At the fair

We had an awesome day at the Puyallup Fair.Markus loved the real animals... but the dressed up humans were a little frightening. More pics to come later. Mark and I are actually on our way back to the fair to work at one of the Young Life food booths for the evening!

We are having a....

... baby. Human pretzel, actually. Little stinker folded it's arms across it's chest and crossed it's legs and curled in half into a ball for an hour. Rolled around and turned sideways and moved a bunch, all the while in a tight little ball. Ultrasound tech said she's leaning toward girl (which is what mommy has thought all along) but wouldn't commit to anything. Another four weeks. In the meantime, we will be calling her (because I would rather assign the baby a gender than continue to call the baby "it" and because the baby was so stubborn and modest today it has to be a girl) pretzel or little tumbler after her somersaulting, cannonball antics today.



pardon the sideways video, but here's a small glimpse of the walking dude

Just checking in...

Just wanted to say a brief hi! We are doing well and getting used to having a boy around our house that likes to walk! He is not quite there yet, but he really is doing awesome. If he has a goal, he can pretty much get there on two feet. It's still that wobbly, wide-legged, stumbly walk that is just so cute. Took a couple bad tumbles today (hit his head both times) but was up and at 'em pretty quickly afterwards. He is so proud of himself. I will try to get some video uploaded soon/ We are enjoying having Mark's mom, Linda, here and were sad to say goodbye to his dad, Lanny, yesterday. Hoping to have exciting news to share tomorrow...

Daddy would be proud

We went to visit my friend Lisa today. She spent the morning rearranging her furniture in their new house and needed an opinion. Markus and Grace were having a delightful time climbing on the new couch and playing with the big screen (at least it's big screen to me) TV. As Lisa and I chatted with Grace and Zach (her little boy) on the couch in between us, I happened to glance up and see Markus walk all by himself, totally unprompted, from the TV back to the couch. 9 steps folks. We are so close. Lisa says all we need is a big screen to get Markus going (he's a boy after his daddy's heart). And the pic- just me and Markus being silly together the other day and trying to get a shot of the two of us together. Not the most professional looking shot, but captures a fun moment bewteen the two of us and that's all that matters.

Just so I don't forget

5 consecutive steps today.

Startin' him young

I have had a headache for 5 days. Tylenol won't touch it. Can't take anything other than that. So this morning, I decided to try a shot of the old standby- caffeine. I typically avoid caffeine during pregnancy, but I was desperate today. Thus, the advent of the coffee date for Markus and mommy. We sat outside where I enjoyed my drink and Markus enjoyed his even more. He looked like such a big boy, sitting in a regular chair, slurping out of a straw and smiling at every car that went by (we were seated in drive-thru view). I didn't have my camera, so I got these shots of him continuing to enjoy his leftover beverage this afternoon before nap.

Gotta set up the video camera...

the dude took three consecutive steps today. He pulled himself up on me, and then I scooted away from him while he was standing. I held two stuffed animals that he wanted to get. He gave me a big grin and proceeded to take three steps before he dove headfirst the rest of the way into my lap. Exciting days. I leave you with a blurry picture of Markus with his first pair of Nikes on. Too cute.

He loves to swing

There is a new park being built behind our house. Actually, it appears to be finished, and has been that way for a few months now. But they still have the area all fenced off. Last night, Mark took Markus out to the existing park (right next to the new one) while I cleaned up from dinner. After the dishwasher was loaded and the table clean, I headed off to meet the boys with my camera. I didn't see them at the park, but I heard a very familiar giggle. I peeked beyond the fenceline to see Mark pushing Markus on the swing at the new park. They had snuck behind the fence (hopefully Markus will not remember how to do that when he is older :) ) and Markus was loving every minute of his play with daddy. After his swinging we went back to the old park where Markus went down the slide for the first time all by himself. He loved it. I didn't get any pictures though- he goes backwards on his tummy so that shot wouldn't be all that interesting. Here's some great ones of the swinger though!

No picture today...

but I had to get this down so I wouldn't forget the date! Yesterday Markus started standing all by himself. I know now it's just a matter of days before he starts walking. And I am so excited! He is getting heavy :). I know it will be a whole new ball game with him walking, challenges and benefits, and I am ready. It will open up a whole new world for him and I am excited for him. I haven't gotten a picture of him standing yet (it's really hard!) but hopefully soon.

He can't walk yet...

but he thinks he can drive??? (don't worry, and don't call CPS on me. Mark was cleaning out the car and Markus was enjoying some time with Daddy while I cooked dinner)

He will probably be embarrassed...

but his mother will be so delighted. This is a HORRIBLE quality video that I shot while Mark and Rachel sang in a wedding in Lynden last week. After about 40 seconds I turned the camera, so they are no longer sideways. The sound is much better quality than the visual, I promise. I thought there may be some of you out there that would love a chance to hear Mark sing!

He loves the hose!

It's hot here today, and Markus was being kinda needy... so I put him in a swim diaper, plugged his ears, and let him have his way outside with the hose. I had to put the camera away once he started picking up the hose- we weren't safe! He had a blast. He was shivering and had goosebumps everywhere when he was done, but he didn't seem to mind one bit!

My sweet boy

Markus accompanied me to my doctor's appt today (12 weeks and 2 days!). He was a gem. The best part of the appt was when he heard the baby's heartbeat through the doppler. He stopped playing, got a HUGE grin on his face, and started clapping! Somehow he knew it was an exciting moment. I'm sure I will have to remind him someday(s) that there was a time he was excited about his new baby brother/sister!

We're home

Mark and I are home after almost four days away from Markus! Mark had the opportunity to sing in a wedding in Lynden Saturday night, and the hostess of the wedding offered us a hotel room for Thursday and Friday nights. We jumped at the chance for a little getaway. We dropped Markus off at Abu and Papa's on Thursday afternoon. When we left, he was laughing harder than he had all week. That's the way to leave your baby. Mark and I enjoyed a wonderful dinner in Fairhaven on Thursday evening followed by two leisurely walks, one in Fairhaven and one in Lynden. On Friday we visited new baby Davey and his parents (he is the cutest little munchkin! I could have held him for hours), had lunch with Grandma Clara and dinner with the Dicksons and the Zweegmans. I enjoyed a wonderful nap Friday afternoon, too. On Saturday we splurged and hit the spa at the Chrysalis, a beautiful hotel and spa on the water in Fairhaven. We emerged from the spa more relaxed than I believe we have been in about 16 months. After a great lunch and a short walk in Bellingham, we headed back to Lynden to spent some time with the Bargens before the wedding. The wedding was gorgeous- an evening wedding outdoors at the Homestead Golf Course. The couple was so in love- with each other and with Jesus. What a delight to see. We didn't stay for the reception as Mark had an early morning today. During church, Papa dropped Markus off in the nursery where I was working. He cried when Papa left! That warmed my heart to no end, as it meant he had a fantastic time with his grandparents while mommy and daddy enjoyed some much needed time away. All in all, it was a tremendous weekend for all of us, and we are so thankful God gave is the opportunity! This picture has nothing to do with anything I just talked about, but I hate to post without a picture so here you go.

Does he look big enough...

to be a big brother? Come February 2008, he will be!

I'm Sorry!

I'm so sorry that I haven't posted in so long! Life got crazy busy for us in June. Getting back to some "normalcy" now... whatever that means. I will post more regularly, I promise! Markus' two new favorite things are climbing the stairs and closing doors. Enjoy this video that highlights both of them (make sure you have your volume on so you can hear the giggles. They're the best part.)!

Our lives are soon to change...

look at this big boy standing up. He's pulling himself up on everything he possibly can. Hasn't figured out yet that he could take some steps while holding on, so we're safe for a little while yet! I felt both his back left molars and another tooth on the top in the last two days... maybe that explains why we haven't slept through the night in three weeks!

Too cool for school

These boys... I love them together.

Meet Gracie!

We have a new friend in our home! This is Grace, who is 16 months old and an absolute doll. I am going to have her 8 hours/week (Mondays and Wednesdays) while her Mommy gets some one on one time (and errand time!) with Grace's new 10 day old baby brother. Today was our first day, and we had so much fun. Markus was so excited to have a playmate. It is a blessing to get to be in this little gal's life.

The best video ever

OK, I know the video is sideways, and for that I am sorry. Please forgive me! But as long as you can hear this, you can enjoy it. This was the end of his major giggle fit with my mom. I have never heard him laugh like this for so long before. It is guaranteed to bring a smile to your face!

Lots of adventures!

Markus and I spent the weekend in Northern California for a bridal shower for Leslie, a dear friend from college. We had a great weekend, sharing time with Leslie and her family, my mom and my great aunt Ata. Markus was a trooper on the plane as well as being carted all over the place into new surroundings. On Wednesday he had ear tubes placed and has responded really well. Today has been another gorgeous day (we have had amazing weather this week) so we went for a long walk as a family with Markus in his wagon. He LOVES the wagon. Enjoy some pics!

No block is safe

Eating Eggies

Playing Catch

Long time, no post!

I have been a bad blogger lately- sorry! It seems as though I have been barely keeping my head above water these last few weeks, with retreats and conferences and visitors and parties and so on. Mark and I had an amazing weekend this past weekend at Family Life's "Weekend to Remember" conference. Wow. We walked away having shared some great conversations and feeling like we have some great tools to make our marriage even better. If you have never been to one, I strongly recommend it. No matter where your marriage is at, there will be something there for you. Awesome. Plus, we got to spend some time with old friends from Lynden and new friends from Lake City. So much fun. Markus spent Friday and Saturday with his Abu (thanks mom!) and Sunday with his Auntie Cindy and buddy Isaiah at the hotel in Bellevue. He was such a trooper.
Speaking of Markus... at 12 months he is still only in the 10th percentile for height and weight- but still the 95th for head size! He started crawling on April 6th and by April 13th was comfortable crawling on the carpet, but was still freezing when he hit the wood floors. On the 15th he started cruising the wood floors, sitting up on his own and clapping. It was a big day. He loves to cruise all over the house, and will often stop, sit up and clap for himself. It's adorable. He's definitely gaining preferences when it comes to what he wants to eat (where did the boy that would eat anything go?) and he is starting to hear the phrases "no touch", "obey mommy" and "don't throw your cup" quite often :). He is quite the sickie again, but without the ear infection this time! He had a horribly high fever yesterday and today and was lethargic and cranky and had little appetite. After a previously scheduled appt with an ear specialist (to schedule his tube surgery for May 9) we were off to a peds appt to figure out this nasty fever. Over two hours later, we left with a "possible viral infection". That was after I had to hold him down for both a catheter and a blood draw. I never want either of those jobs again. His bloodwork was "inconclusive"- we are waiting for some more testing to come back tomorrow. But after a three hour nap when we got home, he was almost acting like himself again, was eating well, crawling around and no longer warm to the touch. So we'll see.
There's the update. We have this weekend "off" from any major activities (but I do get to have a girls night out on Friday that I am really looking forward to) and I am looking forward to the three of us just being together and home. There really is no better place to be!

Busy, busy, busy

Too busy! Life is flying by here as we are enjoying a wonderful visit with Grammie and Papa Wilkening. I am getting ready to leave this afternoon for our church womens' retreat until Sunday. Two nights away from my boys... this is a big step for me. Here's a couple pics from Easter Sunday.

He's 1 year old!

I just realized that exactly one year ago right this minute Markus was born. Wow. What a year. He has been the delight of our hearts. I will post more later- I am exhausted. But here are just a couple shots of the great day we had today. Ear infection and all, Markus seemed to really enjoy his first birthday- especially the cake!

Some recent shots

This has to be one of my favorite Markus' shirts- he is all belly (it says "Rub my belly for good luck"). And yes, that's my necklace lying next to him. He had ripped it off before I laid him down to change him.

He kept pulling the hat off before I could get a good shot of his face with the hat on. But seriously, isn't this still just a riot?

Lately Markus' favorite thing to do while we are driving is to eat his shoes. This is a shot of him in the mirror doing just that. The monkey is his best friend, Murphy.

Markus and Mommy at his first Mariners' game. We were guests of our dear friends the Madsons, and we had a wonderful time!

Markus and Daddy enjoying the game!

Here's Markus trying to figure out how to lift up his sippy cup without dropping his precious pizza crust.