Children's Museum

Last week we journeyed to the Grand Rapids Children's Museum with the DeVissers.  We went during the evening so thankfully it wasn't busy at all.  The kids had free reign of the museum and loved going from activity to activity.  I was greatful that Luke was along as the boys seemed to want to go in opposite directions! 

2 Months

How can my little girl already be 2 months old?!  I think that I'll be questioning how quickly she's growing for the rest of her life.  I know I felt that way about the boys too and now I can't ever imagine them being 2 months old - time goes way too quickly. 

Lydia had her 2 month appointment last week Tuesday so we planned a Mommy/Lydia day for that day.  We started out at her appointment where she weighed in at 11lbs. 6 oz (58th percentile) and 23 inches (75th percentile).  She's definitely larger than Jackson was but is still smaller than Brendan was, however, she is similar to them as she's getting taller and leaner.  The check-up with Dr. Schrotenboer went really well and she was smiles (most of the time).  Poor girl was pretty upset with all her shots but was able to sleep while I went shopping with her.  She loves riding in her carseat so it was a good day for her.  Although whenever she woke up she would scream so I knew she just wasn't herself. 

She's like her brothers in that she sleeps pretty well at night.  I'll do her last feeding around 9pm and she'll wake up to feed at 3am and then sleep until 6 or 6:30am (which is when Brendan is waking up).  We've had a couple of nights where she slept through that 3am feeding which was a pleasant surprise!  She loves her swing and will usually take one of her daily naps in there.  The boys weren't huge swing fans so it's nice to be able to use it for her.  If she's awake, she loves to watch the action at our house (which there is plenty of!).  The girl gets plenty of love from her brothers!   I love watching their interactions:)

Lydia and Brendan laying in her crib.  She looks SO much like Jackson here!

All smiles on her playmat - she looks a lot like Brendan in this picture.  I guess she's definitely got traits from both brothers.

Crazy Bounce

My little dare devil!  He went down every single slide there.

The "big boys" sliding down.

And Lydia took a nap the entire time we were there!

Boxing

One of the best things about having a maternity leave during the school year is that I get a chance to take the kids to places that aren't as busy with kids because the kids are all in school.  We took our first trip to Crazy Bounce last week and I have a feeling we'll be going back again soon.  The boys absolutely loved running around and going down the slides.  We went during their toddler time and practically had the place to ourselves.  That afternoon the kids were exhausted which made for a happy Mom as well:) 

Lots and Lots of Snow!

Luke and the boys ready to head out. 

Almost a smile...

Finally caught her smile on camera!

It finally snowed!  The boys (all 3 of them!) have been anxiously waiting for this first big snow and it finally happened.  As Brendan came downstairs this morning he yelled out "no" (his way of saying snow) and kept telling everyone it had "no'ed" as they woke up.  Lydia and I decided to stay inside as I appreciate snow so much more when I am warm inside.  As the day went on though, it became less fun for the boys outside as the snow was above Brendan's waist so he had a bit of trouble maneuvering through it. 

Lydia's Birth Announcement

Floral Contour Pink Birth Announcement

Announcements for every life event: graduation, wedding & baby.

View the entire collection of cards.

Just like Grandpa...

Good friends of ours gave us a onesie that said "If you think I nap a lot, you should see my grandpa"... They're also good friends of my parents and if you know my dad, he's ALWAYS napping!  Yesterday, Jackson and I decided to try to get a picture of Lydia wearing it so we can get it framed for Grandpa's office. 

Christmas 2011

Lydia and Aunt Sara

Waiting to open presents

4 Generations

Our attempt at a family photo - it's definitely becoming more and more difficult!

Jackson showing Lydia her ornament that Santa brought her.... we had just gotten home from church and the boys were so excited to open presents that we didn't get Lydia out of her carseat.

"Buddy" our elf,  brought the boys this because they were so good at finding him every morning.  Jackson was very excited about this gift!

All of the Hansen cousins

Batboys ... we got the boys all matching pajamas.  They were too cute!

It's amazing how quickly the holiday season seems to pass.  Jackson felt that Christmas "would never get here" as he waited every day to get to open those presents but I felt like it went too quickly.  Thankfully this year wasn't such a busy year for us so we were able to just enjoy being together as a family (I loved having Luke around a few extra days rather than having him at work!).  We spent Christmas Eve at my parents and the kids were awesome there!  It was a special Christmas there since my Grandma is still living with my parents so she joined in on all of the fun.  Christmas morning was the first morning EVER that my boys slept in!  Brendan slept until 7:45am and Jackson until 8:15am...on the one day that I wanted them up early so we could open presents before church.  The boys ended up opening their stockings in the van on the way to church and then when we got home we opened the presents.  Later that day the Hansen's came to our house for Christmas.  I have to say, it was really nice not having to get out with the kids and pack all their stuff up.  And we certainly are lucky to have cousins so close in age on both sides of the family - it makes for a lot of chaos but the kids love it!