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.

We Have a Crawler!

Early Saturday morning Eli took his first crawling steps. Here we go!!

32 Weeks

I had the same title on a post just about a year ago. It's been fun to have these two kiddos due dates just a few days (and a year...) apart; it makes it easy to compare the pregnancies. Bigger? I hope not too much. Lower? I think they're about the same. Wigglier? Yes, especially at night!

Blueberries + squash = great finger food

I thought I'd give you some snapshots of Eli's pool time the other night. He loves the water and would stay in for hours if we let him. The weather has been warm this last week so he's been able to get in a practice is floating for several days in a row. It's a great way to wash away the mess after a long hard day of being a little boy. (See previous pictures.)

Summer Pictures

I can't believe it's August! Dave's birthday is just around the corner and soon we'll really be in full swing in preparing for this next little one. The baby's due date is October 26, just two months (and a few days) away. Mama is feeling well, but tired at times. I'll sometimes catch a quick snooze when Eli goes done for one of his naps. Eli is enjoying the summer. He loves the swimming pool. I don't think I have any pictures of the pool here, but I'll post some sometime. He's active, but sleeps very well: through the night and two solid naps a day. The current tooth count is four. No crawling yet; he's very content to let Mom or Dad (or whichever uncle or aunt happens to be close) lug him around. He's happy and healthy for which Dave and I are very grateful. God is good!

Ruff! Eli and I took a trip to Kalamazoo to visit with Maddawg friends. Can you believe it's been over ten years ago that we first met at Taylor? Connie--your son is beautiful! And even though he may be more of a linebacker than a jarhead... this Maddawg thinks that's okay!

Spending quality time with Aunt Bekah:

A day at Huckleberry Railroad:

Eli loved the train. So many fun whistles and other noises! Tristan was a bit more timid. Good thing Adam was there to hold him.

Adam, Erin, and Tristan were in Midland for a good visit. Eli enjoyed hanging out with his cousin at the Hall of Ideas museum, blueberry picking, in (or at least on the edge...) of the pool, and at Grandma's house. We're so glad you were here!

Watching the melodrama on Aunt Erin's lap. Eli was fascinated by the elaborate costume on the first lady.

Old-fashioned fun. Go, Tristan, go!

Adam and Rebekah on stilts.

Even Grandma gave it a try!

Ending the day with one of Eli's favorite activites:

Indiana Family

Here are a couple of pictures from our quick weekend trip to Indiana a week and a half ago. (Thanks, Kathy, for passing these along. My camera's battery ran out of juice!) It was great to see a lot of my cousins and their growing families. There was also reason to celebrate: my grandparents wedding anniversary and my nana's birthday. Both celebrations were early, but a great excuse for the family to gather.