Tante Zus

My dad's sister, Bartje, aka Zus (meaning sis in Dutch), passed away yesterday. I never really got to know my dad's bothers and sisters very well... I've met them all (except Gerrit -- he passed away before I was born) a handful of times, but they could only speak Dutch -- we had to communicate through smiles and hugs. But I am so thankful for the stories my dad has told me about growing up with 7 brothers and sisters (and my, all those different personalities!). I was able to see tante Zus when I visited the Netherlands 4 years ago... she looked just like a wonderfully sweet grandma (and one that might bake a lot of cookies).
My heart is heavy and I pray for peace for my family...

Bikes!

On Sunday Brian surprised Amparo with a new pink run bike! I think Gerrit likes to stay one step ahead, so on Monday he learned how to ride a pedal bike. They're both getting better on their bikes everyday! Such big kids!!

Amparo and Oliver

at the exact same age - 5 months

Oliver is 5 months!

Almost half a year has gone by since little Oliver has blessed our lives...
(has it really been that long? can we even remember what it was like without him?)



What he's like now...
Oliver giggles almost every time (seriously, just about every time) I put a shirt on him. It makes dressing so much fun!
He has the stinkiest feet. I didn't know babies could have such stinky little feet. But it still doesn't stop me from kissing them... I just love 'em too much!
He is a little roller.
He started blowing raspberries yesterday. It just adds to the slobbery goodness...
He grabs his toes (I think they'll meet his mouth soon, although, with the smell, maybe not ;))
Oh, and notice how his shirt is a little tight? Yep, he's growing perfectly!

VIDEO!

Yesterday, I made my first video with imovie (Ollie rolls) and now, I think I'm addicted! This is what I worked on last night...
(and sorry about the camera shake...)

Untitled from Brenda Brooks on Vimeo.

Going on right now

it just doesn't get much better than dirt and water...

Ollie Rolls!

He first rolled, from his back to his stomach, on the 16th. I laid him on the floor and went to the potty. When I cam back, he was on his tummy! I missed his first back to front roll... I turned him back over and encouraged him to do it again. He just looked at me like I was crazy. So, after I picked up Gerrit and Amparo from teacher Janet's, we laid Oliver on the floor and then sat down a few feet away (we were sure to be super quiet). And sure enough, he rolled!! I was able to get him on video today...

Little

Amparo was dressing herself this morning... (pants , shirt, all of it)
I asked, "when did you get so big?"
Amparo replied, "I'm not big, I'm little"

Thanks for the reminder baby girl...

Walking To School

One of my favorite activities is walking with Gerrit to pre-school on beautiful Oregon mornings. We talk about the best stuff. For example: Gerrit today was wondering " Why do some dogs look like "Nikki" and some don't"

Jewels

pretty pretty princess

4 Months!

My baby is 4 months!
















A few facts...

He's ticklish. Try it, he will laugh.
He rolled over this morning!!
And he is an expert at holding his head up.
All his daddy has to do is smile at him and Ollie gives a great big smile right back.
He tends to look concerned whenever Amparo gets too close.
And he's drooling like crazy.

Overheard

Amparo to Oliver --

You love me? Well, goodie! I love you too.

Gerrit's New Trick

3 Months!

He coos and smiles and still smells really good...

Happy Birthday, Daddy!

Today my daddy is 85! Pretty much from day one I've been a daddy's girl. It was actually recorded that on May 20th 1980, he was first person I gave a smile. Some say it was gas, but I know different. My dad has worked most of his 85 years... starting out very young on farms and factories in the Netherlands. He's strong, hard working, and stubborn (I don't think he'd even deny that last one)... not to mention loving and silly. He's always provided for, and taken care of, his family. I was able to see this at it's greatest when my mom was sick and dying of cancer. I'm proud of my dad and am so grateful that he's mine...

Happy birthday daddy!
I love you three... and more

Bedtime

Big 5 Years

So almost 2 weeks after his birthday, we finally had the party. We didn't start out with a theme, but by the end, it ended up being colors - it was a very colorful birthday party. We watched Toy Story 3, ate pizza, had popcorn, and finished off with cupcakes and opening presents. Here's our BIG 5 year old...

BALLOONS!

Cleaning

So I normally write about funny/ memorable things the kids say or do, but not this time.
This one is about Brian...

Today, at the store, I bought some bathroom cleaning supplies (more specifically, toilet cleaning supplies) -- we had run out and were in desperate need. Brian saw what I bought and said, "That [ring around the toilet] never happened before we started using those bleach drop ins." I laughed and informed him that it did, but I cleaned them and had just run out of supplies so our potty has been neglected. Our conversation reminded me of when I was younger living in my parents house. I thought the potty and the bathtub and everything just stayed clean all on it's own. Little did I know then, there was a cleaning fairy at work - her name was "mom".

Snow Day

Small Town Living

Oliver

A few facts...

His eyes are already blue. (like his big brother's)
He does NOT like bath-time.
He smells really good and he's very very soft.
He does not spit up! (in fact, I think he only has 4 times in his whole life - not at all like his big brother)
He loves to be held and/ or rocked.
And I just think he may be the chubbiest of the 3...

*image taken 6 days ago

Trains & Parties

A couple things...

This morning we headed to the train show in Portland - the same one we went to back in 2008 in Louisville (you can read about it here - oh and we had Starbucks this morning too ;)). We ran into Owen and Ethan... all the boys were super excited about the trains - Amparo spotted a baby doll and she was pretty excited about that. Come to think of it, next time a doll convention is in town, I think us girls will just have to drag the boys on over.





We didn't stay too long, we had to get home for Dena's birthday party (Gerrit's classmate). It was at the bagel shop across from Brian's work. Her mom owns it. The theme was crazy outfits (Gerrit had already taken off his goggles and dragon cape by the time I snapped a few photos). Tons of kids, lots of running around and Oliver slept through all of it.

Whew - us parents are worn out. Looking forward to a very low-key Sunday.

OPA

This morning Gerrit and I were working on sounding letters out and spelling simple words -- then he says, "Look mama! I spelled Amparo!" And to my surprise, it wasn't Amparo he spelled, but this...

*to his credit, Amparo does have an A, P, and O

Whoa

Gerrit and Brian went out and had some bonding time last Saturday. While they were out, Amparo was being her regular silly self. She was rolling, on her side, all over the living room floor. She came to a stop on her back, eyes up to the ceiling, and said, "Whoa, that's scary. Mama... is the house failing down?"

Balentines

Santa's Elves

Today I was playing around with Netflix and started to watch Star Trek 6. Gerrit walked in the room, looked up at the TV and asked "Hey, are those Santa's elves?"

Oliver @ 4 weeks

Gerrit's Class

Halloween