Another Busy Weekend

The weather continues to be gorgeous, and we continue to enjoy it!

the view from my chair! ;)

Saturday we spent all day on the boat again. It was a bit overcast but that's actually perfect with two little ones, at least for us.

both boys continue to be good little boaters...we even got Bentley to take a short nap (getting him out of the water was no easy task), and Harrison slept for about 4 hours as well.

Sunday we caught up on naps and spent the evening with family at Aunt Pam's pool. It was so great to catch up with everyone and for Bentley to get to play with all his cousins.

Monday, we again, caught up on some sleep, and spent most of the day relaxing and playing indoors.

Bentley loves to watch videos on the iPad, so I had him show some to Harrison too. I forsee a lot more of this in my future. :)

We went to visit Vienings at the state park at night. The boys had fun playing diggers together && touring the park on the Gator.

We are looking forward to another warm week...like in the 100's warm! We might be finding some indoor activities to do for a few days too. The AC is a nice break sometimes. :)

Our little Parrot

Bentley has been copying almost everything we say lately. It's been super fun to watch him pick up on new words and use them. Here are a few I was able to catch on video.

He now says his own name...although most of the time he calls himself "gotbee".

Close enough, right?

&& this is a new favorite. I say this often, and he is starting to now as well! :)

Can you tell I shout "Babe" upstairs to Brandon once in a while??

&& last but not least...he is all things "boat" these days.

Father's Day 2012

We had a wonderful relaxing and fun filled day celebrating Brandon for Father's day.

After indulging in B's favorite meal for lunch, we took naps and then packed up and headed out for a boat ride and a picnic - per Daddy's request. :)

It was a beautiful night for a boat ride so we ran up to Grand Haven and back. Both boys do really well on the boat, which makes it nice and relaxing for us all.

After our cruise we beached the boat and had a picnic dinner and let Bentley play in the water for a while. It wasn't too cold, but that doesn't seem to stop him anyway.

Daddy && his Boys

he .loves. duckies.

Happy Father's Day, Daddy!

Feeding his leftover crackers from dinner to the duckies.

He giggled nonstop.

We are so blessed to have such an amazing daddy and husband in our lives. We love you, B, and thank God everyday for blessing us with you!!

Beach Days

After an invite from a friend, I got adventurous and loaded both boys up for a beach day, Friday. It was a lot of stuff to haul up and down the stairs but the smile on Bentley's face made it worth it.

Harrison napped on the beach for a while, before heading up to the house to put Bentley down. They both napped for about two hours, in unison, so I got some time in the sun.

Saturday we packed up again and took the boat back to the beach.

The boys on their new boat!

Again, both boys napped for two hours, in unison, so B and I got some good time spending time together and playing with the gadgets on the boat.

out cold. :)

we went for a short ride after naps..

&& came back for some more beach time.

We got interrupted by rain and short storm, which we watched from the safety of the house while we made dinner for the guys and kids.

The sun came out, and back outside we went!

It was a great weekend enjoying the beautiful nature we are so blessed with here in West Michigan. We are looking forward to many more fun weekends this summer!



one[[1]]month.old. (hlp)

Harrison Lee -

The time is just flying by - it seems like just yesterday we found out we were pregnant with you and today marks one month since we welcomed you into our family! What an amazing experience this has been for Daddy, Bentley and I. It has definatley been an adjustment, getting to know you and your new little personality while trying to juggle your big brother and his needs, but we wouldn't change it for the world.

Speaking of blessed, you are an angel baby. People can hardly believe we got lucky enough to get two angel babies in a row. It hardly seems possible that anyone could be more laid back & easy going than your brother was, but you my little love have achieved that! You hardly ever cry - in fact I think it was just last week that you finally let me really know you were mad when I didn't have a bottle ready for you when you wanted one. Other than that,we don't hear much out of you. Surprisingly, I think you might be more like Daddy than Bentley is, if that's even possible.

You are eating 4 ounces every 3 hours during the day and night. It doesn't make for much sleep for me, but your stretches are starting to get a bit longer at night. You sleep swaddled, in your crib. Just like brother, we put you in your crib the very first night we brought you home. You love to be snuggly and warm, so I usually put a hat on you as well and sometimes a blanket. If you aren't warm, you will not sleep, not matter how tired you seem to be.

I just packed up all your newborn clothes this week, you are in 0-3 and 3 months clothes already. You are still in newborn diapers, but won't be for much longer. We have had a few close calls with blowouts so I am feeling like it is time for size ones. Kind of bittersweet packing up all this newborn stuff so soon.

You aren't awake very much during the day yet, but every day your awake times seem to get a bit longer. You are starting to focus on us a bit when we hold you although we aren't entirely sure if you can even see us or not. You are also starting to smile, here and there, but again, we aren't sure if its real or just a fluke. :) So far, the only thing you don't seem to like is bathtime. But even that is getting better. You cry less and less each time. You love to ride in the car and go for walks - both put you to sleep almost instantly. You also love to be snuggled in your swing.

Bentley is starting to get interested in you, especially when you are awake. He is starting to try to share his snacks and sippy cup with you, and he sometimes shows you what truck he is playing with. He also likes to give you high fives, knuckles, and pretend to tickle you on the top of your head or your feet.

We are so thankful that the Lord blessed us with you; you are a perfect fit.
xoxo Mommy, Daddy && Bentley

Taking Time.

Bentley & Harrison -

It's Father's Day today. Daddy's second Father's Day; first as a father of two beautiful boys. I just wanted to write you and let you know how lucky and blessed you boys are to have a Daddy like you do.

From the moment we found out you were both boys, he smiled a smile I had never seen before. I could tell he was proud, and so excited to have two little buddies to have fun with, teach life lessons to and raise to be wonderful men someday.

Let me tell you boys, he is on track to doing just that. He works very hard for you boys and I, so sometimes he feels like he misses out on things, or doesn't get a chance to teach you things he thinks you should know or might like.

But, that is not the case.

No matter how tired he is when he walks in the door at night, he makes sure to spend special time with both of you. He takes the time to ask you, Bentley, what you did that day and if you had fun. He takes the time to play trucks with you and dance like goof balls to some of your favorite songs. He also takes the time every night to snuggle you in the rocking chair while reading you a bedtime story, recite your prayers with you and tell you about all the exciting things you will get to do tomorrow night when he gets home.

He takes the time to snuggle you, Harrison, and usually do your last feeding of the night while I am either already sleeping, or preparing things around the house for the morning. He also takes the time to hold you and admire your precious sleeping face before saying your prayers and tucking you in for the night.

More importantly though, he is taking the time to make sure he is a good role model.

I know you boys are young and don't understand yet, but someday you will, and when that day comes I know you will be very thankful he took the time to do this. He is very good at making a conscious effort to make sure he is setting a good example in the way he reacts to situations & handles them (he is way better at this than I am, boys, I can't lie.) He is also very conscious about how he treats others, and I think it's safe to say very few people in this world have a bad word to say about your Daddy. He is always very nice to anyone and everyone he comes in contact with, which is something to be admired.

He is also taking time at working hard to become the Christian center of our home. This isn't something that has come naturally to him, but we both know it is very important in raising a strong, faith filled, family. Despite the unnaturalness and sometimes difficulty, I am so proud to say that he is really filling these shoes well, and I can't wait to see how God continues to work through your Daddy to continue to shape our family in our faith together.

I guess, in short, what I am trying to say is that your Daddy is an amazing man and blessing from God. All three of us are beyond blessed to have him in our lives, and the example he sets for you and the way he treats us is remarkable.

Happy Father's Day, Daddy.

We are so thankful for you and we love to you to the moon && back.

Happy Father's Day too, to our fathers (all 3 of them!), and our brothers in law: Chad who is a wonderful father to his two boys, and Robert who we know will make a wonderful father to baby k.

Some days I feel like we are finally getting back to "normal" around here, whatever normal means. Harrison is starting to sleep a little more at night, which leaves me with some energy to do more...like venture out and about with my boys. Don't get me wrong, we still don't go far, but the more we go, the more I am realizing we all need it most days. Even though I could stay home for days on end (yes, I am a self proclaimed home body), it does feel really good to be out and about again, and I can tell a big difference in Bentley's attitude.

So, here is some of what we've been up to. Excuse my randomness, but considering this is pretty much my only form of documenting memories, I'm going to just vomit it all. Given that my time is limited these days, I'm choosing the easy route. :)

We've been taking walks and enjoying some playing at the park

B and I were able to sneak away for dinner and a boat ride this week.

Very refreshing && much needed. For us all.

We are taking advantage of the nice weather and fresh produce at Farmer's Market.

We are enjoying warm nights playing outside.

&& playing with friends.

&& we are watching this little one grow like a weed before our eyes.

Hard to believe he is 4 weeks old today.

Date Day && Boat Ride

The weather has be gorgeous lately, so we have been spending time trying to take full advantage!

I am still a little chicken about going too far with both boys, and Bentley is more than content playing in his sandbox on the deck, so most days, we are hanging out around here.

Friday, my mom group from church had a play date at a local park, so Harrison went to Grandma's for a bit so Bentley and I could have a "date" to the park together.

Until my littlest prince had left the house, I didn't realize how overdue a date with my little prince was. He was in heaven having 100% of my attention, and we had one of the best mornings together that we have both had in a while.

Harrison didn't suffer for attention either, by any means...in fact, I'm fairly certain he hardly got set down! ;)

After being without him for most of the day, we had lots of snuggling to catch up on once big brother was in bed. Sweet baby snuggles are the best...so good that we slept together on the couch for 2 hours before finally enjoying his last bottle of the night and heading to bed.

Saturday, Brandon went and picked up his new boat. So after Bentley woke up from his nap, we loaded up with some friends and headed out on the water. It was a gorgeous afternoon and the lake was in perfect condition for a boat ride.

I was a bit nervous about boating with two babies - it seemed like it would be one of those times where there just wasn't enough of me to go around. Maybe it's that Harrison is so small, or that I have an uncontrollable fear of Bentley jumping overboard (because he is afraid of nothing, and would totally do something like this), but I was pretty sure it was going to be super intense and borderline disastrous. Or maybe it's the fact that I think Bentley is still so much a baby and needs me a lot still.

Both of my thoughts were proved totally wrong. Bentley was an angel and as much as he loves the water, he knew he didn't want to get too close to the edge of the boat (thank you Lord!). He also let me know that he is FAR from a baby, and would rather sit in his own seat, like a big boy, and do his own thing.

Like wave and yell HI to every boat we passed in the channel.

&& then this. Really, as long as he is with his dad, and they're moving (especially in something that is in the wa-wee and is a bit loud) they are both in heaven. I am so thankful for a toddler that is so well behaved and can adapt in any environment.

I do believe I lost my "first mate" position though...and fear I probably won't ever get it back. I'm okay with that though, the smiles on both their faces made it worth giving up!

With babies on board we just putsed around, but it was a gorgeous night.

We are looking forward to getting out on the water again, hopefully soon!!!

Big Cousins

We were so ecstatic to learn the week before Harrison joined our family, that the rest of our family was going to grow too!

That's right, Bentley && Harrison are going to be proud big cousins to Baby Kaindl -- due in November!

We couldn't be more thankful for this little blessing and our excitement for Jenna & Robert is overflowing. We look forward to sharing in this adventure with them, as we know they will make amazing parents.

Bentley got to share the news with the rest of the family at Mother's Day...

&& I have always wanted to be pregnant with my sister, so we the night before we had Harrison, she came over for a quick "belly" pic.

J: 12 weeks K: 39 weeks && Bentley 20 months

We are so thankful for another little blessing from God!

[[21]]months

Bentley Ivan -

Another month, came and went. You are changing by the minute these days it seems, and Daddy and I are LOVING this stage you are in. We feel like we can finally communicate with you, and you understand. You are starting to learn how to express your feelings and your thoughts to us and it has been fun to watch. You don't miss a thing, ever. You are constantly paying attention to what is going on around you, and how things around you work, and you love to mimick. You mimick us, cartoons, things you see other people do, and even sometimes your little brother. :)

You are talking like crazy. Every day is a new word. We are really learning we have to watch what we say (not that we cuss like sailors around here, but you are pretty smart and pick up on an awful lot). Almost all day long I have cartoons on for you and sometimes you stop and pay attention here and there in between playing tractors and coming in and out of the house to and from your sandbox. After a few days of some random mumblings, I realized you were trying to say some words in chinese that you learned from the cartoon Ni Hao, Kai Lan. You now walk around and say "ni Hao" quite often. Another one of your favorites is Grampa. This too, is a new one. You are obsessed with Grampa & Papa these days. You play in your sandbox and talk to them as if they were sitting there watching you. When we go to Grampa & Gramma's house, you yell GRAMPA in the backseat, the whole way there. You are a man's man, little one.

You have also recently started saying boat, duck duck goose, amen, sky, and many animal noises. Grampa and Daddy have been working hard at teaching you your animals so that someday, hopefully soon, you understand that not everything is a doggie, and not every thing says woof woof! ;)

You are still in size 4 diapers and 18-24 month clothes with some 2T. You have started to really cooperate for diaper changes - we think your little brother might have something to do with this. You like to "copy" him sometimes. You are still eating very well. Your favorites are still fruit and pizza, but you eat pretty much anything we feed you. You are still taking a 2-3 hour nap in the afternoon and 12 hours at night. Playing outside has made for longer naps and earlier bedtimes, but mommy isnt complaining right now - she is enjoying the extra sleep! :)

You are starting to really take to Harrison. You like to lay on the floor with him and pretend to tickle him and you like to hold him and help hold his bottle when he eats. You also like to kiss him repeatedly, sometimes. Other times you try to lay on him, or sometimes jump on him.You still have your jealous moments, but so far the adjustment is going as good as expected considering you were used to 100% of mommy's attention!!

You are a clown and really enjoy hamming it up for an audience. Lately we are getting reports from nursery that you are just hilarious and love to make faces with the other kids to make everyone laugh. You are also loving to dance lately, especially to "daddy's" music in daddy's truck. You also enjoy sitting on the deck at G&G's house and watch the airplanes come and go - you wave and say bye bye! All things truck and tractor are still your favorite past time - I don't think you will ever outgrow your love for either of those things.

We are looking forward to spending the summer playing outside with you as this is one of your favorite things to do. We are loving watching you grow up to be such a sweet little boy and big brother. We are confident you and Harrison are going to be best buds someday in the very near future. :)

someday, he will laugh at this picture! ;)

We love you big boy, and we can't wait to see what the Lord has in store for your little future, and our future as a family.

xoxo - Daddy, Mommy && Harrison

[[a new different]]

It doesn't seem like we have much new to report, over here. Not that life isn't boring, it's far from that - it's just...different.

Different in the fact that I have much less time to document things (or take pictures to document things) than I did before. Different in that we are SO busy all the time, yet I have only left the house ONCE in the last two weeks, with both boys, alone. Different in that getting out of the house, at least once a day has now become getting out of the house, once a week, and usually alone.

I love our new different, though. It has been a refreshing change of pace, and I have really enjoyed spending many days in jammies with my boys, soaking up the little things in life.

Of course, because I am a camera whore, I do have a few pictures of my little loves to share. Because, they're so cute, I just can't resist! ;)

I did a comparison a few posts back of the boys as babies. Well, Kelsey got Harrison's newborn pics edited earlier this week and I put this together.

Bentley is on the top - Harrison on the bottom.

I was honestly shocked at their similiarities, down to their hairlines.

I guess I was so shocked because right now, they couldn't be more opposite. Bentley is blonde and fair, and Harrison is full of dark hair and a bit of a darker complexion.

Bentley is really starting to take to Harrison, and wants to give him kisses alot. I have been trying to stay back and promote some sibling bonding between the two of them, but Bentley makes me a little nervous yet. He is doing better, but like I mentioned before, he isn't always the most gentle, and now he likes to try and hold Harrison without asking for help. I am trying to be very patient and let him help when he asks or shows interest though..

my little helper while I made dinner for the first time in two weeks. that felt good! :)

brothers on a road trip.

Sunday evening we spent some time with B's family - Danielle & Chad and the boys were in town for a bit, so it is always fun to get together and let the boys play since they don't see each other often.

This was the best picture I could get of Nana && Papa with their grandboys. I am pretty sure it explains perfectly what things are like with 4 boys under the age of 3: blessed && busy! :)

We are hoping for some warmer weather this week so we can get outside a bit more. Tomorrow, I attempt to perfect the art of baby-wearing so maybe later this week I can maybe be brave enough to venture to Meijer or Target with both boys... alone. :)