Blessed Beyond Measure: A2H 2019.04: Full Time Grandma

This week we had the honor of hosting my mom for the week. In the past, her job has always restricted and defined the time that she could spend with us, but not any more. She is officially retired from that job now and instead has taken on the role of Full Time Grandma. We were thrilled to have her, and I believe she was thrilled for some quality Grandma time with the boys and her last grandbaby.

Since Monday of this week was Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Asher was off from school. Thus both of the boys were able to have some added Grandma time right off the bat. That morning, they stayed home with her while I took Hazel to her first (2 week) well visit at the pediatrician's office. There all checked out and she measured in at 20 1/2" (grew 1/2") and 9 pounds (gained 5 ounces) with a head size of 14 1/4" (grew 1/4").

After the appointment we headed back home and the boys were desperate to do some sort of project. They looked through a experiment book that Asher got for Christmas but we didn't have what we needed to do what he wanted to do. Instead, I remembered that I still had the gingerbread house kit that I'd bought for Christmas which we never got around to doing. It proved to be quite a challenge to break the pieces apart and build them, but the boys still had a good time...and a lot of sugar!

FB Post: Better late than never right?

That afternoon, in need of some downtime, we all snuggled up on the couch and I introduced the boys to a favorite of mine: Dennis the Menace. (Side Note: I realized that a schoolmate of Asher's could be Dennis' twin and also fits the profile).

FB Post: Introducing the kiddos to a classic: Dennis the Menace

Video: Asher Lovin' on Hazel

(This girl is loved more than she knows.💕)

This kid would do ANYTHING for his little sister. <3

After dinner that night, we surprised Grandma with a cake for dessert to celebrate her belated birthday.

Video: Happy (Belated) Birthday Grandma

The next day the boys went off to work, school and daycare while the girls stayed home together. Grandma and Hazel had some good chats and good cuddles.

Video: Chatting with Grandma

FB Post: Morning chats with Grandma.💕

At school that day Asher's class had a PJ/Board Game Party which they'd earned. He was very excited to get to bring his Checkers, even though he said that his friend Parker beats him all the time!

That day, we also got a decent amount of snow. Therefore I picked up the boys a little earlier from school/daycare so that they could play in it with Grandma before dark. While they did that (& worked on a fort in the backyard) Hazel and I enjoyed our own snuggles inside.

Asher also getting some snuggles with Hazel after coming back into the house.

That night, Eric snowblowed the driveway and in preparation for getting our new camper in the following days, he also cleared a portion of the lawn and made the boy's fort a little bit larger.

Finally, before bedtime Daddy had to get his own quality time in with baby girl...

The next day was Wednesday and unlike the days before we did not just stay home for the day. Instead, Mom, Hazel and I set out on a mission to find a new washing machine. The week prior, our 10 year old machine bit the dust and at first we thought we'd be able to fix it for fairly cheep. After ordering, waiting for the arrival of and then installing said part along with several conversations with a repairman we realized that wasn't going to happen. We realized that the part we would need would cost us a few hundred dollars and then we would have to pay additional money for someone to install it. Since washers are said to typically work only about 10 years anyway we decided our money would be better spent on a new one. Thus, we did a little online research and then headed out to see what we could find in the stores. Ironically this led to Hazel's first trips to both Lowe's AND Menards with her mommy and grandma and WITHOUT her daddy (who was a little sad to have missed her first trip to Menards).

Little face peaking out at Lowes

Baby girl's first trip to Menards (sans Daddy)

I found a washer I liked at Menards and that evening Eric went out to purchase it while my mom, the kids and I stayed back at home.

The next day was our last full day with Mom. We enjoyed some quiet time at home and then got the boys in the afternoon. That night, my dad joined us all to pick up my mom for a weekend at my brother's house. He also helped Eric bring our old washing machine upstairs and get the new one down (which was no easy feat!). Thanks Dad!

Video: Asher Singing to Hazel

New machine installed!

On Friday, my parents left for Crystal Lake and the boys and I were on our own again. After getting Asher from school Hazel and I enjoyed a nap upstairs while he and Avery played downstairs. The nap was very enjoyable and necessary, but when I woke up I found quite the mess downstairs. The boys did try to butter me up though with a candy castle and note for Mom.

On Saturday we all enjoyed a lazy morning together. When the afternoon came though, Eric headed up to Burlington to retrieve our new camper while the kids and I held down the fort.

Baby feet! <3

FB Post: Avery: “Momma, could we maybe do a lemonade stand today?”

While Eric was up in Burlington, the boys played well together and I enjoyed a little time playing dress-up with my baby girl! ;)

A congrats to us :P

First I dressed up Hazel in a tutu and flower band that my friend Richenda gifted us. I never thought I'd have the opportunity to dress up a child so girly, so I had fun with it. The boys were quite interested in it as well. Avery thought she looked really cute, but also thought the headband was supposed to be a top! :) I'm not sure that Hazel was thrilled about the outfit, but she was a good sport nonetheless.

Ready to be done!

While I was having a photoshoot with Hazel, the boys had stolen my phone and enjoyed a self-shoot of their own!

After Hazels little photoshoot, I gave her a bath upstairs and then had another mini shoot with her dressing her up in the girly dino outfit she got from Auntie Erika and Co. This outfit is a bit more my style and our adorable little girl looked as though she was all set to Jazzercise!

Bathtime!

FB Post: All set for baby jazzercise

Dino Sweatsuit from Erika & Co. Headband and Dino Boots from Richenda...a Perfect Ensemble! :)

Our new camper parked for the winter.

Finally, it was Sunday and we finished out another week of our blessed life worshiping God and then relaxing at home together. We wouldn't have it any other way.

All set for church

Video: Hazel Singing

(2) Videos: Pre-Bed Dance Party

Since Grandma spent the week with us, I figured I'd close this post with some past photos I found and stole off her phone...

While I was at the hospital laboring with Hazel, Grandma took Asher to a friend's birthday party. He was a little distraught when my water broke that day that he might miss the party!