For Family and Fans: The Cupcake!

Since our families don't live close, we are sharing this video. It's longish, but I know the grandparents will appreciate it! We had a great time celebrating Addie's birthday today. Adam, Maria, and Delia were there with us. In June, when our families are able to be here for Adeline's dedication at church, we will celebrate again. so I'm sure there will be more messy-cake fun. There are lots of pictures from the day, so I've created an album on face.book for your viewing pleasure. 

The Bean Turns One...Tomorrow

This year has gone by in a blink. Here are the highlights, month by month.

Day One:

May 13. Arrived at 5:43am. 7lbs 1oz. 

 One Month

Fussy, fussy, fussy. 

Got chunky :)

 Two Months

She rolled.

Smiles and coo's. 

 Three Months

Very chatty.

Loves the TV and sitting up with help.

Four Months

Rolls in both directions.

Laughs for the first time!

Temper, temper.

Five Months

Loves music. 

Will still sing after the music stops at church.

More content.

Six Months

Loves passionately! 

Pulls hair, pinches, screams in our faces when excited.

Loves the bath!

 Seven Months

Bottom teeth came in. 

Jumps HARD in her exer-saucer.

Liking more foods.

Loves her daddy.

Eight Months

Clapping and so proud!

Saying "da-da."

Army crawling everywhere!

Nine Months

Eats tiny bits of fuzz off the floor. Naughty!

Practicing with sippy cup and solids.

Ten Months

Pulling books off the shelf! Uh-oh

Learns how to shake her head "no."

Could live in the bathtub. She loves it. 

Crawling for real now and into everything!

Pulling up on things. Time to move the crib down!

Eleven Months

Says "uh-oh" and signs "more."

Likes to dance to the "oldies."

Likes to be chased!

Still a daddy's girl.

Favorite food is blueberries.

This year has been the fastest, most challenging, and most rewarding we've had yet. Addie Rose is a delight and we are so proud to be her parents. We love you, Bean. 

Epiphanies

I had a couple epiphanies last night. They may be obvious to others; but for some reason, I hadn't had this revelations before.

1. I'm Gerrit's One and Only Wife. As such, I need to love him like no one else will.

Lord-willing, Gerrit and I will grow old together and never be married to another. I'm the only one who gets to kiss his lips romantically. I'm the only one giving him foots massages and back rubs. We share a home and a daughter. Of course there are several other things that come along with a marriage. But it's MY responsiblity to keep up my end of the relationship. No one else gets to be his wife. Naturally, if you know Gerrit you love him. But you aren't his wife. So, you can't (and I hope you don't) love him as a wife does. That's my job. Shouldn't I be the best darn wife I can be for him?

2. I'm not a perfect mother. My mothering will never look like Pinterest thinks it looks.



This is not us. I've never looked like that.

 I am not uber-crafty. I do not take amazing photos of our family. I do not serve Addie gourmet, organic meals. I don't do the laundry enough. I don't hand-stitch onesies (God bless you, if you do!). I am not stimulating her little brain at every moment with infant, educational flashcards. But goodness gracious, I love that kid. And I'm doing my best! She will never have to wonder if she's loved by Gerrit, me, or the Lord because we'll tell her and show her everyday. And I think that means more than a million personalized onesies.



Our Reality. But with fewer naps.



Spring Pictures!

I'll let the Spring Break and Easter pictures do (most of) the talking!

First time swimming and loving it!

She's such a poser!

Cousin Jozie loving Adeline

A rare shot of my dad smiling!

Easter: Three Generations of Plantage Men

Addie's First Easter Basket!

I love this picture of her laughing with her dad!

The three of us!

Praying for Adeline

I'm not always the most motivated person, but I got a little idea spark from Pinterest. Imagine that! On this site, I found "31 Ways to Pray for Your Children" by Bob Hostetler. I needed specific help with prayer. Of course, I want to pray for Adeline. But I find myself being very repetitive and feeling like I'm missing some big issues I should talk about with God on her behalf. With the "31 Days" idea, I have a full month's worth of topics!

But I needed a visual reminder. So, I set out to get myself some colorful index cards and sharpies.

On one side, I wrote the day of the month along with the attribute for the day. On the other side, I wrote the prayer and the Bible verse it is inspired by.

Then I punched a hole in each card and put it on a ring for easy flipping.

I'm sure there are fancier ways to put this together, but I'm pleased with the simplicity. By nature, I am NOT an awesome prayer-warrior-mom. But I WANT to be. And now you all get to hold me accountable. :)

Just Add Water

Oh yes, we are ready for summer. And there's no better way to prepare than to purchase a sporty two-piece....for your infant. For you see, it is only at this age that it is appropriate to allow your ample belly to hang over bikini bottoms.

I never thought I'd be the mom to get her baby a bikini, but how could I pass-up these ruffles?

Her body is bikini ready, folks! If ya got it, flaunt it (but only for this summer. It's not cute later in life, but merely sad). Rock those rolls, Adeline!

Quarantined

Yes, the sickness has come and stayed like an unwanted house guest. We've each had our share of this and that for weeks now.

Addie had a fever for 3 days a couple weeks ago. She would only sleep on me or near me. We had to make a little nest on the living room floor. We shared many a nap and nighttime rest on those blankets. It was a long three days.

Currently, Gerrit, Addie, and I each have an illness.

Adeline:

-teething

-fever

-runny nose

-crabby, crabby, crabby

Gerrit:

-scratchy throat

-stuffy nose

-headache

-took Nyquil last night and became good-for-nothing when Addie was up FOUR times

Cassie:

-sinus infection

-on antibiotics that make me feel real pukey

Please heal us, O LORD!

And no one breath our air!