baa and growl

I know you are probably wondering what in the world is up with that title. Well, on our ride to Nappanee on Tuesday to get our haircut, Trevor was looking out the window saying baaa to everything. Gretchen was trying to convince him that not everything was a sheep. He, however, enjoyed his baa time the entire way there and home. Along the way we passed by some horses. Since Gretchen was little she has always called them "yippees." I told her there were some "yippees" ahead on her side. She informed me they are now called horses.


Then comes yesterday at the grocery store. Everything in the parking lot was a baa; once again Gretchen tells him there are no sheep at the store that those are cars instead. She goes on to tell me that Trevor is very confused with his animals.

Now comes the growl part. Yesterday morning Gretchen was sitting on the couch drinking her orange juice and Trevor was in my lap on the rocking chair. He proceeds to get down from the rocking chair and heads towards the couch to see her. She tells him "no" that he couldn't get on the couch and he then growls at her. I kid you not, he growled at his sister. Gretchen and I were both stunned at what he had done. He then does it again at the dogs. They didn't find it as amusing as Gretchen and I did.

Last night while shopping at Wal-Mart, Ray was holding Trevor and I had Gretchen in a shopping cart. Ray and Trevor started to go look at clothes and Trevor turned towards another shopping cart and goes "cart." Sure enough the little stinker wanted to sit in his own shopping cart.

I guess it just goes to show my little people are starting to grow up. :(

Ball or Apple???

Yesterday we headed up near Corey Lake in Michigan to pick apples. Or as Trevor likes to say ball. He was amazed by all of the balls. We pulled into the orchard and Gretchen knew right away it was apple time. I gave Trevor one and his eyes lit right up; "ball" was all he could say. Gretchen spent most of the morning trying to convince him that they were apples not balls. At one point she told me that he just doesn't get it. :)

Luckily this year was a good year and the apples were every where and didn't take too long to fill the back of the Tahoe. (Yes, I said fill.) Last year was a light crop and it was pick and miss with the trees. The next few weeks will now consist of making and freezing applesauce and trying to make as many dishes as possible with apples in them. Gretchen seems to think we need to eat them at all 3 meals as well as snack time.

A tradition that started while picking apples is that the kids love to sit in the front seat and "drive." Trevor had a blast doing it this year. Gretchen didn't seem to interested in doing it this year. She was busy playing with the apples.

I'll leave you with my little driver asleep. Too much sun and apples makes for one tired little boy.

Fair, Apple Festival and Gator

On Thursday, we made the trip up to Centreville, MI for the St. Joseph County Fair. Gretchen loves going to fairs. She'd go everyday if I let her. I think she just enjoys the animals. Trevor isn't too sure about the animals yet. Everything is just so big to him. :) Gretchen got to enjoy a horse ride which made her day. I get to hear about this all the time. Of course we had to take in as much fair food as possible too. Now we're officially done with fairs for this year. We hadn't let the fair more than 5 minutes and Mr. T was asleep. It was just too much for him.

This morning we ventured over to Nappanee for the Apple Festival. We met up with Chris and Jen who live there. It was a nice warm morning. Great weather for a parade and a walk. Gretchen was thrilled with all of the candy she got. It amazed Ray and I how much she and Trevor got.

Yesterday morning Ray and Gretchen ventured over to his mom's house. Another house in the subdivision happened to be having a garage and behold they had a gator for sale. Gretchen will tell you right away that it looks like Grandpa's. The kids love taking rides with Grandpa around the yard. Watch out Grandpa!

Mr. T

From the moment we got to hold Trevor in the doctor's office (yes, that's right doctor's office not the hospital), I knew things were going to be different with this little one.



Don't get me wrong, we had it very easy with Gretchen. He's just so much more laid back about things. A little adjustment to a schedule here and there doesn't freak him out like it does Gretchen. He's also my little monkey. We sure don't remember Gretchen climbing at such an early age like Trevor does. His favorite trick is to climb on the back of the couch and to stick his hand in the fish tank. Gretchen thinks it's funny to watch Trevor go fishing with his hand. He's bound and determined to catch one of those guys.



His latest trick is the kitchen table. Move out the chair, push the cushion on to the floor and up I go. I have figured out most of the time it's his way of telling me he's hungry. There's no doubt about it, he's Ray's kid. Trevor is constantly caring tools around. He's always looking for something to fix or maybe brake and then fix. :)




He has this little habit of picking things up and hiding them from you. He seems to think it's absolutely hilarious especially when you question him. He just gives you one of his "I'm innocent" look. We're currently missing the bathtub plug. Ray and I have searched everywhere in this house and no luck.

Yep, that's our Mr. T.

Gretchen

Well, I've decided it's time for some introductions. We'll start with Gretchen. She's our little miracle child. Let's just say she wasn't planned for but came out as health as can be. She's 3 1/2 and reminds me daily that she will soon be 4.



She is a talker and seems to remember everything. She can relive days over and over. It amazes me! She also has quite the imagination. No imaginary friends yet.



She's been a great big sister. She loves to "read" to Trevor her books. We're still working on the sharing part.



She's my little helper. She loves helping me cook and clean. Most of the time she can't wait for the goodies to bake; she has to try them by licking the beaters.

She gets very excited when Ray says anything about mowing. I can always find her outside with her lawn mower chasing daddy down as he mows. Each day she amazes me by what she can do. She's learning and growing up much too quickly. We love you Gretchen!!

Rain, Rain Go away!!

That's right it's raining again. It has been for the past 2 days. Seems alot longer than that when you are stuck inside with 2 very active little ones. Thank goodness Ray and I cleaned the basement to give them more room to run. Ray even brought in one of the playhouses from outside for the kids to play with. They love it!!

Lately Gretchen has become more and more talkative. I specifically mean in a language I can understand. She started talking later than most kids and slurs alot of words. Ray and I aren't too worried about it because we know most of the time she is just very excited to tell us something but can't get it out fast enough. Today we had the most interesting conversation.

G: "Mommy, why is it still raining?"
Me: "well, God decided that He needed to water mommy's plants and daddy's grass."
G: "He did that yesterday."
Me: "I guess He's not done yet."
G: "Well, He needs to stop. It's my turn. He's not sharing very well."
Me: laughing like there's no tomorrow. Thank goodness for kids. :)

What a wonderful life!!

Well, I've decided to enter the world of blogging. I would say it's more of a way for family and friends to see the kido-s growing up. They definitely don't stay little for long.

Gretchen is 3 1/2 but somedays I think she's a teenager already. She can be quite the handful but at the end of the day when she gives those wonderful kisses and hugs it's all worth it. Each morning is quite an adventure; she is in the "I'm going to get myself dressed" stage. I never know what she is going to come out wearing. It lets her have a chance to be creative.

My little man Trevor is really growing up fast. He's now 14 months. WOW!! He's my little monkey. I can't leave him alone in a room. It's not safe. He has managed to climb on the couch and stick his hand in the fish tank. He's trying to chase them is what Gretchen tells me. He's becoming more and more vocal each day.


Ray and I have now been married for 3 1/2 years. It's been full of it's ups and downs but it's all worth it. I can't imagine my life without these 3 wonderful people in it.