Brothers

Eli has been much more interested in his little brother the past few days, and Luke has rewarded him with some big smiles. It's difficult to catch these interactions on film as I have to be on the lookout for big brother roughness. I think Eli is looking forward to steamrollering his little brother. I love my brother!

Eli sharing some big brother wisdom with little Luke.

Snow Day!

We had our first "sticking" snowfall yesterday morning. Eli and I got all bundled while Luke was taking a morning nap. We put on it all: boots, snowpants, jacket, mittens, hat... the works. It took about as long to get dressed as we spent outside. Eli wasn't too sure about the white stuff on the ground, but he did seem to think it was pretty cool that Mom could make a snowball. We're excited to see winter truly arrive in mid-Michigan. The pool/ice rink is beginning to freeze and the hockey goal has been strung with a new net. We're ready for some winter fun!

Busy Lives on the Court

It has been a busy past few weeks, but it's such a joy to be a mother to these two wonderful boys. Many people have asked me how I'm handling being at home all day with two babies. I'm grateful to a friend for sharing her experience at being a mother of two. She told me that sometimes her oldest just had to wait, sometimes her youngest had to wait, and that the house had waited about six months. How right she was! Sometimes Eli gets into mischief waiting for Mommy to get done with Luke. Sometimes Luke has to cry because Mommy needs to take care of Eli. And, most of the time, the front room looks like a tornado hit by the time Dave gets home from work. Here are some pictures of all the fun!

Eli investigating his little brother. Notice Dave's protective arm shielding Luke from any finger pokes.

Eli waiting at the top of the stairs. He's good at going up, but hasn't quite mastered the down. Right now he likes to approach all downward steps headfirst.

Getting into trouble while Mom feeds Luke. Dismantling Mom's vegetable steamer, and...

...enjoying some cheerios.

Sometimes that baby is just too loud!

Here are a few Baby Luke shots. Isn't he handsome?

Halloween 2009

Our Little Bumblebees

Eli and Luke were bumblebees for trick-or-treating this year. Eli and Dad had fun going to a few houses around the neighborhood and then handing out candy from our front door. Luke was unimpressed, but then so was Eli last year. Dave and I have been snacking on candy for the last week. Someone needs to keep our new dentist in business!

Luke Benjamin Mulder

Luke Benjamin Mulder

October 16, 2009

4:02 P.M.

7 lbs., 4 oz.

20 inches

Saturday, October 10

Pumpkin Hunting

We went down the road to pick out our pumpkins today. After some careful consideration, we ended up with four very nice selections: a "mommy, daddy, and two baby" pumpkins. We'll look forward to carving them in a few weeks. Yummy pumpkin seeds here we come!

Hmmmm... which one should I choose?

On the front porch. I think this is as much "fall decorating" as I'm going to get done this year.

Enjoying the Fall Colors

One of Dave's favorite trees in the woods behind Mom and Dad Mulder's.

Still in there... Dave took these artsy shots of Baby Mulder today. I'm looking forward to holding this new little one for real. We've got the cribs up, two carseats in the car, and Dave's making a lasagna as I type to put in the freezer. We must be ready! We're praying for a healthy, peaceful delivery and a speedy recovery that allows our family to bond.

First Haircut

Before... ...and after.

Our little boy is growing right up and anxious to become a big brother very soon. Today was a fun family day. We spent the afternoon being a "tourist in our town" and traveled to some different Midland venues. We enjoyed free cupcakes, a visit to the Hall of Ideas museum, a nice long swim in the leisure pool at the community center, and a putt-putt game. The putt-putt was a play-off from last weekend's tie between Christel and Dave; Christel came out as champion!
Tomorrow we're off to church to worship our Lord with the church family. We're looking forward to starting a new routine with our Oasis (small) group this fall. It's exciting to continue growing closer to God by building relationships with other believers.

Baby Mulder could arrive "at any time" according to Friday's doctor's visit. If you ask me, that's not really going out on a limb too much. I could have told him this little one is going to make an appearance sometime! We can't wait to post pictures of our growing family!

Sleeping Bear Dunes, Glenn Arbor, Michigan

Happy Clapper

Eli woke up clapping his hands this morning and was so impressed with himself that he's been doing it all day long. When I went to get him from his afternoon nap, he was sitting up in the crib, clapping away. I just tucked him into bed and as he finished his bottle, those hands came together one more time: "Yeah! Bedtime!"

Some funny pictures from Eli's outside pack-n-play time this evening. He was having fun smashing his face against the mesh.