Emma, One Month

On June 23rd Emma turned one month. We can hardly believe that our new little angel is already one month. Time really does fly when you are raising a family. Here is a snapshot of Emma at one month.

She likes:

Sleep and has already given us some 4 hour stretches at night.

Being swaddled, warm and cozy

Bath Time

Bouncing on the exercise ball with Mommy or Daddy

Relaxing on her play mat or in her bouncy seat

She dislikes:

• Being wet and diaper changes (getting better)




• Lotion




• Having gas after eating




• Sitting still

We love:

• Holding our beautiful baby
  





• Having her sleep/cuddle on our chest






• Watching Lily be a great big sister






• Her sweet baby smell
  





• How cute she looks in all her clothes






• Being a happy family of four






• Watching her sleep so peacefully






• Hearing her coo and seeing her smile
  





• Kissing our girls goodnight

Emma has her fussy moments, but they are getting better. She just wants to be held a lot and Jeff and I don't mind that. She is quite a cuddle bug. We think that she has difficulty eating at times so she fills up with gas. Of course that is uncomfortable and she gets upset. We are hoping that as time passes, it will get easier for her.

Jeff and I are sneaking in naps and trying to go to bed early to fight the sleep deprivation. Anything to survive these newborn days. Overall Emma is doing wonderful. She is such a wonderful addition to our family and we are absolutely in love with her. We are so happy that she is here, we can't imagine our life with out her. We love you so much Emma!! Enjoy the pics...

LIFE...

Does it get any better than this? My three loves!

Grammie Prager's Visit

(June 11- June 19) Jeff's Mom, Linda, came for a week long visit to help me recover and help take care of the girls. It was truly a great week. We took lots of walks around Weil and just relaxed. We also did a little shopping and ventured out for a day trip to the Bodensee. It was a wonderful visit. Thanks so much for coming Linda, we really appreciated all your help. Lily and Emma LOVED all their special time with Grammie (Kastor too). We are thrilled that you were able to come and enjoy some quality time with the four of us. Can't wait to see you in August.

Clones??

Can you tell which is Lily and which is Emma?

Sleeping Beauty

Our little angel.....



3 weeks old....

Emma's 1st Bath

June 1st, Emma had her first bath. She loved the warm water and splashing in the bubbles. Lily, being a big fan of the bath herself, also loved watching Emma getting all soaped up. I forgot how sweet a baby fresh from the bath smells. Enjoy the pictures!


A bath is so relaxing!!

Emma, Weeks 2 and 3

First, we want to send out a big THANK YOU to all our family and friends. The notes, emails, cards, gifts, meals and visitors have been so wonderful. You are all so sweet to think of us. A special thanks to my sister, April and Jeff's Mom, Linda. April was here the first two weeks after Emma's birth and then Linda arrived early last week and stayed 8 days. We have had a tremendous amount of love and support and we truly appreciate it.

Emma is doing great and we are starting to get into a routine. She has her fussy moments, but overall seems to be adjusting to life outside the womb. She is a great sleeper, and gives us 3 to 4 hour stretches at night. Her biggest hardship at this point is figuring out how to drink and breathe at the same time with out filling up with gas...but we're working on that! She has really filled out this last week or so, especially her cheeks. At her two week Well Baby Appt. she weighed 8lbs, 3 oz. but I am sure she is well over that now. We can hardly believe that she will be 4 weeks tomorrow. She is already smiling and cooing a little and likes to lay on her play mat. She had her first bottle at two weeks and seems to like it. We made the mistake of not introducing a bottle with Lily, so we made sure to get Emma use to one early (Mommy needs to get out once in a while too). She also had her first bath and has been on several walks in and around Weil im Schonbuch. She even took her first day trip to the Bodensee on Father's Day. We are so happy that Emma is here and can not imagine our life with out her. Lily is excited about being a big sister and is very gentle with Emma. Jeff and I are both doing well and sneaking in the occasional nap here and there. Now that Linda is gone we are officially on our own. And so starts another adventure.....

Happy Father's Day Jeff!

Happy Father's Day Jeff!! You are such an AMAZING Dad! We love you very much!
Have a great day!
Love, Your Girls

Our New Niece!

Sophia Catherine Prager arrived yesterday, June 6th at 4:42 p.m. She weighs 7 lbs, 5 oz. and is 21 inches long. She is absolutely beautiful and seems to look like her big sister Veronica.
CONGRATULATIONS Kevin, Amy, Veronica and Samuel. We love you all!! We can't wait to meet Sophia!

Happy Birthday Pop Pop!

Happy Birthday Pop Pop!!! Lily, Emma, Irene and I hope you have a great relaxing day! If all goes well, Kevin and Amy could be giving you another great grandchild on your birthday! We love you!

Emma Week One!

It's hard to believe that Emma will be two weeks old on Wednesday. Time is flying so fast as we try to establish a new routine as a family of four. Yesterday was Jeff's first day back to work, so I was home alone with the girls for the first time. Luckily the transition team stopped by and hung out to help me through my first day gitters....thanks Kim and Beth!

Emma is doing great. She eats, sleeps and poops well, just as a newborn should. We have had a few rough nights, as she and I both caught colds in the hospital and were a little stuffed up. However, most nights she is sleeping for three hour stretches. Last night we even received a four hour stretch...Jeff and I felt so rested, LOL!! Her one week doctor's appointment went really went and she was already 7 lbs, 13 oz., almost back to birth weight in one week...yay! The doc said she looked great and the touch of jaundice she has should clear up soon. We have her two week appointment on Wednesday and another appointment Thursday to get her passport, American birth certificate and social security number. There is so much to do, especially with our move coming up in two short months! I am feeling better and I seem to have more energy. The recovery with Emma has been easier than with Lily. I guess our bodies remember what to do.

Here are some pictures from her first week at home. I have some great bath pictures and family shots to post with week 2. Thanks so much for all the notes, emails, cards, calls, gifts, meals... you have all been so sweet.

An extra special THANK YOU to my sister April for flying here and spending two weeks taking care of us. We loved having you here sis. It meant the world to all of us. You are the best sister and the reason I am so happy that Lily and Emma have each other...you're my best friend!! I love you sis!! It was such an amazing time for us to have you here. **Thanks to Aaron and Cailyn for sharing you with us.