January 2011

January was a busy and fast month for us. We returned home from an amazing trip to Disney over Christmas with Jason's family and jumped right back into our busy schedules. We had a first for both the boys in January as they were able to try skiing for the first time when we made a quick trip up to Crystal for Grandma Mary's Birthday. Jacob really loved skiing and did very well. Deacon wanted to try to but wasn't as big of a fan. Hopefully next winter I will be able to ski with my boys!! I have so many memories of skiing as a family when I was a child I hope to do the same with our kids in the years to come!!!

Also in January we had another little scare with the pregnancy as I was having preterm labor so the boys got to spend some extra time with Daddy as well as their grandparents while mommy spend a week or so on the couch. Grandpa Joel even took them sledding out by Like Michigan. They were gone for a really long time. Grandma Bouwens even went out looking for them afraid they fell in the lake. LOL

We also moved the boys together into Jacob's room and Jason moved the crib down for our baby girl. We thought we should get a few things ready just encase she made an early arrival.

Jason really didn't mind helping with this project but might not have enjoyed the picture taking part!!!

Deacon

My adorable little Deacon you are growing up so fast right before my very eyes. You have changed SO much since we moved back in May. Two major changes for you have been that you started to talk and that you had your tonsils and adenoids out. Both of these things have made your life significantly easier. You can now tell us what you want without screaming most of the time and you are a much healthier little boy without those pesky tonsils and adenoids.

Truck Parade

Deacon you continue to challenge mommy every day with your unique personality and strong will. Mommy reminds herself often in the challenging moments what a gift your strong will truly is. On the flip side of your strong will you are a the sweetest little mommas boy ever. You sit on my lap and cuddle during music class and when we are in many other new and different places. Mommy loves that you feel comfort in her being near.

Riding the Lion at the meusem

Things Deacon loves and is learning right now:

Cars, Trucks and Trains

Lions

Pretending whatever Jacob is pretending

Painting like his big brother

Deacon is enjoying learning many letters with his big brother

Deacon is beginning to say his prayers with us at bedtime and dinnertime (a precious event for a child who a few short months ago had no words) Praise God for Deacons improvement!!!!

Reading with Mommy in his room

"Dinner Time" It is always dinnertime for Deacon it seems ever time he wakes up or comes home from anywhere even Dinner he says it's dinner time and expects to eat. Funny Boy!!

Learning his colors

Snack time with Daddy!

Back to the Blog? Maybe!

I've been thinking about it for a few weeks and would really like to get back into blogging for my kids sake and to record the memories of our everyday life. So since its been a while I will try to do a quick update on Jacob today and Deacon another day. I'm sure I can't do the last 6 months justice but here's my best shot.

Biggest change for this guy besides the move to our new house in May has been starting school. Jacob is in the Spanish immersion program at Zeeland Christian and LOVES it!! I'm so excited to see him learning about the Lord as well as another language while he is at school!! Other exciting things for Jacob have been that he was on his first organized sports team this fall. Jason coached his soccer team at a park near our house. Jason did a great job and had a lot of Patience!!

The Coach and his TEAM!

Jacob at the Children's Museum

We also enjoyed all of the other normal fall activities including apple picking x2, pumpkin fest, trick or treating, and racking lots of leaves in our new yard!! Anyone who is looking for something to do I'm sure Jason would let you help with our leaves!!!

Things Jacob Loves right now:

Crafts/ Painting/ making things for the new baby

Singing

Playing Spiderman

Climbing

Making Forts

Reading Berenstain Bears

Teasing his brother

Planting Bulbs and Mums with Mom and Dad on a warm Saturday Afternoon!

Easter Festivities

Family Pic at my parents for Easter Lunch
Boys opening up their eggs

We started celebrating Easter last weekend with Jason's parents by having a little Easter Egg hunt in the front yard. The boys had fun and it was good practice for the egg hunt on Saturday at the gym.
Easter Morning before church

At the gym the kids did a few crafts, hunted for eggs, visited the bunny (Jacob), and had pancakes! Deacon wasn't sure he really enjoyed all of it but I'm hopeful that by next year he will be more adaptable. :)




We also visited the bunny at the mall per Jacob's request. Deacon again wasn't a fan but we have the memory for sure. Friday night after church we colored our Easter eggs another thing Jacob loved and Deker didn't Easter morning we enjoyed a beautiful service at church before lunch at my parents and big naps for the boys in the afternoon!

All the bunny stuff and eggs were fun but the most amazing part was seeing Jacob begin to understand why we celebrate Easter. We watched a neat video that really explained the sacrifice Jesus made as well as read the Easter story in the bible. He also came home from Sunday school with many good questions after our Good Friday service and our Easter morning service. He also learned some new praise song that he loved singing for both his grandparents!! We are so thankful for Jacob's growing love for our Lord and savior as well as for our church that helps him grow in his understanding of the faith.

Disney/Florida

We did it we took the kids to Disney and boy did we have fun!! I think Jacob loved it the most and his Daddy was a close second!! The weather was chilly but the sun was shining and we were able to do a ton. We spent 2 days enjoying the excitement that Disney has to offer. We spent a half day at hollywood studios and then met up with Grandma and Grandpa DeWitt to see the Animal Kingdom and go on the safari!! We spent the next day at the Magic Kingdom with both sets of Grandparents. It was great having all the extra hands with us in the parks to keep track of the little ones. We also did a character breakfast before we left the last day which was highlight for Jacob!!! He loved having his picture taken with the characters and always wanted to get a kiss as well. Ha Ha!!!

It's a Small World!Lightning McQueenDeacon watching the parade! The whole group with Woody and JessiePlayhouse Disney LiveJacob loving a dino ride with Grandma Mary!I guess they all wanted to ride together because the winnie the pooh ride was so scary!

Jacob in the "Honey I Shrunk the Kids Playground"

After our time at Disney we headed down to Ft. Myers beach for a week were we enjoyed a little time on the beach. The weather wasn't the best but the boys still had a few chances to get their toes in the sand and do a little digging.

Jacob is 3!

We celebrated Jacob's birthday with a Mickey Mouse party and some of his favorite foods. Cinnamon rolls and Chili!! Jacob was even involved in making the Cinnamon rolls for the party such a fun thing to do with him and the help of a dear friend and grandma B. Jacob got lots of fun toys as well as a big boy bike and scooter to use this spring and summer!!!

Exciting things about Jacob at age 3: ~Jacob still adores reading and loves to hear stories people make up for him even better. His favorite is to think of a subject and have us tell him a story about it. Sometimes this is difficult. (tell me a story about grass, clouds, dirt, etc...)
~Jacob also loves to make believe he is always and animal or building a house, cave, nest. His favorite is probably to play Simba and build pride rock from the lion king.
~Jacob still loves Oatmeal for breakfast and prefers to eat it with his dad.
~Jacob's favorite place to eat is Taco Bell. He really loves going to restaurants. We will be in the car and it's only 10 a.m. and he will say "Mom I might get hungry soon so can we go to a restaurant?" Maybe that means I'm a bad cook.
~Jacob is a baker and a craft er for sure not a day goes by that we can get away with skipping these kinds of activities. He will even turn down a cartoon to do these activities.
~Jacob favorite people to play with are still his cousins.
~Lastly Jacob has decided he is a country boy and would like to be at the barn with his buddy Lucas. At the gym they pretend they are mud running and hunting together. Sooooo FUNNNY!!
Jacob brings Jason and I so much joy and we are thankful for the Blesssing God has given us in him. We continue to be amazed by how much he as grown and what he learns everyday. We look forward to many more birthdays with him.

Happy Birthday Grandpa Joel/ Deacon 17 months

Today is my Dad's birthday and we are excited to go out and celebrate with Dad/Grandpa tonight. This year the boys have gotten so much closer to my dad and it has been so fun to see how they interact with him as they are getting out of the baby stage. Deacon has always adored both of his grandpas. I often call him my "grandpa boy" because he loves his grandpa's SO much. We are so thankful that they boys are able to live close to and spend time with their grandparents it is truly such a blessing.

Deacon is 17 months today!! Yikes. When Jacob was this age I was 2 weeks away from having a baby! Yikes again! It's truly bittersweet to see my precious baby turning into such a big boy. I can't believe how much I honestly miss having my little baby. He has always been our little cuddle bug and still loves to put his head on your shoulder and just snuggle right in. I know this is one of Jason's favorite things to do with little Deke when he gets home from work!!

At 17 months Deacon wants to be just like his big brother. The boys always have to have the same thing. If one has oatmeal for breakfast the other does, if one is drinking milk out of a nalgeen bottle the other is. It is very cute most of the times however on the rare occasion we don't have two of something there is trouble. Jacob's birthday next month will be very interest!!!

Deacon has a special way of getting exactly what he wants but honestly uses no words. He follows directions like a champ but will not let us know what he is thinking with his words yet. Most people have told me that its because his big brother doesn't give him a chance but I still am very eager to hear what my little guy truly has to say. Deacon does some signing now which is really cute because he has such chubby little hands!!

It has been a very fast 17 months little Deacon Bear. Momma loves you more than I could ever explain. It's so hard to believe what a big boy you are becoming. Everyone told me the second one grows up so much quicker and sadly you have. I'm trying to cherish every minute I have with you sweet baby boy. Love ya!