Jenna's latest tricks

This is a picture of a common occurrence in our home. Jenna pulls these pillows out and says, "Peelow Deeda" (pillow Jenna) as she gets the Michigan one for herself. And "Peelow Mommy (or Daddy)" as she gets the KU one for me or Kevin. Then she wants us to lay down and read books. She has most of her books memorized and if we leave out a word, she'll fill it in.

She has also started singing songs this past month. Some of her favorites: Jesus Loves Me, Jesus Loves the Little Children, Elmo's theme song, Brahm's Lullaby, How Great is Our God, Baa Baa Black Sheep, Twinkle Twinkle, and many songs from her Kindermusik class.

She has two new teeth that finally poked through on Saturday: the lower cuspids. That makes 14 teeth.

She does not like to wear jeans and prefers "comfy pants."

One new trick that I especially love is that she helps me put groceries away. I bring the bags in and set them on the kitchen floor. Then she unloads the bags, giving me things to put away. She usually knows what to give me for the refrigerator and what goes in the cabinets. She just started doing this 3 weeks ago without me even asking!! Today she got a little confused and insisted that the chapstick and new bath poufs be placed in the refrigerator! Funny girl!

Uncle Matt came to visit last weekend and on Sunday we were at a restaurant for lunch that had TVs. She saw an allergy commercial with a rhino that gets covered by a sheet and then uncovered again. She said, "Rhino! Rhino hiding! Peekaboo Rhino!"

One of Jenna's crayons broke several weeks ago. At that time, Kevin tore some of the paper off down to where the crayon could be used again. Today, Jenna picked up that crayon and said, "Crayon broke. Daddy did it."

Recent adventures

We are all well now, I think. Kevin had a lingering no appetite thing but I think he's better now. Jenna had fever 2 days this week, but is fine now, too.

Anyway, Wed. Feb. 11th, Kevin let us tag along to San Antonio for TMEA. We had a great time!! Jenna entertained us well during the trip and took a good nap, too. Above, she's trying out chapstick for the first time. (See "chapstick" video.) At the end she says, "I see, " which means she wants to see her picture/video. We can't take a picture any more without her wanting to see it after.

She put the dog on her head by herself and was so thrilled. Funny girl!

Jenna LOVED the River Walk. Every time a tour boat would pass she was excited and said, "BIG boat, heavy!!" The ducks were a big hit too, of course.

Daddy and Jenna at the Alamo

Mommy and Jenna at the Alamo

We got home late Friday night. We had a fun Valentines Day starting with this special gift from Daddy - a stroller for her babies (and Elmo, of course)! We had a fun lunch with our friend Mrs. Charlotte. Then Grandpa, Grandma, and Aunt Katie came and Daddy and Mommy got to have a date.
We enjoyed a nice visit with "Gama," "Gama," (she calls them both Gama) and "Katie."

Tales from the Crypt

I woke up Friday morning with a bad cold. Kevin came home from work Monday with similar symptoms only worse (add fever and stomach issues). He's been at home since then (except he had to play in a jazz concert Tuesday night). Jenna has been a trooper. So far, she's still well and has been so good (except for not napping well).

Things Jenna has said a lot during this time:

"Abudys a home!" (Everybody's at home!)
"I running!" (as she runs up and down the hall)
"I jumping!" (really she's just going up high on her tip toes and then coming back down - really cute!)

Monday afternoon we were all huddled together on the couch in our misery. Jenna was cuddled in Kevin's lap. Kevin said, "I need to go get some Tylenol." Jenna started to move to let him get up. Then you could tell she was re-thinking. She settled back in his lap, then said, "Mommy get it."

Laughter, the best medicine, right? Let's all pray that Jenna doesn't get this.