Devin -- April 2017

April is so much fun, especially now that the weather is getting better and summer is just around the corner. We also had the first time that both boys had spring break! It was a lot of fun to just get to hang out with kiddos and have time for Devin at home, but it is also great to see how much he has grown as well. We had a bit of a rough patch with sickness at the end of the month, but it is also a wonderful time to be outside and took full advantage of it too. Here are some of this months highlights.

• Loved going out to get the mail with me, even in his footie pjs
• Working on pulling up his own pants
• Devin loves donuts, just not the actual donut part (frosting only)
• For some reason Devin is terrified of the library doors and often has to be carried through them
• While on a walk, Kyler pushed him on his tricycle. When Kyler asked if he wanted to be pushed more Dev said "yeah, yeah"
• We put up a tent in the basement and he loved to just put lots of toys in it
• He brings me his PECTS cards for Apple all the time (picture card used for communication)
• He also bring me his PECTS card for outside, even if it is raining!
• When it was time to go back to school, Devin was SO excited to see one of his favorite aids, Miss Nicole
• Devin sat on the potty and had a few drops in! YEAH!
• When reading the Very Hungry Caterpillar he likes to do motions for Sun, Look and Big =)
• He will often use the board to communicate "I go home" at the end of the day
• Netflix has the Very Hungry Caterpillar and it soon became his favorite video to watch. 
• We went to the ECC to play and brought pizza. It was so cute to see you light up because you know this place and you loved looking into the windows too
• For Easter, we went to Grandpa and Grandma's house, and of course he loves to sit by the counter because that is where he gets treats
• Was given a wonderful Easter Bunny Cookie from Steenstra's Bakery from Aunt Lynsey and treated it a lot like he does donuts...frosting only
• Kyler was very thoughtful and found Color Crew one of Devin's favorite shows on his tablet 
• Poor kiddo had such a bad stomachache that he threw up every 15 minutes in the middle of the night
• We went to Frederick Meijer Gardens with Grandma and Devin loved to look around, but was a bit overwhelmed so wanted me to hold him the whole time
• When Kyler started to read to Devin, he soon became his favorite reading buddy and brings him books all the time saying "Kkkkk" to have him read to him
• At the end of the month had a terrible fever and had to be picked up from school. The temperature stayed for a couple of days. 
• Even with the fever he wanted to cuddle so he had his foot on my arm or leg to still have some contact
• As soon as he started to feel better Devin joined me for the Calvin 5K run! He loved riding in the Burley and fussed whenever I started to walk. What a great coach.
• When I was done running and it was time to go into the gym, he did not want to get out and every time I took him out of the Burley he would climb back into it. Silly kiddo! 
• Devin surprised us by loving the egg and cheese flatbread from Subway, so now we get to pick up food that does not just come with fries. Yeah! 

loving his bike and glasses...

...super cool dude!

Having fun showing us the playground at his school

He likes these bouncy toys

Going down the slide!

Where are my teachers? 

Watching his favorite shows

Boy time on the couch...with boots

Oh the fun in tub time

Best Buddy Brothers!

Someone is not feeling well

All smiles with his bubble mower

Exploring the playground at HCS after we drop off Kyler

Improvised headrest

This sweet and silly boy!

I must watch my brother! 

So strong!

Not sure what to do with this ice cream cone!

Taking mommy on in games

Devin -- March 2015

Devin has been getting more and more interactive, often talking and making tons of noises anytime anyone is around. Devin has been having a bit of seperation axiety when he goes to Bible Study Fellowship and nursery. He is able to calm down, but it just breaks my heart when he is crying and shaking when I give him over to his wonderful teachers. I know that he is safe, but he does not know it and he is VERY attached to his mommy. I love how much he loves being with me, but there are times that it can be so heartbreaking. This month we went to visit the Frederick Meijer Gardens and he had a great time looking at the butterflies, but he really loved the more hands on things, like the Japanese garden and just getting to touch the plants. We are slowly getting rid of nursing and now we are just on and off which makes me realize just how much of a boy and not a baby he has become. Here is a few more memorable highlights.

• Loves to grab "down there" anytime there is no diaper and that often means with there is messy things too!
• Has started to push the Dino toy around, but does not fully know how to turn it around. 
• Had fun sucking on his arm and making farting noises...so it starts
• HATES elevators, not matter if I am holding him or if he is in a stroller, screams every time
• Devin has started to snuggle with a blanket during his nap times lately
• After a few fussy days, I took him to the doctor to find out he has a cold, ear infection and molars coming in. Poor kiddo must have been feeling awful!
• We had an eye appointment to take the tube out of his eye and he barely noticed
• Whenever the television is on he never pay attention until ELMO comes on then he just light up
• Has so much fun putting magnetic flowers on trees at the Gardens, it was so cute to watch over and over 
• He has started putting his coins into his piggy bank and even putting the circle shapes into his puzzles.
• Has been taking a few steps at a time but only when he wants to
• Loves to play with his little basketball hoop in the tub during bath time
• Had a great time eating dinner at Project Neighborhood with Calvin Students. He did not want to be put down until dinner time and then he just threw food everywhere!
• Loves to hold the Wii nun-chuck when brother and Daddy are playing. He seems to think he is playing too.  
• Loves to take lids on and off of containers
• When Kyler and I were washing Duncan Devin came to join us and wanted to help too by reaching in the water and later I gave him a cup so that he could pretend to dump water
• Devin always seems to put his food in his hair and often has some fun post eating hairstyles
• Had a great weekend with Grammy and Papa visiting and enjoying eating at Rainbow Grill
• Even though he is not fulling walking, he likes to walk around on his knees!
• When I was putting laundry away, I turned to find that he had taken every tissue out of a box
• Had his last day of Coffee Break at church where he often snuggled with his special person Onetta, and she could not wait for "her boy." Makes me smile!
• At Grandpa and Grandma's house had fun going up and down the one step.
• When having snack at the table, thought it was funny to put his feet up and started to giggle. 
• Played outside in the sand box and enjoyed eating it...yucky kiddo!
• Loves to close doors, but gets upset if they are fully closed. 

Dev loves his thumb

Hello everyone!

Watching the butterflies

He really just loved to touch the plants

My sweet little Kimono wearer

Random toys mom!

Touchdown!

Waving to the camera!

Hugs!

Helping mommy bake! 

Trying some toast

Having Pie on Pi day

Checking out books

Someone loves to read!

Checking out the containers!

Someone loves to eat!

Sand, not so tastey

Pantsless play day!

Playing Peek!

Kyler -- March 2015

Kyler has been so much fun this month, but really the kid is always making my day. He is so funny even when he tries not to be, but one thing that I love most about him is that he is so kind and loves so many people. To Kyler every one is a friend and he always wants to talk or get to know someone. He loves to teach things too, even though Devin may never share his enthusiasm for letters (not many adults would). He has been saying funny things and watching his little mind work always make me so happy. I love who Kyler is becoming and I am always so thankful to be his parent. Here are some of the highlights of this month:

• When in his car seat, he told me he hated his ribbons (what he calls his collar of his coat). When I told him that his ribbons are the coat collar, he said "no mommy, collars are not for boys, girls, or grown ups, they are for dogs."
• At church when the pastor asked the kids to hold out their hands to receive God’s gift Kyler piped up saying “What is it?” Everyone laughed and it sparked a good talk later
• When he was up late one night, he told me in the morning “I cried because I love you mommy!”
• Loves his new train puzzle and often likes to call the jaguar the “Jagwater”
• When visiting Grandma, said a pink stuffed turtle was a girls toy…already gender roles starting to encroach
• Picked up some medicine for Devin, came home and got right next to Devin to say “We got your medicine Dev!” So sweet
• When I was not feeling well with a cold, he came to visit me in the bed to tell me he loved me…I love this!
• Had a great time going to the butterflies and playing in the snow with his cousins
• We planted seeds together and he was so excited to see them grow every morning
• Working on drawing lines and circles
• During prayer time asked Jesus to help him “Trust and Obey” which he sang at BSF that week
• Had a great time at the project neighborhood house with college students and often just makes himself at home in any place.
• “I’m a good soccer boy” after playing soccer with Daddy outside
• After helping me wash the dog he say “Duncan, we do water, soap and then water, like a pattern.”
• Every time he helps us to put groceries away, he always called tomatoes potatoes and vice versa.
• Had a fun with Grammy and Papa eating at Rainbow Grill, going to the butterflies, Costco, McDonald’s, Sprinkles donuts, and reading funny books
• We had a fun time on a walk and explored some new houses being built
• Playing outside, he has been trying to ride his tricycle, but often prefers to just push it around
• When we went to visit Grandpa and Grandma Kyler asked if it was the “regular ones?”
• When we have a little girl Lily over during the morning, Kyler LOVES to show her different letters
• Made me a green noodle necklace at BSF and was so proud to give it to me. The string was too short otherwise I would have loved to wear it proudly!
• Had Kyler run next door to return something, and after forgetting to knock he just went right into the house to play (good thing we have great neighbors). When I went to get him, he said “They have a nice house” and then “Watch out for dog bombs mommy!” as we ran across our yard to get inside
• Washed his hair and said “I look like Cohen”
• Woke up one morning and said to me “Mommy, I really love you”
• We played a new game called “find it” where I hid four balls around the room
• When I was gone for the weekend, Kyler sent me a sweet message telling me goodnight and that he loved me.
• When I brought home a new bin from Ikea, he loved to playing in it. When we asked him to get out he said “But I cannot get out, it says so in my story. Kyler plays in the bins.” Silly boy you sound just like Super why!
• Made a very bad choice crossing the street without me which meant we had a long talk. When he told Daddy about his bad choice he told him “Mommy wants to keep me forever so I have to make good choices.” Yes I do honey!
• Bedo-Bedo” when we talked about Despicable Me 2 movie

Playing with his new Alphabet train puzzle

Selfie time!

Not thrilled in the car seat

Running around at the Gardens

Mommy loving time

Helping to bake, with a little chocolate chip on his face

Enjoying pie on Pi day

Hanging out with Papa on his birthday

Snuggling on the couch

Hanging out with the dragon

He LOVES his letters

Little guys playing with their cars together

Loving the time outside with the sandbox