Dan and Jen’s Blog

It was pure joy in my heart when Sophie started smiling a week before she turned 2 months old! I hope you can enjoy it, too!

Most of you won’t want to look through all 40ish pictures here, but I know the grandma’s will appreciate them. These were all taken on 9/1, which was Sophie at 6 weeks old.

Enjoy!

Sophie turned 2 months old this week! Happy Birthday, baby girl! We love you so much and are so thankful that you’re a part of our family.

You are a happy, laid-back baby. You eat and sleep well. You are only mildly annoyed by your sister’s tendency to be loud. You’ve recently started smiling and it’s completely delightful! You do not like tummy time, but we’re going to persevere.

We love you and treasure you!

Here are some family pictures from when Sophie was 2 days old through the end of August.

Here’s a picture of Sophia we took yesterday compared to one taken of Dinah when she was tiny:

Here’s our happy family (who apparently have problems looking at the camera):

Our second daughter, Sophia Grace Born, was delivered at 7:31 am. She weighed in at 6 pound 11 ounces and measured 19.5 inches long. At this point, it looks like she’ll have curly red hair like her mommy!

So, a few weeks ago, I went to the OB and I was dilated to a 2. Since then I’ve been on pre-term labor medication and on pseudo-bed rest. Today, at 38 weeks pregnant, the OB said I’m a 4 or a 5. Also, both the level of amniotic fluid and Sophie’s weight are “borderline.” Sophie’s C-section *was* scheduled for next Thursday, 7/29. Now it’s scheduled for the day after tomorrow. Please pray for us!

Dinah is walking around repeating “nuh-mah-nuh-mah” over and over again. I thought I’d share that right off the bat.

With this whole light bedrest thing that I’m on because I’d progressed a little when I went in to the OB this week, Dan has been going and getting Dinah out of her crib in the mornings and bringing her back to our bed to cuddle and play for a minute before we all get up. Don’t be fooled: it’s pretty much all playing and exploring for Dinah. She’s too busy to cuddle. And there’s usually some bodily sacrifice involved on the part of mommy and daddy. This morning, she backhanded me in the eye and then sneezed on my face before trying to launch herself off the side of the bed. It’s both a cruel and sweet way to wake up in the morning.

OK, I love these blocks!  I love the pattern and how theoretically simple they are.  But they took forever because of all of the sewing (I’m not very good at it and therefore tend to procrastinate)!  I’ve actually had the knitting done for like 3 months!  The pattern is from Easy Baby Knits by Claire Montgomerie and creates 5 – 4″ blocks of foam with knitted multi-color covers.  Because I made them with machine washable foam and yarn, I should be able throw them in the washer whenever they get gross (which should be in about 15 minutes!).  So far Dinah loves them!  Consider them a 18-month birthday present!

Happy Father’s Day my love!

Here are some ways that my beloved is a great father:

• he knows every aspect of Dinah’s day, life, and personality, and if I had to be away, he wouldn’t miss a beat (though he’d be tired!)
• he seeks her best, rather than simply what’s easiest or most convenient, including both her continuous needs and discipline
• he works incredibly hard to entertain her and make her laugh
• i know he will always do what it takes to make sure she’s provided for
• he seeks to be a godly father, not just a good or great father, so that someday, she will submit her life to the Heavenly Father
• he works hard to prioritize his relationship with God through Jesus Christ first, our marriage second, and our children third so that his life has a proper, biblical balance

We love you Dan and are so grateful to God for your godly leadership and love!