The Gulliver Family: Let's catch up!

Oh my - it has been a wild and crazy summer! It has just flown by - I am pretty sure we enjoyed every moment!!

As you can see by many of the pictures that were posted, Isaac was morphed into a fish this summer. He has gotten so brave - he will even jump off of diving boards now! Who knew that swimming lessons at 18 months old would pay off for the next 3 years? His favorite pastime has been jumping off the end of the dock. He loves to do tricks: the superman, the cannonball, the pencil, meatball on a stick, and the wipeout. He loves to go tubing behind the boat and even tried water skiing (which didn't go so well, but he's ready to try again). His vocabulary is ever expanding - his word of the week this week is 'fantastic'. I am willing to bet that I have the sweetest, most helpful little boy ever put on this earth. He absolutely adores his baby sister and will do anything for her. He loves to change her diaper (just the stinky pee, not the poop ones) and is always opening the door for us on our way out to run errands. He is always so very thoughtful and kind. Although we have been battling 'whining' and a bit of an 'attitude' occasionally, he is doing well with the adjustment of having Irelynn around. Rob and I are in a heated debate on whether or not he will be attending school next year. We have previously agreed that I would homeschool K-6, but Rob would like to see him in school. Some days I am tempted to ship him off, but I would also like to do a bit more research this year so that we can both comfortably agree. Either way, I am sure he will excel!

Irelynn Rene is a little spitfire already. When she wants something, she does everything she can to get it. I said from day 1 that she would be my little adventurer. Cupboard locks and the such are definitely in our future! She is already throwing temper tantrums, which I believe are a bit premature. She is a mommy's girl, which can be a pain sometimes. It's frustrating when she doesn't let anybody else hold her... luckily she isn't that way 100% of the time. She is sleeping very well through the night - about 12 hours. She is sitting up on her own all of the time now, but she doesn't want to roll over. She also loves to stand - last night I had her standing up on the floor and she was holding on to the couch. She loooved it! No teeth yet, and really, no hair, but it's coming in pretty thick. She is starting to listen and understand what we are saying to her. The other night Isaac and I were sorting his Lego/Tyco/MegaBlock collection and Irelynn sat with us and chomped on some Duplos. I attempted to put her to bed, but she screamed her little head off. I went upstairs to get her and brought her back down with us and told her that if she was going to stay awake, there was to be no fit throwing. She didn't say a word the whole time. She is such a stinker! She loves reading bedtime stories with Isaac and there have been times where I can lay them both down, turn the lights out and they will fall asleep with no arguments! Did I mention how much I love that they share a room now?!

As for Rob and I... Rob has been working in Battle Creek since the 2nd week in July and I am only able to see him on the weekends. It has been difficult on us, but it goes in spurts. He starts school (through the union) again this Saturday, which means he will be in Lansing one more day of the week and exhausted both Friday and Saturday nights. He was been staying with his mom which has been a blessing. He loves having home-cooked meals (versus fast food if he was in a hotel), loves the company and is really enjoying playing his guitar and harmonica!!!

What can I say about myself? I started working at TGI Fridays (again) a few weeks ago. I am trying to work a few days a week and the kids have been going to Gram Gram's house. I have also been making cards and invitations - it has been a lot of fun! I have been going to mommy group, aka the Twisted Sisters Mommy Group! We are quite an interesting bunch. A few weeks ago we had group here at the lake and all of the kids enjoyed swimming and eating outside! I am hoping to work out my schedule so that I can still attend! Now that you have read all that... enjoy some recent pics!