The Bebej Blog

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Devin -- Week 15 (1/22/14-1/28/14)

Devin had a bit of a rough week, but I think that he was just fighting something. He was crabby even when in the wrap while grocery shopping. We have started to notice that he is refusing to take bottles, but I keep hoping that just has to do with feeling under the weather. Nap times are becoming much more difficult, and I seem to only get him to sleep for more than half an hour when we are cuddled up together. He is growing up so fast that I have really tried to just enjoy the snuggles rather than my to-do list, and it really has been such wonderful part of my day. More on the positive side, he has been so cute with his tongue sticking out, and he is constantly looking excited and surprised when it comes out. He also has loved to turn 90 degrees in his pack-and-play, and his bedtime has gotten closer to 8:50pm. We have started having him sit in the Bumbo seat more often, and he loves to have his tummy tickled. We enjoyed visiting lots of people and showing off how cute and big he is growing. I continue to love getting to see his personality and all the things he likes and dislikes.

Sporting a bit of Cardinals gear!

What a cute little man, huh?

Chilling out under the gym

He's got that tongue out! He loves it!

Looks a little worried when Mommy sticks her tongue out though

Such a sweet boy when he is happy

Looking up at me in the gym

I think he loves me :)

I love you too, little boy!

Devin -- Week 14 (1/15/14-1/21/14)

This was a week of trying to get naps scheduled and visiting lots new places. Devin continues to love snuggling in my wrap while we go grocery shopping. What is more wonderful than a sleeping baby snuggled up to your chest while your hands are free to get things done and entertain your toddler at the same time? Devin probably also gets millions of kisses on the top of his head during this excursion. This week marked the return of coffee break, but it was bittersweet because I put Devin in nursery to be with the grandmas. I know that I will get so much more out of the lesson, but I have enjoyed our little time cuddling together as well. The grandmas were THRILLED to have a little boy to snuggle with, and Kyler was a great help in telling everyone who his brother was. Kyler loves to be near his brother, and I can only pray that this continues throughout their lives. Devin was in the pack-and-play, and Kyler wanted so desperately to be in there with him. They were so cute and Kyler actually started to hold Devin's hand. Of course, I did not get pictures, but it would have been adorable.

We had a great visit with friends out in Lansing, and both kids traveled well. Devin got to meet their daughter Ashley, who loved to watch him and even got a chance to hold him. Later in the week, we went to visit Sarah and Josie, who also wanted to hold Devin so badly. Josie loves little kids, and Devin was smiling every time she came into view. As the week went on, Devin started to be much more clingy, only wanting to sleep in my arms. As much as I wanted to get things done, I know all too well that this often stops way too soon, so I tried to just enjoy it. Unfortunately, all this cuddling is probably due to the fact that he is starting to get a little stuffy with a cold.

Snuggling during nap time

Hanging out with Mommy

Boppy time!

Keeping an eye on his brother

Getting pretty tired out

Such a happy guy, even if mommy has a camera shadow in the picture

So many cute faces...

Looking shy...

Happy!

Relaxed...

Devin...so cute!

Devin -- Week 13 (1/8/14-1/14/14)

We had a special event this week: Devin's baptism! He did so well up in front of the church, smiling at the pastor and later having a grumpy look on his face when the water was on his head. His brother was "entertaining" and at one point even laid down on the ground. We were blessed to have many family and friends attend and celebrate with us afterward for lunch at the church. We continue to covet prayers for our sweet boys as we raise them and they grow into the strong, kind, and God-loving men we hope for.

The rest of the week consisted of many attempts at getting naps at a regular time, as well as starting to shift Devin's bedtime to a more manageable time (right now it is about 9:30pm). We also switched him out of the rock-and-play this week to the pack-and-play (Kyler will remain in the crib for a few more months after things settle down from the holidays). Devin is still not a big fan of tummy time, but Kyler always reminds me and wants more of it. He is a big helper and tries to bring all kinds of things for Devin to see. Devin does pretty well when his chest is propped up with the Boppy or a football pillow that we got from Great Grandpa Tony. We had a lot of fun with Grammy and Papa coming up to visit for the baptism, as well as a play date with our friends Jen, Emma, and Kate.

All my boys together! Lots of energy, which is why Daddy looks so tired

What a handsome boy...just like Daddy

Papa and Devin

Sunday afternoon nap with Daddy

Someone is happy...check out the cheeks!

What a great little boy!

My little charmer

Devin -- Week 12 (1/1/14-1/7/14)

We had a week of transitions this week after all the holidays. We had the fun time of taking all the decorations down. Devin did not seem to mind the vacuum cleaner at all, but it was Duncan's barking that seemed to really upset him. Devin has been smiling a lot more, and it has been great to watch him enjoy seeing his brother. Kyler is the one person who always seems to make Devin happy, even if he is getting bonked with a few books. Kyler, in turn, loves to help with Devin, often wanting to be by my side at bath time. He tries to help rinse Devin off, but tends to pour water on his face. (Sometimes I wonder if Kyler is water-boarding his brother!) We have tried to get into a more concrete nap and sleeping schedule, with bedtimes around 9:30pm or earlier. We have been primarily using disposable diapers until this week and have had to adjust to many more leaks with the cloth ones.

With very cold weather and lots of snow, we did not leave the house often, but we still had time to go to church. Our whole family was in nursery together, with Devin hanging out with some wonderful ladies while Ryan and I spent time with the toddlers. Devin did not seem to mind, but I was a bit worried with having him being in nursery so young. We had many of my past youth group girls come over to visit, and they enjoyed holding Devin. We also made a quick trip to Grandpa and Grandma's house to use the sewing machine. Tummy time has been going well, but Kyler is usually the one that reminds me and wants to have it go much longer than Devin does. Devin does like to look around, but tires out fairly quickly (he does have a pretty big head to lift).

All snuggled up with a soft blanket in the pink magic bouncy seat!

Looking up at Mommy...

...with a great smile! He has Wiersum eyes when he smiles too!

"You're going to take my picture with just a towel on?"

"Check out this cute body!"

Looking dapper in his elephant cardigan

Full shot to show of the striped pants

Two cute boys that happen to live with me!

Devin and a photo shoot with his pensive look...

...happy look...

...and flirty coy look. Watch out, ladies!

Kyler -- December 2013

December with two little boys was so much fun. The holidays are always busy, but we have tried to just sit back and enjoy life with our "littles" as they are growing up so fast. Kyler continues to talk and talk, often repeating anything that you say, which has led us to calling him "the parrot." With the holidays, he has been exposed to lots of other people and places, often with lots of fun and laughing. He always seems to be able to make people smile and never seems to be shy around anyone. Again, there are just too many new things to tell you, so here is a list of some of my favorites:

He tries to put his foam tub letters in the Christmas tree like ornaments.
He says "Good night" to as many ornaments as he is able to see when going to bed.
When he gets a "boo-boo," he will often pretend to kiss it and say "All better!" before we even know what has happened.
He loves to feel soft blankets on his check, and often will say "Devin too" while he reaches over to stroke his check with the soft blanket.
He learned that he loves to put sprinkles on cookies and should not "tackle" people.
He will tilt his head back and close his eyes when he gets his hair washed, which means no more screaming!
He loves to say "Ah, snow!" but it comes out sounding like a colorful phrase that alarms many.
He got a new snow shovel just his size that he loves to use when clearing the driveway.
He learned to turn a bucket upside down to climb onto things--a whole new level of climbing.
Daddy gave him an jalapeño potato chip, which caused Kyler to cough until he threw up. I guess he does not like spicy food.
He likes to count things, including all his shoes.
He loves to shut all the lights off and be in the "dark" all the time.
At Christmas parties, he likes to collect all the bows, even before the gifts are unwrapped.
He visited Great Grandma VanDyke at Sunset and pointed out "star" or "no star" on all of the trees while waving and smiling at all the elderly folks there. He got a few cookies of his own too!
He learned a new game with Daddy called "cover" where he basically is buried in pillows.
He met a new friend Louisa, whom he called "Weep-sa" and played dress up in a princess dress.
He loves school buses and kissed a few very dirty ones when we were out for a walk. He later said "school buses ucky".
He enjoyed meeting lots of family in Princeton for the holidays.

Kyler in a box after emptying it of bottles

Feeding Cookie Monster...what else, but a cookie

This kid loves his cookies

Another cookie...if Kyler had decorated it, it would have been COVERED in sprinkles

Playing in the deep snow with Duncan on the deck

Gotta test the taste...

"It's yummy, Mommy!"

Snuggling on the big bed...he looks like such a big boy in this picture

We three kings? Well maybe they were wearing the inside of a baseball helmet

Go Blue, boys!

Tub fun with his hair getting washed.

Devin -- Week 11 (12/25/13-12/31/13)

Merry Christmas! Devin had a great first Christmas, which included a nice quiet day at home in matching pajamas with his brother. We got Devin a talking story book bear from Hallmark (similar to the Jingle that we got Kyler for his first Christmas) named Mason. After a nice relaxing holiday, we were off the next morning to visit with family in Illinois. Devin was a fabulous traveler, sleeping most of the trip and taking a bottle in the car. He adjusted to all the new houses easily, and other than not liking to nap without me holding him, he was great. Devin enjoyed meeting both sets of great grandparents, lots of wonderful cousins, and fabulous friends. Devin's cousin Keira was wonderful at holding him and tickling him to make him look at her. Grammy and Papa enjoyed some special time with Devin, as we went out to dinner one night, but thankfully he was really good for them.

We finished our holiday trip visiting with great friends Matt, Becky, and Louisa. Devin loved to kick with his feet free of clothing, and we discovered that you can have a sound machine on your computer (we tried pink noise). We actually made the whole 5+ hour trip home without having to stop because Devin slept and took a bottle so well. Grandpa and Grandma came over to see the boys and have dinner before we had to settle down after the holidays. To ring in the new year, Devin slept great, not even waking up at the start of 2014.