July 30th

Above are pictures of Chad in the newly painted hallway and kitchen. If you have visited our home, you will recognize that the border in the kitchen is gone.

Video:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-336045339796934107
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-957712350031668744

Update

Not a lot of pictures taken lately. We have all been battling colds/allergies. Hope to get rid of this very soon so we can return to picture taking!!

Where Have U Been?

If you have wondered where we have been, we apologize. We have been crazy busy!! Read on...

Cole - We hope that Cole is going through a growth spurt because he is back to getting up two times during the night to eat. At six weeks old, he is starting to look at us more and smiles are peaking through every once in a while. Cole is a very strong baby. On Monday, I had him on his tummy facing east. When I checked on him again, he was facing west. He twisted 180 degrees. He has also been known to roll on his side.

Kaylee - Talking in full sentences, our big girl is holding her own with 2 brothers. Kaylee is her own girl and doesn't really care what other people are doing. If she wants to wear a stocking cap in 95 degree heat, she will. Michael and I love listening to the conversations between Kaylee and Chad. They are so funny. Last night after supper Chad asked Kaylee if she wanted him to hold her. Kaylee said yes. Well, it never ended up happening but this morning when Kaylee saw Chad the first thing Kaylee said was "hold me". We are working on Kaylee being able to swim by herself with her life jacket on. Each day she can go a little longer "keeping her feet down".

Chad - "I can make the sandwiches by myself, mom." And so he did. Chad made his very first peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for Kaylee and himself yesterday. Mommy thought it was great!!! Chad has really taken to playing with Daddy's old legos. It has been one of the only toys that he has played with for a larger quantity of time. Chad swims all over the pool without help with and without his life jacket. He loves to jump forward and backward off of the ladder.

Mommy & Daddy - Home repairs. For the past 2 weeks, we have been busy figuring out what heating and air unit to go with. After the repairman asked us about having a carbon monoxide detector in our home because our old unit could start leaking it anytime, we decided to start our research. We had company after company here giving us bids. We knew that we also needed some duct work done as room temperatures are not equal throughout the house. On Monday we had the new unit and duct work put it. A couple of issues are still around so hopefully we will get that finished and finalized soon. The 2nd home repair is painting. When we moved in our home nine years ago, each room of the house had wallpaper borders. We have taken care of two rooms but never messed with the rest. I decided last week that I had had enough. I started in the bedroom. To my surprise, it only took 3 naps and all the border was down in all the rooms and hallways. We talked to Michael's parents about coming some weekend to watch the kids so that we could paint. To our surprise, they were able to come the next day which was last weekend. So, we painted Saturday and Sunday and then had the unit put in on Monday. Needless to say, I am still cleaning the house to get all of the insulation and paint mess cleaned up. But, it will be great when we are all done!!

The only reason that we were able to paint the living room, our bedroom, kitchen, dining room, and 2 hallways in 1 1/2 days is because of Michael's parents help. We greatly appreciate it and know the kids enjoyed the time together with them.

Jesus' Hands

We are still receiving meals from friends every other day. If you have ever had a baby, you know what a blessing a meal is. Just not having to decide what to cook is huge!!

Yesterday a sweet friend from my Women's Ministry group brought us a delicious meal. She had emailed to let me know she was bringing it. I emailed back with a huge thanks. Her reply was "I am very happy to be Jesus's hands for you tonight!" Upon reading that, I just stopped. I couldn't read any further. "Jesus' hands for you." Could it be put any better.

We have received 16 meals so far. Every single family was being Jesus' hands for us. How incredible and humbling at the same time.

Birthday

Chad had his final birthday opening this weekend. Michael's parents gave him the desired scooter. He has really enjoyed riding it. He also has been great about sharing with little sister. Kaylee just wants to be pushed around while standing on it!

Cole - 1 Month Old

Today Cole is 1 month old. He is growing like a weed. At my doctor's appointment today, my ob couldn't get over how big Cole was. He also kept laughing at how noisy Cole was. He said he couldn't figure out if Cole was unhappy or just talking.

What a whirlwind this month has been. This is officially the first full day that we have been on our own without the super help of Grams. I got a little scared this morning when Kaylee woke up and asked for Grams. The poor little girl hasn't woken up for 4 1/2 weeks without Grams getting her out of bed. Thankfully, she was okay with Mommy! We have had a pretty good day. Thankfully Mommy had a break where all three kids were sleeping at the same time. Praise God for that.

Family of Six

We were able to get our first family pictures. Trying to get five people to look at the camera and then smile puts even the best of photographers in knots.

Cole - Little Man is growing like a weed. He grabs on to everything that comes within reach. Everyone who is around him agrees that he is the noisiest baby. He is constantly grunting and groaning. Add hickups on top of that and you have a very loud boy. Four weeks old today, he is getting more accustomed to us and us to him. We are hoping for another good night as last night gave us a 5 hour stretched followed by a 3 hour stretch.

Kaylee - Sweet Pea has to be watched at all times with Cole around. She wants to rock, touch, and pull on her little brother whenever an adult is not watching. There are very few places that Cole is safe. In her increased vocabulary, Kaylee has added "why", "hold me", & "help me". These all three crescendo in volume when not followed after first stated.

Chad - Bubs is still trying to figure out what being "four" means. The poor little boy is confused about the whole "birthday" thing. Of course opening presents isn't confusing for him!!

Mommy & Daddy - We are just trying to figure out what is going on. Where is everyone? What is everyone doing? Who is that crying? And the biggest question - What in the world are we going to do without Grams?????

Grams - Yes, we are a family of six. The problem is that we are soon going to be a family of five - for the first time. Grams has been with Chad and Kaylee for over four weeks - here, there, and every where. Of course this was not the original plan. But, things don't always go as planned. Words do not describe how thankful we are for all that Grams and Gramps have done for our family. Both Grams and Gramps got out of their comfort zone - did things that they didn't necessarily want to do, got up when they were tired, and played games they didn't necessarily like. It is humbling to know that it was all done because of their love for us. We just pray that God will bless them as they have blessed our family.

Happy Birthday Chad

Happy 4th Birthday Chad. It is amazing to think that you are 4 years old today!! God has blessed us so much by placing you in our family. We love to watch you play with your little sister and baby brother. Your questions are so wise. Your laughter is contagious. We love you so much!!