The Vanderwal's: May 2013

Better late than never right? We finally took the girls 10 month sticker pictures earlier this week so they are more like 10 1/2 months old in these. Maybe I should have just stuck it out but I have given up on the suitcases. The girls were scared of them, they wouldn't sit on them or stand by them, so as much as I wanted to have a years worth of pics with the vintage suitcases, it wasn't worth the struggle. And since we are making progress on our basement, the girls love to sit on the steps. So, here are the 10 month pics:

Someone keeps tapping my shoulder but when I turn to look, no one is there ;)

Very intrigued by each other's stickers

Goofballs!

The girls continue to entertain us everyday. Quinn is such a little comedian and loves to show off....either her skills with the walker or her huge cheesy smile. She loves to play peek a boo, with or without any one to "boo" to and is almost always happy. Although she can pull a good pout and whine with the best of them if she needs to. Amelia is so sweet and is a lot more quiet than Quinn; however, is more outgoing with strangers. She has an adorable laugh, plays so nicely by herself or with her sister, and loves to be held. They both have been rather clingy lately....mama's girls--what can I say! :) Quinn finally has 2 teeth popping through on the bottom while we are still waiting for any from Amelia. If their stickers didn't tell me that they were 10 months old, I would hardly believe it.

As I mentioned, we are making progress on the basement. We are really excited about it and cant wait to get settled in down there. Here are the pictures:

From the top of the stairs

The bottom of the stairs, looking at the walkout.

View of the main room from the tile by the walkout

Bedroom/Kev's office

My bathroom...yep...I am moving all my "girl stuff" downstairs. Kevin can hardly wait!

One of my favorite rooms. All I asked for was a utility sink and I got one! :) I also love the colors!

Quinn is already a pro at the steps!

Happy Memorial Day everyone! Thank you to those who have served or are currently serving our country. Truly an amazing sacrifice Anyway, hope everyone has a great long weekend, and in my dad's words, "Be good, be nice, and be happy!"

I would like to start out this post by saying Happy Mother's Day to my Mom and Kevin's Mom. We have been blessed with the most amazing mothers and are so thankful for everything they do for us--their wisdom, prayers, and influence. We love you!

This weekend I have been thinking a lot about Mother's Day. Of course I am excited to be able to celebrate my first official Mother's Day. Kevin and the girls spoiled me. Last year at this time I was 7 months pregnant so that counted too, but this year is different as I got to spend the day with my girls. We had a great day playing and laughing and it was nice enough to sit on the deck and take some pictures outside. I was spoiled being able to spend the day with them, Kevin, and my parents.
But I know that not everyone had a great day like I did and it makes me sad. I have friends who lost their mom this year or within the last couple years. I know people who want to be mom's and that dream is not becoming a reality. There are those that never got to know their mom or didn't have a good relationship with their mom. All of these reminders make me all the more thankful for my mom and for the beautiful daughters we have been blessed with.
Yesterday I went to Sioux Center and got to have brunch with my roommates from my senior year at Dordt. Becky just had her first baby in March and Valerie is expecting her first baby in July. Joni lost her mom two years ago. Our other Dordt roommate, Sarah, passed away almost a year ago due to complications from a miscarriage. Kari wasn't with us this weekend but she is getting married this summer and will one day likely become a mom. As I was painting our basement walls later in the day, I started to think about how each of these people and their families would have a different experience and viewpoint of Mother's Day this year. Hugs to you all!

The last couple weeks have been crazy busy. Amelia went from an ear infection to a double ear infection. So three antibiotics, one mild allergic reaction to one of them later, she is on the mend and acting more like herself. Kevin's mom was able to visit last week so it was great being able to see her in the evenings after work. It had been since Thanksgiving that she had seen them so I know she was pretty amazed with how they have grown. So after visiting with her, Heather, and Elliot, we would put the girls to bed, and then head downstairs to paint.
The girls had their 10 month appointment last week, which worked out well because Kevin's mom could come with to help out with the girls. They are doing well! Amelia is in the 92% for height and Quinn is 88%. Both of them are right around 60% for weight and head size. No shots at this one but they did get poked for a hemoglobin check and there were no tears! Mom and I were sweating and caused a little mess in the lab but nothing new there :) We did find out the girls are mildly anemic so
will have to watch that as they get older.

I haven't taken their 10 month sticker pictures yet, hopefully we can get that accomplished this week. But here are some other pictures of the girls lately: