Labor Day Cottage Tour-Day 1

We are so blessed to have two "cottages" in our family. As you know from previous blog posts, Steve's parents have a wonderful cottage on Slayton Lake. My parents have a trailer at Maranatha Bible and Missionary Conference. On beautiful weeks/weekends in the summer, our biggest issue is finding enough free days to divide between the offers for lake front time. We didn't start the weekend with any plans. In fact, we were committed to spending at least one day at home, just being together. Saturday was great for that. But with a 4 day weekend that still leaves at least two days for playing. So, play we did. Saturday much of the family (and all of the immediate family) gathered at the Van Dyk cottage. Here are some of my favorites from that day.

Kayleigh Highlights:

[caption id="attachment_607" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="I like peanuts"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_608" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="Just copying the adults ... eating, talking, sitting in adirondacks"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_609" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="My beautiful girl, sipping her milk"][/caption]

Benjamin's Highlights:

[caption id="attachment_610" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="Eating with Jess"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_611" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="Chatting with everyone while in the exersaucer"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_612" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="Benny watches the lake"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_613" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="Benny snuggles with Jackie"][/caption]

And a special shout out to all of the extended family who was able to come and so willingly helped out with my kids. I know the immediate Van Dyks are always ready and willing, but it was fun to have aunts and cousins so eager too! It was a super fun/relaxing day! Thanks a bunch!

"Own ..."

As we are approaching 22 months, I'm starting to see monthly words emerge .... words that Kayleigh likes to try out, repeatedly, for the entire month. This month the theme has been doing things on her own. Don't get me wrong, she still wants someone there to watch her and guide her through her activities. BUT, she always wants to do things on her own. Just yesterday we heard all of the following: When we color: "Own crayons ... Own paper. Mommy, color own paper." When we eat dinner: "Own taco ... Kayleigh own taco, meat in there, cheese in it. Own." When we hang up clothes: "Kayleigh own hanger. K Do it. Momma, K own hanger." When we give Beny paci/Blankets: "K own blanket, K own paci. Get paci? Get K blanket? K own!" (This is especially traumatic because kitty has  a blanket too and she can't handle having Benny have one, kitty have one and her not! So, she often carries it around the house to blend in).

IF ONLY we could get her to want to use the toilet on her own ... so far that hasn't caught on quite yet. Soon, perhaps ...

We've got personality ...

Both Kayleigh and Benjamin have so much personality at such a young age. I don't consider myself to be super wacky (although I definitely have my moments). So, I often wonder where they came up with the wackiness ...  then I pull up images in my mind like this: Or perhaps this:

Either way, it's clear that their silly craziness comes from their Daddy ... Some proof? No problem:

Kayleigh imitating her father by sitting at the table, alternating whether she's drinking Pepsi or Mt. Dew (all empty cans she pulled from the recycle!) ... I personally love the tip back the head to drain the last drops, I see him do that CONSTANTLY! Benjamin just started pulling his stunts today. He was in the exersaucer, sitting between Kayleigh and Mommy, while we ate lunch. He didn't know who to focus on so, he nearly made himself dizzy switching from Kayleigh to Mommy to Kayleigh to Mommy, etc. :) It was good for a laugh. Video won't upload, but I'll work on it for a later post.

In short, as silly as they are, at the end of the day, they love each other. See picture snapped THROUGH the stroller screens. Ben is chilling and Kayleigh is making sure his paci stays in place, just holding it there while she relaxes. :) I love watching them work together ... it makes me so proud.

Thursday at Grammy's

Steve has been working like crazy, and he was going to a concert with Kevin ... So, since my mom didn't have to work at school, we decided to pack up and have a day with her. Despite Benjamin's refusal to maintain his normal schedule while there, he did take a 2.5 hour nap in the pack and play after Kayleigh finished her 2 hour nap. So, all in all, it was a pretty great sleeping day. Kayleigh always has lots of fun with Grammy; they spent lots of time playing on the slide in the basement, with the stroller and her "baby," and with the new Mickey Mouse Clubhouse set. Kayleigh REALLY enjoyed trying Play-Doh and markers, for what I think was her first time with both. She also got spoiled rotten when Grammy got her some food for her kitchen and a bunch of fun new outfits. Benny got a little snuggle time in with Grammy too ... and didn't walk away empty handed either :) AND just in case you'd think these visits are all about spoiling grandkids, I should say I got a cinnamon roll, and a delicious chocolate/white chocolate iced mocha with whipped topping. In addition to that, I don't have to cook or do dishes, something I relish a break from :).

Thanks for a fun day Mom and Dad! :)

[caption id="attachment_587" align="aligncenter" width="720" caption="Hard at work"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_588" align="aligncenter" width="720" caption="Grammy and the Van Dyk grandkids "][/caption]

I just have to add that this picture made me realize, with some degree of perspective, how large my 3 month old baby is. He's technically ALMOST 3.5 months but seriously ... look at him. He's enormous! I can't wait to see what his dimensions are at his 4 month checkup in a few weeks.

My Wild Man

Benjamin is growing steadily. In his growth, his mobility increases. He loves to watch the world go by (especially when his sister is involved). So often he will be upset that Mommy isn't carrying him, when Kayleigh will jump in front of his eyes to entertain. It never fails to be MORE than a suitable substitute. He adores her ... Monday afternoon the two of them were outside. I was trying to keep Kayleigh occupied on one thing for more than 30 seconds, and Benjamin was simply content with whatever play he could get. He just liked being outside. So, I went downstairs and got his exersaucer. He sat (after swinging for quite some time) in his saucer and played. He watched Kayleigh do the slide, he played with his toys, and he even let Mommy take him for a couple of laps through the sprinkler (he LOVED IT!). Here's a picture I snapped of him looking so intent (and so happy) with his toys.

He looks so grown up already, I can hardly stand it. Here's a short video clip of Ben during lunchtime. He takes his "noon" bottle around 12:30, right after Kayleigh and I finish lunch and BEFORE they both take their concurrent naps. So, while we eat, he's a little cranky. BUT, I can always get him to smile and cheer up when he gets a chance to see "his girls ... (i.e. Mommy+Kayleigh at the same time)." So, enjoy watching what Kayleigh and I get to see each lunch hour! (Sure beats news or soap operas!) :)

8-31 Happy Ben at lunch

Speechless Saturday

I finally captured one ... :) I wish I had had time to grab the DSLR, but I didn't. So, iPhone 4 will have to do :) My babies ... 

Kayleigh's Love Affair Complete

Well, it was only a few hours after I finished writing the previous blog post that the playset was completely assembled. However, it was too dark to take pictures, and the little princess had been sleeping for at least an hour. So, her joy at the rest of the project would have to wait until morning. Daddy left for work SUPER early (like 4:00 a.m.), but he came home for about 30 minutes at 8:00, when Kayleigh wakes up. He wanted to be able to show her the playset and be there for the initial playtime. She was unbelievably excited and alternated her attention between the slide and the swing, slide and the swing ... pretty sure that during Benny's afternoon nap that will be calling as well ... "Mommy, slide, Mommy, swing ..." At one point she noticed the other attachments and started "driving." Steve wanted to get her down the slide at least one more time before he had to go back to work, but she wasn't interested at the time. "Daddy, I'm drivin'!" At the rate she's growing, I'm sure she will be, before I know it. Sigh ... oh Kayleigh.

[caption id="attachment_566" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="Inaugural swing ride"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_567" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="Sheer Joy"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_568" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="I'm Drivin'"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_569" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="Livin' the dream"][/caption]

I'm sure there will be yet another blog post because my husband is NOT finished with this project yet. He has drawings littering the dining room table detailing a perimeter enclosure around the playset as well as a sandbox (most likely below the tree-house area). There is a canopy that attaches to the top as well, but that wasn't critical to play time, so it will get up when it gets up.

Thanks Linda for the playset :) We love it!!!

P.S. During my laundry work this morning, I took both kids out to play. Kayleigh was IMMEDIATELY on the playset sliding and Benny watched in the Bumbo. After I got done hanging the diapers, I let him have a shot at the swing. The result? Kayleigh fell to her news, screaming and crying, "NOOOOOO SWING BENNY!!! BENNY NO SWING!!!" I tried to tell her it was okay to share and that sharing was good, and important and that we really planned on buying them both their own swing we just hadn't yet. Her curt reply, "No share. Car ride ... Myhers (how she pronounces Meijers). New Benny swing. Come on, Mommy. Ready, Set, GO!" I laughed so hard!!! As a concession to the fact that she DID, after much scolding, share with her brother, we went to Lowe's to buy an additional swing. Now I can push them both at the same time. :) AHH the life :)

Kayleigh's Love Affair

No, we aren't encouraging anything in appropriate at nearly 2 years old. ... My daughter LOVES, LOVES, LOVES slides and swings. We seriously spend nearly 3 evenings a week walking to the park, playing for 20-30 minutes and walking home. She could NEVER get enough time on the swings and the slide. Now, I'm not saying our new "equipment" will replace trips to the park, BUT when Benny's sleeping and we can't leave ... we have in-home entertainment! Kayleigh COULD NOT be more excited. It all came about very quickly. My mom had offered, in the spring, to buy us play equipment for the backyard. We weren't thinking we wanted a HUGE playset (very expensive), and it seemed silly to pay $250 for a tiny plastic one. So, we sort of held off, waiting for the right time. ENTER: Linda Dahnke, high school principal ... looking to clear out her daughter's old playset. Price: FREE for the taking. Well, we can do that!!!

SOO on Saturday (our only UNSCHEDULED Saturday all summer), Steve begins to disassemble the playset, hauling it over in pieces in the van. Nearly 6 hours later (minus time for a quick supper), the playset is in pieces in the backyard. It's now Sunday, nearly 9:00 p.m. as I write this, and the playset is ALMOST assembled. Today's total work time: nearly 7 hours and 2 trips to Lowe's. BUT it just might be done, rendering Kayleigh and I 2 of the happiest people on the planet come time for Benny's late nap tomorrow.  As soon as the slide was up, Kayleigh HAD to try it ... so, here are a few preliminary snapshots :)

[caption id="attachment_558" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="Trying to help Daddy"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_559" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="Halfway constructed"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_560" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="On top of the world"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_561" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="Letting her go"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_562" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="Thank You Daddy!"][/caption]

Thanks babe for all of the time you put into it. I know Kayleigh's smiles and screams (for several years to come) will make it worth it, but thanks for her for now. We love you!

Celebrating a Little One

One of the huge blessings of marrying Steve has been inheriting some of his incredible friends. Steve is still as close with his high school friends as he was when they were younger :). They might not see each other as often, but the guys make a point of staying in touch. As they have each gotten married and started to expand their families, we get to share in the joy of new little ones. It makes our get togethers so much busier, but so much fun. Kayleigh, Carson and Benjamin were the 3 babies at the last get together. Since then, Texers have added another. Plus, there are three more on the way in the next 6 months! Summer camping trips with 7 under 4 and only 8 adults? Hmmm ... Could get interesting! So, our fun times are just beginning. Anyway, Kayleigh had a little tribute to the Texers precious little girl, Emma Rae.

Here's our little one, celebrating a new girl to the "gang." Happy Birthday, Emma

Benjamin Predictions

I have started going through the previous blog entries from the 2nd and 3rd trimesters of my pregnancy with Benjamin. (I'm beginning to put together what I hope to be a yearly tradition: The Van Dyk Family 20_ _ DVD). I thought it'd be a fun thing to watch on New Years morning as a way to "kick off" the year together. So, I'm making a compilation of Kayleigh photos/videos, Benjamin photos/videos and Family Events. I'm using the blog I so diligently post on in order to help me remember the most memorable events over the calendar year. ANYWAY ... as I was reviewing and putting together my "storyboard," I came across a few statements I made regarding "Baby Boy ____" when he was in my belly. I thought it'd be sort of fun to review how his actions in utero manifested themselves in his 3 month old self. :) A few of my "predictions" made me laugh out loud; there is truth to the fact that who they are in the belly is who they are in the world. Prediction #1: "I thought his sister was active in utero, but he brings new meaning to the word busy." He is indeed a busy boy! Napping is SLOWLY coming into his routine, but for these first few months, he simply wants to move, move, move. He twists and turns so that he's sometimes facing a completely different direction than when I put him down at night. (And no, it's not because he got up and Steve put him facing another way). HE MOVES. His arms are going constantly, and he's always moving that head and looking for his sister ... Prediction #1: Right on!

Prediction #2: "He often chooses to move at night; I'm positive he'll have his schedule mixed up." No siree! I was totally wrong on this one, and I'm very glad to admit it! This little man, from the start (well, almost start, the hospital wasn't quite so restful for us), figured out night time. Even at the tender age of 14 weeks, he's really, really got the sleeping thing down. Praise the LORD :) Prediction #2: Total fail!

Prediction #3: Despite the drs. predictions, my body's readiness for labor, and the due date, this baby has his own timetable. I went so far as to joke with my tennis girls that I was never going to have this baby. They said, "Yeah Coach, he's basically gonna come out a toddler." Bottom line: This baby has his own timetable. Based upon his eating habits, his sleeping capabilities, and his head/neck control, I don't think I was too far off base. He's a very strong baby with great habits (after that whole 2 week milk issue!!). He's almost EASIER than my toddler (at least right now).  He's working on many gross motor skills that Kayleigh wasn't considering at this age. (I know it's not fair to always compare; I don't expect him to be her or her to be him, but she's my best point of reference...) He resisted scheduling, FIERCELY, and wants to eat when he wants to eat and sleep when he wants to sleep ... no timetable fits HIS timetable. :) So, Prediction #3: He didn't come out a toddler, but he definitely has his own timetable!

Here's Benjamin's latest timetable (thankfully, the last 4 days have looked almost EXACTLY the same!!) I think we might be getting a "routine!" (Amen!!) 6:00-6:30 Wake up take a 5 oz bottle 7:00 Back in crib sleeping, usually gets himself to sleep without rocking 9:00 - 9:30 Wakes again for the day and takes a 6 oz bottle 9;30 - 12:30 Plays with Mom/sis, runs errands, generally keeps WIDE awake 12:30 Eats 8 oz bottle 1:00 - 3:00 or 3:30 NAP 3:30 - 5:00 eat 5 oz bottle, play 5:00 - 6:00ish Nap 6:00 - 8:00 Play with Daddy/Mommy/sister and maybe get a snack bottle (3 oz) 8:00 - 9:00 Snuggles with Mommy on the couch 9:00 Bath, Bottle, hit the hay until 6:00 tomorrow morning :)

Yup ... This baby is a keeper. Here's his latest playtimes. Personally, I adore Saucer1, where he pouts when the music stops but figures out that if he hits it again all is well! What a little detective!

8-27 Saucer2

8-27 Saucer1

Date Day/Night

Steve and I have actually had quite a few chances to get away from the kids (so this is not a request for more babysitting!). This was a date night for our children. Each child had a special date yesterday, and I thought I'd share it with you all. Kayleigh had a date with Aunt Sarah and Aunt Maria. Although parting with Mommy was pretty hard on both of us (and might have worried Maria just a smidge), I know she had a great time. Sarah works for Bissell, and the company had the zoo rented out for the evening. There were fun activities (on top of just a cool zoo!) and good food for kids. Sarah offered to take Kayleigh, and Maria joined in to share the joy of a niece. Here are some of the pictures they took from before the zoo trip (at Sarah and Maria's house) and afterwards.

[caption id="attachment_537" align="aligncenter" width="384" caption="Coloring in the driveway!"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_538" align="aligncenter" width="384" caption="watching the birds"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_539" align="aligncenter" width="720" caption="with Aunt Maria"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_540" align="aligncenter" width="384" caption="with Aunt Sarah"][/caption]

Thanks for taking Kayleigh! I know she had fun!

Since Kayleigh was at the zoo with her aunts, Benjamin and Mommy had the entire afternoon to ourselves! We talked QUITE a bit without sister there to "interrupt" the conversation. We had LOTS of snuggle time, and took long slow bottles instead of the fast ones. We had no particular place to go, and we just hung out together. It's hard to tell, but I think Benners enjoyed his time with Mommy. Among his favorites activities (aside from eating and snuggling):

[caption id="attachment_541" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="Weeding in the garden with Mommy"][/caption]

AND 8-25 Talking to Mommy

It was fun for me to have Benny alone (since I rarely have that). I think his only chance with Mommy alone (aside from times he's not napping and Kayleigh is), was during our stay in the hospital, at his birth. So, this was fun! I did miss my girl, though, and I am glad she's back home.

Our First Campfire

My husband loves campfires. From the time we met, the greatest summer evenings were spent drinking a beer/Mt. Dew, staring at the lake, and playing with fire. I think it was that reason (plus the two jobs/kids that kept him from the lake as often as he'd like) that he decided to build us our own fire pit. He's been hoping we could get the kids to bed and head out to stare at fire for several weeks now. It simply hasn't worked out that way ... usually because we both have to get up in the morning. Well, tonight we decided to have an outdoor dinner. We had extra helping hands for supper (Bri Bri), so it made it that much more possible to try an outside dinner with the babies. When Steve got home, he grilled up some brats. I set the inside kitchenette table with strawberries, blueberries, chips, buns and condiments. We had some raspberry lemonade and all the goodies for S'mores. We were set. Kayleigh and Bri played with the Mickey Mouse ball in the backyard, blew some bubbles, and ate some Cheez-Its (mostly Kayleigh ate the Cheez-its and Bri taught her some soccer tricks). It was a little chaotic, especially since when it came time to roasting marshmallows, but we had a fun evening. Note: S'Mores proved just too "ucky" for Kayleigh ... she basically had two or three licks of the marshmallow and that was it for her. But she liked all of the ingredients, but none of them all put together.

Here's a few highlights from our first campfire

[caption id="attachment_530" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="Cheez-Its, Bubbles, and Big Sis Bri ... "][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_531" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="Benjamin chillin' by the girls"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_532" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="Playing with Bri Bri"][/caption]

A Budding Babysitter ...

Benjamin woke up later (8:00 a.m. instead of the usual 7:30), at the same time as his sister. While this isn't my ideal morning (I prefer a staggered start to the day!), it did make both breakfasts finish at the same time, both diapers/clothing changes happen at the same time AND put them on schedule to take their noon naps around the same time. Normally, chaotic, but ... I had a plan. On Tuesdays, I try to get Steve coffee and drop it off at school. The other mornings I try, (lately, very unsuccessfully) to be awake and make his latte before he leaves for work. Anyway, since he left for work before 5:30 this morning, and has been super busy, we try not to be a distraction. Nevertheless, I found myself hankering for my Tuesday coffee shop purchase. I was immediately in a bit of a situation because it's very rare that the kids are on the same schedule and I can exercise. (Someone's usually napping, which doesn't lend itself to a bouncy jogging stroller) ... SOOO coffee or exercise, coffee or exercise ... BOTH. There's a Biggby just down West Main and with the back roads, we can hit it safely with a jogger. It's approximately 1.5 miles there and 1.5 miles back, WITH a park in between. PERFECT.

We set out, equipped with two freshly changed babies, two "blankies" (it was a little chilly this a.m.), two pacifiers, an extra snack and juice, and Mommy's phone (just in case). The first mile and a half went really well. Kayleigh talked to Benny, she helped him keep his paci in his mouth, and she shared her blanket with him (something that's VERY VERY rare). We got to the park and (this was my first concern) Kayleigh wanted to play. I told her, repeatedly, that we'd be back to play, we just had to get coffee first. OOPS ... Mommy's mistake. "Kayleigh coffee...???? Kayleigh want some too... coffee???" This would no longer be a cheap trip to Biggby. We made it to Biggby with very gracious other customers holding the door for my giant double jogger. I ordered my skinny, sugar free vanilla bean and asked for something iced with no caffeine and no sugar for Kayleigh. She was in her glory ...

Then, we started to unravel .. :)

Kayleigh tipped her "coffee" and it spilled all over her shirt. She refused to let me wipe it off with Ben's cloth because it was "an ucky cloth." So, we went back for napkins. We got to the park and Kayleigh, in her excitement, went straight down the slide into a giant puddle of rain water, soaking her pants. At this moment, Ben decided he was discontent in the stroller and wanted Mommy ... Up Ben comes, only to puke all over Mommy and himself ... Kayleigh informed me ever so politely that "Mommy ucky shirt!" I allowed her, for all the trouble we'd gone through, to slide a few more times in her soaking wet pants. Then, when I heard Benjamin doing is tell tale massive grunt, I put my foot down. Kayleigh came over with very few whimpers and graciously got into the stroller. "Mommy, Benny poopy." Yes, thanks, sweetheart; I got that. I laughed at myself as I packed up to leave with soy formula puke all down my shirt, a cranky, now poopy 3 month old, a toddler with soaking wet pants, an iced hot chocolate stained t-shirt and face, AND then she announces. "Kayleigh poopy too. Momma! Kayleigh poopy" (and proceeds to laugh continuously).

I might have left the park discouraged from trying this again, except I over hear my little girl on the way home. "Benny, Mommy change diapers. We go home. Change it. Don't be sad. Here, paci. Mommy, Benny hat!! Benny Hat" (His hat had fallen off and she couldn't reach it.) I gave it to her and she did her best to put it back, give him his paci, get him nestled under their shared blanket (I didn't need to touch his blankie the whole trip because Big Sister had it under control). The rest of the way home, she sat a little straighter, watched brother a little closer, and said to me ... "Momma! Benny sleeping ... SHHHHH."

Ahhh ... I may have left this morning from the house with what I thought was a perfect plan. I may have had it foiled several times over, BUT I also got a Mommy moment to treasure forever ... My daughter learning how to care for others, especially the most important little friend she has right now ... her baby brother.

Waiting for sleep ...

I was blessed with really, really good sleeping babies (knock on wood). The newborn Kayleigh would get up 2 to 3 times a night on her worst nights, but by the time I went back to work (10 weeks), she was waking just once. Benjamin started making it all the way through the night around 5 weeks. At 3 months, he wakes for a middle of the night bottle MAYBE once a week. I know, it's insane. They've spoiled me. Kayleigh is still a girl who loves her sleep. She asks for naps and asks for bedtime. When she's short on sleep she is the crankiest toddler ever. BUT, when she gets her 7:30 bedtime, her 8:00 a.m. wake up call and a 2-3 hour nap in there ... wow! A dream come true. Today, since I'm blogging at 4:46 a.m., it was Benny's night to get up. He chose to wake up after we'd taken an evening trip to GR. His schedule was off (and has been for about 2 weeks now due to the fact he and his sister fall asleep for the night in the car about 3 days out of 7). AT any rate, we are now at my, honestly, favorite time of the day/night. Don't get me wrong, I'd MUCH rather be sleeping. BUT if I have to be awake, the time gap between when I place Benny down, relaxed, in his crib, until I check on him and find him soundly sleeping is easily my most productive time of the day. I know I can't bring myself to sleep until I'm sure he's out (what's the point of getting in and out of bed 100 times anyway), so I work. I will fold laundry, wash bottles, put away dishes from the dishwasher, straighten up the living room, pack up stuff for the next day ... and, of course, write a blog (if everything else is finished).

It's a little pathetic, but this time of the morning is THE ONLY time in the course of my day when a baby doesn't need me, my husband isn't awake, and there's nothing but chores and alone time. It's time for me to do exactly what I want. And, since my first choice of activity (sleeping) has been ruled out, I get to be productive.

Ahh well, since it's almost time for Benjamin's 15 minute check-in (and Steve has agreed to do the next half hour's worth of "waiting for sleep"), I'm going to get going. Here's to a productive, fun day at the Van Dyk house!

The Many Faces of Benjamin Steven ...

[caption id="attachment_516" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="Mid-sentence"][/caption] Our little boy can be so mellow. He just enjoys being with people ... and that makes him easy to take places. However, when he is uncomfortable or distressed you have a VERY limited amount of time to correct the problem. As soon as he snaps, he snaps FULL FORCE! He, very early in life, found the upper register squeal. It is MOST effective in getting Mommy's immediate attention. He doesn't use it OFTEN, but he has learned that when he's had enough, it gets him results. It's not only the crying, though, Benjamin has VERY VERY vivid facial expressions. See here some of the faces we snapped in our picture taking frenzies.

[caption id="attachment_515" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="Daddy is funny!"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_517" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="You want to do WHAT??!!"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_518" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="I DON'T think that's happening"][/caption]

More often than not, we see Benjamin with his million dollar smile. This smile is accentuated by his single dimple! I never thought about it while pregnant, but it would stand to reason that at least one of our babies would inherit their father's single dimple. It's entirely appropriate that it's his namesake, Benjamin Steven. Here are both of my boys, happy together.

[caption id="attachment_519" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="Happy with Daddy"][/caption]

Another day at the lake

Steve and Kevin went to the University of Michigan practice this past Saturday. So, to avoid being alone on the weekend, I took the kids out the lake for time with Grandpa and Grandma. The weather was supposed to be cloudy and rainy, but it turned out GORGEOUS. When we arrived, both kids had lunch and tried to nap (only Benjamin succeeded in his endeavor). Then, we all went to the beach. Kayleigh enjoyed chasing seagulls with Grandpa. Seagull Chasing with Gpa

Benjamin enjoyed another bottle with Grandma underneath the deck. After time in the sand, more time on the  beach playground, and some treats from the poolside snack shack, Kayleigh found a toy she never dreamed existed. A Mickey Mouse Clubhouse ball ... Yes, my daughter's two biggest loves merged together in one! The little boy to whom the ball belonged was gracious enough to share it with Kayleigh long enough for her to bring it to Mommy. "See Mommy!!! Mickey Mouse ball! Goofy, Daisy, Minnie, Mickey, Donald!!! Mickey Mouse BALL!!! Kayleigh take???" Grandma assured her that if she brought it back to the boy, she would go, immediately, to Meijers and buy one for Kayleigh. Kayleigh believed her, and we left IMMEDIATELY, to change and head to Meijers. All the way to the store, Kayleigh says, "Myyyy hers...get Mickey Mouse ball...Myyyy hers, get ball."

Here's the result

[caption id="attachment_509" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="Holding her precious treasure"][/caption]

You can tell that she's seriously in love with this toy. In fact, after dinner, baths, and final diaper changes, we left to go pick up Daddy. When he was running seriously late, we stopped at Grandpa and Grandma Creswell's house (we had been at the trailer) to spend the night. Kayleigh REFUSED to go to bed, screaming and screaming and hollering until Daddy gave her the Mickey Mouse ball. She slept with it all night!

I'm pretty sure Grandma would say that was $3.99 well spent :).

Summer Reflections

Wow ... it's mid-August ... the time when I'm used to gearing up for school. Last August was the first fall that I didn't have to prepare for school at all. I had no Band Camp, no pre-season tennis workouts, no orientation preparations for incoming freshman, no dorm decorations or door signs to make, no courses to schedule, no plans to revise or classroom to prepare. I only had the dwindling summer evenings, the cooler weather coming, and my sweet baby daughter to get on a schedule. (I made it just 2 months last summer home with Kayleigh without a schedule ...) This summer seems largely the same only with two babies to keep on 'routine' and preparations to make for how to keep a very active toddler entertained. As I begin to think about what fall will look like at the Van Dyk house, I thought I'd take a moment to reflect on the best this summer has given us. 2010 Top 10 Summer Highlights 1. Language Explosion in my tiny toddler who went from 50 some words to well over 200 and is almost always speaking in 3-5 word phrases. 2. Several great weeks/weekday trips to the Maranatha for fun with the Creswell Grandparents 3. Benjamin and Kayleigh learning to love each other despite their serious gap in development at the present moment 4.  Benjamin learned to smile, giggle, hold his head, and reach and grab objects (the latest most recently and he still surprises himself when his actions cause reactions: i.e. he grabs the little dog on his rocker and it plays a song, he hits the buttons on his exersaucer and a cow moos) 5. We had a fabulous day at the Meijer Gardens as a family and with Great Grandpa 6. Steve and the kids had several days at Slayton Lake with the Van Dyk Grandparents 7. We had a host of super fun playdates with Auntie Alaina and Ryan 8. A fun filled playdate with Carson Van Dyke 9. Got a fantastic new camera that makes capturing precious family moments incredibly fun. 10. Took a whirlwind - needs to be repeated when the kids are older - trip to Chicago and Shedds Aquarium

2010 Top 10 Lessons from summer 1. A baby pool is not a luxury - but a necessity (even if Mom and the 2 month old are the only ones "swimming") 2.  Schedules ARE NOT maintainable during the summer season -- park visits, long walks, time with grandparents, swimming, beaches, all can AND WILL interfere with naptime 3. Despite what "makes sense" a 10:00 a.m. nap will not replace the typical 1:00 p.m. nap no matter how long it is! 4. Window air conditioners, turned on BEFORE everyone's mood goes bad, really is better than saving an additional $2.00 per day in energy costs. 5. Vacations are way different and not nearly as relaxing with 2 kiddos, but they are, most definitely, way more entertaining. 6.  A window air until is picked up constantly on the voice activated setting of a baby monitor. Therefore, all night, you will hear/see the baby monitor going off (though it's 99% likely that it's NOT the baby). 7. Placing a sleeping baby on sheets that have been in a window a/c'd room without blankets for shielding will yield a no longer sleeping baby. 8. Candy works great as a last minute bribe to pry a toddler off of the beach for clean up/supper time without shrieking. 9.  When all else fails (constipation meds, extra napping, more food, less food, etc) Soy could help :) 10. Sigh ... summer is fantastic but it isn't meant to last forever. Enjoy the break in routine, and get excited when the routine returns.

2010 Things to Get Excited for in the Fall 1. More growth from both Benjamin and Kayleigh 2. Women's Ministries Bible Study during the day (with nursery for both kids!) 3. Benjamin learning to nap for longer than 30 minutes at consistent times! 4. Kayleigh's 2nd birthday 5. More playdates with more babies (VanDyke's new baby, hopefully the Texers will want to as well!, and of COURSE my amazing nephew and his mommmy, even perhaps adding a few dates with Suzanne and Thomas!!). 6.  Cool mornings and very cool evenings for great walks/runs in the double jogger 7. Fun fall activities like: Apple picking, pumpkin carving, football games (probably just on tv I doubt we're braving anything live!), visits to the farms, jumping in the leaves, etc. 8. A trip to Mackinac with the extended Van Dyk family 9. Steve's 30th Birthday!!!! 10.  More fun pictures, stories, and family times together.

Here's a fun comparison (I love that I can start doing this):

[caption id="attachment_502" align="alignleft" width="269" caption="Kayleigh, 3 months in February of 2009"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_503" align="alignright" width="276" caption="Benjamin, 3 months in August 2010"][/caption]

Monkey See, Monkey Do

I knew that there comes an age, in a young child's life, where they copy EVERYTHING. I always knew that when that phase hit, we had to overanalyze each action knowing it could be repeated publicly. I never understood the magnitude of the repetition. Kayleigh is in this phase right now. In fact, she's so far in it, that being out of Mom's sight is a catastrophic issue. Case and point: We were walking to the park last night, using the double jogger (THANKS MOM!!! and good work Benjamin on holding that head so I can!). Daddy was pushing, and I was walking beside. Every minute or so, "See Mommy! See Mommy!" She had to have the visor pulled back or speed adjusted just so she could make sure Mommy was still there. In addition to being constantly close so she can mimic actions, she listens intently to conversations, even when you don't think she is. I was relating a story to a friend, and I mentioned a name. Let's say, "Sarah ..." Kayleigh heard the name, knew she had an Aunt Sarah, and went off asking for "Aunt Sarah." I wasn't looking at her, wasn't even aware she was in the vicinity, but her attention to Mommy's speech is EVER present!

I'll take a chance to embarrass Steve now ... He's meticulous about cleaning out his ears. He does it EVERY morning. Kayleigh has seen him do this countless times (since she insists on being with people everywhere they go). So, it made me laugh out loud (though it was no surprise) when she came waddling out of the bathroom doing this yesterday morning -->

[caption id="attachment_498" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="Our Little Copycat"][/caption]

It sort of makes you overanalyze every step you take ... I love the parallels this draws for me spiritually. Examining each action so as not to be a stumbling block to others. Thanks baby girl for reminding Mommy of the importance of constant self-reflection.

Happy Birthday Great Grandpa!

Great Grandpa turned 80 years old this Spring. Kayleigh gave him a trip to the Meijer Gardens with her as a birthday present. She was gracious enough to say that her baby brother (yet to be born) could tag along as well. We had planned to take Grandpa with the family in June. BUT, one thing led to another and it was the middle of August before we found a date that worked. The forecast was gloomy for Saturday (and it was certainly hot!) but the rain held off and we had a really, really fun (and very exhausting day). Steve and I enjoyed watching Kayleigh just LOVE the gardens. All the way from stopping to "touch" every "flower" to allowing her the freedom to walk/run/jump without being worried that she'd get hit by a car, or lost from our sight. She enjoyed it too. She also enjoyed asking Great Grandpa to carry as often as she could. I don't think he minded too much.

Here are some picture highlights:

[caption id="attachment_489" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="Learning about the water pump"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_490" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="Walking and talking with Great Grandpa"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_491" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="Doing the bean bag toss"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_492" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="Running with my Daddy"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_493" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="Playing in the fountains"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_494" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="Benny and Mommy came too"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_495" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="I think it was a Happy Birthday"][/caption]

The full gallery of Steve's pictures from the day can be seen at: http://vandyks.name/pictures/index.php/Meijer-Gardens

3 month surprise!

Okay, so perhaps the title is a bit of an exaggeration, but Benjamin's 3 month birthday is on Monday. In all of the busy-ness of summer, adjusting life with two children, and Steve's contract work, I just can't believe that it's been 3 months already. It slapped me in the face yesterday when I was downloading some pictures from the camera. I organize by months and Benjamin's 1-3 month folder is getting full. So, it's time to start a new one ... I just couldn't believe he's creeping out of the "newborn" age and headed into infancy. He impresses me everyday with his laughter ... oh so much laughter (usually right after he wakes up in the morning ... he's a morning person like Mommy). He is constantly interested in new things. His favorite lately is a blanket spread out on the ground outside so he can look at the sky, the bugs, the grass ... and feel the humid breezes. He LOVES his outside time, which is just great with his big sister who can't get enough either. Benny always wants to practice his head holding and his new skills ... If he's not sitting in his Bumbo or on mom's lap, watching sister, he's not happy.

Yesterday, though, I had two moments that just made me tear up ... like for real want to cry at the beauty of it all ...

(1). Benjamin had JUST discovered the exersaucer (with a towel behind him for support). He was sitting in it, reveling in his awesome-ness when Big Sister came along. I have to watch her more closely because she's going through some separation issues right now and you never know what she'll do. So, I peered around the corner of the laundry closet, ready and waiting. Kayleigh walked up, patted her brother's head and said: "Good boy Buddy. See this .... ROAAARRRR ... Lion. Push button .. (pushes button and lion roars)." Benjamin giggles. Kayleigh, encouraged by his giggles tries again, "Buddy, push button (grabs his hand and tries to make him push button). It's okay ... Kayleigh do it .... (pushes kitty button). KITTY Benny, MMEEEOOWWW!" This went on until all of the animal buttons had been pushed. She worked her way around the exersaucer, introducing him to all of her old toys and showing him what to do. Benny couldn't take his EYES off her ... there was admiration, pride (at his own ability to keep up), and love that I didn't know could exist at this stage. I had to use the towels I was folding to wipe away the tears that fell ... Thank you, Jesus for my loving children.

[caption id="attachment_483" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="So Proud."][/caption]

(2). After Ben's second nap, I needed to bring the diapers in off of the line. So, as described above, I set the baby on a blanket and let Kayleigh and Andre explore the backyard. Kayleigh ran around for about 2 minutes and then decided she was bored. She had brought out 3 books and laid down next to her brother. She began reading "Mr. Brown can Moo" .. Something like this: "Benny, cow MOO MOO. You do it ... (pause to wait) ... It's okay. Kayleigh do it. MOOO MOOO." and on it went through all of the noises in the book. Every once in a while when Benny would whimper or coo, Kayleigh would turn (and like I do when I tuck her in) rub his face with her hand ... gently. She'd say, "Ohh Benny. No sad ... No sad ..." And he's smile, and stop ...  UNBELIEVABLE. I love my babies :) ...

And if all of that just wasn't enough, listening to Kayleigh try to potty train her baby doll (using exactly the same words Mommy does with her) was just too much. Even after the baby doll landed in the toilet water, the desire in my little one to care for others warmed my heart. Sigh. .. they were both temperamental yesterday, but somehow it was all worth it ...

Thanks Jesus for the chance to see it all, daily ... They are truly gifts straight from your hand. Ohh yeah, and remind me of this day when they are 13 and 14.5 and fighting like cats and dogs.