Base-a-ball

Since being in MI, Gerrit has a new found love: baseball (although he calls it base-a-ball which I think he gets from the word basketball??). He has enjoyed playing catch all spring and summer but I think it was watching his big cousin Max play catch that really got him into 'using', and I use that word loosely, a glove.

He has finally figured out which hand the glove needs to be in so he could actually throw the ball correctly (I think he'll be a righty).

He found this glove in the toy box which is way too big for him - he can hardly lift it up to 'catch' a ball (again, using catch loosely).
I think he'll have a base-a-ball glove on his Christmas list this year! (He'd like one like his cousin Mia, just not hot pink!)

My Boy is Growing Up!

Today was not a good weather day. We were stuck inside due to rain and cool temps. Luckily we hung out with Luke and Paul which is always fun for Gerrit. The boys gave Gerrit his first taste of video games. They tried to teach him how to box on the Wii:

He didn't get the idea of waving his arms in the air so they switched to golf - more Gerrit's style. They rigged the stick with a Now and Later and rubber band so the A button was always pushed allowing Gerrit to swing and hit the golf ball automatically:

Deep in thought as he swings - actually he just swung all the time with the same amount of force. He did not quite get the idea of swinging with less force if he was close to the hole. He loved it none the less!

He even recognized who's turn it was based on the golfer on the TV (the boys made Gerrit his own character and it looks pretty close to him too!). He would tell the other boys when it was their turn and even come to them when it was his turn (they had to press a button before he could make contact each time). When the boys would take a practice swing, Gerrit would say: "almost" - as if they actually were trying to hit the ball and missed! Then he'd cheer when someone would sink a putt!

Just before dinner I changed his diaper - he would only let me do it if he could go 'potty'. So I said that was fine, I just had to clean his buns before he could sit on the potty. He let me do that and then I put him down to go potty - only to be told to 'get away'. So I gave him his space and then went to get him so I could put his diaper on and realized he went potty again! He sprayed a little this time and needed a new shirt and a bit cleaning up, but hey who cares! I just can't believe that the kid won't let me near him so I can't assist him in going. Maybe I will have to buck up and put forth the effort earlier than I was thinking.

My little by is growing up -video games and potty!

We're Back

Yes, it has been a while since I last posted something. I just uploaded pictures taken before we left for Mi, pictures from Mi and a few taken since we've been home. I figured it was easier than choosing specific ones to highlight on the blog. (So go to the my pictures on the right and it'll take you to Shutterfly.)

We had a great time in Mi seeing mostly family but some friends as well. Adam did some biking and riding and I was able to relax. Gerrit did well on the long drive both ways and loved playing with his cousins. He still talks about them which is fun to hear him ask where they are.

Some highlights of our trip (for Gerrit):

Gerrit got some love from the bugs - lots of bites but nothing seemed to bother him too much
He mastered his golfing skills and biking (coasting down the hills was a favorite)
He learned to drive (press the gas pedal - we're still working on the steering part)
Loves the water slide (as long as mom goes with!)
Tried to dive in the water like the big kids were doing in the deep end of the pool
Still loves golf cart rides

It is a good thing Gerrit and I head back in a few weeks - we have some unfinished business to tend to - going to the beach, spending more time at the water park and visiting with friends we did not see this past trip. We can only hope the weather is warmer!

A Cat-like Kid

Last night Gerrit woke up at 2am. We let him cry and finally Adam went to get him and put him in bed with us, thinking he'd fall asleep and all would be well. Adam went back to the computer (he doesn't sleep well before a trip!) and I was left with a cat-like kid! He was jumping, wrestling with Adam's pillow, laying on me, and running from one end of the bed to the other! This went on for quite some time. Finally Adam came to bed and we thought he would calm down with both of us there. Nope...he started 'playing' with Adam! Then he'd turn to me and put his face really close to mine and stare at me. After many threats, I was fed up with it and put him back in his bed. So the cycle continued...I laid there and listened to him cry for 15 min or so (luckily this time around he was tired!) and then I was able to fall back asleep. Let's hope this isn't the start of long nights on vacation! And here's hoping he has a good nap in the car and maybe I can get one too!

We shove off from Z-town around 11 30 to pick Adam up at work. Ya, Adam got 2 hours of sleep and then rode his bike to work! Then he plans to drive 9+ hours. Eek! I best be going and finish the last minute things on my list. We shall see many of you SOON!

Gerrit's New Role

as of January 2010

You Know You Have a 2 Year Old When...

-one minute he is smiling, the next he's screaming
-he asks for milk, when you give him milk, he wants water
-his beverages are never served in the correct container (sippy cup vs. cup)
-you eat dinner one handed because he thinks your lap is better than his chair
-he doesn't like what's served so dad fixes him an egg and dinner is eaten in shifts
-he takes a drink of water and you don't even flinch when you realize you have a wet crotch and can feel the water soaking into your underwear
-you find yourself taking deep breaths often at the dinner table
-the dinner dishes don't get taken care of till after bedtime
-you've been hit by a spoon, golf club and hand in a short amount of time because he can't go outside
-back outside you play golf with wet underwear and don't even care
-find yourself as dirty as the kid and need a shower too
-you leave him alone in the bathroom to return and see him rinsing dad's toothbrush in the toilet

-he says 'wuv you' and blows you a kiss goodnight as if nothing happened 2 hours earlier.

Summer is Here!

Today we toasted to the official start to summer...at Lake Pepin. We headed over after nap time and Adam and Dave rode their bikes. We were all excited to go swimming until we learned that the new heater for the pool wouldn't be installed until tomorrow. Bummer...oh well, we still went into the cold water (not all of us). Gerrit and I hung out around the steps for most of the afternoon. It didn't take long for Gerrit to get use to the cold (or his body was just numb and couldn't feel it anymore). Chillin in the pool:

He found a pair of goggles that belonged to the older boys. He loved wearing them even though they barely stayed on. He didn't try them out in the water -just liked to look the part:

After a nice BBQ by the pool, we headed home. It was a great afternoon despite the cold water. We know we will be back again this summer and look forward to the warmer pool water too (especially the adults!).

We are headed to our community pool tomorrow after nap time - I know that pool isn't heated either but the kiddie pool is only 18" so it can't be as cold as today! (I hope?)