Missouri for Christmas

We made it safely to Missouri despite a huge winter storm following us through the desert. We thought a southern route would be best to avoid bad weather but the snow wanted to hit Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. It was Violet's first time seeing snow and Daniel is a very safe driver so no worries here. We took our time and made it to Missouri almost a full week later. We stopped for a few nights and enjoyed some down time in a few cities.

Well, things are going well with the Good clan. We are preparing to celebrate Christmas, both physically and spiritually. What a joy to have all of Daniel's family together this year!

The girls are adjusting to all the change slowly but smoothly. Louisa is still growing and changing. She gives regular smiles now during face time and diaper changing time. It really is the perfect time to get up close when they are feeling all fresh and clean. She is a real doll. We have our moments in the late evening before mommy and daddy go to sleep, but not every night. She gets really fussy for about an hour and then finally calms down and sleeps. I am at a loss at what to do. She is clean, has a full belly, is well burped and swaddled. We will see as time goes on if she grows out of that fussiness.

Violet is in playtime heaven. Mom has so many neat toys that she could stay busy just playing for a year. Dolls, puzzles, animals, tea sets galore! She is enjoying her time here also despite getting a little cold over the weekend.

Daniel is buzzing around helping his parents with odd jobs around the house, so I help when I can but mostly try to watch the girls. Mom gets her regular rocking time with Louisa everyday. That is a must!

We are thankful for our time off before the next job. What a blessing to have all this time for family to get to know the girls.

Well, I will try to post once more before Christmas, but I can't promise. Having two children is proving to be an around the clock job. I love it though!

Much love and Merry Christmas, dear friends!

Violet and her new apron and hat from Auntie Meghan and Uncle Everett.

Violet all bundled up to pick out a Christmas tree.

Reading with Pop Pop.

After picking out our tree we had to pose for some funny pictures.

 Louisa getting her Grandma snuggles.

Me and some of the cousins during the Christmas Eve get-together.

More of our Rose

Louisa is adjusting to life outside of the womb quite nicely. Her one week appointment was on Monday and she had already surpassed her birth weight by 6 ounces. Doctor says she looks great. I agree wholeheartedly. Vi wasn't this big until about a month old. We are getting along well with feeding and sleeping as we enter our third week together as a family of four.

It is still so wild to think about when we moved here we didn't even have Violet on the outside with us and in a few weeks we will be driving away from here with two precious gifts from the Lord. Our next home we have two little ones to consider in every decision. What an amazing 2 and a half years this has been here in Monterey!

We will start packing again this next week as we get closer to the day the moving truck arrives. We are planning on packing all of our household goods in a large truck and then the company we have hired will drive it to Virginia and store it there for us until we have a home to move into. It is crazy to think about living out of a suitcase for the holidays, but I think the simplicity will be helpful during the transition time.

Well, here are some pictures of our latest addition. She is a doll baby.

Violet in her latest fashion fad, Daniel's sweatbands. She loves 'em! Don't worry. They are clean.

She does a lot of sleeping as you can see. She is a real snuggle bug. We eat it up!

Much Love!

Sisters

      

Abigail Violet Good                             Louisa Rose Good

AVG                                                       LRG

9 - 28 - 2009                                         10 - 28 - 2011

I wonder what the initials will be if the Lord gives us a third some day... 

We are home

We are home from the hospital.  Thank you to all for your love and prayers!

As we rejoice because of baby Lulu's life, I am thankful that the Lord Jesus Christ is sovereign over all things.  That he sustains all life...even my own life despite my sinfulness.  I am humbled by the kindness and mercy He extends to me.

Photos from Louisa's Birth

Here are some photos from the day before Louisa's birth.

 Louisa Rose Good

10:00 am, October 28, 2011

7 lbs 14 oz

20.25 inches

I think Maryn looks absolutely gorgeous in this photo. 

Very nicely done, Maryn.  You did wonderful!

Louisa Rose is born! Praise the Lord!

Both are doing well.
7 lbs 14 oz
20.25 inches

Update

Calling in the dr. Time to start pushing. : )

Update

7 cm

In the hospital

5 cm
Fully effaced
Progressing quickly
Very sweet nurse
Maryn says..."go Cardinals!"

Louisa Rose

So baby girl number two has a name. We decided a few weeks ago we needed to make up our minds and Louisa was our top choice in names we agreed on.  Baby Lulu for those who need a nickname. We love both names.

We are plugging along here in Monterey. It look like we will be driving away December 1st. We are thankful for the time to get used to new family dynamics before we hit the road for Virginia.

Louisa is preparing herself for her debut any day now. I have contractions about 2 to 3 times a day. They tend to be in the evening and are well spread out enough that we haven't begun to time them or keep talley on how many have occured. I feel like once she makes up her mind it won't be a long labor. We will see...

The familes at church have prepared us already in providing several frozen meals. We are grateful for the advanced help. Only the Lord knows the day of birth so having those in the freezer eases my mind.

We are thankful for prayers as we near the birth of Louisa.

Much Love

Time in Tahoe

The Sunday after Daniel's parents flew away we packed up our CRV and headed to South Lake Tahoe for a relaxing week with my side of the family. Everything was perfect; the rooms, the meals prepared by family, the lake views and of course all the cuddle time and hugs from family.

I am also going to post a bunch of pictures with not so much detail.

We spent some time down by the clear blue water.

Auntie Lolly was helping Violet test the waters but not walk in.

Cuddles over Violet's birthday breakfast.

Auntie Sarah and Uncle Andrew getting some lovin'.

A view from a lookout over the lake.

2 of the 3 sisters.

We had absolutely beautiful weather everyday we were there. The last couple of days were a bit windy but still sunny and clear. We couldn't have asked for better weather.

We celebrated Violet's birthday on the actual day with family and Violet discovered her love of frosting. Just like her daddy.

New hippo sleeping bag and pillow from Mommy and Daddy.

The chipmunk puppet from Auntie Lolly and Uncle Kris made quite a debut.

Noni playing telephone with the birthday girl's feet. It was a game Violet made up on her changing table with her own feet. Anytime she wanted to talk with Noni she would lift her feet up to her ears as the phone.

One day we all took a boat tour of the lake and were amazed at the crystal clear water of Tahoe. It is the second most pure lake in the world. Amazing!

Auntie Lolly and Uncle Kris with Vi-Pie

Mommy and her Violet

Me and my daddy

The only group shot we took. Thank goodness it was a great one of everyone except Violet. Kris had fun with it and photo shopped us into another picture he had taken at Yosemite the week before. I like it a lot too.

 Here we are before we climbed El Capitan

Here were are after! HA!

(We did not all go to Yosemite.)

The last couple of days we spent walking to a river with spawning salmon and enjoying a local Oktoberfest with a fun pumpkin patch.

Papa Bear with Violet

Very hard to get a picture of a toddler in a fun pumpkin patch. We took pictures for several minutes trying to get a smile at the camera. She was so distracted and excited.

It was hard saying goodbye but we know seeing the family in several weeks will be a sweet time as well. What a blessing to know and really like your entire family! God has been so gracious to Daniel and me as we have joined families.

Handsone Marine Photos :)

As a proud wife I find it absolutely necessary to post these great shots!

We just had to get some shots out in front of Daniel's school before we move.

Family Time

I am going to blog a shameless amount of photos with not a lot of detail.

The week of graduation Daniel's parents came to town. They arrived Wednesday at noon and left early Sunday morning. It was a brief but wonderful visit.

We were able to spend a nice night a Fisherman's Wharf for dinner.

Lots of time cuddling and playing.

One afternoon by the water for a bit.

We celebrated Violet's birthday a little early and Grandma (Bubba) and Grandpa (Pop-Pop) got her a bunch of wonderful kitchen accessories to go with her new play kitchen. She plays with it all everyday. Definitely the best gift for a new two year old girl.

Graduation was Friday the 23rd and we made sure to take a bunch of photos.

Our quick family shot.

Mom and Daniel.

Dad and Daniel (Love these photos!)

All together now.

Daniel with our neighbor, Chris, who also graduated. Such a good friend!

Sweet kisses from the new graduate.

Violet and her best friend, Niya.

We had a wonderful visit and can't wait to get Pop-pop and Bubba hugs and kisses again soon.