Day with Friends

Today was more of a birthday celebration for Alan than yesterday was because we had the opportunity to see our best friends from seminary, Nathan, [a pregnant] Johanna :), and their son William. We met basically in the middle of nowhere Ohio halfway between their home in Cincinnati and our home in Michigan. Although our original plan of spending the day swimming and soaking up the sun didn’t exactly happen, we ended up having a delightful little picnic at Blufton Village Park in Blufton, OH. The kids ran around (Adeline licked a trash can – sheesh!!), Alan and Nathan caught up and partook in their usual intellectual conversations, and Johanna and I chatted pregnancy and other such feminine things :).

We then went to a little mall we found nearby. Adeline pushed William around in his stroller. And we ended the day with a little dinner at Wendy’s and parted ways promising to get together again soon.

Although they live in another state, 4 hours really isn’t all that much travel time and we are grateful to be living in the same general area of the country as some of our dearest friends. It was a wonderful day and a fun time to catch up with friends. Can’t wait to do it again soon! :)

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Happy Birthday, Alan!

Today wasn’t entirely eventful for a birthday. We had a church picnic with some visiting missionaries today and then spent most of the afternoon napping :). Although we didn’t do much, I think Alan enjoyed just some time to rest.

Wasps!

The only reason I’m including this little story in the blog is because of how cute Adeline was and how well she handled the situation.

We were just sitting around spending some time as a family when we noticed a very, and I mean very large wasp hovering around. I was already holding Evelyn and took Adeline’s hand and whisked us all down the hallway to Adeline’s room where we camped out while Alan took care of things. We played with Adeline’s toys as I explained to her that it was very important we stay in her room. When we got the all clear we returned to the family room.

Moments later we discovered wasp #2 (another very large wasp – we later learned there are holes in our screen – need to call the landlord!), so I whisked the kids back down the hallway to Adeline’s room. Alan needed some help with this wasp so I had to come out and help him. I told Adeline (who is now adept at turning knobs and opening doors all by herself) that it was very important she stayed there with Evelyn (I had strapped Evelyn onto the changing table where she was perfectly content – could have left her there all day!). Adeline repeated to me “It’s very important” and I closed the door on them and went out to help with the wasp. Of course Adeline came running down the hallway moments later with Doug in her arms. I expressed to her again that it was “very important” she go back to her room while Mommie and Daddy take care of the “big bug”. She ran back down the hallway and I heard the door shut. Moments later, the scene repeated itself. Adeline appeared. I told her it’s “very important” she stay in her room while we take care of the “big bug”. Adeline replied “it’s very important... big bug,” and repeated it several times. She ran down the hallway into her room and shut the door behind her again. I’m pretty sure this happened about 3 or 4 times before she finally stayed back there “taking care” of Doug and Evelyn.

In the end Alan and I got the wasp and closed the windows. That afternoon we went and bought some hornet spray and Alan took care of the nests outside once and for all (well, for the next 4 weeks anyway). For the next few days when Adeline woke up each morning she would recount to me the events of the day: “Very important... big bug... Daddy, Mommie, big bug... Adeline’s room... very important.” So cute. I love that kid.

Two-year Check-up

Today wasn’t quite as fun as yesterday... Adeline had her 2-year checkup at the doctor. I had her really excited to go in the morning: “I see doctor!” But I think I’ve mentioned before that her first experience in that office was not good (we don’t see that particular doctor any more) so once she sees the cart with the scale on it she flips out. (It is kind of silly to me – and frustrating – that the nurse insisted on weighing her there and laying her out on the table to measure her. This child is more than capable of standing still on a normal scale and having her height measured while standing.) After the agonizing attempt to get her to lie down on the table to be measured I finally told the nurse that she needed to do it standing up. So down the hall we went (with a nurse who was unreasonably rather frustrated at my request). In the end we learned Adeline weighs 26 lbs 11 oz (42%), is 34.5” tall (69%) and has a 19” head (71%). I’m not totally certain of the accuracy of the head circumference, however. I don’t think the nurse took into account her big hair. (Can you tell I wasn’t too thrilled with this nurse? We had never had her before, and I think it was because we went to the office on a different day than usual. We don’t normally have all these issues... But we really like the pediatrician.)

Anyway, once the fiasco with the height and weight was over, Adeline did really well. The doctor was great with her and Adeline smiled and talked to her and told her all about tons of things – some we understood, some we didn’t :). She even let the doctor look in her ears – something she hates! No crying or screaming. It was good.

I asked the doctor about the “bottom issues” she’s been having and was reminded about how much we like this doctor and why we have chosen her. She carefully explained to me exactly what was going on physically in her body and what it takes to correct it and that it is not her fault. Basically for the next three months she has to be on Miralax. This changes the potty training plans slightly, but we may still give it a go again once we get back from California mid-August. She definitely continues to show interest.

Waiting our Turn

Alan is at the EPC G.A. this week (denominational conference, basically), so I took Evelyn along to Adeline’s appointment (which worked out better than I could have imagined and was really glad Alan and I had prayed for things to go smoothly). We left the doctor and ran a couple of errands to spend some time while we awaited Alan’s call that he was done for the day. We picked him up and came home and figured out a new way to sit on our tricycle... ;-)

Also today Adeline got her very first skinned knee(s!) while out walking with Daddy. It's like she's been officially inaugurated into childhood. :)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ADELINE!

Today was such a fun day. We started out with a play date with Adeline’s friends, Hannah and Ashlyn, over at Ashlyn’s house. We brought cupcakes to share and Adeline, over the course of the morning, got really good at saying “Happy Birthday!” I don’t think it took her long to realize the day was all about her :).

The Birthday Play Date

We got home in time for a snooze and woke up just in time for the party to begin!

Megan, Amy, Sophie and Abby arrived from San Antonio, TX and flew into Detroit today just so they could see Adeline on her birthday at the beginning of their vacation. Amma picked them up and they were here by about 3pm. I made some fruit salad and deviled eggs along with some punch so we had some things to snack on through the afternoon. (I went a little overboard and made fruit juice ice cubes in a little flower ice cube tray we got from Ikea last week. ;-) Amma was able to pick up the cake from Costco on their way here from the airport.

After some snacks the cousins helped Adeline open her gifts. She got lots of shirts (just what she needed!) among other things, and when Uncle Rob arrived a little bit later he brought the gift from him, Amma and Papa: a tricycle!! Boy does she love it, too! We gave her an easel with magnetic letters and numbers along with some crayons and pages to color on.

She had such a wonderful time and it was good to put her to bed that night with a kiss and one more “Happy Birthday.” What a special day for a special little two-year-old. Mommie still can’t believe her little Adeline is 2.

Lots-o-Shirts!

Easel!

Tricycle!

The Spread

Blowing Candles with Daddy

Adeline's Fingerprints in her Cake! :)

Sophie with Evelyn

Evelyn slept through most of the craziness

Amma and her 5 Granddaughters:
Amy, Adeline, Abby, Sophie and Evelyn

Sorry this is sideways... I haven't yet figured out how to rotate video. Anyone know??

CC: "How old are you Adeline?" "Two two old!"

Cooing

Today Evelyn cooed at me for the first time. We’re talking first official non-fussy noises. I was reminded how fun it is to watch your baby as she goes through her “firsts”. She has a precious little voice.

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father’s Day!

After church this morning we came home and everyone napped! It was great.

Then we took a walk to the park and Alan got this cute picture:

After the park we walked over to Wendy’s and enjoyed our Father’s Day family meal. [See post from June 19 :)]