Sept 2010 part 1

Willem loves trying out Ellie's baby stuff.

"Smiles"

Ellie cozily sleeping in the bouncy chair.

Ellie has been such an easy baby! She loves laying on the floor and watching everything that's going on around her. She is quite content.

Our 1st big outing without help had to be to the train park. Ellie enjoyed the train ride and Willem was in heaven.

Tia Julie did a 2 week rotation in Phoenix at an office we can walk to from our house. To this day when we drive past the building Willem says, "Tia Julie works there." Willem greeted Tia Julie at the airport with a sign and thoroughly enjoyed having her stay with us. Julie did a lot of pony rides and bouncing Ellie on a ball and we were all sad to see her leave:(


What's new with Willem:

Willem has started singing! He is shy about it but we'll hear him singing his ABC's or row, row your boat. He likes playing the ABC's on the Leapfrog fridge toy over and over again and singing along.

Willem is also now doing the wood block puzzle by himself. His favorite puzzle is the duck one but he'll do the pig the sheep as well. He's starting to get into the "all by myself" phase but seems to be gaining confidence which each task he can complete without help.

What's new with Ellie:
Ellie is smiling at us a lot now!!

When Ellie crys in the car, Willem sings to her and she'll quiet down. But if Ellie isn't crying, Willem refuses to sing. He'll say "Ellie not crying right now"

During tummy time you were scooting with your legs. You move so much!!

Tia Julie's month with us (September 2010)

Ellie is just getting cuter and cuter each day. She is incredibly smiley and loving. We are so glad she is here!

Such a cute sleeper! Ellie loves being bounced to sleep and falls asleep curled up in the bouncer.

Tia Julie came to town for a few weeks and worked here at a local Pediatricians office. We loved having her with us. We even were able to walk her to work some days. One night, Julie and Willem made pizza for. It was delicious!

Willem loves art at school and we are doing more and more at home as well.

Willem made this sign for Tia Julie's arrival. We went into the airport to pick her up which was very exciting and he held his sign proudly.

Tia Julie's a great bouncer!

Ellie at dinner with Paw Paw and Gigi.

Ellie's Baptism

Ellie was surrounded by family and friends as she was baptised at St. Francis Xavier. Ellie receiving this sacrament meant a lot to Opa and Grandma Rose and we were lucky to have so many friends and family there with us to celebrate with us.

Ellie and Opa

We were thankful that Willem was able to take part as well, he was very curious about the church and what was happening to his little sister.

Ellie with her godparents, Julie and Erik

Venturing out

Today we went to the train park with just Mom, Ellie and Willem. We had a great time and braved the heat to see the trains. This was our first big outing with Ellie without any other adults to help and all went well.

Willem loves his new sunshades and they were definitely needed as it was quite hot today and very sunny.

Ellie slept most of the time but seemed to enjoy being out with her brother. I have a feeling this won't be her last time at the train park.

After the train park we joined Paw Paw for lunch at the Black Angus. We always enjoy our special lunches with Paw Paw and Gigi. Willem loves the bread and broccoli at Black Angus and ends up munching off everyone's plates. If you order the sweet potato fries, keeps your eyes on them or they'll be gone before you know it.

Willems 1st Day at Preschool

Willem was very excited about his 1st day of school. We had gone into the classroom the week prior for a tour and he had met Teacher Roseanne and Teacher Sara. He quickly found a train set and was right at home. I on the other hand was really nervous and a bit sad that he would be gone all morning.

Willem's 1st, 1st day of school picture

Proudly carrying his lunchbox and wheeling his backpack

After school Willem took a long nap and then cuddled with Ellie. He had missed her a lot! When I asked him what he did at school that day he told me "play trains"

August 2010

August was filled with fun times with friends and family, lots of 1sts for Ellie and was marked by a major milestone for Willem with the start of preschool.

Thanks to a few of our great friends along with generous Grandmas, Ellie has quite the wardrobe!! In general she is in whatever onesie happens to be within arms reach, but a few days we had fun playing dressup. Here is a picture of Ellie in her 1st pair of shoes.

Ellie hanging out with her friend. She's fascinated by stuffed animals.

This month Bandaids became a cure all for Willem's ailments. Bandaids can make any boo boo better immediately. We try and talk him out of putting them in his hair but after bumping his head on the counter, this is where he felt the bandaid was needed. (Fast forward 2 months, we now have a new bandaid rule... Bandaids are only for ouchies where blood is flowing. If not enacted, we would have needed to buy stocks in the Bandaid corporation. So far this month, no bandaids were handed out:)



We were able to spend quality time with Tia Julie this month which was great!! Tia Julie quickly realized that napping with Ellie was not possible as it has been with Willem as her best buddy Willem was ready to entertain as soon as little sister fell asleep. Visiting us is more like taking a vacation to a communal farm. Early wake up calls and physical labor:)

Ellie's 1st bath. She was pretty tired during this bath but she put up with it. After this go around we timed the baths better and they are a huge hit. Ellie lays back and relaxes and enjoys the pampering.

Ellie and Willem's 1st bath together. Sounds great in theory as it exponentially increases the chances of our children being bathed, however, decided we will hold off on tring this again for a few months. The water was quite relaxing for Ellie and soon we saw yellow bubbles rising in the tub. Willem was not too impressed with the 3 minute bath.

With the temperature falling to below 110 degrees this month,Jason and Willem ventured out on a bike ride.

Ellie sleeping peacefully with her Daddy and OomRik. This month Ellie has been our night owl. Back in the day a bedtime of 11pm or midnight would have been great, however with Jason getting up between 4 and 5 for work and Willem rising around 7, sleep is a much desired commodity around here. Once Ellie gets to sleep though, she sleeps like a champ. She's nowgoing 5-6 hours before feeding and likes to rise around 10 if we don't wake her prematurely for a family outing.

Gigi and Willem trying out the new swing.

Dad takes Willem on a train ride during our trip to the train park with Opa, Lita, Opi and Oom Rik. How could this have been Oom Rik's 1st trip there?? What awful city guides we have been.

4 Generations of Weiss'

Willem putting up with all this picture taking!!

Ellie loves being held while she sleeps so we found a creative way for her to sleep comfortably in her co-sleeper for times when we don't have multiple adults here anxiously awaiting their turn to hold her. Some may worry about this method, but it has worked great and gives her the pressure she needs on her belly to feel secure.

Smiles:)

Ellie's 1st time swimming. Those of you not in Phoenix may laugh, but it was a bit chilly that day with the temperature dropping to about 95 and it being around 4pm. (note the shade) Ellie and I didn't last too long but she did seem to enjoy being in the water.