Look-A-Likes?

When Avery was born, I did not think that she looked all that much like her brother, but as she grows, I see more similarities. I've just been dying to do this with their pictures since Avery was born so I can see what everyone else thinks! The first and last pictures are of Luke and the middle two are of Avery (Her cheeks hadn't fully popped in her towel picture!).

Life with two kids is worlds different than life with one, as I am sure many of you can attest to. The biggest challenge is finding the time to balance my time (as I sit and waste time instead of cooking dinner)! BUT, it is a blessing beyond belief that God has chosen us to take care of these two precious children!

Luke is two months away from his third birthday; all grown up. He has been potty trained since last August and lately is very insistent upon doing all potty-related things by himself. Truthfully, he wants to do ALL things by himself! I am amazed at how much he is learning to do. Luke comes to a bible study with me each week and goes to his own 'Little Lambs' class. His teachers tell me how he likes to put his hands in his pockets when they sing, and how he doesn't really sing but they can tell he likes the songs. Guess what he does when we get home? He sings! He is learning to love Jesus and we are praying that Jesus will fill his sweet heart soon! Luke loves to talk to us about everything. We have a hard time getting him to eat his dinner because he has so much to tell us. He says the most random things sometimes, but it is obvious that he has been pouring over what to say for a long time. Oh, how he takes after his Daddy in his contemplation! Some of my favorite sayings lately have been, 'Mommy, I didn't want to wear this shirt this morning and I was whining, but I'm better now.' And, in response to me telling him something, 'Ohh, I'm gotcha.' And, as we were walking out the door the other day, 'Let's go Princesses!' Luke is an adoring big brother and he does (so far) treat Avery like a little princess. He talks to her and loves to make her smile. He is a wonderful helper if I need to get something for her. He's even volunteered to change her diaper, that is until he saw the mess that was in it:)

Avery Renae, at three and a half months old, has more than stolen our hearts and filled us with even more joy! She has a temperament very similar to her brother's; she is easy going and easy to please. The first thing she shows off in the morning is her precious smile! Nights are typical for a growing baby, I think. She goes to bed at about 8, gets up once a night to eat, and goes back to bed until about 8. Her days are spent swinging (eating), laying on a blanket while we play with her (eating), sitting up in her Bumbo seat (eating), napping (eating), practicing her tummy time (eating). Avery has figured out how to bat at her toys and get her little fists in her mouth. She loves to talk with us, and lately loves to hear the sound of herself squealing in a very high-pitched voice (cute during the day, not so cute in the middle of the night). She is enamored with her big brother and is really starting to notice and watch everything he is doing.

We are so thankful for our two sweet miracles!

I'm Back...

So much has happened in our lives in the last 10 months and I am sad that I haven't been able to keep up with my blog posting. I have, however, been able to thoroughly enjoy the changes that have taken place in our growing family. Luke is changing and growing up so quickly right before our eyes, and our sweet daughter Avery has added even more joy to our home! More to come soon!

Happy 2nd Birthday Luke!

Our sweet boy has turned TWO! It is hard to believe that we met Luke for the first time only two short years ago. I can picture being in the hospital room with Mike, watching the doctor hand Luke, wailing and wrapped in a hospital blanket, to us for the first time. We were parents, holding the most precious child both of us had ever seen. We still thank God for the miracle of our first son, Luke Michael!

Luke is full of life, full of smiles, full of words, full of fun:) He loves to read books, play with Mommy and Daddy, ride tractors, and play ball (doesn't matter what kind). He is quite particular about certain things. He likes to make sure his blocks are stacked straight when he's building a tower. He always helps me vacuum. He helps pick up the toys in his room each night, his animals have to be lined up in just the right order.

Lately, his favorite sayings are, "Oh yeah, did," in response to a question (sometimes he sings it), "Mommy come too," he still likes to be with me, "Luke have it now," we're working on that one!

I could brag for hours! Each day brings new learning experiences and new joys. Happy Birthday Luke Michael! We love you!

Decorating Easter Eggs

Our fun-loving boy decorated Easter eggs for the first time a couple days ago. He thought it was very exciting dropping eggs from dish to colored dish! You'll hear from the video that he is in the 'parrot' stage of talking:) He does say plenty of things on his own, but is bound to repeat everything we say also. We smile about him every day with the new things he's learning. Happy Easter! We serve a Risen Savior!

Wilken Drive

We are blessed beyond belief to be moved into our new house! A week ago, yesterday, we rented a moving truck to move all our things from the apartment and the storage unit into our new house on Wilken Drive. Despite the snow on moving day, things went really well. Several wonderful friends and family members came to help us. Most of the moving was done before lunch time.

The house itself is wonderful. Mike and I keep saying we feel spoiled to be living here, especially after living in a tiny apartment for the past four months. Luke loves the fact that we get to play outside all the time! There are three bedrooms upstairs, a living room, dining room, and kitchen with an eat-in area. The basement is finished, minus trim around the windows, and carpeting. We are making changes to the bathroom down there, as well as a few other things, before we finish it off.

We are looking forward to the warmer weather to be able to tackle some projects outside the house as well.

Luke has made the transition to his big boy bed since the first night of being in the house. Mike turned his crib into a toddler bed by removing the front rail and adding a small toddler rail. Luke thinks it is the greatest thing on earth to be sleeping under a John Deere blanket, doggy in hand, while wearing his Elmo pajamas! He is such a good boy and always sits in bed and waits for us to come get him when he wakes up (even with the temptation of books and toys close by). What a sweetheart!

Crafting:)

Inspired by my quilting teacher, Sara Pastryk:), I decided to make a new bed set for Luke's room at our new house. We will be moving in this weekend and with the move, we are switching Luke to his big boy bed. He is VERY excited about having a John Deere blanket on his bed and curtains on his window! I am excited to see how they look in his room...I'll post more pics then!

Snow is Melting!

We have been LOVING the recent sunshine over the last few days. Luke's favorite thing to do is shovel snow. It's not very effective, note his tiny shovel, but he still thinks it's great! He constantly says, "Mommy, vovel no?" (translation, Mommy, shovel snow?). The hat picture was taken as he was attempting to put his own shoes on, shovel in hand, to go outside to shovel. We're glad he loves to be outside!