Welcome Grant!

Welcome Grant Thomas! After an early arrival (by a month) Grant is here and doing well. He was born January 30,2009 and weighed 7 lbs 2oz. Caden continues to be a proud brother and "helps" when ever there is an opportunity. :) We continue to feel extremely blessed!

It's a ...............

If you haven't heard yet we would like to announce that we are having another BOY in February. :o) We are super excited for a brother for Caden and the opportunity to watch Caden help out in the big brother role. The ultrasound came back great despite our little scare and we were told that "Peanut" is a 100% healthy and active. We are very relieved and grateful for that.

Curt was in for the ultrasound yet left for the gender news. I thought it would be fun to tell him when it was just he and I and in a creative and unique way. (Surprise, Surprise right?) With his birthday around the corner I thought I would take him on a scavenger hunt leading him around Holland and land us downtown Grand Rapids for a romantic dinner. The evening was full of laughter, hints, games, good food and exciting planning talk. During our evening we discussed re-doing the guest room and making it Caden's 'big boy' bedroom full with his own twin bed and Detroit Lions theme. (Peanut will use the nursery that Caden is in now which I am also excited about. We talked about keeping Caden in the room he is in now yet I was not ready to get rid of all the bedding, rug, mobile etc.) We are looking to begin Caden's room in October. SO EXCITED!

Here are some pictures of Peanut and I hope to have more at the end of next month to share as well. Stay tuned! :o) Much love to you all!
Em, Curt, Caden and Peanut

One, Two, Three... Four

It is true! We are expecting! So far I am feeling well... yet a bit more tired and nauseous in comparison to when I was pregnant with Caden. I have already found out that the second time around means getting the belly sooner... which has me a bit worried. :o) We are super excited and look forward to meeting the baby in February. Keep us in your prayers as we begin the transition into a family of four.

Back from Florida!

We are back from our very relaxing and enjoyable time in Florida. We made it our mission as a family to only have one responsibility which was "to hold the sand down" while we were there. So in addition to sun bathing, reading and eatting way to much; we also did a bit of sight seeing. It was loads of fun to see Caden experience the ocean, pool, putt putt, and Downtown Disney. I really don't think he could have smiled any bigger than what he did that week. :o)

I'VE LOST YOU!

So because of computer difficulties I have lost the links to all my dear bloggers... Worse, I don't know how to find them. If you know or would share your link that would be great.

Bubble Boy

So Caden had his first major mishap yesterday... Yes, I surveyed the scene prior to turning my back and have to say I thought it was indeed a safe environment.... HA - (notice my last words)

Caden fell and hit himself on the living room coffee table. When I ran to him and picked him up I noticed immediately that his mouth, lip and chin was covered with blood. As I was dedicated to be strong for him I fought with my own emotions... (-Can't lie on that one.) Who knew that all my scrapes and bruises caused my parents to hold their breath or even fear the worst.... (Which is probably a good thing, because I probably would have milked them. LOL)

We feared that Caden bit threw his lip but THANKFULLY he avoided that and just has a NASTY wound to deal with. Yes, he looks like Silvester Stallone in "Rocky" (like me when I was in kindergarten) but he is healing and doing great. I never knew when my parents said, "This will hurt us more than it will you" that they were speaking the truth... Does anyone have bubble wrap to donate to my son...LOL...

Hello all- Well after trying to stay afloat of the hectic schedules of the past months, I finally feel that life is starting to calm down a bit. YEAH! Our family has been busy with work (no brainer), seeing family and friends as well as planning an event to honor and remember Ian who died this past fall. In midst of honoring him we also took that oportunity to talk about depression. The day was wonderful and good for the soul. It was good to be among all who loved Ian and grieve together.

I continue to love my 'part-time' schedule. I find that it is a good balance of work, and family. Sure, I have flirted with the idea of being a full time stay at home mom, yet at this time I can't imagine saying good-bye to the students or not have the interactions I have with them and other staff. So at this time, as I look at next year I think that I will try to have a similiar schedule. Afterall, if it isn't broken why fix it? :o)

We are looking forward to Spring Break as we are heading with my side of the family to Florida. We are flying there and have rented a condo for the week. The condo is located right on the water and not only will the ocean be our backyard for the week, we will also have access to the condo pool. We are all excited to go with nothing planned. Our only agenda is to hold the sand down, read good books and have a great time doing it! (Insert many naps in there as well. :o) We thought about doing the Disney thing yet didn't want to fight crowds or feel rushed etc. We also thought that the best time to do this is when Caden and sibs are a little older to really appreciate it. To ease him into the Disney theme we have talked about going to Downtown Disney which is a small "town" of fun shops and Disney characters walking around. This way he can enjoy the town, be amazed by the magic without being completely overwhelmed.

In April, Caden turns 2. As weird as it is to think that two years have gone by already we look forward to celebrating with the family. He is completely in love with cars and trucks. Some of his favorites are the characters in Cars, the movie. I envision a cars themed gathering which would be a mini heaven for our little guy. :o)

Curt and I have begun having the descussion about having another child. I am very excited about the thought, yet nervous as well. Part of me is nervous how Caden would react or feel, even though I know he would make a FANTASTIC big brother. Another little part of me is worried because Caden was such an easy going baby... and I fear that the odds of having another easy baby is unlikely. :o) (Yes, I know I am stupid.) The last part of me is totally ready and excited about creating another awesome gift. I do love being a mom!

Now that I have totally rambled everywhere and have probably lulled you asleep I am signing off. Until the next post!