Pumpkin Carving and Fall Walking

On Saturday, Ryan helped Levi carve his pumpkin for Halloween. Ryan did most of the carving but Levi enjoyed playing with the "slimy" seeds and putting them in a bowl. He also did some of his own carving work with a butter knife on the inside top of the pumpkin. After all the seeds were collected I seasoned some seeds in the oven for us as a snack. Levi is getting excited for Halloween and all his "dulces"..he says, "me excited to be monster". On Sunday afternoon, we spent some time at Blanford Nature Center. It was so warm we hardly needed a coat. (But of course, Levi had to wear his hat, he hardly takes it off. Who would have thought a  75 cent hat from a garage sale would be loved so much.) We took a walk and looked at all the fall colors. Earlier this week, Levi and I collected leaves in our neighboorhood and hung them on our window. We have gone to Blandford a couple of times before as a family and we have Levi look for animals (using his quiet feet) :) usually we see birds, chipmunks, ducks, squirrels but today we saw two deer. Maci loves being in her pack and the times we have been there this year she has just slept on our walks. Levi also likes seeing the injured animals that they have there but today it started to rain so we had to end our walk early. But there is always next Sunday afternooon. :)

Fall Fun





  

  



Donut Time!



We have had a lot of fun enjoying this beautiful fall weather. Last weekend, we spent time at a few different orchards and pumpkin patches. Levi had fun on the rides at one place and spent time with his Grandpa and Grandma Koopmans, Uncle Casey and Aunt Laura and cousin Collin. He rode the pig train and a "little horse"..he was scared of that at first but Daddy and Casey were on either side of him so that made it better. Last week Thursday afternoon we went on our own to a orchard off of Alpine. We have gone there the past two years and really liked it. Levi loved playing in the corn with the trucks, and picking out his own little pumpkin. He also loved having a donut and cider. After the orchard, we all went to Fricano's for pizza one of our favorite places. They had a live band playing during dinner so you could not hear Maci when she would cry. She has been such a good baby to take around. Ryan and I said that we would have never attempted to go out to eat when Levi was a baby but we are glad that we are able to go out as a family and enjoy ourselves.



Maci's First Trip to the Zoo

"Little Bear"

We took advantage of the great weather and headed to the zoo yesterday. It was nice because it was not busy or hot and I had extra hands to help with Maci and Levi. It took about an hour to get everyone and everything coordinated and out the door. We took the wagon and stroller for the kids and met Grandma R Allison, Kris, Katelyn and Alexa. Levi was disappointed that Mighty Mike, the alligator moved back to Florida and was also scared of the bear who was pounding on his door for food. He talked about that for hours. Maci did well and we took a break to feed the kids their snacks and her bottle and were on our way. What a difference than Levi..as a baby..I do not think I went out till he was 3 months old...so even though it is a lot of work it is definitely worth it to me to be out of the house for a while and to enjoy the day!

 "Crazy Monkey"

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.