Back In Action

Our household seems to be back to full health.  Aside from Rebecca's cough that just doesn't want to go away.  But other than that we're doing well.  We've been keeping plenty busy over the last week.  Rebecca started a new semester of Kindermusik.  And after a few days she already has her new book practically memorized, she knows some of the songs on her new CDs and she's learning how to play her harmonicas!  This semester is called "Away We Go" and is all about trains, planes, cars, boats, etc.  Rebecca likes all the train stuff.  And of course she likes having new music to dance to.

Rebecca got to see both sets of grandparents over the weekend.  Grandpa and Grandma Voogt were here Friday evening through Sat. morning.  Then Grandpa and Grandma Holleboom and Uncle Dan stopped by on Sat. evening.  Rebecca had a blast showing off her toys and all the things she's been learning lately.  She told them all of the shapes in her clock puzzle (parallelogram, pentagon, hexagon, oval, octagon, trapezoid, rhombus,...).  She did some great counting (she can almost do 1-20 now!).  She showed Grandpa and Grandma Voogt how much she loves to cook and bake.  If we give her a few snacks in a cup she'll transfer them from cup to cup to bowl to plate to cup...mixing, stirring, etc. inbetween.  Once in a while she'll pause to feed herself (actually using one of her spoons to eat some of the food), feed her doll or feed whoever else is around (just pretending).  Of course Rebecca still loves to dance, sing, read and talk up a storm.

Rebecca has quite a personality and says some of the funniest things and sweetest things.  Here are a few of her latest phrases:

"Doesn't fit...it does fit!" (as she's trying to put something in a container)
"Justin!" (standing at the bottom of the steps if Daddy is upstairs)
"Cup...in a minute" (whenever she's upset about having to get dressed, have her diaper changed, etc. she'll ask for her milk cup...then procede with what she knows Mommy will say in response)
"Necessary!" (meaning it's not necessary...when she's whining/crying about something because she wants it but can't have it/when she has to do something she doesn't want to)
"Bye Bye ____(someone's name or doll, etc.), I love you...that's nice" (she knows it's nice/sweet to say that)
"So cute" (when she puts on dress up clothes or has a bow in her hair)
"You may have it" (when she wants something...even if she isn't actually allowed to have it...she tricked Grandma with this already:)
"We're eating" (when she wants to play or read while we're in the middle of a meal)
"Have a good nap" (as she gets in the pack and play for her nap)
"What's the matter/What's the trouble" (when she's crying or upset)

I'm sure there are plenty more, but that's what comes to mind right now.

Over the weekend we also did a little house update...we got a sofa sleeper for our basement.  Once Rebecca is in her new room the basement will become our guest room.  It was nice that Grandpa Voogt was here to help Justin get it.  And handy that we could use Grandpa Van's truck!  Now we just have to finish rearranging the basement (pictures to come when we've got it set up).

We have a busy week ahead of us with Dr. appts, shopping, Kindermusik, a playdate, MOPS and a basketball game/birthday party for Grandpa Holleboom.  Hopefully we'll all stay healthy now so we can enjoy our activities.

Sick

Our house has been hit by the flu bug.  It seems to be spreading like crazy around here.  I've heard of so many people that have had it.  Mary came down with it on Tuesday morning.  Justin started getting sick early Wednesday morning.  Mary was JUST feeling good enough to walk up the stairs by the time Rebecca woke up (thank goodness!).  Rebecca did puke up her breakfast Wednesday morning.  But other than that she's seemed to be doing pretty well.  We are so thankful for that since Mommy and Daddy were not up for much.  We are slowly getting better but are still weak and taking it easy.  Hopefully in the next few days we'll be back to normal.  And hopefully this is it for sickness this winter!

21 Months Old

Rebecca is 21 months old today!  It seems like I just wrote the 20 month post.  Rebecca is learning and growing so much.  This has been a month of some firsts.  Rebecca used her potty for the first time.  She stayed with a baby-sitter, at their house.  She had her first taste of juice.  She used a straw for the first time.  And she had her first peanut butter and jelly sandwich :)

Rebecca is really becoming a whiz at counting.  She now spouts off 1-10 like nothing (check out the latest video)...and she does it all the time :)  She is getting pretty good with 11 - 20 as well.  And will usually even go up to 23 or 24.  She's starting to learn the pattern of repeating nubmers.  She started saying 21, 22, etc. on her own before we even told her what was next.  Her counting book from Uncle Jason and Aunt Julie has been a big help!

She is still working on a new letter each week and learning how to spell a few new words.  Her most recent was "cup."

One major accomplishment this month is that Rebecca has started singing along with music.  She has been singing on her own for quite some time.  But a couple weeks ago Mary was singing along with a CD (and it was even a new one...had only listened to it a few times) and Rebecca started singing right along with her, holding out the notes, changing the tone of her voice, etc.  We didn't even know she knew the song, let alone that she could sing right along!  Since then she has been doing a lot more singing with lots of different songs.  She loves the new CDs she got from Grandpa and Grandma Voogt for Christmas.  We have a Sunday school sing along almost every day :)

Rebecca is getting really good with puzzles.  She especially likes her clock puzzle from Grandpa and Grandma Holleboom.  She knows almost all of the shapes already, including quatrafoil, parallelogram, trapezoid, oval and octagon.  With her love of numbers and shapes it seems as though we may have another math whiz in the family :)  Mommy and Daddy both love math too, so no big surprise there.

Rebecca is developing quite the imagination.  She is starting to use her dress up clothes from Grandpa and Grandma Voogt.  She loves to play with her little people and make them play, etc.  She still loves to pretend to cook, bake and take care of her babies.  She still loves to help Mommy with the real baking too.  Rebecca is really developing her own personality.  She loves to be silly and will find the strangest things hilarious.  She cracks herself up.  And she still loves to cuddle.  She gives the best hugs :)

We continue to enjoy our regular outings to MOPS and Kindermusik.  We are very excited for the next semester of Kindermusik to start next week!  It'll be fun to learn new songs, read new books and maybe make some new friends.

We are looking forward to seeing lots of family in the coming weeks...Grandpa and Grandma Voogt in two weeks, all of the Hollebooms (for Grandpa's birthday) on Feb. 6, all of the Hollebooms (for Carson's birthday) on Feb. 13 and possibly all of the Hollebooms again (for Grandma's birthday and Uncle Kevin's birthday) on Feb. 20.  Rebecca loves visiting with family, so we are excited to get so see everyone.

It's hard to believe Rebecca is only 3 months shy of turning 2.  We're trying to enjoy each day and each moment.  She'll be all grown up before we know it.

Let's Go Knights!

We went to our first Calvin basketball game of the season yesterday.  It was a lot of fun!  Rebecca got to try her new Calvin jersey.  I have to say, she makes one cute little knight :)  Rebecca wasn't sure about all of the clalpping and buzzers at first.  But she warmed up pretty quickly and was clapping along with the pep band.  As always she enjoyed getting to see Grandpa and Grandma Holleboom.  And Grandma got her a special treat...a soft pretzel.  She really liked that!  After the game Grandpa and Grandma came to our house for dinner and to visit a bit.  We had a great afternoon and evening.  We're looking forward to going to another game on Feb. 6 with the whole family to celebrate Grandpa's birthday.

Merry Christmas #4! And Happy New Year!

We spent the last few days in WI celebrating Christmas with all of the Voogts.  We left Mon. morning and got to WI mid-afternoon.  We relaxed and had fun with Grandpa and Grandma Voogt and Uncle Kevin.

Tues. morning we spent a little time outside in the snow.  Rebecca is not too fond of bundling up, but she managed about 15 min. outside and even went sledding down the hill with Mommy and Daddy.  She preferred holding Mommy's hand and chasing the kitty around the yard.  Late morning Uncle Ryan and Aunt Shannon arrived. 

In the afternoon we opened presents and then had a great Christmas dinner.  Gandma Voogt always makes good food.  Rebecca couldn't get enough chicken and broccoli :)  Rebecca got some neat stuff...dress up clothes, books, a stationary bike w/ games, a floor puzzle, modeling clay, some My Little Ponies, a Leapfrog guitar, a full length mirror, CDs. 

Wed. morning Grandpa and Grandma Voogt took us to a children's museum in Appleton.  Rebecca was ready to run the moment we walked in the door.  She didn't hesitate for a second.  She loved it.  So much fun stuff to see and do.  Rebecca probably would have stayed there all day if we let her.  After lunch Rebecca napped while Daddy, Ryan, Shannon and Kevin went tubing.  It was a quiet afternoon. 

In the evening we just relaxed and worked on a puzzle.  And of course had another amazing meal...Rebecca's favorite...ham! (with ketchup of course:)  We headed home Thurs. morning after breakfast. and got home around 5pm.  Some of the other highlights for Rebecca were the kitty (Chester), the dogs (Scout - "cout" and Rowdy - "wowdy"), all the little people and of course being the center of attention and showing everyone how smart she is :)  Rebecca was sad to have to leave Grandpa and Grandma, but we're all happy to be home.  As always Grandpa and Grandma Voogt were gracious, accomodating, generous hosts.  And there was no shortage of great food and goodies.  We had a great Christmas this year, seeing all of our relatives.  And everyone was so generous!  We've all got new "toys" to play with :)

Now it's time to start the new year.  We pray for God's blessing on all of our friends and family in the coming year.