September Update!

I don't even know where to begin...
Kate - Well, I have been quite the same. Being at home with the kids has become routine and rarely do we get out beyond the block... but on occasion with some help, we manage to venture. Other than that and random appointments life has been at home. I have begun crocheting again as the weather cools down and it feels like it has been too long. I have already made a couple hats and have started a blanket but procrastination will soon keep me from completion.
I did take the dare and decide to cut my hair short. I have never really enjoyed short hair on me before but after having two babies pulling on it, short hair seems heavenly.
As far as other crafts go, I haven't been sewing. My machine is currently not working and I really need to save for a new one (maybe for Christmas?). I would like to start making little tutu's and fun stuff like that for Jade.
I have been reading and writing more often these days. It seems like there isn't much to do lately when the kids are sleeping so I have found the time to sit down and dig in to a good book.
I really want to start making some of my own breads and cooking more 'healthy' foods. I feel like after the moved, the food has become less nutritional and that is a top priority for me!

Shandan - Work work work. Shandan has been doing his duty in providing. He has been working in Hood River and has such a commute! We see him for dinner in the evenings and the weekends but other than that, he has been busy.

Jude - 17 months! Can you believe it?! Almost a year and a half now and quite the learner! He is really catching on to stuff these days and it feels like his little mind is absorbing so much. He is still very much into cars and anything with wheels. He recently started climbing onto things so we now have to be careful as the couch and beds are now 'Danger Zones'!! He still doesn't say much but we are really working on sign so that he is still able to communicate what he wants.
We did switch his diet a little.. We took him mostly off cow's milk and switched him to Coconut milk. He previously had severe constipation and we had tried everything!!! Well, we had thought. But we were wrong and have found that coconut milk is a miracle in a carton! It has really helped with everything and he seems to be happier on it so I am very thankful (thank you Jenny for the suggestion!).
To end, I am happy to announce that Jude is thinning out and getting taller. He now weighs about 26.5 lbs and is about 32 inches long.

Jade - Almost 5 months! Oh man how she has grown. I am trying to capture this baby stage and hold tight but it is passing like the season. She is now sitting on her own and attempting to crawl. She really enjoys being on the ground and loves to try and roll everywhere. She already has so much character and is such a happy girl. She is always smiling and giggling and is happy about life.
She adores her big brother and her daddy but also loves her mommy-time!
She is about 15 lbs. and 23 inches long!

We are moved!

Finally we are settled in our new home. I haven't blogged for quite a while now but I am all ready to start again. So what's new with us you may ask? Well, there is quite a list. I will start with Shandan. He is going to be 28 in a couple weeks! Lately, he has been working Monday through Friday and well, that's about it. Not much has changed with him. As for me, I am dark haired again. I am back on my 'diet' which really just means excersizing more and saying no to that cupcake after dinner. I am still nursing Jade though so that helps as well. I am a lot happier in our new place. I am having so much fun decorating it and I want to start getting a little more creative with the holidays coming up. I REALLY want a new sewing machine... maybe for Christmas.
Anyway, the kids are getting so big. I am sure I say that all the time but Jade is almost four months old now and she is getting to be quite a little chunk. Jude is becoming a little toddler and all he wants to do is play in the dirt and run through the grass, he is awesome. I am having such a great time raising these amazing kids and I could not do it without God's help.
I feel so blessed everyday and I pray God continues to give me the patience and wisdom to be a good mother.

Jade 4 weeks already!

I have not been keeping up on blogging but the time is just going too fast. I have found that I have very little time to do much of anything. Jade will be 4 weeks tomorrow!! Can anyone believe that? It's so crazy to me. Kids grow up so fast and she is definitely getting bigger although she is still very petite. Jude was almost 12lbs at this point, it's insane. He is such a big boy now, I can barely pick him up anymore. Well... little miss Jade is doing great. She is very healthy and is such a momma's girl. She loves to nurse and would do it all day if I let her. She also loves to be carried around and thankfully doesn't mind her Moby Wrap, she actually loves it. She is so precious and has such a sweet nature. I cannot wait for the months to come.

Jade Rose Van Winkle

Jade Rose was born to us on May 4th, 2010 at 11:25am. She was born via c-section due to mommy having complications. She weighed 7lbs 1/2oz and was 18 1/2 inches long. She came out with a head full of hair and is just absolutely precious. She did have some breathing problems even though she was full term so they admitted her to the NICU where she was hooked up to oxygen tubes, a feeding tube, and an IV. She recovered fast and is now eating from a bottle (4 days later) and breathing perfectly on her own. We cannot try breastfeeding yet because they need to measure how much milk she is drinking but very soon! They are thinking she will be able to go home either tomorrow or Sunday morning, I cannot wait! Stay tuned for more updates!...

Peek A Boo with Daddy

Jude's 1st Birthday

Jude had his birthday party and it was soo much fun. He got so many cool new toys and the best part was watching him eat his big blue cake! I believe his second favorite part to the whole party was the lightning mcqueen cake topper that he had so much fun with. He wasn't even interested in his toys when he had that car. He was so tired from all the fun, he passed out on the five minute car ride home and even stayed asleep during the transfer from car to bed in pouring rain (which is very unusual for him). Then he woke up a couple hours later and we went shopping at Toys R Us where he was able to pick out an awesome work bench with lots of sounds and a monster truck. He also was gifted an adorable puma outfit, two CAT tractors, a ball popper (that he loves), a sand and water table (that he can't keep his hands out of), and a bubble blower. All night long he played with his new toys until finally at 7:05pm he was ready for bed. Thank you so much grandma and grandpa, nana and papa, auntie kara, karyn and hayden, and amanda and david for joining us in celebrating jude's birthday. :)

jude 11 months