July 23, 2013
houston
June 30-July 6
In April, right before Janssen was born, my parents moved from Bartlesville to Houston. Since then, we have been wanting to take a trip down to Houston to visit and see their new house. Because Colby was already off work for a few days around the 4th of July, we thought that might be a good week. So, we loaded up the car and off we went! Well, it wasn’t quite that easy (packing for four including a newborn and toddler is a lot of work!), but I’ll spare you all the details of getting ready and get right to the fun stuff!
Saturday
We drove one mile down the road to grab some lunch at McDonald’s and as soon as we stopped the car Miller said, “Are we at grandma’s?”. No, buddy, not yet. We have a long way to go! Janssen screamed the entire way from our house to McDonald’s. My worst fears were already coming true just one mile into the trip!
Janssen absolutely hates his car seat, so we were really worried about how he would do for 8 hours in the car.We thought of lots of different options so that he would be happy in the car including driving at night, but decided against it. We did try one of our neighbor’s car seats to see if a different brand car seat would make a difference, but it didn’t. Surprisingly (and thankfully!), with a little bit of swaddling, white noise (thank you iPhone!), pacifying, and a few baby-wearing and feeding stops, he slept almost that whole way! Miller also did really well on the trip to Houston. We set him up with movies to watch and games to play on the iPad and he stayed occupied and happy the entire way! We actually made the entire trip in 8 hours and 15 minutes with only 2 stops!
Miller started out with a little nap.
A baby-wearing stop.
Ice cream!
Miller gave Janssen Shamrock to help calm him down.
We made it!
Sunday
Maddie and Isaac were coming over for dinner, so we decided to hang out at my parent’s house and go swimming,
First, a little lunch at The Shack.
Game time with Grandpa.
Swimming!
Monday
The water went out before any of us had a chance to get ready for the day, so we took Miller to the splash pad and then headed into Houston to meet Maddie and Isaac for dinner at Rajun Cajun.
Maddie and the boys.
Tuesday
We took Miller to Brenham to the Bluebell factory. Miller had a blast! He was most fascinated with the people working at the factory. We couldn’t take any pictures during the actual tour, but here are some pictures before and after the tour:
At the end of the tour, we each got a free scoop of ice cream. Miller got mint chocolate chip. We also tried the new flavor, rockslide brownie. Yummy!
With the Bluebell statue.
Wednesday
Beach day! My dad took off work and we headed to Galveston to the beach. This was Miller’s first time to ever go to the beach!
Good morning!
On our way!
At the beach, ready for lunch.
Testing out the water.
Playing in the sand.
Sand castles with Daddy.
Janssen sleeping in the shade with Grandma.
Sandcastles with Grandpa. Miller collected feathers to use as flags. Daddy helped him create a moat. He was so proud! He told people who walked by, “Look at my moat!”
It took a little convincing but we finally got him into the ocean.
Jumping the waves.
In the water.
Everyone was worn out after the beach.
What a fun day! Miller loved the beach! I can’t wait to take him back!
Thursday
The 4th of July and Daddy’s birthday!
Miller napping.
My dad’s Uncle Jim and Aunt Betty invited us over for dinner on the 4th of July. It was a lot of fun to see them, but it was definitely not a children’s party. Unfortunately, we missed fireworks this year. I think Miller would have had more fun running around outside and watching fireworks, but we will watch them next year. Here are some pictures of the boys and our family on the 4th of July.
Friday
My dad was still off work, so we took Miller to the Houston Children’s Museum. It was absolutely packed, but it was a lot of fun!
They were having a superhero theme for the summer.
Superhero show. Telephone man saves the brain from villain and keeps all the kids from getting bored during the summer.
Grandpa helped him make a parachute.
Saturday
Time to head home.
Last morning at Grandma and Grandpa’s.
We stopped at Buc-ees on the way home.
The ride home did not go nearly as well as the ride to Houston. Janssen fussed despite using all the same methods that we used on the way there and Miller was restless and not interested in watching movies on the iPad. The ride home took about 10 hours and 30 minutes. But, we made it home and we had an awesome time in Houston. Hopefully we will get to visit again soon!
miller-isms
I just want to jot down a few of Miller’s favorite things and favorite phrases. He never fails to bring a smile to our faces. I wish I had more on video, but it is hard to predict what he is going to say!
One of his favorite things is a magic wand. He can create a magic wand out of anything-a flag, a straw, a twig. Then he will use his magic wand to turn you into a goon, or rat, or cat, or some other creature. “I’m going to turn you into….
If he agrees with what you say, he will say, “Umm, sure!” For instance, I asked him if I could go on a walk with him. He said, “Sure! You can go on a walk with me.” Don’t misunderstand, he is not always this agreeable. More often, he says, “No, I don’t want to!”
If we tell him our plan or schedule of events, he will repeat the schedule and then say, “Is that a good idea?” For instance, “First, we’ll eat lunch, then take a nap, then go to the pool. Is that a good idea?” It’s as if he came up with the plan all by himself!
Miller loves his baby brother! He always wants to hold him. If Janssen cries, Miller will cover him up with his blanket or give him a pacifier or a toy. One time when Janssen was crying in the car, Miller sang, “Baby, baby calm down” to the tune of “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star. Another time when Janssen was crying in the car, Miller said, “Mom, you need to say shh shh shhhh.” Miller often says, “Baby Janssen, you’re so cute.”
Miller has recently started calling the rain “dibble dibble dop” from the book “Mr Brown Can Moo, Can You”. So if it’s raining, it’s “dibble dibble dopping”.
playing ball
June 17
On Father’s Day, we went to Ponca to eat lunch and visit Colby’s parents.
Papa and Janssen.
After lunch the boys went outside to play catch. We are planning on starting Miller in T-ball this fall, so we thought it would be fun to show him the basics.
This was before we realized that he could throw so much better with his left hand! As soon as he started using his left hand, he was able to throw the ball straight in front of him with pretty good accuracy. With his right hand, he threw to the side every time. Then he would say, “Go get it!” I think he missed the point-you are supposed to throw it TO the person.
Papa showing Miller how to throw the ball.
After throwing practice, Miller got to hit the ball with Daddy and Uncle Brian.
I loved seeing the four of them playing together. I know Miller had a great time!
Miller and Daddy.
happy father’s day
June 17
On the morning of Father’s Day, Miller crawled into bed next to Colby and said, “I love you , Daddy. You’re the best.”
Miller and Daddy. Makes my heart happy!
I really wanted to get a picture of Colby with both boys, but Miller wasn’t really interested in taking a picture.
My plan is to interview Miller every Father’s Day asking him questions about his Daddy. I missed last year, but here is our interview from this year:
He even answered the questions exactly the same when Colby asked him later in the day.
Happy Father’s Day! We love you!
July 11, 2013
the zoo
April 2013
Miller wasn’t all that interested in the live animals, but he loved the statues!
vacation bible school
June 24-27
This year, I was asked to help with VBS at our church, St Luke’s United Methodist, and I agreed. Age three is the cutoff for attending, but Miller was able to go because I was volunteering. Even though he cried every time I dropped him off, I know that he had a blast. He would tell me all about his day when I picked him up and loved to show me his pictures and crafts that he made. I saw him in the hallway a couple of times with his crew leader and he seemed to be having fun. He still sings some of the songs that he learned at VBS. However, he can’t quite remember all of the words, so he ends up repeating the same phrase over and over. Haha! The week ended up being pretty exhausting for me. The teenagers in the nursery had a hard time calming Janssen (honestly, I think they were more interested in sitting and talking), so I carried him in the baby carrier the rest of week while I led the Pip’s preschool games. Thankfully, there was another leader working with me, so I was able to leave and nurse Janssen.
Miller singing with his crew at the Fanfare Finale at the end of the day on Tuesday.
Miller with his crew leader, Ms Kat. Daddy came for the Fanfare Finale on the last day and took this picture.
Miller with Pip, the preschool mascot.
Miller and Mommy in front of the castle. The theme was Kingdom Rock.
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