Happy 5 months Gus!!

At five months, Gus has really started to show his personality. He continues to be the ever happy baby, flashing his megawatt smile at anyone who returns the gesture. He still watches Arjen's every move, but now I can see him almost starting to stand up for himself by holding on tighter to his toys when Arjen comes near. He loves playing in the exersaucer, even appearing to stand on his own at times. He's starting to sit unsupported for moments at a time, even reaching for toys while sitting. He's got a bit too much junk in the trunk to show any true signs of attempted crawling I think, but I have no doubt that the motivation of that brother will get him going soon enough! He seems to love the water also, kicking his legs like a wild man during bath time, and he even got to take a dip in the lake. The Gus is such a chill little dude, he makes having babies seem easy!

Summer in Elkhart, Part 3

Fun times at Cher Cher and Wayne's house!  Apparently, Arjen has decided to keep his Gma's and Gpa's straight by calling them all by name, rather than grandma or grandpa.  After our first week here, he finally figured out that Grandpa Wayne is not the same as Grandpa Dave (poor Wayne had to put up with being called Dave for a few days).  Arjen has been getting plenty of outdoor time for honing his ding ding skills, both foot powered and gas powered.  He's also beginning to speak more clearly, and starting to put together 2 and 3 word sentences.  And I'm already feeling like these videos are outdated, but they're only a week old! 

Yeah! woo-hoo! Number 1

Arjen knows too much about Ding Dings

A message to Dad and general conversation with Arjen; please pardon the yogurt face and eating while talking.

So, I had to add another strider video because I was so proud and impressed with my little guy!

Yeah! woo-hoo! Number Two

And I've saved the best for last.  In the past few days, I've noticed Gus starting to spontaneously laugh at Arjen.  It's one of the sweetest sounds I've heard!  Arjen doesn't even have to be trying to be funny either, Gus just finds him hilariously entertaining I guess.  So I managed to get a little on video.  Yeah, it's 2 minutes long, but I was just enjoying it too much to stop taping.  

My babies!

Summer in Elkhart, Part 2

Not sure that this post really deserves it's own "Part" as it's mostly just a collection of pictures from the past few weeks.  But they're pictures I wanted to share and pictures I want to remember!

Arjen sporting his new helmet

Adalin and Gus

Arjen found a new hiding spot

Our first, of what I hope will be many, walks to the lake.  As my timing gets better with the boys, between feeding and sleeping,  hopefully we'll work in a swim too!

Cousins having fun playing at Gma and Gpa's house.  Arjen has really gotten into playing with trucks lately, and there is no shortage around here!  He also really likes Gma's dollhouse.  This particular day he decided the tractor should be parked in the living room of the doll house.  The kid thinks outside the box!

Summer 2012 Maiden Voyage on the "toon boat" as Captain Arjen has been calling it.  Arjen is also sporting his first (and hopefully last!) black eye.  He fell over in one chair and hit his cheek on another.  :(

Gus didn't seem to mind the life jacket, unlike his brother who wasn't a big fan last summer

"spash!" (he can't quite get the 'l' in there just yet).  As Arjen's vocab is growing, he's enjoying giving commands, such as "spash mama!" or "spash dada!" 

Blowing bubbles!  It only took Arjen a couple of days getting used to the lake before becoming almost too confident and comfortable! 

Andrew and his mini-me heading to the beach

On Sundays, motor boats aren't allowed on the lake, so we load up the stroller with all the beach toys!  (and a Gus hiding in there too)

Gus has learned how to roll over now, and Arjen has learned that we clap and say "yay Gus Gus!" when he does so.  Once he's on his belly though, Gus is clearly mentally ready to move on to the next stage of crawling, although his body hasn't quite caught up.  Arjen likes to get down there with him for a little extra motivation.  

My little Prince...ess?

Gus having some quality time with his penguin beanie ball

Arjen insisted on holding Gus.  Thank you iphone for the self portrait feature so I could take this shot while holding both boys!

Arjen really is a lover.  He loves giving hugs and kisses, whether it's to family/friends, or just random kids he meets at the parks.

Not even 4 1/2 months old and he's sitting supported by himself! (At least long enough for me to snap a photo!)

Summer in Elkhart Lake, Part 1

Road trippin'

Road trppin'

               



Well, we survived a cross-country road trip with 2 kids and 2 dogs, and I have to say - it was way better than I would have ever expected or dreamed!  The first leg, with just me and the boys, went smoothly.  We left Davis for Reno on Thursday afternoon, to pick up Andrew at the Reno airport, figuring we could get a little headstart that way.  All went according to plan - I even was able to find a park near the airport where Arjen could run around a bit before Andrew's plane landed.  We could see planes coming and going, and with each one, I heard "dada!" as his little fingers pointed towards the sky.  Clearly, he understands the concept of how Andrew commutes to work.

Once we had Andrew with us, we took off to get as far across Nevada as we could.  We slept just outside Elko, Nevada the first night, made it thru Utah and across Wyoming on our first full day of driving, in time to have dinner in Cheyenne. For the past 3 years that we've been driving from CA to WI, Cherie has told us of Sanford's, a good place to stop and eat if you're ever in Cheyenne.  This time, we actually were there during business hours!

A church parking lot somewhere in Wyoming

Night 2 was spent at a rest stop in North Platte, Nebraska.  I had told Andrew that I wanted to stay in hotels if we were going to drive with kids, but they both were sound asleep in their carseats when we decided it was time to pull over.  The though of waking them up just to go sleep in a hotel, plus shuffling dogs, ourselves, etc, etc, well, we decided night 2 would be spent in the truck as well.  With a couple of camping mats in the back of the Excursion, it made for decent enough sleep.  Something woke us both early though, and off we went before sunrise.  Amazingly enough, both boys continued to sleep.  I was dumbfounded.  And thrilled!

By dusk on day 3 (which was really only full day 2) of driving, we arrived in Elkhart Lake.  I'm still shocked at how quick and easy the drive was.  I was glad we made it by Saturday, because it gave us a day to spend with Andrew here, before he had to turn around and fly back to LA.

Now, a week + later, Andrew is back, and on vacation for the week.  So far, we've seen the Elkhart fireworks (early, last Friday), "helped" Arden and Tracy move into their new home on Lake Winnebago, and watched the annual July 4th parade in Elkhart.  We've also picked up a few new toys along the way, namely, a pair of jetski's.

I wish I could say the lake house was ours.  Even if we can't have the house, I guess having a few toys to share at Arden and Tracy's new house is better than nothing!  The crew moved into their new home this past weekend, and has been gracious enough to let the rest of us crash the party all day while they're just scratching the surface on settling in.  Arjen is loving the time spent playing with his cousins, and "Aden" is probably the best, most clear name, that I've heard him speak to date.  This kid will be speaking by end of summer - I'm taking bets!

Here are a few pics however, from our first day playing at what I'm sure will be a place of many memories yet to be made...

Arjen has found his new idol...Aden.  Aden has been very kind and patient with this little kid who wants to do everything he does!

Gus enjoys a rest break with Gma and Gpa on the lakefront lawn

Looking back at the house from the lake

Gus getting a geography lesson from Adalin

A Milestone made!  Gus rolled over from back to front, all by himself!!

Happy 4th!

Aden and Adalin decorated their bikes for their new hood's July 4th parad down Sandy Beach Road.  We started early with the parade, then the rest of the day was spent playing and visiting with family! Thanks for hosting, Tracy and Arden!!

Aden on his decorated bike

Adalin with her bike

The parade...neighborhood kids

Andrew and Arjen on the "ding ding

2nd cousins Gus (4 mos) and Kinley (10 mos) meeting each other for the first time

Aden giving Arjen a ride on the John Deere tractor