Saturday, November 3, 2018

Devin -- March 2016

We are starting to get back into the swing of things here. Spring is starting to arrive and with that means lots of adventures outside. Devin loves to be outside and loves to ride in his wagon but he has also started to show a bit more of that stubborn streak with more frequent temper tantrums and even hitting when very frustrated. We keep working on time outs and talking to him, but he just does not talk much right now and it is frustrating for both him and us when we cannot seem to communicate. We keep praying that something will click soon so we can hear what our darling boy has on his mind! Here are a few of our other adventures this month:
  • This boy loves to help me clean and sweeping the floor is a new favorite
  • When he wants to show me something, he loves to walk around holding onto my finger, often just taking me for laps around the kitchen island
  • Devin has really wanted to be like the big guys and loves to sit and watch Kyler and Daddy playing Wii together
  • Like most of us, Devin has discovered that eating the marshmallows out of cereal does not mean he gets more cereal. Poor kid, cereal goes WITH the marshmallows
  • We love dance parties at this house, but Devin is not one to dance on his own, he loves to be held and slow dance with his mommy
  • When his buddy from next door is over, he loves to sit by her and tries to play everything together. He also looks out the window as she goes home. 
  • Kyler loves yoga and Devin has been trying to do it too!
  • We have become very good at rolling balls back and forth
  • One of Devin's temper tantrums was over putting shoes on, so we tried a bigger size and that seemed to be the problem! Size 8 shoes here we are!
  • After BSF I gave Devin and Kyler granola bars, the chocolate was EVERYWHERE with Dev
  • When Devin does not want to go to bed for his nap, all I have to do is give him a book and he is happy as a clam.
  • Even though it is spring, Devin still feels the need to take his snow shovel out and clear the sidewalks
  • Woke up with a very hot fever right before Ryan had to leave for research in DC. Woke up just super silly at 8:30 at night and giggled like crazy watching Pioneer Woman with me
  • We have another ear infection, second one in two months
  • Devin has not been wanting to use his highchair so we tried the booster but that did not seem to make him happy at all, we might just go to big boy chairs!
  • Much to my dismay, Devin loves to take all the books off his shelves
  • Will often take his blankets out of his crib by pulling them through the slats, then walks around looking so cute with his blanket dragged behind him
  • Nothing makes Devin smile more than getting to push the garage door button!
  • We have fun bouncing and rolling on the large workout ball
  • Playing with cars in the sink, so fun but so wet afterwards!
  • Loves to point at letters on my shirt over and over again
  • When we drop off Kyler at school, he often tries to visit the 5th grade classrooms
  • Had a great time exploring and walking around at Holland State Park. He loves the swings
  • Just like boys, Devin was laughing and giggling at Kyler while he tooted and made bubbles in the tub
  • On Easter he was pretty crabby but took a VERY long nap after not being interested in the egg hunt
  • Loves to eat, and even enjoyed the sunflower seeds but will NOT eat bread!
My snuggly buddy

Working on our prayers

He loves to climb on the train table

Yoga time

Enjoying some kiwi

Lounging around

He loves his wagon

Watching out the window

Loving the donuts!

cookie time at the store

Playing in the sandbox!

Snuggle time with Grandpa

Rocks in a bucket, best game ever?

Brother time

Not feeling well

My happy buddy!

Showing off on the stairs

He shoots...

...he scores and giggles

Hanging out at the lighthouse

Walks on the beach with Mommy

playing in the sand

my super guy!

Kyler -- March 2016

This has been such a fun month with Kyler. He has been expressing himself more and more. I was able to help out in his classroom and it was so great to see how he just loves to be with friends and would hug anyone! This kid has a huge heart and a mind that still baffles me with how and what he learns so quickly. We had great times with family and friends, celebrated Easter and talked about what it means to be forgiven and saved. Here are a few highlights from this month:
  • We found a Star Wars cosmic kids yoga! He loved it and wanted to do it over and over again
  • "Thanks for playing with me today" to kids from school
  • Had fun talking and waving at a friend when out to dinner
  • Started to get sick and ran a high fever and did not even want to eat a cupcake - shivering in the tub because of his fever
  • Had tons of fun walking and jumping in mud puddles with boots
  • Slept in until almost 9 so stayed home sick (needed the rest and was recovering)
  • Went to the Hudsonville Fire Station with Grandpa and had a great time checking out the engines
  • Loves to play soccer and hockey outside with his new net...he is a pretty good goalie!
  • After a nice afternoon, we had fun hanging out on the deck together
  • Has been working on washing his own hair in the tub!
  • When Daddy left for a research trip in DC we had a candlelight dinner together because that is what we do when we eat dinner with just mommy!
  • Taught Ky to make his own PB and J and loved it! He is going to be a great cook someday!
  • With Kyler and Devin sick while Ryan was gone, we all cuddled late at night and everyone was a bit on the silly/giggly side
  • While taking a walk around the neighborhoods, he likes to write numbers and the alphabet
  • Can count to 100 and then count to 100 by tens, not sure where he learns these things!
  • Helped to take Duncan to the vet, loved to pet the cat and check out the animal scale
  • Found an Angry Birds game to set up his own levels and had SO much fun, even made up "bonus levels" on his own
  • Had fun going to the Peanuts movie with Daddy and eating lots of popcorn. 
  • Went out to dinner together as a family and started reading signs "Like a good...what is that word?...State Far is there."
  • Had a great time waving a palm branch at church and playing with Jacob and Seth his church buddies
  • We worked on fire safety and even had fun doing stop, drop and roll
  • Kyler has been having a lot of fun helping me in the kitchen and even tried corn muffins that he helped to make
  • Obsessed with Candy Crush and also playing/watching Super Mario Brothers on the Wii
  • Always wants Ryan and I to leave so that he can have baby-sitters
  • We went to explore Holland State park. He loved the pier and climbing all over the place. We had fun at the beach and loved the big boy swings!
  • Made Easter eggs together that also included adding hair and stickers to them
  • Loved getting to see one of his teachers playing her clarinet at church on Easter
  • Had a great time running around and doing the Easter egg hunt at Bolman's with Josie
  • Likes to tell everyone what Easter means, which makes me so proud and happy
  • We had his cousins over for the day and it was so much fun to have them play outside and explore the dirt hill (and got pretty muddy) Later it was so cute to have the three oldest in the tub together
  • Was very upset when we forgot his backpack for school
  • Loves to help by putting Devin's loveys in the crib for me. What a great helper, sometimes he does it without even being asked!
  • When asked if he was on Jesus's side he and his BSF class all said yes! 
  • After class gets out he LOVES to hug his classmates and it is so fun to watch. He likes to call a three way hug a "Level Three Hug."
Doing some yoga

Downward Dog with others!

Making some noodle art

Recovering from being sick

Snow biking!

He is so good at walking his dog

Playing soccer

Sandbox discovery

Exploring outside

Sunshine Selfies!

Popcorn and movie with Daddy

Finger painting fun!

Duncan sunggles

Big boy swings at the beach

My goofy boy

walking on the beach with Daddy

Guy time with waves, love this!

Smiling out by big red

having fun on the pier

So tall kiddo!

Such handsome guys!

Dying Easter eggs

such crazy guys!

Hanging out in the boxes







Friday, November 2, 2018

Devin -- February 2016

So I am finally healing enough to watch the boys on my own and Devin is just so sweet with his little displays of affection lately. He loves to lean into me and that is how he gives hugs these days. He also really loves to just snuggle and be in my lap at all times. I do think that Devin is a more physical kiddo and loves to be touching me or holding my hand when I am near. There are lots of other things that this kid has been doing this month and here are a few:

  • While watching television together he loves to lay his head on my chest and hold onto my hand
  • When Grammy and Papa were here, he loved to color (really just take crayons out of the container and put them back).
  • Was very good for Papa when he had a dirty diaper to change. He still kicks a lot and can be a very big handful when you change him
  • He has started to climb into his highchair which will make my job easier!
  • Went around hugging people (leaning his head into them) and kept doing it to his brother, almost as if he knew he was starting to annoy him.
  • Loves to pull the block wagon all around the house
  • Will stack power-ade bottle all over the place just like his brother used to
  • When you say "Roar" in a certain story he giggles and smiles
  • After seeing Kyler and Daddy play Wii, he likes to try and stand on the board all by himself
  • I was able to get him to paint, but only when it was water
  • He loves to help out putting toys away, but really loves to put the dishes away from the dishwasher
  • When we had a Pazcki he tried to eat all the cream filling first
  • Devin has started to hit a lot when he does not get his way, and I keep hoping that when his speech is better that this will go away
  • Loves to unzip anything that I put on him, always his coat
  • Will often streak around the house when he is undressed for a tub
  • Has started to go up and down the stairs with no help! Doing really well at it
  • When I ask him some letters on his puzzles he can usually identify them
  • Loves to hold onto my finger and lead me all over the house
  • Plays really well with neighbor, often bringing her play food to scan on the grocery scanner
  • Came down with a very high fever and a terrible cold which turned out to be ear infections and croup
  • When he tries to kick a ball, he often tries to step on it
  • Has started to take a book to bed and just loves to look at it
  • Moved a stool by the basketball hoop so that he can put balls into it
  • Loves to wait by the front door of Kyler's classroom and then hug him when he sees him
  • Always will eat the marshmallow first if his cereal has them
  • When we have a dance party, he loves for me to hold him so we can "slow dance"
  • Loves to drum on the big silver ball
  • Often will paint with fingers and then eat it! 
My snuggle time with Devin, I love this.

This kid might like television a little bit

Trying to get him to like coloring 
We love puzzle time

My twin boys! So cute when they match

Sitting with Great Grandma

Sitting with the big bear

Making Daddy a valentine

Fun in a box!

What ma?

Goofy boy!

Working with money...start em young?

This kid loves to help out around the house

Snack time...

...and more snack time




Kyler -- February 2016

February is always hard because of the winter weather carrying on so long and this year with me finally getting back on my feet but not being able to fully be the mom that I want. Kyler has been such a helper all this time and I really look forward to seeing what kind of kid he is going to grow up into. He has such a kind heart and already seems to think about others so much. Here are the highlights of the month:
  • When snuggling with me, he loves to lay his head on my bellybutton
  • On hat day, wore a Cardinals hat
  • With Grammy here and sleeping downstairs he said "if you need me, you can get me anytime you want."
  • Grammy also got to be the special helper at school
  • Cousin Katheryn came over for dinner and had a great time playing Light sabers together. 
  • Had a great time with cousins and Grandma here playing lots of board games
  • Said "I would "prefer" cereal for breakfast"
  • Loves to request library books about Star Wars
  • Enjoyed his Paczki for fat Tuesday
  • Had a great time going back to BSF and teachers were so happy to see him too!
  • Loves to play with my ice pack and put it on his legs too
  • Had a great time writing his name and doing stickers for all the Valentines for his class
  • Loved to sit and hold my hand at school for the "Bring Someone You Love" day
  • Does not always sleep during nap time, but will often just look at books
  • Had a great time ordering his own food at Tom + Chee
  • We found an Angry Birds movie at Target and he has loved watching it
  • When I asked how Devin was doing on the stairs "he is doing great mommy!"
  • Was so excited to be the VIP at school (very important preschooler)
  • At pajama day at school, started laying on the ground so much that the teacher was worried he had a fever and checked his temperature
  • Had a great time at the dentist and made a new friend, someone that Mommy had know back when she lead youth group
  • Loves to throw snowballs with Daddy
  • We have been talking about who he wants to be next Halloween and he thinks that Daddy should be Princess Leia or Chewie!
  • Helped me to wash Duncan but when he saw that he was shaking and scared he kept saying "its okay, there is nothing to be worried about"
  • Tried a ham and cheese sandwich from Subway and loved it.
  • At church will often lean in on me and then run around with older boys after church
  • Plays pretend Star Wars with toys all the time
  • Had fun playing golf, soccer and hockey outside, a pretty good goalie!
  • Had his first Snow day only to come down with a pretty high fever
  • At dinner one night asked "Daddy how was your day?"
  • Loves to make his own "angry birds games" by knocking things down with balls
  • Tried "Easy Cheese" but did not really seem to like it much. 
Boys and electronics

Light Saber battles, all the time

Making Valentine's for class

This kid gets into art

Someone we love day at school

Making Valentine's crafts

He is really good at Angry Birds!

Snack smiles