Happy Birthday Teta

Wishing Teta Helen a very Happy Birthday today! On Sunday we had dinner at our home to celebrate the special occasion. Here's to many, many more! Thank you for all that you do for our family!

Helaina and one of her best buddies, Isabella

Zachary is following in his sister's footsteps. Most of the day you can hear him singing to himself or anyone who will listen. Our home is never quiet...but it's a beautiful thing!
Sorry about the pink rattles Zachary! Lots of hand-me-downs in our house.

4 month stats

Yesterday, Zach had his 4 month well visit with the pediatrician. Here are his stats:

Height: 27 inches (97th percentile)

Weight: 17 1/2 lbs. (93rd percentile)

Head Circumference: 16 1/2 (25th percentile) Who knew our big guy had such a little noggin?

He took his 2 shots and oral vaccine a bit better this time around. He was a little fussy in the afternoon, but is doing just fine today. Overall, he received a good report. The pediatrician is going to have us try the "regular" formula one more time. If he seems to have a reaction again, then she'd like us to try soy. It's very possible he has a cow's milk protein sensitivity that causes symptoms of colitis. Nothing to worry about, it's something he'll outgrow, but definitely an issue we need to manage for awhile longer. We'll see in the next few weeks how he fairs.

He's still a lover of tummy time. Since he has spent most of his life on his stomach, his head and shoulder muscles are stronger than most babies his age. He's almost getting up onto all fours already. It's quite possible we will have a crawler by 6 months of age. The fun is only beginning!

A huge thank you to Randy's parents for babysitting the kids last night while Randy and I enjoyed an evening out to celebrate our anniversary and the past 4 years of marriage. Randy and I couldn't have envisioned that in 4 short years, our life together could be so fulfilling. Here's to many, many more wonderful years together!

Wedding Bells

Yesterday, a very special friend phoned to share some wonderful news! She's been a bridesmaid many of times, thrown several wedding and baby showers for her friends, and more recently has been Auntie Megan, and now...it's finally our turn to celebrate for Megan! While on vacation in TN, Jon proposed to Megan during a hot air balloon ride. I can only imagine how beautiful that moment must have been. Congratulations and best wishes to the both of you!

Around the House

The summer is starting to wind down and it seems we've been around the house a bit more. It definitely takes some effort to gather the 2 kiddos and all their belongings and just get out the door. So, on most days, the kids and I keep ourselves busy at home. Since Zach has been born, we decided to cut back my work schedule to 2 days a week (and 1 Saturday a month). This is such a blessing to be able to spend more time at home and still be able to progress in my profession.

Helaina is almost 2 1/2, and she is basically a comedy routine. From the moment she wakes up (around 7 am) to the time she goes to bed (8pm) and with the exception of her nap (1pm -3pm), all this girl does is talk! She wakes up talking and falls asleep talking. Sometimes she talks/sings to herself in bed at night for over an hour. She has found great friends in the neighborhood. The kids don't go back to school until after Labor Day in Michigan, so around 9 am every morning, we can expect the door bell to ring. Helaina runs to find Randy or myself, changes out of her pajamas, puts on her flip-flops, and is out the door. Randy and I find ourselves laughing out loud at some of the things she's saying/doing these days. Here's just a few examples for your enjoyment:

I'm feeding Zach a bottle in the living room. Helaina tries to open the fire place doors.

Me: "Helaina, don't open those doors."

Helaina: "Why mom, because Santa Clause is going to come through?"

Randy and Helaina are in the car after a shopping trip.

Helaina: "Dad, can I have fruit snacks?"

Randy: " You have to wait till we get home and have dinner."

Helaina starts crying and says: "I'm having a meltdown."

Randy, as a joke with much sarcasm says, "You're not the boss of me Helaina."

Helaina: "Yes, I am the boss of you."

Randy: "How much do you love Daddy?"

Helaina: "Too much."

Helaina: "I went poo-poo Mommy. Can I have a sucker now?"

Me: "Yes, Helaina."

Helaina to her neighborhood friend, Bri, who is 8 years old: "Bri, do you want to go poo-poo now? Mommy will give you a sucker."

And then there is Zachary. Our sweet, lovable, little man is 4 months old. He has his 4 month well visit at the end of this week. We're very happy to report that he's been healthy for the last week! He's definitely more sensitive than his sister was at this age. He's still taking the hypoallergenic formula, still on Zantac, and still has the occasional vomit from his gag reflex. Besides all of his stomach issues, he's basically a happy and content baby. I usually have to wake him up around 7 am to start the day. He takes a morning nap around 9 and an afternoon nap around 1, both usually last around 2 hours. He still takes a short cap nap in the evening around 5. After a bath and bottle, it's bedtime with his sister at 8pm. If you haven't noticed, Randy and I big on the schedule and routine. We function much better when we can plan the activities for the day.

Trying out his jumper

Helaina trying to let her baby jump with Zachary

Sleeping on his stomach. From his back, he rolls over to his stomach, even when playing. He really dislikes laying on his back.

Watching Mommy cook

Rice cereal. Did not enjoy it as much as Helaina did the first time.

Vacation 2011

Since we are a family of four, vacations are not exactly what they used to be, and honestly, it's rather refreshing! Randy and I continue to take pleasure in the small things and more importantly, just being able to share experiences as a family. Our 2011 summer vacation was this past weekend at Soak City (Cedar Point) and Hotel Breakers. It's a beautiful place, right on the coast of Lake Erie, another Midwest treasure. Helaina's already had her fill of carnival rides, so we opted to try the water park. It was a hit! We spent all of Friday discovering the slides, play structures, wave pool, and Daddy even surprised us with our very own Cabana.

Saturday was a more relaxed day. We did a little sight seeing, swam in the pools, and spent the afternoon at the beach. Unfortunately, Zachary did not join us on our trip. He spent the weekend with Randy's parents, and we are so thankful for their help!

View from the hotel balcony

Daddy is good for lots of surprises on vacation! Cinnamon rolls in the morning!

Pool time

Daddy and his girl

Feeding the birds

Beach time

Snoopy at the hotel

Pretty girl on our evening walk

Daddy and his girl again on our evening walk

Finally a bit of good news regarding our little man. After another doctor visit, a chest x-ray, and antibiotics, Zachary seems to be on the mend. It appears he had viral/bacterial pneumonia. He has been such a trooper through the past couple weeks, and my heart is at ease again knowing that he is comfortable. His appetite is back...and it's in full force. After his 4 month check-up, I'm sure we'll be starting some rice cereal to keep him satisfied.

It has been a lovely weekend, and we are thankful for good health and good quality family time!

Katie's 30th Birthday

On Saturday, my parents watched Helaina and Zachary while I made the trip down to Indianapolis to celebrate a special occasion. One of my very best friends, Katie, turns 30 this week! We celebrated her birthday with a surprise, "Red High Heel" party. From the moment the 4 (Katie, Megan, Erin, and myself) of us girls met in the dorm on our first day of college, we've been planning each others' 30th birthday parties. Little did we know that this day would come so quickly, but none the less, the evening was a success. Our family is blessed to know this lovely lady and even more blessed to call her our friend! Happy 30th Birthday Katie!
We love you Katie Bug!

Randy, Kim, Helaina & Zachary

Why God Made Friends

God made the world with a heart full of love,
Then He looked down from Heaven above,

And saw that we all need a helping hand,
Someone to share with, who'll understand.

He made special people to see us through
The glad times and the sad times, too;

A person on whom we can always depend,
Someone we can call a friend.

God made friends so we'll carry a part
Of His perfect love in all our hearts.

The birthday girl and her surprise present of the evening, Red High Heels!

All the ladies in attendance

The best of friends

Katie and her husband, Ryan

Lake Freeman

On Wednesday, we were able to visit with some more special friends. Jon and his family were in town from Maryland, and Helaina had a swim play date with Grace. Jon and Erin are expecting their second child in December. Grace and Helaina spent the afternoon jumping off the side of the pool, going down the slide, discovering the sandbox, and sharing snacks.

After several experiences in the pool this summer, Helaina has learned to swim underwater. She only travels a few feet, but it's official, she's a swimmer!

Helaina and Grace exchanging goodbye kisses!

Yesterday we traveled down to Monticello to visit my parents' place on Lake Freeman. Since last summer, Helaina has had a profound interest in "Grandpa's boat", and this trip proved to be no different. We have quite the water lover on our hands!

Helaina found a bed of rocks and climbed up and down the side several times. After she reached the top, she would say, "Yay! We did it!" I believe that's one of Dora's favorite phrases that she's now repeating.

Tubing with mommy for the first time! She did great. She just kept repeating, "Grandpa's not gonna go too fast?"

Helaina in her life jacket. Thankfully, she didn't give us a hard time about wearing it.

Taking a break from the boat to play in the water.

Grandpa's little helper.

We had a great day. The weather was perfect and Helaina really enjoyed all the lake had to offer. Unfortunately, we had to leave my mom and Zach behind. He continues to struggle with a cold/virus. In the last few days, the congestion has moved to his chest and now he has a bad cough. We took him to the doctor here in town, and the doctor confirmed it's only a virus and because he's so young, there is nothing we can do for him. The poor guy has had a miserable week! We just keep praying that he starts to feel better soon.

Beach

Still in Valpo, still having fun! Zachary has been battling a cold, which has made it difficult for him to sleep well. I'm hoping all that drainage clears up so we can have a better rested little boy! Helaina, however, is having a great time!

Brother and sister

We went to the beach yesterday afternoon. It was HOT! You had to be in the water to stay cool, so that's where we played!

Lindsey, Helaina, and Alexis

Since Zachary has seemed uncomfortable while sleeping due to his cold, I thought I'd move him out of his pack-n-play and see if he liked the crib better, especially since he sleeps so well in his crib at home. Helaina has never slept in a regular bed, not once, not even for a few hours, so I was hesitant to ask her to give up her crib for the night and try a big girl bed. I told her Zachary wasn't feeling well and needed to use her crib. She said, "Ok mom." She's such a trooper and really amazes me sometimes. She fell fast asleep and stayed there till morning when I came to get her. I asked her if she liked her big girl bed and she replied, "Yes, it's really warm!"

Helaina and Aiden

Our good friend, Katie, and her son, Aiden, drove up from Danville to spend a few hours with us. Aiden is turning 2 at the end of this month and the last time we saw him was at Helaina's birthday party back in March. A lot has happened since then! Aiden is such a handsome, gentle boy. Helaina and Aiden played together very well...swinging, sliding into the pool, and reading books together. It's was so fun to actually see them interact together instead of just playing around each other. A huge thank you to Katie and Aiden for making the trip to Valpo!

I'm looking forward to seeing the entire Archer family in just a few days, when I travel down to Indy to celebrate Katie's 30th birthday with all of our close friends!

Summer Days in Valpo

Each day in Valpo has been a new adventure for the kids.

Friday was fair day. Zachary stayed at home with his Great-Grandma Walter and my dad. It was hot! Helaina did well though. She rode rides, visited the farm animals, and enjoyed some tasty treats.

We've had pool time at the Snook's house. Helaina and Zachary visited with many family and friends that took the time to come by to see the kids.

Auntie MaKayla was here for the weekend, and Helaina thoroughly enjoyed her attention. Nate, MaKayla, Vicki, the girls, and I had fun Saturday evening at the Demolition Derby while the kids stayed home with my parents.

MaKayla painted her toes and fingers.

Having fun with Grandma on the new swing set. We spend most of our time outside.

Grandpa and Helaina in the kiddie pool. Who can hold their breath longer?

While we're here playing, Randy has been hard at work at home...removing trees, pouring concrete, washing the bricks, and putting in new carpet in our family room. We can't wait to see our beautiful home when we return in a few days. We love and miss you daddy!