Spring Break

Somehow I have to find sometime during our days to do some more blogging. Things just seem to be getting busier and busier around here. I've heard so many people say that as the kids get older it just gets busier. I'm finding that to be very true so I guess I better enjoy this level of busieness because next year at this time it we will be more busy.

Over spring break the girls and I ventured to Florida with my parents, sisters and brother-in-law. Jeff didn't feel comfortable being gone for a week during the first week of spring, he did make a really quick weekend out to Iowa though. I felt very guilty being on vacation while Jeff was working but he told me not to and to enjoy our time in the warm weather....so we soaked up as much sun as a mom and 3 little girls could.

Our mornings were spent eating breakfast (picnic style outside or on the floor)playing doll house in the hotel. Mid-morning we'd head down to the pool for swimming and snacks. We'd go up to the room for lunch and then back down to the pool for more swimming. By 3:00 Jaydes and Mel were practically falling asleep in the pool. The girls are NOT swimmers. When we go to the beach during the summer they often dont even get their toes wet. On our last day at the pool they were swimming with swimmies, going under the water, and jumping in. They even cried when it was time to get out. They now LOVE swimming. Yeah!! Melanie loves to swim too. Begining of the week she would just sit and splash a little, by the end of the week, she was crawling through the water. She'd keep crawling till she was totally under the water. I'd bring her back to the start of the shallow and she'd do it all over again. The child has no fear; I'm going to have to watch her like a hawk at the beach this summer.

We had a blast in Florida. My family was a HUGE help with girls. However, we did miss Jeff terribly and can't wait till we can have a vacation with him.

I have a feeling this is what our family pictures will look like for the next couple years...everyone looking different directions :)
Do you notice the wet hair...Yeah!!!! She's going under the water.
Does it get any better then this? (for grandpa and for Melanie)
"mom, I'm putting my suntan on"

Special Memories

A couple weeks ago (wow has it been that long already) we were blessed to have Jeff's mom and dad come out for a visit. Our time together went way too quickly of course. The girls LOVE having Grandpa and Grandma come for a visit and sleep at their house. Our spare room is actually called Grandpa Westra's room. Living far away from family is very difficult. The one positive about it is being able to make these special memories when G and G come to visit. It's not typicall to have a grandpa and grandma tuck you in at night, wake up with you in the morning (or slightly after you :o) ), play with you all day, and start it all over again. I am so thankful that God has given them this time before planting begins in the spring, to make the trek to Michigan to make these special memories with Miya, Jayds, and little Melanie ( and of course mom and dad too). Thank you. We love you both dearly.
Riding with Grandpa on the tractor.
Riding bikes and having Grandpa wipe the tears when I fall.
Rescuing the tent.

Making a snowman....in 50 degree weather.

Can you tell who was running the camera? ? ? Grandma, soooo sorry I didn't take any pictures any of you with the kiddos. I HAVE to fix that the next time.

More Melanie

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Change In Plans

Jeff is the one with the news....he is now employed by Wilbur Ellis. Jeff has been working at Green Valley since he moved to MI eight years ago. For the most part he has enjoyed his work and those he worked with and has a lot of respect for the owners. One down side of that job was the dreaded season of early spring to early summer. During that time he would leave the house at 5 and not return until 11. During the not as busy season he was still responsible to open and close the office which didn't leave a lot of room for flexibility. We know there are many that don't have jobs at this time and we were thankful he had a job. When the offer from Wilbur Ellis came, he was SHOCKED! He had never thought of working for another company so it was a little stressful around here as we weighed the pros and cons of a new job. The biggest positive being more time at home. The location Jeff is now working at doesn't do custom application (spreading and spraying). That means no CRAZY long hours for weeks on end. Jeff's responsibility is strictly sales. For those of you that know him well, you know how much he enjoys going out, meeting people and getting to know them. While Jeff was doing sales at GV, he also had to keep everything in-line at the plant. Now he has one focal point. The location he's working out of is a bit longer of a drive, however, he doesn't have to be there. His office is his truck.

Jeff has been a totally different person over the past few weeks. He is much more happy and much less stressed. He has had breakfast with the girls on numerous occasions, been able to bring Miya to preschool several times, and been home before suppers even started (oops). We are definitely not in a routine yet and have some logistical kinks to work out. We also know that the spring will still be a busy time for him, but are hopeful that he'll be home more then last year.

We are very thankful that God has given this new opportunity to Jeff to provide for his family and be home a little more too.

Naughty Melanie

Here's a couple videos that show what a little stinker Melanie is. Not many people believe that she can be naughty since she's so quiet most of the time. Not the case. I had a long video of her with the cupcake, I'll keep trying to upload it along with some more of her taking toys away from big sisters. As for the lucky charm video....as soon as I shut the camera off she started crying!! She no longer get to eat lucky charms for breakfast cause she only eats the marshmallows and that's not enough to keep her growing tummy full. She is almost up to the 10th percentile on the 'corrected age' growth chart. She weighs 19lbs 11oz so she still gets to stay in her infant car seat (ugggh that thing is heavy). She also gets to stay on formula (and bottles) for most of her milk. We can try giving her whole milk in a sippy cup spiked with Carnation Instant Breakfast for added calories and taste :) I will try to post again very soon with some very exciting news....no we're NOT preggo.

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Then and Now-Coming Home

One year ago today we were able to take a 5 pound Melanie home from the hospital. She stayed there for 76 days gaining strength, developing, and growing big while we traveled back and forth to visit her, hold her, and take care of her. Praying that someday she'd be well enough to come home. That day finally came, you could get all your nutrition from a bottle and could breath on your own! We were soooo excited to have Melanie at home, and very nervous about doing everything without a nurse and dr. to answer all of our questions. Those first couple months home with her are a blur. There were failed attempts at nursing every 3 hours which lead to feedings and pumping every 3 hours. Dr. check ups, and trying to keep two other little girlys happy. It was GREAT having Melanie at home with us, but I so desperately needed some sleep. God was watching over our sleep deprived family for sure. So many of you helped with more meals, and offers to watch Miya and Jayden. I will forever be thankful to all of those helping hands.

Last night Melanie allowed me to revisit those nights from a year ago. She has been battling a cough the past couple days and has not been sleeping well. Last night, she was crying so I got her out of bed thinking I'd let her play for awhile. She decided to lay her head on my shoulder. So I laid down on the couch and she repositioned herself on my chest and fell asleep. I remember sooo many hours of holding this dear one on my chest in the hospital praying for her strength, her health, and her future. This continued when she came home too, just with a little more napping while I held her as the other girls napped in the afternoon.

So thank you Melanie, for letting mommy hold you as you slept last night and thank God for all he has blessed you with. And in true Melanie fashion, after a 10min nap on mom you woke up and played for awhile. You kept coming back to mom's lap for a 5 min head rest, and then you'd go off and play again. The night was great, memories of the past, thoughts of who you've become to this day, and prayers for the future. We love you to pieces Melanie Grace and can't imagine this house without your cuddles, giggles, and crazy smiles.



18 pounds 9 ounces...still on the growth chart. YEAHHHHH!!!!!!!!! She is in full snow gear as we tried to go sledding today. Since she wouldn't keep her mittens on she had to sit in the van...where she then fell asleep! Guess she wasn't' too heartbroken.

Then and Now-Diapers

The picture at the end of this post may be considered a little much from some, but I thought the comparison was amazing. I honestly cannot believe she was ever that SMALL!! Everybody always told us "you'll forgot how small she really was". I thought they were crazy. How could I forget what a 2lb 2oz baby felt like...I'm the crazy one. I forgot! I think back to those first diaper changes and remember thinking I would break her, or pull out a tube, or cut off her ventilator. I was so scared. Scared to be her mom and do the things that mom's naturally do without even thinking. Pretty sure I let Jeff take charge of the first several care times. He was the one that had to encourage me to do it the first time, the one telling me everything would be okay. God has definitely given him a tremendous gift in being such a great encourager. I'm so thankful to have him beside me through thick and thin. As for little Mel, even though she just hit the growth chart she sure has grown a ton and we praise God everyday for the health and strength He's blessed her with.

Every 3 hours little Mel had her diaper changed. This was something that I actually looked forward to because it meant that we could touch her more, lift her up, and get a check on how those internal organs were operating. We would have to record the weight of her diapers (yes) and the nurses and drs. would keep an eye them. No weight in the diaper for a few in a row and tests would be ordered. Consistent weight = happy nurses, happy parents, and most of all happy baby! In the beginning diaper changes were very scary, but once we got the hang of it they were very comforting since that was the only time we could hold our littlest girl. It helped us get through the next 3 hours.

These are the same diapers!!! Yes, the diaper in the pict above is folded over because it was too big!!