Stella & Addilyn's Adventures

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Pumpkin Patch

This was our first family outing (apart from doctor visits). It was a great success! We picked pumpkins, apples, and gourds at Honey Creek Acres in Swisher, Iowa. What a beautiful day! 59 degrees and sunny. Everyone cooperated and had a great time. We are starting to get used to a family of 4!

Saturday, September 25, 2010

Life with 2 Kids

Let me begin by saying what a blessing little Stella is in our lives. She is beautiful, healthy, and she is a wonderful addition to our growing family. Addilyn adores her! She keeps reminding us that one day she will walk, and they will sled together and make snowmen! I hope that their sisterly friendship lasts forever. We have certainly lost some sleep over the past week, and it hasn't been easy... on they day we brought Stella home, daddy's car died at Walgreens with Addilyn in the backseat. It was just a dead battery, but it seemed like the world was ending when a toddler is sitting in the back seat, in the rain, saying, "Daddy, is your car broke? Why? Let me fix it! Come on! Let's go!" Two days later, Stella had some feeding issues, mommy had some blood pressure issues, and daddy had some illness issues - but we made it through! I wish someone would have warned me, and maybe they did, but no one can prepare you for how different life can be with 2 children under the age of 3. Life is sure different, in a good way. God has blessed us with 2 beautiful children, and we will continue to document the bond between Addilyn and Stella here. Stay tuned!

1 Day Old

Bringing home baby

2 Days Old

First bath! 3 Days Old

Jaundice - 3 Days Old

Sleeping - 1 Week Old

Sisters kissing

Sisters forever

Friday, September 17, 2010

Addilyn's a BIG SISTER!

Introducing our healthy and beautiful daughter Stella Juliet Gall. She was born 9/16/10 at 1:32pm, weighed a very healthy 8 lbs. 6.5 oz., and was 20 1/2 inches long. She has beautiful blue eyes, brown hair with hints of blonde and red, and is a very content baby. She is very alert and curious about the world, just like her big sister! Words cannot explain the joy we feel in bringing another new life into the world. Addilyn loves her so much already. Addilyn's first words to her big sister were, "She's SO CUTE!" Addilyn then proceeded to look out the window of the hospital and exclaim, "There's the Hawkeye Game!" (see the video below). She's a big sister and a Herky girl at heart. We can't wait to begin our lives as a family of 4.

Sunday, September 12, 2010

Apple Orchard 2010

Since mommy is 3 days past her due date with baby #2, we decided to go to the apple orchard in hopes that the bumpy hayrack ride would get things started. Only time will tell. At least we got apples to make apple crisp, we ate apple turnovers, and drank apple cider. Such a fun and beautiful fall day!

Saturday, September 4, 2010

Hawkeye Season Opener!

Today was Herky game day! Addilyn went to the game and the Hawks won! I think Papa, Grandma, and Grandpa had a great time, too. We sat in ROW 1 on the field! Best seats, ever. Herky came by several times, but Addilyn was terrified of him. She cried every time he came near, so we weren't able to get a picture taken with him. When we left the game, I asked her if she would ever get her picture taken with Herky. She said, "Maybe next year." GO HAWKS!