love her! Thanks again Heidi!! Pictures to come soon!

{2 week check up}

We had Abby's 2 week check up today. She has been showing some signs of acid reflex so they decided to put her on some medicine. Hopefully it will help!

Here are the stats:
HT - 19" (17.79%)

WT - 7 lbs 9.5 oz (26.79%) Wow! She is above her birth weight by almost a pound. That is great news for a nursing mom! So proud!!!

HC - 35.5 CM (38.31%)

{First photos as family of Four}

Our friend Kristen came over and took pictures of us on Saturday. She has a little girl in Jack's daycare class and that is how we met her. What a sweet sweet family and little girl they have. Jack and Lorelie get along so well!! Thanks for a great day Kristen!

{3 Day Old visit}

Abby's 3 day old visit went great. She slept all the way to Morton! She weighed the same 6 lbs 6 oz. and they measured her at 18.75 inches. She is very tiny....Here are the stats:

Ht - 18.75 (17.76%)

Wt - 6 lbs 6 oz. (12.63%)

HC - 32.5 (20.54%) Tiny head

Dr. Cross said she looked great. We go back to see him in at 2 weeks.

{Abigail Diane}

Abigail Diane arrived at 12:15 PM on Monday, July 18. She weighted 6 lbs 10 oz and was 19 inches long. She is perfect. We were released from the hospital today 7/19 and go to visit Dr. Cross on Thursday for our 2 day check up. She is doing great and showing no signs of jaundice. Her discharge weight was 6 lbs 6 oz.

{Induced}

We arrived at the hospital at 1230. Checked in at the ER and then was wheeled up to our labor and delivery room. By 130 AM they had started my IV and began my pitocin. Increasing the dosing every 15 minutes. We are waiting for Dr. Weaver to come break my water! She came at about 6:40 AM. I got my epidural at about 8:30 AM. Feeling pretty good after that. Dr. Weaver had a c-section scheduled for noon at BroMenn so she wanted me to let the nurses know ahead of time if I thought I was going to need to deliver before that. David left at about 10:15 to get something to eat...He got back at about 11:00 and at 11:30 I told the nurses that I thought I needed to be checked because I was having a lot of pressure....My epidural was tipped again to my left side so everything was SO numb on my left side and I could feel everything again on my right side just like with Jack. The nurse came in and checked me and said I was a nine. She would call Dr. Weaver and let her know to come right here after the c-section. I didn't think I could wait another hour and as soon as the nurse left to call Dr. Weaver....I said David I need to push. I called for the nurse again she came back and I said I need to push. She checked me and said don't move. I need to go call Dr. Weaver and stop her from starting the c-section and get her over here. The nurses started to get everything ready and they had me breathing and I was trying so hard not to push. Dr. Weaver got there and David told her she had one minute because I just had a contraction. She came over and I pushed through one contraction.....and we have a Baby Girl Stokes! Perfect...Born at 12:15 PM.

We had been discussing names all day. We finally had it narrowed down to Abigail, Emma and Allison. At about 4:30 PM before David was leaving to go and get Jack....We decided on Abigail Diane. Diane is my middle name and my moms.

{Fun Weekend - Celebrating David's Birthday}

We went to State Farm pool on Friday night with papa Jim. Jack had a great time going down the slides! He even went down the big slide all by myself.

On Saturday night we went to the Cornbelters game with David's parents. It was a beautiful night for a baseball game. Jack loves corn on the cob and now asks for it at every game! He also got a blue tiger painted on his face. He does such a great job sitting and waiting for his face to be painted.

On Sunday we went to breakfast with my parents to celebrate David's birthday. Then in the afternoon we went to the Gridley pool with David's sister Kate and Jack's cousins Mallory and Andy. They all had fun playing at the pool and then went back to Grandma and Grandpa's house for pizza and ice cream. The kids played outside and really enjoyed their ice cream outside so they didn't make a mess in Grandma's house. Happy Birthday David/Dad!

{Hammering Ice}

Anyone who spends anytime with Jack quickly learns he loves TOOOOLS! Especially dads tools! A few weeks ago David let him hammer ice on the driveway one night with some neighborhood friends. Now Jack wants to hammer ice all the time. This only happens under extreme adult supervision. We have conclude it will increase his gross motor skills and hand eye coordination....not that this really need any work at all.

{Fun HOT Saturday}

We had a fun day playing outside with our neighbors. They have 4 girls and one that is 6 months older than Jack. They played in slip n slide, water balloons, in the pool and sprinkler. Jack was so tried when we came inside he took a 2.5 hour nap. We are just enjoying these last few days as a family of 3.

{Wordless Wednesday: David's softball game}

{2 year check up}

Jack had his 2 year check up on today. Here are his stats:
Height: 34.25" (46%)
Weight: 29 lbs. 2 oz (65%)

We will be switching Jack from whole milk to a comb of 2% and 1% milk. Again, they reminded us that 18-24 oz of milk a day. Jack would drink a half gallon some days if we would let him. I don't worry about this too much though because he doesn't drink any juice at all and doesn't eat to many sweets. Other wise he is doing great! We decided not to give him the hepatitis A immunization since we aren't planning on taking Jack out of the country anytime soon. I feel it is just better to wait until necessary.

{Birthday Weekend}

Jack's 2nd birthday was on Thursday! We started celebrating at the daycare with cupcakes, which was a lot of fun. David's parents joined us to celebrate with his "school" friends.

Friday night we went to the park after daycare and played! Jack had a blast:) Then we ventured to Sams to pick up a few things for Jack's party on Sunday!

{Cornbelters - Face Painted / Father's Day}

Jack sat still for the Zoolady to paint his face! Watch out......ROAR :) Happy Fathers Day David! Jack loves you dearly!!

{Wordless Wednesday: Sandbox}

My parents gave Jack an early birthday present and he loves it!