3 Months Old

My Sweet Eliana turned 3 months old on Friday (4th)!

It was a little chilly in Fremont, where we were spending Eliana's 3 month birthday with our friends the Hegers!

Alan, Erich, Stephanie and Anna racing around the house!

I used to babysit Steph and Anna when I was at Hope College...Steph was 6 months old when I started...she's now going into 5th grade! YIPES!

Kirra enjoying the swing set on Lake Fremont

From Pacifier to Thumb

Well, after my realization that Eliana needed a pacifier, I didn't know that she would quickly move to her thumb! It happened last week and I have to admit it's adorable! She is able to self-sooth herself when I am not quite ready to feed her and when she's upset or tired! Score!

However, I know it may be more difficult to get "rid" of her thumb than a pacifier, but at this point, we'll face that challenge when it comes!

Sisters!

Free Day At the Zoo

We're members at the Grand Rapids Children's Museum and during the summer, they team up with other area museums and zoos for free entry. August was free entry to the John Ball Park Zoo! However, we remembered on the last day at 4pm (zoo closes at 6pm)! We quickly ran to the zoo to enjoy the freeness of it!

Eliana in August

6th or 7th Annual Swordswomen Retreat

12 years ago four 18 year olds all went in "blind" to HOPE College's roommate assignments.

12 years later four 30 year olds all met up in Pennsylvania for their 6th or 7th Annual Swordswomen Retreat!!!

Yes, there is a story behind the name...but I'll save that for another day!

Sarah and I were roommates and Andrea and Cheli were roommates our first year at HOPE and we lived next door to each other. It was instant friendship! The next three years we stayed together and after graduation have made it a priority to connect at least once a year! I love my shroomies and am forever grateful to them for how they helped shape who I am today!

One of the best parts about our reunions is that our hubbies and kiddos come along! Between the four of us we now have 6 Swordlettes (girls) and 1 Swordsboy (poor guy)!!!

The Swordswomen: Cheli, Sarah, Megs, and Aners

The Scogin Crew (minus Matt who was off to Brazil on business)

Lucy, Sarah, and Sophie

Home: New York City, NY

The Kidless Crew

Cheli and Jay

Home: Chicago, IL

The Huisman Crew

Geneva, Andrea, Brooke, Derek and Micah

Home: Dundas, Ontario, Canada

The Freudigmann Crew

Alan, Megan, Eliana and Kirra

Home: Grand Rapids, MI

Random August Shots

Strite Family Reunion, August 5, 6, and 7

My mom and dad hosted my mom's side of the family reunion this year!

It was a great weekend full of fun and food!!!!

Kirra wanted to help in the kitchen one day, so I set her up to wash her play kitchen dishes! She had a blast getting wet!

Free Concert Tuesdays at Meijer Gardens...Ladies night out!

I get together with some girls I went to HOPE with (Kristen Borst, Shelby Noxon, Jen Traxler-Petersen, and Liz Schofield-Sharda) a few times a month. We decided to meet at the free concert to enjoy some food and fellowship together! I left Kirra at home with Alan, but Eliana came along to hang with the big girls!

Confessions of a Mama x 2

I hate pacifiers! I did everything in my power when we had Kirra to NOT have one even in the house. I have always been a hater. Just being honest. HOWEVER, once Eliana was born Alan and my mom kept telling me that we should try the pacifier because she was using ME as one. I didn't want to admit it and then I got embarrassed that I was about to give in. But when I did...IT WAS GLORIOUS! She didn't want to eat every hour any longer. She was quite content just to suck away on the little green silicone thingy! I'm over it now. No more embarrassment. No more trying to justify why she needs one. Just realizing that sometimes I need to get over my own pride! :) She's happier and I'm happier because of it!

A little Papa time!