3-Month Growth Spurt

So, everyone has been telling us how babies have a major growth spurt around 3 months of age. We didn't really think much of this, as Josh seems to be going through a constant growth spurt! :-) But he will be 3 months old this Saturday, and Mommy and Daddy are feeling the effects of said growth! All of a sudden all he wants to do is eat and sleep, and he is always SO HUNGRY. Sleeping through the night is no longer a luxury we get to enjoy...the past couple nights he has been up 4, 5, 6 times! Last night we (meaning Mommy and Daddy) got about 2 hours total sleep...that hasn't happened since the munchkin first arrived! And yes, for those of you who are supporters of the "cry-it-out" method, we have tried that...this child will cry until we come, no matter how long that may be! He knows he rules the roost! ;-) Tonight (with approval from our pediatrician) the babe will get his first taste of baby cereal. Hopefully it helps him sleep a bit - we'll keep you informed!

The above pictures are of my boys playing together. It melts my heart the way Joshua lights up when his daddy comes home from a long day of classes - he LOVES his Daddy time! And, of course, Mike is rather partial to playing with his "little buddy." ;-) There is nothing sweeter than hearing their giggles as I get some things done around the house! They are definitely two peas in a pod!

Well, that's it for this momma today - a sleeping babe means it's time for me to try to catch a quick nap as well! Hugs to you all!

Mike, Krys and Joshua

Joshua's Baptism

Joshua was baptized yesterday (March 14th) at Southridge Reformed Church (Mike's home church) in Portage, MI. It was a chilly morning, but the service was absolutely beautiful! A very dear friend performed the baptism for us. Friends and family from Zeeland, Holland, Hamilton and even all the way from Iowa joined us to celebrate this important occasion! March 14th is also Gramps' birthday, which made the day even more special, and we know he was rejoicing with us in heaven!

For all baptisms at Southridge, the parents are asked to write a letter to their child, which is then read aloud during the service. This is the letter Mike and I wrote to Joshua:

Dearest Joshua Jace,

How do we find the words to tell you how much you mean to us? We knew bringing you into the world would add such joy to our lives, but we could never have expected just how much of a blessing you would be! You are truly a treasure – an incredible little miracle, and we feel so honored that God has trusted us to raise you up in his Word, teaching you to know and love him more each and every day. Our prayer is that we would live up to such a high calling and that you would love the Lord with all your heart and live to serve him all your days.

We love you so much, little one!

Daddy and Mommy

Through the events of the weekend, we were reminded of just how precious life is. We are so very thankful that our God is all-knowing and that he holds each and every one of us in the palm of his hand.

Well, this momma is exhausted and ready for some rest. Thank you all for being such a special part of our lives!

Love and blessings,
Mike, Krys and Joshua

Immunizations and Other Things...

Joshua got his 2-mo. immunizations today. Poor little guy - I hadn't heard him scream that much since the first half hour of his life! Technically he is 2.5 months old already, but our pediatrician is so popular in Holland that we couldn't get in to see him until now! The doctor says Josh is doing great - he is already doing many things ahead of schedule, like scooting himself across the floor! At nearly 11 weeks, he weighs 15 lbs. 7 oz. and is 24.25" long! He eats so much that his Grandma Harthoorn thinks we may need to buy a cow! :-)

We have had another new development this week - sleeping through the night! And not just the 6 hours we were getting before (which Mommy and Daddy were perfectly happy with), but 8-10 whole hours every night! Sleep is a beautiful thing!

Well, this momma had better finish getting things ready! Our little peanut is getting baptized this weekend and we have lots to do!

Love,
Mike, Krys and Joshua

Spring Has Sprung!

I hope I am not jumping the gun by saying this, but it certainly seems as though spring has finally come to Holland! Most of the snow has melted. Today it is a balmy 55 degrees! Joshua and I went for a walk around town and it appeared that everyone in Holland was out and about on this fine day! Thank you, Jesus, for springtime and sunshine! This is a short entry - just some new photos and a little note to wish you all a blessed day!

Love,
Mike, Krys and Joshua

SHMILY

S.H.M.I.L.Y. = See How Much I Love You

Mike and I play this silly game called "SHMILY" in which one person has to hide SHMILY somewhere in the house and when the other finds it, then it is his/her turn to hide SHMILY. You cannot hide SHMILY in the same place twice! We have gotten pretty creative with some of our hiding places! A couple weeks ago I was changing Josh's diaper and found SHMILY taped to the front of the diaper! I was so impressed that I just had to "one up" Mike and come up with an even better hiding place! So I ordered a onesie that says "SHMILY" on the front, put in on Joshua before bedtime and then when Daddy got up with him in the middle of the night, there was SHMILY staring him in the face!

Josh just keeps growing, although he has slowed down a bit, for now! We are getting as much use out of his 0-3 month clothes as we can, but soon we'll be moving up to 3-6 months. He rolled over for the first time the other day - TWICE! Of course, as soon as I got the video camera out, he wouldn't do it again!

We are still searching for the church in which the Lord wants us to serve. Mike has an interview tonight with a church in Orange City, Iowa, and he has his profile out in churches all over the Midwest! Please continue to uplift our family in your prayers as we seek God's plan for our future...we know he has something amazing in store!

Well, this little boy needs a bath and then it's off to bed!

Love and blessings,
Mike, Krys and Joshua

Joshua Jace

As most of you know by now, Joshua Jace Holleman arrived on December 27th, 3 days before his due date! He weighed 8 lbs. 7 oz. and was 21 in. long. Labor was pretty short - it started at about 8 p.m. the evening of the 26th, and by 2:37 a.m. the next morning, he had arrived! Only 6.5 hours!

Life since then has been a whirlwind! My wonderful mom stayed with us the first week after he was born -I don't know what we would have done without her! We were so blessed to have her wisdom and help, as she has already done this 3 times before! Joshua is growing like a weed - at his most recent doctor's appointment, he weighed in at 10 lbs. 7.5 oz.! What a little chunk! We can't believe he is already 4 weeks old! He is a very content baby and only cries when he is hungry - which is currently about every 2.5-3 hours!

Mommy and Daddy are doing well - loving this beautiful journey known as parenthood! We take shifts at night, so each of us gets at least 3 hours of uninterrupted sleep. Mommy is fortunate enough to be able to nap with Joshua during the day, but poor Daddy has to catch his naps whenever he is not in class! We are still trying to get the babe to sleep in his crib, but it is a slow-going process. For the time being, he sleeps in his bouncy seat or car seat. Anything for Mommy and Daddy to get a few more hours of sleep! Haha!

In other news, Mike has been candidating with Wellsburg Reformed Church in Wellsburg, Iowa. He will be preaching for their search team sometime in February. We are very excited about this opportunity, but we know it may not be the church God has in store for us. Please keep our family in your prayers as we seek God's will for our lives. Also, please pray for the Wellsburg search committee and congregation as they seek to serve the Lord in their decision.

Well, it is now 1:45 p.m. and Mommy still hasn't eaten or showered, so I'd better get going. Thank goodness Grandma Holleman is coming tomorrow to help out! This house is a disaster!

We love you all!
Mike, Krys and Joshua

37 Weeks and Counting!

Hello dear friends!

Sorry it has been so long since we last updated - life has been hectic! We had a beautiful fall here in Michigan, with a few days in November reaching nearly 70 degrees! But alas, December has arrived and along with it - SNOW! We can't complain, though...so far, it hasn't accumulated to much and is truly quite beautiful! Makes me excited for Christmas!

Mike is busy finishing up another semester of seminary. He has been putting his call out to numerous churches throughout the Midwest. SO EXCITING to explore the possibilities of where the Lord may lead us in the next year!

I have been keeping myself occupied with lots of subbing and preparing the house for our new addition! Baby Holleman is due to arrive in just 19 days! Momma and Daddy are waiting anxiously to meet him! And so are his grandparents!!!!!

Well, sorry this entry is so brief, but the laundry is calling my name!

Love and blessings!
Mike, Krys and Baby