Sunday, January 25, 2015
Soaking up the Sun
The spring-like weather of 45 degrees on January 24 was more than enough to get us out of the house and out around the neighborhood. Cooper was THRILLED to dig his bike out of the shed and sport his new helmet.... Can you tell he's excited? Hopefully this warm weather snap makes winter seem shorter :)
Friday, January 23, 2015
Best Friends
"My brother is my best friend."
Quietly, sweetly, unprompted, and out of the blue.
Izzy just melted my heart... I sure hope they always love each other in these sweet little ways as they grow up :)
Friday, January 16, 2015
Happy Birthday to our Big Guy
Where has 4 years gone?!
I have been putting off writing this post because every time I think about what I'll write, I start tearing up. Like now, I am getting all emotional and I haven't even written anything!!! Blame it on the extra hormones or blame it on the miracle that happened 4 years and 19 days ago... looking in those little blue eyes for the first time.
I am amazed daily by the sweet, funny, loving, smart, sensitive, thoughtful, caring little man we have as our oldest son. Cooper turned 4 two weeks ago, and I cannot wrap my head around how much has changed in these four short years.
The kid says the funniest things. I wish I started writing down some of his one-liners, but here are a few that I don't ever want to forget.
"Nice one, Mom." (When I drop something)
"I'm kind of hungry for a snack. Maybe I need something cold. That I can lick." (Dropping 'clues' is his newest skill. This day, he was hungry for a popsicle!!)
"Hmmm... let's see what we have in the pantry. We have potatoes, noodles, and oh, look--we have fruit snacks! Maybe we should have some."
"This is going to be the best ______ EVER!!"
"I'm daddy's boy. Tough cookies, mom!"
"It's a MYSTERY!"
"Shhhh! We have to be quiet. We don't want to wake up the lions!"
"You are stinky. You better get in the shower!"
Cooper is really getting into pretend play so much more than even just a couple months ago. He will re-enact books or tv shows, and loves to play dinosaurs --wait, he's infatuated with dinosaurs, racing, hide and go seek (you must count to twenty-one before you can go find him), pillow fight, and bears, and he's been making up other 'games' almost daily. He will literally repeat book lines verbatim when we are playing something, which is so stinkin cute. He loves to build forts and caves with pillows and blankets. He still loves to play outside, and gets pretty bent out of shape if it's too cold to go out and play. He's getting pretty good with a bat and ball, and he does plenty of practicing in the basement :) Throwing and hitting balls in the house has never really been discouraged in this house!!
His appetite for books is insatiable. He would sit and read books for hours, especially if they are about dinosaurs or other animals. He also gives lots of patience to playing playdough. I swear he could be home alone if had enough playdough toys and a stash of new books.
He is big for his age. In fact, he is taller than many five year olds. I keep thinking the growth is going to slow down one of these days, but it just isn't!! He's now wearing 5T clothes and size 11 shoes.
He is starting to be more willing to write his name or give time and patience to coloring. He loves to use whiteboard markers on his easel, but doesn't like when we coach him on how to hold a pencil or marker... maybe his preschool teacher in the fall will have the magic touch ;) Just this last week, he went to the Pre-K Sunday School class, and he loved it. Debbie, the teacher, said he did really well. It was really cute to hear him tell us about the story he heard that day and remember some of the details. He even wrote his name and colored a full page of small pictures. Coop's been asking waaaay more questions lately, especially "Why?" Sometimes it's exhausting, but usually, it's so innocent that you can't get mad at the kid!!
Cooper loves to drive up the driveway by sitting in daddy's lap and steering the wheel. He gets the same goofy, innocent grin on his face every single time Jeremy lets him climb up front. He loves, loves, loves to play outside, whether it be winter or summer. This winter, he's been liking to predict snowstorms by looking at the clouds.
Cooper is the best big brother I think could ever exist. He loves Izzy so much, and he looks out for her, just like we hoped he would as her big brother. He loves to explain things to her, and he treats her like an equal. Now that they are sharing a bedroom, we often catch him on the monitor going over to her crib to pat her on the head or back and say, "Good night," just one last time. Just a couple nights ago, he was 'coaching' her how loud she needed to call for daddy when she needed something (okay, not all his influences are 'good'). He loves to cheer her on with her potty-training quest, and I know when she finally 'goes,' he is going to be the most excited of all of us. He is also a great big brother to the baby we haven't yet met. I am one month from due, and every single day, he lifts up my shirt to give the baby soft kisses and say, "Love you, Baby." He talks about how he is going to teach the baby things and play with him or her, and I know he will do a great job welcoming another sibling :)
This little man continues to teach us so much about being parents. Being the oldest, he's breaking us in to every age and stage, and doing a great job of it...
Cooper, I love you so incredibly much, and I love watching you learn about the world. I can't wait to see what this year has in store for you!!
I have been putting off writing this post because every time I think about what I'll write, I start tearing up. Like now, I am getting all emotional and I haven't even written anything!!! Blame it on the extra hormones or blame it on the miracle that happened 4 years and 19 days ago... looking in those little blue eyes for the first time.
I am amazed daily by the sweet, funny, loving, smart, sensitive, thoughtful, caring little man we have as our oldest son. Cooper turned 4 two weeks ago, and I cannot wrap my head around how much has changed in these four short years.
The kid says the funniest things. I wish I started writing down some of his one-liners, but here are a few that I don't ever want to forget.
"Nice one, Mom." (When I drop something)
"I'm kind of hungry for a snack. Maybe I need something cold. That I can lick." (Dropping 'clues' is his newest skill. This day, he was hungry for a popsicle!!)
"Hmmm... let's see what we have in the pantry. We have potatoes, noodles, and oh, look--we have fruit snacks! Maybe we should have some."
"This is going to be the best ______ EVER!!"
"I'm daddy's boy. Tough cookies, mom!"
"It's a MYSTERY!"
"Shhhh! We have to be quiet. We don't want to wake up the lions!"
"You are stinky. You better get in the shower!"
Cooper is really getting into pretend play so much more than even just a couple months ago. He will re-enact books or tv shows, and loves to play dinosaurs --wait, he's infatuated with dinosaurs, racing, hide and go seek (you must count to twenty-one before you can go find him), pillow fight, and bears, and he's been making up other 'games' almost daily. He will literally repeat book lines verbatim when we are playing something, which is so stinkin cute. He loves to build forts and caves with pillows and blankets. He still loves to play outside, and gets pretty bent out of shape if it's too cold to go out and play. He's getting pretty good with a bat and ball, and he does plenty of practicing in the basement :) Throwing and hitting balls in the house has never really been discouraged in this house!!
His appetite for books is insatiable. He would sit and read books for hours, especially if they are about dinosaurs or other animals. He also gives lots of patience to playing playdough. I swear he could be home alone if had enough playdough toys and a stash of new books.
He is big for his age. In fact, he is taller than many five year olds. I keep thinking the growth is going to slow down one of these days, but it just isn't!! He's now wearing 5T clothes and size 11 shoes.
He is starting to be more willing to write his name or give time and patience to coloring. He loves to use whiteboard markers on his easel, but doesn't like when we coach him on how to hold a pencil or marker... maybe his preschool teacher in the fall will have the magic touch ;) Just this last week, he went to the Pre-K Sunday School class, and he loved it. Debbie, the teacher, said he did really well. It was really cute to hear him tell us about the story he heard that day and remember some of the details. He even wrote his name and colored a full page of small pictures. Coop's been asking waaaay more questions lately, especially "Why?" Sometimes it's exhausting, but usually, it's so innocent that you can't get mad at the kid!!
Cooper loves to drive up the driveway by sitting in daddy's lap and steering the wheel. He gets the same goofy, innocent grin on his face every single time Jeremy lets him climb up front. He loves, loves, loves to play outside, whether it be winter or summer. This winter, he's been liking to predict snowstorms by looking at the clouds.
Cooper is the best big brother I think could ever exist. He loves Izzy so much, and he looks out for her, just like we hoped he would as her big brother. He loves to explain things to her, and he treats her like an equal. Now that they are sharing a bedroom, we often catch him on the monitor going over to her crib to pat her on the head or back and say, "Good night," just one last time. Just a couple nights ago, he was 'coaching' her how loud she needed to call for daddy when she needed something (okay, not all his influences are 'good'). He loves to cheer her on with her potty-training quest, and I know when she finally 'goes,' he is going to be the most excited of all of us. He is also a great big brother to the baby we haven't yet met. I am one month from due, and every single day, he lifts up my shirt to give the baby soft kisses and say, "Love you, Baby." He talks about how he is going to teach the baby things and play with him or her, and I know he will do a great job welcoming another sibling :)
This little man continues to teach us so much about being parents. Being the oldest, he's breaking us in to every age and stage, and doing a great job of it...
Cooper, I love you so incredibly much, and I love watching you learn about the world. I can't wait to see what this year has in store for you!!
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| It's pretty great being 4!! |
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| Izzy was lots of help |
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| He loves his new helmet to go with the new scooter! |
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| His cupcake on his 'real' birthday |
Sunday, January 11, 2015
Happy Holidays!
We had the most amazing, magical holiday season this year! Our kids are at such fun ages, and they are so easy to please. The simple wonder in their eyes was enough to melt my heart. I was proud of them for going with the flow, especially when our schedule was turned upside down for a week and a half, and I was also proud of them for being grateful and thankful little people. No matter their gifts, they said thank you and gave lots of hugs.
It was a really fun two weeks off of work, hanging out with the rugrats, being so laid back, and relaxing together doing some of our favorite things. We got some time to play outside, had a playdate with the Endres family, drove around looking at Christmas lights (even went back to the Mankato lights show for a second time!), went to Underwater Adventures, had a couple movie nights, did some cooking and baking together, and read a bajillion stories :) Jeremy and I also carved out some time to have a 'finish the Christmas shopping date,' organize several areas of our home, and we started getting more serious about house preparations for Baby #3. It feels good to be organized and have a little extra space!
So there's a little peek at our amazing second half of December. It is so crazy to think that was our last holiday with just two kids. It is also crazy to think about having another baby around for next Christmas! Christmas is unbelievably better with little kids!!
It was a really fun two weeks off of work, hanging out with the rugrats, being so laid back, and relaxing together doing some of our favorite things. We got some time to play outside, had a playdate with the Endres family, drove around looking at Christmas lights (even went back to the Mankato lights show for a second time!), went to Underwater Adventures, had a couple movie nights, did some cooking and baking together, and read a bajillion stories :) Jeremy and I also carved out some time to have a 'finish the Christmas shopping date,' organize several areas of our home, and we started getting more serious about house preparations for Baby #3. It feels good to be organized and have a little extra space!
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| We loved the Mankato lights show so much, we went back a second time!! |
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| A little holiday baking... |
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| Our elf 'Red' kept us on our toes |
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| Merry Christmas from the Kalals!! |
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| Auntie Jackie painting Izzy's toes with her new Frozen polish |
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| Cooper building a fence with the presents... he was a little anxious to rip into them :) |
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| Christmas Eve SUPER smiles (it took a long time for them to fall asleep this night...) |
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| Our favorite new Christmas Eve tradition... Movie night after church ;) We LOVED having time at home on Christmas Eve! |
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| Christmas Morning... Cooper got a racetrack, dinosaurs, sharks, a ton of darts, and lots of fun stocking goodies |
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| Santa brought Izzy a Baby that she can take care of, some Minnie Mouse books, and lots of stocking goodies |
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| Woohoo!! A new scooter from Missy and Phil |
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| Cooper was loving the airplane he can build himself (from Dad and Chris) |
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| Another nice family shot... how'd we get lucky enough to get more than one?!!? |
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| The grandkids with Grandma Dawn. This is the best we could muster :) |
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| We are ALMOST all partied out... |
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| Santa and Mrs. Claus stopped by Grandma Dawn's house, and Cooper finally warmed up to Mrs. Claus |
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| But he wanted NOTHING to do with Santa. Here, he is keeping an eye on Santa from behind and barricade of presents. |
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| But Izzy decided he was pretty great. It only took about 15 minutes to warm up :) |
So there's a little peek at our amazing second half of December. It is so crazy to think that was our last holiday with just two kids. It is also crazy to think about having another baby around for next Christmas! Christmas is unbelievably better with little kids!!
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