Summer with Nana and Grandpa

After driving across the country, we spent 20 days in Michigan.  The first 10 days were with Ben's parents.

Dad flew from Grand Rapids to Denver to drive the second half of the trip with the boys and Ben.  They had such a fun and memorable time laughing, stopping in a random Iowa field to do the boys' bedtime routine, getting weird looks at a truck stop in Nebraska, and just being together. We're so grateful for this time with Dad/Grandpa.

When Betsy and Elle got to Michigan, it was the first time Dad saw her in person.  It was a really sweet moment.

The boys were big fans of the late Michigan summer evenings.  One highlight was roasting marshmallows and making S'mores with Auntie and Gigi.

The boys also got to play ball and read with "Uncle Syts."  He's always a favorite.

We were able to spend a few fun moments with Auntie Karen and Uncle Cliff at their beautiful lake house.

It was really great to reconnect with dear friends, Brent and Sonia, for a dinner.

We were even able to spend a few quick minutes at Lake Michigan one evening, reconnecting with our dear friends, John and Jill, Trey and Rowan.

The boys loved being on the water at Uncle Duane and Aunt Linda's cottage.

We cherished every minute we had with Ben's side of the family. These are such great memories.

Friends on the way to MI

This Summer, we decided to drive from California to Michigan...with two boys...and an infant who was less than a month old.  Yes, you read that correctly.  Well, to be completely honest, Betsy and Elleen traveled the Colorado to Michigan leg by plane.  But still, this was a serious undertaking.  One of the reasons we drove is so we could stop and see dear friends and loved ones in Colorado.  

Below are a few pictures of our time with Jack and Jana.

It was really special to spend an afternoon and evening with them.

We also spent a few days with some dear friends from college.  It was so fun to reconnect and watch our kids play together.  They provided amazing hospitality and we had so much fun.  Can't wait wait for the next time we all get to hang out.

Summertime in California

Well, it's been a while since Summer.  But, we've had this post in draft form for about two months now.  So, with lots of delay, here are some pictures from June and early July.

The boys loved going to Storytime at the Upland Library.  Here, they are very proudly displaying their 4th of July craft.  Who isn't proud of a Bald Eagle/Uncle Sam hybrid?

For Arie,swimming lessons went....well, not so swimmingly.  He definitely made progress as a swimmer, but it was quite a bit of work to get him motivated and staying in the pool.

One other highlight of our Summer in CA was going to the Children's Museum.  The boys loved the interactive, modern exhibits and activities.  We will certainly be headed back there.  Jack is on the Zamboni and Arie is in the grocery store exhibit.

It was fun to be home with the boys as got ready for little sister.  There will be more to come on our Summer once little sister joined us.

Before... During... and After... Elleen Ruthanne arrived!

Ben finished teaching on June 11th, and we had made it to summer break! Ben immediately filled his time entertaining these two cuties... taking them to parks and on train rides, etc.

I filled any time I had getting all of the final details ready for baby girl's arrival... which we expected any day.  The cradle that my grandpa made was brought down from the attic, polished up, and put together... ready for a baby to sleep in again!

As the end of June approached, we were quite surprised to find ourselves without a baby in our arms! I had officially made it to full term pregnancy at 37 weeks and each day was another gift of growth for baby girl and cherished time as a family. The four of us were able to fully participate in our church's VBS week. The jungle theme was lots of fun, and the boys had a blast.  I'm so glad I was gifted that time to participate and observe their joy that week.

By the end of that week, my ankles were getting pretty puffy at the end of each day. We enjoyed cooling off in our friends' pool, and the boys really made progress in their swimming skills... both shedding their floaties and holding their own in the big pool. :)

On Sunday, the 29th, I joked with Ben that we should take a picture before church because I have a picture of myself on the Sunday before both boys were born. So, maybe taking a picture would mean baby girl would come this week?? ;)  He appeased my request, and so here's the last picture we got of my pregnant self.

And just like that, she came!!!  That Sunday was fairly typical... we went to church, had lunch, rested, and took a picnic dinner to the park.  Once the boys were in bed, I decided to go for a walk waddle up and down our street. I called my mom while I walked, and we had a nice long chat before I came home and settled in to watch a show with Ben. We got ready for bed, and I said to Ben, "Well, I guess we won't be having a baby in June after all... tomorrow is the last day of June!" He replied with, "There's still a chance." We crawled in bed at 10:30pm, and with in a minute or two I had my first strong contraction that was hard enough for me to say "ouch" a few times. I waited, and had another one at about 10:45pm, and another at 11pm. At that point, I got up to use the restroom and walk around a bit. When another one came at 11:07pm, I picked up my phone and told Ben we should get going. I called our neighbor, Sue, and she agreed to come right over. We quickly got ready, with a couple more contractions coming, and met Sue in the driveway at 11:25pm. Ben sped the whole few miles to the hospital, with me panting and puffing in the front seat... but not forgetting to mention to him that he should drive carefully. ;) We walked in to Labor and Delivery at 11:35pm, and by then I was in pretty hard and constant labor. The nurse asked me to undress and give a urine sample, but while I was doing that I remember saying, "She's coming!" So the nurse got me on the bed and checked me... and I was dilated to 10cm and ready to push! We were quickly moved over to the delivery room and I was told to hang on because Dr. Kim was on her way.  My water had not yet broken, which the nurse kept telling me was a good thing... otherwise the baby would be coming faster.  The contractions were coming hard and fast and Ben says I just about bruised his arms from grasping them so tightly. I can remember being aware that the nurses were all rushing around to get things ready and that one of them was working on getting an IV in my arm. Once Dr. Kim arrived, they broke my water and I was able to start pushing. I think I pushed three times through three contractions (though, I remember being frustrated because the nurse would ask me "are you having a contraction?" and I replied more than once, "I don't KNOW! It just hurts all the time! Can't you tell on the machine if I'm having a contraction?! Just tell me when to push!") :) And with all my might, I pushed and felt a huge relief of pressure as our sweet Elleen Ruthanne entered the world at 12:06am... the last day of June!

And, girl, did she cry!  I held her for awhile, and tried to nurse her, but she was not having it... she just bawled and bawled. :)

She weighed 6lbs, 10oz, and was 19 inches long.

First bath... once again, she bawled.

Later that morning, Ben brought the boys to the hospital to meet their baby sister. He said they were SO excited when they woke up and were told that she had arrived. He told them her name for the first time, and they never asked once to be reminded of her name (which surprised us both). They were so proud and sweet when they arrived at the hospital to meet her.

We had planed a little "birth day party" for baby Elleen, so the boys got to pick out pink frosted donuts with Dad before they came. We lit a "zero" candle, sang Happy Birthday, and toasted with sparking pink lemonade. The boys each got a disposable camera to take pictures of whatever they wanted.

They each got to open the present they had picked out and purchased for Elleen with their lemonade stand money... a pink pacifier from Jack and a hat with a flower on it from Arie.

Then the boys got to open some presents that we had for them.  They each got a baby doll and carrier.

These pictures still amaze me... we are a family of FIVE!

WHAT?! I have THREE babies?!

This lady here... She was a life saver! Auntie Katie drove an hour each way, two days in a row, to come be with us and help with the boys. We are so grateful.

I spent until Wednesday morning in the hospital, trying to rest and getting to know our little lady. She wanted to nurse all night long, which was kind of exhausting. But I got some wonderful snuggle time.

On Wednesday, we were ready to head home and start adjusting to our new normal.

Handsome Daddy with his Little Lady!

The boys were so excited to have Elleen home. We gave her a sponge bath, and the boys asked over and over for turns to hold her... showering her with kisses and love.

Auntie Laura came the next day for some quality snuggle time, too.

We made t-shirts with her tiny footprints.

Since being home we have had a great balance of just home together, doing life together, and also getting out to do some things.  It is beyond wonderful to have Ben home on summer break. I cannot think of a greater gift for me and the kids to have an attentive and fun Daddy who loves to play and take care of his kids. This time at home as a family of five will be cherished in our memories forever.

We went to a little 3rd of July party with church friends, and then enjoyed some fireworks on the 4th. Elle slept through the whole show. :)

Elleen and her friend, Caroline, born two months apart. Caroline's mom and I are so excited to see our girls grow up together. :)

We are beyond grateful for our beautiful blessing.  She is named after my maternal grandmother and Ben's maternal grandmother, Elleen and Ruth, with my middle name (and a name/middle name of many special friends/relatives) Anne added.

Elleen - means light, or most beautiful

Ruthanne - companion/friend, vision of beauty and grace/favor

We hope and pray that she will hold the characteristics of the strong and special women she is named after, and that she will always know just how desired, cherished, and loved she has been and is.