Tomorrow we're heading to Iowa to see Mark's grandfather. We went out there last year for Easter, but this will be the first time he sees Michelle. It'll also be my first time out since Grandma died, which will be hard.
Mark and I are both really busy getting ready for the trip. We've decided the double stroller is a must since we're going to the zoo one day this week. That means that we have to pack everything in small bags so we can fit them in around the stroller since it takes up half the trunk :( (Good thing we are now up to five diaper bags!)We're also just taking one pack-n-play instead of two. If we can fit it in the car, we'll b e taking a travel bassinet for Michelle. Otherwise, we'll just improvise.
I've also been making some food to take out for Steven. Today I made a crockpot of broccoli cheese soup (with potatoes, cauliflower, peas, and corn). It's the only way Steven will eat a few of those vegetables--I think he doesn't recognize them since they're in the soup. I forgot to add beans, so those'll go in tomorrow. I've also been dicing peaches and will start putting mandarin oranges in his take and toss containers (I bought a restaurant size can of them!). He LOVES them.
Mark, meanwhile, is still at work (10:15 p.m.!) trying to get everything done that has to be done before he can leave tomorrow afternoon. He also went in early at 6:30 a.m., so he is going to be one tired boy when he gets home. I know we'll both be relieved when we finally get on the road!
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Who's Who?
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Heartbreaking
At church this morning, our friends Andrea and Rob gave us a large bag of formula, including several open containers. Normally, I wouldn't accept open containers because of safety/health concerns, but this time it was different. The formula was from Rob's sister Melissa and had been for their nephew. After church, they gave us several more cases of formula as well as crib sheets. I had a hard time taking it from them because of all the emotions that it brought up.
Three weeks ago tomorrow, their nephew died. He was the same age as Michelle, and the death was completely unexpected. My first thought was that it must have been SIDs, but it was more tragic than that (if possible)--his mom had fallen asleep on the couch while nursing him, and when she woke up, he was gone, most likely due to suffocation.
I cannot even begin to imagine what they are going through right now, especially Melissa. Every time I use one of the bottles of formula they gave us, I will be praying for her. Her baby should be drinking the formula, not mine. While the formula is a huge blessing to us, it came at such a high price.
Will you join me in praying for this young mom, for Melissa? The whole family needs prayer, but I'm sure that she needs extra grace right now. Thank you!
Three weeks ago tomorrow, their nephew died. He was the same age as Michelle, and the death was completely unexpected. My first thought was that it must have been SIDs, but it was more tragic than that (if possible)--his mom had fallen asleep on the couch while nursing him, and when she woke up, he was gone, most likely due to suffocation.
I cannot even begin to imagine what they are going through right now, especially Melissa. Every time I use one of the bottles of formula they gave us, I will be praying for her. Her baby should be drinking the formula, not mine. While the formula is a huge blessing to us, it came at such a high price.
Will you join me in praying for this young mom, for Melissa? The whole family needs prayer, but I'm sure that she needs extra grace right now. Thank you!
Friday, March 20, 2009
The Car
Last Fall, I finally find this car after looking for one all summer. My parents bought it to give to Steven for his birthday, but we let him play in it right away. He loved it then, but nothing like he loves it this year!
When we are outside, even if we're just getting out of the car after going somewhere, he goes into the garage and pushes his car out. He pushes it around the yard, but he really loves riding around in it. We drive around the yard and take walks around the neighborhood.
However, he has a hard time getting out of his car. You'd think that his life were over with the way he reacts--tears and wailing and even more tears. This car has been the source of most of our meltdowns this week! (In all fairness, though, it's been a really rough week for both of us.)
I can tell that we'll be spending a lot of time in that car this summer, and when he gets older, we'll take the floorboard out so he can cruise around on his own. You can see that riding in the car is serious business--he was too focused on what he was doing to smile for the camera!
When we are outside, even if we're just getting out of the car after going somewhere, he goes into the garage and pushes his car out. He pushes it around the yard, but he really loves riding around in it. We drive around the yard and take walks around the neighborhood.
However, he has a hard time getting out of his car. You'd think that his life were over with the way he reacts--tears and wailing and even more tears. This car has been the source of most of our meltdowns this week! (In all fairness, though, it's been a really rough week for both of us.)
I can tell that we'll be spending a lot of time in that car this summer, and when he gets older, we'll take the floorboard out so he can cruise around on his own. You can see that riding in the car is serious business--he was too focused on what he was doing to smile for the camera!
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Little Buddy
Reading books with Aunt Beth.
Playing with his train after helping Grandpa Hal
change the batteries!
He loves his birthday train from Grandpa Hal and Nanny!
Sitting with Nanny.
Baby Sis
Laughing at Grandpa Hal.
Thinking about smiling for Nanny.
There's the smile!
Sitting with Aunt Beth.
Gorgeous Day!
Today was bright and sunny and close to 70 degrees. It was amazing! Steven and I spent most of the day outside, and Michelle joined us at times too :) I had to take Michelle to the doctor this morning, and after her appointment, it was too nice outside to just go home, so we spent over an hour walking around the little town where her doctor is. Steven was having the time of his life! At one point, he was laying back in his stroller seat, with his head all the way back, legs up and pointing out, and his arms spread wide. It must have been like a motorcyle ride for him. It was so cute!
When we finally left, he cried and cried. He was having way too much fun! When we got home, I took both him and Michelle for a walk. I pushed Steven in his car and pulled Michelle (still in her carseat) in a wagon. I'm sure we looked quite strange! I don't know how many walks we went on, but I spent more time outside today than the last six months combined! Too bad the weather is changing tomorrow :(
Got it all figured out!
When we finally left, he cried and cried. He was having way too much fun! When we got home, I took both him and Michelle for a walk. I pushed Steven in his car and pulled Michelle (still in her carseat) in a wagon. I'm sure we looked quite strange! I don't know how many walks we went on, but I spent more time outside today than the last six months combined! Too bad the weather is changing tomorrow :(
Taking the car for a spin.
Hmm. . .what's the best way to do this?
Got it all figured out!
Friday, March 13, 2009
He Loves His Daddy!
It's amazing to see how much Steven loves Mark. He gets so excited when Mark comes home from work, and today he asked for "Dada" when he got up. (Apparently, I was just a consolation prize!) He calls me mommy, but he still calls Mark dada, which is interesting. I don't know why he does it, but if you ask him to say "daddy" he'll still say dada :)
I can't wait for the nicer weather. He and Mark will have so much fun outside. I'm hoping that Mark and his dad can get Steven's swingset set up this weekend--he'll love that! Steven also has a little t-ball set that he got from Uncle Andy for his birthday. I know Mark's looking forward to pulling that out!
I can't wait for the nicer weather. He and Mark will have so much fun outside. I'm hoping that Mark and his dad can get Steven's swingset set up this weekend--he'll love that! Steven also has a little t-ball set that he got from Uncle Andy for his birthday. I know Mark's looking forward to pulling that out!
Thursday, March 12, 2009
New Haircut!
I finally found a place to get Steven's haircut, and it's within walking distance to our house! I took him last Saturday, and it came out much shorter than I anticipated. (After doing a small patch, the barber asked me if it were too short and if I wanted to go longer. Umm. . .and keep one practically bald patch??) Can you believe how old he looks?!
While I was there, I watched what they did and the tools that the used, and when we went to the store this week, I bought what we need so I can cut his hair myself from now on.
While I was there, I watched what they did and the tools that the used, and when we went to the store this week, I bought what we need so I can cut his hair myself from now on.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Talking to Aunt Katie
Steven absolutely LOVES his Aunt Katie, and he gest so excited whenever we see her. After Tuesday morning Bible study and Friday MOPS, we walk down to the school cafeteria (the church also has a Christian school) to see Aunt Katie. He now knows the way and likes to walk down the ramp himself. As soon as he walks into the cafeteria, he starts looking for her. As soon as he sees her, he starts squealing and waving his arms. As I said he LOVES his Aunt Katie.
Tonight he was playing with his little cell phone, and for the first time that I've seen, he was talking into it and having a little conversation. The phone was upside down and no where near his ear/mouth, but he was having fun. I asked him if it were Aunt Katie, and he started saying "Da-Dee" into the phone and really began jabbering. I told him to give her a kiss, and he gave her a big kiss on the mouth piece of the phone. I got some great video of it, but I have no idea how to get it from the camera to the computer :(
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Ears and a Thumb
**Update: We've been pushing the pacifier, and so far it is working! Of course, that may also be because she's now wearing mittens around the clock :)**
I still don't have any great pictures of Michelle's ears, but these will have to do. I almost hate to post them because she looks so much cuter than you can tell in these pictures!
This week Michelle also discovered her thumb, much to my dismay. She wasn't all that interested in her pacifier, so I didn't do much with it. I never expected her to start going for her thumb since Steven gave up his pacifier on his own when he was 5 months or so.
I hate the idea of her sucking her thumb; it can be an impossible habit to break. I'm trying to decide whether or not to push the pacifier. If I really thought it would work, I'd do it. Any advice?
Still, you can't deny how cute she is!
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Friday, March 6, 2009
Oops!
Earlier this week, I was getting Steven dressed. He hates being on his changing table, so I've been dressing him on the floor. He was reading a book (his absolute favorite thing to do in the morning!), so I dressed him from behind.
I couldn't get his pants all the way up, and I really didn't think they were too small, so I reached down and thought he was standing on his pants. It didn't take long to realize that wasn't the problem. Amazingly enough, Steven wasn't bothered at all since he was so busy reading his book! (He even sat there with his book while I ran to get the camera!)
Completely unfazed by it.
I couldn't get his pants all the way up, and I really didn't think they were too small, so I reached down and thought he was standing on his pants. It didn't take long to realize that wasn't the problem. Amazingly enough, Steven wasn't bothered at all since he was so busy reading his book! (He even sat there with his book while I ran to get the camera!)
My little mermaid boy :)
Completely unfazed by it.
Rocking in My Chair and Playing Peek-A-Boo!
Since Steven loves to stand right in front of the tv when watching Raffi, we pulled out a little rocking chair we had for him in the basement. Our basic rule is if he is watching Raffi, he has to sit in the chair. Fortunately, he loves his chair (most of the time) and even dances in it.
It great for him to have seat of his own, and even better, it keeps him from being literally glued to the tv :)
It's also great for watching basketball with Daddy!
And for playing peek-a-boo!
It great for him to have seat of his own, and even better, it keeps him from being literally glued to the tv :)
It's also great for watching basketball with Daddy!
And for playing peek-a-boo!
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
What a Day!
I've done a really good job of cutting down on the number of activies in my life (sometimes due to sick kids), but today was one of those crazy days that you just can't do anything about. It started off with having to take both Steven and Michelle to the doctor for their 15 month and 2 month appointments. While it makes sense to have back-to-back appointments, it is chaotic.
Steven was hungry and tired. He got up "early" (9:30ish, which is early for him), and we only had time for him to eat cheerios and have two cheese slices. I packed cheerios, applesauce, and a nutrigrain bar in the diaper bag, but that's just not the same as getting a hearty breakfast like he's used to. Michelle was fine, until she got tired of just being in her diaper (eventually wrapped in my hoodie since I didn't think to grab a blanket for her). The nurse weighed both of them at the beginning, so she had to hang out that way for a while :(
I took the double stroller, which took up most of the exam room, and Steven hung out on the exam table with a container of cheerios (which didn't stay in the container for long!) after he got weighed on the big boy scale, which he was very hesitant about since the place where you stand is wobbly. I kept him occupied the best I could while waiting for the doctor, talking with the doctor about Michelle, and then waiting for the doctor again. (She had to take care of another patient for a few minutes in the middle of our appointment--that's what happens when you're late.)
Steven wasn't sure he trusted the doctor, so he wasn't overly thrilled when she listened to his heart (he pushed the stethoscope right off his chest), checked his ears, or stuck a stick in his mouth. He seemed to partially remember the room from the last time we were there. Michelle, on the other hand, did pretty well. I went over our concerns about her with the doctor (nothing too too serious, but one thing that baffled the doctor--she had never seen it in her 15+ years of practice).
It wasn't until the shots that all chaos broke out. I had given both kids tylenol before we left. (Steven LOVES that stuff--he kept signing more, more, more.)I pulled out the tylenol from the diaper bag to give him a bit more (and to distract him). Unfortunately, it was pretty much gone, but it did distract him for a few minutes. I decided to have his shots first, so he wouldn't get freaked out when he saw Michelle get hers. Umm. . .that didn't really work. He calmed down pretty quickly after his, but he started freaking out when she got hers. How to do hold down a 2 month old and calm down a hysterical 15 month old??
The good thing? Steven's next visit will be his last for a while. The bad thing? The day only got crazier (and grosser) after we got home :( I'll spare you the details, but lets just say that it involved two unplanned baths due to two diaper blowouts, including one far worse than anything I could have imagined. Mark was so lucky to be at work! (And my sister was unlucky because she had come over for the afternoon!)
Tomorrow should be better. The babies and I are heading up to Flint to spend the day with Auntie E and their siblings, and Michelle's getting her ears pierced. Yay! I'm so excited, but probably not nearly as excited as Auntie E :) Don't worry, I'll post pictures as soon as I have them!
**Please pray for tomorrow's visit. I'm praying that I will get a chance to talk to Auntie E about God and our faith. The social worker didn't get anywhere in her conservations with her, but I'm praying that it will be different for us (and we already had a very general talk about it in the past). Thanks for your prayers!**
Steven was hungry and tired. He got up "early" (9:30ish, which is early for him), and we only had time for him to eat cheerios and have two cheese slices. I packed cheerios, applesauce, and a nutrigrain bar in the diaper bag, but that's just not the same as getting a hearty breakfast like he's used to. Michelle was fine, until she got tired of just being in her diaper (eventually wrapped in my hoodie since I didn't think to grab a blanket for her). The nurse weighed both of them at the beginning, so she had to hang out that way for a while :(
I took the double stroller, which took up most of the exam room, and Steven hung out on the exam table with a container of cheerios (which didn't stay in the container for long!) after he got weighed on the big boy scale, which he was very hesitant about since the place where you stand is wobbly. I kept him occupied the best I could while waiting for the doctor, talking with the doctor about Michelle, and then waiting for the doctor again. (She had to take care of another patient for a few minutes in the middle of our appointment--that's what happens when you're late.)
Steven wasn't sure he trusted the doctor, so he wasn't overly thrilled when she listened to his heart (he pushed the stethoscope right off his chest), checked his ears, or stuck a stick in his mouth. He seemed to partially remember the room from the last time we were there. Michelle, on the other hand, did pretty well. I went over our concerns about her with the doctor (nothing too too serious, but one thing that baffled the doctor--she had never seen it in her 15+ years of practice).
It wasn't until the shots that all chaos broke out. I had given both kids tylenol before we left. (Steven LOVES that stuff--he kept signing more, more, more.)I pulled out the tylenol from the diaper bag to give him a bit more (and to distract him). Unfortunately, it was pretty much gone, but it did distract him for a few minutes. I decided to have his shots first, so he wouldn't get freaked out when he saw Michelle get hers. Umm. . .that didn't really work. He calmed down pretty quickly after his, but he started freaking out when she got hers. How to do hold down a 2 month old and calm down a hysterical 15 month old??
The good thing? Steven's next visit will be his last for a while. The bad thing? The day only got crazier (and grosser) after we got home :( I'll spare you the details, but lets just say that it involved two unplanned baths due to two diaper blowouts, including one far worse than anything I could have imagined. Mark was so lucky to be at work! (And my sister was unlucky because she had come over for the afternoon!)
Tomorrow should be better. The babies and I are heading up to Flint to spend the day with Auntie E and their siblings, and Michelle's getting her ears pierced. Yay! I'm so excited, but probably not nearly as excited as Auntie E :) Don't worry, I'll post pictures as soon as I have them!
**Please pray for tomorrow's visit. I'm praying that I will get a chance to talk to Auntie E about God and our faith. The social worker didn't get anywhere in her conservations with her, but I'm praying that it will be different for us (and we already had a very general talk about it in the past). Thanks for your prayers!**
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