18 months...

Warning, this is just an update on our last doctor's appointment.  (We haven't had any major adventures since the car, but I felt the need to update this thing. :))

When did Kyper get to be a little boy and not my baby anymore?  Where have the last 18 months gone?  Well, we took him to the doctor on Tuesday.  Joel actually got to go too, because we had such an early appointment and he didn't have to go in until later that morning.  Here are the stats:

Weight--25lbs, 13oz (25-50%)
Height--34 inches (that is a 4 inch growth spurt from where he was at 15 mos.)  I guess the Dutch genes are kicking in.  (over the 95th percentile.)

He isn't a big fan of the doctor.  Joel said he'd have to get his stethoscope and other tools out more to get him more used to it.  I'd be a fan of that plan.  He really didn't like the nurse either, but who likes someone that pokes you with a needle.

After the doctor, we had a play date with Kyper's friends.  Haha who am I kidding, play dates are really a way for moms to stay sane.  Kyper may not say it, but yesterday was a good day.  (Nope, he won't say that, because he doesn't really have many words yet.  I'll try to enjoy the non-talking stage, because I hear once they start it never stops. :))

If you are still reading this, cool.  If not I thought I would end it on a few current pictures.

Doesn't look extremely comfortable, but it was pretty cute when I saw these two guys like this.

Chasing Smokey.  He loves dogs.

Clearing the snow off the slide.  He loves playing in the snow.

Running in the slush at the zoo.

The joys of being a car owner...

I know that because I have car trouble, I should be thankful I have a car.  Also in the midst of all of what happened to us in the last 24 hours, I am extremely thankful for a God who watches over us and provides.

So, we went to Ikea yesterday evening.  I needed to return something, and I wanted to look for a duvet cover.  (I am still on the lookout for one of those, so if you know any good deals let me know.)  While, on the exit to get to Ikea, the Jetta stalled.  Fortunately, we were able to get it going again, but it sounded bad.  Joel said is sounded like a wind-up toy.  We decided to go in Ikea anyway and do what we had come for.  In the end no duvet cover was found, but we did find a tupperware for spaghetti noodles--I've always wanted one for them since the boxes don't like to stay closed after you open them and noodles fall all over the place.

Ikea also was having a special were kids ate free.  It was about supper time and Kyper was hungry.  We went to their cafe, but the line was really long.  We didn't think it was worth saving $2.50, so we left and decided to head home.  Hindsight--really good idea!

The car started, but still didn't sound great.  We thought about taking it to Dearborn where we have a mechanic we've used in the past.  We made a few arrangements with friends.  But, then the car started to sound a little better, so we decided to try to make it home.  Hindsight--another great idea.

We were on the highway when all of a sudden lights started coming on the dashboard.  I told Joel to exit, because I felt that if the car was going to die I would rather be off the highway and within walking distance to somewhere.  Joel listened to me and we started heading down the road.  Joel asked "are the lights getting dimmer?"  Yes, they certainly were.  We needed to find a place to pull over.  God totally provided.  There was an oil change center and it was open.  Thank you God!!  It was 6:00 on a Saturday night, we are so thankful they were open.  We made it to the place and the car died ten feet away from the garage.  So, the guy helped us push it in.  He checked the battery and it was dead.  Fortunately, they had one in stock and were able to replace.  However, we were a little concerned that it wasn't just the battery, but the alternator as well.  It started and he told us to take it back in a few days to check the alternator.  He was a great guy.  He gave us $5 off the battery and a free car wash coupon.

We made it home last night at about 7.  Kyper was a trooper during all of this.  I know he was hungry, but he didn't complain too much at all.  If we had done dinner at Ikea, who knows if there would have been a service place open.  If we had gone to Dearborn, we wouldn't have made it and the places in between that we could have gotten stranded were not places you wanted to be stuck.  We were also thankful that I wasn't alone with just Kyper when this happened, because that is the car I drive all the time.

This brings us to the fun car ride this morning--Sunday.  We go to church in Dearborn, which is about a half hour south of us.  We decided to take the Jetta.  Maybe not the smartest move, but again at least it was all three of us.  We made it about ten minutes into our drive and the lights on the dashboard went off again.  I guess it wasn't just the battery.  Joel pulled into a parking lot and kept driving.  We saw a gas station, which was also a service center.  So, we prayed and we made it there.  Their mechanic wasn't in today, which isn't surprising, so he will take a look tomorrow.  But, we are almost certain it is the alternator.  Joy.

Our neighbor came and picked us up, so we just headed home.  I really wanted to go to church this morning, but instead I guess we will have some family time this morning.  Again, I can see that God really kept us safe and provided for us within these troubles.  We are so thankful for that and I am thankful we have the ability to have car troubles.  It means we have transportation.

Hide and Seek

Kyper has a new favorite game...Hide and Seek.

He loves to go and hide and have people look for him.  Now, like any toddler he doesn't always stay in the spot he found.  He often stays for a few seconds and then comes to make sure we are seeking.  He also tends to hide in the same spot over and over especially at his own home.


If you play hide and seek with Kyper you will make an instant friend.  I know that is one reason that he loved Scott and Stephanie so much when we visited them over break.


Two more silly things about Kyper and Hide and Seek while we were on the west side of the state.
1.  He found the best spot at Joel's parents' house...behind the towels that were hanging from the oven's door.  We captured this moment:

2.  I was playing cards with my sisters-in-law, my mom and my grandma.  My brothers and dad were watching football.  Kyper was playing with my nieces.  Earlier he had found a good hiding spot in my old bedroom--the closet.  He even was able to pull the door (accordion door) to get behind it.  So, at one point I see him walk down the hallway and I mention to Joy "Oh, he is probably is going to hide."  I assumed my nieces were looking for him.  Apparently not though--probably 10 to 15 minutes later he comes out.  Joy and I look at each other and laugh.  He was just sitting and waiting to be found and I guess he had waited long enough.  We realized no one went looking for him.  He hadn't gotten into anything.  I just can imagine him standing in the closet just waiting quietly and patiently.  Goofball.

Bringing in 2011

We were still on the West side of the state to celebrate the new year.  We had a relaxing dinner with friends--Elizabeth and Kort.  We made pizza while Mady and Kyper played.  Mady and Kyper are about 10 days apart.  We joke that someday when or if we move back to the west side Mady will be Kyper's first friend on that side of the state.  See, Elizabeth's parents knew Joel's parents before they moved to Holland.  So, when they finally did move to Holland Joel was Elizabeth's first friend.  I wouldn't mind repeating that history.  We love the Nylands. 

After dinner, the kids played a little longer and then were put to bed.  Have I told you how blessed I am?!  Kyper goes down so easily anywhere we are.  I think it would be different if mom or dad didn't put him down, but as long as something is similar he does not have a problem falling asleep. 

After putting the kids to bed, Elizabeth and I joined the guys downstairs.  They had been playing video games.  I noticed they had Mr. Bean episodes on DVD and mentioned it to Joel.  We all laughed remembering watching them on PBS.  So, we proceeded to watch 3 of them including the New Year's one.  We were all falling asleep and Kort needed to work early the next morning, so the party ended at about 10/10:30.

We headed back to Joel's parents and put Kyper back down in his room there.  Although, I was tired enough to go to bed.  We ended up staying up with Joel's dad, his brother and sister-in-law (Aren and Leah) to watch the ball drop.  We went to bed shortly after.  Aren and Leah went to a party that ended early too.  It was nice to have a really relaxing New Year's Eve.  Joel, Aren, and his dad ended up finding a Dukes of Hazard re-run, so they watched until right before the ball dropped.

New Year's Day Kyper and I went to my parents in the afternoon.  The men watched football.  The kids played and the women played cards. :)  I have a funny story about Kyper but I think I will dedicate a whole post to it.  Joel actually went to the beach with his brother and sister-in-law that afternoon.  In the evening we were able to see our friends Tim and Tricia.

We headed back to the east side on Sunday and had a relaxing day at home before Joel had to start a new family practice rotation.

There you have it.  That is how the Phillips ring in a new year.  Sorry for lack of pictures.

Christmas with the Phillips

 I know it is 2011, but I wanted to update and share some pictures of our 2010 Christmas vacation.

Joel finished his rotation on Christmas Eve.  We weren't sure he would have the day off or not, so we had decided long ago that we were going to stay in Detroit that night and drive to the west side of the state.  It was wonderful.  Joel did have the Christmas Eve off and it was so nice to have him at home.  We had a relaxing day.  We had braved Meijer the night before to get steaks and some other groceries.  So during the day I started prepping for the traditional steak dinner.  Growing up, my family would always open gifts on Christmas eve and then have a wonderful steak dinner.  I want to carry at least the steak dinner tradition.  Joel grew up opening gifts on Christmas morning, so that is when we opened our little family's gifts.  Okay, back to Christmas Eve.  We also had time to pack the car for our little road trip that day.  Kyper got an early dinner and then we got to go to our own church for a Christmas Eve service.  It was so good.  We don't typically get to go to Holiday services at our own church since we are often visiting our family.  DCF had a beautiful candle-light service.  After, church we put Kyper down and then had our steak dinner.  One of these years, Kyper will join us for dinner, but it was way past his bedtime.

Steak Dinner

Stockings are stuffed

Presents were waiting to be opened.

You want to know one of my favorite gifts this year...it was being able to wake up in our own bed and home on Christmas morning.  This is the first time for 6 years that that has occurred.  It was so relaxing.  We took it easy in the morning.  Although, it was early--Kyper decided to wake up a little after 6; he must have known it was a different type of day.  We opened our stockings, had sticky buns, and then opened our gifts.  Kyper wasn't really that interested in opening gifts.  Once he saw there were toys in the boxes, he wanted to play with those.  After opening presents, we did some last minute packing and headed to the west side.

Kyper had fun opening his stocking.

A Wooden Star Ornament that Joel craved a picture in and Kyper's name on.

He may not have gotten into the tearing of wrapping paper, but he was excited about a new toy.

I got Joel the t-shirt he wanted.  It is of the molecule that is found in chili peppers.

It was great to travel on Christmas morning.  Light traffic and this year the weather was beautiful.  I really think we are going to have to do the same thing in years to come.

We made it in time to stop and drop some things off at my parents and then headed to my old school for the extended Koning family party.  After that party, we headed to Joel's parents.  They were hosting the extended Phillips family, which was nice since we didn't have to travel much further to another party and we were able to put Kyper down for a nap.  We ended the evening at doing the immediate Phillips family.  It was fun.  We sorely missed JP and Katie though.  But, I guess Texas gets them some years too.

We were staying the first part of the week at my parents, which made Sunday really relaxing.  We didn't go anywhere except church with my parents.  After church, my mom and dad hosted the immediate Koning family party.  It was great. It went really smoothly.  The kids were really good about taking turns--I can tell they are getting older and lets face it Kyper just didn't care yet to make it chaotic.  (He'll probably be the really impatient one next year.)  We basically partied all day at my parents.  It was good to spend some quality time with my siblings and in-laws.  We also played a great game of hand and foot with my grandma.  Man, she is a card shark!

Joel had the rest of the week off, so we were able to spend lots of quality time with family and friends.  Here are some of the highlights:

1. Kyper and I had play-dates with Renee and Abby and Elizabeth and Mady during the week.  
2. Kyper got another haircut--this kid's hair grows fast.  This was is fourth hair cut in his lifetime of 17 months.  He did a great job sitting (compared to the last three times), so I told Elizabeth to cut it really short.  I love having friends with kids Kyper's age that also cut hair--they totally understand how hard it is to hold kids and we can just take our time on haircuts if we incorporate it into a playdate. :)
3. Joel hit the beach 3 times--one of them with Kyper. 

It was really warm...or maybe it wasn't?  Who is wearing the right type of cloths for the beach in Dec.?

  4.  Playing cards with my mom and other family and friends.  I had some really good games and some really bad ones.

Playing Hand and Foot with Mel and Steph.  I love these girls.

Post to come--New Year's Eve and Day celebrations.

Merry Christmas from the Phillips

Dear Blog Readers,

Merry Christmas and Happy New Years! 

I pray that all of you will all experience true JOY this Christmas season!  

Also, I need to present my first Phillips Ponderings award.  This award goes out to one of my best friends and her cousin/roommate.  Congratulations, Stephanie and Nicole, you have won the Funniest Christmas card of the 2010!  (Who can top this next year?!)

 If you can't tel--because let's face it a picture of a picture isn't really that high quality.  Stephanie and Nicole are floating in their pool dressed in their winter gear. The card says "...We live in Florida and you don't..."  You guys are great.  Thanks for bringing me a great big laugh and joy even though you are taunting me about living in a cold climate instead of a warm climate.  Congrats again for the first ever award given on my blog.

Kyper kept his Mittens On

After Kyper woke up from his afternoon nap on Sunday, Joel started pulling out our snow gear.  He told me that even though he may not be feeling 100%, he was getting cabin fever.  So, we all bundled up and went outside.  Kyper loved it and he kept his mittens on, although I think that had to do with us putting his mittens on before his coat.  He couldn't really pull them off or actually use his hands for that matter.

Another funny story from last night.  Joel was giving Kyper a bath.  (Kyper decided it would be a good idea to rub a plate on his head that was full of maple syrup.  He smelled too sweet. ;))  I was in the kitchen and Joel in the bathroom.  I receive a phone call from Joel and this is what he said: "Guess what?  Kyper just farted, I saw the bubbles come up from his bum."  I said: "And, you thought this warranted a phone call."  Boys are so goofy.   I had to laugh and seriously I love my guys!

 After his bath he played so nicely with his car carrier.  He got this for his birthday and is just now really starting to play with it.  He loves it.  He especially likes to drive the cars around that came with it.

I was in a Christmas mood on Sunday and wanted to do some baking.  During the day we made chex mix.  Yum.  After Kyper went to bed, we made rice crispy treats with a twist.  Look below:

If you can't tell we dyed them green and made them into wreaths.  We added red hot cinnamon candies for the holly.  It was easy and fun.  I sort of wanted to make cookies, but this was Christmas-y and really easy!

We ended our evening with the viewing of the classic--Home Alone.

Like I said in the last post.  It was a good weekend.