Hertsje

She's got the whole world in her hands.

Broeder and Big Baby

For most of the day he plays with Lego, trucks, and Winnie the Pooh figures.

But then he will find Big Baby in a corner, and it is well known, nobody puts Big Baby in a corner.

There are many smaller babies available to him, but he chooses Big Baby every time.

He loves to give Big Baby kisses too.  And poke at Big Baby's eyes.

Yup.  It's love.

Big Boy Broeder

Wow.  This one is SOMETHING!

Broeder started walking in earnest the week before his first birthday.  Not just a few steps here and there, but REAL walking.  He thinks he is SO cool.  So do I.

Yesterday I had to chase him down as he ran off holding his sister's dirty diaper over his head, as he did so I could hear him say "no no no no no no no".

He also said "popsicle".  I was passing them out to the other kids and noticed him coming up behind me with his hand outstretched, saying it VERY clearly.

And today while Hertsje and I were playing with some Lion King toys he said "Mufasa".

But the cutest of all is the way he calls for his sister. The way he says her name sounds just like how his daddy calls her.

Happy Broeder

Only a few more weeks until Broeder is one.

The "baby" is rapidly disappearing from him.

This one has A LOT of things to say.

Yesterday when he woke up from his nap Kado and Feintsje went in to see him.  He stood up in his crib, looked at them, gave a HUGE smile, and said as plain as day "ILOVEYOU!"

Of course Kado and Fientsje were thrilled, but I almost fell over.  They grow up SO fast!

Those Eyes. Those Blue Blue Eyes!

Today this sweet little face peeked out from around a corner and said, "BOO!"

Broeder is 10 months old already.
He can say Beppe very clearly!  I LOVE it.
He can also walk around the furniture and lets go like he thinks he can walk.  He's been doing this for quite some time.  My hope is that he rethinks it and spends a bit more time crawling.

Lately his favorite pass time is taking the Lego blocks out of the box, and then putting them back into the box.  He does this with GREAT seriousness.

Cold Spring

Nine Months!

 Broeder is a sweetheart!

Ol' Blue Eyes

Broeder is REALLY getting around these days.

Today he had an ear infection and a cough.  But he didn't let a little thing like that stop him.

He can get where he wants to go now, and when he gets there he pulls himself up on whatever is available.

I still have a cough.  I like to sit still and have other people bring me things.

Broeder

Broeder has an expression just like his daddy in this picture.  Such a sweet baby, this one.

It Happened on Wednesday

 Kado is a fun little boy.  When he was over on Wednesday he was talking to me from the other side of this gate.
He knows how to open and close it, but when I am cooking I require that the kids are either seated at the kitchen table or in another room.  To me we all remain safer that way.
But you do know how the best laid plans go...

Poor Kado got his cute little boy leg stuck between two of the rungs on the gate.  And he could not pull it out.

I had two pots boiling on the stove, a two year old napping in another room, and a ringing phone.

To get his leg out I would have to turn his leg sideways, but to do so without knocking him over I would have to get to the other side of the gate.  This meant that I had to open the gate with his leg still in it.  While he hopped backwards on one foot he said "Am I going to have to stay like this forever?" At the time I thought that might be the case.

 But just as THGGM was giving me advice (he was the call, not realizing what he was interrupting) Kado wiggled himself free, simply by turning his leg the same way it had gone in in the first place.

 Once he was free I had him sit down so we could get a closer look at his injury.

There wasn't one.

Even so, it was a traumatic ordeal for Kado.

After assuring him he was fine and would continue to be fine and having him prove it to both of us by having him hop up and down, jump around, and spin, he suddenly stopped, looked at the cabinet in front of him and said in the most pathetic voice I have ever heard, "I HATE THE WAY THOSE GUYS ARE LOOKING AT ME!"
 What "guys", I wondered?"

Oh, THOSE GUYS!

 Nothing like having the Precious Moments Nativity set staring at you while you live through the scariest ordeal of your life.

The Twelve Days of Christmas, by Jonge

This video is from December 23rd, the day of our Annual Teddy Bear Christmas Tea.  We sang Christmas songs.  Jonge had plans for his three siblings to "do the hand motions" while he did the singing, but as is usually the case, they had other ideas.  Although I do believe that if it hadn't been for the abundance of tea cakes it may have turned out as planned.  I shall have to remember that for next year.

Christmas Is Coming

Today Hertsje and Broeder came to my house for a few hours.  Hertsje is feeling much better, but was more tired than usual.  While she napped, I had an hour to cuddle with Broeder.  Broeder is a VERY cuddly baby and is truly a bundle of joy.  Although if one is not careful, he will grab your glasses.  And if you remove your glasses he is happy to attempt to pull off your nose or bottom lip.
I cannot think of anything that says "Christmas" to me more than snuggling up with a baby.

Poor Hertsje

It's THAT time of year.

Daughter's children have all been battling coughs.

Feintsje came with medicine yesterday.

Hertsje has really never been sick much in her 22 months of life.

But she was awakened from her nap yesterday feeling miserable.

She has been diagnosed with an ear infection.

It is so sad to seen her feeling poorly.

Kado especially loved on her and rubbed her hot hot back while she snuggled up to him.

When he got home he asked his family to pray for Hertsje because she was sick.

Some times I wonder if I am thankful enough for the wonders of antibiotics.  And the grace of God.

Four Months Old

This is Broeder with his uncle.  I cannot believe that he is four months old already.  But then there is his uncle, and I cannot believe that he is 32 years old already.
Today he had a great time rolling around on the floor putting his foot in his mouth.  Broeder did that.  I'm not sure what his uncle did today, but probably not that.

Broeder and the ABC's

Broeder is quite the talker.  His favorite thing is to listen to the ABC's while trying to join in.  Usually, I sing this to him while signing the letters.  I've spared you from my singing.  Today I do not have any grandkids here with me until Famke comes for HER sleep-over after school tonight.  Our plan is to make cards together!  I am SOO excited about this.  I'm spending today trying to recover from a nasty cough that can only be from allergies.  We need a HARD frost around here, and soon.

Broeder and Jack

Broeder is adorable!

Two months just seems so young to have as much personality and expression as he already has.

Oh, yes.  I am smitten.  Smitten again!

 He woke up from his nap this morning all bright eyed and ready to chat.

So chat we did!

Broeder is the sixth grandchild to enjoy staring at this doll's cute little face.

I call him Jack.  I purchased him at a thrift store before I even had any grandchildren.  He just looked like good people.

Six kids approved.

Although apparently Jack has been known to say rather astonishing things.

One Week In

Here is little Broeder, at one week.  He is just the sweetest baby boy!  We are all massively in love with him.  And he makes that VERY easy to do.  His personality is very calm and laid back.  He is allowing his mommy to get some good sleep!  Hertsje is at that wonderful age where it is fun to be a helper.  And she says his name so very sweetly!
Oh, yes.  I am having the time of my life.

He's Here!

Born June 28 at 12:19 in the afternoon.
Eight pounds, four ounces, twenty inches.

He has a precious name, but on my blog he shall be known as Broeder.  This means brother, and is the name my mom's dad went by when he was a little boy.

Such a cutie!

How Fast They Grow Up

 I think it was Feintjse's most recent hair-cut, but suddenly he just does not look like a toddler any more, but like a big boy!

A very handsome big boy!

One who loves to do puzzles, but doesn't appreciate my camera flash.