Going Away Party

Well, yesterday I was "officially" done with my job when I had my going away party. It was a great couple of hours. The best part was the cool cake the office got me; it was even a Cake by Monica! It said, "You will always be our Top Gun." What an appropriate slogan. It was the best cake I had ever seen at a going away party at the office-any cake was better than trying to cut through the ice cream cake. Thanks to Darnell we each got 1/12 of a cake-the pieces were huge. Before we ate the cake, Steph had everyone go around and tell their favorite story about me...I think it was just to prove my weirdness. Of course, my childhood stories were brought up, my Dolphin Boy dance, and da, da, da, da, da, da... Barracuda. I look back at my time as an admissions counselor, and I really enjoyed it. I had the chance to do a lot of traveling. Pittsburgh and Austin were a blast. If anyone is ever up for the Melting Pot, just give me a call...I'm up for dropping a hundred bucks on a meal anytime. Oh, wait, I no longer have a job. Get back to me in a few years! As good of a time it was, I am very thankful and glad to spend my time with Maverick. He is growing and changing so much every day. This weekend we're planning to head to the Tulip Festival in Orange City. This will be 4 years running. We're hoping the tulips will still be in bloom to get some pictures of Maverick. And, darn it, they better have Dutch letters this year.

Baptism

Here's the gang that was able to make it to the baptism! Maverick was baptised on Sunday and what a beautiful day it was! It was a great day we shared with all of our family (we were only missing Ahna, Grandma, Sue, and the girls). The service went well; Maverick hardly cried when he got dowsed with the water! The weather was gorgeous. After church we had a reception with our cake with the fighter plane on it-it was awesome and tasted good too! After that, we went home and had a great lunch. Maverick got some neat gifts. However, there was one that stood above the rest-the brown bomber jacket from uncle Jeff. You can see I'm pretty impressed. After lunch we went to the park and played football and frisbee.

And here's Maverick just being cute and lounging in his boppy. He was so exhausted after all of his company that he only work up 1 time last night. I'm hoping to get a repeat. Thanks again to everyone who was able to come visit this weekend. It was a lot of fun! And, Happy 20th Birthday to Ahna today!!

He Rolled!

We are so excited-Maverick rolled from his stomach to his back yesterday! Luckily, Jesse and Grandma Carola were also here to witness it-I'm not sure they would have believed me. He rolled 3 times before he was tuckered out. He's continuing to grow like a weed. This is a big weekend-he's getting baptised tomorrow, and it's my first Mother's Day! My parents will be arriving tonight as well as Greg and Seth.

Jesse is super excited for the Hy-Vee cake we'll be serving after church. I can't wait for everyone to see the decorating on it! We'll also be having Jones soda-yum!!

It's been a busy couple of weeks. I haven't been able to update the blog because our computer had a virus. Two weeks ago Maverick went on his first airplane trip. We went to Michigan for Seth's college graduation. Congrats Seth!! His fiance Kari also graduated from college the same weekend. It was great to see everyone. Maverick was great on the plane; he slept both flights. We've also been trying to get outside in the stroller. Maverick likes riding in the stroller minus the car seat. He likes to look around.

This is the diaper cake I made for my friend Jess' baby shower. I think it was the most creative thing I've ever made. I was pretty proud. And, it was great because Jesse even helped!

We're always excited to find Maverick's name in new places. We're not promoting smoking by any means, but here's his name again!

Here's Maverick's first tip-toe in the grass. We're in Grandma Carola's flower garden. Maverick didn't know what to think of the prickly grass!

Today we're heading to Sioux Falls for our friends Robbi and Brian's wedding. We'll also be hitting Jennifer's law school graduation party! It's a busy weekend! I'll be sure to update sooner so there's not SO much at one time!

Showered Again!

Big THANKS to my friends Jan and Jennifer for hosting a shower for Maverick a couple of weeks ago. We had a great time and received lots of wonderful presents. One of my favs or rather probably will be Mavericks is the Exer-saucer!! I can't wait for him to get in it. He also got lots of great summer clothes and toys. There were about 15 people able to attend. Brook was pretty upset because this is the first baby shower he's been to, and he was appalled that he couldn't keep the prize for winning the game! I told him that if he'd like the pacifier, he's more than welcome to keep it!!

Here we are with our delicious Cake by Monica. It was chocolate on chocolate on chocolate-it was amazing!

Here's a glimpse at all the party-goers and presents!! Opening gifts is always fun! A big thanks to everyone who was able to come. We had a lot of fun playing games and visiting!

Jesse's Turn for a few comments

First of all, I would like all of you who read this know that as of Friday, April 11, I have finished my second year of Medical school. I cannot be more excited to not be in class. The last two years have been the most most stressful, the most busiest, the hardest 2 years of my life. I could not have done it with Kathy. She is an amzing wife and now mom.

About Maverick. We have been spending some good quality time together the last few weeks. Kathy and her mom are done in Sioux City to do a little shopping and so I get to watch my son. It is very fun to make him smile. Gram, Carola, likes to make a unexpressed face to have Maverick really work to make her smile, but then she does. This week he has been able to start grabbing a large cube and then holds it with two hands. He is growing, but still needs lots of attention and mvement. Kathy just had an interview for a part-time last week. More to come and hopefully less than 2 weeks.

Mom gets much needed beauty sleep!

WAHOO! Two nights ago, I had the best stretch of sleep I've had since Maverick was born! He slept from 9 until 4:30 AM; I couldn't believe it. Although he didn't repeat last night, I have the faith that it CAN be done. I was beginning to think he would never sleep more than 4 hours at a time. Way to go Maverick! This is a picture from one of his first nights home. It cracks me up every time I see it with his hat covering his eyes.

Well, Maverick is 2 months old, and I'm finally getting this thing up and going! A baby sure does change a person's life! Maverick is growing bigger everyday and getting more interactive. He just hit the 11 lb mark and is about 24" long. Last week he started smiling which is absolutely amazing. I find myself sitting and staring at him all the time. We're becoming good friends!

Jesse is good too! He just completed his 2nd year of classwork. His last few weeks will be spent working with a doctor here in Vermillion. A little bit of the pressure of studying has been relieved so Jesse has had more time to get to know his son.

Each day I'm getting more anxious for spring. The snow can stop anytime.

We have been blessed with visitors! Maverick has had the chance to meet all of his immediate family. It has been a lot of fun to have everyone here especially with Jesse's hectic study schedule.

The first visitor was my mom (right) who stayed for about 4 days. She was a great help...she did all the jobs I've been putting off like cleaning my microwave =) She even got us a much needed mop! The house was spic and span when she left.

Jesse's mom Carola was next to visit. Maverick became her little "Peanut." Although she's in Michigan she gets to see him often with her webcam! She'll be back for her spring break in April!

Grandpa Van Heukelom and Great-Grandma Ruth also made a visit! We got to see grandma again last week in Sioux Falls while she was visiting Gary. She was excited to give Maverick his bottle. They'll be back for baptism in May. Sue, Anna, Millie, and Lexi also made a visit. Unfortunately, I don't have any good pictures from their visit. The girls had a great time with Maverick!