Spring in our steps!

As I am writing this blog it is 71° outside and beginning to rain (and hail). Spring is finally here! Not only are we enjoying the warmer temperatures outside, but we are excited about all the other things that spring brings - things like grilling, walks at the campground, playing catch, opening the windows, and grandparents! After about 10 weeks down in AZ, Grandpa and Grandma Vander Wilt came back to Pella this past weekend. We grilled burgers at our place Saturday night and had a grand time catching up with them. We are glad that they enjoyed their stay down south, but we missed them, so we're glad to have them back!

Spring also means that baby days are getting closer! Although not by much, our little girl is due in the spring season, so it feels a little extra exciting this year. Leah has been feeling well, so that is a huge blessing. Her belly never stops growing, and the little baby kicks (and flips) don't stop either! Every once-in-a-while I come home to a super-excited Leah because she just got back from thrift store shopping for our baby. She has found a lot of neat things for a good price...one of the nice things about living in a small town that has a lot of babies in it! Tomorrow is our last day of prenatal class, so that will be good to have out of the way.Then after another shower it's just a waiting game!

The three pregnant ladies at Leah's first shower

I was banned from the shower, but was still wanted for a picture

The 28 week picture

Another thing that makes me excited is that the crib is completely built! Leah went to a women's retreat a couple weekends ago, and while she was gone I worked really hard and finished the crib. I still need to stain and varnish it, but it feels really good to at least have it built. I need to build a changing table as well, but that shouldn't take very long...it won't be much besides a frame with some drawers and doors. As with all my other woodworking projects, I learned a lot about how not to do things and also what additional tools I need to do the job better! Aside from all those setbacks it turned out pretty good, and I'm probably the only one that will notice the flaws.

Should be able to fit a lot of baby stuff in those 2 drawers

The floor has three positions...newborn

...rolling over & sitting

...& standing

Well, it's about time to head out and play a little bit of volleyball. It's our second to last week, so we should be done before Leah gets too front-heavy to move that quick! She still does very well in the games and her setting is just as good as always! Have a great week everybody!

Daniel

Chicago Trip and a Funeral

The past couple weeks have been full of activities for the two of us.  The last weekend in February we made a weekend trip to Chicago to visit Tim and Carrie.  We enjoyed lots of good food and good conversation.  One of the highlights of our trip was time spent at the Field Museum in downtown Chicago and pizza afterwards.  We thoroughly enjoyed our trip and time spent with family.

Just this afternoon my parents left our place after their unexpected weekend visit. My grandma Hanenburg's sister, Auntie Bub, lived in Pella and had a stroke about a week ago.  This past week she has slowly deteriorated and transitioned to hospice care during her last days.  On Friday morning she passed on to her heavenly home.  My parents came down for the visitation and funeral and were able to stay at our place for a couple nights.  It was so fun to see them again!  Throughout the weekend we enjoyed getting acquainted and re-acquainted to many extended family members. 

This month marks two years since the first time Dan and I said "I love you" to each other.  Thinking back to that day makes me smile.  Not only was it sweet and foretelling of where our young dating relationship was headed, but it also makes me smile because we had only a small taste of what true, lasting love really is.  We've learned that love does not always mean fun times and happy feelings.  Sometimes love simply means kindly tolerating the others' mistakes, tardiness, forgetfulness and irritability. I have found that it is a wonderful gift when I choose to deal lovingly and prayerfully with Dan's shortcomings despite feelings of frustration because I know that is how I want him to deal with my many imperfections and insecurities.  Some days are harder than others, but over time it seems that it becomes easier to react in a loving way despite how I'm feeling.  Those of you with many years of marriage under your belts probably learned this lesson decades ago!

Dan has been making great progress on the crib!  It is quite obvious that I haven't been out to the shop very much because the shop floor has lots of little heaps of sawdust.  When I'm out there my jobs include sweeping, sanding and emptying the shop vac :)  Dan has finished the two ends and two sides of the crib and is building the base now which will include two large drawers.  Then he just has to attach all the pieces together!  He is doing a great job, and I can't wait to see the finished product and to see our babies sleeping in there in the years to come.

As for a pregnancy update, I have been feeling great and getting bigger! The baby's kicks have been getting more "powerful".  I can often see my belly move when she kicks and Dan can feel them too!  Here is a picture from a few days ago at 24 weeks.