Safety First with Siblings

Elias Dean dearly loves his sister.
He really does.
I don't doubt it.
A scenario repeated itself throughout the day for the first month. It went something like this:
I set Kyla on her play mat.
Elias: "Awww, Kyla baby. Baby cute. I hug baby. Kiss baby."
Then one big bear hug and a slobbery kiss on her check and....
WWWAAAAAA!!

You get the picture.
So we've finally moved Kyla's play mat into a pack 'n' play. That way both children can enjoy their toys while I'm cooking dinner, and I don't have to worry that "survival of the fittest" will take its course in this household.  

Hamming it up in the pack 'n' play mesh.

Kyla seems quite pleased with the arrangement. I think she even smiles in the video posted below.

Elias has also become increasingly aware that his birthday is coming up at the end of October. Therefore he wants to celebrate everyone's birthday.  Apparently, he thought putting stickers on Kyla's forehead was a fitting way to celebrate her. You can hear him say near the end of the video, "Happy Dirthday!" Love this boy!

One Month with Kyla

Kyla has been with us, well, more than a month - 6 weeks to be exact. I've thoroughly enjoyed her! She took to nursing right away, which made it easy this time around. Although I had mastitis for a few (very long!) days, it cleared up, and has been smooth sailing since.
It was empowering and also faith building to have mastitis. My mom was out of town at the time, and other family members were busy that week. So I had to trust God for the strength to be a mother, prepare meals, and also rest. I found that truth in the verse I know so well, "My strength is made perfect in your weakness."

This lovely little girl is a joy, and her brother dotes on her.

Elias loves to hold her. He'll come up to me with arms spread out saying, "I hold it!"

Birth Announcement Photo sent to immediate family

Elias is always hamming it up for the camera, and even during Kyla's photo shoot he wanted me to take his picture.

one-month-old girlie!

About 4 weeks here.

 There's a big change in Kyla from 4 weeks to 6 weeks. She gained 2 pounds in 2 weeks and already has rolls on her chubby legs. Elias didn't have that, so it's kinda cute, but something I'm not used to at all.

Me thinks that is a social smile. 6 weeks old here.

Meeting Grandpa and Grandma Witzig

Kyla Annelle, 

You met your great grandpa and grandma Witzig tonight. Grandpa was turning 97, so we met them at the Beefhouse for a family celebration. 

My favorite part of the evening was after we had tried to take a good picture of you, Elias and the great grandparents. 

You spontaneously looked up at grandma, and gave her this adorable grin. 

I'm sure that blessed Grandma and warmed her heart. 

I always hope to be like my grandma Witzig when I grow up. And it's so sweet to have a picture of you looking up at her. My prayer for you is that you can become a woman of faith and mercy, like her. 

Thank you for making our night so memorable, Little Nell.

I love you! 

Your adoring mommy 

Birth of a Daughter & Resuming a Blog

I guess it takes a life-changing event to make me start up blogging again: our second child, a little girl has now joined our family.

To make myself feel better about not having kept up with this blog, I'll have to post a year and a half's wrap up on all Elias has been doing. It's more for my sake than for anyone else. :) 

But for now, I'm just posting to say Kyla Annelle Frantz is here and healthy (well she's been here since August 4.)

Kyla - Victorious
Annelle - (Combination of her grandmother's middle names: Ann (Gma Frantz) and Nell (Gma Zeller)) Gracious and Merciful Light

Our prayer for our daughter is that she will be victorious in Christ and spread the gracious and merciful light of the gospel to those God brings into her life.

"We are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:37-39