Thursday, October 23, 2014
Adelene Maeghan
Adelene Maeghan, you were born on Sunday, August 31, 2014. In German, your first name means noble one. The last part of your name (the LENE) is for your great grandma MarLENE DePree. She was a woman of faith who devoted her time and energy to her family. Your middle name means GREAT which is also what your dad's name means. And the first part (the MAE) is significant because my middle name is Mae.
Adelene, you were due August 28th. I did not expect you early or even on time. I knew I'd have to wait on you a bit, as the two sisters before you made us wait. I was very content with you inside and I cherished every minute of it. I loved feeling your hiccups, kicks and movements when you were on the inside. You were born one day before Labor Day. Grandma L. had been in town for a few days and was hoping to be able to help with the other children while we were at the hospital waiting on you. Dad had a big home football game the Thursday before you arrived. I went to that game. It was actually your due date. Dad was hoping you'd hold out long enough for him to be able to coach that game (and he was thankful you did.) The rest of the weekend was a waiting game. Monday was Labor Day and Tuesday was the first day of school. We wondered if you'd choose a more chaotic entrance and go with the first day of school, or if you'd choose a calmer route by arriving sometime during the weekend. I started having contractions EARLY Sunday morning. I got up and called OB to tell them I'd be coming in and did a few things to get ready. I woke Dad up around 5:00 then called Grandma to come over. Dad got me to the hospital just before 6:00 am. My sweet friend Jackie was working so she was my nurse. When we arrived I was 4 centimeters dilated, and by the time I got the epidural, I was at a 6. The epidural allowed me some sleep which was wonderful. After a little sleep, I was dilated to and 8/9 and stayed at that point for a bit. Finally we decided to see if I could push past that and it worked. You arrived only a push or two (or maybe 3) later. It did take a push on my stomach by the nurses to get your shoulders out. Your nurse, her name was Lisa, commented that you were big. And you were my biggest baby weighing in at 8 lbs. You had a full head of dark hair and reminded us of your siblings. You scared Dad because he thought you looked so blue but the nurses assured us you were fine, and you were. Dad and I cuddled with you the rest of the day. Dad went home that evening to put your brother and sisters to bed. We hung out together that night, just you and me. You came home the next afternoon, on Labor Day. We were thankful to have that one day at home all together before everyone went back to work/school on Tuesday. You are a gift to us Adelene. Fearfully, wonderfully made. We love you.
Adelene, you were due August 28th. I did not expect you early or even on time. I knew I'd have to wait on you a bit, as the two sisters before you made us wait. I was very content with you inside and I cherished every minute of it. I loved feeling your hiccups, kicks and movements when you were on the inside. You were born one day before Labor Day. Grandma L. had been in town for a few days and was hoping to be able to help with the other children while we were at the hospital waiting on you. Dad had a big home football game the Thursday before you arrived. I went to that game. It was actually your due date. Dad was hoping you'd hold out long enough for him to be able to coach that game (and he was thankful you did.) The rest of the weekend was a waiting game. Monday was Labor Day and Tuesday was the first day of school. We wondered if you'd choose a more chaotic entrance and go with the first day of school, or if you'd choose a calmer route by arriving sometime during the weekend. I started having contractions EARLY Sunday morning. I got up and called OB to tell them I'd be coming in and did a few things to get ready. I woke Dad up around 5:00 then called Grandma to come over. Dad got me to the hospital just before 6:00 am. My sweet friend Jackie was working so she was my nurse. When we arrived I was 4 centimeters dilated, and by the time I got the epidural, I was at a 6. The epidural allowed me some sleep which was wonderful. After a little sleep, I was dilated to and 8/9 and stayed at that point for a bit. Finally we decided to see if I could push past that and it worked. You arrived only a push or two (or maybe 3) later. It did take a push on my stomach by the nurses to get your shoulders out. Your nurse, her name was Lisa, commented that you were big. And you were my biggest baby weighing in at 8 lbs. You had a full head of dark hair and reminded us of your siblings. You scared Dad because he thought you looked so blue but the nurses assured us you were fine, and you were. Dad and I cuddled with you the rest of the day. Dad went home that evening to put your brother and sisters to bed. We hung out together that night, just you and me. You came home the next afternoon, on Labor Day. We were thankful to have that one day at home all together before everyone went back to work/school on Tuesday. You are a gift to us Adelene. Fearfully, wonderfully made. We love you.
Thursday, August 21, 2014
SUmMeR 2014
Baseball for Bennett and Annabelle. Next year Eliza will be old enough to play.
3 vacation bible schools-2 for Bennett, 3 for Annabelle, 2 for Eliza
Eliza learning to ride on 2 wheels.
A few nights at Yogi Bear as a family.
Annabelle's first time at a day/or overnight camp (Factoryville). She attended 2 days after we got home from Yogi. She did not spend the night but hopes to attend the whole week next year and possibly spend a few nights.
Bennett's first sleepover with a friend. He was able to spend a night with his friend Jonathan G. at Yogi Bear.
A visit to the John Ball Zoo in Grand Rapids.
A day trip to the fish hatchery in Mattawan
Read aloud the book Boxcar Children to the kids.
We attended all the library programs. The theme was science.
A 2 night camping trip to Oak Grove campground in Holland. We packed that trip full with a visit to Tunnel Park, The Peanut Store, Centennial Park, Kollen Park to listen to the American Legion band, visits to see new homes of family members, Captain Sundae, swimming in the pool, eating out at Russ'.
Annabelle going to the Branch County Fair with her friend Peighton.
4th of July festivities.
Bennett competed in a PGA golf competition at Binder Park Golf Course.
A 5K race for Bennett and Annabelle.
The driving range for the 3 big kids with Darrin.
B and A did 4 of 5 sessions of a basketball camp at Colon High School.
Annabelle having a friend spend the night at our house.
Lots of time spent at the high school running around during football practice.
3 vacation bible schools-2 for Bennett, 3 for Annabelle, 2 for Eliza
Eliza learning to ride on 2 wheels.
A few nights at Yogi Bear as a family.
Annabelle's first time at a day/or overnight camp (Factoryville). She attended 2 days after we got home from Yogi. She did not spend the night but hopes to attend the whole week next year and possibly spend a few nights.
Bennett's first sleepover with a friend. He was able to spend a night with his friend Jonathan G. at Yogi Bear.
A visit to the John Ball Zoo in Grand Rapids.
A day trip to the fish hatchery in Mattawan
Read aloud the book Boxcar Children to the kids.
We attended all the library programs. The theme was science.
A 2 night camping trip to Oak Grove campground in Holland. We packed that trip full with a visit to Tunnel Park, The Peanut Store, Centennial Park, Kollen Park to listen to the American Legion band, visits to see new homes of family members, Captain Sundae, swimming in the pool, eating out at Russ'.
Annabelle going to the Branch County Fair with her friend Peighton.
4th of July festivities.
Bennett competed in a PGA golf competition at Binder Park Golf Course.
A 5K race for Bennett and Annabelle.
The driving range for the 3 big kids with Darrin.
B and A did 4 of 5 sessions of a basketball camp at Colon High School.
Annabelle having a friend spend the night at our house.
Lots of time spent at the high school running around during football practice.
Sunday, March 16, 2014
This Girl.
She's 16 months old.
She loves when people come home or come to visit. She runs as fast as she can, yelling Dad and waving, to Darrin when he comes in the back door from work. If she's in her high chair you must get her out or she will get upset.
She gets equally excited to see the bus pull up in front of our house in the afternoon to drop the big kids off (when she's awake from her nap).
She knows where the snack cupboards are and finds many opportunities to bring me something for her to eat.
She likes finding toys that fit around her wrist (like stacking rings) to wear like bracelets.
She is saying more and more words every day. Up, Cat, Hot, Dad, Paba (Palmer), Bumpa (grandpa), Din Doo (thank you), Pees (please), Mom, and there's more. When in the mood, she tries hard to say anything you try to get her to say. Today we worked on Annabelle and she got two sounds {A-B}.
She has elaborate conversations with us as she's pointing at things, as if she is certain she is telling us valuable information.
She's pretty tough and doesn't cry easily.
She's lays down very well for a nap (only one) and for bedtime, and has recently given up nursing. She has only been sleeping through the night for a couple months. When she would wake up, she had a quick "snack" and would go right back to sleep.
She is a busy girl who doesn't sit still long to look at books (for example) very often. But her pack and play keeps her happy for quite a while when I need to get a few things done without a mini tornado following behind me.
She often comes up to one of her family members for a quick hug before she's on her way again.
She is very loved in this family. Her and her brother have quite a connection which amazing to watch. He loves to get her out of her crib in the morning and caters to her needs even before she has them :).
WE ALL LOVE YOU CALLAMAE!! You are a JOY! And you are definitely a VandenBerg sibling. No doubt about it. Love, love, love you!
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
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