Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to you all! Our Jenna certainly has been a good girl (see first picture, hat). We are very blessed and are enjoying time with our families. We hope that you all have a blessed and happy holiday season with family and friends. Joy to the world, the LORD is come!

28 weeks

28 weeks. Aren't those cherub cheeks just begging to be kissed?!

This may be the last "weeks" picture. Somehow I just can't see myself doing this for 52 weeks. Although I got the idea from someone who did. And I'm sure that I wouldn't make it 52 weeks for any siblings that Jenna may have. It's getting harder and harder to get a pose. Those blocks are just so interesting even when she has her own in her hand.

Jenna's new thing this week is that she found Daddy's ears. Foods she has eaten include: rice cereal, green beans, avocado, and sweet potato. The green beans, avocado, and sweet potato have all been prepared and pureed by me. It's fun using the blender that we have and never use. Then I freeze the puree in ice cube trays which make the perfect portion size. In my freezer I have bags of green, orange, tan, and pinkish ice cubes which are actually green beans, sweet potatoes, bananas, and pears.

Uncontrollable Laughter

If you don't smile or laugh at this one, something's wrong. This was the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Every time Grant bounces, Jenna laughs. Must be hilarious to a six-month old. Which makes it funny to us. What cuties!

27 weeks

Looks like I need to find a new pose - one where she can't reach the blocks! It's amazing that just a few weeks ago, she could care less about those blocks and now she is so curious and can grab and pick them up. Her new trick this week is shaking her head "no" although she doesn't associate that shaking her head that way means "no."

Last night was the Wind Ensemble Christmas concert. It didn't start until 8pm but I decided to see how long Jenna would last. One part of the concert was an audience sing along to carols. Jenna had a great time with that and was "singing" along. Poor girl doesn't understand a "cut off" though and just kept singing a couple extra notes. It was VERY cute. Daddy heard her from on stage and started laughing. We had to leave shortly after (8:41pm) because she wanted to keep participating. Luckily, Kevin suggested that we could come to the dress rehearsal the night before that started at 7pm. So we had seen/heard everything in rehearsal mode. Why must the concerts start at 8pm?

6 Months Already?!

Daddy got Jenna her first roses for her 6 month birthday. She loved the crinkly wrapping just as much as the flowers!

What a priceless gift this girl is to us!

So hard to believe that our girl is 6 months old already! And she has accomplished so much in 6 months. What if we could always accomplish as much as babies do in their first 6 months?! Just think what we could do!

We got her 6 month pictures taken at Target over Thanksgiving and they did an INCREDIBLE job. Jenna was asleep when we arrived and somehow managed to stay asleep as we got her out of her carseat and into photo position. How special that we were able to get sleeping and awake shots in the same photo session. Also really special that Kevin got to be Santa! Here are a few of my favorites!

She truly has been such a good girl! I think if she could make a list for Santa it would include anything that makes a crinkly noise, paper, and clothes because she's growing so fast!

26 weeks

This week, Jenna wanted to participate in the picture! She kept grabbing the blocks so I figured, why not! She is becoming better and better at sitting up, she reaches for and grabs her toys, babbles, squeals, laughs, etc. Her cousin Grant gets the best laughs out of her and she weighs the same as he does (he's 2 months older).
She started rice cereal this week and (to our disappointment) only made one weird face with the first bite and then couldn't get enough. This is so "Jenna" as she is such an even-keel, "whatever" baby. We'll have to look forward to the possibility of weird faces with other new foods.
She LOVES the baby in the mirror. She cracks herself up! Although she's not as funny to herself as Grant. Love those rolls!

Thankful

Jenna went on her first airplane ride for Thanksgiving. She did so great! Thanks for the cute (and so appropriate) shirt, Sara Bishop! Places to go, people to see.

We were able to see both sets of parents/grandparents plus aunts, uncles, and cousins. And we were blessed to be able to get into the mountains and see snow!

25 weeks old! - What a cute snow-bunny in her snowsuit from Grandma.

So much fun with cousin Rachel!

Tubby love!

Catching snowflakes?

Katie and Rachel learning to ski.

Jenna got such a kick out of cousin Grant! The biggest belly laughs! We'll try to post video later.

So tired! Such a great trip and so many people who love this girl! We had a great time and feel very blessed and thankful.

24 weeks

24 weeks old today and suffering from her first cold that started with a slightly runny nose on Sunday evening. She is still smiley even though not feeling well. She's the happiest little sick girl! Wouldn't it be great if we could all play, smile, and laugh through our colds?! The outfit she's wearing is one of my favorites right now. Long sleeve onesie and pants. So cozy and soft - yay cotton!
Jenna and I went for a stroll last weekend, just as the sun was starting to get low in the sky. Too low for the stroller canopy to shade her face. So, we tried out the sunglasses. Still too big, but they got the job done.
She LOVES to get sideways like this in bed!!! I'm still not sure how she gets there, especially with blankets intact. I need a baby surveillance cam. There's something great about squishing her head against the bumper and kicking her feet up against the rails! We find her this way often in the morning or after naps - sideways and talking up a storm. What a great time! It always makes me laugh and swell with love for our girl!

Just when we thought we had a "last" football game, the team we would be paired with in the tournament lost. So we became the higher seed and therefore get home field advantage this Saturday. Is a band director's job ever done? Go team and band! But, now, Kevin has to miss the biggest game of the season (MICHIGAN/Ohio State) - bummer!

We're ready for Thanksgiving break and at the same time can't believe it's already next week!

23 weeks

23 weeks old today - What a big girl! Doesn't she look like Daddy? She's definitely Daddy's girl.

Last weekend we enjoyed having Papa and Mima visit.
Uncle Matt came for the last game too.

Last weekend was the last home game. The band did great with their Superheros show including Batman and Superman themes.
After each game it is a tradition for the band to sing "The Lord Bless You and Keep You." At this game, the seniors were gathered around Kevin and at the end of the song they COVERED him in Silly String. I guess that means they like him.

After half-time, Jenna needed to go home to finish the nap that she started on Papa's lap. I laid her down in her crib and after a while heard some rustling and "chatting." I went in to find her like this:
She had started out laying length-wise, in her positioner, and covered by the blankets. How did she get in this position? What a funny girl! (She apparently thinks she's funny, too!)

Things I'm wondering today:
1. Why do we have to change our clocks twice a year? Jenna is now waking up at 6:30am instead of 7:30am. (I'm not complaining, really. She's a great sleeper. But 6:30?) I guess I'll have to start going to bed earlier. Her schedule is completely off. In fact, I'm not sure she even has a schedule anymore. Keeps me on my toes I guess.

2. Why does Jenna seem to like the tags on her stuffed toys more than the toys themselves?

3. Whose idea was it to make baby clothes that have to be ironed?

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween from our little pea pod. 22 weeks old today. So, which costume is cuter? I truly can't decide. Taking votes now for which costume should greet our trick-or-treaters. Pea pod or flower girl?

Hope you're enjoying the Halloween holiday. I love to see what costumes Regis and Kelly are going to come up with. For a few weeks they've been promoting their 3-D Halloween special. So, I obligingly went out to Walgreens to get my 3-D glasses. Picture me this morning drinking my half-caff coffee, eating my breakfast, wearing my 3-D glasses, watching Regis and Kelly; while miss Jenna is playing and giving me the "What are you doing, Mom?" face. Are you really living if you can't laugh at yourself?!

Happy 5 Months Jenna!

Our girl is 5 months old today! What a cute "flower" girl. Here's the serious pose.
Finally got a smile! A big day for a 5 month old. She got to go play with other kids while Mommy was at Bible study. Then she got to go see Daddy's band practice and have lunch with Daddy. Don't worry, she didn't wear this costume all day. Just for the photo op.

She started to learn to roll on to her back from her tummy, after her nap. Then, while I was cooking dinner she did it! I missed it, but came in and watched her for a while and she did it again. So, two times she has rolled from her tummy to her back. We'll see if she keeps it up.
Tonight after dinner, Kevin carved one of our pumpkins. While I helped Jenna watch (she was fascinated) and then started on the seed drying process.

Kevin did a great job! A spooky pirate ship.

Tune in tomorrow for Jenna's other Halloween costume. (Yes, she has two. I found them at a consignment sale and they were so cheap and cute - $5 & $3; half the price of the one I was considering online. Mommy has to spoil her a little too.)

21 weeks

21 weeks and a cute dress with tights from Uncle Matt. I caught this shot an instant before she started squirming around. She's becoming more and more active every day.
We've finally had some cooler weather and it's time for the long sleeves - Yea! She truly is Daddy's girl.

Trooper

Last weekend was Homecoming and Jenna was such a trooper! We expected a lot from her and she really did great. It all started Friday evening with dinner with Grandpa and Grandma and then the carnival.

Saturday morning, we left the house at 8:15 am for the Band breakfast and then the parade at 9:30. Jenna actually slept through the parade.

Then we were off to the A Cappella concert. I was nervous when I realized that the crowd had blocked any hope of exit if she got loud or fussy. But, she did great and actually fell asleep there too.

Then we were off once again to have lunch with my girlfriends. Jenna's friend Mattie was there too, but she had to take a nap and missed the photo op. It was a nice time, but short, and then a rush to make it to the game before half-time.
We made it to the game with 10 minutes left in the 2nd quarter. Perfect timing to settle in before the half-time show.

Another great show by the band.

Jenna had fun with Grandma and even took a nap at the game. We left in the 3rd quarter so she could finish her nap at home. Then we were off again at 6:15 for dinner with family. We got home from dinner just in time for bed. What a whirlwind day!

We finished up the weekend with church, lunch, good-bye to Grandpa and Grandma, and then Jenna had her first non-family babysitter while Kevin and I went to the Homecoming Musical at 2pm Sunday.

Great weekend and great job Jenna! What a trooper! I guess a few short naps can equal the normal long one.

20 Weeks

How cute is she?!! Not much new to report. We're gearing up for a BUSY weekend!

Feel Better Grandma

Dad, Mom, Katie, and Matt were supposed to come visit this weekend. Mom got sick and so they were unable to come. Everyone was so disappointed. So, here's Jenna in her Flower costume to cheer us all up! She usually smiles when we do this dance, but of course she got camera shy.

Red-headed Cousins

Last evening we had dinner with my Dad's cousin Jane, her husband Bob; their daughter Sandy, husband Mark, and daughter Sarah; Jane's other grandchildren Michelle and Joe, and Michelle's fiance Cody.

People often ask us how Jenna could have red hair. Well, this is only part of the answer. Look at all these cousins with red hair: Jane, Sandy, Michelle, Sarah. This is only my dad's side; not to mention my mom's side, my sister has red hair, and then there's Kevin's side of red-heads. I was the only non-redheaded female there last night!

Michelle, Sarah, & Jenna

Bob, Michelle, Joe, & Jane

Sandy, Jenna, & Sarah

Dad, Mom, Katie, and Matt were supposed to come see these long lost cousins too, but Mom got sick. So disappointing! We had a great meal and heard some good stories including how my Dad's mom would go out back and kill a chicken for lunch on Saturdays and how Jane taught Michelle and Joe how to unwrap all the Christmas presents and re-wrap them so no one would know (while the rest of the family was at the movies)!