No Paci Nap

So this ended up being the first (and only so far) sleep she's made it through without her pacifier... Here's to hoping there are more coming. [caption id="attachment_660" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="Sleeping Beauty"][/caption]

Benjamin's First Michigan Game

Benny didn't really watch the first game in U of M's season. I seem to recall him napping through it. However, today he was awake and ready to watch with Daddy. Here are my boys, enjoying the game. (Kayleigh was taking a late nap). He's a little groggy, and a little shell shocked, but we think he's adorable :) Go BLUE!

[caption id="attachment_651" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="Go Blue"][/caption]

Daddy's Little Princess

Steve likes to talk the tough line; he likes to think that his little girl doesn't have him completely under her thumb. He often tells me that I'm "too easy on her." So, I laughed when he came home from the store the other day. It's been a busy summer for Steve, with Ben's arrival, with work, with family gatherings, he just hasn't had the time to be alone with Kayleigh. She's sensed it and really missed him. BUT, today, we had another free Saturday. We were going to clean the house (like big time rearranging, disposal of extra stuff, etc) but the kids had plenty of other plans. So, after Kayleigh's 2.5 hour morning nap, she went "out" with Daddy. Steve left me with a sleeping Ben (who ended up sleeping 3 straight hours, the entire time they were gone), and claimed he was shopping for a Michigan sleeper for Ben. (All of the ones we had from Kayleigh were gender neutral, but are also stained and spitty; Ben deserves his own). ANYWAY, they were going to get a sleeper for Ben and more ice cream. Here's what they returned with:

Ben's onesie (plus a long sleeved that he's wearing in a subsequent post):

[caption id="attachment_646" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="Ben's gifts from Daddy"][/caption]

Kayleigh's presents from Daddy: (Keep in mind these are all from different stores!!! 3 different stores; 3 different gifts ... Yeah Steve, I'm the softy...)

[caption id="attachment_647" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="Mickey Mouse dinnerware, Mickey Mouse coloring book with crayons, and many many barrettes ...K's new love"][/caption]

It's a good thing she hasn't decided she wants another kitty ... :) Mommy wouldn't mind, but Andre might be upset.

Amazing morning traditions ...

As fall began I made myself a routine ... certain days I push the kids a little and get a morning walk in. Other days we take it slow and have mornings to ourself. Other days I have afternoon walks and morning errands at their pace. Either way, we have something to look forward to each day ... Yet, despite each day's different activities, there is something that NEVER varies: our morning traditions, and they involve the entire household (minus Daddy who is always at work). Mommy wakes at 6 a.m. to feed Ben and put him back down for a short nap. Then, I grab a shower, make a latté, and have my personal quiet time. By 7:30 Ben is up and ready to play, so he gets dressed and plays on his mat (still working on that rolling stuff). I make Kayleigh's breakfast and do a few dishes, then get Kayleigh dressed and up at 8:00 a.m. Starting at 8:00 a.m., we turn on Mickey Mouse clubhouse and have family togetherness (whether Mommy sits or not). Everyone keeps their blankets from the cozy night, eats and watches together on or near the couch. Ben usually sits on my lap, or in his rocking chair just below the couch. Kayleigh snuggles right into my arm, and kitty sits either on Kayleigh's lap, my lap or in front of the couch by Ben. We're all together for those two 30 minute segments and then it's time to get moving ... to whatever our day brings. BUT, for one hour, everyone is close, very close, almost on top of each other close :) And Mommy cherishes these moments.

I got up to get more juice and everyone stayed right where they were, so I snapped a photo.

[caption id="attachment_642" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="Morning traditions ... "][/caption]

I know that very soon I'm going to lose my comfortable, snuggly mornings and have to packing the kids off to school. I'm reminded by that as I hear the neighbors leaving each morning ... BUT, for now, I'm going to cherish these times. :) Thanks Lord, for my beautiful little treasures (even the adopted furry one who makes me smile so much).

Mickey Mouse Mania

Steve and I like to find fun ways to surprise our daughter. She is so great at giving us awesome reactions when we do thrill her. So, when we discovered (really we couldn't miss it) that the Disney Channel was doing a special "Family Night" feature for Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, we thought it was worth letting Kayleigh stay up for. In order to help her appreciate the special nature of it, we put out some typical "movie" stuff for her (popcorn and candy). She was in her glory!!! The food was enough, but she heard she got to watch MORE Mickey Mouse ... she was ecstatic. [caption id="attachment_633" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="Her face when I told her, not just candy .. MICKEY"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_635" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="It's the only time she EVER stands still"][/caption]

Benny had his snack and "watched" too. He'll be a fan whether he really wants to or not ...

[caption id="attachment_636" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="Benny's snack"][/caption]

The Start of School

I feel like my children started school today ... not because they are old enough yet (though I'm sure before I know it they will be), but because they seemingly grew overnight. I imagine that when it comes time for Kayleigh to enter pre-school, I'll look at her and wonder how she went from my 7 lbs 10 oz 20" long cutie pie to the little child I'm dropping off at her new classroom. So, it's that same image that I use when I look at the milestones that my children hit today, seemingly overnight. I'm serious. It was as if my babies weren't able to do these things yesterday and today, everything was functioning. Both of them checked off at least one important goal on my list of "next steps" for them. Kayleigh's goals: Kayleigh has 5 goals right now (1). Potty train (2). Get rid of the pacifier (3). Learn to count (by understanding number concepts, not just reciting) to 10 (4). Learn her colors and shapes by sight (again, not by memorization) (5). Learn to play independently.

This last goal is what we've really been focusing on lately. For all of her short life, my baby girl has been at my side. Even from the time she could crawl, she wanted to be nearby. If I wasn't in the room, she'd crawl to find me. She wanted to do exactly what I was doing, exactly when I was doing it. There was never a time when I could put her in a baby proofed playroom and let her explore. If I wasn't there, she didn't want to be. As an infant this was relatively harmless, as a toddler, it's a bit of a problem, especially when you consider that sometimes Benjamin needs snuggles, feeding, or to be put to bed. So, it's been my goal to help her learn to play, imaginatively, on her own. It's been largely unsuccessful ... until today ...

Kayleigh has always been one to tell us when she's ready for something. She simply stopped drinking from a bottle one morning, after stressing all morning about her lack of appetite, I tried a sippy cup. She inhaled her formula. Another morning she just looked a Matthew McCaunaghey (spelling is atrocious, I know) and crawled to his picture ... similarly, after many days of trying to help her walk, she simply took a few steps and grabbed the penguin singing Ice Ice Baby. Her crib was a thing of the past when she said she wanted to sleep in a big girl bed, the next night she was in it and never left. So, I don't know why I try to even teach her ... but ... we've been practicing alone time. She will play in the basement while I empty the laundry (simply around the corner) ... basically she always comes and finds me and says, "K help Momma. K hang clothes." Today, though, we were out on the swings. She is deep in thought and quite silent (a rarity for her). She looks at me and says, "Mommy, I go downstairs." "Okay, K, we can go downstairs. That means we're done swinging." "Yes. K downstairs. Momma upstairs. K downstairs by self." I clarified her statement and then brought her to her playroom. I figured it wouldn't last 5 minutes. I was wrong ... 5 turned to 10, 10 to 20 .. at 25 minutes, we had to leave and I called her up. She came up happily and off we went! Just like that ... independent play time achieved. Later on in the day, it was the same thing ... she asked for playtime by herself and she played for another 20 minutes alone. Great job, Kayleigh

Benjamin's goals: (1). Take 3 naps per day, at least 1 hour each (2). Continue putting himself down (Mommy snuggles him until he's drowsy, but he gets put down awake) (3). Continue extending time he is able to play in his exersaucer/Bumbo for neck and back strength (4). Work on floor mat time for rolling (which he is not the least bit interested in doing) (5). Keep working on tummy time (he still hates it and refuses to pick up his head, even though we know he's strong enough).

Ben's success: NAPPING!! Today he napped from 8:45 (this after he woke up at 7:30) until 10:00. He napped again from 1:00 - 3:30!!! And again from 4:50 until 6:15. He did all of the put downs on his own, without Mommy rocking him entirely to sleep :) ... He's a champ alright. We're working on the extra time in the saucer/Bumbo. It's usually cut short not because he's tired, but because he's puking ... always puking :) ... Soon, perhaps, his reflux will end.

Anyway, I'm one proud Mommy today. Let's see if we can consistently keep these success coming.

Labor Day Cottage Tour - Day 2

Ahh, the final day of summer ... such a bittersweet day. It was raining most of our day at Maranatha, but we did manage to have some great family time, nonetheless. We arrived around 11:00 and the kids had lunch/settled in. Both napped fairly well until around 4:00 p.m. At 4, we were able to hit the beach (after Steve and I had had time to walk the grounds and get some of the beautiful breeze of the cloudy lakefront) for some playground time. It was a wonderfully refreshing afternoon. Grandpa got some great snuggle time in with Benjamin (who thoroughly enjoyed his time with Grandpa). Kayleigh got some great time with Grammy ... It was a wonderfully relaxing day, even if there wasn't much sun. Here are my favs from today's "photo shoot":

Kayleigh's Highlights:

[caption id="attachment_618" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="Feelin' the breeze at the playset"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_619" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="See Thunder"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_620" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="Checking out the waves with Grammy"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_621" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="So Beautiful ... "][/caption]

Benjamin's Highlights:

[caption id="attachment_622" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="At the beach with Grandpa"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_623" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="So Sweet!"][/caption]

And with that the Summer of 2010 leaves us. It was sad to see so few people on the beach at Maranatha, all of the apartments emptied, the lodge completely silent ... We watched plenty of residents loading up all kinds of summer bags into their cars for the drive home.  It was so sad ... but exciting for the new season upon us.

Thanks for a great summer, family and friends :) P.S. These photos (and the photos from LDCT- Day 1) were all taken masterfully by my husband, Steve. All credits should be going to him :).

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 ... 

It's the little things ...

This post will start quite negative, because, let's face it, it was a rough day. However, if you bear with me, I promise to bring about the lesson I learned in it all. I think all of the things that were horrible about the day just made the blessing that much bigger ... This is Tuesday ... My morning began at 2:00 a.m. when my growth spurting baby woke up, ready to eat. After he slammed down 5 oz, I put him back to bed. I was back in bed by 3:00 a.m. for another short nap. Benjamin decided he'd like more food at 5:30 a.m., so I was up again. This time, it wasn't worth going back to sleep, even though he was very efficient in his efforts. He was restless in his sleep, and I wasn't going to get any myself with the monitors going off all of the time. So, I got up and started my day. I knew I needed to go to Sam's Club and to Meijers during the morning errand period (I have a two hour window in the morning when both kids are awake and reasonably happy) and that was going to be tight. So, I had to be efficient. The kids weren't interested. Neither of them were having their morning dirty diapers (I like to try and leave AFTER that because grocery stores and parking lots are NOT fun places to change dirty cloth diapers), and both were very clingy. I spent the time getting ready, trading off who was crying (whichever baby didn't have Mommy carrying them around was left screaming as if their life was over).

Eventually we made it into the van, packed and ready by 9:45 ... perfect timing to drive across town and get to Sam's by 10:00. I pulled into the parking lot, just as Benjamin fell asleep and stopped screaming. It was 10:05, perfect. I surveyed the lot ... no discarded carts, awesome. I was prepared to walk Kayleigh in, but I'd have to wake up Ben to strap him in the Baby Bjorn. As I was going through my wallet (I always have the Sam's club card in my pocket because I have my hands full of other things and I want it easily accessible), I discovered ... no card. Then I recalled that Kayleigh emptied the entire contents of my wallet into her room. I must have not seen the card when I was replacing them. Cool. No Sam's club (and formula was the basic reason we even ventured out today!), so I'd have to buy soy formula at the more expensive store. Driving home to find the card definitely wasn't going to fit the time table. So, off to Meijers we went.

In the parking lot, a woman was not carefully watching her children. They ran out in front of me as they were leaving the store. Fortunately, I had seen them from behind the pillars and knew they were coming. I had already stopped. The car coming from the other direction was not as careful and SCREECHED to a halt (equally at fault for going so fast in a parking lot!) with a blaring horn (THUS startling both of my kids and sending them into a screaming frenzy). As I turned into a lane, the same kids darted out in front of my van again. I just parked in the middle of the lane until their mother loaded them into their vehicle ...

By the time I entered the store, I had the kids quieted down and we began conquering our long shopping list.  Mid-way through the list I feel the tell-tale groans and wiggles of my 3 month old. Awesome. He's strapped to me AND doing his business ... (well, at least he's going ...) I didn't have the diaper bag inside, and this would have cost us more valuable time, anyway. So, I resolved to let the cloth diaper be its sturdy self and get him when we got back to the van. As we enter the checkout lane (only two were open with a cashier, and I don't brave the self-checkout with 2 kids and a week's+ worth of groceries), we prepare for a long wait. Kayleigh looks at me and says, "Mommy ... Poopy ... and then proceeds to grunt." I'm sweating from carrying Ben around, as well as the exertion of trying to hurry, while finding each specific item for a few recipes I'm cooking. AND I now have two very stinky children ... The woman in front of me starts freakin' out. "I threw my credit card! Where is it? Everyone help me find my card." I spotted it and grabbed Benny for extra support while reaching to pick it up. She said, "Don't touch it! Just point!" I was so taken aback, but I pointed her in the general direction and let her reach to grab her own card. I was quite embarrassed though, it's not like I was going to steal it after she'd just broadcasted that it was on the ground!

Anyway, I reach the register and, the cashier is less than sympathetic to my situation (I don't expect pity, but people are usually friendly when they see how full my hands are). She grunts a hello, ignores my cheerful daughter who is trying to talk to her, and is less than helpful about turning the groceries to a reachable position. I'm trying to keep my cool but am on a slow, quiet burn, just wondering what obstacle I'll have to overcome next when I truly believe God decided to smile upon us.

An elderly man, rises from the bench beside the door. He limps over, with the help of his cane, and says, "Ma'am, would accept a hand from me? I remember those days ... long ago ... I can load your cart." He braces himself against the turning grocery wheel and places a single bag at a time into the cart. I was speechless ... He didn't stop until I had completed the transactions, I was ready to take off. I thanked him profusely, asked if there was anything I could do for him, and he said, "No, your beautiful little girl was smiling so sweetly. I just couldn't resist. Hang in there, these days are precious." As he turned to walk away I noticed he was wearing WWII veteran's clothing. I believe I'll be making a donation to the local veteran's facility this week. It'll take some research, but I'll do it.

I walked away with tears brimming in my eyes, and saw some very very sheepish faces in the checkout lane behind me. This man's simple gesture changed my attitude for the entire day, and I'm sure the rest of the checkout lane learned a thing or two. Thanks, Jesus for the reminder that it doesn't take much to make someone's day. And that keeping our eyes open for simply ways to help can be a catalyst for incredible change.

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

Mandatory Time Away

I don't like leaving my children. I'm serious; I hate it. It makes me anxious; it frustrates me, and I usually end up having more "issues" to deal with when I come home. It's so much easier to just keep them with me ... BUT 24/7 motherhood is tiring! There are simple pleasures that I've lost in my life. I don't really miss them, but it's nice to remember what they are like. So, Steve did just about the only thing I'd listen to ... he forced me out of the house. This past Saturday is the first Saturday we have had NOTHING on the calendar since early May. Yup, I'm not exaggerating, it's always something. So, Steve told me I was (a) getting my haircut (I've been whining about how long it was for nearly a month now) (b) getting coffee somewhere and (c) spending at least two hours out of the house doing anything of my choosing. He told me this on Tuesday, and I've looked forward to the solitude all week. In addition to the solitude, I was awarded no getting up with Benjamin at 6:00 a.m. (which actually was 4:00 a.m. since he decided he needed a little snack, just 2 oz, in the middle of the night), a shower without having to arrange distractions for the kids, and THEN my morning away.

So, I left the house ready to get a haircut (at Great Clips, I'm not picky), but it didn't open until 9:00 a.m. (I never even considered this because I felt like I had slept so late! 7:45 a.m. is sleeping in!) So, I walked around Kohl's, then got my haircut. Then I went to Barnes and Noble and picked up The Hunger Games, a book I'd been dying to read, recommended by my sister-in-law, Alaina. I also got Eat, Pray, Love while I was there because before it became a movie I had wanted to pick it up. Now, before I see it, I will read it :). Then, I had planned to grab a coffee at B&N and read there. BUT it was far too beautiful outside (and the a/c FAR TOO HIGH) for that. So, I snagged a cheap McCafe coffee and drove to the Celery Flats where I sat on a partially shaded picnic bench overlooking the fountains and the playground. I got through the first 3 chapters of Hunger Games, enough to become completely engrossed in the plot, and then my phone alarm went off. Time to return to the family. I grabbed Steve a peace offering, assuming the kids had torn him apart, and headed home. When I walked in the door my baby girl SQUEALED and SCREAMED, "MAMA!! Color, sit, color with Kayleigh. Dadda color. Momma color. Benny color. COLOR." So, with her strawberry covered, ear to ear grin, she literally had me at hello. I smiled, kissed everyone, and resumed what I love doing, spending time with my kids and my husband.

One hour of reading in the sunlight and quiet though, does a body good :).

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.