Kalamazoo

The kids and I went up to Kalamazoo this week to stay with the Leonards. They graciously moved some kids around and through the use of aerobeds, pack & plays and even the bathroom we were all able to find a place to sleep. We had so much fun. Monday we spent lots of time playing outside and enjoying watching our kids together. Tuesday, our friend Lesley was able to come for the day with 2 of her 3 kids making my time spent with girlfriends even more perfect! I love, love, love spending time with Carrie & Lesley and only wish I could have stayed for one more nap time...for more adult only conversations with the two of them. Alas, our fun trip had to end sometime and my kiddos were both asleep by the time I pulled out of their street...a sign that the trip was a success. Leonards--thanks for hosting us!! Les--thanks for traveling from GR to visit with us!! Love you guys!

Gavin stepping up to the "plate."

Ben "adopted" Gavin as his second son for a few days.

Little Miss Lo sitting pretty.

Miss Syd was all laid back watching the action.

Crazy Zach. I love this picture.

Carrie and Lauren.

All 5 kids...at least they are looking even if there are hardly any smiles.

The group's little mama bird was taking care of Sydney.

Taking a breather.

Playing on the new slide....what you don't see is two seconds later, Gavin ate a face full of woodchips. Yummy.

Super Fast!

Lots of laughs!!

Charley just smiling and swinging.

Three ladies swinging away.

My college besties....love them.

Saying Goodbye

Earlier this week we had to say goodbye to Maddie. She has been having some health problems for over a year and it was finally time to let her go. The end was difficult and she had deteriorated to the point where she could barely walk.

Chad and I are so sad. We reminisced about the day we took her home in May, 2001. She's been with us since just a few months after we got married. She was definitely our first "baby" and was treated as such over the years. She brought us a lot of love over that time.

We'd like to think in Disney terms that "all dogs go to heaven" and that right now, she is running around with an endless supply of string cheese, tug-of-war rope games and countless belly rubs.

Love you and miss you Maddie!

Letter to Sydney

Dear Sydney,

I cannot believe you are 5 months old already and I find myself wondering where the time has gone and how I could have ever been nervous for you to be here. We've gotten into a groove you and I and can't imagine a day without you in it. You are so special to me and I'm so excited God gave you to us. I never thought I'd have a daughter of my own...and although I would have been happy with whatever child God gave us, now that I have you, I can't think of being happy any other way.

I went to a funeral recently for a mom...and it made me think of my role in your life. I pray everyday that God will let me be an active participant in your life...when you learn to walk, say your first word, learn to read, ride a bike...when you have your first crush and your first heartbreak....for winning shots, graduations and proms....I hope to be by your side as you pick out your wedding dress, when you say 'I do' and the day you become a mother yourself. On that day, you'll truly understand and know my heart as I write this letter to you.

I hope God gives us a relationship that is unconditional and steadfast throughout the years but most of all, I hope it long-lasting. I hope he allows me to be physically present because being in your presence every day is such a joy.

Right now you are just a beautiful baby girl....5 months old...so relaxed and easy to smile. You are starting to giggle more and more and I cherish these moments. I am excited to see the girl and the woman you will be....and be there every step of the way.

I love you so much babygirl.

Love,
Mommy

5 Months Old

Here are a few of Syd's favorite five month activities:

Growling.

Rolling consistently tummy to back...often in the middle of the night which causes her to scream like nobody's business. I often go in to her in the morning to see her little smiling face looking up at me. (At 5 months and one week, she has now rolled back to tummy 3 times.)

Chatter, Chatter, Chatter. She makes lots of noise, squeals, growls, giggles, coos and shrieks. Its super cute.

Wants Mommy. She often goes through periods each day where she doesn't want me to leave the room or leave her side. She'd prefer to be held...which is not always possible. At least this isn't every day.

Sleeps 3 naps a day still and from 7:30 pm to roughly 7 am (ideally).

First Tooth

On Syd's 5 month birthday we made a discovery - HER VERY FIRST TOOTH!! This officially makes her not a "newborn" anymore. I can't believe it. Gavin did not get his first tooth until he was 9 months old and I anticipated much of the same from Syd. So much in fact that I ignored the following signs:

- Drooling. Big deal, Gavin was a drooler, in fact unfortunately he can still be a drooler. It doesn't mean a tooth is imminent.

- Always has a finger in her mouth...or yours. She LOVES chewing on her hands but won't take a paci so I assumed she was an "oral baby." If you put your hand close to her mouth, watch out, she'll eat it.

- Crabbiness. She's been clinging lately...but we've been traveling and her sleeping has been off and you just never know what it could be.

- Doctor Said So. At her 4 month appt the doctor told me her gums were swollen and she was teething. I told her that was crazy b/c Gavin didn't get teeth until 9 months. She said it may take a while for those teeth to come through but they were working on it. I promptly left the office and told everyone what a crackpot my dr. was.



So....I guess I really shouldn't be surprised, but I still am. (No pics yet, she won't keep her tongue still to get one.)

Kate's 3rd Birthday!!

A few weekends ago we went up to Detroit to visit and celebrate Kate's 3rd birthday. She was SO excited for her party and we were so excited to see our neices. It had been way to long. We had a crazy whirlwind weekend...got up there late Friday night and left early in the day on Sunday but it was fun to all be together and spend some time with the Harris family.

Concentrating very hard on his craft.

Grandpa Norton loves making babies giggle.

The gang and their loot bags.

Everytime we see Moe and Kate I will have this picture--because these two LOVE to hold their baby cousin.

Happy Birthday Katelyn.

So excited!

The great pastry chef and her creation.

Silly smiles.

Uncle Nate with the two girls who rivaled each other in thigh size.

Cousin Cuddles.

A little quality Moe time.

Harris girls.

No trip to Grandma's is complete without a surprise--this time, a bug-catching belt. We've since had to have some discussions about putting real dead bugs he finds in the canister. Awesome.

Isabella Jane

On April 9 in the early hours of the morning, our good friends Dave & Amanda welcomed Isabella (Ella) Jane Agema into their family. She was 9 lb 10.5 oz and 21 inches long...and two weeks early. I was able to go visit her in the hospital when she was one day old and she captured my heart. She is such a sweet little baby with a head of dark hair (just like her big brother I might add).

A week or so later, we were able to go visit the Agemas as a family. Chad and I laughed when we put Sydney and Ella next to each other--although they are only 5 months apart, they change so quickly and Syd looked like a monster next to her. It seems so long ago that our baby girl was that size. It was a fun night hanging out with the Agemas, watching Jackson who has the sweetest tempermant when it comes to his sister (and hopefully will for life) and soaking up a little cuddle time with Ella.

Congratulations Agemas! We know she will bring you so much joy and we are so happy she is healthy and your transition home is going smoothly. Already can't wait to see her again!

Amanda, Ella & me

Chad with our baby girls.

The boys were all over the place and I tried and tried to get a picture of them...to no avail.

Syd could eat her. Seriously.

BFFs.

Jackson takes his role as big brother pretty seriously.

And even fills in for Gavin...so sweet.
Rare moment with thos big blues!

Getting Crafty

Ok, not so crafty but before we went to FL, Gavin and I did have a "craft" day....or about as crafty as it gets in our house. Finger paints and Play-doh. It made him very happy which made me happpy.

Sweet Sweet Florida

The last few years, we've headed south in the winter to visit my Gram and Gramp and this year was no exception. However, this year we actually didn't go down until the first week of April...so waiting that long to go, made the enjoyment even sweeter. We had a great week relaxing, swimming, eating and enjoying each other. We all went to Naples first and the boys headed home midweek while my mom, Heather, Harrison, the kids and I went over to Fort Lauderdale for a few days. It was so fun--I'd do it all again if I could and that includes flying both legs of the trip without my husband! Yikes! As usual, Gavin lived the whole week with wrinkled skin from being in the pool so much and Syd actually had her first dip! They were both soaking up all the attention and had quite an adjustment coming home and not being showered by family. All in all, it was another great trip! We are so blessed!

A little Daddy/Daughter time.

Cute little Harrison LOVED his cousins...and they loved him!

"sharing"

My Uncle Chad did my hair.

Who you calling chunky?

Momma & Baby Girl.

An all kids swim.

Sydney's first time in a bathing suit and the water. (Actually, the second bathing suit, the first one cut off her circulation so it was a no-go).

Picture #17 of #54 (or something like that)...it was a good thought.

I. LOVE. HER.

We're super normal....

Auntie Lo and Uncle "Chach" got sucked in to a lengthy game of "pretend sleep" where Gavin makes the rules.

Splashing around with my two babies.

Harry & his Daddy.

The cutest little cast ever.

Thighs that'll make your heart melt.

Harry loves playing with Syd.

Construction Zone.

Shower time!

Gavin & Grandpa scoping out their "targets."

Big Jump!

Big Fish, Little Fish.

Gram & Gramp catching up with Sydney.

This is why I love my Gram.

Down he goes!

Luckiest. Kid. Ever.

There wasn't a game at the park Gram wasn't up for trying.

Lauderdale pool...shooting at Mommy...again.

My little swimmer.

All day long, all by himself...."no mama, big boy."

Finishing out the trip swimming with Mommy.