Yummy!

Julia got her first taste of solid foods today with rice cereal. She really seemed to like it! Jack got to help feed Julia and loved it, such a proud big brother!

The Great Escape

We have been waiting and wondering when this day may come. This morning during a time out in his crib Jack tried to escape by climbing out. I caught him just as he was straddling the crib bar about to swing his other leg over. Jack figured out how to climb in and out of Julia's crib but did not make the connection that they have the same crib. We knew it was only a matter of time. Big boy bed here we come!

Oh What Fun!

We are having so much fun! Don't get me wrong, there are days when both kids have me at my limit and I find myself asking why did I want to say home. But those days always seems to be closely followed by a really fun day. Here are some pictures to capture the fun we have been having.
Puddle jumping (Jack's favorite activity next to lawnmowing and sweeping)





























Julia sporting her first pony tail and working on sitting up, sooo close!!
















Jack making progress on the potty and with pull ups! (He is quite attached to his fireman boots these days)


























Our young Dawg fan dressed up in Jack's hat. Jack was laughing hysterically from this one!

Patience

Patience is something that I have had to work at all my life. I have always been somewhat impatient. I talk fast, eat fast, work fast, walk fast I just do things fast and if someone or something is taking too long then I just do it myself. Well, that does not really work in parenting. Now that I am a mom and especially now that we have two kids and I stay at home I am learning patience is the number one skill that you need in parenting, so I am working on it. I am learning new ways to be patient every day. Patience is....
- waiting while Jack uses the big boy potty again and again
- helping Julia learn how to take naps longer than 30 minutes
- keeping calm while Jack has yet another meltdown about not being able to go lawnmowing outside when it is pouring, dark out, or when mom just does not feel like going outside
- bouncing, bouncing, bouncing on that darn exercise ball to get a calm baby
- numerous trips up and down the stairs on those nights when one or both kids choose not to sleep
- swaddling, then unswaddling, then swaddling again
- keeping my cool during the hour before Jeff gets home and then through dinner when all craziness occurs
- letting Jack play with Julia to build a bond while at the same time making sure she does not get hurt
- singing 'you are my sunshine' for Julia and 'Old McDonald' for Jack over and over again

Bye Bye Bottle

We finally did it! After more than a year of trying to get Jack to drink milk out of a sippy cup he finally did it this week! Jack started drinking out of a sippy cup with water or juice at 7 months. But every time I tried formula, breast milk and later milk he simply refused. We decided to let him have the bottle longer than we would have liked due to some major ear infections last year and because Jack is a skinny guy and we wanted him to have the extra calories and fat from milk. Then came Julia so we thought we would give Jack a little longer. Well a few weeks ago I decided enough was enough. It took two and a half days of no milk but this morning Jack finally decided a sippy cup was not so bad. Hurrah! Next up pacifiers and a big boy bed!

Julia Four Months

Julia turned four months old this week. We are having so much fun with Julia and time seems to really be flying by as she seems to be growing up so quickly. We went in for her four month check up today and got her stats. I compared them to Jack's tonight and they are almost the same (both 13 lbs 8 oz and Julia at 24 inches and Jack at 25 at this age)! Jack was always a skinny little dude so I thought he would be taller and skinnier than Julia at this age, but as I look back at pictures he did have a few months of chubbiness. Here are the stats and some comparison pictures.

Julia and Jack in their 4 month pics. We do a pic each month next to a bear and then look at them at a year old to see how much they have changed!

Julia and Jack with their open mouth smiles

The Digger Walk

I love to walk and run with my kids so when Julia was born we invested in the double bob (well worth the cost as it has brought me many moments of sanity on some otherwise insane days). We took a walk on Sunday on our normal route from our house to husky stadium to pet the husky dog in front of the basketball arena. Some people prefer silence or pretty scenery when they walk. I prefer my two year old to be entertained by trucks, boats and other distractions to keep him from complaining. We were in for an extra special treat today! Tailgate land (as I refer to it) was being bulldozed right during our walk. As we walked by (then stopped and stared for a full 5 minutes both directions) all Jack could say was mommy digger, mommy digger, mommy digger!! Although I am sad to lose tailgate land for a while, I am excited to know I can get Jack excited for a stroller outing by telling him we will not only see the husky dog but also the diggers! I see more sanity coming my way.
Jack and Julia, Julia snoozing and Jack pointing with enthusiasm!

Palm Desert Fun

We were so fortunate to be able to go down to Palm Desert to visit Grammy Elsa and spend time with Brian, Darcy, Ellie and Grant. We all had a wonderful time in the sun.

Jeff and Jack in the hot tub Jack in full sprint on the golf course. Jack and his buddy Ryan ran and ran and ran one night. They are so cute together and seem to have the same interests, lawnmowers and running!

Jack playing outside in shorts and a t-shirt. We love PD weather!!

Julia getting her first experience in an exersaucer. Life just got easier for mom!

Jeff and Julia enjoying some good cooing chats

Julia's first swim!

Happy girl!!

Grant helping to entertain Julia. Grant is the happiest baby I have ever seen and we had so much fun getting to play with him.

Fun in the pool!

Ellie and Jack playing in the pool. These two had a blast playing together in PD. They quickly got themselves into trouble, but had a lot of fun!

Christmas

I am so behind on my blog posting. Christmas was so fun but busy then we went to Palm Desert for fun in the sun and when we came home we all got the stomach flu, yuk! So I am finally getting things back to normal and back to my blog.

Christmas was a blast this year because Jack was into everything from Santa, to his reindeer, to his presents, he loved all of it! Here are a few highlights in pictures.

Jack and Julia Christmas morning

The long awaited lawnmower collection. This is serious business and includes a blower, weedeater, chain saw, goggles and gloves. Jack took his beloved lawnmower collection to each house we visited on Christmas. And everyday since (the ones we have been in Seattle) Jack has asked to take his lawnmower outside, which we have done, rain or shine.

Christmas baking fun...Jack prefers to samply his creations