Pics Worth Posting

I've got a whole bunch of Squirt shots that need to be viewed by her cyber fans, so here you go.  Our "little" girl wore a 12 month dress today.  It fit.  Really well.  She's growing by leaps and bounds and is doing amazingly well in every way possible.  Day care is going smooth as silk, she's sleeping like a champ, eating like an even greater champ, reaching for things and grabbing hold of toys, squealing like an over sized mouse during much of her awake time, and lovin' life.  Despite her rapid growth, we have noticed that she's losing the rolls that you could hide a small puppy in.  Those rolls are become average in size now:(  I'm totally enjoying my days home with Dude and Squirt and miss them like a whole buncha crazy the days I'm working.

 Dude could swing every day of his charmed little life.  And Squirt is rather enjoying the swing herself.

 Bath time has come a long, long way.  As you can see, enjoyment has been discovered amongst the suds.  Dude no longer hides under his covers when Sis gets clean. 

Like I said, no more hiding for Dude.  He sits on the counter and "helps." 

Duder is growing in his fun factor, if you can imagine that.  He is truly a "silly" little monkey and loves nothing more than making people laugh and talking.  Non-stop.  By "non-stop" I mean he.does.not.stop.talking.ever. It amazes me how much the child knows and how easily he picks up on the vibes and information around him.  Some his latest "dudeisms" are below. 

*During his prayers last night, totally unprompted....."God bless Grandma Vogelzang to the airport and we miss her so much and we miss Grandpa Jerry in da heaven."  He definitely understands that it's a big deal when people go to heaven.  I was clenching my heart during that prayer.

*Tim and I were talking/whining about getting up twice the night before (once with each child) and Squirt not eating very well that morning.  Dude looks at me with his head tilted and says, "Mom, it's just part of da day." 

*"Mom, I can play wif dis chord now because I turned four.  When I'm five I will play wif da plug too." 

*I got irritated with Dude for taking 45 minutes to put on his socks.  He says to me, "Mom, did you want to tell me dat you're sorry for being mad and unpatient and dat you love me so much?"  How do I stay irritated after that? 

Quality Grandma Time

We survived the week, proud to report. I slipped back into my work chair and felt like I had never left, so that was encouraging. Squirt's cutest pictures were strategically placed behind me so I wouldn't automatically stare at her all day, wishing I could squeeze her oh so squeezable cheeks. She had a great week with April - eating, sleeping, smiling....all the things that point to a happy babe. And Dude loves having his baby sis there. He informs everyone that they are only to touch her toes and makes SURE that April doesn't give her table food. Only milk! Big bro knows best.


Last weekend feels like a month ago, so it's probably time I update this. We had Tim's mom in town, which was super. She's awesome with the kids, super helpful around the house and more than generous. We all love having her here. We went out to eat, played outside, picked out a new big boy bike for the duder, Tim and I had the luxury of going out to eat with Cara and Wes while Mom babysat, we cheered on our little soccer "pro" at his 2nd game of the season etc. etc. 

Soccer is proving to be much more enjoyable for all of us this year.  Dude actually participates in the games, chases the ball, yells "Yipee!" and listens to his coach.  No cones on his head thus far.  It's really a parent's soccer dream come true.  Does he actually access the ball and play the game as it should be played?  No, he does not.  But he tries, minus whining and crying for peanut butter jelly sandwiches.  And that is forward progress.  The goal for this year is to teach him NOT to box out all the other players while trying to obtain possession of the ball.  Pushing small little girls to the ground is not proper etiquette. 

 It may look like he got the ball, but he was GIVEN the ball to kick off.  Not bad form huh? 

 Once again, we're on Riley's team.  And Avery too.  These two are really quite the pair.

 The parental tunnel.  Probably the best part of the morning for the kids.

Mom came out mainly for Squirt's baptism, which went smooth as silk.  Squirt was in her very best baby mood for the ceremony and didn't flinch when the water hit her hair filled head.  Dude was in his very typical chatty mood.  He started by loudly kissing Tim's cheek and doing his cheesiest smile for the congregation.  When Pastor Sam took Squirt, he loudly informed him that "She will spit up on you!"  She did not, thank goodness.  We had a small group over for lunch and took Tim's mom to the airport to wrap up the day.  Thanks for coming out Mom!  It's always a treat. 

 The aforementioned kiss during the ceremony.  Good capture Cara! 

 Our little baptized princess.

 Aunt Cara was making these two crack up.  How cute are they?  Lando got all dolled up the day.

Our little stud. 

   

Chi-Town with my Girl (and other stuff)

So much to catch up on.  Where does life currently stand?  Well, we just celebrated Squirt's baptism this morning, along with family and friends.  Tim's lovely mom was here for the weekend, which will get its own post one of these days.  We promised to raise our baby girl in Christ and as I sit here, I have to remind myself what an enormous promise this is.  It's not to be taken lightly.  And so we'll pray that we can do right by our little girl and raise her to be a strong Christian woman. 

I start back at work tomorrow, which means my baby Squirt will be going to Dude's in home day care 3 days per week.  I thought this would be a super easy and exciting transition.  I love my job and I've been eager to get back....I'm having a tough time with the thought of it though.  I've grown quite attached to my little chubby bundle and I sure hope that she loves being at April's house.  Oh how I hope.  She definitely knows her Mama and responds to my voice and my touch and my expressions.  Hard to think of her not seeing me all day.  But I'm not going to dwell on it.  It is what it is and I know it'll all be good.  Just might take a while for us all to get used to yet another life transition.  Deep breath. 

Backing up....I took my baby girl to Chicago last week for a wedding shower for my soon-to-be sister-in-law, Becky.  I had never traveled alone with one of my children, so this was a big first for this Mama.  I did get a little teary, I will admit, as Tim and Dude walked away from me at security.  It didn't help that my back back contents spilled all over the place as I was putting my stuff through the security nightmare.  I know, drama.  Shockingly enough, I survived.  The flight was great...helped that American reserved the seat next to me for her car seat.  Thank you sweet airline angel who was looking out for us.  Squirt was an air bound angel and we had a fantastic mini vaca at Nana and Papa's house. 

Saturday was filled with food prep for the big hooplah.  Kira and Ross came with the boys, which was awesome.  Oh how I love those little dudes.  Didn't get a shot of Dylan, but check out Hudson's angel eyes below.  Some of my best gal pals stopped in for visits throughout the weekend, which was a total blessing to me.  I miss those girlies and wish we could catch up face to face more often.  Sunday we showed Squirt off at Hope Church (her name sake) and then hosted the shower for 15 lovely ladies that afternoon.  My gram, aunt and cousin came in from GR....so good to see them and introduce them to my Squirt.  Monday my Dad and I took Squirt downtown for a few hours.  Mom V showed her off at work and then Kira and I took Becky out for a sister's lunch.  It was so great to get to know her better and spend time with everyone before the big wedding day in May.  Kyle found a good wifey and we're so pumped for the two of them to start their life together. 

 Lifelong friend, Erin, spent some QT with us on Saturday moring. 

 Rachel stopped in that afternoon too.  Thanks for making the effort friends!

 Look at that face.  Little angel boy.

 A good lookin' group of women....all related.

 Gigi and her first great-grand daughter.

 Food prep.  A whole lotta' food prep.

 My creative mama put out an awesome spread and hosted a lovely shower. 

 The glowing bride to be.  The joys of getting married and opening shiny new goodness.

Melis and Kate came out for dinner Sunday night.  So good to sit down and catch up with these girlies.

That wraps up the weekend.  We flew home Tuesday and were greeted with my spunky little man running at me full force.  Oh how I missed my boys.  It didn't even matter that the airline lost my luggage (for 24 hours).  I was with my fam again and that was a good thing. 

Signing off for now.  Who knows when I'll get back on here again...I'll try my darndest. 

3 Months

Ok, not the best shot.  3 months old means a photo shoot and the girl does NOT dig getting dressed up for Mom's photo obsession.  I included some smiley, happy natured shots to make up for the blahhhh ones.  I'm having to put her in summer dresses now as she is not so much gonna fit them come summer time temps.   

 She eats whatever is on her person.  All the time.

Just to gauge how big she is...getting chunkier every day!  Although, she has lost her back of the neck roll.