Pumpkin Party

Last night Taylor attended a pumpkin party at Gymboree. They did cool things like play with halloween flashlights in the dark and under the huge parachute, decorated pumpkins, sang songs, and played in the haunted playzone. Grandma and Grandpa Schepemaker came along too as mommy and daddy had to leave early for small group.

Yesterday morning Joanna and her twins and Erin and her two girls came over for a playdate. We tried to play outside but it's still pretty warm. We had a great time though. I'm so thankful for the friendships I've made while working at CCV.

A couple of really cute things happpened this morning.... On the way to drop Landon off at Grandma's house, Taylor was making Landon laugh really loud. I was just cherishing their squeals of delight. Something I always dreamed of was to being driving and look back to see my children laughing and loving each other. I know Taylor and Landon will grow up to be best of friends.

Another thing that happened is Taylor has a pair of size 7 shoes that she loves and calls them her pretty shoes. She started wearing them yesterday (even though they are a tad too big) and won't let me put any other shoes on her feet. Well this morning when she woke up, she walked down the stairs with her favorite new shoes on and her blanket in tow. I thought surely we didn't put her to sleep with the shoes on. So I called Hank to double check. Well it appears that as soon as Taylor got up, she went to her shoe closet, found the shoes, put them on, and then decided to start the day!

Doctor's Orders

So Taylor and Landon had a doctor's appointment this afternoon. I was dreading it since I knew both kids were getting shots. Taylor lucked out with one shot, while Landon was once again tortured with four shots. So Taylor went first. I thought once she saw Landon crying in pain that we would have to physically restrain her to get the shot administered. Fortunately enough, daddy sat next to her and hugged her tight. The medical assistant was so quick, Taylor didn't really know what happened. She cried for maybe four seconds and then started laughing.

Kind of an odd response. But I guess after the pain she faced with the scorpion bite, she knows the difference between major pain and a quick needle poke. I was relieved to see her in good spirits. She was rewarded with a lollipop and stickers before leaving the doctors office.

Landon, on the other hand, had a totally different response. Poor kid cried almost the whole way home on and off and then was cranky for the rest of the night. If I had four shots, I would be cranky too! Hank tried to console our little man after the shots, but he wanted mommy and that just melted my heart even more.

As always, I had my laundry list of questions for the pediatrician. He always looks at Hank and I and says, "Relax! You guys are doing a great job. I can tell. Don't overthink every little thing." So we were reminded to chill out and remain confident that we are raising happy, healthy children. Here's a quick video clip of Taylor playing with Landon while he is in an exersaucer that my neighbor friend loaned me. Thanks Bonnie!

Friends

OK -- so here's the deal. I just read a post from my neighbor friend Kristin about friends and writing down the qualities you appreciate in those whom you choose to have in your inner circle. It kind of goes along with the sermon we heard today at church where Pastor Don mentioned that we should pick our friends wisely...pick the friends who will tell you what you need to hear and not what you want to hear. And that can be very hard at times.

So here's my list...

1) STEPHANIE
Steph just has that sense of humor that I adore. She is a great mom -- very gentle with her kids -- and loves the Lord. I know she'll say it like it is and encourage me at any moment she can.

2) KRYSTAL
Although Krystal will probably never read this post, she is one of my "sweeter things in life" type of friend. She brings out the joy and laughter in everything. Just being in her presence makes you feel good. She definitely has a positive impact on those around her.

3) ANGIE
Angie is probably my most loyal friend. I know that I can call her for anything, especially parenting and/or medical advice. Angie has been blessed with "smarts" and has an incredible memory. Angie is also a terrific example of a Godly mom and I so look up to her.

4) MINDY
Mindy is the little sister who I never had. She's also one of my most loyal friends and has put up with me since high school. Mindy has a servant's heart and does things to perfection. She is someone who I can go without speaking to for a week or two and when we talk again, it's like we never lost touch.

5) JOANNA
Joanna and I have known each other for five years, but our friendship has totally grown as we both went on a hard journey of life without kids especially when we really wanted them. We try to spend time together as much as possible since our kids are only two weeks apart. Joanna reminds me of a steady, smooth sailing ship and brings some peace to my life.

6) ROBIN
Robin is my soul sister. We share a very deep bond, and I couldn't have gotten through some of my most painful moments without her. She is real and funny and sympathetic. She is so loving to my children. Taylor is always asking for "Bobo" (Robin's nickname). Robin lives a practical life and models Christlikeness to me and all of the youth who she mentors.

(OK, now it's your turn if you want to participate. It's a fun way to honor some friendships.)

Boo at the Zoo

Boo at the Zoo

Well, I'm still sick with a cold and have pretty much been trapped in the house all week with the kiddos. So I didn't want to back out of "Boo at the Zoo" with my parents today. Taylor and I both woke up on the wrong side of the bed. She was cranky and very sensitive, and I thought my head was going to explode with a migraine. Not to let anyone down, we still went to the zoo. Taylor was decked out in her lion costume and Landon in his monkey costume. After an hour, it was so hot we had to take off the costumes.

Oma and Grandpa, who Taylor sometimes calls Opa, met us at the zoo. Oma was so excited to see the kids and they seemed equally as happy to see her. We walked around for a couple of hours and took the kids inside the petting zoo section. This is the place to be for little kids. It's a great way for them to interact with the animals. At one point, Taylor bent down and tried to give the goat a hug. And before we left, grandpa took Taylor on a carousel ride.

Once we got home, all four of us crashed for a good nap. Now we are just kind of lazy and tired. This week the kiddos will have several opportunities to wear their costumes. It's going to be a busy week so I better rest up....

Landon is still so precious. He has a death grip like no other. When he is holding you, he grabs on for dear life and pinches the heck out of you. This week he had a little battle wound from scratching himself with his nails that I have to trim weekly.

Taylor is speaking more and more. I notice she speaks way more when around Hank and I. Sometimes if I put her on the spot and ask her to say a word for someone, she'll get all shy. She's been saying some neat things like "a for apple" or "heavy momma" as she carries in a bag of groceries. She's still saying "very pretty" often. She saw my moms gold bracelet today at lunch and she thought that was "very pretty" too. What can I say, she has good taste!

Taylor always refers to herself as "baby" and that is only because I call her my baby. So when she sees other toddlers, she calls them babies too. Anyway, tonight when she went around the dinner table naming mommy, daddy, baby brother, she finally called herself Taylor. It's so cute the way she says her own name. I could go on and on, but I will end it here :-)