The Island of Sodor comes to the Westra kitchen

Like most little boys, Zeker absolutely loves cars, trains and anything that can go on tracks. This week Auntie Amy brought over JP's Thomas the Train railroad tracks and trains. After Zeke went to bed on Tuesday night Jeff set it up in the kitchen so Zeke would be surprised when he woke up on Wednesday morning. The next day I was nursing Olive in our room when I heard Zeke wander into the kitchen and exclaim, "Thomas Train! Look Mommy, Thomas Train!" He was so excited about it and it provided a great distraction on Wednesday while Jeff was at work. (Pay no attention to the expression on his face in the last picture--that is a reflection of his feelings about having his picture taken, not of his feelings about the train.)

Chuck

During the first year of Zeke's life his friend Chuck was our point of reference when measuring Z's growth each month. Last week we continued the tradition with Olive.

Chuck with Olive at 1 month.

Chuck with Zeke at 1 month.

And, because the only time Z wants his picture taken is when his sister is having hers taken, here are Chuck and Zeke at 2 years, 3 months.

Our family of four

Chunky Monkey and Bozo the Clown

One month old and Olive has already put on 3 pounds. This girl is a good eater--just like her mom.

And it's time for another haircut.

Celebrating 9 years and 4 weeks

Yesterday marked two important events in the Westra family--Olive's 4 week birthday and our 9th wedding anniversary.

We celebrated with a candlelit dinner of delicious Thai food and a little Hughes and Wagner. Sounds so cliche, but I love this man even more today than I did on our wedding day. He makes life fun, he always puts us first, he is an incredible dad and husband. He's our superhero.

And a few highlights from the past four weeks. Probably way too many pictures for one post. I am going to get better about posting more regularly. Right now napping is taking precedence over blogging (and cleaning, doing laundry, making dinner...)

Celebrating Olive's birth day! Thanks to Megan for the delicious cinnamon rolls.

One week old.



The infant bath looked like too much fun--he just had to give it a try.

Two weeks.

Loving all the pink!

Three weeks.

Celebrating Olive's 3 week birthday with pizookie. Zeke and I are really good at finding reasons to bake something sugary and stick a candle in it.

Four weeks.

She loves the sling and I am so glad because her very active brother requires a mother with two available hands (or more, if possible).

Birth Day

Finally getting around to posting a few more pictures of the day we met Olive Joy.

Our wonderful midwives--all present when Zeke was born, as well.