Education of a Superhero

As you know, Mom specializes in adult learning.  It was only a matter of time before she started trying her mind tricks on me.  This one is called association and it ties a lesson to a personal interest. 

Who knew my Superhero obsession could make me smarter?!

Little Flirt!

Lately our house has been FULL of pretty girls.  We got to see the lovely Opperman ladies last weekend, then Julie and the girls on Saturday, then Aunty Devan on Sunday!  Since we Vandygriff boys are pretty partial to the ladies, we have been LOVING this trend.  Here we are cuddling up close to our gorgeous Aunty Devan.

Bryce was absolutely shameless making faces and smiling so big we thought his face might break.  Okay, I was a little shameless doing moves and showing off for 2 hrs. straight myself.  We can't help it!  We're suckers for a pretty girl.
Thanks so much for spending the afternoon with us and for all the cool presents Aunty Devan!  We love you.

All the Best People Never Change

A note to any future big brothers out there.  I'd like to tell you straight... There are a LOT of not so great things about a new baby.  Like always being told to keep your volume down, and not being able to do moves on him, or stand your guys up on him, or poke his gooey looking eyes and cheeks or see how far you can move the couch sections apart while he balances in the middle (okay that last one I definitely do NOT recommend if you want to keep your Mama happy).  One big concern you may have is sharing - particularly if your new little sibling happens to be a cute guy like mine.  I can tell you firsthand, that all the best people just seem to find room in their hearts for BOTH of us.  Grandparents, Mommies and Daddies, neighbors, favorite uncles and aunties, cousins and even... yes even my girls.  Today they came to babysit us while Mom went out to try to get her post partum make-over moving and we both were absolutely smothered with attention.  We were in heaven and I know I have nothing to worry about at all.  Here are some shots of our afternoon.

The New Fantastic Four

KK and Bryce.  Notice Sydney and I in the background!

Bryce has totally fallen for Sydney.  Here he is giving a flirty look.

We were both really good (or else Julie covered for us really well), so hopefully they come back to hang out again soon.

Bad Hair Days

My crazy carrot top can be slightly difficult to control.  I have a perma-mohawk, a bald spot in the back from my swing, flame orange hair on the ends and platinum blonde roots.  I also seem to be completely lacking eyebrows. 
Here's hoping for some changes in these departments during the coming months!

Bathtime With Buddha Baby

Okay, I might be a little on the chunky side.

 But I'm working on it!  This is how I take my baths now.  I'm serious about this splashing business!



 

The Big O-3

Mom says we're officially through the 4th Trimester as of this week.  Thanks Mama Van Gundy for the term that very accurately describes the not so easy transition some of us babies have into life in this real world.  I'm doing better all the time though!  I'm still on the serious side, but I'm ultra ticklish so Mom is able to get me smiling and laughing anytime she likes.

Have 3 months already passed!?
I'm about 23" long and weigh over 15 lbs. according to Mom and Dad's home measurements.  Dr. Gurchiek is giving me a break this month on well baby visits so we don't have exacts.  I am doing a great job sitting and I can hold my own weight (which is a lot) on my legs for a long time. 
Also - this picture shows off my new favorite toy nicely.  I LOVE my hands.  They taste great and are fun to play with all day.  I can't wait to discover more!

Everything Grows in the Spring!

Look how big our little man is getting!

We are thinking he's almost 15 lbs already!
Look at those chunky legs and enormous Buddha belly!

Conversations With Bryce

As you can see, I'm a thinker.  I've already worked out the solutions to the looming nuclear disaster in Japan and the political problems in Libya.  Now if only someone could understand me!

You Down With OPP?

What a great day!  I got to see my best buddies for a few hours - Vann and Stella.  We always have such a great time together and I really needed some playmates this weekend since Mom is running a little low on energy and patience these days.

I showed my buddies how to hold Bryce.  I'm a pro.

Stella was all about it!

Looks like my little brother is another huge fan of Mama Opperman.  We could start a fan club already!

Here we are - the Three Muskateers!  Don't worry, B.  You'll be in the mix in no time.
Thanks for the much needed visit, Oppermans!

Signs of Spring

Around here, Spring means plenty of trips to the pond to feed the ducks.  I kept asking where MY crackers were.

Those silly ducks ran away instead of coming for dinner?!  Dad and I had to throw the food out really far.  Hopefully they'll grow more tame as the neighborhood spoils them with more and more feedings.

As with everything else, Bryce fits right in and loves the outdoors just like the rest of us.  He loves to be in the Bjorn and was talking up a storm to all the birds and wildlife we encountered outdoors.  When my buddy Parker came over to kick the soccer ball around, Bryce yelled and yelled at us.  I could tell he really wanted to play with us because we're cool big kids.  Pretty soon, little bro!

I got right down to the business of jumping off my favorite giant rock and gathering sticks to play swords with.  Man, it feels great to get back outside!

Mom and I built a jail and put that bad guy "Kurt Daddy" in it.  Ha!

Spring also means plenty of impromptu (and very welcome) visits from our friends in the neighborhood.  Last weekend Parker and Alyssa found my Hulk ball outside and got to stay and play when they brought it home.  Bryce really liked Parker's big sis.  Watch it dude!  I think that might cross some sort of line :)

Happy Spring from Bryce and Cole!



Just a Few More Weeks

I don't know about you, but we are really anxious for Spring around here.  Luckily, we had a fantastic distraction to take our mind off our cabin fever tonight.  The GIRLS!  We cannot wait for warmer weather when we can play outside with them every night.  In the meantime, I am stealing over to their house to jump on the trampoline whenever I can and we are always thinking of reasons to get them to come visit us too.  We sure are good friends!

Bryce is continuing his Superhero education.  Here I am in my Punisher PJs watching X-Men with him.  I make sure to let him know who is a good guy and who is a bad guy.  He's working on his moves here.  Pretty soon he'll be a little fanatic just like me!

Two Little Vandys Cinema

We Love Kurt Daddy

We haven't had a shout out to the big man around here in awhile and man is he overdue.  Not only does our Daddy take excellent care of our family finances, home, automobiles and other "manly" areas of expertise, he spends Tuesday-Friday with Cole and I.  We are truly the luckiest boys around.  Daddy takes us to soccer, to school, to the park, outside to play, to the doctor and ANYWHERE else we need/want to go.  He plays with us, feeds us, gives us baths, dresses us, hugs us when we're sad and roughs us up when we need a good wrestle.  Then when we finally go to sleep at night, Daddy fires up the computer and studies for his tests so he can make more money and be an even smarter Dad.  You might be thinking "wow, I bet he really enjoys the weekends when he can rest."  Nope, not our Daddy!  On his weekends, he's off to work 12 hr. days.  

Thank you for being a Superstar Dad.  We sure do love you and we miss you when you're gone!
Love, your two little mini mes.

Meet the Family

Wow!  What a weekend.  Mom loaded Cole and I up on Friday after work and drove all the way to South Bend.  I got to hang out with more family than I even knew existed!  Here I am having a great evening chat with Bugga.  He's known for his legendary chats in which he gets "the scoop!"

I got to charm some really pretty girls!  Here I am showing off my style (thanks Mama Opperman) and whit with Shayla. 

I flirted it up with Sueann too!  What a couple of sweethearts.  We were thrilled to learn that they'll be official cousins as of 4/5.  Hooray!

My big brother was always close by telling people they couldn't swipe me, and that I was HIS baby.  He sure does take good care of me.

Not that he didn't find time to fight every bad guy and uncle that came around.

Or open Valentine's Day gifts from Grandma.  Thanks Grandma!

I tried to fight Uncle Scott too.  Clearly he's totally under my control in this submission hold.



No fighting Oma though!  I loved spending time with her.  She got plenty of smiles and coos when we went to her house while the big kids went to a play with Grandma and Bugga.



I had a lot to say to her!

Ota kinda liked me.  I liked him too!

More chats.  Mom says "Oh no, TWO chatterboxes!"  Dad says "um.... that's THREE for our house."  tee hee.

I had some great snuggles with Nana on Sunday morning before she fed us all an awesome lunch.  Thanks Nana!

And THIS guy...  We totally bonded.  Uncle Adam and I were both all smiles.  I can see we'll get along just fine.

Of course, Papa is always well loved by his little Vandys.

C'mon Mom..  Give a guy a break.  I see what my brother says about the Momparazzi being out of control.  Yeesh!

Finally, on Monday morning we got a little early Sunshine with a visit from our beloved Aunty Kat.  Don't worry big bro, she couldn't fit me in her suitcase back to Atlanta.  We sure did love seeing her!

And vice versa, I think. 

What a great weekend jam packed full of family.  I'm starting to see how truly lucky I am!
See you all again soon.