Brendan Ball

It was a nice day, so Brendan and Daddy went outside to play for a while. We played some more with his ball and it was fun.

He is starting to catch on that the black shoes means that he will play outside (that is why we bought them). When we put them on him today, he got a big smile and started to get really excited.

Unfortunately, the ground was a little wet from the showers we had early in the morning. It was a little slippier and Brendan got a little bit of mud all over him. It translated into a bath when he went back inside.

One of the high points for the day was playing some more 'Brendan Ball'. This is where Daddy picks up Brendan and then swings his legs down at the ball. Whenever we do it, he gets excited and has a big smile on his face.

We put Luke down on his new blanket that we got at church. We're so proud of him because he can lift his head up once in a while and look around.

After we put the kids to bed, we had 'Date Night' (every Friday night we watch a movie or some other date-like-activity, children permitting). Tonight we started watching Babylon 5. I've forgotten how much I loved that show.

Luke is almost done with his bedtime snack, so Daddy will join them in going to bed.

Outside play time!

Brendan got to wear one of his new shirts from Grandma Standfest today. Luke has a matching shirt, but he has to grow a little more before he'll fit in it.

Brendan got to play outside today. It almost got up to 70 degrees today, so it was very nice. Mom took him out in the morning and Dad took him out in the afternoon before dinner. We played with one of his new 'outside' balls from Grandma Tupper. He kicked the ball and even picked it up and threw it. He also ran everywhere and had a real fun time.

Our friendly neighborhood bunny was outside for a little bit and we even got his picture.

All four of us now have belly buttons! The rest of Luke's cord finally fell off. He's got such a cute little belly button!

I'm off to bed. Hopefully, it will balance out with the lack of sleep at night.

An update on the boys

If anyone can figure this one out, please let me know. When I got Brendan up from his afternoon nap yesterday, his arm was sticking out of the neck on his shirt. I'm not quite sure how it happened, but it did. I don't understand that child sometimes, well, most times, but he's at least cute.

Luke is still being very easy. He eats, sleeps, soils diapers, and snuggles with anyone that will hold him (not necessarily in that order).

More pictures from Sunday

Here are a couple more pictures from yesterday...
Here we are with Luke and my parents (Robert and Lynn Standfest).

Here we are with Brendan, Luke, and Kira's parents (Steve and Heidi Tupper).

We also had some chaos back at our place after church, that way all the cousins could play together and Great-Grandpa could see all four of his great-grandchildren. It went pretty well and everyone seemed to enjoy the time. Great-Grandpa Standfest really enjoyed seeing all of them play together.

There are also a number of pictures in the web-album.

On a side note, the vestments and paraments from yesterday's service are not pink, they are a slightly faded rose. They are used for Gaudete (Advent III) and Laetare (Lent IV), which are both moments to rejoice amidst the somber reflection of the liturgical season.

Luke's Teddy

I mentioned Brendan's new teddy bear yesterday, but forgot to mention Luke's new teddy bear. Uncle Aaron and Aunt Becky got it for him. It's extremely soft and hopefully he'll like it as much as Brendan likes his teddy.

Luke's Baptism

Luke was baptized this morning. All went well. I have a ton of pictures to sort through, but wanted to at least post something in the mean time. Here is a picture of the Baptismal party (sponsors on the left: Aaron and Becky Richert, Pastor Douglas Punke, and parents on the right: Michael, Kira and Luke Standfest).

Here is one of my favorite quotes from Martin Luther in the Large Catechism on Baptism:
"Thus we must regard Baptism and make it profitable to ourselves, that when our sins and conscience oppress us, we strengthen ourselves and take comfort and say: Nevertheless I am baptized!; but if I am baptized, it is promised me that I shall be saved and have eternal life, both in soul and body. For that is the reason why these two things are done in Baptism namely, that the body, which can apprehend nothing but the water, is sprinkled, and, in addition, the word is spoken for the soul to apprehend. Now, since both, the water and the Word, are one Baptism, therefore body and soul must be saved and live forever: the soul through the Word which it believes, but the body because it is united with the soul and also apprehends Baptism as it is able to apprehend it. We have, therefore, no greater jewel in body and soul, for by it we are made holy and are saved, which no other kind of life, no work upon earth, can attain." LC 13.4.44-46

New Teddy Bear

Yesterday, Great-Grandpa Standfest brought a teddy bear for Brendan. We tried to give it to him before dinner, but when he saw Kira go towards the dinner table to get it ready, he ran off to his chair since he was hungry. It was really cute.

After dinner, he got his new bear and liked it. When Great-Grandpa took it out of the bag, Brendan had a big smile and said "Hi!" to it, like he does with most people. He then took it and ran around the room. Although it won't replace Teddy, this new bear is certianly loved. I'm still convinced that Brendan will take Teddy with him to college someday.

Uncle Aaron and Aunt Becky

"Uncle" Aaron and "Aunt" Becky stopped by last night for a quick visit and to check in on the kids. I'm not sure who adores who more, whether the Richerts adore the children or if the children adore the Richerts more.


Luke enjoyed being held by both of them. I think he's catching on that the Richerts are pretty cool too. He is also starting to get the same crush on "Aunt" Becky that Brendan has.


"Aunt" Becky is due in early July with a baby girl.

Unfortunately, Brendan didn't sleep well last night (that is why I didn't post last night). He had a minor reaction to a food allergy (we think?!) to something that he had earlier in the week. He has also had a hard time adjusting to having Luke around. He hasn't been quite as happy as he normally is. Once you put both of those together, it adds up to a rough week. He woke up around 9:30pm and didn't really settle down back to sleep until around 1am. I took him out to the living room and he watched one of his "Baby Einstein" DVD's. It helped distract him from everything else that was bothering him. I felt so awful for him, but like most children when they get upset, it's hard to calm them down. He eventually got to sleep in the bedroom and went down to bed very easily tonight. Hopefully that will still be the case during the rest of the night.

Both Grandpa's and Grandma's and one Great-Grandfather are in town right now. They are here for Luke's Baptism tomorrow. I have some pictures from their visit today that I put in the web album, but will have to post on them tomorrow. It's getting late and I didn't sleep well last night.