Almost Walking

Our sweet girl is almost about to take off walking! She can stand on her own pretty well - about 5 seconds at a time with no support - and loves to stand and move along pieces of furniture now. She's got really great balance, as evidenced in the bathtub as she prefers to take her entire bath in the standing position. I am so in love with this stage right now that I'm not ready to say goodbye to her crawling and hello to her walking. I'm hoping I have at least a couple of weeks before she really starts. Biding my time... Look at this confident little stander though!

Valentine's

We celebrated V day on Saturday night. My man took charge of it and set up a surprise dinner at this place that reminded us both of Park City. Jane went with us since it was so far to drive (almost an hour each way)... yeah I know what you're thinking, still a mistake for Valentines.. ha well it wasn't all bad but i think that'll be the last time we spend our Valentines dinner with the little babes in tow. The candlelight dinner could only be oh so romantic with a sippycup and puffs on the table :)

This is what I ordered for my main course. Had to go with the most tender beef in a red wine sauce that had an ultra fancy name I can't remember now. All I have to say is I want it back! Jason had rack of lamb and venison which was equally as good.(Bread crumbs on the table courtesy of Jane)

We split a dessert which was so rich we didn't even need that much for the two of us. It was a pear tart with honey, cinnamon, and toasted nuts. TDF.

Jane vying for her daddy's attention. She knows he's got a sweet spot for her too!

In front of the lodge's fireplace. I guess we're not patient enough to have a stranger try and get a close up picture with the Jane looking directly at the camera. At least she's looking in the next one.

Happy Valentine's Day Everyone

Hooray for February Weather

January

Also know as Snowmageddeon in Seattle.

February

With the weather being warm we've been able to take advantage of some quality park time. So no more cabin fever for us. Baby #2's hair totally cracks me up here!

Look at this girl's top two teeth coming in. And I know it goes without saying but those cheeks are so dang irresistable.

This is another one that cracks me up. J poo was sad because I took her rock away. Sometimes it's hard being a baby! (especially when your mom takes a picture in the middle of your crisis) And yep Jane is wearing her pjs under her coat... at least we got the shoes on ha.

A Sweet Find

Someone got into the Nutella this afternoon. I'm not gonna point the finger, or mention any names, but I do have a hunch what went down.

Here's my working timeline:

-As per routine, baby #2 empties cupboard of peanut butter, Nutella, and various canned goods while I have my back turned in the kitchen.

-Baby #2 takes pb jar and (as if it is a sitting stool) sits on jar. Catch her in the act out of the corner of my eye.

-Enter baby #1.

-Baby #1 sees Nutella jar and allegedly tries to do the same thing.

-Lid comes off Nutella jar.

-Baby #1's hands go in the jar simultaneously and into her mouth.

-I turn around and witness baby #1 in a Nutella-induced state of yummy goodness. Have to admit I did laugh out loud!

-Baby #2 sees it too, tries to take the jar away and shakes her finger at baby #1.

-I get the camera.

These pictures may be all the evidence we need...

ABC's of Jane at 11 months

Animal sounds. Adorable.

Bottomless pit.

Crawling fast.

Da da da. Da da da. Da da da..

Energizer bunny.

Following people around.

Grinning from ear to ear.

Head- butting. Heavy breathing when excited.

Interested in everything.

Johnny Jumperoo.

Kinship with Maeva.

Long eyelashes.

Moves, as in dancing moves.

Nothing like good music.

O's. Cherrios and making the sound "O".

Pulling up.

Quiet time with Mamma before bed.

Rides in the carrier, stroller and car.

Shrieking with joy.

Thunder thighs.

Upper teeth coming in!

Vying for people's attention.

Wet nose.

X-tra soft texture of blankie.

Yellow duckies. Yummy smells.

Zebra striped outfits and blankets.

Today my girl is 11 months old! It's been the best 11 months of my life, and I still can't believe how lucky I am to be her Mamma.

Thanksgiving 2011 Pictures

We had some pictures taken of our little family when we were in UT in November. We asked Jason's pro photographer of a cousin to take some shots of us. We are pleased with the results! It took us awhile to get them up here on the bloggy but better late than never!

Jason was tickling us in this one. I love Jane's cheesy face.

We used this for our Christmas card.

That's our girl!

Poor thing was cold (hence the hat) and exhausted.

I'm glad we got this smile out of her!

Me and my girl.

Handsome hubs and daughter.

Jackpot

Jane at 10 months in her jumperoo

I feel like I've hit the jackpot in life. Not bad for an almost-twenty five year old lady! Seriously though, having my family -- my hubby, my baby girl, and my other loved ones means the world to me. I don't need money, materials, etc. to "make it" in life. I already have!

I was thinking about this as I went into my daughter's room tonight. I love going in there when she's sound asleep so I can look at her. I creep in and stalk her like it's nobody's business. I can't resist giving her one last goodnight smooch on the forehead. Although I have to practically dive into her crib head-first to reach the little munchy-kin snuggled up to her blanket, since Jas lowered it all the way down. So worth it to kill my gut bending over for that though.

My baby is almost 11 months old!! She's getting so much more active than any of you have seen. It sometimes feels like a wrestling match to try and get her dressed, change her diaper or even wipe her face. She's gotta pull herself up on anything she can -- climb on it too if her chubby legs will allow her some reach. This girl is really strong and that's why we call her our tank.

Normally she is one happy chicky, but a couple of weeks ago she really amped up the giddiness. She was sitting in her highchair at the dinner table eating some cornbread crumbs and she couldn't stop giggling, laughing, and sometimes just shrieking with pure joy. On and on it went, and it was all unprovoked. The funniest thing was she kept saying "da da da" and looking at Jason and giggling hysterically. We blame the cornbread. Trader Joe musta put something crazy in that bread.

Christmas and New Years 2011

We flew home from Hawaii on Christmas Eve. My dad tried but could not find any condos available for us to stay in over Christmas. We were sad to leave Hawaii after just a week but it worked out good to get to see some of our extended family for Christmas. We went from Hawaii to Seattle to Portland in two days! So, after flying into Seattle my family drove to my grandparent's home to spend the night while we went to our apartment in Seattle.

That night we picked up some Cheesecake Factory grub, I put the over tired babes to bed, and Jas got some much needed groceries for Christmas breakfast. We got up the next morning and Jason Skyped with his family for awhile. We were trying to get in on the call to Jessica in Brazil but it wasn't working out very well. I guess right as we were leaving she came on Skype but it was too late for us. We opened our stockings, threw a few things in our suitcase again and left again! We barely made it to church that afternoon in FW with the rest of the family, but good thing we did! From there we went to the grandparents, loaded up the cars and drove to Portland together. We spent what was left of Christmas with my Aunt Gwyn's family at her cozy home. We had a delicious Christmas dinner and we opened our family gifts for one another.

I feel like it was a lot of traveling, especially during a time where it's often best to be home relaxing. But to be honest if I were here staying put I would probably be going a little stir crazy. And for me it's most important to be with family so we were really glad for that.

That night we stayed in a hotel in Portland and well, that was an eventful night. Let's just say there were clogged toilets (and for the record there were plenty of those on this trip, you would think someone learned their lesson!) multiple calls to the front desk, us switching rooms, and some very noisy people directly above my grandparents room (which we later confessed to them was the room my 3 bros were in - yikes!!). Who says girls are all drama? My bros prove otherwise.

We drove back to Seattle the next day because Jason had to work the following day. We brought Curt and Olin with us. They stayed with us one night and then met the rest of the family back at my grandparents. My dad went back to Anchorage to do some work for a few days, while we all just hung out here in Seattle. Then Curt left, dad came back, we had a big party for New Years and my grandma's birthday. Mom and Mason went back to Anchorage and dad and Olin went to Rexburg so Olin could start school. Got all that? Ha. Good thing we don't mind traveling in this family, and we have an airport somewhat close by!

Jas and Jane putting together our new vacuum! This was Jason and I's big present to each other. I am really excited about it. I loving vacuuming!

Our awesome Christmas tree on Christmas morning. The hubs put my present in that red pot because it wouldn't fit in my stocking. Technically that pot was one of my Christmas presents too (from myself btw) I like how we do things.

Our adorable little Christmas elf, enjoying being home Christmas morning. She was as interested in opening her stocking as you'd expect a baby to be. She liked the present much better unwrapped!

Jane and I with all our stocking loot! We didn't give Jane any presents other than stocking presents because we didn't see the point. She's got all she needs, (plus lots of good stuff from the fam, thanks guys!) and she was happy nonetheless.

Mom, Dad, Jane and Grandma sitting on the couch at my Aunt Gwyn's in Portland.

We love our sweet girl so much! Merry (1st) Christmas baby! Many more great ones to come.

New hat and new spoon! Plus awesome reindeer Christmas pjs.

Jane's Santa picture! I kept saying in Hawaii that I had to get a picture of Jane on Santa's lap and it never happened. Just thought it should happen because it's her first Christmas. So anyway Mason had this awesome Santa shirt on and we decided he'd do as our Santa. His beard is actually a piece of faux fur off one of my sweaters. Jane didn't seem to mind meeting Santa at all :)

And back to Seattle! Olin got to sleep on our air mattress and well, Jane decided she wanted to sleep there too! I thought it was so cute how she snuggled up to his chest. She's got a soft spot for her uncles.

Playing Dominion together.

Taking a break from post Christmas shopping at Southcenter Mall. Apparently Jane likes eating rice from a chopstick.

All of us at our New Year/ Grandma's birthday party crab feed that we hosted in our apartment complex! We had lots and lots of delicious kind crab legs, Ivar's clam chowder, salad for crab louie, garlic bread and sparkling cider. I also made chocolate bottom creme brulee. Good eating if I do say so myself.

Jane had fun entertaining us at the party. We also were entertained by the boys playing games on the xbox.

Look how cute granny is! Happy Birthday and Happy New Year everyone!

Glad I could finally finish posting about last year and move on to the new year now.

Hawaii: Final Post!

Eating at Duke's, last day at the beach, the lighthouse, tennis, family Christmas party, and going home!

We went to a really great restaurant called Duke's. You can't tell from the pic because it got dark but there was an amazing view of the beach and ocean from our table. And yes this pic is of Jane chewing on a rib bone... I'll just say it wasn't my idea, and all the meat was pretty much scraped off that thing so she was just eating sauce!

All of us eating dessert! My fav was the fish entree. It was super good. Why does all fish taste the best in AK or Hawaii? At least I know where to go to get the good stuff.

This is the view from our porch. Beautiful!

Oh no Jane got sand on her hand again!!

Getting some water with her grandpa's help.

The three girls. We were way outnumbered. We need more girls in this family...

Windy, windy, windy!!

Tennis! We even matched with our shoes by accident :)

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Jane even got a book.

My mom made these little stockings for everyone and so each day we'd get something different in them. Made it feel more like Christmas!

The last night there we had a little family Christmas party where we opened a few gifts, played some games, and did our tradition family book exchange. My mom got that cute santa hat for Jane ha!

This is Jane lying on Mason's chest. It was the funniest thing, but for some reason she loved to snuggle on Mason's chest like that. I was sitting next to him on the couch this time and holding her and she just climbed right over to him and did this! And she has never done that to anyone else!

farther back on the plane. Not a bad flight! Merry Christmas everyone!

On the plane again! I love Jane's pretty Hawaiian dress. She got to hang out with her grandma, me and Mason and Curt. Jason was up in first class and my dad and Olin wer
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I am now finally done with all the Hawaii pics. There are still a few more of our Christmas though. Someday, someday!