Maci is One Month Old and Levi's Latest





Starting to SMILE

This week Maci is already a month old. What a crazy month it has been. Life has gotten busier that is for sure. Maci is a good baby who is doing great on regular formula and sleeping a good intervals. The last couple of days she has taken some shorter naps in the morning and longer 2-3 hour naps after feeding in the afternoon. She had her month check up and weighs 9lbs 15oz and is 22 inches long. She is in the 75th percent for weight and 90th for height. She is awake more so that gives us more time to see how much she has even changed in the last month..she is even starting to smile! Levi loves her so much and at times too much..so we have gotten more stern with how he can interact with her. Levi has been doing very well with playing independently at least for awhile. He loves playing "farm" with his barn and all his animals. He also has been into all the different trucks..dumpers, dozers, diggers..I am getting better at identifying all these things. The other Saturday he went to the "tienda" aka Ace Hardware to buy his own truck with trailer..he was so proud that he used the money from his own piggy bank. He loves loading up his trucks, trailers, and tractors with "loads" as he calls them. I give him raisins, fruit snacks, cheerios, chocolate chips and he loads up his trucks and takes it to the farm so that the animals can eat. He gets such a kick out of this and it really keeps him busy..moving his "loads" around. The past couple of nights at dinner he has been smearing his food all over..like my mom said..he is 2 so this is normal..but messy. I decided the other morning to let him paint with "edible" finger paints and pudding..he had a good time helping me make the paint and then getting dirty. If ever I need to spend some time with Maci we get out the coloring books, and playdough..these are Levi's favorite things these days.

Levi's First Purchase..with a BIG "Load"



Playing "FARM"



2 Week Photos

Yesterday, I attempted to get some newborn pictures of Maci Jean. I went over to my sister, Kristin's house and with the help of her and Grandma Roedema we were able to get some pretty good ones..at least for not being professional. She was really alert and we had a lot of fun seeing her different expressions and dressing her in some cute girly hats and bows. She looks like she might have blue eyes..her dad hopes so but we will have to see. In some of the shots her hair has a reddish tint...what color will her hair be as she gets older? It is fun to think about how much she will change in the next couple of months and what a precious gift she is to us. Here are some of the 100 pictures that we took yesterday.


 
 

 
 
 
 

Tub Time

Maci is now 2 weeks old. She went to the see the doctor last week for a recheck of her weight and is up to 8lbs 11oz. I looked back in Levi's baby book and he weighed in at 8lbs 6oz at 2 weeks which was Maci's birth weight. She is a good baby who eats, sleeps and had 2-3 hours during the day where she is alert. She does get her fussy times, mostly gas we think, but nothing like Levi. She likes tummy time and interacting with her brother:) Levi has been very helpful with her, getting her diapers, feeding her her bottle, finding her paci and helping with her bath. He also always has an "I luv you Maci Jean" or I wanna hold or or kiss her, Mama". What a good big brother he has been. We do have to remind he at times to be gentle, and to leave her alone... at least for a little while.


 
 
 
 

 
 

Maci Jean Koopmans

We welcomed Maci into our family on August 25, 2010. She came into this world at a fast pace and I had a great labor experience.I was induced at 3am and had her by 1038in the morning.I only had to push twice and went from 5cm to 10 cm in one hour! No other complications after delievery either..for which we were concerned about placental problems but everything was fine.I was able to pull Maci out and put her on my chest after the delievery and Ryan cut the cord. We are thankful for such a problem free and uncomplicated birth. Maci weighed 8lbs and 6 oz and was 21 inches long. We loved the surprise of not knowing what we were having until the moment she came out. Its a girl! She is being a good baby so far and Levi is adapting pretty well to the new addition to the house. He is very helpful in getting pacifers, diapers and "dressing" Maci. He knows how to be gentle but still likes to "honk" her nose. Levi is so helpful that they other morning he wanted to help me use the breastpump...what a sweetheart...I did show him how to turn it on.

My Monkey

On Monday, we took Levi to the Grand Rapids Childrens Museum to see the Curious George exhibit. He loves watching "George" on tv in the afternoon. He had alot of fun exploring all the exhibits and seeing all the other kids play too. It was a nice way to spend a raining and humid morning.

Crystal Mountain Weekend 2010

We had a great time with The Roedema family this past weekend. We stayed Thursday to Sunday up at Crystal Mountain Resort. We had time to spend with each other as individual families and also as an extended family. On Friday, Ryan, Levi and I went to the little town of Frankfort and spent time at beach. We relaxed while Levi played in the sand and the water and then we walked the pier. It was a perfect day. On Friday afternoon, we spent time with everyone at the pool. Levi especially liked playing with his cousin, Katelyn. They just chased each other and screamed because they were so excited to be together even at 7 am in the morning ;). On Friday night, we fed the trout "their food" as Levi would say, and also went on a hayride and had a campfire. The guys all golfed on Saturday and us girls got pedicures at The Crystal Spa. Allison and I went first and we were able to "meditate" in lounge area, read magazines, drink tea and talk while we did not have to worry about the kids. I felt bad for the lady who had to work on my feet, but the part I think I liked best was the leg massage. It was a special treat, from Mom and Dad, to be pampered. Thank you! Unfortunately,we did not get any pictures of us in our white fluffy robes. Saturday afternoon the rain did not let up till late, so after golfing, Ryan and Levi napped and I actually was able to read a book for awhile, It was so nice! Late on Saturday afternoon, Ryan took Levi to the outdoor splash pad and pool for the kids. They really liked playing in the warm water since it was chilly after the rain. Ryan took Levi on the mini water slide about 20 times and was finally able to convince Levi to go at it alone. It was nice for Levi because the water area is only about 2 feet deep. For dinner on Saturday night, we had the traditional steak dinner which was grilled up by Steve. While waiting for dinner Aunt Allison planned a fun game for Levi and Katelyn, she bought plastic turtles at the Dollar Store and hid them around the condo. Levi did not know what to think if they were real or not but he sure had a blast looking for them..what joy from such a simple thing. He was so excited to find his turtles. After dinner,we were also able to ride the chairlift, The Crystal Clipper, up to the top of the mountain where they had a live band. It was such a nice night and the views were awesome. Levi loved riding the chairlift he went twice with Ryan and I and twice with Grandpa and Grandma. Sunday morning we were treated to breakfast by Grandpa and we took the annual family photos. Levi was not the only one who was tired out from later nights and so much excitement, Ryan and I were too. It is always fun to catch up, hang out and take some time to spend with family.

Happy 4th of July

We had a fun fourth of July. I had to work the majority of the weekend..Sunday-Tuesday but Ryan and Levi spent the days that I was working up at Grandpa and Grandma Koopmans at Half Moon Lake.It was hard to leave my boys but I knew that they were having a blast out at the Lake. We did spend Saturday together as a family and it was a beautiful day. Levi went on his first tube ride with Dadda and he loved it. He wanted to do "fast wheels" in the boat and did no hands. Ryan said that he went 6 times in 3 days.He loved getting splashed and laughed and laughed. I still think that he is recovering from all the action the last weekend.