Winter.. ?

We have been ridiculously spoiled these past few weeks with some incredible 'winter' weather. Just one of the many perks of southern California living! We literally had to remind ourselves that it was, indeed, still January and sadly, no, spring break is not just around the corner. Today it is cooler and rainy ~ perfect for staying inside catching up on all the chores we put off while the weather was too nice to stay cooped up indoors (like updating the blog... ahem, Sarah.) :)

These past few weeks have brought several opportunities for us to be outside enjoying sun and warm temps. Matt has been coaching the 7th/8th grade girls softball team. Luke and I ventured out to a few of their home games to cheer them on... they won each of the games we were at which made it that much more enjoyable. Luke had a blast, pointing out the ball (whenever it was pitched, thrown, hit, etc), daddy (each time Matt would run out to coach first base or come back to the dugout), and each plane that flew by (there were several flying right overhead). I'm convinced that Luke left those games dirtier than any of the softball players, but it was worth completely worth it!

Giving Daddy a high five between innings

Trying to make sense of the cheers coming from RCS' dugout (it's a softball thing, Luke)

We went to Ford park one Sunday afternoon to play on the playground and feed the ducks. Luke absolutely LOVES to feed the ducks! We went through 1/2 a loaf of old bread in about 45 seconds, then he moved on to trying to feed them his snack of pretzels.

This one duck was quite friendly and practically fearless, getting up close and personal. Luke probably would have tried to pet the thing had we let him!

Playing on the playground after the ducks had had their fill of our bread and pretzels.

We received a fire pit from my parents for Christmas this year. We had hoped to be able use it while the DeBoer clan was here but, alas, we had terribly rainy weather so those hopes were dashed. Matt put his cadet skills to good use and built us a fire one evening. We sat outside as a family, roasting marshmallows and again, simply enjoying the amazing 'winter' weather. Luke did very well (we were slightly nervous about him near an open flame). He never really tried to touch the fire but would point to it and say, "Hot". Thus, no burn victims or ER visits... only delightful family time!

Luke may have an impressive future in playing 'chubby bunny' based on the amount of marshmallows he can stuff in his mouth at one time.

Mmmmm!

Ok, Sarah - I've updated the blog! Thanks for keeping me on top of things!

Oh Baby

I have been feeling a little guilty about my lack of blogging/documenting this second pregnancy. We were pretty good about taking 'belly pictures' every week or so when I was pregnant with Luke and writing down all the major events throughout that pregnancy. This time around I feel as though I am already neglecting this poor baby! It's not that this pregnancy is any less special or that we love this baby any less, it's just that life is busier with a toddler. But enough of my excuses.

I mentioned in my previous post that I had my 20 week ultrasound on Dec. 27th. I still have to scan the pictures we were given so I can put them up on the blog and send them to grandparents. In the meantime picture half baby, half alien and you pretty much have a good mental image of what our baby looks like at this point. We opted not to find out the gender again - while it was very tempting to know (especially since the technician said she could easily tell, this baby is not shy) it was so much fun being 'surprised' when Luke was born that we want to have the same thrill with this baby as well.

So far, things have been going great in this pregnancy. The first trimester was a bit rough, more so than my first pregnancy. I was sick and felt lousy a lot more often than I had with Luke. There was even one week when we joked that there was no doubt this was Matt's baby because every time I ate cereal of any kind I would throw it up within minutes. Sorry if reading that makes you queasy, its more for our memory's sake. :)

Since the second trimester hit I have been feeling great - lots of energy, still sleeping well, not too uncomfortable and starting to feel this baby move around, which is always incredible. To be perfectly honest, I feel as though I have enjoyed this pregnancy more than my first pregnancy. The first time around was amazing, don't get me wrong. Everything was new and exciting but also anxiety promoting and nerve racking with the threat of the unknown. This time, I feel as though I know more of what to expect, what's normal and what's not, have more realistic expectations about my body, weight gain, water retention, etc. so I'm more comfortable and relaxed about all the changes.

As time passes, I get more and more excited about the thought of being a mother of two. I have

had my moments of panic, wondering how I'm going to manage but then I look at friends who have two, or more, and our parents, who managed with three and figure I'll manage just fine... eventually... I hope. :)

The latest 'belly pic' at 21 weeks

DeBoer Family Christmas

Matt's side of the family came out to spend Christmas with us this year. It was awesome having everyone around and really awesome to not fly anywhere this year (especially after last year's fiasco). You'd think I would have been better about blogging more consistently while they were here since I did so well over Thanksgiving when the Klingenmaier's were here... not so. Sorry.

So, I'm back to the "cliff note" version of blogging for this past Christmas. Hope you don't mind.

The planning of everyone coming in to CA could have been a bit better. As it was they all flew in on four different days to four different airports. And on top of it all we had some of the worst rainy weather at least I've ever experienced while living in CA (we heard on the news that this was a 100 year rain, meaning it rains this bad once in 100 years). That did not help the whole traffic/driving situation much. But we were just happy that everyone made it in ok. Matt did the bulk of the shuttling to and from the various airports. Towards the last of the trips he was a bit burnt out of driving, especially in the pouring rain and nasty traffic. He came up with some creative ways to keep his spirits up....

Matt's mom didn't recognize him at first when he met her at the airport!

Once everyone was present and accounted for we started in on the serious business of having a jolly good time! Our first excursion in southern CA, after the rains had subsided a bit, was to go to a few wineries. I was the official designated driver, one of the "perks" of being pregnant (laced with just a little sarcasm). Everyone else had a great time sampling various wines and we ended up having our wine cabinet well stocked for the holiday. And I did have a good time going along, taking pictures, and chatting with family to and from the wineries, so don't feel bad for me that I couldn't partake in the sampling. :)

One of the wineries had a tractor parked out front. Luke thought this was a playground just for him!

When we got back from wine tasting, the women went right to work fixing dinner since Bill and Harriett were coming over that night. It was great to enjoy a nice meal together and continue chatting over coffee and cookies.

Luke, always the little helper, assisting Candice with making cookies. Yum!

Uncle Bill and Aunt Harriett gave Luke his first Christmas gift of the year - a toy truck that lights up and makes noise! Luke was SO excited opening up his present.

You can see the pure joy on his face! He even had to sleep with the truck that night (and several nights since). Thanks Bierlings!

On Christmas Eve the weather had done a complete 180 - no more cold and rainy mess but clear, blue skies and nice warm weather. We had all had our fill of doing 'indoor' activities so we headed into nature, taking a nice little hike in the hills behind Crafton Hills College.

Luke loved being outside and did very well on the hike... even hitching a ride here and there.

Such a boy with his boots and walking stick.

My parents sent us a fire pit for Christmas. It took all three DeBoer men to put it together. (handiness does not run in this family) :)

We went to church together on Christmas Eve - it was a wonderful service by our new pastor. Then came home to a house filled with all sorts of glorious smells - we had a ham cooking, salad, and Eric had made his 'famous' mac and cheese. Mmmmm was it all good.

We opted to put Luke to bed and play games on Christmas eve night rather than follow DeBoer tradition and open presents since it was already getting late and Luke was not in the right frame of mind.

Christmas morning we enjoyed homemade cinnamon rolls, Swedish coffee cake and coffee while we opened the mound of presents under the tree.

Luke probably had as many presents as the rest of the gang combined! Talk about being spoiled!! He was so much fun to watch open his gifts. His excitement and enthusiasm was contagious.

Reading his new Thomas the Train book

Luke received an Elmo puppet from my brother. It was hilarious to watch him open it up. He was extremely excited but held back a bit, almost like there was a celebrity visiting him.. he normally sees Elmo on TV but now here he is in the living room! It didn't take long before Luke warmed up to Elmo and the two became fast friends. :)

Mommy and Luke opening up presents.

Grammie and Luke playing with his new train from Uncle Aaron and Aunt Erika

The rest of the family on Christmas morning

Uncle Jordan, Aunt Andrea and Luke checking out the new fire truck puzzle.

Daddy and Luke opening up the basketball hoop from Uncle Jim and Aunt Julie

I'm pretty sure that Matt and Eric had more fun with the basketball hoop than Luke. Luke got into the action of course, but Matt and Eric pretty much boxed him out and took over playing with the new toy. :)

Even Jung got into the gift-giving/getting action. We got him a snuggie! It was really the perfect gift for him, even if it makes him look like an Asian Martin Luther.

After the presents were all opened and Luke was down for a nap we all set to work again preparing an incredible Christmas day feast - turkey, cranberry salad, stuffing, rolls, Andrea's fabulous potatoes, green beans, and apple pie and cookies for dessert. Delish!

Christmas night consisted of relaxing, playing games, and of course, some serious snuggle time with Luke.

On Sunday, we decided we would don our tourist hats and head into LA/Hollywood to the Chinese Theater, Wax museum, Guinness Book of World Records museum and the 'walk of fame'. It was fun to be able to walk around and do the tourist thing.

Next to a statue of the longest living man.

Luke as the world's heaviest man

Our little family by the Wizard of Oz characters at the Wax Museum

Eric and Austin Powers

With Steve Carell

The Joker... a little creepy

Spider man wasn't so bad

Posing with the Hulk

Funny side story of the wax museum.... I had somehow gotten farther ahead of where most of the family was looking at various wax sculptures and decided to wait for them to catch up. I stood in a corner that lead to a stairway used by the employees so I'd be out of the way of other tourists. One lady apparently thought I was a sculpture at first and completely freaked out when I moved. We both had a pretty good laugh!

Monday was Candice, Eric and Jordan's last day in CA. It was gorgeous day so the crew headed out to Santa Monica Pier. I had my 20 week ultrasound Monday morning so Matt and I met up with them later (thus the lack of good pictures). It was fun to walk around, take in the sights, enjoy the sun and waves (from a distance) and just have some quality family time.

Luke, again, had more fun being swung from arms than walking on his own. Lucky for him there were plenty of hands to hold on to.

Overall, we had a marvelous time with the DeBoer side this Christmas. We are looking forward to all the joyous events to come this year... May= baby #2, July= Andrea and Jordan's wedding, December = Eric and Candice's wedding! It'll be a monumental year for the DeBoer family!