My how time flys. Sam is 6 months old already. He finally mastered rolling from back to belly about a week ago - he really hasn't been in any hurry. To be fair to him, he really doesn't get a lot of practice time either, since being on the floor isn't the safest place with 2 big brothers around.
He loves to sit in his exersaucer and jumper. He's reaching for everything and anything these days and of course it all goes in his mouth. No teeth yet - seems like they should be coming soon but as far as I can tell there's no sign of them! He's started on food and it loving it - he's still pretty messy but that's what being a baby is all about.
He graduated from the baby tub into the bath seat as well. Today when he and Ben were in the tub together he was really getting into it. Splashing with both hands and getting water everywhere.
He's become a little chunk, just like his brothers were. Funny thing is that everyone thinks he so chubby but I'm pretty sure he is the slenderist of them all - don't get me wrong, he's not slender! He is in the 75 percentile for all little under Ben's 100+.
Of couse he LOVES his brothers. He gets caught in the crossfire ever now and then but I figure he's recording all of it in that little brain of his, planning his attack. Both Ben and Jake love to talk to him - Ben still likes to get after him sometimes but Jake adores him. They chat about stuff every day.
We are anxiously awaiting the arrival of Spring. Last weekend we finally got the Christmas lights off of the house and Sam got to bundle up and come along outside. It will be so nice once we can all be outside together. The big boys thought is was so cool that even Sam was coming out.
That's all for now - we all truly cherish our surprise bundle of joy.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
The going ons with Ben
Oh Mr. Ben. He's our bully, our charmer, our helper and our challenge. He's 2 - guess that fits perfect.
His charm comes out often. He loves to help and is usually very willing to do small tasks for me. It is a good way for him to stay busy and to feel part of what is going on. He is so good at pretend play, this is new for us because Jake didn't do much of it. Ben loves to 'cook' things for me, bring me 'things', and often is imitating something that he's seen or heard lately. It is fun for us.
Talking. Ben has lots to say, all the time. He's in the stage where you have to talk back to him otherwise he'll just keep after you. Always asking WHY and investigating something. Grandpa Ken just commented today that if he stays this interested in learning things, school will be great fro him (might drive a teacher or two crazy along the way!).
Ben loves his brothers, especially Jake. He wants to be just like Jake. He's constantly talking about how 'big' he is, and HATES being called anything 'little' these days. I like to call him Little B, but that isn't going over very well these days. He copies Jake's actions and words constantly. Usually Big Brother Jake is a good sport but occasionally it drives him nuts. Jake and Ben play great together outside, the fighting, hitting and screaming are much less than in the house. It isn't just Ben looking for Jake to play outside, often Jake wants Ben to play too. Our yard is always full of miscellaneous 4wheelers, trikes, bikes, loaders, drump trucks and shovels - please be careful if you are to ever stop by! Every night after daycare Ben heads outside, makes for a late supper but it sure is fun.
Ben has finally become very interested in listening to books. I've been waiting! He just didn't have the patience for it before now. When Grandpa Ken comes over - Ben will sit on his lap and read book after book. It is nice to have some quiet down time with him because his normal is constant motion.
We've been working on counting and colors. He doesn't have either down pat but he can count from 1-3 and often 4 - 10. The transition from 3-4 gives him trouble. It is usually 1 2 3 2 1. Then if you say 4, he can go to 10.
Well Ben's up from his nap - off to the next thing!
His charm comes out often. He loves to help and is usually very willing to do small tasks for me. It is a good way for him to stay busy and to feel part of what is going on. He is so good at pretend play, this is new for us because Jake didn't do much of it. Ben loves to 'cook' things for me, bring me 'things', and often is imitating something that he's seen or heard lately. It is fun for us.
Talking. Ben has lots to say, all the time. He's in the stage where you have to talk back to him otherwise he'll just keep after you. Always asking WHY and investigating something. Grandpa Ken just commented today that if he stays this interested in learning things, school will be great fro him (might drive a teacher or two crazy along the way!).
Ben loves his brothers, especially Jake. He wants to be just like Jake. He's constantly talking about how 'big' he is, and HATES being called anything 'little' these days. I like to call him Little B, but that isn't going over very well these days. He copies Jake's actions and words constantly. Usually Big Brother Jake is a good sport but occasionally it drives him nuts. Jake and Ben play great together outside, the fighting, hitting and screaming are much less than in the house. It isn't just Ben looking for Jake to play outside, often Jake wants Ben to play too. Our yard is always full of miscellaneous 4wheelers, trikes, bikes, loaders, drump trucks and shovels - please be careful if you are to ever stop by! Every night after daycare Ben heads outside, makes for a late supper but it sure is fun.
Ben has finally become very interested in listening to books. I've been waiting! He just didn't have the patience for it before now. When Grandpa Ken comes over - Ben will sit on his lap and read book after book. It is nice to have some quiet down time with him because his normal is constant motion.
We've been working on counting and colors. He doesn't have either down pat but he can count from 1-3 and often 4 - 10. The transition from 3-4 gives him trouble. It is usually 1 2 3 2 1. Then if you say 4, he can go to 10.
Well Ben's up from his nap - off to the next thing!
Update on Jake
Jake is growing up fast and seems to be enjoying every part of it. We had his conferences (for pre-school!) a while back and everything was great! He's made us very very proud this year. For a boy who didn't want anything to do with school, he's been awesome at it. He has learned to write his name and is working very hard on his last name. He's interested in writing almost anything now, he recognizes numbers and many letters and overall just loves school.
He also participated in kindergarten roundup - that also went really well. He was pretty excited about it but still isn't real sure about going to school EVERY day. I keep telling him that by the time fall rolls around he'll be older and more ready. He reminds me on every ride to school that school is better than daycare (though daycare has been going well for him too) and I assure him it should be since he's getting older and more ready for school.
He's still great friends with Eli. He's actually at the Budde's house right now visiting for the afternoon. They hit it off from the first days of school and it seems to be a great friendship. I can only hope that they can share an awesome friendship throughout school, just as I was lucky enough to do with some of my kindergarten and 1st grade friends.
Jake is really enjoying Sam. He loves to sit and talk to him and make Sam happy. It gets a little tricky with Ben around, because it becomes a competition and then I need to put an end to it. I've been trying to make sure that Jake and Sam have their time together - he's 'in charge' of Sam while I take a shower.
As the days are getting longer and the weather more and more beautiful, Jake and Ben have been spending more time outside. They are really becoming good friends for the most part. Ben is still a little aggressive sometimes but Jake is really being a big brother and trying his best to be patient and play with him. On the good days it is so fun to watch them, they could play for hours together. The yard is getting more and more muddy, so now they have the best of both worlds, a huge snow pile to play on and dig in and a muddy yard to stomp around in.
Grandpa Melvin bought a new fishhouse this winter and Jake has been able to spend quite a bit of time in it. He had one pretty special night - it was Jake, Curt, Grandpa Ken and Grandpa Melvin all fishing together. On the last night of fishing (March 1) Jake had his best night. Curt said he was rolling them in all by himself and was doing great at it. His cousin didn't think it was as fun since he wasn't catching as many!
Lastly there is the Wii. Wow - Jake is hooked. He's always enjoyed it but since Grandma Linda gave us Super Mario, it is all Jake can think about when he is in the house. He's gotten really good at it but it drives me a little crazy because I hear, "Mom, can we play Wii now?" all day long!
It has been a joy watching Jake grow up and enjoy learning so many things. He's been great about meeting new friends and it's been fun for me too since so many of them are my friends' kiddos. I can't believe it is almost spring - soon he'll be off to kindergarten - getting really 'smart'.
He also participated in kindergarten roundup - that also went really well. He was pretty excited about it but still isn't real sure about going to school EVERY day. I keep telling him that by the time fall rolls around he'll be older and more ready. He reminds me on every ride to school that school is better than daycare (though daycare has been going well for him too) and I assure him it should be since he's getting older and more ready for school.
He's still great friends with Eli. He's actually at the Budde's house right now visiting for the afternoon. They hit it off from the first days of school and it seems to be a great friendship. I can only hope that they can share an awesome friendship throughout school, just as I was lucky enough to do with some of my kindergarten and 1st grade friends.
Jake is really enjoying Sam. He loves to sit and talk to him and make Sam happy. It gets a little tricky with Ben around, because it becomes a competition and then I need to put an end to it. I've been trying to make sure that Jake and Sam have their time together - he's 'in charge' of Sam while I take a shower.
As the days are getting longer and the weather more and more beautiful, Jake and Ben have been spending more time outside. They are really becoming good friends for the most part. Ben is still a little aggressive sometimes but Jake is really being a big brother and trying his best to be patient and play with him. On the good days it is so fun to watch them, they could play for hours together. The yard is getting more and more muddy, so now they have the best of both worlds, a huge snow pile to play on and dig in and a muddy yard to stomp around in.
Grandpa Melvin bought a new fishhouse this winter and Jake has been able to spend quite a bit of time in it. He had one pretty special night - it was Jake, Curt, Grandpa Ken and Grandpa Melvin all fishing together. On the last night of fishing (March 1) Jake had his best night. Curt said he was rolling them in all by himself and was doing great at it. His cousin didn't think it was as fun since he wasn't catching as many!
Lastly there is the Wii. Wow - Jake is hooked. He's always enjoyed it but since Grandma Linda gave us Super Mario, it is all Jake can think about when he is in the house. He's gotten really good at it but it drives me a little crazy because I hear, "Mom, can we play Wii now?" all day long!
It has been a joy watching Jake grow up and enjoy learning so many things. He's been great about meeting new friends and it's been fun for me too since so many of them are my friends' kiddos. I can't believe it is almost spring - soon he'll be off to kindergarten - getting really 'smart'.
Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe
Here is the latest one I tried. They are good - chewy if you like them that way. I would suggest smaller cookies and error on the side of under-baking - they bake a lot on the pan while cooling. I didn't make them into actual dough balls - that might have made a difference, next time I will!
Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookies
From: America's Test Kitchen
Avoid using a nonstick skillet to brown the butter; the dark color of the nonstick coating makes it difficult to gauge when the butter is browned. Use fresh, moist brown sugar instead of hardened brown sugar, which will make the cookies dry. This recipe works with light brown sugar, but the cookies will be less full-flavored.
Makes 16 (extremely large) cookies.
1 3/4 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
14 Tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 cup sugar
3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 large egg
1 large egg yolk
1 1/4 cups semisweet chocolate chips or chunks
3/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
1. Adjust oven rack to middle positions. Heat to 375. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper. Whisk flour and baking soda together in medium bowl. Set aside.
2. Heat 10 tablespoons butter in 10 inch skillet over medium-high heat until melted, about 2 minutes. Continue cooking, swirling pan constantly until butter is dark golden brown and has nutty aroma, 1 to 3 minutes. Remove skillet from heat and transfer browned butter to large bowl. Stir remaining 4 tablespoons butter into hot butter until completely melted.
3. Add both sugars, salt, and vanilla to bowl with butter and whisk until fully incorporated. Add egg and yolk and whisk until mixture is smooth with no sugar lumps remaining, about 30 seconds. Let mixture stand 3 minutes, then whisk for 30 seconds. Repeat process of resting and whisking 2 more times until mixture is thick, smooth and shiny. Using rubber spatula or wooden spoon, stir in flour mixture until just combined, about 1 minute. Stir in chocolate chips and nuts.
4. Divide dough into 16 portions, each about 3 tablespoons. Arrange 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets, 8 dough balls per sheet.
5. Bake cookies 1 tray at a time until cookies are golden brown and still puffy, and edges have begun to set but centers are still soft, 10 to 14 minutes, rotating baking sheet halfway through baking. Transfer baking sheet to wire rack; cool cookies completely before serving.
Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookies
From: America's Test Kitchen
Avoid using a nonstick skillet to brown the butter; the dark color of the nonstick coating makes it difficult to gauge when the butter is browned. Use fresh, moist brown sugar instead of hardened brown sugar, which will make the cookies dry. This recipe works with light brown sugar, but the cookies will be less full-flavored.
Makes 16 (extremely large) cookies.
1 3/4 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
14 Tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 cup sugar
3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 large egg
1 large egg yolk
1 1/4 cups semisweet chocolate chips or chunks
3/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
1. Adjust oven rack to middle positions. Heat to 375. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper. Whisk flour and baking soda together in medium bowl. Set aside.
2. Heat 10 tablespoons butter in 10 inch skillet over medium-high heat until melted, about 2 minutes. Continue cooking, swirling pan constantly until butter is dark golden brown and has nutty aroma, 1 to 3 minutes. Remove skillet from heat and transfer browned butter to large bowl. Stir remaining 4 tablespoons butter into hot butter until completely melted.
3. Add both sugars, salt, and vanilla to bowl with butter and whisk until fully incorporated. Add egg and yolk and whisk until mixture is smooth with no sugar lumps remaining, about 30 seconds. Let mixture stand 3 minutes, then whisk for 30 seconds. Repeat process of resting and whisking 2 more times until mixture is thick, smooth and shiny. Using rubber spatula or wooden spoon, stir in flour mixture until just combined, about 1 minute. Stir in chocolate chips and nuts.
4. Divide dough into 16 portions, each about 3 tablespoons. Arrange 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets, 8 dough balls per sheet.
5. Bake cookies 1 tray at a time until cookies are golden brown and still puffy, and edges have begun to set but centers are still soft, 10 to 14 minutes, rotating baking sheet halfway through baking. Transfer baking sheet to wire rack; cool cookies completely before serving.
Monday, January 18, 2010
As January zooms by...
We often say “Benner Benner Benners” when we are messing around with Ben. Now he’s using it back to us. I should try to catch it on video, it’s pretty cute. “Mama Mama Mama”. He does it for everyone but the cutest is definitely “Sammer Sammer Sammers.”
Ben is growing up fast and still wants to be just like Jake. Drives me a little crazy (or A LOT). Jake and Ben get into one anothers hair often. Jake is always trying to be Ben’s boss, Ben is constantly trying to do whatever Jake is doing, when Ben is doing his own thing then Jake is too snoopy to stay away. Needless to say – makes me nuts. Oh don’t get me wrong they do love each other so. If Ben asks for something he always makes sure to get one for Jake (though Jake does not return this favor), when Ben is in trouble Jake is there trying to make things better. I can only imagine how things will be in 2 years when all three of them can get into it together!
Ben is our little movie watcher. For a loooonnnnngggg time we had to watch Bolt every day, multiple times. He finally got a little tired of that movie and now we are watching Up. It totally amazes me that a child can watch the same thing over and over and not tire of it. I know the parts of both movies simply by hearing the background music. We have managed to get him to watch Racing Stripes a few times. I'm hoping this interest changes soon. I don't mind watching movies with him but it would be great if we could at least rotate between 5 or 10 of them!
Sam is cute as ever. He’s ‘talking’ so much now and can really let you know when you forget to stop by and chat a while. He loves to watch his brothers and loves it even more when they talk to him. His sleep pattern could use some work but I think it is his belly most of the time waking him up. I’ll chalk it up to this phase of life and hope for better sleep in the years to come. He can reach out and grab things now and is always looking for something to chew on.
Jake is enjoying school and is getting excited about the kindergarten talk that is going around. On February 5th they get to spend the morning with the kindergarten class. It is amazing how much he’s learned since starting school. Before school started he wasn’t interested in numbers, letters and certainly not writing. That has all changed now and it is so much fun to watch him master new things. He’s always loved to learn new things and constantly needs to know the ins and outs of everything but school learning is a new interest (and a relief to me!). The other thing that Jake has been doing a lot of these days is singing. He is constantly talking and if he isn't talking now he's singing. I kind of enjoy it because it doesn't require me to answer him (gives me a short break). The only thing is that his songs of choice are Rudolph and Jingle Bells. I'm hoping that they learn a few new ones in school.
Other than the everyday stress of trying to get things done, trying to get to work on time, trying to figure out how to have my boys play rather than fight and trying to get everyone to sleep, things are great around here. I must say we are very blessed with 3 great kids. I need to slow down and enjoy everyday a bit more – it scares me that they are growing up so fast.
So, about that time issue, I still haven’t posted anything about Christmas. I do plan to get to that one of these days…
Sam relaxing in Jake's recliner.
Jake made this by himself from one of the toys that Ben got for Christmas.
SO, I guess Santa didn't bring enough toys. The boys just got this new skid steer and they love it. Daycare got one and it seemed like a better idea to have one at home. Ebay really is a great thing.
Ben is growing up fast and still wants to be just like Jake. Drives me a little crazy (or A LOT). Jake and Ben get into one anothers hair often. Jake is always trying to be Ben’s boss, Ben is constantly trying to do whatever Jake is doing, when Ben is doing his own thing then Jake is too snoopy to stay away. Needless to say – makes me nuts. Oh don’t get me wrong they do love each other so. If Ben asks for something he always makes sure to get one for Jake (though Jake does not return this favor), when Ben is in trouble Jake is there trying to make things better. I can only imagine how things will be in 2 years when all three of them can get into it together!
Ben is our little movie watcher. For a loooonnnnngggg time we had to watch Bolt every day, multiple times. He finally got a little tired of that movie and now we are watching Up. It totally amazes me that a child can watch the same thing over and over and not tire of it. I know the parts of both movies simply by hearing the background music. We have managed to get him to watch Racing Stripes a few times. I'm hoping this interest changes soon. I don't mind watching movies with him but it would be great if we could at least rotate between 5 or 10 of them!
Sam is cute as ever. He’s ‘talking’ so much now and can really let you know when you forget to stop by and chat a while. He loves to watch his brothers and loves it even more when they talk to him. His sleep pattern could use some work but I think it is his belly most of the time waking him up. I’ll chalk it up to this phase of life and hope for better sleep in the years to come. He can reach out and grab things now and is always looking for something to chew on.
Jake is enjoying school and is getting excited about the kindergarten talk that is going around. On February 5th they get to spend the morning with the kindergarten class. It is amazing how much he’s learned since starting school. Before school started he wasn’t interested in numbers, letters and certainly not writing. That has all changed now and it is so much fun to watch him master new things. He’s always loved to learn new things and constantly needs to know the ins and outs of everything but school learning is a new interest (and a relief to me!). The other thing that Jake has been doing a lot of these days is singing. He is constantly talking and if he isn't talking now he's singing. I kind of enjoy it because it doesn't require me to answer him (gives me a short break). The only thing is that his songs of choice are Rudolph and Jingle Bells. I'm hoping that they learn a few new ones in school.
Other than the everyday stress of trying to get things done, trying to get to work on time, trying to figure out how to have my boys play rather than fight and trying to get everyone to sleep, things are great around here. I must say we are very blessed with 3 great kids. I need to slow down and enjoy everyday a bit more – it scares me that they are growing up so fast.
So, about that time issue, I still haven’t posted anything about Christmas. I do plan to get to that one of these days…
Sam relaxing in Jake's recliner.
Jake made this by himself from one of the toys that Ben got for Christmas.
SO, I guess Santa didn't bring enough toys. The boys just got this new skid steer and they love it. Daycare got one and it seemed like a better idea to have one at home. Ebay really is a great thing.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Robot 24
We really don't know where it came from but when Jake plays robot, he always calls himself "Robot 24." Here's a few pictures of the boys being robots - the Christmas presents were awesome but the boxes were definately a huge hit. I doubt I'll ever be allowed to throw them away!
Happy 5th Birthday Jake!
Our first born has turned 5. I can hardly believe it. Somedays it seems like he should still be a baby and other days he acts like he's 15. I already hear things like, "I don't want to get up, I'm too tired." Boy can't wait until the teenage years.
We haven't had an offical birthday celebration but we did have a small one at home. Since his birthday is so close to Christmas (and I'm still trying to dig out of that mess) we decided to hold off a bit. We had birthday cake and Jake's choice of meal to celebrate.
Grandma and Grandpa Feldewerd stopped by for cake and a visit. He scored with a rocker recliner just for him. It really is just for him because a matching one arrived for Ben as well. Sometimes it is just easier having two - a mama can only take so much. You'll see from the pictures what happens in a house full of boys and recliners.
This is a bit out of order, our Thanksgiving and Christmas updates will follow at a later date.
We haven't had an offical birthday celebration but we did have a small one at home. Since his birthday is so close to Christmas (and I'm still trying to dig out of that mess) we decided to hold off a bit. We had birthday cake and Jake's choice of meal to celebrate.
Grandma and Grandpa Feldewerd stopped by for cake and a visit. He scored with a rocker recliner just for him. It really is just for him because a matching one arrived for Ben as well. Sometimes it is just easier having two - a mama can only take so much. You'll see from the pictures what happens in a house full of boys and recliners.
This is a bit out of order, our Thanksgiving and Christmas updates will follow at a later date.
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