Sept. '11

Alice's first day with full pigtails.

Alice has been having a lot of fun swimming in her pool in the backyard. She loves laying on her tummy and kicking her feet and blowing bubbles.

Alice has finally decided that getting her picture taken is fun and now makes BIG Cheesy smiles for the camera.

Jameson and I got to go to the Iowa State vs. Iowa game in Ames. His friend won tickets and gave them to us since he already had season tickets. Our wonderful friend Gayle, along with her two girls, graciously agreed to watch Alice and Anna for the day since both Grandmas were busy. This was my first time away from Anna for more than an hour. It was a close and exciting game from the beginning to the end. After 3 overtimes, Iowa State won 44-40. It was a great game to be at!

Labor Day Weekend we spent the weekend at Jameson's families. We've been staying with his parents the last couple times as Jameson's brother Austin has graciously moved to the downstairs bedroom when we come so that we can have both bedrooms upstairs during our visit. This works out great, allowing Alice to have her own bedroom which helps her, and thus us, sleep much better.

Alice and Anna with Grandma Roose

Jameson and his dad did some fishing and caught several large fish.

Alice had fun playing with her cousins, especially Timothy. He's older so there's not competition for toys between them and he does a great job of helping watch out for her. She can now say Timothy ('T T'), Arie, and Lydia and has mentioned them at least once, usually multiple times, everyday since this visit. When I ask her who we should pray for Timothy is frequently one of the first people she mentions.

Alice playing with Timothy.

Anna showing Grandma Roose her delightful smiles

Anna and Great-Grandma Roose

Alice geared up to cheer on the Cyclones. (Cheesing, but not quite as much.)

Daddy having quality time w/ his little girls.

Alice & Anna 'riding horse' on the chair arms.

We went down to Jameson's family again at the end of September to meet our newest nephew, Peter, the weekend after he was born.

Anna & Peter (2 months apart)

Jameson and Peter

We went to a nearby farm with grandma, grandpa, Aunt Joy, and the cousins to buy some pumpkins for fall decor.

Alice & Pumpkin

Saturday night we had a hot dog roast at the farm.

Alice 'helping' Grandma Roose & Uncle Austin w/ dishes.

Aug '11

Garden produce- first big pick of cucumbers

The second Sunday after Anna was born, Jordan, Joy, TImothy, Arie, and Lydia came to meet Anna.
Aunt Joy, Lydia, and Arie meeting Anna

Jameson and Timothy had fun climbing one of the trees in our front yard.

Alice busy 'working'.

Jameson giving Anna her first bottle (practice for her baby shower the next day).

My friend Cindy threw a baby shower to celebrate Anna's new life. She is a great host and the decorating, food, and fellowship with good friends and family made it a special afternoon.

While guests were arriving at the shower everyone made flower hair clips for Alice and Anna.

Family photo.

Sweet Sisters!

More garden produce- the first big pick of (roma and large) tomatoes.


Since Anna was born she has slept much better in her car seat than she did laying flat in her bed. We decided to let her sleep in there if it meant mommy could get some sleep during the night (and some things done during the day). Then I started having her sleep in there during naps, when possible. Now I start the night having her sleep in her crib but if she wakes up before feeding time and can't get back to sleep I still put her car seat and then she sleeps great (and I can too)!

Aug.20/21 my cousin Elizabeth and her boyfriends Ryan were going to be 'home' (in the QC) for their birthdays so we made a trip back that weekend as well. We came Friday night and stayed thru Sunday afternoon. Usually we head home Saturday night so we can be back to our church on Sunday morning. It was nice to have a little longer visit this time and we got to go to the Moline OPC church and hear Pastor Ken Golden preach, which we really enjoyed. Saturday night we had a get together with my relatives for Elizabeth and Ryan's birthday. The weather was BEAUTIFUL so we spent the evening outside.
Alice playing with side walk chalk w/ my Aunt Carol.

Anna w/ Elizabeth and Great-Grandma Granger.

Alice trying to get in on a game of Bags.

Alice and Anna w/ Grandma and Grandpa Teeselink.

Alice still loves Anna just as much as the day she was born... or more. She is a GREAT big sister, eager to help mommy by getting Anna's burp rag (which Alice refers to as 'burp'), pacifier ('ba ba'), diaper, wipes, etc. She likes to have Anna close by and almost always stops what she's doing when Anna wakes up from a nap and comes with me to get her. She loves to give her hugs and kisses and asks to have Anna sit by her by sitting down, patting the floor next to her and saying Anna. Alice still gets super excited around Anna at times and needs constant reminding to be careful around Anna so she doesn't hurt her.
Anna seems to love her big sister and gives her great smiles. She is patient with Alice's close hello's, hugs, and kisses (Alice doesn't seem to think Anna needs much, if any, personal space). I'm excited to see the girls become great friends in upcoming years.
Sisterly Love

Smiling for the camera.

Alice playing with a new toy- a magnet puzzle that my mom's good friend Judy sent her along w/ a baby gift for Anna. She loved this new puzzle and quickly mastered it and learned her sea animals. Previously she's done puzzles with pictures underneath to show what pieces go where. This one she just had to go by the shape but that didn't stop her. So far it appears she'll love puzzles as much as I do! This is probably because I am always willing to sit down and do puzzles with her :)

Announcing Baby Anna

I was due Friday, July 15. At my 38 week appt I had showed a little "progress" and at my 39 week app. I was a little dialated so I was hopeful that this little one would come on her own (I was induced a week late with Alice). At 40 weeks, there was still no signs of this baby coming so I had a stress test. The baby was showing good movements and a good heartbeat but I was not having any contractions and was still only at a 2. We scheduled my induction for the following Wednesday at 8:30, still hopeful she would come before that. I had a few very tiny contractions at home but nothing painful or consistent. Wednesday morning at 6:30 we got a call that we had to wait to come in. At 10:00 we got a call that we could come in at 11:00. So at 10:45, we said goodbye to Alice (left in care of my mom at our house) and left for the hospital. I was still feeling great but we were excited to meet this little one!
Last picture as a family of 3.

Ready to head to the hospital.

More on the labor and delivery to come. For now here are pictures and brief descriptions.

Anna Elizabeth Roose
July 20, 5:32 PM
Weight: 6 lbs, 14.8 oz
Length: 20 in

Proud dad!

Proud mom!

Sweet little Anna.

Alice was still quite sick Wednesday night so we decided it was best for her and Grandma Teeselink to wait to come. (It wasn't easy for Grandma to wait!) Thursday morning she was doing better so, after getting her to eat some breakfast, Grandma T brought her to the hospital to meet Anna.
Alice meeting her new little sister.

Alice had lots of hugs and kisses for Anna.

Anna, Mommy, & Daddy

Jameson's parents and brother Austin came up Thursday night and came to the hospital to meet Anna.
Anna and Grandma Roose.

My dad came up Friday morning and came to the hospital to meet Anna.

Ready to go home from the hospital.

When we got home Friday morning both our parents and Austin were at our house (they stayed Thursday night thru Saturday night). Alice was very excited to see her sister at get her out to give her hugs and kisses.

Me and my girls.

Daddy and his girls.

Anna and Grandma Teeselink

Anna, Alice, and Grandma Roose

Anna and Grandpa Roose

Uncle Austin spent a lot of time playing with Alice and holding Anna.

Aunt Jenessa came up Saturday night to meet Anna.

Anna is a very sweet little girl. We quickly got her on a good schedule. During the day she eats good, is awake for a little while and then sleeps for an hour or two (eating about every 3 hours). After a few rough nights she is figuring out her days and nights and going back to sleep after eating at night, allowing me to get a sufficient amount of sleep. She gets to sleep more in her crib than Alice did has it's a safe sleeping place for her.

June/ July '10

We're exciting to meet our newest little one in just a few weeks and have been keeping busy finishing up multiple projects as we wait.



Alice's Bedroom

Alice's 'Table' Skirt (to cover up our filing cabinets)

Jameson's Table

Landscaping

Tree Trimming

Hardwood Floor in the nursery

Decorating the nursery