Christmas 2012: Part I & II

Christmas with the extended Ploegs and Christmas with "just us" Ploegs is in the history books.  And while I love Christmas -- for the blessing of Christ, family, fun and festivities -- I'm ready shut the door on this part of Christmas 2012.  We have been battling sickness as a family since before Thanksgiving and for Christmas this year, Santa brought us 3 ear infections (one each), 3 sinus infections, and at least one (but probably 3) cases of croup for the boys.  Merry Christmas!  Needless to say, they were less than their cute and cuddly, funny and lovable selves. Sure, there were moments of sweetness, moments of joy, moments of fun ... but overall, it could have been better.  I say this, not for sympathy, not to focus on the crummy, but I guess so that 1) I remember that they weren't always healthy (because in general they ARE healthy), 2) I can laugh about it later?  Anyway, here are some outtakes from the festivities:


Christmas 2012 at the Ploegs

Presents!

Daddy & sleepy Lukie

Christmas at home: Lukie and a fun box

Christmas at home: Toolboxes for the Twins!

In other news, 1) antibiotics are amazing and 2) snow!  Sam & Tyler have been talking about snow for weeks (ever since the first dusting of snow) and are so pumped that it has finally arrived. 


Snow Angel Tyler

Snow Angel Sam

Our First Snowman!

Our new sled -- with daddy

My sweet Lucas

Stockings

I finally got around to it ... yes, Lukie is now over a year old but he finally has his own stocking!  Why I decided to make them (after purchasing the ones for me and Jack), I still don't know but it's done! 

Away in a Manger

Sorry grandparents, I did not warn you about the Seymour Christmas program ... it's been a busy week (complete with another double ear infection and croup for Lukie) so we just wanted to keep it simple tonight. 

Here are Seymour's Little Lambs (2-4 year olds)!

In other events this week, we had our well-child visits for all three kids and besides the ears and croup noted above, they are doing pretty well.  Sam is 75% for height, 50% for weight; both Tyler and Lucas were about 95% for both height and weight.  The twins' skin is still an issue and we are planning on retesting allergies in the new year (but NOTHING yet for Lucas).

Birthday Week Bonanza

This week, my babies turned 3 and 1.  It's amazing to look back and 1) think of what we wanted for for so long, 2) remember the amazing-ness of their births 3) think how far we've come since we first became parents.  It's been a wild, crazy ride -- for the last three + years and for even just the last week!

Our week of celebrations started with the VanderLugt's -- we even got to include Levi in our bunch!!

Birthday boys: Tyler, Lucas, Levi, & Samuel

Sam & Ty love the birthday candles!

Lucas getting into his cupcake

Sam, Momma, & Tyler



 We also had multiple celebrations in our home throughout the week, mostly just lighting and blowing out candles on the cupccakes (over and over).

 



And finally, we concluded our birthday week celebration with the Ploeg's over at our house for an evening of pizza, presents, and ping pong.

Lucas enjoys cake and ice cream



Birthday presents!

Grandpa and Tony get in on the ping pong action

It was a fun week of celebrations and we are so thankful for our boys and our family who love our boys and shower us with love and presents!  We are so blessed!





Tyler's Mess

This is what happens when you leave Tyler alone to play by himself for a little bit:  he makes a mess!  While I realize this is not an unusual feat for a little boy, might I point out that he painstakingly placed all of this stuff just so to create his "train station".  The rules were that everything had to be touching.  He's a hoot.

Monday

Today was a Monday.  I usually work Mondays, but my kids are sick.  Today, I had lasagna for breakfast (granted it was at 11am) and a holiday McFlury for dinner.  Today, we put up our Christmas tree ... and I know it's not even quite Thanksgiving yet (but it isn't the first time).  Please note:  we do have lights outside but they are not on yet ... even though I am very tempted! 

So proud of themselves for helping! 
The one thing that got my poor sick little Sam excited all day -- the Christmas tree!

Early Christmas crafts ... the boys love a glue stick and stickers!

The VanderPloegs

A few weeks ago, on the last nice, warm Sunday of the season, my mom took some family pictures of the VanderPloegs at Spring Grove Park in Jamestown.  It was a beautiful fall day ... but my kids, particularly Tyler, just weren't feeling it.  Alas, the pictures are real and, in my opinion, turned out quite nicely!  (And, may I add, after wrestling with my 40lb Tyler for an hour, my biceps got quite a workout.)

 

Trick or Treat!!

This was our first year of trick or treating -- we've passed out candy for years, we've dressed up (once) before, but this was the first year the kids got to go out and live it.  And they loved it!  We walked around our neighborhood and they did REALLY well yelling trick or treat and saying thank you, mostly unprompted.  We also went over to Fifth Reformed Church's Trunk or Treat but unfortunately, that was at the height of Tyler's totally untimely allergy attack.  I take full responsibility for thinking the pizza I bought was dairy free ... but it most certainly was not.  Here's the weird thing: Sam did not react at all and Ty had a delayed (but yet still pretty bad -- wheezing, full body hives, itchy, even said his tummy hurt) reaction.  Before, it was always almost immediate.
Regardless, we still had a fun night.  After a hefty dose of benadryl, Ty is back to his goofy self and they are playing as we hide in the basement with our lights finally out. 

Tyrone & Pablo - Ready to go out Trick or Treating!

Check out our light-up pumpkins!

Trying to get a picture of the three -- but the twins were too excited to sit still.

Roar.

Tyrone & Pablo's FIRST trick or treat!

Afterwards ... helping daddy pass out candy.

Fall Updates

It is already mid-October and we are fast approaching the twins' 3 year birthday and Lucas' 1 year birthday!  The twins are busy, as usual; learning new phrases and dance moves by the day (if you happen to stop by while the ping pong table is up, you should request Sam's "Ping Pong Mesa" dance ... it's fabulous).  Sam has also taken to saying "The Bible tells me so" randomly throughout the day -- not necessarily in response to a question.  Tyler is learning to ride his bike -- working hard to figure out the whole pedaling thing (Sam's an old pro by now).  Tyler loves to have conversations with his little people and fly them through the air, accompanied by sound effects.  They are both doing relatively well with their skin.  We have been at this now for over a year and a half so while their limited food options are frustrating, it's not anything new at this point.  I often make them muffins (pumpkin or banana), they still love sausages and pancakes, fruit snacks, and we've even found a local cupcake shop that makes really good gluten free and vegan cupcakes. 
Lucas is a big, squishy, lovable, smiley boy.  He LOVES to chase his brothers.  He LOVES to get in trouble (particularly by climbing up the stairs).  He is not walking yet but is a very fast crawler.  He has two teeth on top, two on bottom.  He is wearing 18 month clothes and filling them out nicely.  And so far, he doesn't have ANY food issues.  Did I really write that?  Could he really be my child?  I know we're not exactly out of the woods yet, but the twins were already showing signs of allergies by this point. 
On a separate note, I just finished up a super opportunity that I fell into: I substitute taught at Calvin College!  In fact, I'm still on campus now (waiting to meet up with a former youth group gal).  I've always thought teaching at a college would be a fabulous job for when my kids are in school -- ie. my ten year plan.  It was fun, it went well (I think), and I felt like I knew what I was talking about (all good things).  While I'm not ready yet to throw in the towel at my current job, which I really do like, I do feel like this was a good step, a great opportunity to try out what may be my future career.  If nothing else, it sounds like a great way to (partially) finance my kids' higher education, right? 

Get the Quarterback

Ever since Jack found out he was having twin boys, I think he's been envisioning teaching his kids to "get the quarterback!"

Three buds ... thanks Nana for the matching PJ's!

Robinettes

Apple cider and doughnuts ... could there be anything better on a warm October morning?  We made a trip out to Robinettes today with the family -- the weather was 65 degrees and sunny and perfect for walking around.  There were other moms with young kids there but it really wasn't too busy (I wouldn't even attempt such a thing on a Saturday) and we were the only ones in the corn maze, which the boys actually liked!  It was a bummer the twins couldn't partake in the doughnuts or the delicious apple bread we bought but Jack and I certainly enjoyed it!

Tyrone & Pablo

Seriously?  A Tyrone and Pablo costume?  I found these at the GRMother of Twins sale (and admittedly left without purchasing and had to turn around and go get them) and how perfect are they?  If you have ever watched our kids or hung out with us for a full day, you know how important the Backyardagains are in this house.  We casually sing Backyardagains songs, quote phrases, and re-inact favorite episodes on a daily basis.  They absolutely LOVE the Backyardagains.  I can hardly wait to see them in the full getup! 

The Playground

We LOVE to play outside.  We also love our basement so hopefully the doldrums of winter won't be too bad ... but we LOVE to play outside.  During the summer, we tried out many of the local playgrounds in search of a close, nice, little-kid-friendly spot ... and we found a great one at Brookside Elementary on Madison right by our house. 
Today was a perfect early fall day for the "park."

 

Lucas slept for much of our time at the playground ... but he likes to check things out too!

Fun in the Cozy Coupes

Fun times outside tonight!

Tyler loves his glasses!

Sam - always ready to ride his "motorcycle"!



Happy Baby Lucas