Matt, Christen, Derek & Rylie: April 2012

Saturday, April 28, 2012

Zoo Trip
We went to the zoo on Matt's birthday with Uncle Patrick and Auntie Katie. Derek always LOVES going to the zoo and he enjoyed showing everyone his favorite animals. We are so thankful that we have a zoo pass!

Checking out the lion ("roar" as D calls it)

Rhino watching

Monkey village!!

Rylie slept the whole time we were there!

First Swim of the Season
Its only April, but we've had a few 100 degree days and our pool has warmed up quite nicely. Matt and Derek went in for the first time since last summer. Derek LOVED being in the pool. It was so different than taking him in last year (when he was just 1 year old). We can't wait to use our pool more this season.

LOVE his expression in this photo! Pure joy!

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Scooter Fun
We gave Derek a scooter for Easter and its been a huge hit. He loves to scoot around our house (he can make a circle through the kitchen, playroom and living room). Here are some pictures from Derek's first adventure with it outside. He is a natural!!

He had so much fun that this is how we had to get him to come back to the car!

Grammy and baby Rylie came along too!

Spring Family Pictures

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

A Special Thanks
We are so thankful for the family and friends that were able to help us as we welcomed Rylie into the world. We were also so blessed that Matt was given 6 weeks of paternity leave. It was SO WONDERFUL to have him at home for this special time in the life of our family. We all LOVED having him home and are grateful for his job.

Perspective
Its amazing what a little perspective will do for you. A couple of weeks ago Matt went to New Orleans for a conference, which left me alone with the kids for 4 days. This was my first time alone with both kids for an extended period of time! At first it seemed overwhelming and I was not sure I could do it, but God gave me just enough strength to survive and even feel successful at taking care of the kids alone. Before Matt's trip we had had family & friends in town helping us out. Taking care of both Derek and Rylie seemed challenging even with an extra pair of hands. But sometimes its just better to jump in and get wet! After this experience, it seems EASY to take care of 2 kids with Matt's help (well some days). I have the utmost respect for single parents. I am SO BLESSED to have a husband/father who is COMPLETELY involved in our family! Thanks Matt. I LOVE partnering with you in life!

Visit from Abby
It was so fun to hang out with my college roomie and her boys. Crazy to think that 15 years ago we were attending Calvin College and now we both have 2 kids. At times during the play date it seemed like a regular 3 ring circus...both Rylie and Foss were crying and the older boys were jumping off the couch and doing other crazy boy things. Derek had so much fun playing with Jones. I am so glad that we've stayed in touch all these years and now we can share this next stage of life together. Next time Abby comes to visit we decided that we're going to leave the kiddos at home and have a girl's night out!! Sounds good to me!!

Derek and Jones deciding which construction vehicle each boy would hold for the picture.

(Don't you just love Derek's beads!!)

Rylie (6 weeks) and Foss (2 months)

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Rylie!
I LOVE this first photo of Rylie. It shows off her bright blue eyes. We continue to fall more and more in love with our sweet girl every day!!

Derek!
Tonight after dinner I was playing around with a new lens and couldn't help but take a million pictures of Derek! Love his facial expressions in these pictures.

Saturday, April 14, 2012

Bath Time Cuteness
LOVE Rylie's cheeks and blue eyes!!

Derek 22 Month Update
Derek is our happy, sweet, thoughtful boy, who gives spontaneous hugs!! We LOVE you Derek and you bring us such joy. We are thankful God chose us to be your parents. Currently, his favorite books are I'm a Big Brother, Good Night Moon and Otis. His favorite TV shows are Bob the Builder ("Bob-oh") and Thomas the Train ("Ta-Ta"). I am so thankful for the long afternoon naps that Derek takes. He is pretty consistent with taking a 3 hour nap. This has been a life saver as I am adjusting to life with 2 kids. Here are a few things I have noticed about him this month.

Derek LOVES his Padres hat! For 3 days in a row Derek wore his Padres hat all the time. He took naps with it on and went to bed with it on. We could only get him to take it off for a bath. It was pretty cute, but then we missed seeing his eyes!