Devin's arrival -- October 16, 2013

Our second son had a due date of October 26, but decided he needed to come a little bit early. At my OB appointment during the morning of October 15, he was really quiet during the non-stress test, so the doctor decided to do an ultrasound. The ultrasound confirmed that he was not as responsive as they would like, so they thought it would be best for him to join us early, just to be safe. Ryan was extremely surprised when I called and asked him if he was ready to go to the hospital for us to have the baby, but I was ready to meet out little boy. Everything at the hospital went smoothly, and Devin Matthew Bebej joined us at 2:30 in the morning on October 16. He was 9 lbs and 2 oz, 21 1/2 inches long, and loved immediately. We were not sure of what name we were going to use (we were still debating between two), but Ryan finally felt that Devin was a better fit (even though he initially favored the other name). We spent a few days in the hospital, where he was loved and visited by so many family and friends. Big brother Kyler was not sure about the hospital, but did not seem too upset with Devin arrived home. It was an overwhelming feeling of love and joy as I got to see my sons interact together for the first time!

Devin's arrival

Snuggled up in his little hat

Sleeping peacefully in the bassinet

Such a sweet boy

Tired, but very happy family!

Already has hair just like Kyler did

Long kiddo!

Meeting cousin KayLynn and Aunt Lori

Aunt Lynsey meeting her new nephew

Great Grandma came to visit

Proud Daddy...

...and curious big brother

Getting to know his dinofier

Keeping warm in his blanket

Safely at home in the swing

Me and my boys!

Kyler -- September 2013

This was a month of many changes, and Kyler became so much more independent and helpful. The biggest news was probably that Kyler moved to his "big boy room," but still in his crib to keep him a little more contained. Right from the beginning, he has loved his new room and been sleeping just as well as upstairs, sometimes taking even longer naps! After the third day in his room though, he did climb out of his crib. We knew that he was probably capable of doing this, but when he did and crashed, I think he scared himself enough to not try it again. He did not seem to miss his old room that much, but has been fascinated with the baby swing's music. I guess he likes classical music!

He began doing so many interactions, such a telling Duncan to "sit" when we are eating. Duncan has not started listening to him yet, but he is very authoritative. He loves to eat his cereal in a bowl with milk and really no longer eats in a high chair but will climb onto a chair and eat with us at the table. He is so helpful with groceries, often taking everything out one by one and giving them to me, which allows me to not have to bend down. I love this! When he is asked to put something away, he will, even if he does not fully know where. When he was asked to put away a dirty shirt, he put it in a "basket" like he was asked--it just happened to be the diaper basket. He will put all the toys away in the tub when asked to and go to his crib or the changing table when asked to go for a nap or diaper change. He loves to grab your hand when he wants you to go somewhere and will often point to the ground where he wants you to sit.

We were able to visit ArtPrize again downtown, and as much as he enjoyed the first couple of pieces of art, Kyler soon became frustrated being confined to the stroller and wanted to move on his own. He has loved watching the school buses go by our windows and often will watch and wait for them in the mornings. Kyler has witnessed pregnant Mommy's need to use the "potty" often, which has helped him learn the word and what it means. He will often race to beat me to the potty and will sit on the lid staring up at me, sometimes with a book he has taken with him. We went to the mall to buy a few things for the baby, and Kyler and Daddy had a fun time on the carousel. Kyler picked out the "doggy" to ride (which happened to be a cat), but he was so excited that we did not have the heart to correct him. Either way, our lives have been filled with "uh-ohs" and "boo-boo" kissing, as well as trying to snort like a pig or sound like an elephant. We have a little shadow who wants to do whatever we are doing!

In a small pillow fort

Yummy yogurt

Duncan waiting for apple bits to fall

Hitting with Daddy

Hitting without Daddy

Ready, aim, throw!

Snuggling up on the big bear

Riding the carousel with Daddy

Cats at ArtPrize

Touching the dragon at ArtPrize

Ringing a bell at ArtPrize

Summer projects done by Ryan -- Summer 2013

So being pregnant, you often get a nesting period where everything needs to be cleaned. That would be every day in my life. Poor Ryan loves the fact that our house is neat and orderly, but hates the fact that I often stress if things are not taken care of and often reminds me that in the grand scheme of things, it really will not matter if the house is dusted once a week. Unfortunately, as my belly grows (very big), it has decreased my ability to do many things and increased my need for naps. Ryan was able to take off some time this summer (after being at the office full time for most of it) and completed a fairly long "Honey-Do List" for me with a lot of help from my parents. We put up more shelving in what will be Kyler's new room, added shelving in the garage, organized the basement storage area, put in a retaining terrace by our cement slab in the backyard, cleaned out the back brush border in our yard, and took down a large weedy bush. Not only did he do all of this during his "summer vacation," but we enjoyed some good days at the park and lots of shopping for both boys.

Side shelves in Kyler's new room

Second horizontal shelf in Kyler's room

Large amount of ground litter/trash moved and mulch spread out
(Ryan also planted our two trees from our wedding, with one visible on the far left of the picture)

Large bush removed from corner of the lot -- now just mulch

Close up of a much more cleaned up corner of the lot with just a little more to do

Terrace built with railroad ties to help prevent erosion from under our cement slab

Garage organization -- bike racks and shelves

More shelves for storage tubs

Pegboard to organize outdoor tools

Much delayed announcement of Baby Bebej #2

So most of you already know that we are expecting another little one around October 26. We found out in June that this little "Bean" will be Kyler's baby brother, and we hope they will have great times playing and exploring together. Just like Kyler, this little one has given his mother terrible morning sickness, which required fluids given through IVs to rehydrate. We have been truly blessed to have family close by to help out on the most difficult days, and Ryan has really been amazing. Please keep this little one in your prayers as we prepare for life with two wonderful little boys!

Here are some of the 20-week ultrasound photos:

Bean's little face

His profile

He already has long legs!

Kyler -- February and March 2013

Weekly blogs were nice at first, but now with the monthly blogs, I figure it makes more sense to go with calendar months rather than months with respect to Kyler's age. Plus, in February, we found out that we are expecting our second child in October, so this would further complicate things once the baby is born. But on to more catch-up!

Our little boy continued to grow and change, even picking up a few new behaviors that we hope disappear as quickly as they showed up. The main problem we began facing was the sudden hatred he had for his changing table and all of the flailing that occurs when we have to change his diaper or clothes. He got much better at standing on the changing table to allow us to pull his shirts on, but it was a battle of wills for everything else. He also began to take a very big interest in Duncan, but his "pats" are more like hits, so we have had to work on being gentle and teaching him to give Duncan some space (and vice versa).

Kyler started to say a lot of new words, even though they are hard to fully understand unless you are around him often. He began to say "juice," "cheese," "fish," and "ga-fish" (for goldfish crackers), while continuing to say "Da-da," "this," and "Mama" (but only when he wants something).  Kyler became very fond of brushing his teeth and identifying his body parts, including his eyes, nose, mouth, tongue, ears, toes, and hair. He continued to be extremely "motoriffic," with pretty much nothing too difficult for him to try and climb onto. Despite numerous falls off the couch, he never seems to be deterred. We also tried to work on Kyler's artistic side, providing crayons and markers for him to draw with, but he preferred to eat his artistic implements.

Kyler's appetite continued to be adventurous, as he tried honey, apricots, fish sticks, chili, and a Shamrock Shake that Ryan had to fight him for. The weather started to warm up enough to explore the outdoors and the many puddles that the melting snow left for us. When visiting the grocery store, Kyler became fascinated by the fish tanks in the pet department and all the kids he sees going by in their respective carts. He loved going to visit the "grandmas" in the nursery during my Thursday morning Bible study. On Easter, Kyler enjoyed his first Peeps and a new basketball that has barely been put down. Kyler also experienced his first haircut, which seemed to be pretty traumatic. But he looked so cute afterwards.

Light switch rave!

Gotta love snuggle time with Daddy

Cannot wait to get into his "tubby"

Looking cool...and working it

Working on his coy look...watch out girls!

Wait, isn't that supposed to be Duncan's bed?

Slam dunk action shot--obviously watching too much March Madness with Daddy

Yep, time to get a haircut!

Getting his first haircut--before the tears begin!

Looking so much older after the haircut!

We may have a future PT in our house...

"Pull your knee into your chest, Daddy"

Super excited about his Easter gift

It might be a little too big for that hoop, little boy!

Lining up the shot

His first Peep! Happy Easter!