July Update

The Arster
Here's a current pic of Arie---right after his nap, half dressed, covered in PB&J. Perhaps not at his best, but most definitely a happy camper.
Arie is doing well here in Richland. His newest 'thing' is naming items around him to show off how smart he is. Very cute, and he knows it.



We've had a round of seeing doctors for Arie, so there are some updates. Arie's got new AFOs (braces), that are taller than his last day pair, but more flexible. It's a bit harder for him to crawl around in them, so we're working into wearing them for most of the day. We also started using sand bags to help Arie stretch out while he's sitting. It's working pretty well. And, the other update: his eyes. The crossed eye continues to grow stronger and improve with every doctor visit. We are so happy about this, as it most likely indicates increasingly better vision in that eye and also improves his chances of a successful surgery in a few years.

I've been trying to stay busy, and so far I've been finding plenty to do. I'd been wanting to make a baptism gown for our soon-to-appear little guy, and finally *almost* finished it. Everything but all the buttons. I came up a button short, so the back doesn't have all the buttons sewn on. Other than that, I'm fairly pleased with the results. Sewing clothes is not my talent, but I really am pretty happy with this.




The puppies are doing great, and growing so fast. Most of our puppy buyers have been over by Seattle, so we've kept a pair of them here with us in Richland. They're so sweet, and we've been working on training them. They're doing really well with that, and they LOVE to go on our morning walk with us. Arie thinks they're great!





I'll try to post a preggo picture soon. I just need to pose for Dirk... A month to go!

The Pictures, and Some News

Well, I finally got some pictures of everything.

Our Patio




Living Room


View from the Kitchen


Bathroom


Arie's Room


Being a Boy...


Preggo Picture
This is me about a week ago.



We also have some wonderful news. We finally have a niece! Peter and Miriam had a baby girl today, Moriah Adriana. She came into this world weighing 8 lbs. 6 oz, and was 21 inches long. Our first niece!

Quick Update

For all of you who've been cheering us on, we got moved today! The apartment is set up very well, and was fully furnished to start with, so that's nice. Everything is unpacked and put away, and the only sign of us just having moved in is all the boxes sitting in the living room!
We'll go back to Moscow next week sometime to pick up our other car, grab the left over items we couldn't fit in the van, see the dogs, and hopefully squeeze in a fitting for Arie's new braces.
Tomorrow we're going to see the town and pick up some things we want in the apartment, and when we get it all squared away, I'll post some pictures of the apartment. There is a swimming pool here, but it's getting repainted, so in a few weeks we'll have a swimming pool too!

It's June Already

Well, it's been a bit since I posted last, but not for lack of news. It's been busy.
Most exciting, Arie is trying out a power wheelchair for the summer. We met with a vendor last week and he sent us home with one of their trial models all fitted out for Arie. We'll be practicing driving this summer---if Arie can stop and go on command by the end of the summer, we'll be doing well. He likes it, although I think he still prefers what he knows to be reliable: crawling. As soon as he figures out that he can go just about anywhere faster, there won't be any stopping him.



The puppies are growing and doing great! We sold two last week, and are pleased to have found such good homes for them. Penny doesn't seem to miss them---but then what's two when you started with eight? They're as cute as ever, and as I watch them develop, I already have a favorite. She's a gorgeous little girl, and I'm thinking twice about not keeping any of the pups. But when the baby comes, it'll probably not be such a hard decision to make.




Speaking of baby---we're almost TWO WEEKS past Arie's gestational age. I am so thankful, and although the baby feels so much heavier than I remember from last time, I feel so much better this time around. I'm a bit slower and can't bend over any more (pretty normal), but other than that I've been feeling myself. I had my last Moscow appointment for me and baby, and I was excited to learn that my baby is head down! He hadn't been about a month ago, so I was very glad to find this out. Hopefully he'll stay this way until he's born! Also, I made a quilt for him this week. It's simple, but I liked how it turned out.





Dirk has got one more day of work, and then we're packing up to move out for the summer. I'm looking forward to having him around for a few days to help me with all my 'projects' around the house. We have been provided with a furnished apartment in Richland (so nice!), and so really it's just getting organized, bringing personal effects and things I want of my own with me, and all the kids' stuff. As I organize the baby stuff, it seems so strange to have all the clothes, bedding, etc. sitting around me for a little person I've never met, but it's exciting at the same time. We found the perfect person to house sit for us and take care of things around the house, and this means I don't have to pack everything away, just leave a few drawers empty etc. and leave the rest like it is. Hopefully cleaner, as the house has become a disaster in my attempt to tie up several loose ends of our life before we leave.

Well, that's the news for now. Hopefully I won't be so long before I post more pictures. I know I'll have new ones soon of Richland, probably next weekend, so keep a look out!

May

May has been a lovely month so far.



A daffodil from my garden


The puppies keep growing and are just being weaned. Their eyes and ears are open now and they all are up and walking. By walking, I mean a shaky walk, but give them another week or two and they'll be running. They are absolutely darling!






Arie is doing well. He's growing too, getting taller right under our noses. The most noticeable change is that he is talking in phrases and even sentences now. This still takes me by surprise, but I'm sure I'll be used to it in no time.






I'm growing as well. Our little guy is 28 1/2 weeks now, exactly 10 days from when Arie was born. We are praying constantly and keeping a close eye on things, hoping to pass the 30 week point and go all the way to 40 weeks. There have been a few problems, but between boosting my nutrition, some rest, and monitoring the pregnancy seems to be going much better than last time.


The baby belly


Dirk is also doing great, but he is the only one not growing at the moment. He's working hard, with lots of irons in the fire. He's taking an internship with a church in the tri-cities for a few months and absolutely thrilled about it. I think the idea of working in a church actively under the oversight of a godly and seasoned pastor has him pretty pumped about the summer. Of course, Arie and I are going with him and so the baby will be born in Washington!

And thanks to all for all the birthday wishes, cards and gifts! I had a wonderful birthday! Emma watched Arie and Dirk took me out to watch a movie and dessert at West of Paris, a fancy French restaurant. I had so much fun, especially since Dirk and I hadn't been on a 'no-kid' date since Christmas! I was thoroughly spoiled, and enjoyed every minute of it.