Getting Ready for the Big Leagues

We've had some gorgeous weather the past few days, now that it is November. It had been a while since we played outside after work due to the weather. Seeing it was nice out, and Gerrit asked to ride his bike (shocker!) I said fine. He rode his bike and then wanted to play baseball. So we got the bat and ball out and headed to the back yard. Usually baseball consists of me trying to balance the ball on something that can act as a "T" and he can try and swing the bat and hope to hit the ball and not hit me. I decided that seeing the sun was setting, we were not going to be playing baseball very long, I'd just pitch him the ball and watch him miss. Well, surprise, surprise - the kid hit the ball! And it wasn't a fluke thing either - he did this multiple times! He knew how to stand side ways (a skill many of my middle schoolers still can't get right) and choked up on the bat ready for a pitch. He did miss and I threw some bad pitches, but still, the kid can hit a moving target at 2.5 yrs old. Adam came home shortly after we started and was impressed too. The only thing we had to do was remind him to stand sideways once in a while.

Adam and I just shake our heads. We have done very little 'teaching' when it comes to sports and Gerrit. I figured we have plenty of time in the years ahead to teach him proper techniques - plus, what 2 yr old is actually going to remember what he was told weeks ago, let a lone a few minutes ago!

Either we watch way too much Sports Center while eating oatmeal in the mornings or this kid has some natural talent. Either way, he makes his mommy proud. I'll try not to get ahead of myself and hope he can be potty trained and learns how to read and write in a timely manor.

Halloween Week

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Sportin' the festive halloween t-shirt and the spider hat made at daycare.

I was very excited to use my pumpkin muffin mold for treats this year (I had to wait almost a year to use it - bought it on clearance last year). I bought a cool festive cake mix and sprinkles to use too. My thought was to make them for Gerrit's friends at daycare. This is what they looked liked (I figured frosting would take away from the shape):

I didn't want to scare any of the kids and was disappointed in how they looked so I went with plan B:

Of course when I was ready to get in the car, Gerrit grabbed the bag and they shifted and fell over - there went my nice presentation too!

The rest of the week went better than my cupcake debacle.

Monday night was Halloween story time at the library. We've met our friends Abby (Dorthy) and Olivia (witch) the past few years and continued with the tradition. This time Adam came with which was nice - I didn't have to sit on the floor.

Wednesday night was pumpkin carving at our house with Luke and Paul. We had plenty of pumpkins from our 'crop' to use. The only bummer is that they are never very big, but I go for quantity (I hear if you cut some of them off early on, the ones left will grow bigger but I've never had the heart to do it!) I was nervous giving Gerrit a carving knife, but it didn't last long and went on to other things instead of carving.

Friday was the Halloween party at church. Gerrit was more excited to wear Luke's Darth Vader mask than his own helmet. I don't think Luke even wore his mask because Gerrit wouldn't give it to him!

Today was the final festivity for Halloween. (Who would've thought it would be a weeks worth of activities!) We just went to the neighbors and our friends via the car. We tried practicing saying "Trick or Treat" and he caught on to the word TREAT real fast! When we got to a house, he wouldn't say it (of course). I often had to carry his pumpkin too. His favorite treat was at Dahlen's - Anne showed him the car and motorcycle the boys found in the toy room earlier today. Of course he had to put them in his pumpkin and take them home! (They will be returned tomorrow - he's sleeping with them tonight.) When we returned home, we went to our front door and he more than willingly carried his pumpkin and even said "trick or treat"! Of course, when we get home he gets the idea! Gerrit really liked eating the candy once we got home. I don't think he gets the whole idea of trick or treating but I'm sure it won't be long!

Baby Update

I havn't written much about the baby that will be here in roughly 10 weeks! Honestly, I kind of forget that I'm pregnant (not that I don't look it or feel it quite often). I think I get caught up in what needs to be done around the house and with Gerrit that I don't have time to think about it. So I'm trying to take the time to think about who this little guy will be when I get to meet him. Because Gerrit looks so much like me, I wonder if #2 will look more like Adam and what kind of personality he will have. I'm excited just thinking about it.

Gerrit knows where baby brother is and will often give him a kiss and a hug (then he usually pinches me or hits my tummy). He can be real sweet when we talk about his little brother; I'm anxious to see how he responds to sharing our attention come January.

A few gifts have come our way for this new little one which is always fun and exciting. And I just ordered his coming home outfit (thanks Oma) which came in the mail yesterday. Its hard to believe we'll have a little one again in the house; I'm just getting use to life with a 2 yr old! I've got a few things knit for him (and plenty of projects waiting) so he has something new to show off and call his own someday.

We havn't totally decided on a name yet. We are getting closer and I'm hoping to keep the final decision a secret - yes, we will have a secret! We've tossed out a few names to people so the prospects are known, just not the final word yet.

I was at the dr. again today for my normal check up. All seems well from what he can tell. I was measuring big a month ago but now I'm back on track - although he keeps reminding me that I shouldn't plan on a small baby based of how big Gerrit was. I never thought I'd have a small kid - based on the size of his parents! And I know I'm getting closer when I have to come back in 2 weeks.

We just purchased tickets to fly home in Feb. so the rest of the family can meet him and to have the Stremler Christmas party. It's weird to think we will be traveling as a family of 4 then and that we most likely will rent a car (flying into Chicago) b/c we could hardly fit us all, plus our 'driver' in one vehicles! I'm sure before long it will only seem odd that we've lived as a family of 3, just like it seems odd to think we didn't have kids the first 9 years of our marriage!

Adam's mom has been asking for a photo of me. I did not document the 'growing' stages like I did with Gerrit and may regret it someday. But I did take a picture tonight:

30 weeks

I took it myself as Adam is dealing with another cold, poor guy. (Stupid flu shot if you ask him!) I apologize for the poor lighting - bathroom lights, but I was in the mood to blog and felt like taking the picture tonight. I was a bit bummed you couldn't see my hair cut - had that done after school today. Oh well, nothing drastic, it just looks better when someone actually styles it. And I've officially hit the "I know I'm pregnant" feeling because I can't get my wedding ring off! I didn't think my hands were that swollen (especially because its not hot/humid) but last night I tried to take it off to carve pumpkins and I couldn't do it. Maybe with the cold weather approaching, I can get it off then!

My eyes are getting heavy and I have one more day to get through the week. It will be a wild one - the day before Halloween and icky weather are bad a bad mix for middle schoolers! I will be back shortly as I have lots of Halloween festivities that I've documented this week and will post the pictures and stories. The Dahlen boys visit comes to an end tomorrow which will crush Gerrit but like Oma and Opa leaving, he'll get over it.

Until next time...

Wisconsin Revisited

We are all healthy (for now) and thankful. It was a busy week with Adam doing field work and I had conferences. Seems like we traded off being parents all week. This week isn't much better - I still have 1 night of conferences and Adam has field work (if it doesn't rain). But Gerrit is excited because his buddies, Luke and Paul, will be with us for 3 nights while their parents are out of town. So far they have plans to go to the football game and carve pumpkins. Should be a busy week but fun one as well.

Here are the pictures I was looking for from Wisconsin:

Oma and Opa

A glimps into Gerrit's week with Oma and Opa:



Switching out the area rug in the living room, Gerrit enjoying vacuuming (a new job!), playing trucks on the steps with Opa, Sunday after church photo op, Gerrit's new friend: Ramos (yes, he named him!), playing the trumpet during bath time with bubbles.

Like I mentioned in the previous post, Oma and Opa came for a visit. Adam and I took off for a few days to Duluth and left them behind with Gerrit. This was Gerrit's first time away from both of us and he never asked about us! Guess he was having too much fun he didn't have time to miss us. They took care of all the little projects on the list we left, visited the farm auction (twice), went for lunch with the neighbors, breakfast in a nearby town, Rochester a few times and Greg's meats. I guess they did not get bored without us! The weather was not the greatest so there wasn't much playing outside until Sat. when we returned (as did the sun).

Adam and I have a new perspective on what a vacation is - sleeping! We didn't find ourselves running to the tourist booth to do the latest and greatest in Duluth, rather we took advantage of the every day things - w/o a kid. We went shopping, to a movie, ate out, slept in, and relaxed. It didn't help that we are both battling colds (and I'm 6.5 months prego) so the thought of doing much didn't excite us. I think the time away did help us with the colds. We took a nice drive inland with a stop at Betty's Pies on the way (ok, so we did do one touristy thing). I think Adam will humor me and go south next time so we can relax in warmer temps! It won't be for a while seeing I won't be able to leave the baby for very long, but knowing that that is in the future makes me smile. I can't wait!

As my parents pack and get ready to leave in the am, I think Gerrit will go through a mourning period. He loved the attention and all the extra snacks and being spoiled while we were gone. Adam learned that oatmeal in the morning for Gerrit included an oatmeal cookie! No wonder, Gerrit wants to see Opa in the morning and watch Sports Center with him!

We look forward to their return in Jan. when the baby comes (and a new list of projects has been generated!) and will miss them until then.

PS: The scarecrow was spotted in Rochester and Gerrit had to have him. So Oma and Opa bought him and put him in the yard. For some reason, Gerrit named him Ramos and will wave good bye when he leaves and says hi to him upon returning home. We have no idea where the name came from; the only thing we can think of is it is close to Carlos which many of our friends refer to the new baby as based on a stupid movie. (Ask Adam for more details on the movie and name Carlos). And no, Carlos is not on the list of potential names!

House Guests

My parents came Fri. night for the week. The guys ran a few errands and watched football and mom and I went shopping. Sunday my parents went to see Garrison Keillor who was performing across the street from our house (as a fundraiser). They had a wonderful time. Today they spent the day with Gerrit and did chores around the house. I loved it - I came home and my living room was rearranged, my car's oil was changed (finally), odd jobs we put off were done, and dinner was ready! They need to come more often. I can't wait till tomorrow to see what else has been done!

Is this a Sign?

Before bed tonight Adam thought it would be a good idea for Gerrit to say good night to his baby brother. He went over to me on the couch and started talking to the baby and tried to get it to 'kick'. Gerrit came over to me as well except instead of talking and putting his hand on my tummy - he slapped it! He thought it was funny...is this a sign?