Friday, August 31, 2012

Of Babies, Autumn, and Farming

Things have been busy around the farm these days. We are in the peak of harvest and market season and on top of that we just added a new baby. He is such a sweet little guy and we all love him so much. He adds so much joy to our lives. He keeps mommy busy, cuddling him, nursing him, and changing him. And of course I love it! He loves it when daddy comes in from the garden and holds him and talks to him. He is becoming so alert; looking at faces and noticing voices. David is getting used to his new brother and even adjusting to sharing Mommy. He likes to hold him and kiss him and pick out his clothes :)

I have been mostly resting and recovering from the birth and enjoying my new baby. The last few days I have enjoyed getting back out into the garden a little bit. I wrap Matthew in his Moby wrap and pick a few tomatoes or I hold him on my lap while sorting cucumbers or weighing out beans. Today I enjoyed going back to the Chewelah market for the first time!

Andrew has been doing most of the farm work and all the markets by himself. And he is doing a fantastic job! The booth looked wonderful when I stopped by for a few minutes last week. We have been appreciating the help of my sister with much of the harvesting as well.

Around the farm fall crops are starting to come on. We harvested the first leeks this week and the pumpkins and winter squash are getting close. Andrew harvested most of the garlic and it is hanging in the barn at my parents place. Soon it will be time to harvest the potato crop.

There has been a chill in the air in the mornings and evenings lately. We even had a light frost last weekend. Autumn is definitely on its way. The hoophouses are all covered up again and some of the beans and cucumbers have floating row cover over them. I am looking forward to the autumn season ahead.

Sunday, August 19, 2012

Our Second Son



We are so happy to announce the birth of our second born Matthew Jonathan Engell. He was born at 6:41 in the evening on Tuesday August 14th. He weighed 8 lbs. 4 oz. and was 21 inches long.  My labor went really smooth this time and wasn't overly long. I went into labor around 7:30 in the morning. I kept going about my normal business for awhile. My contractions started picking up around ten.  And everything went steady and smoothly from there. I don't remember when the pushing started but it doesn't seem like it was too long.  And then Matthew was born at 6:41. I felt so good after he was born just relaxing in my bed holding my sweet little son.