Ploog Family

Nine Month M.O.N.S.T.E.R.

2011-06-24T10:19:00.001-07:00

WOW I did not even realize how easy these last nine months were until this week when a certain someone learned to crawl and wasted NO time in creating havoc. Do not underestimate this sweet little munchkin. He can cover your entire house in ashes from a fire extinguisher in 10 seconds flat. He can find every electrical outlet in the house in about 2 minutes. He can dump dog water 20 times a day and clean it up for you by crawling through it. He looks at you with the bluest sweetest eyes, chubby cheeks, crooked smile, and YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO RESIST KISSING HIS CHEEKS. Love this kid and am loving this spunky personality developing before our eyes. Here's to baby proofing the house pronto!!

This is how he sits up...everytime... he stands on his head and then rocks back to sit up.

If this guy is giving him tips... we could be in trouble:)

5 People 12 Times & naked bike ride

2011-06-16T08:01:00.000-07:00

We went up north last weekend for Trent and Teri's wedding. Sadly we were so busy celebrating that we didn't get a family picture at the wedding. The day after the wedding we headed into San Fran to eat at Fisherman's Wharf.

As we are unloading the car Vander says " What in the world is going on?" I look up and in front of us is 100 men riding their bikes in the nude? Try explaining that one to a 4 year old.

5.4.3.2.1.0

2011-05-22T12:47:00.001-07:00

That is the age of our boys. Pretty wild that two best friends who happen to be brothers would both have 3 boys and those boys would grow up buddies.

What is even more crazy is that when our families get together it is not that chaotic. Everyone has someone. Our oldest get along wonderfully. They both have easy going, sweet personalities. They could play for hours with little adult supervision, cracking each other up.

Our middle boys are both passionate, strong willed yet super sweet boys. They do everything whole heartedly. This wave picture is so them. The older two playing it kind of safe while Hudson and Luke go after it running straight for the waves. When they are happy, they are HAPPY.

Shortly after this picture they both got taken out by a wave. When they are not in a good mood there is no faking that they are.

Love our passionate boys!!!

Both our number 3's are easy going, go with the flow boys. They will sit back and watch all the action going on with the older boys.

Nate and Dan were throwing the frisbee on the beach and Raluca and I were actually sitting in chairs watching our tribes play together. Thankful for these cousins that my boys get to see so often and grow up together.

8 months

2011-05-17T15:06:00.000-07:00

Logan turned 8 months a few days ago and his baby-ness is disappearing before our eyes. He has grown up so much these past few weeks. He got his first tooth, ditched his infant car seat, says da-da and ma-ma( yeah it was dada first), does push ups, gives high fives, rocks on all fours preparing to crawl, and takes a bottle. This sweet little baby has blessed us all these last 8 months and we are still just giddy to have him be a part of our family.

Whittier Race day!

2011-05-15T08:59:00.000-07:00

We had such a fun morning at the Whittier Police open house. They had a fun race for the kids, which was my boys first experience with a race.

Picture slideshow generated with Smilebox

Vander felt so bad knocking the girl down, but she stopped RIGHT in front of him!!

50 baskets

2011-05-04T10:31:00.000-07:00

It's not even 9 am and Vander has made 50 baskets. Yes he loves basketball but he has an ulterior motive, infinity blade. There is a game on Dan's ipad that Vander played a few times and became quite obsessed with. He loves picking out his armor, deciding what weapon he is going to use, what helmet he will complete his outfit with and then he finds the bad guys and politely says to them" wanna dance big fellow?" I chuckled as I heard him say this. The battle last about 10 seconds and the game is over. Here is the thing, I don't want Vander playing a ton of video games, I don't want that to be what he is thinking and talking about all the time. So we don't let him play very often but that does not keep him from asking 20 times an hour if he can go to battle. My dad was over the other day as Vander was campaigning for us to let him play on the ipad. My dad had a great idea, he told Vander " sure you can play once after you make 10 baskets" Vander was STOKED!!! He ran outside took 15 minutes and actually made more then 10 because his count kept going 1.2.3.4...... 2.3.4...3.4.5..... he was so excited about getting to play once that he kept losing tract of his count. He ran in the house, played his 15 seconds of game, put it down and said " can I play once more if I make 10 more?" So basically he owes my dad if he ends up going pro and having a Kyle Korver shot because at this rate he is willing to make a couple hundred shots a day just for a few chances to battle in infinity blade.

5 People- Easter 2011

2011-04-23T16:00:00.000-07:00

I wanted to take an Easter picture of the boys before Easter because being boys there is a strong chance that after church tomorrow at least one of them will have spilled, ripped, or drooled on their shirt.

Happy Easter! He is Risen!!!

Vander learns to ride a bike and save souls

2011-04-14T13:59:00.000-07:00

I remember my dad teaching me to ride a bike. I remember his short shorts and him running next to me and me begging him not to let go. I remember falling, I remember begging to quit. I remember not being able to keep the handle bars straight and my hands going side to side causing the bike to turn from right to left. These are my memories of learning to ride a bike. Here is Vander's story of learning to ride his bike:

Dan takes the training wheels off one night after dinner at my parents:

Dan takes Vander into the street, Vander gets nervous and says he thinks he will ride his scooter instead. Dan says if he rides his bike without the training wheels he can have dessert. Vander agrees.

Off he goes riding by himself.

Proud Dad!

He did something else this week that made me even prouder. We were sitting at the the table eating a bowl of cereal. Vander says" mom do you know what my verse is at school right now?" Mom- No hun what is it?

Van- Its the same one as last week John 3:16" For God so loved that world that he gave His only son that whoever should believe in Him shall not perish but have life that lasts foreverlasting"

(I smile in my head not correcting his version of everlasting life)

Mom- That's great sweetheart

Van- I am always going to remember this one. I think when I go to kindergarten there might be some kids who don't know that. I 'll remember it so I can tell them.

Love that kid and he is constantly reminding me of what is truly important!!

Brothers

2011-04-02T21:23:00.000-07:00

Life with three boys is wild. I'm exhausted at the end of every day. But I also lay in bed every night and Dan and I just grin, pinching ourselves as we talk about the things our boys said and did throughout the day.We are so thankful for these boys and the joy that they bring to our lives. The older two spend a good part of their day making Logan laugh. They dance for him, sing to him, Vander imitates America's Funniest Home Video's for him. That makes my heart happy. I'm sure that there will be a phase when they don't want the younger ones hanging around but for now I will enjoy them wanting to be together ALL the time. I love that Hudson calls Vander Bro Bo, he never calls him Vander, I'm not sure where it came from but Vander is Hudson's bro bo. Hudson did this to himself in about 2 minutes and when he was done with his face he started on Vander's before he got caught. Luckily it all came off pretty easy!

Logan 6 months

2011-03-31T14:49:00.000-07:00

How are you already 6 months, I feel gypped! Your contagious smile I could look at all day. The way you like to put your cheek up against mine and just stay like that for as long as I will hold you makes my heart happy. Vander loves to do silly things to make you laugh and Hudson comes running to check on you any time he hears you make a peep. You are loved little one! I feel so blessed that you are mine, I think the good Lord knew I would have my hands full chasing your older brothers so He was gracious to me, giving me the perfect baby. I am thankful for the half year that you have been with us so far, we have LOVED every minute. I hope you always stay this sweet!

Welcome to the Family Teri

2011-03-26T17:14:00.000-07:00

We have a tradition in our family at wedding showers of surrounding the bride and lifting her up in prayer as she embarks on the journey of spending the rest of her life as a MRS. This has always been one of my favorite parts of showers. As we gathered around Teri, my sister opened us in prayer. She couldn't get through her first sentence without choking up. She thanked the Lord for providing the perfect bride for our brother. I couldn't agree more. The Lord provided the perfect helpmate for our brother. We are so thrilled and feel so blessed that he also picked someone who we love so much. Teri loves my brother and it is evident, but even more importantly Teri loves Jesus and it is evident. I choked up as my cousin Kristin closed us in prayer as she prayed that Trent and Teri Hardeman would be known as a family that has fun, loves each other, and that follows after Jesus hard!!

Teri we love you dearly and had such a wonderful time celebrating you!

Here's a slideshow of the day:)

Champions!

2011-03-24T16:38:00.000-07:00

What a wonderful experience to watch a team go all the way all win a national title. Winning makes a long trip not feel so long. Some highlights from the trip were:

~ having our crowd of about 20 parents that faithfully cheered on the girls and believed

they could do it. When the schools we played in the last two games had thousands, it

didn't bother the girls, to them our cheering section was all they needed.

~ Logan getting spoiled by his Tennessee adopted grandmas. Esther and Sherry were so sweet to him and just loved him all week.

~ Going to church as a huge group. Something about going as a team in a group of 40 feels extra special. The pastors message was on waiting on God. The message was a great

reminder that God knows our story, knows where we are going, how we are going to

get there and that waiting on Him will often drive us to our knees which can be a pretty

sweet place.

~ Southern food and sweet tea

~ having my mom there to help load, unload, chase around the gym, and reload crazy boys

~ Having starbucks every morning in the lobby

~ Leah driving up from Indiana to surprise me and getting to spend a few hours chatting

~ How much the girls truly loved on my boys and appreciated having them there. One

night after the semi final game all the parents waited at the top of the tunnel for each girl

to come out. As they would come out everyone would clap, cheer and chant A.P.U.

They were also greeted by two year old Hudson sprinting, nearly eating it every time,

down the tunnel to give them a high five.

~ Teri taking Vander with her in the van with all the girls and him thinking he was

the luckiest guy around

~ Having no agenda all week but to go to basketball games

~ Being half asleep with the boys in the bed and hearing Dan come in at 2:30 am from

watching game film with my dad, preparing to defeat the next team.

~ Watching the team,my dad and Dan cut the nets down and cry sweet tears of victory, and not defeat.

The funny thing is I asked Vander what his favorite part of Tennessee was and he say's " swimming with David" So funny, I have asked him several times and his answer does not change. He swam with one of the girls boyfriends who was there, David, and David taught him to do a cannon ball which is the highlight of his trip. ha! His second favorite was eating ice cream in the arena, got to love 4 year olds! Hudson was just happy whenever we let him have a ball!

5 People 12 Times

2011-03-21T08:45:00.001-07:00

One of my goals this year was to take more family pictures. I saw on a someone's blog an idea to take a picture every month of the whole family and I loved it. SO I decided to join in and commit to taking a picture a month of the fam. Dan helps out my dad at Azusa Pacific and we all tagged along this year to the national tournament in Jackson Tennessee to cheer on the team. 5 of us and one bed in a room has been an adventure. An adventure without much sleep :) My mom and I take turns during the game keeping the older two from talking to Dad and Bumpa or the girls during the game, and Logan has some Tennessee adopted grandmas who hold him every game! I actually have been really proud of my boys, they have been in a gym a lot this past week sometimes until midnight and have done wonderfully. We have been here a week and are playing for the national championship tonight. We are so proud of these girls and can't wait to cheer them on tonight!

I love this last picture because it is almost 10 pm, the boys have been running around the gym for a few hours and are so spent they can't even smile. Logan is going with the flow as always and seems very excited about something!

Thankful

2011-03-10T14:35:00.000-08:00

I am thankful for the stage of life my kids are in right now. I love that going to the park is relaxing now. I remember having to follow closely behind then when they were new walkers and I feared they would walk right off the edge. The park then was still fun but I would not call it relaxing. Today we went to the park with some friends and I was just thankful. The sun was shining but it wasn't hot, Vander was off chasing ducks with Ethan, Hudson and Jordyn were on a different playground and Tammy and I sat and chatted while Logan took his morning nap in his carseat in the shade by us. I am thankful for these days with little agendas, no where to be but with my kids. They played wonderfully, ate a good lunch and now are taking naps. Not all days go as smoothly, but today I am realizing how fast the time is going and how soon they will have more on their schedules and I am just thankful for days like today!

Let's eat!!

2011-03-02T18:35:00.000-08:00

This past week Logan has been eyeing anyone who is eating around him. When I hold him and eat he watches closely every bite I take and even has been making a motion with his mouth as I put the food into mine! He is so ready for food so today was the day. He did food how he has done everything else so far.... easily! I just love this kid! He looked at the food, made a weird face, looked at how excited dad was to give it to him and then got excited too!! My baby is growing up too fast!!!

Huddy the helper insisted on giving his bro some bites!

Grandma

2011-02-28T16:15:00.000-08:00

I saw this shirt and had to buy it! My boys are so lucky to have my mom so close. She just LOVES to spoil them with treats from Target or surprises from Toys R Us. They feel like they win the Lotto every time she buys Hudson a $2 Target ball or Vander a $4 sticker book! Logan scored when she saw he was wearing the same thing over and over so she went to Old Navy and picked him up a bunch of new outfits. We so appreciate grandma!!!

Proud

2011-02-24T07:50:00.000-08:00

Vander has recently learned how to write his name and it makes me so proud! I still can't believe how my baby is already in preschool and watching him stretch and grow makes me happy! The process of him not being able to do it, being frustrated with it, practicing over and over, doing it for the first time and the excitement that follows was a process that he will do will lots of things not only in school but in life. Love that little man and love watching him grow up!!

Logan 5 months

2011-02-22T16:44:00.000-08:00

These last 5 months have flown by and Logan brings all of us such joy! He is a happy, easy going, squeezable cheek, snuggable baby. His brothers call him mr giggles and could not adore him more. They all do tummy time together and it makes my heart happy to see all of their love for each other. He still sleeps more than he is awake but when he is awake he is a happy, can't help but hold him baby. He likes his activity center and laying on a blanket on the floor and just like his brothers his legs are too thick to fit in the bumbo:) We are so enjoying watching his personality develop and he is the perfect addition to our family.

ACL surgery for dogs?

2011-02-21T13:48:00.000-08:00

Have you ever gone on a diet and as soon as you do there seems to be amazing food all around you that you can not eat? I feel like that right now with trying to save money. Dan and I have been trying to be conscientious with our money and it is almost a joke all the things that keep coming up. So while I have not spent $200 at Nordstroms, our insurance premiums went up more than that. The great thing is knowing that we serve a God who loves us and provides for us and will give us all we need. It just seems ironic that we are trying to save and it is just not happening. Our latest expense was another out of the blue, not expected cost. It started out as a wonderful Saturday morning. Dan and I got the kids ready, grabbed jackson's leash and walked down the street to the park. We threw the ball for Jacki, the boys ran all over the playground, we played a family game of tag, threw the ball some more and then all of the sudden Jackson couldn't run and get the ball. He stopped and we knew he had hurt himself. He limped home and we thought he would rest and be better in the morning. Well morning came and he couldn't walk. We took him to the vet and she did some tests and x-rays and called us to say that he had torn his ACL and would be referring us to a orthopedic surgeon. WHAT? I didn't even know it was possible for a dog to tear an acl and I'm pretty sure I laughed on the phone. No way were we doing surgery. The thought just seemed crazy. Jackson really is part of our family though, He LOVES the boys and is so gentle and kind and patient with them. We waited a week, talked to different people, and a week later Jackson had acl surgery. The drs basically said that if in the week the pain medication and glucosamine had not helped he would not get better. If we did nothing his arthritis would quickly become so bad that he would be lame. Jackson just turned 7 and has many more years ahead of him. Dan picked him up from the hospital yesterday and I must say he looks hilarious!

Jackson and Logan

Jackson and Hudson

Jackson and Vander

High Low 2010

2010-12-25T16:25:00.000-08:00

So once again the year has flown by and my goal of blogging more frequently didn't go over so well. Here I am again and am going to give it another go around. There are so many little moments happening that I want to remember, I need to write them down because the craziness around me makes it hard to remember what I walked to the living room to get. I think I would describe the year as a whole as wonderfully chaotic. It really was a wonderful year, God truly showered us with His blessings and we are Loving this season we are in. Adding a third boy to the mix also made it a truly chaotic year. I think I would have drowned if we didn't have the amazing support system around us that we do. So I am going to try to recap what I would have blogged about through the year with an annual High/Low game.

High- The birth of another healthy boy, Logan John Ploog. My pregnancy and delivery were both very uneventful and for that I am thankful!! My mom got to be his first nurse (except she made Mary give him his shot) His brothers adore him and he quickly became the prized toy at home. The boys number one saying has become" I get to hold Logan first" Logan is the BEST baby. When I had Vander and he was sleeping through the night at 6 six weeks, hardly cried, nursed in two minutes I thought I had done something right. Well sweet Hudson came along, didn't sleep through the night until 9 months, cried loudly when he didn't get what he wanted and all the "tricks" I read about in parenting books did not work. I quickly learned each baby is their own and what worked for one baby might not for another. Well my sweet Logan sleeps about 23 hours a day, 12 at night, nurses in 2 minutes, is happy and laughing for the short times he is awake. He is a sweet sweet baby and I could hold him all day long and just kiss those chubby cheeks.

Low- One afternoon we loaded up the car to head to a birthday party. We were driving along and Vander said something to me. I turned around to answer him and my thought process was" wow he's cute, I can see him so clearly, why can't I usually see him, car seat, Logan's...." Dan you didn't grab Logan?" Awesome we had left our 6 week old at home. We raced home to find him in his car seat waiting by the back door sound asleep.

High- Dan got a new job doing something he loves. When a door closes it is hard at the time to understand. Dan not having a job for a year was a season of our life that was difficult but we wouldn't trade for anything. For Vanders second year of life he got to have his dad around everyday, teaching, shaping, loving on him. He is in the medical field still, he just moved to devices and specializes in spine. Kind of ironic that the guy who almost passed out during the birth of our first born is in back surgeries all day long.

Low- It started off as a normal day. Vander was taking a nap and Hudson was awake and was on a mission to wake his bro up. We blocked off the living room by pushing the ottoman in front of the doorway. My adventurous 16 month old decided to try and climb over. He got up on it and as I walked over to pick him up, he fell backwards. Not a bad fall, Dan and I both saw it. This kid falls hard, he runs fast and takes lots of falls. This was not one of his bad ones. He fell from a 2 foot ottoman but he did hit the back door. He cried hard. He didn't stop. Then it turned into the tired cry. He often cries when he is tired and we lay him down and he goes right to sleep. We tried that and sure enough he was asleep in a minute. He woke up crying an hour later and when I walked in his room he was covered in throw up. I thought it was the flu. He threw up again, and again. He became pretty lethargic which worried us. We called the dr and she said anytime there is a head injury and vomit to go to the er. Well would you call falling from an ottoman a head injury? We didn't know what to do. We decided to play it safe and have him checked out. We dropped off Vander and Travis and Emma's and headed to CHOC. The next 24 hours were the ultimate LOW of the year. The ER dr said that most likely everything was fine but because he did fall and is vomitting they are going to do a ct scan just for peace of mind. Trying to get a 16 month old who is up hours past his bed time and is not happy to stay perfectly still to get an accurate picture is quite a task. We were in the ER so they were not equipped for children who resisted staying still. Finally got the picture and waited in room to be able to go home. The dr came in and told us that the CT scan showed a bleed on the brain and that they would be checking us in. He didn't make it sound like that BIG of a deal. We got all checked in and as they wheeled Hudson to Pediatric ICU I realized it must be a bigger deal than the ER dr made it sound if we are in ICU. The PICU dr told us that the night would be critical they would be watching the bleed over night and if it adds any more pressure to the brain we will go right to surgery. Surgery? Brain Surgery? That night was so scary. How was our sweet boy laying there and anxiously waiting, watching the dr's face every hour that he came in. Having nurses try 9 times to get his IV in was heartbreaking. The morning came and they ordered another CT scan to see if the bleed was growing. The brain surgeon came in and told us that his bleed was quite large, it was on the whole left side of his brain and had shifted his brain over. The CT scan came back the same and that was good news, the bleed was not growing. They kept him another 2 nights to observe but then sent him home. They said it would take a month to know if the brain is healing on its own. They ordered another CT scan for in a month and that would tell us how things are. Praise the Lord the next CT scan showed his brain had shifted back and the Dr's only recommendation was to avoid football for the next week or so;) He is totally fine now which we are so thankful for.

High- Vander started school three days a week and is loving it. He would go 7 days if we let him. His teacher says he has such a sweet spirit and is a joy to have in class. I love dropping him off and having the class all excitedly say "VANDER" when he walks in. He has lots of friends and his best bud is a boy named Ethan. He is so tired when I pick him up from school that he doesn't talk about his day a ton right away but after he naps details start coming out.

Low- Really lots of moms have three young kids and are able to drop off one at school. Why is it so difficult for me? Praise the Lord for my family and that I haven't had to do it much. The ONE time I did it was awful. The newborn car seat is one of the most awkward things to carry and add a heavy baby to it and you've got quite the workout. Hudson is at a stage where he is too heavy to carry but doesn't quite follow directions perfectly to walk right behind me. Vander's class is on the second level so a stroller doesn't really work. The morning I brought them all parking was full so we parked in the structure which was a few football fields further. Getting to the class was ok. Hudson followed Vander and I lugged the car seat. Vander gets to his class and Hudson wants to stay with him. I nicely tell him Hudson time to go. He's not having it. Hudson let's go hun. NOPE. I know this is not going to be fun. So now with this lovely heavy car seat in one arm I swoop Hudson up with the other. Screaming, making himself limp, 35 lbs boy in one arm and 35 lbs car seat in the other, down the stairs we go the longest half mile I have ever walked and I vowed to never do that again if possible. When my mom or Emma is busy my friend Dee Dee will stand by the car with the other two and let me run Vander in real quick.

High- Family. My boys are the luckiest boys around. On one side they have 9 cousins all their age to run around with and grow up together with. On the other side they get to be spoiled rotten with their aunties and uncles who are so patient and kind to always play hide and seek with them even when their hiding spots are less then spectacular, wrestle them, sneak them milk duds, shoot baskets, play tag, and love on them. I am so thankful for both of our families and feel incredibly blessed to have everyone right here.

Low- Dan's grandpa's health is not well.

High- Hudson being able to communicate and talking so much. Him and Vander play together for hours and it just warms my heart. Vander is the best big brother, so patient, doesn't get frustrated or annoyed that Hudson wants to follow his every move and mimic everything he says. They love sharing a room and really enjoy each other.

Low- I have toys coming out of my ears... Going to work on organization and cleaning out toys this year.

High- Vander learning and asking such deep questions about God. He asks a lot about Heaven and talks about wanting to go there. I told him not yet I would miss him terribly and he says that we all should go. He talks about being one of God's kids and tells us we are God's kids too. I see now why the bible talks so much about having faith of a child. Vander's favorite bible story right now is The good Samaritan.

Low- The boys take a good hour or two to fall asleep at night because of the excitement that they are in the room together.

High- Boys each have their songs they like to sing at bed and fight over which song Dan and I sing with them. Vander's song is I love you Lord and Hudson's song is My God is so big. Hudson says in the most adorable voice ever prway and we pray and then he says my turn and his prayer is usually Dear Jesus, momma, dadda, bro bo, Amen. Then he says strung My-ee( in our language known as strong mighty) and we sing the song and as we are nearing the end he says Pray and wants to pray again. This cycle would go on for hours if we let it. While we are singing Hudson's song Vander starts singing his song louder. Bed time with these boys is the best:)

Low- My house is hardly ever clean.

High- Had a great year in real estate. Feel so blessed to be able to work and still watch my kids full time. I truly love doing real estate so it doesn't feel like work. I also love all my agents and am so grateful they understand my chaos and don't mind having a conversation be interrupted by two wild monkeys every once in a while. Dan laughs at me that sometimes my phone will ring and in order to sound professional I sprint outside and close the sliding door saying " this is Heidi" if only they could see the other side of door :)

Low- Feel like there are not enough hours in the day.

High- Boys LOVE basketball. Being Dan and I both played we hoped our sons would take to the game but would accept it if they had no interest. All Hudson wants for any birthday or Christmas is a ball. He has a shot that is not natural for a two year old, I'm talking shooting C and perfect follow through. The boys have a hoop on their door in their room and got a real hoop for the back yard for christmas. They play basketball for hours on end. The only hard thing is Hudson has more natural ability and makes more shots than Vander, which at 4 and 2 they are already competitive and counting each day who makes more.

We are all healthy, happy, and enjoyed a great year together. Excited for this next year as we grow closer to the Lord and continue to seek His will for our lives daily.

Vander Christmas Program

2010-12-19T07:45:00.000-08:00

The first of many school performances! We weren't sure how Vander was going to do because he never wanted to practice at home. Every time we would ask he would say " I practice a lot with Ms Sarah I don't really want to sing it anymore" He was right! When we got to his performance he knew all the words and did great. So sweet watching kids worship!

In LOVE

2010-09-20T14:12:00.000-07:00

I'm in absolute love with my newborn baby. He is the sweetest thing and I could cuddle him all day long. He sleeps about 23 hours a day and is as peaceful as could be the few times he is awake. He has hardeman toes, long lanky legs, Dan's ears, Vander's lips, Hudson's hair and is such a joy.

I'm in Love with my one year old and so proud of him for how he is adjusting to the baby. He is a momma's boy so I was worried how he would respond to a new baby in the house and me giving a lot of attention to someone else. He is doing fabulous and has grown up over night. I hear "hold you hold you" about 27,000 times a day and Logan is the prized toy of the house; my boys battling for who gets to snuggle him first. Hudson's new thing is saying bless you. Anytime anyone sneezes he is the first to say in his extra deep voice"bess you" Logan gets the hiccups often and I giggle every time because without fail Hudson will be sitting next to him saying bess you every 2 seconds at each hiccup.

I am in love with my three year old and how he leans real close talks in a soft high voice and says "tell me the best part of your day Logan" He loves his bro and is so gentle and careful with him. Vander is the best older bro, such a great protector, and the best teacher. I secretly use Logan to find out more details of Vanders day. I tell him Logan wants to hear all about his school day and listen to him tell way more details then he gave me:)

I am in Love with having all of our family so close. My mom took a month off and has been taking Vander to school for us which has been a huge help. She also takes Huddy to her house and I am left with just the baby. This has been wonderful!! Travis and Emma have taken the boys to parks, disneyland, and set up meals for us. Katie comes over daily to play superheroes with Vander and read stories over and over to Hudson. Trent after working night shift will still play with my wild boy who is at his house when he gets off of work. I am sure it is just what he wants.. work 12 hours come home to a one year old ready to chase him all over!

I am in Love with my husband who knows I like to keep the house picked up and will stay up late to do the dishes, pick the boys clothes up, do laundry, just because he knows it will make me happy... he know how to love me well!!

I am in love with Logan's newborn smell, burrito wraps, how he curls into a ball on my shoulder as I burp him, his smiles as grandma(the bath queen) gives him his bath in the kitchen sink, how God formed him in the womb and getting to watch his personality develop!

So happy you are here!!!

2010-09-19T10:56:00.000-07:00

You are the perfect baby already. You fully cooperated with our plan on when to have you! I saw the dr. on Thursday and was dilated to 4, he said you would for sure come within the week. I really wanted you to wait until Sunday because Patty the nurse who delivered Hudson and my Dr were both on. On Saturday I started to just feel a little funny, and I preferred not to have you on Sept 11 so I sat on the couch with my feet up not moving all day. On Sunday morning I still wasn't having contractions but could tell my body was in Labor. We checked in at the hospital, Patty checked me out said I was a 5 and said lets have this baby! We waited for our favorite anesthesiologist to get out of church, she came gave me my epidural, Patty gave me some Pitocin to help my contractions, Dan and I watched a little Sunday morning football, and we waited for you. About an hour later Patty checked on me and said everything was moving great and the baby would be here by lunch. So thankful for my mom and all the connections she has at the hospital and just knowing that we were in such good hands. My mom and Mary were ready, they would be Logan's nurses as soon as he arrived. (mom made mary give the shots) Patty came back 15 minutes later and said we were ready! She had me do a few pushes just to get the baby in position. She called for the dr and he came in sat down and said"when your ready" That was it... that was all he said?!? I didn't want to tell him I wasn't even feeling the contractions because I didn't want him to turn my lovely epidural off:) I looked at Patty and she knew:) She said OK here comes one... that was my cue... I pushed through the contraction and out came Logan John!!! So thankful for a healthy easy delivery. Welcome to the World little man!!

Hudson is Walking

2009-12-13T18:43:00.000-08:00

Make a Smilebox greeting

Can't believe that our baby is walking!! Makes life a little crazier, but a lot more fun! He LOVES his bro and loves to run ( or actually more like a drunk slow wobble) over to wherever he is. He is the happiest boy and he just giggles as we walks. Looking forward to this new adventure!!

Vander Turns 3

2009-11-25T12:31:00.000-08:00

My little man is 3! We never fathomed the amount of love we would be able to have for our kids until this guy graced our presence and changed our lives forever 3 years ago! He has the sweetest most sensitive spirit you could imagine. He gets teary eyed when characters are sad on tv. He genuinely Loves people and looks out for others needs(especially his aunt Katie) If I try and get him a drink he will always say, I think Katie might be thirsty. Every Wednesday the gardeners come, last week Dan went out side and 3 gatorades were lined up on the back patio. He had gotten all the guys gatorade from the fridge and brought them out for them. He is so mature beyond 3 in thoughts that he has, but yet such a wild and crazy 3 year old boy also. He loves to skateboard. He knows how to do manuals and alleys and trys to teach his mom. He loves to skateboard with people and whoever he wants to go with him becomes "your the best skateboarder" "Grandma want to skateboard with me? YOur the best skateboarder"He even gets his grandma to skateboard with him! He loves having all his cousins so close to him and loves how much he gets to play with them. He has adored his little bro from the beginning and it is so precious how they have become buds. He gets this little voice and will squint his eyes and say " oh huddy your so cute" ANyone who has a baby he will tell about His baby Hudson. He loves Hudson and tells him all the things he is going to teach him when he gets older( mainly skateboarding and going potty on the potty chair) Van talks about 20 hours a day, and I LOVE it. He is such a problem solver. He saw a picture of this huge playground and showed me and asked if we could get it for our backyard. I said ask dad. He came back with a slumped shoulders to say dad had say no. I told him to ask again later. The next morning we were all sitting in the kitchen and he asked Dan again. Dan said no and vander turns to me and says " mom you said if I keep asking he will say yes" BUSTED.. The next day we were on our way to church and he brings up the playground again. He says " yeah we don't have enough room. I know maybe I can use my saw and work on that" I told him probably not and his little brain kept going, " I know maybe we c an put it in the street. hmmm might be smashed. Maybe we can build a bridge for the cars to drive over it." I am amazed at all the things he comes up with!! We love his playful sensitive spirit and are so thankful he is part of our family!

Hudson turns 1

2009-11-16T21:45:00.000-08:00

My Hud bud turned 1 today! He is such a fun baby. He smiles with his eyes and his smile is so contagious. He does this funny squinting thing that makes us laugh. He likes to giggle out of control when Vander dances for him. He loves music and dancing to it. He doesn't walk yet(close) but likes to climb everything. He eats ANYTHING and EVERYTHING. He goes to bed at 6:30 and sleeps until 8. He has 4 teeth. He crawls to the piano and pulls himself up and plays the piano all the time. His favorite words are mama dada and van-der. He still takes two naps. He laughs from his belly. He is a joy to have around!!

Happy Halloween

2009-11-01T08:59:00.000-08:00

Dan was out of town with my APU this year so it was me and the boys! The boys dressed up as my brothers. Vander was a Police man and Hudson was a Target manager. Emma made yummy ribs and had us all over. Vander went Trick or Treating a bit with aunt Katie, but wasn't too into the candy. He went to a few houses and then asked if he could go back and play with everyone at the house. Today we set the clocks back, but Hudson didn't get the memo. At 5 he was up. I tried to explain about the extra hour of sleep he gets, he didn't quite get it :) Dan and my dad come home today and we are excited to see them!!

Fun at the Park

2009-10-24T21:03:00.001-07:00

I just smile thinking about how much these two love each other all ready and all of the crazy journey's they are going to go on as brothers.

Potty Training

2009-10-11T13:16:00.000-07:00

I have been in no rush to potty train Vander. I have had numerous friends and both of my sister in laws say that boys are usually later than girls and the biggest thing is to do it when they are ready. We bought a potty chair a few months ago, but he was not interested in using it, besides as a stool to stand on when the lid was closed. The other morning I was in the bathroom getting ready for work and he walked in and asked for one of his suckers that my mom had gotten him from disneyland. I didn't even realize they were on the counter. My response was " oh van those are for when you start going poop in the potty" That was the end of it. He didn't put up a fight, I kept getting ready, he went about playing. 10 minutes later I heard some commotion coming from his room. I went to tell him to play in the living room because Hudson was asleep right next door. I walked to his room and he wasn't there? He was in the bathroom standing above his potty and there was a HUGE poop in the soccerball shaped potty. He looks at me with a smile on his face and says " can i have that sucker now?" WOW I love that kid and his determination. Dan worked with him the rest of the day and he was done with diapers. The next day we were leaving to go watch the APU scrimmage and I was getting him dressed, about to put his diaper on because we were going to be gone for a few hours. He said oh no mom I wear undies. So we put on his buzz lightyear tighty whities and we were off. He went twice at the gym and my parents took him after to shop for pumpkins for carving and he went at their house. While he was with my parents yesterday they bought him a guitar that he had been really wanting but told him he can have it when he goes poop again in the big potty. He woke up this morning and after eating breakfast he said " I have to go mom" we ran to the bathroom and he went on the big toilet with a little seat I had bought. He sat down, pushed.... nothing. We sat there for a few and then I asked if he wanted to go play for a bit and then come back. He said no he wanted to stay there. Sure enough 2 minutes later he said"gotta go" hoped up on the big potty and did a nasty poop that I was so thankful I could flush instead of clean out of the little potty. We called Grandma and Bumpa and he asked if he could have the guitar now. Bumpa brought it over before church and he was SO excited to get it. I am so proud of my little man!!

I'm back!!

2009-10-08T12:24:00.000-07:00

From the looks of my blog I have one boy who is about 9 months old! I am updating my blog to show both of the boys and have aspirations to write more on here. There are so many things the kids do and say that I want to remember and cherish and can't trust my overloaded brain to remember without a place I write it all down. So here goes a long catch up session and a goal of updating at least once a week! My sister is a big fan of highs and lows. So in honor of having a huge high being her being home I will reflect on the last year with a little high/ low game!!

High- Vander LOVES being a big brother. He has adjusted fabulously and has nothing but a sweet heart for his "bro" He is the one who wants to run to his room and greet him in his crib when he wakes up. They talk for a few minutes and then Vander yells, OK mom you can come in.

Low- One of the first days home from the hospital Dan was gone at practice, my mom left my side for 2 hours to get her hair done and I had my first trial run of doing two kids on my own. Vander had a dirty diaper so I changed him and before I could change his clothes Hudson was screaming like crazy so I told Van to play out back for a few while I quickly feed Hud. My plan was working until I am in the middle of feeding and notice an unusual silence from the backyard. With my hooter hider on, still feeding Hudson I jump up to check on Vander... gate to front is open and he is gone. I dash out front, greasy hair, dirty sweats, feeding a baby, and see Vander a few houses down, in a diaper only, on his bike. I call to him in a sweet voice," Vander hunny come home" and he replies with " Mom bet you can't catch me" I have lots of neighbors who I know are watching this situation out their windows. What I want to yell and say is "Get your booty back here right this second" What I say instead is " Van hun I have Hudson and can't come run after you please come home" He goes further..... My neighbor comes out and walks down to get Van for me and we have a nice talking to in the house after... I was a little worried about having two at this point.

High- Heard noises from Vander's room one morning so I went in he was awake in his bed. He says to me" mom I am praying can you come back in a few minutes?" I ask who he is praying for and he says" you mommy I will pray for daddy next"

Low- Dan lost his job

High- My real estate business is great! We moved to a bigger office in downtown fullerton and I love what I do. We changed names to COR homes after my grandpa Cor who was a great developer back in the day. I have the best agents around!!

Low- Hudson didn't want to take a bottle

High- Dan surprised his whole family and showed up at the lake in Minnesota by himself with the boys! Mind you Hudson has NEVER taken a bottle and my amazing hubby loads both boys up for a week to spend time with his extended fam at the lake and teach Huddy boy to take a bottle. It worked!!

Low- At a swim party Vander running and doing a cannon ball into the pool, not knowing how to swim without his life jacket:/ I have never run so fast. I yelled to a guy in the pool who was looking the other way " HE CAN"T SWIM" he lifted him out for me, I wrapped him in a towel and my sweet boy says, that nice man saved me, I should thank him"

High- Hudson smiles with his eyes. His smile is so contagious, no matter what is going on you look at that kid and can't help but smile.

Low- Being so busy Hudson was 10 months before I started his baby book. Trying to remember what he was doing at 2 months, not so easy. Don't have as many pics of him:(

High- Bought an awesome camera and am teaching myself to take pictures. Since I bought it I have already taken so many more pictures and am excited for them to have these snapshots to remember back.

Low- Hudson didn't sleep through the night until 9 months... I thought Van was the norm sleeping 12 hours from 6 weeks on... I was in for a rude awakening... I learned to kiss those chubby cheeks and enjoy my 3 am parties with my boy because I am sure their will be a time when I am the last person he will want to hang with at 3 am :)

High- FAMILY... I feel so blessed that our families are in our daily lives. My kids get to grow up knowing all their cousins on Dan's side of the family. 7 boys 3 and under might be a bit hectic at times, but we are building a serious football team. On my side of the family my sister is home from Africa, Trav and emma live down the street from us, Trent is dating Teri, who we LOVE, and Vander and Hudson are the only kids so there are lots of hands to help!!!

Low- Working full time, watching the boys while dan is at basketball practice, life is busy, haven't had a lot of free time for friends.

High- My running partner is home!!! We ran in the disneyland half marathon and had a blast!! Erin and I are dying after the race and Katie says "we should do a full"

Low- I am white... After reading all the stuff on skin cancer and tanning beds I have given up my love for being tan.

High- Playing in a basketball league. Katie is on the team too and I have never really played with her. She has so much energy that I get tired watching her, but she is probably the funnest person ever to play with.

Low- my baby bangs are much worse after this pregnancy. That is so something people don't tell you about having kids and it is awful because it is a delayed reaction. 6 months after the baby, your getting into the groove, losing the weight, have a nice routine going and then it looks as if you cut some really short short bangs?? Not cool

High- Vander's sensitivity. He has a heart of gold. He is the one who cries when someone is sad, if little bill on tv is having a bad day i can look over and most likely van's eyes will be welding up. He is so happy, I can't stand it. I love it!! he got in trouble one time and Dan was sternly talking to him and he says " daddy, be happy"

low- Everyone has such high expectations for hudson. Vander is in such a great phase of communicating and just being like a little man that just the other day my brother and sister said to me " does Hudson walk or talk yet?" I had to remind them he is not even a year yet!! Vander being the first we oohhed and ahhhed about all his little baby things like oh he got a tooth, oh he is crawling, oh he said ma ma" now that Vander is calling officer trenty and asking if he got any bad guys today they are anxious for Hud to get to that level of communication.

High- Vander and Dan were praying in Vander's bunk bed and Dan was telling him how Jesus is up there watching us and he pointed up to heaven. Vander with a confused look on his face says " Dad, that's not heaven. That's my top bunk"

Low- Vander loved his crib so much we were terrified to take it away from him when it was time for Hudson to move to the crib. Daddy was amazing by making a crib in his big boy bed with bumpers and made a smooth transition.

High- The only time Vander got out of his big boy bed was to get his bible out of the closet and read in bed. How can I get mad at that?

I love my three boys and feel so blessed by our life. God has been so faithful to us and I feel like the luckiest girl in the world. It has been a crazy ride for us this year and I am looking forward to what HE has in store for us!! Oh that reminds me of one last low.. started an amazing beth moore bible study of Daniel with some of my favorite people and after Hudson came and then the holidays came and then all of our lives got busy and now we never got around to finishing :(

This bike looks like so much fun!!

2009-07-12T09:58:00.000-07:00

brothers for life

2008-12-08T16:49:00.000-08:00

It melts my heart to see how sweet Vander is to Hudson. Every time he wakes up from his nap he asks for Hud to come into his crib with him. When I change Hud he always says "me go too" and will come watch. I can't wait to watch this relationship develop and what buds my two boys will be!

Gym Rat

2008-12-08T16:42:00.000-08:00

Hudson turned three weeks on Sunday and has already been to 3 basketball games!! With Katie and Trent coaching at Valley and Dan and my Dad coaching at Azusa, my boy will get to see a lot of different gyms! So far all the games he has been to our team has won!!

Hudson Tine Ploog

2008-11-17T12:35:00.000-08:00

Hudson Tine is here!!!! Yesterday I thought I was kind of having contractions, but they didn't hurt at all? We went to my parents for a big taco lunch at about 12 and my mom asked if I was feeling anything. I was (kinda) but no pain. A week ago I was a 3 so my biggest fear was I would go in and be a 8 and too late for epideral!!! My mom called and her friends were all working so they said have her come in and we will just check her and see how she's doing. I went in at 2:30 and must not have been contractions because I was still a 3:) I had the best nurse ever, my mom's friend Patty, and she said," well do you want to have this baby?" so I got my epideral at about 3:30, started pitocin and delivered sweet Hudson at 5:23! He was 8 pounds 14 oz 20.5 inches and is perfect!!!! He eats like a champ, is a great snuggler and his big bro is his biggest fan already:) SO fun to have a newborn again and can't wait to see little Hudson's personality develop. We are going home tonight to celebrate his bro's birthday!!!

Van's 2nd birthday

2008-11-14T14:43:00.000-08:00

Blowing out the candles with daddy

eating pizza with my friends

climbing up a tall ladder

cheering morgan on

My friend Hallie

Laina just hanging out

I love my uncle T

We did Vander's second birthday party at Hullabaloos and it was such a great time. The kids were able to jump, climb, run, go down huge slides, it was perfect. My battery died on my camera like 5 minutes into it, so not a ton of pictures, but we had a great time. We did his party on the 8th even though his birthday isn't until the 17th. I wanted to do it early in case we had the baby. I saw the dr. on tuesday and he said I was dilated to 3 and was 80 percent effaced. That was Tuesday though and today is Friday and here I am:) He said he didn't think he would see me at my next week appointment so we will see. I feel ready. Every day that he has not come I have gotten a lot done, a lot crossed off of my to do list. With the feeling of everyday maybe being my last before the baby comes I have been super motivated to get stuff done. Now everything is done, we are ready for him to come!!! Vander's birthday is MOnday and Dan thinks he already wants to be like his big bro and is waiting for that day. We will see....

So loved

2008-10-17T15:51:00.001-07:00

I didn 't think people had showers for second babies. I guess that has changed because I have been to several showers for friends and family for their second baby. Second showers are so much fun!!! Baby Ploog is so spoiled and loved and he is not even here yet. My Sister, Leah, and Erika threw the shower and did such a great job. Erika did all the decorations, Leah did the food and KK did the games. I had such a great time and am getting super excited to meet this little guy (who still doesn't have a name!)

Pumpkin Patch

2008-10-03T21:52:00.001-07:00

We had so much fun with all the cousins at the pumpkin patch! The kids loved all the bounce houses and slides. The weather was a bit chilly, which was so nice for a change. I love when the weather starts to get colder and I can warm up with a pumpkin spice latte!

Busy Summer

2008-08-08T13:04:00.000-07:00

We have had a non-stop summer! We went to bass lake for a few days, went to palm springs, welcomed an amazing new sister to our family, went to Minnesota, spent a few days in Santa Barbara, and now we are home!! Bass Lake was Vanders first real exposure to a lake, and he LOVED it. He swam to the booies with his grandma, jumped off of the dock with dad and hung out with cousins. This boy has no fear of water and he is such a dare devil. He clearly gets this from his dad because his mom is a big wimp! In Palm Springs Vander had official duties to take care of, he was the ring barer in Travis and Emma's wedding. Besides being all boy like he is and splitting his lip open on the table 5 minutes before the wedding started, he did great. God has a funny way of humbling me sometimes. Van had done a face plant the day before and had a scratch on his face, I was so worried about the pictures for the wedding and if this scratch was going to ruin them. Well people wont even notice the scratch because when he split his lip open his tooth went through his lip creating quite the fat lip. Boys will be boys, I am still learning:) The wedding was amazing and we are so thrilled for trav and emma. We boarded a plane 4:30am the day after the wedding and headed off to Minnesota to spend some time with Dan's family. Vander was so tired from the wedding he slept the entire travel day, which was a two hour flight to denver, 2 hour layover, 2 hour flight to MN and then a 4 hour car drive. I was thankful for that!! We had a great time at the lake. Van adores his cousins and had a great time playing with all the relatives. He drove the boat with his dad, played in the sand box at least 4 times a day, played his version of shuffle board, chased the dog around, and once again had no fear of the lake. I always tend to worry about how he is going to sleep not in his normal environment of his own room and he never ceases to amaze me. This trip was no different. He shared a room with me, dan, dave, and ryan. I'll be honest I did not think it would go well. We put a fan in there and he slept like a champ every night and every nap. My worries were for naught:) We came home and got to spend some time with my grandparents who were here for the summer. They are such amazing role models and I always soak up the conversations I have with them. After that we headed to Santa Barbara for a few days for my birthday. My whole family came up and we had a blast. We rented an 8 person bike and took a stroll on the beach. We ate a yummy dinner at Rusty's and saved room for dessert at Longboards. Van swam in the pool with his bumpa and grandma and has a new trick that is not so funny. He runs on the side of the pool and jumps in where no one is. We have to watch him like a hawk. He has no fear!! Such a fun summer!!! We feel so blessed to have amazing family all around us and just feel so lucky to be able to spend so much time with everyone. Baby 2 is doing great and growing like a champ. I saw the dr this week and he said all is well. I am already 26 weeks, time is flying by. My next project is going to be Vanders new big boy surfer room:)

Super Sunday

2008-06-29T21:15:00.001-07:00

What a day!!! This picture is how our day started at 7:30. My little man figured out how to get the top off of his sippy cup full of chocolate milk and ended up covered head to toe in milk. What better solution that to strip him down, give him the hose and let him clean himself off!!

After that adventure he had to get in some quick push ups for his morning workout

In the afternoon he called his bumpa to see if he would take him swimming! They love to blow bubbles together.

After bumpa's he met his friend and cousin Landon at the waterpark for a quick dip.

Luke joined in on the fun

Starting Five

2008-06-28T19:53:00.001-07:00

Today was Morgan's 5th birthday party. She had a Hello Kitty party! While all the girls were in the house playing with the new makeup and my little ponies morgan got, 3 of our starting 5 were out racing their cars. IT is such a blessing to live close to family and for them to have their cousins to grow up with. Landon and Josiah are 2 1/2, van is a year behind them, luke is year behind Van, and our new little boy will be a year behind Luke; we really do have our starting 5!!!! The Ploog family has a long string of boys going! Van is at a stage where he wants me to join in on whatever fun he may having. Today at the party as all the kids were on the treasure hunt he came running to me, grabbed my hand with a big smile and said "mommy please" as he pulled me along with his friends. I was in the playroom with Van and 10 other kids and he was so full of joy that his mom was there with him. I treasure these times because I know there will be stages where the last person he will want in his room with all his friends is his mom:)

Fashion Island

2008-05-31T10:47:00.000-07:00

I vividly remember the day towards the end of college Dee Dee and I were shopping at Fashion Island. We had finished shopping and were grabbing a bite to eat. A mom walked by with 3 boys(all young boys) and Dee said how she could see herself with 3 boys. I told her that was funny because I could see myself with 3 girls. God must have been having Himself a good laugh!!! Deondra's first daughter is 4 months younger than Van. She is pregnant again and is having another sweet girl!!! Dan and I found out yesterday we are having another little boy!!!! We are so thrilled!! I can picture my boys sharing a room,( I could even do bunk beds!!!) playing together, Van teaching his bro how to play sports, which insects are cool, and just being boys together!!! At the ultrasound the new baby even looks like Van. This baby however, is my wild child. He was bouncing around like crazy. The whole time we had the ultrasound he did not stop moving. IS it a sign of times to come?? I was pretty sure I was having a girl because this pregnancy has been polar opposite of Van. I have been sick and tired, more like exhausted,which I was neither with Vander. Boy were my instincts off!! Just recently vander has become obsessed with babies. Everywhere we go when he sees someone he thinks is younger than him he gets so excited and says,"baby baby baby" It is so adorable and I can not wait to see him in his new role as the big brother!!!! I have to humbly remind him sometimes that he is a big boy because some of the "babies" he points at, I'm pretty sure are older than him:)

New York, Caribbean

2008-05-16T10:04:00.000-07:00

5 years ago Dan and I went on a cruise and had a blast. Ever since then about every other week Dan has asked when we were going to go on another one. Well for his birthday I surprised him and we went to New York saw the city, and then left out of New York for the Southern Caribbean on a 9 day cruise. My parents were kind and brave enough to have Vander come stay with them the whole time! People kept telling us that we were going to be miserable missing our boy and not be able to enjoy our time. Well, we definately missed Van, but he was having a blast at grandmas, and we were lavishly enjoying ourselves on our cruise. It was great to sleep in, go to breakfast, eat our food while it was hot, enjoy each other's conversation, and then head for the pool to soak up the sun and read a good book. Dan and I had such a great time together, it was a fabulous vacation. My mom would also email me every night with pictures of what Van did that day. We came back so refreshed and rested, thanks mom and dad!!

Time for dad to come home!!

2008-03-24T15:04:00.000-07:00

APU was in Jackson, TN over the weekend for the national basketball tournament! A few days without Dan and this is what happens....I was getting Vander's bath ready, and in a matter of 30 seconds he was gone. This is where I found him!

The next night he was running in the living room, got going too fast and ate it. He hit the corner of the fireplace and got a nice goose egg. Poor boy! We iced it right away and it healed pretty nicely.

Inner Circle

2008-03-06T14:52:00.000-08:00

Eighth grade bible graduation

A few weeks ago the message in church was about the importance of our "inner circle." Who are the people that are giving us advice, encouragement and directing us down which path to travel? I have always known how important friends are and how without even realizing it they play a huge role in shaping who we are. I had no idea what a gift God was giving to me when I was 4 years old and a nice girl at church let me play on the tire swing with her. Leah and I have stayed friends through elementary school, jr.high, high school and college, while never going to the same school. Leah has always been my advisor, my encourager, my friend that wouldn't settle for telling me what I wanted to hear, but rather would hold me accountable. She has always steered me in the right direction. Her own walk with God has been inspiring. I am so thankful for our friendship and for her being part of my inner circle. This past weekend I was able to go visit her in Iowa and have a great girls weekend. We got facials, massages, manicures, pedicures, went out to great dinners. I also got to see her new home and go to a Drake basketball game(where she is the athletics business manager) It was such a fun time and Van man stayed home with daddy, grandma, grandpa and his uncles:)

Brea 8k

2008-02-25T13:18:00.000-08:00

A few months back my friend Erin and I casually said it would be fun to run in the Brea 8k. It would be fun, if I had run at all in the past 6 months;) It is a really fun race because afterwards all of the brea restaurants come out and there is a huge tent with food sampling (even melting pot) Is it ironic that the food was what made me excited about the race?? So needless to say, we signed up and I never got around to running. (it doesn't help my running partner lives in Africa) The night before the race it poured rain. Well Erin had been running, so she wanted to run. We decided to run rain or shine. It was definitely rain:) We ended up having a great time. Katie and I had run this race the last 2 years and I didn't realize it was going to make me miss her so much, but it did. The first year Katie and I ran we decided to start in the very front, not realizing until it was too late that those were the winners of the race. We didn't want to give ourselves up so we actually sprinted with them in the beginning. That lasted for a good 2 MAYBE 3 minutes and I was toast the rest of the race. Last year competitive Katie could not handle when someone older than us would pass us. There was a lady ahead of us that Katie was determined not to let finish ahead of us, we sprinted at the end to beat her. This year as that same lady passed Erin and I at mile 3, it made me miss my sister. Erin and I found ourselves sprinting at the end to beat the guy we had said we would not let beat us. I have to be honest it was a little discouraging to look online and see the man we beat by one measly second was 73 years old!!! Katie come home soon, your running partner is struggling!!

He stole their hearts

2008-02-08T23:22:00.001-08:00

At all the APU games we sit across from the bench so we can watch Grandpa and Dad. Also we sit there because it is right by a open space Van can run around. (katie and I tried out a different spot, it didn't work out too well:)) Anyways where we sit is where the cheerleaders gather. They have fallen in Love with Vander. He is such a flirt and just smiles and laughs at them. Tonight at halftime they asked if they could borrow him for their team picture.

Cute Couple

2008-02-06T21:58:00.000-08:00

We had such a fun day with Dee Dee and Hallie. Van and Hallie have so much fun together and they keep each other entertained so Dee and I can eat a relaxing lunch and catch up.

Sad News

2008-01-22T10:11:00.000-08:00

On Sunday we woke up and it was a normal morning. Dan had left early for church to set up the music. Vander and I slept in (well until 7:30) Van is up in the morning until 8:30 and then he goes back down until 10, we leave for church at 10:15. When he went down for his nap, i crawled back in bed, not feeling great. It was Luke's dedication at church that day and Dan's family was in town from Minnesota. I took an hour power nap and then got myself up and ready for the day. I had No clue what the next 24 hours would hold for our family. The rest of the day I didn't feel great, started having cramps, so I layed on the couch and took it easy. Cramps by themselves I know can happen early in pregnancy. My mom was at work that day so I called her and she said go on bedrest, drink lots of water. Then at dinner I went to the bathroom and my thoughts went from everything is probably ok, to there is definitely something wrong. I started not only having cramps, but bleeding also. We called my mom again and she said there is nothing they can do at this point, stay in bed and we will see the dr in the morning. The night was the longest night ever. I cramped all night and the bleeding just got worse. The dr. in the morning told me to go to the er since my bleeding had become so severe. Well having my mom working at the hospital made this process much easier. We went to the er and had my blood work done and my mom went and told ultrasound that we were there and ready. This process, even though sped up was still 2 hours. We finally got wheeled over to ultrasound. Dan and I were so nervous. I know my body and know that something is not right, but until you see it there still is a glimmer of hope. Dan was watching Rory do the ultrasound and she was explaining what she was seeing. Then we saw what is making this even harder. The red flash flickering on the screen. Our little baby the size of a blueberry still has a heartbeat. Dans eyes filled with tears, Rory started to cry. Rory said she doesn't normally show patients but asked if i wanted to see. The heartbeat was there, but there are definitely bad signs. The heartbeat is very weak. It is only beating at 73 beats per minute, it should be at 150. There are signs that my body is preparing for miscarriage, the bleeding and cramping mainly. We met with the dr. in the NICU parents room, since there were no beds in the er. (again thankful my mom was there to pull the strings) She was so sweet and told us it is threatened miscarriage, but there is still life and our little blueberry is fighting. She scheduled an ultrasound for today at 1:15. There will either be no heartbeat, or there is a slight chance the heartbeat will improve. So now we are in the waiting game. We came home and I am on bedrest and we are waiting until 1 when Dan will watch the screen of the ultrasound, searching for the red flicker. Dan and I spent the night laying in bed, talking, praying, crying. We feel so loved during this time. Flowers were sent to the house, people have been texting and praying, friends came by, family brought food over, people have overwhelmed us by the support and love they have so graciously poured out upon our family. I didn't even mention Vander. Vander has been so well taken care of. Trent came over in the morning and took care of him all day while we were at the hospital, Dan played with him while I rested the rest of the day, and then he went to Grandma and Grandpas for the night. He is such a blessing during all of this and one of things that makes me break down is thinking about what a great big brother he would be. Dan and I pondered a lot last night particularly about prayer. We serve a sovereign God that has a plan for our lives, and our blueberries little life. If he has a plan, and the pages are written, do our prayers matter? Will they make a difference? Will they change His mind? Is praying more for us to let things go? All the prayers being said for us, we KNOW they are heard, is God's answer going to change because of them? These are some of the questions we wrestled with last night. What we found comfort in is GOD is GOOD. If we truly believe that God is good than the way he chooses to answer our prayers, whether it be the path we would have chosen or not is going to be good. He loves our baby more than we do. He has a purpose for our little blueberries life, whether that purpose is fulfilled in 7 weeks, or 90 years, He has a plan. We believe that if God chose to He is capable of doing much bigger than saving our little babies life, our faith isn't based on if HE chooses to spare this life, but rather our faith is in HIM and that He could if He chooses to. What we do know is God chose this plan for us and we want to glorify Him through it. We were reading Ester last night and one thing that stood out to us was when Mordecai said to Ester," Who knows that you have come to your position for such a time as this?" God has us in the palm of His hand. We are in this situation for a reason and we desperately want to be faithful to fulfill the mission He is calling us to!

Update: We went to the dr. and had an ultrasound that showed no baby at all. My body had flushed out the baby, so as of now it looks like we won't need a dnc. The dr. said if the bleeding gets bad again then I will need to have the cleanout surgery. Both Dan and I really like our dr. and he left us with a thought that worth thinking about, he said"The best is yet to come!" Isn't that the truth?? In our lives here but also what we have to look forward to in heaven, the best is truly yet to come!!!

More One Year Pics

2008-01-13T07:59:00.000-08:00

These are more pictures from when Rachel came over to do his one year pics. We had so much fun taking these and every time we have a session with her we are amazed at how she captures his little personality. We are truly thankful for her!!

One year pics and haircut

2008-01-09T12:33:00.000-08:00

Before the little man got his hair cut

Stev hard at work

Right before Christmas we had Rachel come over and do Van's one year pics. We got some really fun shots, I can't wait to see them!! Well Dan and I had this great idea that we should capture Vander's first haircut while she was here. SO Rachel being the trooper she is jumped in the car with us to go visit Dan's Hair guy Stev for Vans first haircut. OK so I'm not quite sure why Dan and I had these expectations, but for some reason we had in our head Vander was going to smile and laugh and be the perfect baby he is while getting his hair cut. Not the case! He cried pretty much the whole time and we spent the whole time trying to distract him so Stev could try to cut straight. Well I guess Van can't be perfect at everything!!!

Such a joy

2008-01-06T09:17:00.001-08:00

We have had such a blast with Van and we feel tremendously blessed that God chose us to be his parents. That He entrusted us with this precious life. What an honor, and also what a privilege. He is growing up so fast and every stage that he enters is my new favorite. Right now with his new found freedom of walking it is absolutely precious to see the wonder and awe in his face as he spends most of his time outside exploring new things. He definitely is not my baby any more. He is turning into my little man right before my eyes. Vander has brought our family more joy than we imagined possible from such a little bundle. So much so that we are going to do it all over again! Yup Van man is going to be the big brother! We are thrilled to see him as the older brother and know that he is going to be great.

On a different note, good thing I just ordered a size 8 dress for Emma and trav's wedding, I better change that to a 18 since I'll be about to burst:)

2007-12-31T20:09:00.000-08:00

This Christmas season came and went too fast. Katie made it in on Christmas eve and I have been soaking up every minute with her home. Van man decided to start walking a few days before Katie got home. My aunt is convinced he was a closet walker and has been walking when we weren't around . There was no walk for a little bit but not be good at it. HE woke up on a Friday morning and walked everywhere the whole day. We now spend much of our time outside as he loves to explore with this new found talent. He continues to have such a sweet spirit that can't help but make you smile whenever he is in the room. He has become my busy bee boy. From the moment he wakes until his little eyelids hit the pillow for the night, he is on the move! Just in the last week he has really been testing Dan and I to see where the boundaries are and what he can get away with. We are really trying to be consistent with our discipline as we want to lay the ground rules early on. With walking he has gained a whole new freedom and I think we are going to be spending a lot of time at the park!!! Since walking he has already gotten several bumps and bruises from walking into things, falling, splitting his lip open on a chair and the scariest for mom, almost falling out the the bleachers at a basketball game. He got his leg caught in one of the bars and ended up falling but hanging from the bleachers upside down from his foot. Katie was there with me and yelled HELP HElP and the man standing in front of the bleachers was able to help us get him untangled and he didn't fall. It was quite embarrasing as my dad came running over(during his game) and several people after the game asked me if he was ok. Katie said good thing I'm not Britney Spears because the tabloids would have been all over that story:) My aunt came down to visit from up North and we were out back catching up and letting Van romp around outside. Vander was walking happily around and he was a few feet from walking right to a spot on the patio that would knock him in the head. I made an interesting comment saying its so funny how we can sit here and see he's clearly headed for a bad situation where he will get hurt, and he has NO idea, he is just walking along no clue he is headed for such danger. My dad said " I wonder if that is what God says about us" We all kinda chuckled, but it is interesting to ponder.

Stuck in Africa

2007-12-22T18:27:00.000-08:00

We have been patiently waiting for today since Katie landed at 11:30. Van is soo excited to see her, we had it all planned, he was going to walk down the runway and it was going to be a great reunion! Until her plane stopped in North africa and broke!!!! What a bummer!!! Now we have no communication with her, she is stranded in some random airport that has 2 flights a day and we are ready for her to be home. As of now the flight for today has been pushed back again, so please pray it would get fixed and she would be on her way. If the flight doesn't leave until 9:00 she will get to atlanta at 1:55 and she would arrive tomorrow night at 5:55, if it doesn't delay AGAIN.

Better late than never

2007-12-17T13:32:00.000-08:00

White elephant gift exchange!!

Team photo! These girls have so much fun together and are a crack up!!

Looking for our 7-8 ft tree. Is this how tall Van is going to be?

On Dan's shoulders starting the search

Vander likes this one:)

We finally have our tree!!! We had the APU girls over for a Christmas party last night, so we knew it had to be up and ready by then:) It was fun shopping for a tree with Vander. He wanted to touch all of the trees and had a blast being on Dan's shoulder's looking for the perfect tree. Dans method is funny. He doesn't pick a tree that is unwrapped. We always go and he picks one of the ones that is still wrapped up. He says that is part of the fun is getting it home and seeing what kind of tree you got. I have to admit we do have fun when we get back to the house. SO far all the trees we have got have been great. I am secretly waiting for the year we get home and have a tree that is bald in a huge spot or something funny:)

Landon's Birthday Party

2007-12-16T10:14:00.000-08:00

The boy cousins as still as we could get them:)

Morgan is determined to get Vander to walk

The birthday boy

Playing in the bounce house

Shopper

2007-12-14T20:48:00.000-08:00

Grandma can I ride the reindeer?

Looking back making sure Grandma is watching.

Look at me!!

Is it over???

My mom and I went to South Coast Plaza today to finish up our Christmas shopping and Van officially out shopped both of us! We were only there for 2 hours, but were both wiped by the end. Van was perfectly content and did great the whole time. They had the mall decorated beautifully and even had the carousel changed to reindeer for Christmas. He loved the ride! They had groups playing musical instruments throughout the mall and we would stop to listen to them play. He would sit there and you could tell he was loving the music. After the song was over, he clapped as loud as he could. He definitely has a knack for music and I truly am praying he gets Dans musical talents, not mine!!

Basketball Games

2007-12-14T20:32:00.000-08:00

Basketball games have always been such a fun time to relax catch up with family and friends, enjoy a good game, usually drink a latte, and try not to yell too loud at the refs. Last year with Vander the games were a breeze. The hardest part was lugging that heavy carseat into the gym. After that he slept like an angel, minus an occasioal loud buzzer that would startle him for a second before he dozed back off into dream land. Well this year is a whole new ball game!! My mr. angel is still an angel but a mighty active one. To get him to sit still for the game is next to impossible. He wants to crawl everywhere, go after any ball he sees and bee lines for the court any chance he gets. Erin often brings Jackson to the games and it is fun to be there together because we borrow one of the cheerleaders mats and set up boy central. We sprawl out their toys, find a loose basketball, and occasionally even get to glance at the score:)

No Expectations

2007-12-08T20:18:00.000-08:00

My mom had off work, Trav and Emma had the day off, the plan was to go to Disneyland on Friday...until it was for casted to rain. We woke up Friday and it was cloudy with a few showers so we decided to play it by ear, if it was not raining we would go in the afternoon. I had no expectations of the day because I figured it would probably rain and we wouldn't go. The days where I don't set my expectations so high are always the days I have the most fun. There were no lines, it did not rain, we bundled up Vander and had a blast!!!! We ran into my cousin there with her kids also, so fun!!

Play Date

2007-12-07T20:46:00.000-08:00

We had such a fun time at the park with Jackson and Sam. Its fun to watch Van and Jackson grow up together as our families have been friends for years. My dad and Erin's dad were college roommates at Westmont. Erin and I were roommates at Biola. You never know Vander and Jackson could carry on the tradition!

A night at Grandmas

2007-12-06T21:25:00.000-08:00

This is what our night looks like when we go to visit Grandma. First he greets the dog, then he proceeds to climb the stairs...oh 25 times.

Then Grammy throws him in his favorite place, the bucket we put in the shower!!

After he's all clean and in warm jammies, he drinks his milk to give him energy...

to climb the stairs again!!

he's usually asleep before we leave the driveway!

Van's 1 Year appointment

2007-12-05T21:00:00.001-08:00

Today was Van's 1 year appointment. We love going to the Dr. because as of yet it has always been just a check up, he has not been sick. He weighed in at 27 lbs and was 33 inches. He is in the 80th percentile for weight and well above 100 percent for height. I think we have a long lanky boy on our hands:) The Dr. said he looks great, meeting all the milestones and to remember these days when he isn't running all over the place because he said he gives him two weeks until he's everywhere. When the Dr. looked in Van's mouth he said he is really working on his molars. The back left one is already in and the other three are close behind. He said pain wise each point on the molar is like its own tooth, so for each one it feels like he is getting 4 teeth!! Vander is already a good student, every time we go to the Dr. he listens intently and then does exactly what the Dr. says. So... tonight after dinner Dan and I were sharing a bowl of ice cream and guess who wanted some. He wanted it so bad that he walked right over to me!!! Granted it only took four steps to get there, but I think my days of not chasing a running monster around are numbered!

2007-12-03T13:17:00.000-08:00

GYMBOREE DAY!!!!

Van loves Monday because it is Gymboree Day!! He plays so hard for the whole hour. After playtime we all gather on the mats to sing some songs, but Van is just not into that part. I carry him over and sit with him, but he squirms out of my arms and races as fast as he can back to the toys he can climb all over. I used to fight it but then decided this is his play time, if he wants to play all over the toys the whole time, go for it. I also think it is an age thing because only half of the kids sit for the songs, the other half are spread out around the room doing their own thing. Here are some pictures showing how serious he is about play time:)

Christmas Ornament

2007-12-02T21:44:00.000-08:00

My parents christmas tree is filled with ornaments that all have sentimental value. We have lots of handcrafted picture ornaments from when we were younger. There is an ongoing debate between my brothers whose picture is worse on their ornament. Travis has a funny hair do and trent has a goofy grin. Well if we were to make an ornament for Van I think we would use this pic:)

The whole Ploog clan

2007-12-02T20:43:00.000-08:00

We attempted to capture all 14 of us Ploogs for a Christmas card tonight. We sure had a good time all being together. We truly are blessed to all live within a distance that we can call each other at 3 and say 'want to do pizza and a picture at 5?' Vander just adores his cousins and it will only get better as they get older. We then took a picture with Grandma and Papa with their grandkids, that was fun:) After the pic we ate pizza and Van reminded me so much of his dad that I couldn't help but smile. Everyone was done eating and we were all sitting in the living room, I look back and Van and Dan are at the table STILL eating. Van ate 3 whole pieces of pizza! I think we have an offensive lineman on our hands!

Thankful

2007-11-22T09:25:00.000-08:00

Last year at Thanksgiving, our 5 day old bundle of joy:)

oh how he's changed in a year, but still our bundle of joy:)

I think that Thanksgiving is my all time favorite Holiday. Being the Hardeman that I am maybe it is the presbyterian potatoes, cranberry jello, turkey, gravy, rolls, corn, stuffing, pie, feeling so full I can barely breathe and then going home and being hungry in three hours feeling. More than that I love just being in the presence of family and taking time to reflect on the past year and how good God truly has been to our family. Our family tradition is we gather at my Aunts house, eat a fabulous meal and then hope the Aunts forgot about the candy corn. The candy corn is a tradition we have where everyone takes one and we go around and share what one thing we are thankful for this past year. Why is it I always get nervous and hope they forget about this tradition? Is it because I don't know how to accurately express in one sentence what I am thankful for? Is it because I don't want to give the surface answer that sounds so canned, my husband, my family, health, for fear of sounding not truly thankful. Thanksgiving is a great time to pause and look around at what we may be taking for granted that we have to be Thankful for. I am sad that we are not going to my Aunts today, but I have been thinking about what my one sentence answer would be if I was there. Family would be my response. I have grown to appreciate family in a new way this past year on a couple different levels. Having a child makes you appreciate your parents in a whole new light. Living 5 minutes from my parents and 10 minutes from Dans is something that we take for granted. A week does not go by that Vander does not get to spend time with both sets of grandparents. I long for him to develop deep relationships with my parents and Dans and for them to be a big part of shaping him into the Man he is going to be. Having always lived close to family I took for granted my sister. I so badly miss being able to call her up and say want to go for a run, and her being over in 10 minutes. Sykpe makes her being gone easier because I feel like I have seen her, even if it is through the computer. I am thankful for her this year as being away has made me realize how much I enjoyed having her around. I am thankful that I have a sister who is sensitive to the Lord's calling and willing to say "Yes Lord send me" I also am thankful for my brothers and how they are maturing as they wrap up their college years. I am thankful for Travis picking such a wonderful bride who truly feels like a sister and could not fit in better with our family. I am thankful for my husband who in his new role as a dad makes me love him even more. He treasures Van, and Van kinda likes him too:) I am thankful for a year of health for Vander, he had such a great first year!! So my candy corn response would be family:)

Van the Man turns 1!!!

2007-11-19T12:03:00.000-08:00

My uncles bought me my first hoop!

My first quad!

Grandma and Grandpa bought me a car!

Birthday cake stuffed in both cheeks!

Dan and I went to the Hope basketball game this weekend and as we were sitting in the bleachers watching the game I had some serious de ja vue. It was exactly a year ago we were sitting in the same spot on the bleachers when I wasn't sure if I had peed my pants or my water had broke. As I stood up in a puddle of water, our journey was about to begin into this new role as parents. As early as labor and delivery Van has made parenting easy. He came out after only pushing maybe 15 minutes and graced our presence with his almost 10 lb frame. He has been such a joy this past year and it has gone so fast. From birth he has been a genuinely happy boy. His spirit is sweet and tender and he lights up when other kids are around. He loves his mom and dad, but will go to anybody. He has been such a tremendous blessing this past year watching him go from my baby to my little man. I am soaking up every moment because I know there is no way our other kids will be this easy. From early on he showed us his love for music. One of his favorites places to be is at the piano. It used to be he would sit with Dan at the piano, but as soon as he could crawl he would make his way over to his favorite spot, pull himself up and stand and play the piano, his tiny fingers barely reaching the keys. His other favorite toy is his best friend, Jackson(our golden retreiver) He loves to throw the ball for Ja Ja and bless his heart Jackson will go get the ball even if it is only 3 inches and bring it back to him. We have had such a fun year with Vander and can't wait to see what his life will hold. What his interests will be, who his friends will be, what sports he will play, how God is going to use his life to bless others and ultimately bring glory to Him. We have already been so blessed by our little man in the 12 months he has been part of our lives.