We made them earn those hotdogs!

Grandma and Grandpa Dykstra drove all the way from Iowa and got to meet little AJ this weekend for the first time. And for that privilege we put them to work. I’m not kidding. Marc and Dad had a few minor projects they wanted to work on this weekend. They were let loose in Home Depot and Lowe’s and a few projects turned literally into an Extreme Lawn Makeover. They worked so hard, but our yard looks amazing! They chopped a tree, planted a tree, planted a bunch (and I mean a bunch) of perennials, separated and distributed hostas, laid bricks, dirt, and mulch, and much more that I probably don’t even know about. We also put mom to work sanding and painting our front door and cleaning up our back deck. I did move some rocks for about 15 minutes…. that is until one of my children beckoned…then it was back inside for me. Fortunately, gardening/landscaping is something dad loves to do, because he and Marc really worked hard all day. But I am so impressed with all the work…it looks amazing. But wait, there’s more. This morning, Dad and Marc built a bench style toy box for Andrew.

I really really wish I had my camera, or I would have done some before and after pictures.

So, Mom, Dad, Marc…thank you, thank you, thank you!

Speaking of my camera, I should be getting it back from being serviced some time around the 7th of May…or so they say. I am just so bummed that I don’t have it…especially with a new baby. It’s killing me!!

Oh, and Grandma and Grandpa even let Andrew boss them around his train table when he told them to, "play choo-choo".

And, since our Saturday’s menu consisted of grilled hotdogs (for Coney dogs) for lunch and grilled hamburgers for dinner, and because Marc was so busy with dad… I grilled for my first time. I went from not even knowing how to turn the grill on, to making two meals that were pretty good, I think. However, I have no intention of taking the grilling reins from Marc. As far as I am concerned, Marc is still the grill master of this house. (Fewer meals I need to cook).

We don’t have too much planned for this weekend. Our good friends are in the hospital working on having their twins, so we will probably visit them sometime this week. And there are a few more things that need to be finished outside yet and of course the usual… daycare, upkeep of the homestead, and maintenance of the boys. And all that will keep us busy enough. Have a great week!

I guess he showed me.

Today, a little while after putting Andrew to bed for his nap, I head back upstairs and notice that his light is on.  Getting ready to scold him for getting up, I realize that I can not open the door.  I also notice that his white noise maker is off.  So I peak in the crack of the door and see his bare feet right inside the door.  Then I hear him snoring.  Yes, my man, in an effort to be defiant, got up, turned off his noise maker, turned on his light, only to fall asleep right in the front of the closed door.  

Are they just spoiling me today?

God is good. Thank you for your prayers. Today is running so smoothly! AJ has been sleeping since 11am, woke up to eat at 2pm and went right back to sleep, still sleeping now at 3pm. And Andrew went down at 1pm and is still down, going on over a 2 hour nap. I've been able to do some laundry, dishes, make calls, write thank yous and keep my sanity. (Granted, I am still in my sweatpants....sshhhh, I have to take some advantages of maternity leave).

However, I did get to pick up toddler poop off the carpet today. What can I say...no day is perfect. I am not complaining.

My little vampire

Up until now, I've been able to evade the never-ending "What you doing?" question from Andrew while nursing AJ by answering, "I'm snugging AJ."

However, today Andrew saw what was going on and with a concerned expression informed me that, "He biting you, mama."

One on One

"Both boys have poopy diapers, which one do you want?"

My hubby picks the eldest boy whose dirty diapers are in a solid state, whose legs don't flail about and whose diapers are big enough to manage. I, on the other hand, get the boy who decides to have his first up the back blowout.

Also, right on cue, when the due date came, so did the 'real' baby. He's expessing himself with a voice, some crying and fussiness, Nothing terrible by any means, but not the perfectly quiet, content, make-sure-he's-still-breathing self he was the first two weeks.

We didn't go to church today. Per our pediatricians directions we are not supposed to take AJ to public places for the first month including church. Although we didn't listen last week. I mean...It was Easter after all.

Well, we pretty much just been managing the boys today. Getting used to two bodies to be responsible for. Pray for me tomorrow as I attempt this feat all by myself. We also did a small amount of cleaning as we have company stopping by in a bit to bring us a dinner for tomorrow. Of course tonight the Pistons play thier first game of the playoffs.

Well, I must go. I need to get something pulled together for dinner tonight. Probably something easy (and not super nutritional) like fish sticks or chicken nuggets and boxed mac and cheese unless I get a brilliant idea in the next few minutes.

Have a wonderful week!

Today is the day.

Yes, I am officially due today. Today is my due date. Man, am I SO thankful I didn't make it this long. So hard to believe he's been here for over 2 weeks now.

We had a nice day yesterday. After AJ's appointment and picking Andrew up from daycare, we came home and took nice naps. Then we got our afternoon snack at CONE CITY, which means that spring is officially here! We took our ice cream and went to the airport observation area. It's a nice area off to the side of the runways where you can park. They have a grassy area to play and picnic tables, so you can just hang out and watch the airplanes come and go. Andrew did really well considering the last couple times we went the noise of the large planes scared him a bit. (They do get really really loud!). Of course, AJ slept through the whole thing.

Speaking of AJ, get this. Last night he fell asleep at 10:15pm. And slept in HIS bed until 2:30! I kept getting up to check on him to make sure he was still breathing! Then at 2:30, he started making little noises. I'm not sure if he would have even woke up then but I needed to feed him badly so I woke him up. Other than waking a few minutes (yes, mere minutes) to nurse every couple hours the rest of the night, he slept until about 8:00. It's now 9:45 and he's been sleeping again for a good half hour. Thank you Jesus for this good sleeper!

Not much is planned for today. Just some odds and ends around the house. If the weather stays nice (and it looks like it should), I think we are going to head to the park (a really cool park) this afternoon. Andrew can wear mom out and I can sit and watch with AJ. Sounds like a plan to me.

I hope you have a great weekend. Pray for us this weekend as we attempt to do this parenting thing all by ourselves as my mom leaves tomorrow. Also, pray for her, as she will likely suffer grandchild withdrawal.

Heard...

Andrew has been in the process of potty training... so every hour or so he sits on the potty. Heard today when sitting on the potty, but not having to go...

"It's not working".

My, How they grow.

Ok, AJ had his two week check up this morning and here are the stats:

Height - 20 3/4 inches (the pediatrician thinks they got his original height wrong at the hospital because there is no way he would have grown two inches in two weeks)

Weight - 8lbs, 6oz.

So, he got a big thumbs up and everything looks good. He also has exceptionally strong neck muscles as well. My little brut.

Andrew is doing well. He really seems to like his little brother and shows concern for him quite often by asking, "Where's baby AJ?", "What's baby AJ doing", or by bringing him his paci and insisting it go in his mouth. And this morning, when AJ was starting to cry, Andrew asked me if he was hurt. It was very sweet.

However, last night, AJ was fussing in his bouncer a bit. We were in the kitchen cleaning up dinner and Andrew was playing. I look up in time to see Andrew squat down by AJ, with hands on hips and scold in a stern voice, "I SAID NO!". Apperantly, Andrew had had enough of the fussing and had already told AJ once to knock it off without sucess. Have I mentioned that my two year old is bossy? Adorable, sweet, totally lovable and bossy.

Well, I will update more later, but I need to take off and get my eldest monster picked up from daycare.

Some family pictures

Andrew with his beloved train set

Our first family photo

Andrew is fond of his new little brother

Posing already. I told you, he was a good baby.

My Boys!

Still here.

Just wanted to let you know that I am still around and kickin'. Sorry I haven't posted much. But we are doing fine, just haven't gotten around to posting lately. I will try to do better. Thanks for continuing to check in.

Happy Easter!