Christmas Party for Members at Frederik Meijer Gardens

Last night Cory, Joshua and I met my dad at Frederik Meijer Gardens. They were having a member's Christmas Party. After having supper in the cafe there we walked around to look at all the beautiful Christmas trees that they have decorated with themes from around the world. It was a gorgeous site to see so many beautiful and unique trees. We also learned a bit about Christmas traditions from around the world. It sure is interesting to see which traditions started in which countries. Joshua loved looking at the trees but wanted to touch all the ornaments so he spent most of his time in the stroller. However, they have a great Holiday Express train display up that really caught Joshua's attention! He enjoyed watching the trains travel around into different rooms at the gardens. Joshua also enjoyed some time in the teaching greenhouse where they had kid-friendly activities set up. At the very end of the night we took him to see Santa Claus. We figured he may not even go near Santa (he didn't dare go near Flutter, the garden's mascot early in the evening), but we thought we would try just for the heck of it - we didn't much care since we aren't big on Santa anyway. Joshua was definitely not too taken with sitting on a stranger's lap, he kept reaching out for Cory and me. However he did sit long enough for a picture because he saw that he got to pick a candy treat out after he was done (can you tell he is my kid?!?!)! All in all a great start to the holiday season!

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Bathing Buddies

Today Owen woke up from his morning nap covered in spew. He had rolled around in it and had it all over himself, so there was only one option - A BATH! Of course as soon as I put Owen in the tub in Joshua's bath seat Joshua was a tad bit jealous. Joshua immediately tried to climb in the tub with his PJ's on. So, I stripped Joshua down and let him play in the bath water while I washed Owen clean of his morning mishap. I could tell they both thought it was a bit strange to have a someone else in the bathtub with them by the looks on their faces! The little water rats played for a half hour in the water and probably would have played longer if I'd let them! Just had to share the cute pictures I captured!

A Different Kind of MOPS Meeting

Pretending to mix something up.

Making a cinnamon dough ornament.

This morning was a MOPS morning for us. However, it was a bit different than it usually is. Usually Joshua and Owen go to nursery while I spend some good quality adult time with other mothers. Today Joshua got to stay with me and do some fun activities. Our church participates in a program called Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN). For a week our church houses homeless families. This means that no one else may use the wing of the church that IHN is using. They use the children's wing of our church so that meant we couldn't have any children's programming today for MOPS. No big deal, we planned a fun day of activities for moms and kids to do together based around a camping theme. Joshua had a blast making a cinnamon dough ornament, making a pretend log, making a fall wreath, creating his own smore snack mix and pretending to camp with all kinds of camping gear. I just love doing things with him now that he is at an age where he understands things and is able to do more!

18 Month Check-Up and Pictures

Today was Joshua's 18 month well child visit. He now weighs in at 23 pounds 10 ounces (only 1 more pound than Owen!) and is 31.5 inches tall. Poor guy also got 3 shots which he wasn't thrilled with, but at least now he has had his flu shot!

Also, I realized I never posted any of his 18 month pictures we had a taken a couple weeks ago. The collage of pictures above is just a handful from the over 200 the photographer took that day. It was amazing to me how four adults could act so silly just to get one small child to smile! Thankfully all of our antics paid off with quite a few good shots of Joshua!

Remembering. . .

This is what I have been doing both yesterday and today especially. It is one year since my mom passed away. I went through a box of old photos we have with Joshua yesterday. All the photos brought back some great memories and some tears as well, but I've gotten used to those free-flowing over the last few years. Looking back makes me realize just how blessed I was to have my mom and to be able to spend 30 years with her. We were able to share so many experiences along the way that I am thankful for. My biggest hope while she was battling cancer was that she would be able to see her grandson and know who he was and God blessed us with that!!! I still wish she was here to experience so much more with all of us, especially Joshua. Even though she was not able to see most of his "firsts" I feel she is watching over him and that he is blessed now to have his own guardian angel.

I could go on and on about my mom , but here are just a few things I hope she knows. . .

. . . how much she is loved.

. . . how thankful I am that she was not only my mother but my best friend.

. . . how much she influenced who I am today.

. . . how much I miss talking with her everyday.

. . . how much I miss my lunch date and shopping partner :)

. . . how much I miss hugging her.

. . . how thankful I am that she considered Cory her third son.

. . . how thankful I am that she got to meet Joshua and share her love with him.

. . . how much I wish she was still here to spend time with Joshua.

. . . how much she means to me.

. . . how much I miss her terribly

With much love I remember my mom today and celebrate the life God blessed her with.

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Happy 85th Birthday!

The birthday lady with Joshua!

"Thaks for the frosting Great Grandma!"

Joshua's way of helping clean up!

This past week my Grandma turned 85. Once again, she and my Grandpa were not going to do much to celebrate! Of course I couldn't have them not celebrating such a major thing so we had them over for dinner last night along with my dad, Phil and Ciejae. We had a great time talking and catching up since we don't all get together as much as we used to. I think my Grandma enjoyed her birthday celebration too. I know Joshua appreciated when she let him stick his finger in the cake and lick the frosting off! What a blessing to have her in our lives and for her to have been given 85 years! May God bless her with many more years!

After the celebration we were cleaning up and our little stinker had to get in on the action. Joshua sat on the counter playing in the water and the soap suds. He was getting soaked so we ended up stripping him and letting him play in the sink. He even took his bath in the sink! What a little nut!

The Boys

Playing with the water!

Matching Jammies!


Just thought I'd give a little update on the boys seeing as though I haven't had a post in a week! Both boys are much more aware of the other these days. Owen loves to watch Joshua constantly! Joshua on the other hand isn't as enamored with Owen since Owen is now starting to creep around and get into his things. However, at the sound of Owen waking up Joshua makes a bee-line to the pack-n-play and has to bend down to see Owen and say "hi". This week Joshua has been grabbing toys right out of Owen's hands which is just not acceptable! Of course when the toy goes back to Owen, Joshua has a hissy fit! Playing together doesn't happen much yet, but today we found this water/sand toy in Joshua's closet and both boys enjoyed playing with it in the sink. Both boys are teething right now which means both are not quite themselves :( With all this said I still think this is a very good situation for both boys. It's perfect for helping both of them learn social skills. I've also noticed how independent and helpful Joshua can be at 18 months. Lots of times he gets me a clean diaper out, a burp cloth or a bib for Owen. His favorite thing to do though is help make and shake Owen's bottle. Hopefully down the road as these boys get older we will all be able to clearly see the benefits of having them grow up together!

One and a half!!!!

Yes, today Joshua is officially one and a half or 18 months as some people like to say. And boy oh boy is in definitely into being a toddler! Let me give you a glimspe of who he is at one and a half. . . His favorite activities include reading books or looking at books, playing with cars, music and dancing and playing with his new "bean box" (as can be seen in the picture posted here it is a plastic tub filled with different kinds of dry beans in which we hide plastic animals for him to dig for or give him measuring cups and spoons to dump and pour with - great sensory activity for toddlers and really kids of any age)! People were right when they said once he walks it won't be long until he runs! He is always on the go, usually running around rather than walking. He is feeding himself pretty well with a fork and a spoon although we still struggle with poking food and actually keeping it on the utensil some of the time. He is ultra loving lately, giving everyone and everything hugs and kisses. He understands almost everything he hears as far as language goes and can follow directions really well, but just isn't expressing much language himself. He is a little stinker sometimes and doesn't want to do as told or gets frustrated and doesn't have language to express it so he screams or hits so his behind has already had many seats on the time out stool. Overall, he is at a really fun stage right now and we are trying to enjoy every minute with him!

Trick or Treat!

It started earlier in the day when I took Joshua to my dad's office to see my dad and Phil. Joshua loved walking around the office collecting treats! Everything that went in his bag he had to pull out and hand to one of us in hopes that we would unwrap it and let him eat it (wishful thinking on his part!). We decided we would try some trick or treating in the neighborhood this year since Joshua is able to walk and eat candy! Since Grandpa had come over for dinner he got to open the treat Grandpa brought for him first! Wow did Grandpa spoil the little cow with a pair of new jeans, two shirts, a sweater and hat and mitten set!!! Thanks Grandpa! Next we were off to a few houses in the neighborhood. Joshua wasn't too sure why he was being allowed to walk around outside at night, but after ringing the first doorbell and getting some treats in his bag he was ready for more! Unfortunately not many people were handing out candy so we only traveled to 6 houses around us. Joshua loved looking around at all the other kids who were dressed up and running around. Then it was back to the house where we loaded up in the car so we could go and visit our friends Doug, Sheryl and Hannah, Great Grandpa and Great Grandma and a final delivery of a treat to Owen the chicken. Joshua sure is enjoying his haul of candy (and so are mom and dad)! Check out a few pictures from our night of fun!

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