Eating

NO PEAS PLEASE!

Over the last few weeks, Brent and I have watched Josie very closely to watch for different feeding cues. She has went to having no interest at all to having some. I would try to feed her some rice cereal or peas as in what is in the photos above. She would swat at me and refused to open her mouth. But over the last week, she has started to open her mouth to eat. She likes rice cereal. What a big girl!

Again, our little girl is not so little anymore.

Moving Gal (kind of)

First, comes rolling over.

Second, comes eating rice cereal.

Third, comes CRAWLING.

Josie has been perfecting her rolling over skills for some time and has recently started eating more rice cereal. I think she likes it now. So now it is time to start doing the unthinkable, CRAWLING. Josie first started to do baby push ups. She would push up on her arms and then get up on her toes pressing her baby booty up in the air lifting her tummy off the ground. I think she was doing baby yoga. It was and still is really cute. Once, she pushes up with her arms, she tends to scoot. The direction is not the way she wants to go, but she is moving. She moves backwards instead of forwards.

However, over the last few days things have changed. She does not just do baby yoga, but now gets up on her knees and rocks back and forth. That is right on her knees and rocks. Can you believe it. She wants to start crawling really bad. She still moves backwards, but it is a start.

What does that mean for Brent and I? First, it means that our little girl is growing up. Second, it means that it is time to fully baby proof the house. Yuck! I started it a little while ago, when I would watch my nephew. But now since before summer Josie will be crawling I know it, I must do everything. So, since I am starting to Spring clean the house really good baby proofing is underway.

Our little girl is not so little anymore.

Josie doing her baby push-ups and yoga.

Josie starting to get the hang of getting up on her knees.

Josie up on her knees and rocking back and forth.

Date

Josie had her first official play date this afternoon with someone other than her beloved cousin. Today, we ventured over to play with Josiah. He is only about a month old, so there was not a whole lot of playing going on, but Josie still loved being around him. I wanted to get some photos of this joyous occasion, however I did not get the chance. When we first arrived, we ate our lunch so that it would not get cold while the little ones played. By the time we were done, Josie and Josiah were sleepy. She fell asleep first and then by the time she woke up he was asleep. Which ultimately meant no photos. Darn! I will have to make sure we take the photos first next time. We are playing on having these play dates often, so don't worry there will be photos believe me.

The photo above was taken the other night after Josie got out of her beloved bath time. She is so silly!

Boring Week

(I love my Mommy's kisses!)

It has been almost a week since I have posted, I am so sorry. There has been really nothing new happening in our house this past week. Brent is back to school 2 days a week and we have swim lessons 2 days a week, so we are pretty busy during the evening hours.

Swim lessons are going very well. Josie has learned how to blow bubbles, well kind of. Lets just put it this way she tries. She will put her mouth in the water and even her nose at times and tries to make bubbles. It is so cute! She swim and goes underwater with no problems. When she come up out of the water she does not cry or anything. She actually likes it.

It was such a yucky day outside today with all the rain that Josie and I just snuggled up under our blanket in the rocking chair and cuddled all afternoon. It was thundering and lightning so bad that each time the thunder would crack she would jump. It was so funny!

Tomorrow, Josie has her first official play date with Josiah and she is so excited. I told her what our plans were for tomorrow and she could not stop talking about it all day. We will let you all know how that goes.

Hippity Hoppity

HAPPY EASTER!

We just want to take a few minutes to wish everyone a Happy Easter! We hope that the Easter Bunny is good to all of you.

These photos were taken last weekend, when we hopped over to see the Easter Bunny. Josie loved him! It was a little cold outside, but we quickly got our photo taken and then wrapped back up in our blanket.

Happy Bunny Day!

Aren't Josie and Jacob so cute?! Josie and Jacob are the best of friends, as you can tell. Last weekend, we hopped over to Great Grandma and Grandpa's since the Easter egg hunt we went to was canceled due to snow. Yes, snow. So, we just had some good old fun on our own. I think it is so cute how they simply just pose for the camera.

We also want to wish Jacob, Jamie, and Jason happy travels as they venture far, far away by train for Spring Break. We hope the Easter Bunny finds you where you are.

I love this photo!

How Cute Am I

We just love our new camera. It is hard not to take photos all the time. Last night at swim lessons, Brent took around 60 pictures. We are out of control, but with a baby as cute as she is we can not help it.

Next Olympic Swimmer

This week Josie started taking swimming lessons. That is right swimming lessons. Other than the water being a little to cold for her liking, she does very well. Last night at lessons the water was even to cold for my liking. She instantly started to scream when we got in the water because it was not warm enough for her, but stopped soon after. Her lips turned a little blue and by the end of the lesson her lips started to quiver. She kicks her feet, moves her arms, and even swims under water! What a natural! We take lessons twice a week and she is making friends. Who would not want to be her friend, she is so funny and always happy. Here are a few of our swimming photos.

Moving arms

Just came up from swimming under water.

Kicking feet.

Got to cold when taken out of the water to jump in.

WATCH OUT AMANDA BEARD HERE I COME!

You Make The Decision...

Ok, after fighting a cold now for 6 days I want all of you to take a very close look at the following photos. Can you tell me whether you think Josie is feeling better or not?

She is not 100% feeling better, but she is working on it as you can see from the photos.

Baby's First Cold

It has been a rough last few days. Starting on Friday evening, Josie started not feeling well. A Mommy knows when her child does not feel well. By Saturday, she was ill. Josie has developed her first cold. She is always smiling, talking, playing and enjoying everything that she does. However, she would not do any of that. Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday were rough on all of us here in the house. No one likes being sick. It was rough on me not being able to help Josie feel better. We are trying everything we can think of to kick this cold in the butt. The humidifier is going, Vicks nightlight is plugged in, playing in a steamy bathroom is happening, everything that we can think of. We are monitoring Josie closely to make sure that her cold symptoms do not worsen, but as of today they are getting better. We hope that by this weekend she will be back to herself. Today, she was pretty much back to her same old self, but still had a slight runny nose and cough. Doctors don't treat colds, so we are doing the best we can with what we know. We have made it 6 months without a cold, so I think we are doing pretty well.

Gift

What do you get a 52 year old male that has everything that he needs and if he wants something just simply goes shopping and buys it himself? Tough one, huh. That is what we pondered on before my father's birthday. However, I think we came up with the perfect gift. For his birthday all of us kids went and had our photos taken by Moments Captured by Rachel. That was his gift, family photos. He loved it! He liked his gift so much that he started to cry, which in turn made all of us cry. He said it was the best present he could have received. We were so glad that he loved the gift. Here are a few of our birthday photos for him.

Party Time

On Saturday night, we went over to my dad's house to celebrate several different birthday. My dad's birthday is March 16th, Jason's birthday is March 23rd, and Jamie's birthday is April 3rd. We had one party and celebrated all three birthdays. We had a wonderful evening with lots of fun.

New Camera

Friday night, Brent and I ventured out to a local electronics store and bit the bullet and bought a new camera. We purchased a digital slr camera. It had quite the hefty price tag, but we knew we would get our moneys worth out of it. I have not had that much time to play around with it yet, because it does a crap load of things. Such as has 20+ picture modes. It takes 3 pictures per second. And can change from color to black and white photos. It was a big jump from my 3.2 megapxals to 10.1 megapixals. The details on the photos are crazy when you zoom in. Here are just a few photos with our new toy.

Playing

I know it has been a few days since I have posted, but things here have been pretty busy and lets just say crazy. On Friday, Jacob spent the day with Josie and I. We had a blast. We went for a mile walk, baked PaPa a birthday cake, and played with all of Josie's toys.

We went on our walk and when we got back home Jacob was asleep, however Josie was wide awake. I was able to finally get Josie to fall asleep. I was so relieved to have both children asleep so I thought. When I walked into the living room much to my surprise Jacob was now awake. That is my luck. So, Jacob and I enjoyed some lunch while Josie slept. He ate more for lunch than I did. That little pig. I gave him an entire peanut butter and jelly sandwich and some Graduates veggie chips and he ate that like it was just a snack. What a growing boy. After a while, I told him that there was no way he could still be hungry and let him out of the high chair to play. He was kind of upset with me for a little bit, but he got over it fast. By the time we were done enjoying lunch, Josie was awake again and ready to play. So much for Jacob's typical 2 - 2 hour naps like Jamie says he takes.

Jacob helped me make Papa's birthday cake. He had fun.

Lets just say those two fought off naps all day and really gave me a workout.

Back To Work

Today was a very hard day for both Josie and I. Today marked the first day that I have gone back to work in the last 7 1/2 months. Yes, 7 1/2 months. Josie is only 6 1/2 months old, but I was off for a full month before she was born. It was so difficult to get out of bed at 6:30 AM this morning. It has been a very long time since I have had to get up that early. Josie usually sleep in until around 8:30 AM, so I don't get up until about that time either. I am only going back to work part-time, but still it was rather difficult. I am only going to work on Brent's days off, so I need to find a sitter. Thank goodness, because there is only a select few people I would trust with my little angel. No one besides Brent and I have ever watched Josie. Since she has been born we have not left her with anyone. It is not that I do not trust some people, I just can not leave her. Can you tell I have some separation issues? This was the first time I have ever been away from Josie for more than a hour or two. I thought Josie would be sleeping when I left so that it would be easier for me to leave, but not this morning. She had a feeling I was leaving a was up when I left. I was did pretty well on the way to work. However, mid-morning I called home to see how things were going and I could hear her blabbing and all of a sudden I lost it. I was ready to come home. I cut my phone call short with Brent, because I could not listen to Josie talk without crying. I quickly hurried home after work to see my sunshine and she was happy to see me. Brent said when she got up she kept looking for me like she always does when she doesn't know where I went. She always has to know where I am or else she will cry. Then she started to say "Ma Ma, Ma Ma" like she always does. That made me happy and sad all at the same time. I survived my first day back, so the rest will be easier right?!

This is Josie when she saw that I was home for the night!

Out For A Stroll

It was so nice outside yesterday that Brent, Josie, and I soaked it all up. We went on a walk, played in the yard, and thought about how we can not wait until Spring is officially here so that we can swing outside and have lots of fun. Josie enjoyed the stroller ride, but after a few minutes she could not take it anymore and fell asleep. However, she looked so cute all day long. Here are a few photos of our cool baby.

(Ha! Ha! You have to push me and I get to ride.)

(The walk kicked her butt.)

6 Months Doctor Appointment

Today, we ventured to the doctors office for Josie's 6 month appointment. Can you believe it 6 months?! All went well. Josie is growing like a weed. She is now a whopping:

height - 23 1/2 inches - 34%-tile
weight - 14 pounds 2 ounces - 12%-tile
head - 41 cm - 9%-tile

She is just about doubled her birth weight. But overall is still a little runt as you can see. Most children her age are larger than she is. The doctor asked if she was eating fruit and veggies yet and Brent and I simply just laughed. You all know cereal day did not go very well, so we decided to weight a little bit. When we told him that he understood where we were coming from. That his children were like that. He said there is no need to force the issue, which obviously we were not. That when she is ready she will let us know. They say about 15+ pounds they start gaining interest in food. They can live on and should get milk until 1 years old. That food is just a supplement.

She received the dreaded shots today. Gross. She got a total of 3. 1 in one leg and 2 in the other. When the nurse stuck her with the first one she did not know what to think at first and looked at the nurse funny, then me, and then Brent. Then all of a sudden she stuck out her lower lip and started to wail. Tears started to poor out of her eyes and before long my eyes started to water. Man, do I hate it when she has to get shots. As soon as I picked her up she just snuggled up against me. I love it when she is like that. The rest of the day today she was a little fussy. She just snuggled all day until she fell fast asleep around 7 tonight. What a worn out little girl. She had a very hard day, with only a 15 minute nap all day.

We will go back to the doctors now when she is 9 months old. This appointment will be great because it does not involve any needles. Which means no crying for both baby and mommy.

Full Of It...

When Josie decided to do her little business in the bath tub when she was itty bitty we laughed so hard that we about wet ourselves. It was one of the funniest things ever. We wished that we had it on video to send in and win us some money on America's Funniest Videos. Well,...I think Josie out did herself today and put her little potty tub time to shame. Before I begin I have to worn you that this may perhaps make you do what she did.


Josie was having such an excellent day. She had taken about a 15 minute nap in her beloved swing when she woke up and was talking and smiling. Being a good Mommy that I am, I took her out of the swing so that we could read a book. When I picked her up she was soaking wet. Her diaper had not held all of the pee pee while she was sleeping and had soaked out of the sides. Her diapers are still a little to big for her and this happens often. So, what was I to do, but to change her clothes and diaper. She woke up this morning with a small diaper rash. This is very common because she slept last night from 8 PM to 5 AM. What a good girl! So need less to say her diaper this morning was full to the max. So, while I got her a new pair of close I layed her on a towel infront of the fireplace to air things out and help get rid of that stink'n diaper rash. I hate taking her to the doctors with a diaper rash. However, it never fails she always has a small one when we go. All sounds good so far right?! Not for long. She was playing nude on her tummy having a good time, so I just simply let her play for a while until...the unthinkable happened. She let out a loud fart. Funny, huh! Lets just say it stunk really bad. At that point, I knew I was going to regret putting her on the floor bare butt. I quickly went for a diaper, because I had a bad feeling. I must not have moved quickly enough. Next thing I know I heard the same noise but 10 times worse. She had dropped a bomb of all bombs. It was everywhere. The cream colored towel was coated as well as Josie. It was running down her legs. Yuck! What was I going to do. I quickly tried to use a baby wipe to clean her up, but it was everywhere. When I stood her up it was all down her chest. Now, how am I going to take care of this she is coated and so was the towel. I used what clean areas there were on the towel and wiped what I could off and then held her from underneath her arm pits and ran to the bathroom and put her in the bathtub. I had no other option. It was gross. She just smiled at me. What a little brat!

Brent asked me if I took pictures or video taped it before cleaning up and no I did not. It was a matter of how am I going to clean this up before it gets worse. I could just see her putting her hands in it or rolling over and such.

Let me just simply say it was a very eventful day with lots of funny memories.

Application Process

The time has come to start getting back into the swing of things and I am not liking any of it. As most of you know I have a degree in Elementary Education, but have yet used it other than to do some substitute teaching. I have been out of work with Josie for the last 6 months and the time has come to start thinking about the upcoming school year. I am updating the resume, references, and all of the other paperwork needed to apply for a position. It brings tears to my eyes thinking of going back to work and having to leave my little angel with a sitter. I keep telling myself whatever was meant to be will happen. God has a plan and if he wants me to go back already then he will make it happen, if not home I will stay with Josie. Either way, I will be happy.

I am going back to work to do some substitute teaching any day now. I have a job lined up for next week already. So, what is Josie going to do when I go back? Daddy is off that day, so he will spend some quality time with her. I am only going to sub when Brent is off of work, so it will work perfectly. I know that my first day back will be rough, but I have to do it sometime. Right?! I feel it is better to get broke back in slowly rather than all at once, such as not working until I get a job in the fall.

I will keep you posted on my first day back.

Uneventful

Sorry, that there has not been a new posting in the last few days, but things in our house has been pretty uneventful.

Thursday, we went and had the dreaded taxes done. Well, hey it beats getting into trouble from the government. We went camera shopping afterwords. We have our eye on a wonderful camera, but of course it was out of stock. So, perhaps they will get one in this upcoming week. We watched my wonderful nephew Jacob for a few hours. He simply just cracks us up. Gotta love him!

Friday, we just hung out at Debbie and Terry's while they worked on processing deer meat. While the boys worked Josie and I watched free cable. Gotta love it!

Turning Point

Today, marked a turning point of a new page in Josie's life. Today, we tried the unthinkable...Josie's first taste of real food. That is right something other than her wonderful Mommy's Ta Tas. Well, kind of. It was diluted down Baby Rice Cereal. Lets just say it was interesting and funny.

We go back to the doctor next week for Josie's 6 month appointment and I know he is going to ask me how the feeding is going. Since, we talked about putting her on cereal last time. He had stated that around 6 months she will probably be ready for it. So, since Brent was off today we gave it a try. Is Josie ready for food? Well, kind of. Throughout the last few weeks her interest has increased. When we sit at the table to eat dinner she watches us very closely. She does not reach for our eating utensils when she is sitting on our laps, but she has a close eye on us. We just wanted to give it a try that way we can discuss the issue with the doctor next week. He may suggest that by the time we go back when she is 8 months to have her on something else by then, who knows.

Josie did know what to think of the entire situation this morning. We would put the spoon in front of her and she would just look at it not even open her mouth. After a little bit, she would open her mouth. However, once the cereal went in, out it went again. She mad funny faces and even spit it all out at one point that made a mess everywhere. Overall, it was a fun experience that we captured all on the video camera. She really did not get that much cereal if any I don't think. Perhaps we will try again tomorrow. The doctor said that when we first tried only to give it to her once a day in the mornings and only 1 tablespoon.



As far as the pictures, I am very disappointed. As all of you know we are looking for a new camera, because ours has a 3-4 second delay. So, lets just say that the pictures would have been a lot better if we had a new camera. Don't worry we are thinking about going and getting one either this week or next.

Have a wonderful day!

6 Months Old Already

What do you get when you cross a baby who can roll over and eat her feet? A 6 month old Josie. Wow, has the past 6 months flew by. Our little girl is already 6 months old. Can you believe it? It seems like yesterday that Josie was just born. Before we know it, she will be one and then two and so on and so on. To celebrate her 6 month birthday, we enjoyed the 72 degree weather (that is what our home thermometer stated) by spending a little time outdoors getting some much needed fresh air. I was dying to go on a walk, but it was way to muddy outside to take the stroller out. Could you imagine if I did and got the stroller stuck? That would have been a site to see though.

I tried to take a picture about the same pose as last month so that we could compare, but they did not turn out quite the way I was wanting. However, they are still cute!