They Count Too!

Okay, so this is a major vent blog... so if you don't wanna read, feel free to skip.



I am SO sick of people acting like Matt and Kayla do not count as our kids. Peter and I have heard many comments, especially since Julie's been concieved that allude to Matt and Kayla being "less" ours than our biological kids.



Here's a few of the winners:



* "isn't it the best thing in the world, feeling your baby kick" (obviously that person wasn't present at that mornings breakfast when Matt said "I weally wov you mom!")-- it's no secret pregnancy was not the be all, end all of my life... and be honest, all you who loved pregnancy-- your kid, although can be much more of a stinker, is really much cuter out than in!

* " I heard you're having one of your own"-- *errr*

* "did you not know you could get pregnant" (um... are you asking if I accidently adopted, then was *blessed* with a pregnancy... HECK YES I meant to adopt them)

* referring to a child after Julie "...if you're going to have a 2nd child" (math is wrong, the next child in our family will be number 4... crazy I know, but that's the way you add 2+1+1= 4)

* "happy first mothers day" (yes, two people actually said this to me... um... it was actually my third!)

* "so, is the baby yours" (meaning, is she biologically related)

* quite frequently I hear "it was SO great of you to adopt" lets be honest- we choose to adopt. We adopted perfectly healthy, smart and beautiful babies. We adopted OUR kids, because they were given to us by God. We did not adopt because we thought we were saving the world... and do not expect Matt and Kayla to EVER be thankful to us for adopting them, anymore than I expect Julie to thank me for the C-Section, Bed Rest to keep her in long enough to grow, nasty medicine that I had, stretch marks etc...





These comments are especially bothersome when they occur in front of Matt and Kayla. Just because SOME can't understand our family, I don't want Matt and Kayla to get the WRONG impression of how I feel about them. I would give up everything, including my life before I gave them up. I have not, for a second, thought that we made the wrong choice in adopting them, and I assure you I never will. My more recent trend is to confront the ignorence. I find myself *trying* to gently tell the person that what they said was inappropriate. Matt and Kayla will need to learn to defend our family (unfortunately), and so they should learn by example. Often, people get all hot and bothered... "you know what I meant" etc... well, maybe-- BUT as my mom taught me when I was 5 "think before you speak".



I've also been pretty bummed to hear about traditions that different people have with the "babies" in their lives for the first time with Julie. One of my FAVORITE gifts for any of my kids was when my Aunt Sandy bought monogramed Piggy Banks for Matt and Kayla's adoption party (along with the cuteset Christmas outfits, but the banks were what touched my heart). She has done this for all the kids in our family, and I was so glad that she didn't hesitate when it came to my kids. I was also more than happy to rejoice when Julie too received her bank... even Matt and Kayla noticed that Aunt Sandy got Julie a bank just like theirs.



Anyway, I'm really not sure the point of my post... other than to say "THEY COUNT". Matt and Kayla are Peter and my FIRST born children. We love them, forever and a day, and to insinuate any less is insulting and hurtful to our entire family.



Yeah... I think I feel better :)

MI Car Seat Law to Change?!?

Well, it's in the works-- Michigan, one of the states far behind in car seat safety has a bill that's working it's way through... 8 years old/80 pounds/ 4'9''... here's hoping!

http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(4ol5e055fc1cthquvmhhq3nv))/mileg.aspx?page=getObject&objectName=2007-HB-4536

Big Sister Help

Kayla has taken her roll as the big sister very seriously. She LOVES to help with "Julie Peanut Grandma Sue". She will run for anything I ask, pretty much anytime I ask if it has to do with the baby. I've even been able to convince her to clean up her toys so Julie can get on the floor and play with her. Kayla's latest obsession with Julie is feeding her. Rarely do I get a chance to do this anymore, as the second I open Julie's food cupboard, or put her in her high chair Kayla is right there begging to feed her by herself. She's not too bad, although she can get distracted if the TV's on (Julie's been seen leaning towards the wayward spoon). Julie ends up kinda messy-- but we've found that she washes well ;)



So... to one of the best big sister's in the world... Kayla-bow-bayla-- with her baby...

Webber Family Celebration

About 2 weeks ago Matt decided to jump onto the potty-training-wagon. We got back from vacation, and he declared that he too could go potty on the potty. He had about 1 potty accident a day for about a week, and now he's been dry for almost a whole week. He's in underwear 100% of the day (even out of the house now) and he's doing awesome! He even proclaimed after waking up this morning and running to the bathroom that going potty is easy! Anyway, I knew this day would eventually come... and I'm quite excited to be down to one full time diaper kiddo :)

Another Week In the Life

I really can't believe that the end of the summer is coming. Matt and Kayla start school soon-- which is kinda sad for me. I'm happy that I'll be able to work in their room pretty regularly though! I'm also happy to say that little Jacob (no longer a baby) will be coming back to play once a week starting at the end of the summer-- Matt and Kayla are also looking forward to this!

We went to the Sheryl Crow concert with my parents last Wednesday (Grandma Lorraine and Jillian held down the fort here). It was pretty awesome, and the guys were thrilled that Kid Rock showed to sing their duet together.

Tonight we had a group of friends over for dessert and drinks. Anna/Dan, Kezzie/John, Laura/Dave and families attended... quite the night in :)

We have church early, and then we'll be enjoying our day together.

"I do, cherish you"

The big celebrations started on Thursday at the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner. The rehearsal was okay-- Matt and Kayla were practically bouncing off the walls, leaving me wondering if nap or no nap was the right route for Friday. We went to Shiro's for the rehearsal dinner and hung out there until quite late.

Friday morning at 8:00 started the craziness. I got as much ready at home as I could, and left peter with a long list. Then I had to run to Target to get backup shoes for Kayla (her flower girl shoes had caused major blisters and scabs). I went from there to get my hair done, and from there to the mall to pick up the top hat sets and get my make up done. I dropped the groomsmen stuff off at my parents and enjoyed a few quick minutes spent with my brothers. I then ran home started getting the kids ready, changed myself and we were to the church (on time) for pictures at 4:30pm at the church.

Mark and MacKenzie said "I do" in a beautiful 6:00pm service. They were SO cute. MacKenzie looked stunningly beautiful in her wedding dress, so much that when Mark saw her for the first time... lets just say not a dry eye was left in the church. Matt and Kayla quickly walked down the aisle, and many "awws" were heard. They also managed to be somewhat calm during the service, and walked back down the aisle as well. They were okay for pictures (we had pre-bribed them with Power Rangers/Aladdin sets, M&M's, and a promise to attend Chuck-E-Cheese on Saturday)-- I have a lot of faith in the photographer so I'm hoping that are some good ones. Peter also stood up in the wedding, he was very cute and well behaved ;)

The reception was held at a local golf-club. The guys all had top hats, canes and white gloves (including matt) and entered the hall in style. Food was great, Dan's speech was amazing, and so heartfelt :) . And then we danced the night away. Julie enjoyed being the ideal baby-- no crying, had fun dancing with mom and dad, and then fell asleep around 10:30ish and spent the rest of the night fast asleep in the stroller parked with Grandma 'Raine. Matt and Kayla had an absolute blast dancing, and Matt was quite the stud dancing around in the top hat with the cane. I didn't get many pictures (I'm hoping to get doubles from family members etc), but I did get a little video of the dancing, and wedding.

Saturday night (after our bribe visit to Chuck-e-Cheese) I took the peanut to my parents and along with the Mangus crew we watched them open their gifts, and watched the wedding videos. It was a lot of fun! Peter was home working while the kiddo's were sleeping. Sunday morning Peter went to church to fulfil our commitment to the Monkey Room, and I stayed home and let the kids catch up on more sleep and get ready for the Family Brunch that MacKenzie's aunt had. The brunch was excellent food and more fun times with the new families. It was a great wedding and weekend!

Playdate for the Peanut

My friend Heidi has a little girl Sasha who is a few weeks younger than Julie. They live just around the corner (literally) and came over the other day to talk and play. The girls were pretty cute studying each other and sharing toys. We caught a couple cute pics... thought I'd share :)
PS-- wedding update is still coming, I'm still in recovery mode...