Cottage Fun

This past weekend was our first weekend up at the cottage for the summer and we had a great time despite the iffy weather. We also had the pleasure of having the Meeuwsen family spend the weekend with us. Jacob got some practice being the big boy by playing with Carter, giving him hugs, and attempting to be gentle as the boys took a tubby together. I think we were lucky that Carter is an easy going little guy.

Carter was good a gold as usual. He just goes with the flow and is always so happy. Just had to snap this cute little shot of him snuggled up with his blanket.

After Jacob's wild behavior in the tub with Carter the first night we decided he could try bathing in the lake with Daddy. As you can see from the picture Jacob wasn't so sure about the idea.

We were able to do a little boating despite the weather. Jacob wasn't a big fan of his life jacket again this year. Maybe it's getting a little small we will have to see. Luckily he loved helping daddy drive which was good distraction for him. Jason a Brian were brave enough to get in the water for a little while. Meanwhile Jacob and I were sporting sweatshirts to stay warm.

Look at this stud of a husband I have. He thought he was pretty cool showing of his temporary tattoo that he got at Silver Lake on Saturday. Yup, Jason took his big red truck out of retirement after 8 years for the boys to spend a day in the dunes. I think it brought back lots of fun memories from high school for them as well as got Jason's brain spinning about other vehicles to work on for when Jacob's old enough to go with him. I guess he wants to give his nervous wife a heart attack.

All in all it was a fun weekend and we hope Kelly had a Happy Birthday!!!

Summer Fun

Just a few pictures to keep everyone up to date on what our little guy has been doing the last few days.

Saturday my dad and I took Jacob for a walk to the beach in the afternoon to check out the sand. Unfortunately he was not a fan of sand. He actually tried climbing up my dad's legs in an attempt to not touch it. Luckily we know that he had the same problem with grass in the spring and now loves it so we hope he learns to like sand as well.

On Monday, Jacob and I enjoyed a day just the two of us. So nice for me after last week being away from him so much. We washed out the baby pool used for Quincy's baths and Jacob had a blast. Jacob wanted everything in the pool with him including our basketballs. Probably not the best place for them but oh well he was having fun!!!

Last night Jason had a softball game. At the game Jacob enjoyed Nick and Kylie's new puppy as well as playing in the dirt by the scoreboard. He came home a dirty mess but I was actually able to watch some of the game for once so it was worth letting him get messy. The guys won and Jason had a home run!!

Lastly, a baby update. I went to the doctor on Monday and everything was normal for 31 weeks. Nothing exciting, exactly the way it should be at this point medically speaking. As for being prepared for having another little one in the house Jason said tonight he couldn't believe we were going to have two kids soon. I wanted to say well believe it but I didn't. I think he is finally realizing that it is going to be a little crazy around here. I'm sure it will all go fine but right now I just want to enjoy every moment with Jacob. He's just so precious I hope he adjust well to his little brother.

Trying to be helpful...

While we were in the basement anyway working on the nursery Jason decided to do a little work on the wash machine. Front loading wash machines are wonderful but they do get kinda yucky if the water doesn't empty out properly. Jason thought he would be a handy man and fix this problem. As he was putting the machine back together I thought I would empty the dryer.

Little did I know when Jason started the process of fixing the wash machine he had strayed tilex into the drainage part of the machine while the clothing was still in the machine. As I'm folding clothes I notice one of his Saturday work in the barn shirts has a strange orange spot on the sleeve. I ask him what happened at which point he mentions the tilex with bleach. As I continue to empty the rest of the dry I'm slightly relieved and slightly irritated to finding two other items out of the load that were effected. Unfortunately they were mine and they were things I wore often. Jason claims I can still wear them. I guess if I go running or to bed they would be fine. At least he got the drainage problem fix with the wash machine and it gives me a good reason to get a new half zip fleece this fall after I lose the baby weight.

A work in progress

Yup, this is progress for us. We have the nursery close to emptied out. Only a few random things hanging out in there yet. My fabric for the bedding also came in today so hopefully it wont take to long to make. We also did a little painting on the wall to check a color. Hopefully next time I post things will look a lot better.

Can it get any colder?

No, seriously why is it so darn cold out this week. Of all the weeks this summer that I could have chosen to teach swimming lessons it had to be this week that the temps are in the 60's. Luckily the kids have been troopers and haven't complained too much, thanks to the pool owners keeping the pools nice and toasty warm. Hopefully tomorrow is warmer. Despite the cold weather and missing Jacob I am having fun doing something other than just being a Mommy for a change. It feels good to be working and teaching again. Makes me miss teaching a little. Not that I could ever be away from Jacob this much on a regular basis. Thanks to Jacob's Grandmas for taking such good care of him. I know he loves being with you.

Tigers Game

We spent Fathers Day at the Tigers game to celebrate not only Fathers Day but also my big brother Tom's 30th birthday. It was a fun but long day which included highlights like Jason catching a foul ball and the tigers winning their 6th game in a row as well as low points like a rain delay and Jacob skipping his nap only to go to bed at 10:00 p.m. Jacob and Gabe looked so cute all dressed up ready to go to the game. I was surprises they actually sat for a picture. It was definitely a first.

Jacob and Daddy before the game started. Dad looks pretty excited to be at the game with his little tiger.

Grandpa and Jacob at lunch time. Jacob wasn't into eating but he and Gabe looked pretty cute in their matching bibs that Grandma made for them.

When we left the ballpark we were thankful this wasn't our ride home. Jason insisted we needed to take a picture.

Thanks dad for a fun day at the park. Tom we hope your 30th birthday was all you hoped for.

Happy Fathers Day

Tonight we celebrated Fathers Day for Jason by giving him his presents and playing outside before bed. Jason got a backpack to carry Jacob in when he goes out in the woods. Jacob and Jason both love being outside so hopefully they can enjoy many trips in the woods with Jason's new carrier. Jacob actually liked the gift more than Jason continuing to climb into it long after Jason had taken it off. It was so cute to see hm so excited to climb into the carrier eager for another ride.

Jacob also found the stone steps on the side of our house while we were playing outside. He thought he was big stuff climbing away from a frightened mommy. Hopefully he loses interest in them before he hurts himself on them.

Tubes or No Tubes?

Friday afternoon Jacob had a visit with an audiologist and the ear, nose and throat specialist to be considered for ear tubes. The good news is that his hearing checked out perfectly. However they could not get him to cooperate for the balance test on his cochlea. I wish they could have done this because he has been EXTRA tipsy the last week. Hopefully his balance improves and we wont have to go back and try to have it checked again. I've never seen the poor boy so upset.

Jacob with his hearing test sticker.

As for the title of this post Jason and I are not in agreement about Jacob getting tubes. The doctor said he is a candidate for them but does not have to have them. Obviously, he doesn't have to have them. It is in most cases an elective surgery. However, I think with fluid still in his ears even after infection has gone away it is a good idea. Jason thinks however that we should wait and see. I think he should be home all day with him when he has an infection while we wait and see. Maybe, not he would go crazy. Anyway, we will make a decision in the next few weeks.

This picture shows his little sticker a bit better.

Happy Anniversary to Us!

Yup! It's our 4 year anniversary today. We didn't do anything excited. Jason is off playing hockey, Jacob went to bed early after a few too many late nights earlier this week and I just finished some ironing. I can't complain that we didn't do anything both of our parents offered to watch Jacob so we could do something but it just didn't work out with hockey and everything. Nothing wrong with a normal day when I have so much to be thankful for after 4 years of marriage. I'm married to a great guy who takes good care of his family and loves me and our little boy. I also feel so blessed with the family GOD has created for us over the last 4 years. Looking forward to what this 5th year of marriage has in store for us.

The Flood of 2008

I cant remember ever seeing the water this high in my life. On the way to church we found 104th was covered in 3 different spots, we had to take a couple detours around streets that were closed. The fish and game club ponds were within 2 feet of the highway, my guess is that they were over during the night. We made a trip to the barn to pick up my truck from Saturday and found Croswell and eroded and washed away forcing us to go around to Polk St. and 124th which were both flooded over. While I thought this all seemed pretty fun while I was out taking some pictures Alex stopped by our house and said he had a little problem, Aaron's house had taken on a little water. I went over to help out and boy do we have a problem, we are guessing 2-4 inches in the basement, everything got soaked, carpet, electronics, couches and anything else within 4 inches of the ground. For those of you that dont know, Aaron and family just left for Africa on Saturday so Alex and I have some work to do.

Click here for more pictures!

Water Lover

Yesterday I convinced Jason that if he wasn't going go get sand for Jacob's sand and water table that he could at least make the table and let Jacob play in the water for a while and boy did the little guy love it. Jacob was overjoyed that he could splash and play without hearing the word "NO." Obviously to those of you who have little ones Jacob's age you know the other places they find water at their height are not so sanitary. Jason and Quincy also enjoyed the shade that the table provided for them while Jacob was busy splashing about.

Do you think he's wet enough yet? Maybe next time he should go shirtless or wear a swim shirt.

Jacob also enjoyed some more water today at MVP's new pool. We thought since they predict rain a lot the rest of the week we would hit the pool today and enjoy the sunny weather. Jacob loved that he could walk right in the water and be in control of where he wanted to go. I shouldn't have been suprised but I was that he was so brave. He didn't mind the bigger kids, the spashing the water fountain, or falling in face first.

I also really enjoyed the long nap he took when we got home. The little guy was so exhausted we had to wake him up at 6:00 for dinner. I had forgotten how much faster I can make dinner when I'm not keeping him out of the snacks in the kitchen.

Poor kid was so tired he even rolled over after the picture so that he could get a few more ZZZZ's.

I think all the water must have made me tired too I'm off to bed. Praying it doesn't rain all day tomorrow.