Fun in Michigan

Wow, I have no idea where the month of October went! We made a trip to Minneapolis for our friend Ryan's wedding before packing up and heading to Chicago for Jesse's test and then to Michigan for Jesse's externship at the Kalamazoo hospital. Everyone says they have a hard time keeping track of our schedule, well, I do to! I came back to SD alone after spending just over a week in MI. Maverick and Jesse will be staying out there for 2 more weeks before I return. We will then come home, and Jesse will stay home for 1 night before heading out for interviews and another 2 week externship in Grand Rapids. Luckily, he'll be home mid-December with time to spare before the new baby arrives!! Maverick is finally big enough to sport his bomber jacket he got from uncle Jeff more than a year ago. I'm not sure how the red tasseled hat fits into the picture, but he needs something to keep his ears warm!
Maverick and uncle Seth enjoying the music.

Our family.

We had a group family picture taken, and we wore green, obviously. Maverick was so good for the pictures.

Jesse loving Beatles Rock band. Even if no one would play with him, he'd be a one-man band.

Maverick was often the drummer.

Every time I watch this video, I about die! Jesse's mom had recently pledged her wood floors which made them SO slippery for Maverick's pj's. As soon as he would walk into one of the bedrooms, he would bif it. So, we decided to slide him across the floor. At first, his head was getting caught up, and Jesse suggested we put a wash cloth under it to keep it from sticking. I had a better idea to use his winter hat, and boy, did it work well! Maverick had an awesome time!

Is it a Sign??

Peyton Manning Children's Hospital at St.Vincent in Indianapolis, Indiana. I do love Peyton.

Day at Garrity's

Yesterday, we made our annual trip to Garrity's the local apple orchard and pumpkin patch. Luckily it's a quick trip because it was chilly!! Maverick had 2 coats on. Oh, and we had our first "Where's Maverick" scare. Usually, we turn around, and he's somewhere within sight. However, we turned around and he was missing. We found him within a minute in the hay bale maze. As we always say, Maverick has no fear of being lost what-so-ever. That is why we will definitely be getting a fenced-in yard when we move...maybe even electric! Anyways, here are the pics from our day out. Maverick as a big pumpkin. The family. We had a picture taken here last year, so it's neat to compare. And, yes, before anyone asks, I am 25 weeks pregnant. Come look at the scale, it's really there!!

A much warmer day a year ago. Maverick has really turned into a little boy.

We brought home Regent and Honeycrisp apples along with homemade apple cider. Oh, so good!

Maverick on the hay bale.

Dad and Maverick enjoying an apple. We like Regent the best.

More for the pickin'. It's the most fun to pick your own apples.

Maverick and the goats. He wouldn't pet them though.

Next Stop: South Illinois University in Springfield!!

Add University of Iowa to the List

That's pretty much all there is to say about that! Maybe we'll end up where all the other Van Heukelom doctors are in Iowa City. I'll continue to keep you all posted. Now we just have to schedule all this craziness.

Flu Shots, Pinwheels, & Cheese balls

On Thursday, I had the great idea that Maverick and I both get our flu shot. It seemed harmless enough, until Maverick woke up on Friday morning with a fever and was completely out of it. Luckily, Jesse had the day off (except for the fact that he was going to go work on his research all day), so he was able to stay home with Maverick. Meds brought the fever down, but he wasn't feeling the best until today, Sunday. Needless to say, we also had to cancel our babysitter we had for the Coyotes game yesterday; it was probably going to be the last game we EVER went to, but that's ok, it was on TV. Maverick and I looking cute. He is very attached to his pacifier, however, he only uses it in the house. As soon as we say we're leaving and going somewhere, he puts it away in his crib!

Saturday was the most beautiful fall day! I was feeling like junk food, so Maverick and I had chips, cheese balls, and a Mello Yello for me! Being sick let's you break the rules, so Maverick ate all the cheese balls he wanted!

Here's the pinwheel Maverick got after his shot. He played with it for about 5 minutes then was done. Actually, he lost it when we were riding the bikes back home, he stuck the pinwheel out, and it got caught in Jesse's bike tire, and flew away. It was pretty funny! Maverick really didn't care.

Maverick and I.

And, Jesse. He loves Maverick's blocks. He's always building these elaborate structures while Maverick naps. Maverick undoubtedly destroys them within 5 minutes of being up each time.
And an exciting note, Jesse has 3 interviews scheduled already!! We are very excited. So far, he is interviewing in Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, and St. Louis!! I am so proud of him. He'll be gone a lot this fall, but I'd rather have him gone then versus after the new baby.

Ahna recently emailed this picture to me. It seems everyone likes getting their picture taken next to something that reminds them of Maverick!! They were having a fun day at Cedar Point in Ohio! Wish we had been there. I could have held their sunglasses while they rode the rides.

Oh, How we love Austin Playground!

Already I'm worked up about what's going to happen when it gets cold and the sand at Austin playground freezes! It has been such a sanctuary for us. Everyday after nap, Maverick and I load up the bike and head for the playground. He burns off his energy and usually gets to play with other kids. I better start saving our pennies to invest in a super warm snowsuit! It's a bird, it's a plane, it's Superman...really it's a plane. Maverick has ears like a hawk! He can see and spot them a mile away. He even sees the tiny little jets up in the sky. Sometimes I have a hard time picking them out. But, with a name like Maverick, should we expect less?
Maverick pointing it out to dad. Jesse will be finishing up his NICU rotation in Sioux Falls next week. He has absolutely loved it and thinks he may have found his calling. We all know he has the compassion and heart to deal with helpless babies and distressed parents. I think the NICU is lucky to have him around!

Maverick and dad again. Maverick always likes when his dad is around because he's better at playing on the equipment. It's really funny because when Jesse is around Maverick goes on all the toys I get too nervous around. It's much easier for Jesse to maneuver him and lift him up. Maverick knows mom is a little clumsy!

He loves his bucket. Yesterday we tried to go to the playground without the bucket, and he wouldn't have a thing to do with it. There were no other kids there yesterday, so I suppose it would have been a little boring for him. All the other kids love his buckets too when we go. Dollar Store special. We've gotten more use out of $2 worth of toys.

Close up! Maverick rarely gets close to the camera and hardly ever looks at it.

Dig and dump. Dig and dump. He's like a dwarf with one task!

As for me, my MOPS group started again this week which I love! It is a lot of fun to socialize with others moms and to hear about their joys and struggles of motherhood. We are all in the same boat. I am also organizing the annual D-Days Breakfast at our church which is Oct 10th. I always forget how much I love planning events until I'm doing it.