Just the Eight of us.

We had a nice weekend at my Aunt's place. And when we got home, the Sischos had officially moved in. They did a nice job of finding space and getting themselves settled in. Sorry, I haven't posted much, but with now four kids (even with two moms), life here is busy and a little crazy. Not bad crazy, just crazy. We are definitely busy - busy playing outside, at the playground, at the library, with toys, in the tubs. Busy reading books, coloring pictures, splashing in the whale pool, etc... And when the children sleep (we have so far been blessed with nap times that coincide - so there is a small window each day of quiet), there is laundry to be folded, dishes to be done, etc...

Earlier this week was very challenging. AJ would not sleep for two days (naps or bedtime) without screaming. The there-is-something-wrong-I'm-not-just-being-a-brat scream. S.C.R.E.A.M.I.N.G. Which, when you have a houseful and some people's 'bedroom' is not even in a room with a door, a screaming child keeps the entire house awake. It was a VERY frustrated couple of days. At one point, I was walking AJ up and down the neighborhood sidewalk at 1am. It was like have a colicky infant. Awful. So - after the second morning, to the doctor he went. My baby has the perfect storm. 1) He is teething (finally broke through a bit today) and fussy. 2) Teething is causing horrid diapers which is causing serious diaper rash. The kind where he goes directly into a baking soda tub after a dirty diaper. And 3) he has an ear infection and is on antibiotics. No wonder the kid was a wreck. But now, after few days on the meds, and the tooth pretty much through (diaper area still an issue but better), my happy AJ is back and sleeping fairly well again.

Andrew is loving having a permanent playmate in his home. In fact, it's like he's on a permanent sugar buzz. I realized last night, that even though I am still with him all day, that I miss him. I was always the one he was trying to get the attention of and show off for. And while he still needs help with things during the day and it's kinda nice to not be constantly hearing, "Mom - watch me!", he is happy playing with his friends. It was when I was tucking him in for bed, that I felt like I haven't seen him all day. So he got to stay up a little later this afternoon before nap (but after all the others were in bed) and we played a bit. Sssshhhh. Oh, and he conned a foot rub out of me.

And get this, on Sunday, we are dedicating AJ at church. So, my parents are coming up this weekend. That will be 10 people under one roof. Just pray the boys sleep well. (you can pray for their kids, too - but they are such good sleepers Becky has to wake them up in the mornings and from naps).

Ok, this is a long post and truthfully, I am not sure when I will get a chance to post again. Have a great weekend!

With a side of ranch.

We went to my Aunt's this weekend, and after a morning rain, we went out onto thier deck which was now covered in small leaves from the surrounding trees.

Andrew told my mom: Look, Grandma! There's salad all over the ground.

I whistle because I am caffinated.

During lunch today, I was whistling while feeding AJ some yogurt. Andrew stated that he didn't know how to whistle yet. I told him that I didn't know how to whistle when I was his age, but I learned when I got older. I told him he would probably learn when he got older, too.

He replied, "Yea, when I become a grown-up, I can whistle and drink coffee".

Here a snip, there a snip, everywhere a snip-snip...

My baby got his first haircut today. And my - how that makes a mama's heart tinge a little. My baby looks so big. I wasn't able to get pictures of the actual haircut because, well, there just wasn't enough hands. I was holding AJ and Marc couldn't come since he was helping the Sischo's move. But I did get a little blonde lock of his hair for his scrapbook (if I ever actually make it). He did really well, too. Actually really really well. He was wiggly of course, but he wasn't scared and wasn't upset by all the buzzing going on. I did take a few after pictures, but they really don't show much. He's just so handsome either way.

Here are some before and after pictures. Granted they are not exactly apples to apples, since AJ was sopping wet in the "before" pictures after sprinkler fun yesterday.

After:

Our family is growing (and I am NOT pregnant).

Well, we are getting ready for a ride here at the Dykstra home. We are temporarily adopting a family. Literally. Some friends of ours, Ryan & Becky, are in the process of moving from the east side of the state over here and are in need of a place to stay until they buy a house. So our home that currently houses four is turning into a home that will house eight for the next month or so. They also have two children. Camden is three and Andrew is super excited to have him come live with us. Riley is almost 2 and she's a sweetie. So, even though we are all good friends and this was a decision that we are completely ok and comfortable with, please pray for us. They really are great, however, eight people in close quarters for weeks could be challenging. But when Marc and I bought this house, we wanted it to be God's house, not ours. They are not the first people who have lived here with us and I am thankful that we have been taken up on our promise... I just want to make good on it. So this last week, we have been/still are rearranging and clearing things out of our bottom level for them to move in to this Thursday. Pray that when this is all said and done, we are all still good friends. So, for the next few months, you may hear me write about these people (the Sischos) just as much as my gang because for the next few months... we are all family.

Heaven is past the clouds, past the birds and airplanes, past the sky and even past the sun.

Yesterday’s church service was amazing. Very unique. It started out with our pastor welcoming us and then he immediately went right into his 20-minute sermon. He did this because it was a packed service. It was baptismal service where my friend (and ex-coworker) and her hubby got baptized (see pictures and their testimony here). There were only a handful of people that were scheduled to be baptized, but Pastor Rod opened it up to whoever felt led during the service and there were probably 15 people before all was said and done. And that was just the second service. I guess the same thing happened during the first service as well. We did a small praise/worship before there was a ‘surprise’ wedding (I had already heard about it through the grapevine). What an exciting Sunday. And then to top it off, it was the church’s 3 year anniversary, so there was a cookout afterward in the parking lot. Needless to say, the service itself went long and Sundays are already hard on the kids, so we did not stay for the cookout (plus, I forgot about it). But really, it was one of those Sundays where, if it weren’t for the kiddos, it could have lasted another couple hours and I don’t think anyone would have cared – well, as long as potty breaks were given.

On the topic of church, Andrew has been asking a lot of questions about Jesus and God and Heaven and prayer lately. It is actually quiet challenging explaining things to a three year old. He’s asks where Heaven is and how we get there and when we get to go and how do we get saved. He also asked if Jesus’ and God’s mommy would be in Heaven, too. And he wanted to know if his friend Camden would go to Heaven with him, and when daddy told him that he certainly hopes so, Andrew wanted to leave for Heaven right then.

What?! They're not real people?!

You may think I am nuts, but I am SO STINKIN' excited about the season finale of The Office tonight that I am giddy! Go JAM!

Edited to add after I have now seen the show: AUGH!! BEST SHOW EVER! FREAKING OUT! HOW CAN THEY MAKE US WAIT ALL SUMMER? JAM LIVES!! (and yes, I meant to use all caps).

The Emperor's New Clothes.

I don't really want to admit this, but I will. I went out and bought Andrew new undies today because all of his were dirty. Doesn't that sound just awful?! But see, he is still potty training and when he wears big boy undies vs. pull-ups - he does a world better. However, for the last couple days, our dryer has been out of commission. Marc is replacing our dryer hose as it was clogged and therefore a fire hazard. But we were missing a part and didn't have a chance to get to the hardware store to pick it up. (He did get there today, so hopefully he will be able to finish the project tonight and I will get the pleasure of washing & drying too many loads tomorrow).

Anyway, anyone who has ever potty trained a little boy probably knows that even on good days, they do not go through just one pair of underwear a day like grown-ups do. Many times, even on successful potty trips, the undies get wet. Therefore, we can easily burn through 4-5 undies in a day. Two days or so without laundry being done and well, we are out of undies. So... while grocery shopping today, I broke down and bought a package of undies for him. However, these are the basic plain whitey-tighty undies and not the cool character undies he is used to. But they are much cheaper. Funny how I never noticed these before hidden among the high priced character ones. Not that I am complaining... if the character ones got him wearing the undies vs. the diaper in the first place, than it was worth the money. On a side note, in the last couple days, Andrew has also got a new pair of much needed sandals as well as some new shorts. He is growing so fast, nothing fits him anymore.

Anyway... I think I got off track and now I am not sure where I was even headed with this post. However, this morning, Andrew is having a stellar day and has stayed dry all morning. We even got brave and let him stay in big boy undies all the way to two stores. (Mom packed extra pants just in case). He even convinced me that because he's done so well today, he can have some chocolate milk when he gets up from his nap. I am so very proud of him.

Yea - my blogger is back to it's old self again! 'bout time!

I'm not alone.

Who would have thought that ever since I posted the poison control post last week, I would become one of the top sites that come up when someone searches for help with a cough drop or menthol overdose. I've received several hits on my site from others looking for guidance. I told you there wasn't much out there in GoogleLand and apparently, I am not the only one who has a hungry toddler in search for 'candy'.

Phew... again.

Wow – so it’s really been a whole week since I’ve done a real post. And once again – it’s been a busy week. We played outside a lot, we watched a friend’s little man for a good portion of a day, we had dinner with friends one night and we had company this weekend.

Some friends of ours, Ryan and Becky, are moving over here from across the state. (Woo Hoo!) So they stayed with us this weekend, I watched their kiddos so they could do a little house shopping. Friday night, Becky and I got to go out to dinner while the men watched all the kiddos. Saturday, the guys did a lot of fishing in the morning and evening and we all went some other’s mutual friend’s 30th birthday in between. We ended the day with Old McDonald’s picnic at the playground. It was a nice but exhausting day.

Becky and Ryan brought their bounce around - it was a huge hit with the kiddos in our yard and at the birthday party!


Party Pics



Andrew loved having the friends to play with. Here are the kiddos winding down at the end of the day with a little Thomas the Tank Engine.




Of course, yesterday was Mother’s Day. It was a beautiful day, we had a great church service, had Quiznos for lunch, and I got some gorgeous flowers. I can’t complain.

Ok, I will really try to do better. I these mass updates, I feel like I miss so much of what I really want to remember or pass along. I’m off to pay bills.

Heartbreaker already?

YIKES!!

Happy Mother's Day!

Test - having trouble with blogger.

So that's what little brothers are for!

Farmer Andrew

Well, today we took it easy. See, all last week and this weekend, Marc and I felt like we were running ourselves ragged. We were going non-stop with seemingly little sleep and we were already wiped out before our very full weekend even began. That being said, we still had a very nice weekend.

We headed down Friday to Uncle Arts cabin. Marc tested out the new boat with his brother and the boys and I hung out with the other Kelly Dykstra. We had an amazing dinner at Uncle Art's amazing home and Andrew was in little boy heaven as Uncle Art let him drive (literally - Uncle Art's hand were off the wheel) his tractor, ride his scooter, play with every toy in the house. I actually think Uncle Art was enjoying himself just as much as Andrew.


That night, back in the small cabin, we all slept terribly. But we managed to get ourselves up and out and to Lansing by noon for a friend's surprise party. It was a pretty good party considering we really didn't know many people. And the guest of honor really was suprised and that always makes those better.

From there, Marc and the boys headed home, while I headed across town to meet up with my roommates from college. We had a really nice visit. Mostly we just hung out, but I really enjoyed myself. And... I got to sleep in until almost 10am the next morning. That's without getting up in the middle of the night for anyone. I can not remember the last time I did that! And it was SO needed, as I was downing coffee round the clock the couple days before.

I got home Sunday afternoon, which still left us a nice little chunk of the weekend left. Granted it was pretty lazy for the most part - but Marc got the lawn mowed and the boys took a walk with me.

Today we spent a lot of time outside. We hit the playground late morning, trying to keep AJ awake until a decent naptime. Naptime however was struggle as Andrew didn't nap at all and AJ took a short one. We also watched a friend's little one who didn't nap well either, so in order to not have three grumpy boys, we took a walk and then played outside until dinner time. The boys then got tubs and went to bed early. (Which isn't all that bad).

This week is filling up quickly already - but doen't seem anything like last week. Have a great week.

She's Finished.

Before:


After:

Poison Control - 1.800.222.1222

I got the privilege of calling them today. (everyone is fine)

Andrew was upstairs going 'potty' for a long time very quietly. Too quietly. In fact, I even yelled upstairs, "Andrew, what are you doing?". When "Nothing!" was the reply, I called him down immediately. "Nothing" is not the right answer.

So he comes down happy as can be, but with a distinct fruity medicin-y smell on his breath. I ask him if he was eating upstairs. I get a big eyed look, "No.". I pick him up and tell him we are going upstairs to look. This is where he starts throwing a fit and crying about how he wants down and doesn't want to go upstairs, which is unlike him - he really is mostly past the 'fit' stage. This was also a dead give away that something was up.

I got upstairs and find a bag of Halls cherry cough drops with six empty wrappers. Now he was only out of sight for less than 5 minutes - so he must have crunched or swallowed them to get down six in that amount of time and still go potty. I confront him again and he confesses that he ate the 'candy'. Then he adds, "I didn't do it on purfuss, it was an accident!" (This is where I had to turn my back and cover my mouth in order to maintain my authority and not burst out laughing).

The entire time he is acting completely healthy, but I start thinking that there is menthol in them and they really aren't created for three year olds. So I actually googled, "cough drop overdose" and believe it or not - got nothing relevant. I decided I rather call poison control and know for sure that there is nothing to be concerned about and sure enough there is not. The very kind, helpful person on the other line took all our information and told me that while she would not recommend him eating 6 cough drops on a regular basis, this one time event should not be a problem and we can 'go about our usual business'.

Needless to say, Andrew got a stern talking to about eating something without permission and mommy got a wake up call about leaving out seemingly innocent medicines (trust me - the 'hard stuff' is childproofed).

Dinner was waffle.

We are loving the sun. We met up with some friends and has a lunch date at the airport. Neither boy ate well, since - well, there is just too much to do when you have a big open play area, a friend to play with, and airplanes nearby. We left and hit a few garage sales on the way home. For some reason at this point, my internal clock was off an hour, so I was shocked when we got home and it was almost 2pm. I still needed to feed the boys their lunch that they didn't eat and get them down for a nap. I would not have stopped at the garage sale had I realize the time. However, Andrew did get a $.25 digital Shrek watch (which I even set at the garage sale for him an hour off), since he always pretends to wear a watch like daddy.

Andrew took a decent nap, AJ took an A.M.A.Z.I.N.G. nap. I woke him after 3 hours. Truthfully, I don't think he's feeling well. I didn't think about it much today, but tonight all the pieces of the puzzle from the day came together in my head and are leading me in the direction. So I will be watching him tomorrow.

Tonight Marc made a 'quick trip' back to my aunt's in Ohio to pick up some vital fishing gear for this weekend. The boys and I didn't do too much other than playing outside a bit since naps were so late. We did make another monster batch of waffles for dinner and our freezer. My boys love their waffles!

This weekend is a busy one for us. And tomorrow will be spent just getting ready for it. So, if I don't write again for a bit - that's why. Marc's brother and sister-in-law will be coming to visit on Friday, so we will all be spending the night at Marc's uncle's place. I will then be spending the rest of the weekend with my girls from college. I am super excited. Twill be a good (but hoppin') weekend.

Hope yours is great, too!

A little something for a scratchy throat...

With dinner, I served the boys diluted leftover pineapple juice from a can of pineapple. Andrew wasn't sure about it at first, but soon his was gone and he promptly requested more porcupine juice.

We are praying for a super good day!