Kyler -- Week 32 (6/23/12-6/29/12)

So this week, after about 11 months of living in Bourbonnais, we left Illinois to return to Michigan. We started off the week with having Uncle Bob and Aunt Dawn come to visit us for the day. We had a great time seeing them and ate a great dinner at Jimmy Jo's BBQ. The next day, Uncle Charlie and Aunt Britani came by to see us on their way back to Evansville. Kyler showed off by rolling all over and getting up onto his knees. We took them out to our favorite place for breakfast in Bourbonnais: French Toast. Kyler slept through much of the meal, but it was great to visit and enjoy awesome food. On the way home, we ended up stuck behind the Bourbonnais Friendship Festival parade, which seemingly blocked every single one of our routes home. We all started having little meltdowns in the car, but eventually we made it home.

The last few days we were in Bourbonnais, we discovered something new for Kyler: Baby First TV. For those of you who have never watched this channel, it has tons of kids programs that are very short, so that it constantly changes for little ones. As much as Kyler loved to see it, there were some shows that we thought were just so silly, and we could not help making fun of some of the characters. Kyler also ate carrots for the first time and really seemed to like them. At the end of the week, he started eating bananas, and other than the bananas causing a bit of a backup in Kyler's digestive system, he really seemed to like them.

Moving day was a really big day, but Kyler took it all in stride and worked on perfecting his ability to sit up on his own. We had a lot of fun watching him stare at everything around him from a sitting position. For nap time, we actually had to set up the pack and play in the bathroom because that was the only room that did not have items to be moved. Kyler seemed to like it, but it was so funny how cramped the room was, besides the fact that it was the bathroom! When we arrived in Michigan, it was too late to go in the pool, but Kyler had a little fussiness before going to sleep. Ryan ended up staying behind in Bourbonnais for two extra days so he could finish up the Anatomy & Physiology class that he was teaching at Olivet.

Thursday and Friday involved some adjustments to Michigan and living at Grandpa and Grandma's. Kyler did not move into his own room until Friday night, but the upstairs nursery was great until then. Kyler's biggest adjustment was definitely the pool. At first he did not know what to think of it, but soon he was splashing and smiling amidst all his floating toys. We even gave him a bath outside because of the warm weather. I think that Kyler has already become more of a water lover than his Daddy.

Hanging out with Uncle Bob and Aunt Dawn

Na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na...Batman!

Watching Baby First TV...as long as it was not "Harry the Bunny"... Mommy hated that show. 

Kyler was helping with stuffing the diapers... He loves to help with laundry

Trying to stay out of the movers' way

"Where did everything go?"

First day in the pool--he loves it!

Tubby time outside! Loving this too!

"Hey--put down the camera, and give me food!"

"Am I too young to jump off the diving board, Grandpa?"

"Well, maybe I will wait a few more years, but I love the water."

Kyler -- Week 28 (5/26/12-6/1/12)

Memorial Day weekend provided us with a lot of family time, which was really nice to have given that Ryan has been teaching summer classes at ONU. We started feeding Kyler green beans this week. He wasn't so sure about them at first, but by the end of the four days, he was eating a ton of them! We enjoyed some nice lazy time in bed as a family. One time when we were getting ready for a walk, Kyler feel asleep in our bed, so the four of us (including Duncan) snuggled and relaxed together. There have been other times when I try to put Kyler down for a nap, but he is just too crabby or wound up, so I just lay in bed and snuggle with him until he settles down. I just love looking into his eyes and stroking his cheek while he sucks on his thumb and stares back at me.

On Sunday, Ryan gave me a nice day off, even letting me nap and go out to a movie (The Avengers). Kyler had a great time watching baseball and making some fun videos with Daddy. He has also really enjoyed watching Praise Baby and Baby Einstein DVDs while jumping in his jumperoo. He will just stop jumping and stare at the television--and that is something since this kid never likes to stop jumping! Memorial Day was nice and included a family walk and a cookout with our neighbors Dale and Emily. We thought that we could make it until we moved before having to get out the high chair, but the Bumbo seat was just getting too tight, especially around Kyler's legs. Plus, with Kyler being so strong, it was just a matter of time before he tipped it over. He has been playing in his crib more and more when he wakes up, so we starting leaving "passiraffe" and "ele-lovie" in there for him to play with.

The rest of the week included many early morning walks (since the weather is getting warmer), enjoying the green beans, and then discovering a love of peas as well. Kyler has been reaching for things more and more, but also getting frustrated when he can't reach them. On Friday, we headed out to Michigan for more house hunting and some other family events. 

Wearing his cool hat before going out for a walk

"I like eating!"

"Mommy, give me more!"

Our son is already a couch potato--enjoying his Baby Einstein videos

"What are we having today? PEAS!"

Stretching out! Notice that my son likes to wear  his rings =)

Not sure if this is a gang sign or just excitement

Look at those baby blues!

Kyler -- Week 26 (5/12/12-5/18/12)

Kyler and I spent this week in Jenison for the Fifth Third River Bank Run and to visit with lots of friends. Kyler stayed up super late the night before the race (which wasn't very fun for me since I had to get up so early), but then he slept in until almost 9am. During that time, we were downtown for the race. For the third year in a row, Ryan's parents came up to Grand Rapids with their friends Bob and Pam to take part in the festivities. Plus, this year my dad ran again too. That night, we all hung out at my parents' house, and Kyler had a lot of fun playing with both sets of grandparents and Bob and Pam. He had plenty of laughs and giggles for everyone and went right to sleep. Sunday was Mother's Day and Kyler gave mommy a great gift--the gift of a good night's sleep! Kyler got all decked out in sweet little khaki overalls with a button-down shirt. I wish that they made those button-down shirts like onesies because tucking them in constantly is a pain. New invention, anyone?

During church, Kyler loved to listen to the music, and after he woke up, it was fun to see him visit everyone in our row. What a great legacy to have him loved by family during church! We went to visit Great Grandma afterwards, and he had fun making her laugh. After our visit, we headed over the Uncle Matt, Aunt Lori, and cousin KayLynn's house for dinner. Kyler got to experience his first swing ride! I forgot to take a hat along on the trip, so Kyler borrowed KayLynn's. Even though it was a little big on him, it was still super cute! Ryan left that evening to head back to Bourbonnais since he had A&P summer classes at ONU to teach, but we had a great week enjoying long walks at the park and playing outside on blankets without him.

The highlights of the week included visiting some wonderful people we hadn't seen in a while. We went and visited my friend Jen and her triplet boys, who are very close in age to Kyler. They are such adorable kids, and it was an honor to have Kyler be their first play date! After a busy play date, we headed out to visit Grandpa at work. We got to meet all his co-workers and even went out to get some lunch. Cousin Sarah was home not feeling well and lived close by, so we visited her before heading out to pick up Grandma from work. It will be so nice when we live close by everyone and can spread all the love out during the week. Kyler loves to go and visit people!

Visiting Great Grandma on Mother's Day

This happy boy loves his zebrafly

His first swing outside! Check out his awesome hat -- the sun sombrero!

It might have been Mother's Day, but he loves his Daddy

"Yummy... Go blue!"

Cousins playing

Aunt Lori has that great zebra toy again!

Playing with my new buddy Caleb and our bug toys

Caleb and Joshua are going to be so much fun to play with when we move back! Matt was sleeping, but I think he will just add to all the trouble these boys might get into together.

"Mommy, these boys are fun!"

"I helped with the laundry, Mommy!"

"Aren't I the cutest baby ever?"

"It is a great day to read a book outside -- but I cannot forget my sunglasses"

Hanging out by the pool in his jumperoo!

Kyler -- Week 24 (4/28/12-5/4/12)

There were some fun visits and major milestones this week! Grandpa and Grandma Wiersum came to visit Saturday morning to help with packing and had a great time watching Kyler show off his jumperoo skills. We enjoyed a nice walk and taking plenty of pictures. We even took a trip to Menards and found one of the now favorite toys--a pinwheel! Kyler loves it, but even though he wants to grab it so badly, it would be "Goodbye, pinwheel!" in the hands of our little man. Later that night, we attended the final Biophilic party for ONU. Kyler loves to visit with all the faculty and students, and he tends to be the center of any party he goes to. There are so many great students who love Kyler that we will miss when we move, but we hope to always stay in touch with them.

The major milestone this week was learning to roll over onto his tummy from his back on Monday! He was so good at it and could not stop practicing. It was fun to watch him work at it and perfect it as the day went on. He did get frustrated not being able to get back onto his back, but after lots of practice he mastered that on Wednesday. He is now a rolling machine and unfortunately does not stop when he should be going to sleep at night. All the rolling keeps him awake longer and makes getting him to sleep a big challenge because he gets so over tired. We have had a lot of nights where putting Kyler to bed has become a whole evening job that requires two people! It's just a phase though, and we know he is proud of what he can do--because we are too!

Sitting with Grandma and my turtle

Daddy flying me in the air--I love it!

All ready to head to the Biophilic party

I love ONU students!

Just hanging with college guys

The chicks dig me--especially because of my bear ears on the hood of my jacket!

Waking up with Grandma

Getting ready for church with my favorite wooden ring toy

Lounging around after a very social weekend

Daddy is so silly...

...but I love him so much!

Is this how you use a burp cloth, Mommy?

Kyler -- Week 18 (3/17/12-3/23/12)

Kyler is now 4 months old! We took lots of trips this weekend with Kyler. Ryan went to the post office with him and saw another faculty member from ONU there. We took many walks in the park and even went out to get fro-yo with Dale and Emily. Church is always fun/nerve racking because we do not know what Kyler will do. This weekend he liked to talk during the sermon and flirt with any of the girls sitting around us. Adult fingers seem to be a great chew toy and decrease chatter when needed, but drool dripping down your arm is a side effect.

Kyler got to play in his Bumbo seat more this week, and he is slowly learning to grab toys while sitting in it. At first, he just wanted to keep his hands on the blue chair, but he is becoming more adventurous as time passes. Tummy time has also gotten better by leaps and bounds! He is actually happy to do it and smiles or talks to you while you try to keep him happy with toys or books.

We had a lot of fun visiting people this week too. Aunt Nicole came on Wednesday and had fun seeing how big Kyler had gotten. We also enjoyed a walk in the warmer weather near our house where pheasants seem to just fly out of no where. I was totally freaked out and startled at one when it flew out of the brush right next to me. Thursday we went over to enjoy Banana Pancake Night with some ONU students. Kyler loved to see all the students, and we enjoyed the wonderful food. It was an honor to be the first faculty and baby invited to this event. Later that night, Ryan stayed home with Kyler while I went to a midnight showing of The Hunger Games with Emily. Kyler did not sleep in for me the next morning, but we survived the day on little sleep

Enjoying Banana Pancake Night!

Getting ready for a walk in the park with Emily and Lillie. Thank you Kyle, Abbie, and Vada for the cool onesie!

Using the Bumbo, but it is a pretty tight fit!

Kyler loves his puppy...

And Duncan seems to love his boy!

Getting better at tummy time!

Such cute pictures...and the drool!

Already wanting to change the channel!

Our happy little guy!