our family rocks

Over the last few weeks since Rachel was born we have had a lot of family come visit us. It's been great to have them meet Rachel. These early days go by so fast and when we lived in AZ our families missed some of this. Not only have they been loving up on Rachel they have also showered Abigail with gifts, attention and love. What a blessing family is...

My Dad...Papa Ted

My Mom...Nanna Carol

Jake's Mom...Nanna Jude

My younger sister...Auntie Kate

My older sister...Auntie Kelly

Dancing...when my sisters are around there is always dancing!

pumpkin patch outing

We went to the pumpkin patch today. It was designed great for kids & family and we had a lot of fun. There were hundreds of pumpkins to choose from. Big ones, little ones, medium ones, gourds, dried corn...you get the picture.

It was a perfect fall outing.

Abigail played in the bounce house, climbed on a tower of hay to a lookout, fed animals in the petting zoo and picked out a perfect little pumpkin.

Rachel had fun too...she slept the entire time in the baby bjorn. I love my bjorn and my 2 pumpkins.

just us

Fall is coming.

The weather has cooled down and pumpkins are everywhere.

We have had lots of family visit and continue to do well at home.

This is Abigail showing me how old she is! TWO!

Rachel is a sweetie and just weighed in at the doctors at 9 lb. 6 oz.

I love these cheeks!

Rachel's first bath! She really loved it. Afterward she was pretty fussy which I think is funny because I thought warm baths were calming!

my sweet, sweet girls

We are surviving the first few days of newborn days! It's probably one of the toughest stages for me but I still just love holding Rachel. I feel so blessed to be able to take care of not one but two sweet girls.

I love, love this girl!

Rookie mistake to burp Rachel without a burp rag... She got me good!

Tummy time for Rachel and Abigail.

Abigail is so sweet with Rachel and wanting to be close to her.

The first few days

Coming home was a great feeling. I stayed in the hospital 2 days and 1 night. I was ready to get home to Abigail and being a family of 4. Abigail is doing pretty good. She is adjusting and learning how to share Mommy.

Summer is fading in Wisconsin. Although it is still pretty nice out, it's a bit cold and windy for a newborn!

Rachel has been sleepy since coming home from the hospital. She has cute noises and grunts while sleeping sometimes.

Abigail was happy to hold Rachel. She started laughing because Rachel sneezed a few times. Then Abigail kept saying again? again?

Daddy's and his little one.

Abigail's hair is getting long and thick enough to braid! I love it!

our little bundle

Officially welcoming Rachel Grace Heringer
Jake and I are so happy to have our daughter here with us. Rachel is doing so well and we are loving every moment with her!

Rachel was born on September 9 at 7:00am
She was 9 lbs. 2 oz. and 19 1/2 inches

Here are some hospital pictures. Some of you have probably seen them already via email but I thought I would post some of the first days, tired eyes and happy hearts.

I went into labor at home around 4:00am. I walked around the house a little making sure that yes, this is it and yes, we should go to the hospital. Kelly, my sister, was spending the night so we woke her up and told her we were leaving around 5:30am. When we got to the hospital labor got really fast and at 7:00am after an intense labor Rachel was born. I am happy to say that I was able to get local anesthetic before pushing! I have been relaxing and healing since then.

I miss Abigail so much. She has been able to visit us and I love it. She loves her sister and is so gentle around her.

waiting for baby

Still no contractions! But we are practicing for baby sister as we wait.