Snow Bear

Today, we enjoyed the warm weather with a little outside entertainment. The temperture on our weather thermometer reached an amazing 51 degrees today at around 10:30 AM. We could not believe that it had officially reached that high so early. So, what were we to do than to take advantage of the warm weather and snow than to go out sledding for the first time. Don't worry we were only out for a short amount of time. So, out we went in the snow. Josie got all bundled up in her snow suit, which reminds us of the snow suit from "A Christmas Story." You know the line that states, "I can't put my arms down." In the sled we went and Daddy pulled us around for a while. So, did Josie like it? Well, she did not hate it. But she is still a little to little to understand what is really going on. Perhaps next year so will have a blast.

Thinking...Warm Thoughts

Josie is sick of all of this cold weather, as am I. We are so ready for Spring, it is not even funny. Yes, it got up to 36 degrees today, which felt great compared to the last few days, however we want it even warmer. Like 70 degrees or something close to that. So, what are we to do, but to think warm thoughts. Right?! To get us ready for Spring and for our upcoming swim lessons, we decided to try on Josie's swimming suit. I got this swim suit at the end of the season last year really, really cheap. Kids clothes are expensive, so who could blame me. Don't worry I am going to get her a really cute bikini when I find one also, so don't worry. I knew all of you were.

Doesn't she look adorable? The suit is a little big, but she will grow into it before the end of the summer. Now all we need is a swimming pool...don't worry we are working on that also. Before you know it Summer will be here and our little sugar will have to have somewhere to practice all of her learned skills during swimming lessons. Now, who would deny a cute little girl in this adorable swimming suit a swimming pool...I can't. Could you?

Dancing Fool

Josie has started a new and exciting trick. Besides rolling over from front to back, rolling from back to front, eating her feet, and so on, she now dances. That is right DANCES. It is so cute! You sing to her or when she gets really excited she will dance for you. She lays on her back and wiggles and giggles like J-E-L-L-O. It reminds us so much of the J-E-L-L-O commercials. It is so funny!

Being home all the time we have a pretty good routine down. One of our daily activities is to watch the Ellen Show. If you have ever watched the Ellen Show she always dances to her seat and one of the songs that she dances to often is Justin Timberlake's Sexy Back. The lyrics go:
I'm bringin' Sexy Back
Them other boys don't know how to act
I think it's special, what's behind your back?
So turn around and I'll pick up the slack...
She goes crazy when I sing these lyrics to her or she hears them. She loves to dance to this song.

Next time, you see her perhaps she will dance for you.

Play Date

On Monday, we enjoyed a wonderful afternoon with Cousin Jacob. Josie loves it when he comes over for one of our wonderful play dates. Jacob was not feeling quite himself due to being ill all weekend, but we managed to have an excellent time. It is so funny to look at the two and see the difference in size. Jacob is 9 months older than Josie, but it is still funny. I can not get enough of him, he is so cute. I would do anything for him, just like my own child. Whatever he wants, his Aunt Jenny gets for him.

What can I say I am his FAVORITE AUNT JENNY! He has two Aunt Jenny's, but I am the one he loves the most.

Upgrading...

How many pictures on the average do you take in a month? 10, 50, 300.

Well, the time has come for a possible upgrade. As most of you can tell, I love to take photos of my little angel. I take on an average of around 400 pictures a month of Josie. That is right 400! Can you believe it. I am constantly snapping photos. I do not want to miss a beat. After much discussion, Brent and I are seriously looking into purchasing a new and improved camera. There is nothing wrong with my camera right now, but we would love a really good camera. Right now, I have a 3.2 megapixal camera and are looking at a 10.1 megapixal camera. Lets just say that this is a huge jump. Not just in quality, but in price also. The cameras are considered SLR's, which are cameras that professional photographers use. They are the cameras that depend on the item you want a picture of, you the change lenses.

I have always loved snapping photos and now expanding. Lets just say this is a new profound hobby, but an expensive one at that. I am even considering taking some photography classes to get even better. Can you believe it?

I am unsure what type of camera to get, so if anyone has any suggestions please send them my way.

I am working on Josie's scrapbook, so I need some really good photos. Right?!

Becoming The Best Of Friends

When they say a dog is a man's best friend they were not kidding. Josie and Halle are becoming the best of all friends. Well, sort of. When Josie was just worn we did not allow Halle anywhere close to our little angel. If she did get in our comfort zone, we quickly moved Josie away from her or such. As Josie has grown, we are allowing Halle to get a little closer to her, but not that much and we have to be with her when she does. We limit their contact and watch them very closely. No matter what Josie is always watching Halle. It is a form of entertainment for her. She follows her with her eyes every minute of the day. Why watch them so closely you ask? Well, for lots of reasons.

When I was young, my little sister was bitten on the lip by our dog. Our dog would not hurt a fly unless we ourselves were in danger. The dog was was sleeping on the couch, but Kasey did not care. She wanted to play with the dog, but she did not want to have anything to do with her. So, what did Kasey do...she blew in the dogs face. That was a big no, no. She got bit. My parents were not home at the time, so we had to call them and they had to come home. Kasey was bleeding all over it was really gross. Most people would get rid of a pet if it bit thier child, I would, but we did not. Taffy was so sweet. Kasey knew better than to blow in her face. You never know when a pet may turn on you. I do not think Halle would hurt Josie, but Brent and I don't want to take that chance ever. When we go to Grandma Debbie and Grandpa Terry's house, we will not let thier dog, Huck, get close to her. Huck is about 50 times larger than Halle so that is a definate no. Plus, all of the germs. Gross!

So, for now distance is good between Josie and dogs. Brent feels very strongly about this, just ask him sometime.

Closest Halle has ever been to Josie. I was sitting right next to her the entire time.

Fun Afternoon With Cousin Jacob

On Wednesday afternoon, Josie and I ventured over to pick up Jacob from his babysitters. I was a wonderful car ride. Josie sits facing towards the back, but since Jacob is older he is able to face forward now. So, the two little peanuts were facing eachother on the car ride. It was adorable. After I installed Jacob's carseat and strapped him in Josie got a large grin on her face. He fell fast asleep due to him taking a nap when I picked him up. Josie quickly woke up and wanted to talk to him. So on the car ride home Josie kept her eye on him. She was talking to him, but of course he was not listening to her, he was sleeping. I guess you can say that he already has that man's hearing under controll. You know the one where the girl speaks and the boy tunes her out. Well, this was a classic example of just that.

When we arrived home, Josie could not get enough of him. He would blab to her and she would kindly smile at him and blab back. It was the cutest thing ever. Don't you wish you could understand what they were talking about. I bet they were saying how funny I was or something on that matter. They had the best of time, as did I.

I loved every minute of the afternoon, but I do not know how people can have children so close together. Tori, I am feeling for you. It was not the fact of having two of them, it is transporting two by yourself. Ok, let me explain. Jacob is 1 and is just learning to walk and Josie as you know is no where close to walking. So, I had to take one into the house then go back for the other child. People with twins have thier handsful. I could not imagine having to go to the grocery store by yourself or while you are out use the restroom. It is an art that one has to prefect I guess. I think though, that I had it down pretty good. I am a smart cookie with Super Mommy Powers.

Oh, also Halle, the dog, would walk up to Jacob and he kindly pointed at her and repeatedly said "GIT." I loved it! Way to go Jacob.

Happy Birthday To All!

Josie just wanted to send a Happy Birthday shout out to several different people who are all celebrating their birthdays either yesterday or today. So, a Big Happy Birthday to Uncle Wally (not actually her Uncle, but loves him like one), Grandpa Terry, and Cousin Wesley.

We hope your day is filled withy laughter and joy.

Cute As A Button!

I know my saying this is a little biased because I am Josie's beloved Mommy, but she has to be one of the best babies in the entire world. She is always happy and laughing, well unless she is really really sleepy. However, most often when she is sleepy all this Mommy has to do is rock her and out she goes. As all of you have learned she is very photogenic. The camera just loves her and she loves the camera. Thank goodness, because I am always snapping her photo.

Life in our house lately has been pretty uneventful. It is to darn cold to go outside and play, let alone drag my healthy child outside in this freezing weather. We spend our days sitting on the couch playing infront of a warm fire. What better way to spend our days. Brent has been working a lot lately, do to his co-worker taking off to travel to a warm location. Lucky guy! He has had to work 15 days in a row. That is a long time when you work 12 hour days. He is half way do though. Yeah! He comes home from work plays with Josie for a little bit and when I put her to bed for the night around 8PM, I put him to bed too. That is if he doesn't fall asleep on the couch first. Most of the time though, Josie does not allow that she wants to play with her Daddy.

Funny Daddy...Funny Girl

I knew that when Josie was born that our lives were going to change. Was she going to be like me or Brent? Either way, we are in for some fun times. Brent has started to transform my little angel into a baby that has one heck of a sense of humor. Pictured above is what I came into the kitchen the other day to find. Josie is sporting her floppy hat that covers her ears that she recieved for Christmas from Grandma and Grandpa Parker. But much to my surprise Brent put a little hillbilly kick to it. He tied the bottom strings to the top to make the ears stand up.

It has been so cold in this next of the woods now for days. How is it where all of you are? It is some crazy weather, with it being freezing one day and warm the next. So, lets just say that when we go out we get all bundled up.

TV Baby

Josie has always been drawn to the television, I do not know why but if she is fussy all you have to do is walk by a television and instantly she gets quiet. It must be the colors and figures moving or something. If she is on the floor and the television is on, she will wiggle herself that way she can see the tv. Wierd, I know. But if it keeps her happy at times that rock on! She has found a new love besides Mommy and Daddy...and that love is the remote controll. What is it with that silly old thing that draws babies to them. My nephew Jacob was crazy about remotes also. If you have the remote in your hand she wants it. She even knows how to change the channels, even though it is by accident.

The picture above says it all. She is sitting up like a big girl in the glider holding the remote, image that. In the photo, it appears that Josie is motioning for Mommy to get out of her way that way she can see the television. I guess she really likes Saturday morning cartoons.

Cutest Baby Ever

If this is not the cutest picture you have ever seen....then you are not my friend. Just kidding! Isn't this photo so cute though? About a month ago, we went and had Josie's picture taken professionally that way I could make some adorable valentine's for the people she loves. I just needed one package of photos to make my cards, but when I say this photo I just had to purchase it also. Wouldn't you have done the same thing? This is Josie to a "T." She always has those cubby two fingers in her mouth not sucking on them, but licking and chewing on them. This photo is how she always is smiling with her hands in her mouth. Well, I guess it could be worse, she could have her feet in her mouth which she can now do. That is right she will lay on her back and place her feet in her mouth. Talk about being flexible. I would love to be able to bend and move the way that she does. Just look at her face it is so "I know I shouldn't be doing this but I am to cute to get into any trouble."

We went out for dinner this evening and Josie was a perfect angel, which was a relief. She just sat there and was all good. Smiling, talking, and blowing bubbles onto anything. Everyone in the resturant just loved her. Well, who could blame them with checks like hers.

Have a Happy Friday night!

Thanks

We want to thank Grandpa Terry and Grandma Debbie for the cute stuffed animals and books. They are wonderful! Josie loves to read her books, as you have seen from previous postings, so they are perfect. She just loves the bunny, but some how she always ends up putting them in her mouth. I say she is giving them kisses, but it is more like eating them. Thanks again!

Happy Valentine's Day!

We just want to wish everyone a Happy Valentine's Day!

Today, is a day to show the people you love, just how much you love them. Josie means the world to Brent and I, so today she is going to get 10 times as many kisses as she usually gets. I guess if that is at all possible. She gets a lot of kisses already, especially from me.

So, what did your love ones get you for Valentine's Day. Josie recieved from her wonderful Mommy and Daddy. Adorable pink long-underwear jammies and Alice in Wonderland Disney movie. I recieved a digital keychain. Lets just say that the key chain holds 60 pictures and...that is right all of the photos are of my little angel Josie. Can you believe that? So, next time you see me ask to see a picture of Josie and I will show you 60!

Have a very Happy Valentine's Day!

Pre-Valentine's Day

Tomorrow may officially be Valentine's Day, but Josie is receiving wonderful Valentine's Day gifts early. Does Josie care that it is not officially Valentine's Day? Not at all. She loves getting new and exciting gifts from the ones that she loves. This morning we ventured over to see Papa Dave. It has been a while since she has gotten to play with him and boy did she ever. She was drooling, talking, smiling, and screaming. Lets just say she was having a good old time, as was Papa Dave.

Papa Dave gave Josie the cutest pink dino with wings that I have ever seen. Josie just loved it. When you press its foot it sings and the wings start to flap. It sings "la la la la laaa hug hug kiss kiss, la la la la laaa hug hug (kissing noice)(kissing noice) la la la la laaa la la laaa la la la la la la la(laugh)

I can truely see that Josie is loved by all that she knows. So, thanks to Papa Dave for this wonderful gift! Josie loves you very much. XOXO

Have a wonderful Pre-Valentine's Day! We will.

Josie getting a kiss from her new friend!

Sweet Thing

Our little girl has grown into such a feisty little individual. She definitely has a mind of her own, which is great. This morning she was having a good old time with Daddy talking, laughing, and screaming. I think we may have to invest in ear plugs or something. She can get really loud. I think Josie has developed his type of personality. God help me! But she has some of my traits also.

Last night, I left my little cutie to take Grandpa Terry to the eye doctors and do some errands. Brent had his handful with her he said. She had her good moments, but then also some stubborn moments . I went shopping to get Josie a new pair of jeans. The pair she has on in the photo above are 0-3 months. They fit her perfect, but are becoming short. So, with all of the summer apparel coming out I thought that I better go get her a pair while I can still find them. I had the hardest time. Who would have thought baby jeans would be so difficult. Baby Depot, Kohls, Sears, Macy's and still no jeans. I finally found a pair at JC Penney's. Yeah, right! I purchased a 3-6 month pair, but when I got home and tried them on Josie no go. They were way to big. They just fell off of her when I picked her up. She is very tiny for her age as you can tell. So, that will be something I will have to return. Josie was so happy to see me when I got home, as I was to see her. I was only gone for a few hours, but it seemed like forever. I do not know how I will be able to go back to work. I will just miss her to much.

I'm Going To Get It..Just Watch Me

Josie just cracks us up. This photo was taken just the other night during her favorite part of the day and/or week Bath Time! Josie just goes hog wild when we tell her it is bath time. She simply starts kicking her legs, screaming good screams, and smiling like crazy. She is fascinated by the water. Here in the photo she is trying to grab it, but simply can not get it. She was very determined, as she is most of the time. When she wants something, she gets it no matter what it takes. We filled her tub up with warm water and low and behold I think most of it ended up on the kitchen floor. She loves to kick, so our kitchen turned into a tidal wave when Josie took over her tub. Water was flying out of that tub like crazy. It was hilarious.

Since, Josie has a love for water we decided to go one step up above the bath tub. We signed Little Miss Josie up for swimming lessons. Yes, that is right swim lessons. We will go starting mid-March for 5 weeks, 2 times a week. We are so excited! The class is for baby and Mommy or Daddy. Which ultimately means that I better get on my tredmill and using my Core Rhythms and Sweatin to the Oldies videos, so come March this Mommy looks good in her swimming suit. Right now, I don't think it will be a pretty site, at least I don't think so. It is my goal once it gets warmer outside and not like it is today -10 with the windshield to walk 5 miles a day. Josie is going to be my exercise partner with a stroller ride everyday. I think she is excited. She likes to be outside, if only it was warmer out right now.

Rock Star Mommy...Rock Star Baby

I posted the other day that I was a Rock Star Mommy, well Josie did not like being my backup singer. No, not at all. She wanted to by just like her Mommy. So instead of a backup singer, we have a Rock Star Baby. Each and every single time I play Guitar Hero Josie always goes after the shoulder strap, so one day last week I gave her the guitar and you would have thought I gave her a million dollars. That is if she knew what a million dollars actually was. So, what can I say Rock Star Mommy like Rock Star Baby!

Party On!

Do I Look Like My Daddy?

This photo is so cute. People ask who Josie looks like, well look at this photo...Josie looks like her Daddy. I think it is the shape of the head that is similiar. What do all of you think?

Well, with all of the snow and crazy weather we have been having, we enjoyed staying indoors resting on the couch the last few days. We have had a fire going in the fireplace the last 3 days staying warm and watching movies. Man, if I would have to go out in this crappy weather I would...QUIT! Oh, that's right I don't have to go out in this gross weather. Sorry, to all of you who do have to venture out in this yucky weather.

Stay warm!

And The Lightning Strikes

Can you believe the Thunder-Snow we had yesterday?! It was insane. It was one crazy day, with the Super Bowl and such. Yesterday afternoon, the water heater started to leak. Yeah, right?! Wrong. It started to really snow, and the house was hit by lightning. Yes, that is right hit by lightning. I was in the bathroom getting ready to go watch the Super Bowl when a big string of lightning hit very close to the house. A giant flash happened and the windows rattled. Come to find out it zapped the internet and one of our computers. Not only did it get our house but our two neighbors also. Crazy, huh. So, today the telephone guys where here to fix the internet and we ventured into town to get a new water heater.

The water heater is a story in its own. Brent removed the old tank to see if he could fix the leak, only to find the bottom really rusted. We went shopping and purchased a new one. I asked the guy about the warranty on the old tank and since the tank had a 12 year warranty it should be covered just to simply purchase a new tank and then call the warranty people for them to come and check the old one to verify the leak and they would refund us what we spent on the tank. Ok, right. Wrong again. I called the guys when we got home and yes it should be covered and they will replace it, however....that was until they found out that Brent removed the tank. Oh. Since, we took the old tank out, it voided the warranty. They would not replace it them. So, here we have a new water heater that Brent put in on his own, which we were going to do anyways why pay some guy to put it in when he can do it himself. But since we took out the old one ourselves we had to pay for it ourselves. Lets just say it was an expensive day. We had to have hot water. Josie needed her bath. We will know for next time. So, a word of advice don't touch your water heater.

When it rains, it pours...

5 Months Old

On Saturday, February 2nd, our little sunshine turned 5 months old. Man, oh man, where has all the time gone. She is almost a half a year old now. Can you believe it? She is rolling over a little from her tummy to her back and today she rolled over from her back to her tummy. Yeah! She is getting so big. She is still just on milk and no cereal or anything yet. She still has no desire for anything yet. The ped doctor said last month not to worry about it and when she was ready we would know it. So, until then she will just be a Mommy's girl!

Snow Day!

I can you believe all of the snow that we got in just a short 24 hour period. We got about 6 1/2 inches here at the house. When Brent traveled to work this morning he stated that the visibility was non-existant. He had to pull his truck over several times to let the snow let up a little. Besides not being able to see, the snow plows had not been out yet, and either had anyone else so there were no other tire tracks to travel in. While he battled the snow, Josie and I currled up by a warm fire and stayed in our jammies all day long.

If Josie and I had to go out today, I can bet she would hate it. This photo was taken several weeks ago. I can just hear Josie now saying "I can not put my arms down!"

Next, year perhaps we will have to play in the snow and go sledding. Until then, we will just stay warm.