Halloween 2012

 In the two weeks leading up to Halloween Jenna would read her Halloween books with me so by the time Halloween rolled around, Jenna was quite proficient in repeating "trick or treat, trick or treat, give me something good to eat" at every house.  Jenna was Minnie Mouse and Andrew was a gorilla.  John's class was cancelled on Halloween so he got to come trick-or-treating with us.  It was a cold night and Andrew got cold, tired, and cranky pretty quick so John took him home.  Jenna and I continued on for a little bit but she got cold too and it started raining so we headed home to check out all her candy. 

Jenna's Minnie Mouse Party

Jenna loves Minnie, so a Minnie Mouse Birthday Party it was! 

Invitations

 Minnie Ears

 Pin the Bow on Minnie

 Bean Bag Toss...last minute idea.  John made the "goals" while I made the bean bags at midnight the night before.

 Pinata

 Goody Bags

 Cake

Treat Table

  

 Andrew had fun wearing his ears and playing in the closet. 

Happy Birthday Jenna!

Jenna Dancing

Jenna must have learned how to dance while we were up in Michigan.  I think her cute cousins must have taught her.  Now, whenever there is any music on she starts dancing and she has the funniest little booty shake!  I didn't quite get the booty shake in this video but still thought it was cute.  Andrew was having fun dancing too!

Andrew is ONE!!

I am so in love with my little dude!!  And I can't believe that he's ONE!!  He is such a joy to be around.  When I think about him it just brings a smile to my face.  He is the sweetest, happiest baby.  Even this spring through his ear infections and teething, he's just been happy.  But his hugs are the best!  Andrew loves to give hugs.  And I'm not just talking about a wimpy little hug.  He is full of big bear hugs, as if he just can't get close enough.  I could hug him all day! 

Andrew decided that pacifiers are for babies and he is no longer a baby, which makes me happy because pacifiers definitely win the hide-and-seek game at our house.  I'm so glad that Andrew prefers his thumb.  Thumbs can't get lost!

We got a smash cake for Andrew but since he was teething, I think he was more interested in chomping on his fingers than eating all that sugar!  In the last six months, he's gotten his first six teeth. 

My little dude is just that...little.  He had his 1 year check up last week and measures on the small side.  We rounded his weight up to 19 lbs, which is in the 5th percentile.  And I'm not complaining one bit!  I love how little he is...he's just so cute!  I know he'll get big before I'm ready so I cherish this time while he's still little.  It makes me think he's not growing up as fast.

 

Andrew is always game for playing.  It doesn't matter what it is, he's always looking for a reason to smile and laugh.  He loves to play catch and throw balls, push around a truck, and play with the cats (not usually willing playmates!).  Andrew tries to play with Jenna all day long and they have crawling races every evening at bed time.  It's so fun listening to him laugh as they play together. 

Happy Birthday Andrew!!  We love you!!

Gainsborough Picnic

Last night was my summer work party.  BBQ, ice cream, inflatable slide, bounce house,climbing wall, and a band, all set up right the lake on the farm...you can't go wrong with that!  Forget the yummy food-even the ice cream-Jenna wouldn't leave the slide!  She loved the slide and obstacle course.  However, she wouldn't go down the slide by herself so we had to go down with her.  I think John secretly loved having an excuse to have to go down the slide! 

We tried to get a few family pictures too but Jenna and Andrew wouldn't take their eyes off the slide!!  (And I don't think Jenna has ever actually smiled for a picture.  Ever.)

Little Dude was content just hanging out while Jenna played on the slide.  He loves to watch what's going on around him.  Even though Andrew just hung out and went down the slide once he was so happy the whole time. 

Once again, another family picture attempt.  (iPhone pics...my camera died.)

Ear tubes and ER visits

What a month!!  I've been very lucky that Jenna and Andrew have always been very healthy and very happy.  But this spring has been rough!  We made 7 trips to the doctor, 1 trip to the emergency room, and 2 trips to urgent care during April and the first week of May.  That's 10 trips more than I was hoping to make.

This little dude had several (5) ear infections and we just couldn't get them to clear up.  At one point he was on antibiotics for 20 out of 27 days.  So we went ahead and did ear tubes.  He was the first surgery of the day and, since Daddy used to work there and is friends with all the doctors and nurses, Daddy was able to be with Andrew most of the time.  Andrew has been doing great since getting his tubes.  It's amazing the difference the tubes have made! 

This little girl also had a few (4) ear infections this spring.  Instead of surgery, her big excitement was an ambulance ride and visit to the emergency room.  We were playing on my bed one morning and Jenna bounced off and landed flat on her front on the floor...unconscious.  When the paramedics got here Jenna was awake and alert but when we sat her up she started vomiting so Jenna and I took a short ambulance ride to UK Hospital where she had a CT scan and X-rays done.  Everything was fine, she just had a concussion, but it sure was scary!! 

I'm ready to enjoy a fun, safe, and doctor-free summer!  I'm very grateful for my healthy, happy kids and their cute, smiling faces.  :) 

 

Easter

We went to Grammy and Poppy's house for a long Easter weekend. Saturday morning we went to the country club for breakfast and an Easter egg hunt and then went to the local feed store so Grammy could show Jenna the baby chicks. Poor Andrew had another ear infection while we were there so he wasn't feeling so good. Sunday morning Jenna and Andrew found their Easter baskets and then we went to church.

 

Sunday night Andrew was visiting friends with Daddy so Jenna had a photo shoot with Grammy.   Andrew elected to bypass the pictures when he got home.  Poor little dude still didn't feel well and was tired.