Thursday, June 29, 2006

Bye Bye, Joe Joe


My baby is off – We said goodbye this morning to Scott’s parents and brother, and they took little Joe with them to KC. We will visit in a few days, but it still feels so weird. Mixed emotions – I’m on a little vacation just having the twins (Ha!), but I also really miss him! (It’s only been 4 hours…) They called from the road, and I got to hear Joe on the phone for the first time (I’ve always been the one on the end with him) He was precious, telling me about eating pancakes and listening to the Wiggles CD (poor David having to put up with that!) Then, he ended with “I luff you, bye bye!” It melted my heart!

Lately, he’s been learning by leaps and bounds. His vocabulary just exploded and he is talking more coherently and in sentences (kind of) Some of my favorites: His breakfast request, “No oatmeal, mommy, I want Ice cream” and when he is getting in trouble and is told to go to time out, (picture the saddest little face with big tears coming down) “Big Hug, mommy?” That’s a tough one to say no to.

When we first come into his room in the morning, the greeting has been, “Hi, mommy, hi!” since before the twins were born. The other day, it changed to a hearty, “Good morning!” The other cute thing he did recently was to start hiding. I saw him get into the coat closet and pull the door behind him. After a few seconds, I asked out loud, “where is Joseph?” All I hear is this little giggle in the closet right before he pops his head out and says “Ka-boo!” He just couldn’t help himself – he was so tickled that he was going to surprise us.

Thursday, June 22, 2006

Houseguests


In the big-boy bathtub for the first time.


Any suggestions for a caption on this picture?

Doug (right) and Lenny came to visit! We were so happy to have our long-time friends here for a few days. We met Scott for lunch today at the Friday's inside Miller Park. Joe thought it was fun - especially since he got to sit on a hi-top table chair.

Sunday, June 18, 2006

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day out there to all of our fathers, grandfathers, great-grandfathers and godfathers! That would be Scott, Marvin, Ken, Norbert, Carrol, Elvin, Jeff, Brian and Chris. We love you all and are so blessed to have you in our lives!

Saturday, June 17, 2006

Making it through

We’re approaching mobility. I noticed a day ago that Luke had “made the bridge” – getting up on his hands and knees, which is the first step to crawling. Today he was rocking back and forth on his hands and knees. Any time now, he will be lunging forward and it’s all over for me. Back to baby gates, super-extra baby-proofed rooms (what the heck do I do with my lamps now?) and constant vacuuming and scanning for coins, etc on the floor. Joe is reasonably reliable now with those kinds of things, but I know I can’t watch all three at once. I’m just not that good of a mom. I’m not really sure that anyone is.


Speaking of mobility – Joe has a new toy! A neighbor boy grew out of his first little bike and offered it to Joe. It was such a generous gift! The little boy (he’s four) was over yesterday afternoon when I had to drag all of the kids inside (no small feat) for dinner. It was so cute how he reminded Joe, “You can’t leave the bike outside! You have to put it away!” What good parents he has! Now we know why the little bike was in such good shape.

Joe was so excited to see his first movie - "Cars". When you ask him what it was about, he will tell you: “Race Car!” We don’t think he followed the plot too well, but he got that down! He will also tell you that he had “pop (pause) kern,” which seems to be his new favorite treat. I know, I know, it’s a choking hazard, but at what point is he old enough for it? I about had a heart attack yesterday when I saw Patrick with a fist full of Joe’s popcorn. Previously, Joe has shared his carrots and his cucumber slices with the twins. The carrots just got licked, but the cucumber was a big hit. It must feel cool on the gums.


I hate to confess it, but I will. The first few (is 6 considered a few?) months of the twins life were not so good. The adjustment wasn’t pretty for any of us, most especially me. I don’t think I’ve ever made it on so little sleep, and there were lots of tears (not the babies’!) and more frustration and yelling that I will ever admit to. Poor Scott was putting in long hours at work every day in the midst of complete chaos in our home, day and night. I couldn’t have made it through without the wonderful ladies from church that came to help. Sometimes it was dinner or helping with laundry or clearing a path in my living room, but I think the thing that really helped get me through was seeing another adult during those long days. They were all so kind and caring. I was thinking about them all this week because I’m trying to get out thank you notes (quite a bit late, but those of you that got wedding gift thank yous from me know my track record!) Only one still comes and I think (I hope) she is about to work herself out of a job. I’m finally feeling in control again. I wish I had pictures of all these lovely ladies. We are so grateful for them.

Thursday, June 15, 2006

The great grandparents

Since Joe has recently added his great grandparents to his nightly prayer, I thought I would take the opportunity to post some of these wonderful pictures from when Joe was a baby. Pictured here is Scott's paternal grandmother, Rita. She's an old pro at babies. She had seven of her own!

This is Scott's maternal grandfather and Joseph's middle name namesake, Carrol. He's a fun-loving, active and social man, and we all admire him a lot.

The four generations of men! Clockwise from the bottom: Baby Joseph, Scott, Marvin and Norbert. We're very lucky to have so much extended family (on Scott's side) in Kansas City. It makes it so much easier to keep in touch and will probably be the gentle tug that brings us home eventually.

This is my dad's father, Elvin. He lives in southern Kansas now since my grandmother died a few months before Scott and I were engaged.

Another four generations. From left: Suzanne, Lois, baby Joseph and Judy. Lois lives in Texas near my mother's brother and his family.

Last Sunday, we enjoyed a trip to the park. I love the picture above because it shows the pure joy on Joe's little face. He LOVES going to the park and especially going down the slide.

Patrick loved rolling around in the grass. Something about it feels so good. Maybe it's the fresh air or how it is just a little tickly on the skin. Both of the boys were delighted to be out.



Joe just discovered the monkey bars. When we told him what they were, he immediately started making monkey noises (what he is doing in this picture - "hoo hoo hoo")

Monday, June 12, 2006

Trip to Deanna Rose


We went to Deanna Rose Farmstead in KC a few weeks ago. They have tons of farm animals, plants, flowers, a pond, petting areas, play structures… it’s wonderful for little kids. Joe is feeding a goat with his uncle (and godfather) Jeff while he was on leave from Iraq. We were glad to get to spend time with him.


They had a petting yard just for smaller kids filled with baby goats only. You could even buy little bottles of milk to feed them. At first, Joe loved the idea, but once one of the goats jumped up on him, he wasn’t so brave anymore. He kept saying over and over “Baby (pause) goats!” Very cute. Cousin Kolbe even got to feed them. Those goats were so annoying. One chewed my pocket while another chewed my shoelace. No wonder Joe was a little scared.

No comments, please, on Joe’s silly looking outfit. The place was crawling with little kids and it’s easy to lose one in the crowd. My sister clued me in on this one: dress them in stripes. Joe was so much easier to keep an eye on and the hat went with our patriotic theme in honor of Jeff’s visit.


Interesting. Can anyone tell me what' s wrong with this picture? Scott assured me that his socks were clean. Now they were wet, too. Yum, yum!

Patrick: "What? ... Is something the matter? Just enjoying some Sunday brunch with Dad!"


Luke: "Hey! Whatcha doin'?"

Joe got into the pita bread and had eaten half by the time I saw him. Maybe he thought it was a big cookie.

Some new phrases of Joe’s:

“No shower” after he accidentally pulled the shower lever while Scott was running his bath. The shower terrifies him for some reason, but he loves to point out when Scott or I have just taken a shower.

Joe and I were playing football and he said to me, “Pass!” and then, “Almost!” when he didn’t quite catch that pass

“Flowers hungry,” and handed me the spray bottle. Apparently, he also can tell that my indoor plants get neglected.

And my favorite this week: “Mmmmmm! Licious, Mommy!” after snarfing down a sloppy joe (we call them sloppy joe joe’s) Daddy confessed that he didn’t learn that phrase from him – he still prefers his own mother’s cooking to mine!

Sunday, June 11, 2006

Remembering Matty

I wanted to post this picture of our friend Pam. Pam’s son Matty was a good friend of ours who was killed in a car accident in September. Luke’s middle name is Matthew in honor of him. He was a wonderful person who touched many lives and we miss him very much. Pam came to visit us when we were home. She is also an amazing person. If you have a second, please take a look at this link about how she forgave the driver in the accident that killed Matty. http://www.nbc5.com/news/9150168/detail.html



Here’s a picture of Matty when he came to see us in Des Moines after Joe was born. You can also read a little about Matty from his own blog:
http://www.xanga.com/home.aspx?user=jpthe2nd
He wrote about us the last time we visited him at the seminary. Check out our picture on the April 16, 2005 post.



We went to the doctor yesterday for Joe’s 2 year check up. Before we went, we used the Sesame Street Doctor kit to explain to him some of the things that the doctor might do. Joe decided to practice on Patrick!
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The unfortunate part was that when we got to the appointment, Joe totally wigged out and wouldn’t even stand on the scale. In his defense, the last 5 or so times we’ve been to the doctor, it was for things like x-rays (he HATED being held down) and shots. He has some issues he will need to work through before our next visit. BTW – He’s in the 75%ile for weight and the 50%ile for height. He’s catching up!

Some funny new things Joe has said:

Joe put on my metal mixing bowl on his head, looked at me and said, “Silly hat!”

Joe took the phone and put it up to one of the babies’ ears and “helped” the baby to have a conversation “Hello, yeah, okay, bye!”

He also hollers “ka-BONK!” when a baby falls over.

Daddy has a special ring on mommy’s cell phone and Joe is starting to recognize it. He announces “It Daddy! Get it!” When it’s not Daddy’s special ring, just the regular one, he announces “Sannie! (my sister, Shannon) Get it!”

At the grocery store the other day with Scott, he introduced himself to anyone that would listen, and some that didn’t. “Hi! I name Joe Joe”

And of course, my favorite, “I Luff you”

Thursday, June 08, 2006

Photo Gallery

Reading together is so much fun!

I thought Joe was past this phase. Those baked beans get him every time!


Sychronized sleeping


This picture doesn't really do this situation justice. Luke is totally using Patrick's rear as his own personal pillow!


Joe at the playland - it's our Sunday treat!


My little Brewers fans! (Luke on the left)


Joe's glad summer is here. "No one told me about ice cream cones! Yum!!"


Tuesday, June 06, 2006

Vroom Vroom

Scott brought home this model motorcycle from work. Joe thought it was for him to ride!

Joe is talking up a storm. The things that come out of his mouth are so cute! Yesterday, Scott took Joseph to the park. They saw a little league practice going on at a field nearby and went to investigate. The coach was having a little batting practice and announcing each kid’s turn on the batting tee – “Jack’s turn,” “Liz’s turn” Joe looked up at Scott and announced, “Joe Joe’s turn!” We just had to buy Joe a batting tee.
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I had just given Joe a carrot to eat and he ran out of the room. When I caught up with him a few minutes later, he was standing at the closed door of his room (he can’t open doors yet, so he must have just shut it himself) I asked him where his carrot went, fearing that I might find it dropped down the laundry chute in a few days. He replied “Carrot go night night.” I opened his bedroom door to find that the carrot had indeed gone night night – he had tucked it into his bed!


Daddy reading to Luke.