Kyler -- Week 29 (6/2/12-6/8/12)

So this was a busy week. We started out in Jenison for more house hunting, a graduation party, and a baby shower/family cookout. We ended the week by accepting an offer on the house we were interested in and welcoming my parents back to Bourbonnais to paint Kyler's bedroom back to a boring white color. So as you can imagine, this was one busy week!

Saturday we started out with visiting four houses, the last of which was a brand new house still under construction. We really liked it and had my parents bring Kyler to come see it--just so he could see his possible new home. He didn't seem to get too excited. That afternoon we headed out to Byron Center for my cousin Blake's graduation open house. Kyler enjoyed visiting with all of his fun relatives, playing with his cousin KayLynn and some extended cousins. On Sunday, we had a great time seeing more extended family and got to celebrate a "little one" on the way for Sarah and Andrew. Tim, Kim, Eli, and Norah were in town from Washington, and it was so much fun to have Kyler and Norah interact. They were born just 18 days apart, and it was great to see them smile and enjoy each other. Kyler did not seem to be bothered when we had to deal with some house stuff--he just enjoyed all the attention from his relatives!

We had a rough week with naps and bedtimes, probably because his schedule was thrown off due to our late return to Bourbonnais on Sunday. It took him a couple of days to adjust back to normal. Even with all the rough sleeping though, Kyler has been getting up on his knees and sitting on his own for brief seconds. It will be only a matter of time before this kid can sit and crawl!

Kyler and his cousin KayLynn playing at the open house

"I love my cousin so much!" KayLynn loves to give Kyler hugs...

...and kisses!

"Hey, Uncle Matt, what is on your eyes?"

Family picture time

KayLynn had to say hi to her cousin when she saw him again on Sunday

Such a happy baby boy!

Hanging out with cousin Sarah

Kyler and Daddy!

"Bring on the food mommy--I love avocado!"

Trying to figure out his sippy

To the eighth month -- AND BEYOND!

Sorry for the lack of September updates. Life here has been very busy! Ryan is immersed in his first semester teaching at Olivet Nazarene University, and he has had very little time to do much online social networking or blogging. Melissa has been keeping herself busy too. She even spent a week up in Michigan in anticipation of her cousin Sarah's wedding, which included making the wedding cake for the now newlyweds' big day:

But throughout all of this, Peanut has been continuing to grow! The last two check-ups with our new doctors here have gone splendidly. Melissa is measuring right where she should be, and Peanut's heartbeat is always very strong. Here's Melissa at 32 weeks:

This past weekend we were blessed by the Bebej side of the family with a huge co-ed baby shower/get-together. It was a really great day--Aunt Dawn and Grandma Linda sure know how to throw a party! And the generosity of our family and friends was SO overwhelming--we are very thankful! This kid is going to be so well-dressed!

Melissa's mom and dad were also able to come down for the party. But we put them to work during their visit too. They've pretty much become our own personal paint crew. Any time we plan on painting a room where we live, they come on over with their rollers, brushes, and drop cloths in tow. This time we painted the nursery. While the nursery is not 100% ready for Peanut's arrival, it's really starting to come together. Here are a couple of shots of the nursery now that the walls are painted. Even without the bedding set up yet, the Mesozoic theme is already obvious (please note the awesomeness of the lamp on the dresser, which ultimately won Ryan over in choosing these Jurassic and Cretaceous reptiles over a mammal-themed nursery):

We'll try and be better about posting in the coming weeks!

"Showered" by Wonderful Friends

It has been a busy couple of weeks, and a lot has happened. I am now "unemployed" since I really am not a stay at home mom yet...well unless you count Duncan and unborn Peanut. Our apartment is almost unrecognizable after all the boxes have taken over, but that will be a post all on its own, I promise. During these busy weeks, I had wonderful friends and co-workers throw me baby showers.

Kellie and Laura worked hard to give me a really adorable baby shower on July 9th at our church. It was great to see so many friends there and to receive love sent from others who could not be there. My parents were able to come up for the weekend and even catch a softball game before the shower on Saturday morning.

After a fun game, I received some super cute Kellie-made bibs and burp cloths...
U of M of course!

Super soft blanket with puppies from Lynsey and Lori

I continued to receive more of our cloth diapers!

The super cute diaper cake with more burp clothes and onsies with cute little tub toys (the whale on top was a Ryan favorite)! We will definitely enjoy the disposable diapers the first month when Peanut arrives.

The great group of friends and family who came (and the love that came with them from those who could not attend)

A week later, I ended my 2 1/2 years working for the U of M Anesthesiology Department. I will greatly miss all the people I worked with and was overwhelmed by their love and generosity on my last day. They threw me a "going-away baby shower" on my last day. I have never been sadder to leave a job. I will greatly miss all the wonderful people I worked with and hope to stay in contact with them all! (I didn't bring my camera so I missed out on pictures for this one... Sorry!)