It has been a while to say the least. I will try and do all of our 2010 news in one post but will probably miss a few things. It has been a wonderful year filled with magical things like finding out we were pregnant in March, Arthur turning 3 in April, some of our favorite people from South Africa that came for a visit in the Summer, Arthur starting preschool and then the birth of our dear Isabella. Travels included Cape Cod, New York city, Lake Placid, Lake George, Long island and Newport(Rhode island)
The biggest change for me(Carin) was Arthur this year. He has come a long way especially in this past year. He went from a toddler to a growing boy with lots of opinions, big words and unfortunately a little bit of a bad temper just like his mom. He is very inquisitive and like to do things that involve thinking. He is very curious about letters and writing and starting writing his name without any help in the summer. He knows the whole alphabet and we spend some time in spelling out words. When he started school he also learned to ride his two wheel bicycle ( with training wheels) and he loves to ride around our cul de sac. He is suddenly interested in more physical things too. ( they have a 45 minute time in school where they ride vehicles out side or play in the gym if the weather is bad outside.) He seems to be very focused with things. he Loves to play wii and his leapster computer and figures how to do things all by himself. One of his more difficult attitudes is that he doesnt want help and gets really mad if we do something for him. I have recently also found out that he is a very sore loser. ( we are not allowed to win if we play wii games and he gets very mad if he isnt nr. 1) But it is a work in progress. We are enjoying him tremendously and 3 is a very fun and sometimes challenging age.
We were worried about how he was going to Isabella but he fell in love immediately after she was born. I do see sometimes it is hard for him not having moms full attention so we try to include him in most everything. Dad has been spending lots of time with him and it does wonders for their father-son relationship.
Deon is still busy at the plant with everyday challenges and victories which keeps our life interesting.
Isabella came into the world 2 and a half weeks early which I was very happy about since I was really miserable and out of energy by the end. The surgery went very well and I was feeling back to normal very quick.
The first three weeks she slept a lot so I could catch up on sleep. Month 2 was more challenging . She and Arthur is like the sun and moon totally opposite. She is also a lot more physical than Arthur was as a baby and have managed to roll from belly to back a few times already (at 2 months) Arthur only did this at 3 1/2 months. It is quite entertaining and marvelous at the same time to see a little human develop for the second time in a total different manner and you realise what a miracle God has created.
I have posted a lot of pictures and will try to tell our 2010 story through them.
This is Arthur in the beginning of spring enjoying some sun after the winter.
We went to see Thomas the Train and had a wonderful time enjoyed by all.
The Rosenhamers moved here from Minnesota( we were friends already in Iowa and Lydia and Arthur is just a couple of weeks apart) and it has been fun having them over for playdates and crafts. Arthur also stayed
them while mom and dad was in the hospital for Isabella's arrival.
we went strawberry picking with the Rosenhamers. Arthur ate more than what he picked but he absolutely enjoyed every bite.
He does like to build things.
Breakfast in Wyndham.
This was the year of the superheroes. Spiderman definetely his favorite but also interested in any type of superhero - Hulk and Ironman was other favorites.
One of our favorite places to take visitors or just have lunch. ( Lake George)
We spend the fourth of July with friends at sleepy hollow lake and went out on their boat to watch the fireworks.
Arthur loves their daughter Lorna and stays with her all the time with her when he can.
his first time swimming in the lake.
Roscoe getting a bath.
Lilian and Ernest came to visit first and we had a wonderful time. We Celebrated Lilians 50th and got a babysitter for Arthur and went out with a limosine and out for dinner. We travelled to Newport, RI and the boys flew out to Idaho for an airshow.
Newport, RI
Breakfast at Woodstock, NY
on the ferry on our way to Long island.
Arthur loved the fountain at this irish pub. They had lots of fishing poles and nets for the kids to catch fish.
Ice cream at Newport beach.
it was very hot.
One of our favorite places here in Delmar is five rivers where we go for walks and visit the nature center.
potty training!!
Loves his bath.
At Addison's 3rd Birthday party
This was taken at 5 Rivers where they had a summercamp program.
We called it Bug camp and Arthur loved it!
Definetely my favorite time last year was having my parents here. Arthur had the time of his life getting all ouma and oupa's attention for 4 whole weeks. He bonded big time with oupa who is definetely his hero after their visit. It was the hardest thing to let them go home. Arthur still talks a lot about their visit and things that both ouma and oupa likes to say
we stayed in a lovely house in Cape cod for a week.
Oupa had to read this book quite a few times to Arthur.
Oupa pulling the wagon to the beach
a lovely breakfast at the hangar cafe at Chathams airfield
Brazilian restaurant.
Deon and my dag went deep sea fishing. They both had a good time and Deon still like to reminisce about it
After God 4 of the 6 most important people in my life who I love very very much.
(Arthur did not want to take off the suit)
Big day in out lives. Arthur's first day at preschool.
They had to take a favorite soft toy the first day and Arthur took his gorilla.