February Photo Challenge - 19, 20, 21

Yeah, so the weekend was pretty eventful -thus, I didn't put up pictures. We had the Kettners over for dinner Saturday night, and I'm not sure who had more fun ... all of us catching up, or Kayleigh making friends with Chad. She was a RUTHLESS flirt. Had I been thinking, I'd have taken a picture of the two of them ... so cute. But, since we didn't take pictures of that dinner date, I'll have to use another. Here's Benjamin, exploring what it's like to "be a princess."

The 20th was pretty uneventful for us - lots of catching up on sleep. So, the following two pictures are from today's "compound group" playdate. I didn't get pictures of all 7 - by the time I got my camera out, some were sleeping others on their way home ... but, nevertheless here are my favorites of "the girls"

It's super exhausting being a little girl with all the big girls around .... Eden Hoeksema is just taking a quick nap.

[caption id="attachment_1071" align="alignleft" width="1024" caption="Kayleigh and Emma, being cute girls!"][/caption]

February Photos - 13, 14, 15, 16

Yeah! So I epically failed ... It's not that I didn't think about posting a picture a day. I simply didn't do it. On the 13th, Steve and I had a special date for Valentine's Day. We ended up going to our friends, the Commerets (http://thecommeretcorner.blogspot.com) for a fantastic dinner with the Netz family, and the Scott Van Dyke family (of Kalamazoo ... we do actually have two friends who are Scott Van Dyke ...) and, obviously the Commerets. It was a great time of fellowship and just general merriment! We weren't exactly popping out the camera for that event, but, in honor of "the day of love" I'll give you a great throwback. Here's me with my Valentine (it might be one of the oldest photos of us together ... we weren't even officially dating, just friends!)

The 14th saw massive iPhone drama. I literally spent most of my day chasing down the solution to my non-functioning visual voicemail. One thing led to another and Valentine's dinner became heart shaped pizzas with my parents, the kids, Steve and his sister, Sarah. There were some fun pics from that day, so I'll let 14, 15 and 16 be from that event :) .... (I know it's sort of cheating but there hasn't been much to photograph over here since Monday ... just lots of sleeping kids!)

Kayleigh's Grandpa pulled her up and down the hill so many times ... such a labor of love that I know he enjoyed (though he might be feeling it today!)

Benner LOVED that Mommy gave him his own red velvet cupcake. (Don't worry too much, mini cupcakes ...). I'm pretty sure it was the reason he was awake the entire van ride home too ... smooth move, Kristi

Having Aunt Sarah join us was so much fun! We were all excited to see her before she flies off on vacation!

Happy Valentine's Week everyone!

February Photo Challenge - Day 12

The Best Part of the Day Today was awful .. to say the least. Short story: en route to Grand Rapids today I hit a patch of ice and buried the van (not an exaggeration) in a snowbank. I couldn't open any doors, just windows, and the kids and I were thoroughly stuck. In any emergency, my call chain works like this: Steve, Mom/Dad, Ipemas ... (sometimes Ipemas before Mom and Dad if it's a time sensitive/local thing). Steve was skiing with his family at Caberfae. Mom and Dad were an hour away awaiting us, and Ipemas were at the cabin. I panicked. Mom and Steve told me to call a wrecker, which I did ... but it was going to be an hour at best. I'm trapped in a van with two babies and have to wait an hour to get hauled out. I have no shovels (if I could even get out), much less appropriate winter attire. Person after generous person stopped to offer phones or blankets, as I racked my brain on what to do ...

Finally, a man simply started trying to dig us out. When we ended up pulling his truck closer to the ditch without budging our van, he offered to help me get the kids somewhere safe. We climbed out MOST ungracefully and (not by coincidence, which I don't believe in but BY THE GRACE OF GOD!) loaded them into his 2 car seats (He had a 4 year old and a 2 year old and was thus equipped for driving kids). Vissers (again, BY THE GRACE OF GOD) were able to house us, as they lived just about a mile and a half from our "crash site." Megan came home to watch my kids, and Dave drove me back to get the van just as the tow truck arrived. Just about 15 minutes later, we were unstuck, and I could pick up the kids to go back home. No way was I driving up to GR ... My knees are still knocking ...

SOOOO, enter our 3rd hero(ine) of the day, my Mommy, drives down. She brought Valentine's presents for the kids, my favorite foods (thanks for making the Swiss Chicken early Dad!), and, what I wanted most of all, COMPANY. We had a great afternoon with the kids ... So, in tribute, here's my Day 12 photo of the day:

February Photo Challenge - February 9

"It Pays to be a Princess" OR"Daddy Spoils Me Rotten"

About 4 months ago, when we were looking for a "music" solution now that we needed two simultaneous nursery atmospheres, we toyed with the idea of getting Kayleigh a new iPod and docking station (one which Daddy found that screamed "perfect for his baby girl"). We decided that was ridiculous because we had an iPad and there's no reason we couldn't rig up some old speakers to make that dock work. So, Kayleigh got the iPad ...

Enter child technology prodigy who managed to, one morning, find her collection of Mickey Videos and help herself to an unknown number of bedroom viewings before Mommy woke up at 6:00 a.m. and discovered what had happened. At that point, we needed a new solution ... remove the Mickey's (surprisingly handy, though with upcoming tennis season) OR remove the speakers she climbed on to touch her iPad.

BACK to  Daddy's solution. We got her an 8G iPod touch for a very reasonable rate, used a gift card to bring the price of Daddy's "perfect" iHome down and HERE, is the result.

As soon as my blonde beauty saw this baby, she was lost in a world of adoration. "Ohh Mommy, it's so BEAUTIFUL! I need to see all sides of this box." She past the time as we waited in line (literally 3 minutes AFTER Best Buy opened) by naming every color that her iHome would change. She carefully carried her treasure up to the man at the counter and reached up to give it to him. She said to him, "This is MINE but Mommy has to pay for it first and then I GET TO TAKE it to MY ROOM." I don't think the college clerk knew quite what to do with my precocious 2 year old. BUT, she CAREFULLY carried her treasure to the van in its bag, walked almost tip toeing with it into the house and had it out of the package and on the nightstand before I had Benjamin out of his outdoor clothes and into a new diaper.

She's now sitting in her bed, falling asleep by reciting the colors as they change (which is hilarious when a "faster" song comes on because they change almost as fast as she can speak them). ... THANK YOU DADDY, for the Valentine's gift. She truly knows you love her!

February Photo Challenge - February 8

My loves ... enough said

February Photo Challenge #7

The Quest for World DominationDaddy reads some interesting books ... this is his latest: Evil Plans (and having fun on the way to world domination)... or something like that. Kayleigh picked it up this morning and spent about 10 minutes "reading" it. I couldn't resist the picture ... Someday, I have a feeling she's going to try and dominate some part of this world ... just exactly what remains to be seen!

February Photo Challenge #4

It's a big girl kind of dayKayleigh has days where I feel like she grew a year or two overnight. She starts talking in long sentences and adds words to her vocabulary that I didn't know she knew. She does things that don't seem possible, and in general makes me feel like I need to push the PAUSE button on life so I can enjoy her a little more. Today was one of those days (at least in the morning). We were all playing downstairs and Kayleigh's baby started crying. Her little face got sad when she heard the whines and she went running to fish her baby from the corner she left it in yesterday. She cuddled her baby close, whispered sweetly in her ear, "It's okay, baby, Mommy is here. She won't let you be sad or cold or lonely. I love you baby" (Kiss, kiss, kiss). On top of all that, we tried a half ponytail today with her hair. (Still need a little more length in the bangs to make it an all day long hair solution AND Mommy needs more practice). BUT, she looked so grown up ... don't you agree?

February Photo Challenge #2

Kayleigh's iXLFor Christmas, Grammy and Grandpa Creswell gave Kayleigh a Fisher Price iXL. It's a 6 in 1 toy that allows her to be read to, practice writing letters, color pictures, watch her own picture slideshows,  listen to her own music and play educational games. She's too little to play all of the games yet, but she LOVES writing, coloring, listening to music, AND listening to the stories (over and over and over). It gives me at least 15-30 minutes each time she pulls it out. Here she is, focusing on the story.

[caption id="attachment_1012" align="alignleft" width="764" caption="Kayleigh focusing on her iXL game"][/caption]

A Necessary Side-post

I married an incredibly good man. He's going to be supremely embarrassed by this post, I know it, but I don't much care. He pursued me for a long time (most people would have given up LONG after my third or fourth cold refusal), and told me he was committed to us. Since he's a trained educator, I know kids were a part of his plans ... he made it quite clear that he definitely wanted a family. When you get the chance to watch him with our kids, you understand just how great he really is with them. Over the past week, I was able to capture just a few of the things I see in the evenings. After a long hard day at work, I admire that he comes home ready to play ... no matter what that looks like.

Of course there's Saturdays in the snow:

Bedtime Snuggles EVERY NIGHT:

Reading to the kids - (often multiple times through the same book):

And my personal favorite - sharing "what you do today" (Kayleigh's words) as soon as Daddy arrives home

Momma, Just Watch the Dance!

Lately I've been reading a book called Love and Respect by Emerson Eggerich. It was a book repeatedly referenced by my Bible Study Leader from my Marriage Without Regrets course, and it was brought up, again, in our Marriage in Motion SS Class at church. I decided that if I was going to understand all of the references, I should give it a read. I'm at least halfway through (actually, I'm currently reading the chapters on ways a husband can show love to his wife even though it doesn't "apply" to me), and I've been letting the insights percolate throughout my day. A lot of the premise of the book is that women, deep down and to varying degrees, desire love above all else. They want connection with their spouse, and they want to live their lives in a constant state of "togetherness." This doesn't mean never separating or rejecting independent hobbies and activities, but the soul of woman desires to make certain that her relationship with the man in her life is in harmony. The need for connection is at the heart of woman - and makes her more prone to "chatting at the coffee shop" or just wanting to "talk." Even brain science supports this based upon the relational/connective way that women function neurologically vs. the more compartmentalized/mathematical way in which men function. I'm further challenged that this isn't by nurture, but that we were created this way by God in order to help the family function as He designed it. (ie a woman focused on maintaining relationships and harmony would thus be inclined to maintain the harmony between children/parents and between herself and her children. It serves more purposes than only the husband/wife relationship). Most of these values were things I encountered in our marriage counseling at Calvary in Grand Rapids. So, these aren't new ideas. What I do have the chance to observe now, is how early I can see these traits begin to manifest themselves. (Because I'm not 100% certain that I believe they are ENTIRELY in born. I think they are grown and cultivated, to a degree, by the company and society we keep). So, I wanted to see what my very young children are picking up. Most recently, I've noticed just how necessary this love/connection is in my daughter. (We'll have to see if the same desire is as strong in Benjamin ... all accounts so far would point to "probably not.") But my little girl wants full attention, to be heard, to be cuddled, to be physically close as a symbol of her parents' emotional closeness to her. She's always done things that show me this. If I'm washing the dishes and trying to listen to her story, she will tug on my pant leg, pulling my angle towards her face screaming, "Momma .... LISTEN TO ME WHEN I TALKIN' ... Momma LISTEN TO KAYLEIGH and come here!" If we're snuggled in bed and she wants to show me love (which is almost always), she will cup my chin in her hands, look me straight in the eyes and say, "Momma. You're a really good big Momma. I love you. You know that?? I love Momma." She WANTS love, she wants to show love, to receive love, and to communicate love, CLEARLY. (And yes, she's exceptional at copying the ways I model love/connection for her) Call me crazy, but I'm NOT certain those same types of actions (though I will do them to Ben as well) will come from my busy, rough and tumble little man.

At any rate, these longings for love and connection have taken a new direction as of late. For Christmas Kayleigh received a white board album of sorts that lets her write and color and practice letters and numbers and counting. She can color it up and erase and do it all over again. It is themed based upon the Disney Princesses!! These same princesses appear on her "big girl underpants" too. Well, we were watching Beauty and the Beast at Auntie Alaina's a few weeks ago, and Kayleigh made the connection! Her "Princess Belle" was on the TV, and she was PRETTY!!! Her house was pretty; her dresses were pretty ... and she got to dance in a very pretty ballroom. Kayleigh was so taken by the video that we decided it was time to purchase it for her. We did, and Belle has been the topic of conversation ever since ... "Belle and Beast are coming to the potty with me. Belle and Beast are takin' a nap with me ... etc" She's enamored with Belle AND Beast! I asked her what was her favorite part of the movie. With a look I remember ALL TO WELL (it's that star gazed dreamy face ... a far off look), "I love to watch the dance. It's just so .. so ... (sigh) PRETTY (whispered in reverence). I probably want to dance like Belle." (Her Daddy did teach her how to "dance like Belle" and it was oh so precious!! (But that's a post for another time)

I truly believe that while she can't conceive of romantic love (THANK THE LORD!!!), she can see there's something special about it. She can see a very pretty girl who is very beautifully happy ...and Beast (she doesn't really like the prince he turns into) who clearly pays attention to the pretty girl. I don't claim that Kayleigh knows why she likes it (other than it's pretty) but she's fiercely drawn to it ... She wants to watch it over and over and over. She hums the song, she twirls about the room clutching her Mickey ...  completely fascinated by the entire scene. As soon as Belle is "set free" by the Beast, her attention is gone and she's off to something else. It's amazing to me that a girl so young can be so innocently drawn to something so classic and timeless ... maybe there is something to the idea that it's inborn after all ... jury is still out for me ... :) But for now, I'll enjoy having a little GIRL who loves to, "Just Watch the Dance."

Kayleigh: My Precious Jewel

I have been neglecting this blog during the Christmas season. Mostly because I spent most of the month of December getting ready for Christmas parties, packing for trips away and unpacking/cleaning after trips away, forcing naps on overtired children at odd times so they'd be ready for trips away, managing weird diets and getting all of the fun packages we'd ordered wrapped and ready. During all of that craziness, I knew the kids were growing, changing and becoming their own little people ... I just lacked the time to reflect on it. So, as the holiday is done, here's my blog catch up on our beautiful 2 year old (Benjamin's will be tomorrow, on his --- wait for it --- 8 MONTH BIRTHDAY!!). This will be a post full of pictures, evidence of all I claim. I also hope to post some audio for your listening pleasure ... so a multi-media extravaganza. If you make it through all of my silly stories and media posts, you're a true follower of Kristi's Blog. I don't have a prize for you, but I hold you near and dear to my heart for your commitment and love to my kids :). The title is something my mom, and those who knew me as a 2 year old will find most fitting. As a little girl (probably 3???) I stood up at Maranatha Bible and Missionary Conference and sang a solo ... a little song called Precious Jewels about little children, God's precious treasures, who are "gems" in His crown. There is no title more fitting for the two year old I am blessed to take care of. She is God's precious, shining jewel.

Here are my top 10 "Gems" from this most recent season in Kayleigh's Life

1. The Ruby: Kayleigh loves to play puzzles. She will stretch out on her belly, prop her hand up and just chatter away at me, asking me to do the same. "Play puzzles, with Kayleigh, Mommy! Stop doing work and play puzzles!" She took my breath away when I looked up from playing puzzles because she looked just so grown up. As much as I didn't want to I could see the senior in high school picture pose with her legs crossed up behind her, head rested in her hand. I know the time goes too fast; she'll be gone before I know it. So I must take a minute and treasure the little ruby she gave me here ... a precious smile, a sweet little face, and the reminder that this time is all together too precious for words.

2. An Amethyst: After her initial penny pony ride, some 5 months ago, she decided she was afraid of them. I don't know what prompted a second opportunity, but she asked if we could try it again. Here she is, clearly enjoying her turn on the penny pony. I don't know if it was the barrette in her hair, her light up Princess boots, the fact that she isn't wearing a diaper (still Pull-ups), or the smile of accomplishment on her face ... but this was another reminder of the passage of time. She chattered happily away, and when it came time for thank you prayers at night, this was her highlight. "Thank you God, for the penny pony at Meijers." I know it seems silly ... but I was thankful for the penny pony too ... a memory frozen in time ...

3. Jade I remember exactly where this was ... we were just passing Martin, on the way home from our New Year's Eve plans. We had kept Benjamin with us (he is usually great at sleeping anywhere you place him and goes to bed at 7:30 ... he wasn't going to "cramp" our style), but we had sent Kayleigh for an evening with Grandpa and Grandma Van Dyk. We knew she'd struggle to sleep with a party going on and would likely have way more fun with Grandpa and the "clock" and playing with Grandma. So, we sent her away. She had a great time, but kept her grandparents hopping most of the night. From the sounds of it, someone was sleeping with her in bed the entire time. Middle of the night potty trips, all kinds of forms of manipulation that grandparents willingly fall for. Her innocence returned, though, as she took the car ride home to nap. Her long hair, her night away from us, the very adult-like vest she has on ... all of it, makes me see her as "pre-schooler" not my baby any longer.

4.  The Diamond If you haven't been able to tell, I am going in order to birthstones as I list of precious gems. I find it most fitting, however, that this memory fell to the Diamond stone, arguably one of the more precious birthstones. This picture will always hold a precious place in my heart because of what I hope it fore-tells for my daughter's life. Kayleigh adores Bible Study. The hardest part about the Christmas season was that we didn't have Bible Study (and we were out of town plenty so church was infrequent). She would finish her morning Mickey episodes and say, "Oookay. Let's go on a car ride to Bible Study. I get your Bible, Mommy." I had to convince her often (way more than once a week) that we'd start again soon, but not today. As soon as the new books for my study came, she could sense we were headed back. Last Monday she grabbed my books and told me that she was going to, "Read for her Bible Study now. SHHH!!!!" I asked her to show me the book and couldn't have been more in love with the picture that snapped out ... Clearly, at this point in her life, to the best she knows how, she is a Woman After God's Own Heart.

5. The Emerald (Benjamin's stone! ... again so fitting for the memory I pair it with): 1-10 Helping Benny Brother Kayleigh calls her brother, "Benny Brother." We were working on relationships and I think the name just stuck. "Good morning, Benny Brother. How did you sleep?" "Mommy, Benny Brother does not want to take his nap!" "Mommy, Benny Brother is fighting with Rafael!" "Benny Brother is saying Daddy. We should find him Daddy!" The love she shares and shows to her brother is so evident. Never more evident than in the video posted above. She ADORES eating puffs. She stole them from Ryan when he was learning to eat. She can't wait to help Benjamin eat them (mostly so she can steal them) during his snack time each day. She's really pretty good about helping him eat one (then eating one herself). I listen as I prepare dinner and I hear, "One for Benny Brother; one for Kayleigh. Eat up Benny Brother ... One for Benny Brother, One for Kayleigh!"

6. The Pearl Kayleigh received some ink and stamps (all Mickey Mouse) for Christmas and OH does she love playing with them. We busted them out the other day when I was trying to whip up some chilli in the crockpot and she wasn't exactly in the most helpful mood. She stamped and stamped and stamped away, being very careful not to get ink on her clothes or the table. She created a very beautiful Mickey piece of artwork which she said was, "For Daddy's OFFICE." He still hasn't exactly taken it to his office, it's on the fridge, but she was so proud of her handiwork ... and now, we have a new favorite thing to do while Benjamin naps. 7. Onyx Kayleigh and Ryan are both learning to share. Neither of them are quite there yet, but Alaina and I like watching them "work it out." We almost always have to intervene before (or just after) someone's feelings are hurt (or sometimes more than feelings ... the kids are great at boxing out and hip checking!) Here, they actually listened to us and took a moment to share. They both tried incessantly to climb into the box. With a little help they both fit AND stayed smiling ... Ahhh ... Happy cousins!

8. Peridot (I've never heard of that before, but okay ...) We're still working on this performance. It's not perfect, she needed a little help. BUT I love that she sings her ABC's while going about her daily business. We walk to the potty, "A ... B...C...D..." We go down the stairs to play, "Next time won't you (sing it Momma!!) sing with me." We get loaded into the car, "Momma, sing ABCDEFGHIJ with me!!" Here she is, singing her ABC's. 1-15 Singing the ABCs

9. Sapphire On Christmas Eve Day, Benny was resting, Steve was working out and Kayleigh and I were reading together. I discovered that she had the entire "Pumpkin book" memorized. Now, my mom had an audio recording of me "reading" a book I had memorized at ROUGHLY the same age. I couldn't resist getting out the Voice Memo recording and capturing our session together. She gets a little distracted, but she makes it through the entire book. If you can understand all of her words, congratulations ... but, I'm gonna hand it to her, it's pretty good. I'm sure she'll want me to burn it someday, but, of course, I'll do just as my parents did and send the audio file to her boyfriend/fiancé. Memo-1

10. The Opal (and my final gem for this post) When I was pregnant with Kayleigh we sang "In Christ Alone" almost every week at church. We sang it at school during Easter week. I listened to it on my iPod during rides in the car ... and each time I got to the 4th verse I'd begin to weep ... "No guilt in life; no fear in death. This is the power of Christ in me. From life's first cry to final breath, Jesus commands my destiny." That year, Kayleigh was born and I experienced "life's first cry" for myself. There was nothing like it in the whole world. As I held my baby girl, that song played through my brain ... each time I hear it it brings tears ... and it's no wonder that my baby girl (who heard it COUNTLESS TIMES in utero and since) adores this song. In fact, it's almost to the point of annoying. We no sooner are buckled in the car, "In Christ Alone, Mommy!" Around the house, "In Christ Alone, Momma!! Sing it for Kayleigh! Sing LOUD!!" So, I pulled out the ol' Voice Memo when we were downstairs the other day. I have it in raw audio format and am working on coverting it. As soon as the editing is done, I'll post it :) (You can hold me to it ... but right now Garage Band and I aren't having fun ...)

My baby girl is truly a jewel in our eyes. We thank God for her daily and totally love sharing her fun memories with all of you.

Teaching in the Bloodline ...

Our family is inundated with teachers ... Great Grandpa Van Dyk taught at Calvin Seminary, Aunt Leanne teaches at Western Seminary. Grandpa Van Dyk is a principal and Grandma Van Dyk a teacher. Aunt Maria is a teacher. Grammy Creswell is a teacher. Although his period of teaching was brief, Grandpa Creswell was one for a time. And of course, Mommy and Daddy are both teachers who tend to hang out with other people who are also, teachers. Kayleigh is surrounded by people who are trained educators. I, by no means expect this to rub off on her. In fact, I'd likely expect that she do the opposite since she's so completely surrounded by it. BUT ... this morning's activities gave me a moment to pause. Before I relay my newest "dialogue" I want to say that I have been WAITING for this day since I conceived Benjamin. I was waiting for the chance to share an interaction based entirely between my two children ... for their "conversations" between each other. I never expected it to happen so early ... and, in truth, it probably doesn't count as "conversation." But, for me, it fulfilled the longing I had to hear my children communicate together.

So without further ado, I present, "Kayleigh, the teacher."

Benjamin woke from his morning nap quite interested in babbling. So, as I was folding laundry with Kayleigh, I was talking to him. Looking at his smiling, cherub like face and chanting, "Mama .... Mama ... Dadda ... Dadda ... SISTER ... SISTER..." He was continuing to babble away, repeating his usual garble with a smile brighter than the sun.

As I left to put the laundry away, Kayleigh descended from her perch on the dining room table and plunked herself squarely in front of Benjamin. Here is what transpired:

Kayleigh: "Benny brother you need to say MA-MA! Say MA-MA!" Benny: (After repeated squeals of delight at the proximity of his sister) MMMMMMA MA MA MA! (He's been doing this for days) Kayleigh: "Good job Benny boy. Now you have to say DA-DA Say DA-DA!!" Benny (I had never heard the D consonant before from him): DDDD-DDDA DA DA DA DA DA (Repeated squeals of laughter). Kayleigh: "Good ... now you have to count to 10 ... like this 1, 2, 3, (etc at lightning speed)." Benny: "DA DA DA DA DA ..." Kayleigh: "Okay ... Keep trying a little bit."  (Running to Mom in the other room). Mommy, I teached Benny to say Mommy, Daddy and count to 10."

I'm not certain I'm going to call Benjamin a talker ... but as evidenced by his "spitting" video, he is exceptional at repeating what is given to him. And he delights in learning it ... especially from his favorite teacher, Kayleigh.

"Thank you for Christmas"

Today the dreaded chore of taking down the Christmas decor came up on the to-do list. I had been avoiding it, mostly because the lights are cheery and sometimes I need that in the dreary Michigan winter. BUT, today was the day. I told Kayleigh it was time to take down the ornaments, her response, "Poor Ornaments." (Said in the most unbelievably sad and mournful pouty voice you can imagine ... it's adorable.) Anyway, Benjamin's "nap" time came and that is when we do our chores together. Let me set the stage: Benjamin has been up and down all night teething, so he's cranky, and he doesn't want to nap. Kayleigh took an early nap yesterday and crashed early last night. This meant that both kids were up and ready to go by 6:15 a.m. I only got 10 minutes on the elliptical before screams tore me away. This means I didn't get a stress release ...  It's now 9:45 a.m., they've both been up for 3.5 straight hours. I have cleaned 3 dirty diapers for Ben, done 2 loads of laundry, one load of dishes, fed two kids and cleaned up one very messy accident by Kayleigh ... Benjamin is so past tired that he's just whining in the crib instead of intently trying to sleep. His moans and cries are the background for all the rest of our activity. I've got the "ducky" timer set ... so Kayleigh knows when to visit the bathroom. Kayleigh is running back and forth across the living room babbling (she's pretty much a constant stream of noise all the time) as Rafael chases her, taking moments to leap up and put both paws on her shoulders, since he can almost "tackle" her. I sigh and look at the tree.

My heart falls ... Christmas is over, the snow is PILING up outside, the "natives" are already restless ... the thought of two more months of this kind of cooped up commotion makes me want to cry ... and now, what do I have to look forward to? Spring Break, when we leave for Orlando with my brother, sister in law and nephew for a week of warmth. April seems so long away ...

I sigh and begin to pick apart the tree. As I begin, Kayleigh's running babble suddenly stops. She ceases her insane sprinting from room to room and approaches the tree.

K: Watcha doin' Momma? M: Taking down the Christmas decorations K: Why? It's PRetty M: Because Christmas is over. Jesus's birthday is past and we have to move on. K: Oh. Are you sad, Momma? M: A little sad, Kayleigh, I like Christmastime. K: (Is quiet. Clearly she's thinking.) Momma, I'll help you take down the orNAments M: Thanks K. K: (After a grand pause) ... Momma? M: (Sigh because I was so enjoying the silence, well, at least the lack of chatter, Ben is still whining). Yes? K: Thank you for Christmas. M: (Taken aback completely!) You're welcome. K: Thank you for Christmas, for presents, for orNAMents, for JESUS!!!. Thank you for birthdays and for Mommy and Daddy and Kayleigh and Benny. Thank you for CHRISTMAS!! I had FUN! M: (Completely humbled now) You're welcome, K! You're so welcome. K: (Duckie timer starts quacking) OHHHH Momma! I go potty now!! (and off she scampers...)

She left to take care of her responsibilities and as I helped her I thought about her long list ... and the one she repeated stuck out the most. Thank you, Lord, for Christmas! It's January 4 and although I have dreary winter ahead, I can still say Thank you, Lord, for Christmas. Thanks for the baby, the humble beginnings, the reason you came, the joy the season brings, and thank you, thank you for the young child who teaches me. (Yes, both of them ...)

Top 10 of 2010 - stolen idea

So a blogger friend of mine, Rebecca Marcus, received a challenge from a blogger friend of hers - post your top 10 pictures of 2010. I thought it sounded like a fun challenge. So, here I go, in reverse order #10. Cousins Christmas - I love my family - all of them ... and the "Cousins" Christmas picture is a tradition at least 28 years running (I have evidence of one with Justin and I when I'm just 1 year old). Passing it on the to cousins' kids, who still manage to make a point to get together no matter how difficult, is super special. So, here's a copy I had of the Badeau Cousins' Kids Christmas: (from L to R: Benjamin Van Dyk, Kayleigh Van Dyk, Kirsten Nichols, Zoe Scott, Rachelle Nichols, Andrew Nichols and Jonathan Nichols ... just outside camera range: Ryan Creswell)

9. The Kids Love the iPad - During a tornado warning - mid day in the fall - the kids went to the basement with both kitties. I needed something to keep them occupied for an extended period of time while I watched the weather on the tv. As the toys ran dry, I pulled out Mickey Mouse Clubhouse on the iPad. The kids, snuggling together with the iPad, is representative of our 2010 for several reasons - K's growing obsession with Mickey and the fact that nothing brings my kids together like watching a little tv. :)

8. Food Attacks Benjamin - Our friend, Cabeto, titled this picture for us. He lives in Costa Rica and gets pictures through my father-in-law (and from my facebook). He mostly sees pictures of (as he says it), "Ben-yamin (spelled as he pronounces it and is SO sweet), I always see you getting attacked by food!"  So, here is our boy, doing what our boy does better than any baby I ever saw .. EAT!!! It describes him now as well because he refuses bottles in favor of any solid food. So, to our eater, Benjamin:

7. Cousin's Playdates I have a bunch of cute pictures of our kids with their cousin, Ryan, on playdates. BUT throughout 2010 this is the only one I have of all 3 of them together. We ended up putting them together to capture the Maranatha tie-dye onesies that Mom and I made during our week at Maranatha. So, though the kids aren't particularly "Active" in this picture, it's the best of all three of them and reminds me of all the blessings Thursdays with Ryan bring.

6. Benjamin's Miles of Smiles We had formal pictures taken in the fall in order to get a surprise Christmas present for Grammy Creswell. Kristen Worst from Tsakani Studios took them for us (she had done our family photos in July as well). She was super patient with all three kids, who had a collective ROTTEN day. BUT, right at the beginning Benjamin was whipping off the smiles. She caught about 5 in a row that were just fantastic. Here's my favorite:

5. The Waves with Grammy - Over Labor Day weekend we hit both family "getaways." Each time we took a few photos, and, from that weekend, three are on the top 10 list. Steve did a fantastic job of shooting special moments. This one reminds me of Maranatha, which was, my refuge this summer. I spent two full weeks there and several other day/evening trips in order to have help with the kids while Steve put in long hours at work. Kayleigh loved her time there, especially at the beach ... Steve is tempted to enter this one in a photo contest. It's so beautiful.

4. Benny and Grandpa - This is another one of the "Labor Day Cottage Tour" pictures. It's beautiful because they are both so unaware. But it also captures how thoroughly the two have bonded. I don't know if it was the week when Benjamin screamed for hours straight and Grandpa took him for walks, or if it is their uncanny similarities in behavior. Both Grandpa C and Benny are largely content wherever they are. They love watching what's going on around them, but don't have to be part of the action to enjoy it. "Being" is simply enough for both of them and I think that's what makes Grandpa C gravitate to Ben so quickly ... I adore this photo ...

3. Our Little Model - Steve took this photo at the Frederick Meijer Gardens in their Children's Garden. Kayleigh went with Great Grandpa Van Dyk as his "birthday" present from our kids. Kayleigh ADORED walking the grounds with him, and taking him by the hand around to everything that was fun for her. We mostly snapped pictures of the special time the two were able to have. It's especially sweet because Kayleigh is named for her Great Grandma Van Dyk. Harriet Elaine (though she went by Elaine only) was diagnosed with cancer while we were early pregnant with K. As  Elaine's condition grew worse, Steve and I were more and more convinced that our little girl needed to bear her name. Elaine fought long and hard and managed to meet her great granddaughter before she went home to be with her Lord. Nevertheless, each time we see Great Grandpa with his little buddy Kayleigh Elaine, we think of Great Grandma. Here's our Kayleigh Elaine on her date with Great Grandpa

2. Benjamin views the Lake - This picture took our breath away when we first uploaded it. It has captured my attention each time I sneak past it in a photo search. Benjamin is searching the lake and the camera lens caught the lake reflected in his gorgeous blue eyes. Steve's favorite place in the world is his parents' cottage. I know it means the world to him when the kids are able to go there and enjoy themselves. So, for Ben to be enjoying himself so much at his Daddy's favorite place ... it's the stuff a mother loves to see.

1. Family Togetherness - I didn't think my top 10 would be complete without something breathtaking of the two kids together. BUT since the BEST photo of the two of them that I have is from their bath time ... I figured I'd have to get back to the drawing board. Posting naked baby photos, however innocently intended, is NOT a smart idea (as my husband reminds me continuously). Therefore, I selected this photo, from Christmas Eve. It contains my 3 favorite people in the whole wide world and they're all together, happily. Thanks God, for this amazing year, and this amazing little family.

Happy New Year, friends ... from Steve, Kristi, Kayleigh and Benjamin Van Dyk!

Over half way through ...

My Benjamin is 7 months old today! It's so hard to believe that he's more than half way finished with his crazy "first year" of life. I know so many fun "firsts" are just around the corner for him, and I look forward to enjoying them. Here's what we see with Ben lately: Eating: He's on 3 meals a day: An 8 oz bottle at 8 a.m., 1 p.m. and 6 p.m, and he follows the bottle with at least a 1/2 cup of solid foods - he has homemade rice cereal with apples or bananas for added flavor, at least a 1/4 of a cup of fruit and 1/4 cup of vegetable for lunch (Usually, carrots, green beans, sweet potatoes, apples or bananas), and then either eggs (his favorite) or chicken (his very least favorite) for dinner with another helping of vegetables. He enjoys working on putting "puffs" in his mouth but can't quite make it. His sister is VERY willing to help him out (and then sneak a few handfuls herself). We are also working on getting him to drink from a sippy cup, like Kayleigh we're starting with a straw cup and will move him to the other sippy later. So far, he can get it out of the cup but can't quite keep it in his mouth.

Sleeping: Ben's sleeping schedule hasn't changed much since his 6 month, except that he almost never takes a 3rd nap now. So, he naps about 1.5-2 hours around 10 and then 2-2.5 hours around 2 or 2:30. I've bumped Kayleigh back an hour (selfishly) so that they can still nap at the same time. It makes for a long crazy morning, but errands are a LITTLE more possible now that we moved the nap back a smidge. Ben still goes to bed around 7:30 (and not much later or he'll let you know just how unhappy he can get), and while I'm certain he wakes around 6:45, for Mommy's sanity, he stays in bed until 7:30 at the earliest.

Growth: Benjamin is proving to be intensely social. He loves smiling at people (mostly girls) and causing the giggle factor to erupt. He loves "kisses" (where he pulls your by the ears, cheeks, hair or face straight to his forward and attempts to swallow your lips). I am fortunate enough to get them every morning when I get him out of bed. He is dissatisified until I've planted a few on each cheek and his forehead, then he will cease training to swallow my face. He also LOVES people watching. I can take him to plenty of "busy" places and he will never make a peep. He's either taking it all in or figuring out how to make people smile. He always distracts people in the grocery store or bank lines. Pretty much anywhere we have to wait I can count on him getting someone to make a fool of themselves. (I think it's his dimple). Ben also likes to MOVE ... At the point as soon as you lay him down he rolls to one side to find something to put in his mouth or bang on the floor. He enjoys sitting, but only if he's virtually covered in toys. Otherwise, he'd rather lay flat so he can roll around and try to explore new things (like the Christmas tree).

Goal areas: Work on strengthening those abs/shoulders for crawling (Mommy cries at a little at the idea of MORE mobility), continue to improve balance when sitting up, thicken up the solid foods, and work on feedings self puffs and drinking from the sippy.

And ... here's the 7 month picture comparison :)

[caption id="attachment_932" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Kayleigh Elaine, 7 months: June of 2009"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_933" align="alignright" width="224" caption="Benjamin Steven, 7 months: December 2010"][/caption]

Benjamin's 6 Month

Physical Growth:Again, I'm still awaiting the specifics from the doctor, but, since the 5 month milestone we have burned through 9 month and 12 month clothing and are now wearing only 18 month clothing - regardless of the diaper he's wearing.  More often than not, the clothing is too short, not too tight!!! He's getting longer not just thicker.

He is not able to roll, not even the slightest bit interested in doing so. When flat on his back, he plays with toys around him by pulling them onto his chest. If I place them too far away, he simply plays with his hands, feet, or pacifier rather than trying to reach/roll for it. Kayleigh was the same way at his age, so I now he'll come around, it's just amusing that he is so contented without rolling.

He IS able to sit without assistance. We place the Boppy pillow around his legs to cushion his falls, which are still unpredictable. But, he's very strong and getting quite a bit stronger each day. All he wants to do is work on sitting, grabbing toys, and watching sister.

Social/Emotional Growth: Benjamin is a fantastic baby. He's seriously a dream. He sleeps from 7:30 p.m. until, usually, 7:30 a.m. He takes a 45 minute - 2 hour morning nap (depending on the day) starting around 9:30, and he naps again from 1-3 p.m. By 5:30 he's ready for another, short, 45 minute nap. He eats 3 "square" meals a day - 8 ozs at 8:00 a.m., 3 tbs of rice cereal plus 1 tbs of apple. At 12:00 he eats 6 oz and then 3 tbs of veggies and 2 tbs of fruit. By 4:00 he's ready for another 6 ozs and at 5:00, 3 more tbs of veggies and 2 tbs of fruit. He closes the night with another 8 oz bottle before bedtime.

He smiles CONSTANTLY, usually flashes his smile most readily at girls. He ADORES the women who give him extra snuggles in nursery and usually, really, anyone who takes the time to look him in the eye and smile.

Benny is super ticklish ... like insanely so. He can be crying and if you tickle him up under the chin, the thighs, the armpits, or even around the ribs he will squeal and giggle. He is amazing ...

Here's a little picture comparison that made me smile.

[caption id="attachment_919" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Benjamin Steven, 6 months, May of 2010"][/caption]

At Age 2 -

There will be several additional "birthday" blog posts before this birthday is over - we still have 2 parties yet ... But I want to take a moment to reflect on Kayleigh's accomplishments, her developments and who she is so I can treasure it forever. I have to preface describing her with the simple statement that this age of parenting is a complete dream. It is NOT without its challenges (there are days when "terrible twos" does not even BEGIN to describe her tantrums), but as a whole, this age has been full of moments that make us laugh out loud ... and keep laughing long after. Kayleigh's Physical Growth: I'll know her stats better in a week when we do her 2 year check up at the pediatrician, but she towers over the other children in her church nursery class. Compared to her 18 month pictures, she's thinned out quite a bit ... Compared to her 1 year photos, well, she's still wearing the same clothes, so yes, she's thinning and growing so tall. We've given her one hair cut ... of course we trimmed her bangs before that, but this time we needed the back to get evened out ... She currently looks so much like a pre-schooler it makes me want to cry sometimes. Her little "bob" just bounces as she walks ... and when her bangs, which are growing quickly, cover her face, you almost get a glimpse of the future teen that will hide from eye contact underneath.

[caption id="attachment_908" align="aligncenter" width="216" caption="Kayleigh at 1 year"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_909" align="aligncenter" width="216" caption="2 years old!"][/caption]

Kayleigh's Social Growth: K loves playing with OLDER kids. She is not intimidated by the 4, 5 or even 10 year olds that we run into a public play areas. In fact, she gravitates to them over age appropriate playmates. She's also doing better with kids her age, but ... as the nursery workers at church say, "When the play gets rough, Kayleigh heads for the cupboards." She has no interest in wild, rough horse play and so she leaves the vicinity. Apparently this is a regular thing since her Bible Study nursery group consists of 6- 2 year old boys and her. Each time I pick her up she reminds me that today she "Played with toys and boys." When Kayleigh is comfortable she is very verbal around adults. As soon as she realizes you respect her ability to communicate, and will listen when she talks, the words come pouring out, sometimes in very long stories. It's amazing to me to watch her grasp for the right words. She's picked up "ummmmm" as a great filler, so while she's thinking she often employs that one just to keep the sound flowing. Here's a sample: "Good morning, Momma! I'd like to eat ... ummmmm juicy and ummmmmm ummmm chocolate milk and CHEERIOS!"

Kayleigh's Intellectual Growth: This child amazes me. I know that children progress at all different levels and stages and I will be the first to claim that high verbal skills early in life doesn't indicate a genius. But somedays I wonder just how in the world she became so smart at 2.

She is capable of remembering and recalling details from stories, events, or shows from weeks ago. She will bring them up whenever a connection warrants. (ie Mommy will humm a bit of Mickey Mouse stuck in her head. She will first launch into singing the lyrics of the entire song followed by telling me about the Goofy Robot episode and how she was scared of Goofy robot and Mommy had to turn it off).

She is capable of "pretend" play - she had a tea party with Mickey and Minnie yesterday, engaging them in conversations and appropriate actions (like thanking them for coming by giving them a hug and kiss)

She can count to 12 independently and employs counting techniques often when she sees multiple copies of an object or begins repeated action (like jumping, stepping, etc).

She can converse with me during a meal time or play time well enough to convey her needs, desires and even emotions. Most recently, "Mommy, I'm happy." (Oh really? why is that?) "It's my birthday and I'm having fun."

She adores helping ... every time I try to get in a "quick" chore (blend some previously chopped fruit/veggies, clean the bathroom, or change the load of laundry). "I'm coming too, Momma! I help too!" And she usually does.

She dispenses hugs, kisses, pleases and thanks yous almost ALWAYS at will ... sometimes she needs a prompting but she's quite good for her age.

She THINKS and problem solves ... if her path is blocked by obstacles she will find an alternate route, or if she is incapable of reaching something she uses appropriate tools (ie she can't get the crayons and Mommy is busy so she looks for her step stool, opens the door and finds it).

She follows multi-step directions. "Kayleigh, get your coat, go to the car and wait by your door." (Done ...) This is Mommy's FAVORITE!! Since Benjamin still needs help getting loaded up, this gives Mommy more free hands ... ahhh I love two year olds.

Kayleigh's Areas of Growth: Currently Kayleigh still struggles in several key areas: (1). Potty training - she WILL NOT DO IT! Though she clearly understands how and what needs to happen (2). Fear - she is developing fears of the dark, strangers, heights and separation from parents. (we haven't used a changing table in months!) (3). Disobedience - She loves to test the boundaries!!! (4). Temper - She's got one ... a fierce one ... it makes some epic battles at home sometimes ...

And that's our beautiful 2 year old ... thanks for listening, loving and caring.

Kayleigh's Birthday Date

Steve and I are blessed to have parents and siblings who adore spoiling our children. Kayleigh has two birthday parties coming up where we know she will get spoiled with fun presents. In addition to that, her life is filled with random gifts and spoiling opportunities. So while we're able to think of "ideas" for people that are fun gifts, we don't feel the need to add more toys/clothes on to the day. Therefore, we have decided that, at least for the immediate future, Mommy and Daddy are going to give the kids a fun "date" on their actual birthday, alone ... no other siblings along. When they are older, they'll be able to choose where we go (and we can get more extravagant as age requires), but last night we designed Kayleigh's night out for her. Bri came over to watch Benjamin and after Daddy's game was over, we went out. We started at "Taco Bob's." Kayleigh adores two foods: Tacos and hot dogs. So, we talked all day about going to dinner at Taco Bob's. She was fairly skipping in to the restaurant. The man behind the counter thought it was cute that a little blonde 2 year old would want to go to a local taco restaurant on her birthday, so he gave her a Taco Bob's tatoo and her taco for free. She actually ate very little of the taco (too excited to be out with Mom and Dad), but she surely enjoyed her experience.

After dinner, we raced over to Bounceland (a place with lots of inflatable toys for kids to climb on and play and be wild on). They had an area for 0-5 year olds, but of course our child would have NONE of that. Instead, she found the biggest slides in the entire place and wanted to go down them over and over and over. It would have been endlessly amusing for Mom and Dad except for one tiny detail. Despite Kayleigh's fearLESSness in riding the MASSIVE slides, she was quite afraid of walking on the air filled surfaces. Therefore, to get  to the top of the slides, she needed to be carried. She wouldn't even crawl - it was a death grip to Mommy and Daddy's neck until she reached the top ... then she'd position herself at the top of the slide and say, "I do it myself! I do it myself!" And plummet, sometimes very uncontrollably, down the steep slide to the bottom. As soon as she regained her balance, she'd hold her arms to the exhausted parent at the bottom and it would be that person's turn (as the other made the drop down the slide themselves).

Kayleigh tried a few other toys at Bounceland, but mostly, she spent her time going up and down and up and down the "really big big big big SLIIIIIDDDDEEE." (The longer it takes you to say "slide" the bigger the slide really is!!) As half of the party responsible for our Bounceland experience, I can tell you that I learned one important lesson: 1 hour is PLENTY for a 2 year old ... or maybe it's more accurate to say 1 hour is more than enough for the 2 parents carrying the child up and down the slides. I believe I'm sore today not from the Pilates workouts but from the Bounceland climbing!!!

After ice cream, we came back and she opened her present from Great Grandpa Van Dyk. She watched a Mickey and sat on Mommy's lap (she NEVER EVER sits through a whole Mickey, staring intently) and zoned out. She went to bed quite late, but had a fantastic day.

I have a few pictures from her time with Mommy and Benjamin throughout her birthday day - but I'll blog those in a different post. Here are a few short videos of her Bounceland experience (sorry, no pics from Taco Bob's ... it was all hands on deck as we ate and kept her occupied).

11-10 Sliding with Mommy

11-10 Sliding with Daddy

Kayleigh's First Trick or Treat Experience

Our little Minnie Mouse did fantastic. She practiced at the Trunk or Treat at Hope Reformed on Saturday night. As soon as she discovered how easily the words "Trick or Treat" got you lots of candy, she was no longer interested in being carried or holding her mother's hand. She ran from trunk to trunk, waiting patiently for someone to acknowledge her and then she'd yell proudly, TRICK OR TREAT!!! Afterwards, she rarely needed to be reminded to say her thank yous ... but then she was off and running ... Thanks to Hope Reformed for giving us a chance to "practice!" We set out again on Sunday night, just do the block by our house. She was so excited, but we got ready WAY too early. So, we did a little photo shoot while we waited. After trick or treating for about an hour, we came home and she jumped RIGHT into her candy. After surveying all of her "goodies" she decided on the popcorn ball ... yup, a popcorn ball. She closed the night (while Mommy was bathing Benny and Daddy was still passing out candy) with a couple episodes of Mickey Mouse ... and hit the hay. She was bit. Here are a few photos to capture the milestone in her little life.

[caption id="attachment_898" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="Yeah, I'm not so good with the flash ... but it's her best headshot"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_899" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="Raiding the loot"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_897" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="Kicking back after trick or treat"][/caption]

College Search - Never too early to start

So, Hope College sent out its annual report this week. I was browsing through the information, looking at nothing in particular. Like she has a tendency to do, Kayleigh asked for whatever Mommy had ... She always has to mimic us. So, I gave it to her. As she took GREAT interest in "reading" a long, and not particularly engaging piece of work, I couldn't resist a photo op. Personally, I think admissions could do some creative publications with this photo shoot. [caption id="attachment_890" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="Browsing the list of donors"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_891" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="What a beautiful smile!"][/caption]