Boys

With mixed emotions I headed back to work last Wednesday. We are still adjusting to our new schedule. Sure feels like we never slow down. I need wings on my mini van! I guess it's the new normal.

Jake continues to make us laugh. I think the second picture says it all. He has made tremendous strides in his language and is talking like crazy. He is still obsessed with the moon and stars. And we now go moon hunting. His latest is telling us that everything is "awesome." Waffles awesome, moon awesome, books awesome, door awesome, etc.

Caleb is adjusting well to being the little brother. He is still giving us sleepless nights but occasionally will give one of us a break and only get up once to eat. We celebrate those! He usually charms us with his smile and makes the middle of the night not so bad.

Good Night Moon

Two things Jake has been extra attentive to lately, his Elmo pumpkin and the moon. He loves to look for the moon when we are driving at night. When we can't find it, I tell him that it's hiding behind the clouds or that it's sleeping. He isn't always satisfied with those answers but usually we can come to some type of agreement. He also has become interested in the stars. Maybe it's my diversion of not being able to always see the moon. Anyway, as most parents, we are also still adjusting to the time change. It was just after 5 a.m. this morning and we heard Jake through our baby monitor. Scott got up to see what was wrong. Perhaps he wet through his diaper, his paci was on the floor, etc. Nope, he wanted to share that the moon was awake and so was his elmo pumpkin. "Moon's awake Daddy!"

8 Weeks

Eight weeks ago today we welcomed this guy into our family. What an entrance he made, and what an emotional day it was. Caleb joined us at 2:09 a.m. and by 7 a.m. we were being told he was fighting an infection but uncertain of what it was. After some chest x-rays, a spinal tap, and lots of prayers - he was being treated for pneumonia.

At one point during the day one of our friends from church sent an email referencing Psalm 91. She encouraged us to put our own name in the verse. "He (Tara) who dwells in the shelter of the most high will rest in the shadow of the almighty." Throughout the passage there are many places you could include your own name.

I'm so thankful that we have an awesome God who loves us and allows us to rest under His complete power.

As shown by the picture, he is very healthy! He is smiling more each day and giving Mommy and Daddy some more rest throughout the night. For the past 3 nights, he was only up once. Of course, declaring this will be sure to backfire on us tonight.

Tradition

For as long as I can remember Aunt Kate has always loved Halloween. It's her holiday. This year was no different. Last year she came and delivered a pumpkin for Jake all carved up in Elmo fashion. This year Jake got to be more involved. And of all the choices she brought with her, guess who he chooses? Elmo. We cleared the kitchen table and they went to work. At first Jake wasn't to sure of the pumpkin "guts." By the end he kept wanting "more guts." And if you know Jake, he gets pretty adamant. So Kate kept scraping to appease his "gut" fix. As little as his 2 year old attention span is, he sat and helped for almost the entire process. Until Vitale's arrived!

Before Aunt Kate left tonight, Jake got out his halloween costumes. That's right, plural. We have several to choose from for him. We are borrowing these from a friend. The contenders are a monkey, elephant, and dog. I'm hoping the monkey wins. It fits the best of the 3. However, he is a bit concerned about the fir around the neck and surrounding the face.

Looking forward to getting together with some friends and their kids this weekend! Let the torture of picture taking begin!

Fall

Today we ventured out to Post Family Farms in Hudsonville. What a difference a year makes! Jake was so into all of it. His favorite part were the goats. He is still talking about them and wants to look at the pictures we took. We took Grandpa (Bapa) and Grandma with. I think they liked the fresh donuts the best. My highlight was running into Liz Greeman and her girls. I'm still laughing at our brief time we had together, and looking forward to seeing them soon. Caleb was oblivious to it all, as he slept the entire time in his new stroller.

Brothers

Pajamas

We are still adjusting to getting 2 kids ready to go somewhere. Sunday morning was no different. We were unable to make the first service at church and since Scott had a tee time at noon, the second service was not an option.

Since we didn't go to church, why not let our 2 year old run through the sprinklers in his pajamas? After all, it was 65 degrees out! What? All I asked was for someone to walk out to the mailbox and get me my newspaper and it turned into a 9 a.m. pajama sprinkler party.

My husband never ceases to amaze me. Thanks for being a fun Daddy.