On Thursday after work, we left Hamilton and drove to Grand Rapids. We usually drive out on a Friday night but soon realized the advantages of driving on a different day – no border wait time, a lot less traffic – a good trip. We spent the night at Mom and Dad VDK’s apartment in GR where mom was also staying one last night before she headed home for Des Moines. So glad we could see you this past weekend mom, even if it was for only a couple hours. Eden enjoyed a story with Nana (I just realized how close of a resemblance Eden’s hair has to her Nana’s!):
The we spent some time with the Kuipers and DeJongs and all of our nieces and our brand new nephew, Levi. Here are some pics of our time away:
All five cousins together!
Reuben and Levi (who bears some resemblance to Reuben’s baby pictures)
Father and son
A picture of Claire that Emma took
A picture of Reuben that Emma took
Mother and son
Another baby wrap (we’re addicted). This one is an Ellaroo and is awesome for a 2 year old. Very comfortable and Eden loves it!
Me and my nephew
Holding a little baby again felt so great and also so scary. Having an independent, easy-going two year old is so much easier than a newborn. Am I going to be able to get up several (many?) times at night to feed the new baby? Am I ready for my brain to turn to mush again after so many nights in a row with interrupted sleep? How hard is it going to be going through that with a toddler where I can’t take naps throughout the day?
But then I remember how awesome it is to breastfeed and to see that first smile and to watch them sleep (a lot) and to hold them without them quickly wiggling loose. And I also remember how quickly time passes and soon enough, that little baby will be two years old and the sleep deprivation will be long gone and I’ll long to hold another baby whenever I can.
Live in the moment.
I’m trying to do that right now too. This baby, at 23 weeks in the womb, is active right now as I type. I love the feeling of a baby inside you having their first kicks and punches – it is so amazing and I wish I could bottle it up and open it 20 years from now.
Be content. Be in the now. Breathe. Give Thanks – My daily/hourly/minutely mantra.
Reuben, Heidi, and Eden, I’m SOOO glad it worked out for me to see you guys last week in GR, even if it was only for a few hours. What a blessing. The added price of air-fare over bus-fare, was more than negated by the extra hours made available to share with you.
i love the pictures. what a great weekend with you guys (although i had a fuzzy brain!)
Thanks.
Thanks for posting pics guys. I wish Jess and I could have been there! We’ll be in GR the evening of Aug 14, so hopefully we’ll see you there.