Goodbye Smartphone

A few days ago, Cheryl gave up her prized Palm Pre (actually it was a pretty mediocre phone, but could access the internet and take pretty good photos and videos).  In an effort to save some money, we dumped the data plan and therefore had to dump the nicer phone.  Cheryl is now using my old phone sans keyboard for texting.  So if it takes her awhile to respond to messages, you’ll know why.  Anyway, we pulled all the pictures of the phone and I posted a few of them below.  It gives a little glimpse of our lives beginning back in September of 2010…(click on the thumbnails to see a larger image)

Amos, circa September of ’10.

We fondly remember the “bald days” back in September of 2010.

December 3, 2010, already literate and yet not quite a year old.

New Years Eve 2010. No idea where we were. Wait, I think we went to Pasadena to look at floats.

Josie and Uncle Ben during Cheryl and J’s trip to the midwest last March.

Josie at Grandma V’kamp’s last March.

Josie was grumpy in the car last April 6.

Josie doing her best Grandpa Wiers socks/sandals look. From last June.

Josie and Cousin Ben last August.

This must’ve been taken before we knew Norv Turner would be back to coach.

From a few weeks ago. Josie playing peek-a-boo through the glass at Claim Jumpers.

From last week. Cheryl took the kids to a free tour of Bass Pro Shops with a group of other moms with young kids.

Evan’s middle name is actually Matthew, but at this point, most people who know me have come to associate the name Matthew with Handsome, so it kind of works.

 

2 Months in 2 Minutes

More trains…

We also ventured down to Perris on a whim and checked out the Orange Empire Railway Museum.  It seemed to be owned and operated by a guy who loves trains and pours his heart and soul into the museum , but money always stands in the way preventing it from being really well done.  But, it was free and pretty interesting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After church on Sunday, we took a couple nice pictures with Josie and Evan.

 

 

 

Trains!!!

(I’m trying a new layout, the last one was frustrating me to no end.)

We ventured out a couple times while my parents were out.  Trains were the theme of the week evidently.  First we went to the Nixon Library in Yorba Linda.  They were having a special train exhibit for the holidays.  The LEGO table was unbelievable.

We brought our own lunches...which got us impeached from their little cafe. Of course, it was beautiful outs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Josie was enthralled.

Christmas…three weeks late

I knew I hadn’t updated the blog in a while, but now I see that it’s been nearly a month!  Sorry Grandmas.  I didn’t even post anything on Christmas.  So first up, a few Christmas pictures:

Josie was in charge of unbreakable ornaments and the lower boughs of the tree.

The kids.

Evan got some Calvin gear from his cousin Emily.

Evan was pumped to get Sophie the magical miracle giraffe.

Josie loved making cookies with her new little baking set.

Josie now has multiple babies. This doll has an African American twin which J picked out while shopping with Grandma V.

Grandpa shared his artistic skills on Josie's new "Erase".

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We were all very spoiled.  Josie and Evan with an abundance of gifts.  Cheryl and I were blessed, not only with gifts, but also having Grandpa and Grandma W. around to give Josie and Evan all the love and attention they could ever want.

Josie Turns Two

We can hardly believe that Josie is two years old, my how time flies!  She is absolutely the apple of my eye and she brings us laughter and joy on a daily basis.  We love you so much, Josie!

Here are a couple videos of birthday celebrations for J.  The first took place a couple weeks ago when Cheryl’s mom was out from Michigan and our niece Megan came for an evening from Azusa.

The second contains highlights from her birthday, when my parents were out, and we were joined by some friends as well.

Thanks to everyone for being a part of Josie’s (and our lives)!

 

 

Evan’s First Home Bath

My apologies for  not posting more often – I can already here Evan complaining about the lack of coverage compared to Josie’s first weeks of life. I’m going to do my best to post more often, take more pictures, and record more videos…mostly for the sake of the grandmas.

So here’s a little highlight film of Evan’s first bath…

11/18/11

Things on my mind on Friday: #1 – finishing up parent teacher conferences, #2 – enjoying a great soccer match – Calvin vs. University of Redlands (my alma mater vs. one of my former students).  Along with the rest of the Calvin alumni in the area, I was pumped for the game.

As you probably know, God had other plans in mind.  Around 5:30, Josie and I prepared to head over to the Schenkels for a little pregame dinner party.  Cheryl called and said that we had a change of plans – she thought her water may have broken and was heading to the hospital to get checked out.  I assumed it was nothing, and told everyone at the party that Cheryl was just working late and would most likely be arriving soon.  At 6:00, Cheryl called again, “they’re admitting me,” and stressed I needed to get there within the hour. 

Thankgoodness for our awesome friend and sitter, Bev.  They picked up Josie after I scrambled to get a bag together for her and Cheryl, and I was off to the hospital.

At 7:52 PM…

6 lbs. 14.7 oz., 18 3/4 inches

Unfortunately, Evan was born with a nasty habit of “grunting” while he breathed.  The nurse didn’t particularly like this very much, so he ended up in the NICU.  His chest xray showed some “haziness” and so they put him on antibiotics for 48 hours.  He slowly improved and even started breastfeeding. 

Saturday, Sunday, and Monday have all kind of bled into one.  Josie usually visited in the morning, then I took her home for her afternoon nap, then we returned to the hospital to see Cheryl again in the early evening. 

Cheryl has been incredible through it all – recovering from surgery, getting up to feed, finding time to rest, and never complaing.  She’s been awesome.

 On Monday afternoon, while at home with a napping daughter, Cheryl called and announced that Evan had been moved up to her room!

I couldn’t wait to get back to the hospital with Josie so she could meet her new baby brother.

 

 

 

 

 

Barring any setbacks, everyone should be home tomorrow!

Evan Arrives!

Evan Matthew arrived at 7:52 PM on November 18. He weighed in at 6 pounds, 14 oz. and 18 inches. He’s currently in the NICU because he is “grunting” when he breathes. We’re hoping he doesn’t have an infection and will be breathing strong soon.

Grandma Wiers’ Fall Visit

Last Wednesday my mom flew in for a visit.  She then proceeded to spend the next 48 hours or so babysitting Josie.  It was pure torture for her I’m sure.

Saturday, we decided to let “Manga” (Josie’s pronunciation of “grandma”) out of the house for a while.  We visited a pumpkin patch at Greenspot Farm.

Josie wanted no part of the bounce house until Daddy climbed in first.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On Sunday we braved the heat (it had to be near 90 degrees) and went down to the Wild Animal Park.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We got back home in time to do a little pumpkin carving.

 

 

 

 

 

On Monday, Josie did a little trick or treating in downtown Redlands and on Olive Street.

A fitting costume for our little girl. She loves her bunny stuffed animal.

We met our friends, the DeBoers on Olive St. Here are Josie and "Yuke".