HAPPY BIRTHDAY WYLIE!

Wylie had her 8th birthday today! Jordyn was quite excited about this, so we celebrated for Wylie by singing Happy Birthday to her, giving her some treats and a new toy, and also cupcakes for the family! This must have been her best birthday ever...hahaha!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY WYLIE! WE LOVE YOU!

Jace - 15 months

Jace had his 15 month check up today. Here are some of his stats:

Weight: 24lbs (50%)

Height: 32 inches (75%)

Head: 50th %

At his last check up, the doctor was slightly concerned with his weight, but he is looking good and right on track now. We have also been concerned about a milk allergy or lactose intolerance. The doctor does not think this is the issue for him. We are trying a couple of other dietary changes instead (ex: no juice) to see if that helps him out. If it doesn't, we will go back to check for allergies.

Praise God for a healthy boy!!

Jordyn's Stitches

Poor Jordyn ended up in Urgent Care last night at the hospital. She fell and cut her head above her eye open on our TV stand. I saw the whole thing happened but still am not quite sure why or how she fell. She ended up with 5 stitches.

It's hard to watch a little one when they are hurt. She had blood running everywhere, including into her eyes and she just didn't understand what was going on. She stopped crying once I was able to clean her eyes out and put pressure on the cut to stop the bleeding.

I really didn't think she would need stitches because the bleeding stopped quite quickly and turned to just a slow ooze. I debated not taking her in, but when Jer got home from work and looked at it, he decided she should go in. I am thankful he made that decision because she ended up needing 5 stithces and the Dr. told him without the stitches she would have ended up with quite a large scar. She shouldn't have a scar now.

I asked Jer to take her in because I couldn't bear to see her cry again. I also figured she would need someone calm and he would be much more calm than me.

Jordyn did an excellent job!! She just sat on daddy's lap while the nurses and Dr. checked her out. She let him numb the area. Then she laid on daddy on the hospital bed while the Dr. stitched her up. She never flinched or cried!! Thank goodness, because the doctor had warned Jer that if she were to get too restless they would have to put her under.

She was quite proud of herself and also quite excited about the hospital. She came home with some Dora stickers, some candy, and a big teddy bear with a band-aid on its eye as well. She also got a bowl of ice cream with daddy when they got home.

She bumped her finger this afternoon and after kisses to make it better she told me, "Me hurt me finger. Me need to go to the hospital to get it fixed."

Aquatic Center

Yesterday Jer and I took the kids to the Holland Aquatic Center to get them out of the house and to release some of their energy. I wasn't sure how they would do since they haven't been swimming since this summer. Jordyn ran right in without hesitation. She even ran under the fountains and didn't care if her head got wet at all! Jace was unsure at first and didn't want to let go of mom. After about ten minutes, he got brave. After that he went nuts!! I've never seen him so happy or excited! He couldn't stop squealing, laughing and splashing. He went under a few times and didn't care at all! Afterwards, we stopped by Grandma Dirette for lunch. The kids were wore out and I got a nice long afternoon to myself while they napped!

Christmas 2009

I am really late with this post and I really have no excuse other than maybe laziness. Christmas this year was extra special to me for many reasons. First, after being gone for 2 weeks, Jer came back home from Alabama the week of Christmas. We really missed him and were so happy to have him back. He surprised us by coming home early. He just showed up at the front door!!

Second, this year was so much more laid back than usual for me. Our parties were spread out from December 20 - January 2 and for the first year ever, we did not have more than one party per day! I also didn't have a newborn this year and was actually getting a full nights sleep on a regular basis!! Also, mine and Jer's families were EXTRA helpful while Jer was gone and I was able to get my shopping done way earlier than usual!

We got our tree and lights up early this year because we wanted to do it while Jer was still home. We got our tree at Post Farms. We usually go to Tuesink's Farm and I really missed that this year. They give hot cider and donuts away and have a petting zoo and hayride. We will look forward to that next year!

Decorating the tree

Jer also managed to get appendicitus a week before he left for Alabama. Here he is posing with the fruit basket his mom and grandma made him!

Playing in the snow!

I had to join the kids when we visited Santa. Otherwise, they were not going to sit by him.

We made sugar cookies and decorated them with Jordyn this year. She had sooo much fun. I think we have started a tradition!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JACE!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JACE!

One year ago today, we were blessed with a new baby boy, Jace H. Velderman! He weighed 9lbs 8oz and was 21" long. I can't even begin to tell you how fast this year has gone by.

One of my favorite things about Jace is his killer smile. He will flash it to anyone!!

Jace is also famous for his big, sloppy, wet kisses. Watch out if he comes at you with his mouth wide open. He has been known to "attack with kisses" especially if you are a little cousin!

Jace also loves to dance by waving his arms and crouching his legs and bouncing. He loves to "go crazy". Tell him to "go crazy" and he will wave his arms and shake his head. He loves to play with Jordyn's kitchen set. He loves to climb the steps. If we leave the gate down, he notices immediately! He loves to chase our cat, Wylie, around the house. He also loves to make a lot of noise by banging his toys against anything he can think of (must be a boy thing).

Jace has been walking since 11 months old. He also recently learned how to clap, wave bye-bye, and do so big. Now that he knows these things, he LOVES to show them off!

Jace has also recently started to eat and swallow solid foods. We had concerns at 9 months since he would not keep food in his mouth, so this is a big step for him!

Jace has been such a blessing to us! We thank God every day for you little buddy!! Your smile lights up my world!

December 2008December 2009

HALLOWEEN