Moving On: Last Night in the Cribs

Sam: Last night in his crib!

 

Tyler: Last night in his crib!

 

Tyler & Sam: One of the first nights in their crib.

January Updates

It's amazing what a little anti-biotics can do!  After a rough, rough couple weeks with lots of sickness for the Ploegs, it's amazing how much better things can be.  I certainly cannot say they are magically obedient, but they are much happier, much funnier, much sillier, much more fun. 
Lukie is really catching on to this walking thing now, although he still likes to "walk" on his knees.  He is the cutest, chubbiest, rosy-cheekiest little love bug.  Sam and Tyler have new horizons ahead too -- we are hitting the potty training hard (with some real success finally!) AND have just purchased new big boy furniture.  On a side note, I now see why people purchase furniture already assembled ... it's a bear!  But in any event, once we finally get both beds up and running, they can finally move out of their cribs (which I'm pretty sure they love and will be a little sad about... me too...).
The twins are pretty much phasing out of naps these days; maybe once or twice a week they still need one (usually with Kathy our nanny or Gramma Ploeg) but generally not.  They do get a little testy towards the end of the day, but night time goes much smoother without naps.  That said, they sleep from about 830 at night til 800am.  Lukie is down to one nap and usually turns in around 1230 or 100pm and conks out for a couple hours.  I LOVE my Lukie, but it is nice to have a little time to just be with the twins (get out the paint, go outside, etc.) or get something done without a little ankle biter for a few hours! 
Other than that, life continues as normal.  Jack's job is going pretty well, my job is going pretty well, the kids are busy, and we just kinda go on day by day.  :)

Lukie's Walking!

After weeks of Grandpa Ploeg trying to get Lucas to walk, he's finally starting to have some interest.  To be fair, there was a few steps taken at Christmas with the Ploegs, but this is the first video documented walkings from the Lucas.

 

And I find this video of our happy Lucas (finally, after multiple courses of antibiotics) just too cute.  (In case you don't speak baby, he's saying "Hello".)

Christmas 2012: Part III

 

Christmas with the VanderLugt's was at the Raredon's this year.  With 11 grandbabies and and 10 adults, it's simply a lot of people (and specifically, a lot of rambunctious kids) to fit into a house that was built anytime in the 19xx's -- by that I mean a time when wide open spaces in a house was not as prized as it is today.  Thus, the Raredon's open main floor and large, fun basement was perfect this year for the VLugt Christmas.

It's always a little crazy, a little wild, a little loud.  This year, we even got a visit from Santa!  (PS. We own a Santa (and Mrs. Claus) suit so if you ever need to borrow one in the future, let me know!)  Jack got dressed up and snuck around outside the house Ho! Ho! Ho!-ing and it was a hoot.  The kids were giggling, peaking out the windows, smiling, chanting, chasing, and having a great time with Santa. 

For the Ploegs, Ty thought Santa was great and wanted him to come back; Sam wasn't much of a fan.  Win some, lose some.  Overall, it was a wonderful Christmas celebration: great food (bacon wrapped flank steak, ham balls, buffalo chicken dip, pizza, and more sweet treats than we could make a dent in), happy kids, fun memories, and generally healthy kids.  Thankful for another year with family. 

Me & Ashley Joy

The oldest 3 grandbabies: Caleb, Ashley & Will

Happy Lucas, Momma, & Tyler

Kids looking for Santa

Josh & Ty sharing the ukulele (with Lukie looking on)