Funny Pics

Sunday night Jim and I thought it would be funny to take an "I'm surrounded by women (including 2 female canines)" picture. There were 2 shots featured above and below. Louie is secretly the devil.
We had been focusing on getting Hannah to stay still while taking the pictures- so we cracked up when we looked back at the picture and saw Jack's expressions.

Who knows what was going through that little munchkin's mind. Haha. We also loved how she had her leg up on the beanbag chair (the luxurious lavender monster) and was balancing her sippy cup on her knee! She cracks me up.

End of Weekend

As you can see, Jax attended school today. I would imagine that right about now, she is perfecting her moves to "We are the Dinosaurs" or "Bumblebee." Or she is learning how to decline offers with a "No, thank you." In any event, see those shoes? They are size 5.5. I suspect they are a bit big, but I want to make sure I stay on top of this size progression. She has been wearing a size 5 for over 6 months now... I think it's time.
Below please find Hillers. Lincoln and Will came over to play yesterday and, true to form, Hillary was grumpy as hell. Evidently, she still doesn't like hanging out in large groups. Like father, like daughter.
But Jax had the time of her life playing balloons with Lincoln and talking baby talk to Will. She is so good with little kids. I love it.

Jackal's 2nd Bday Party

I didn't charge our little video camera, but I assure you that the song strongly echoed last year... considering mainly the same people were in attendance (sans a few relatives due to college, work, and surgeries).
Below we have Hillers.

Above we have another crowd shot and below we have Jackers post-party making her sister smile.
Below we have cousin Con-man and Jack-monster dining on various delicacies.
Below we have Grandma Debbie, who supplied the delicious baked ziti and taught Jim and I how to make meatballs in a crockpot.
Brobie- the cake that I am happy I never will have to see again. Note to self: Avoid cream cheese icing. Stick with vanilla.
This is Jackers pre-party. Turns out she heard us talking about Santa and knew she had presents to open, so she spent most of the party worried that Ho-ho would be coming. She kept saying to cousin Jill, 'No Ho-ho.'
Jax and Dada.
My beautiful birthday girl.
She received awesome gifts: baby doll, animal legos, play doh, groceries & cart, a table & chair set, DVD, animal magnets, books and more. She is in heaven.

Photo Dump

See this shirt? It's Jax at 9 months with her beloved grandmother (Mom, I'm not taking this one down. I love it). Remember that shirt.
Below is a photo of Jax at about 4-5 months (same age as Hilly now)
Hilly is below. But what is adorable and awesome is that Hilly is wearing a shirt at 5 months that Jax wore at 9 months!! (Ahem, today would mark her 5 month birthday to those of you keeping track as closely as I am...). She is definitely liking her jumparoo more and more. I think she just pooped. After this post, I will be elbow deep in a blow out.
NOTE: The shirt. Also note that Hilly's socks are falling off. Oops.
Today Jack is wearing pigtails for the first time. She was psyched to show Dada her new hair.

I can't believe that these are both Jax. She is so big!!!!

Earthquake, Etc..

Remember that earthquake this summer? The daycare asked that we pick up the kids early if possible (which I was more than happy to do) and I immediately documented Jackie's survival. I think she looks so cute in her little brown shorts.

After Jax goes to bed, I pick up the playroom. Sometimes I come across the funniest things. Looks like Jackie's baby doll is using the bumbo that Hilly so despises!
Below is a pic of Hilly in Jackie's Halloween onesie from yesterday.
And lastly, we have Jax's post-earthquake temper tantrum from last summer. This was a silent protest. What I wouldn't give these days for a silent protest!!

Random Old Shots

This cold weather got me reminiscing. These pics are from July of 2010- Jax's first beach trip. In the photo below, she had lemonade for the first time. The sign said 'fresh squeezed.' Jim felt this was false advertising and refused to partake. Jackie and I loved it. It was so cute to watch her taste it from a straw.
Below is a shot of Jackie from January 2010 in the hospital. We brought this 0-3 month outfit because everyone told us what a huge baby we would have. Blessed be the woman who naturally bore a baby able to wear a 3 month outfit.
On that note, today Hillary at 5 months is sporting Jackie's "My First Halloween" onesie. Jackie wore this at 9 to 10 months. Jim and I are wondering if Jackie was just that small, or Hilly is just that large.

New Table

For Jack-monster's 2nd birthday, Grandma Debbie hooked her up with a brand new wooden table and chairs. Dada put it together Saturday night and most of Sunday was spent dining in the playroom. She has been serving us coffee ("boppy") with wreckless abandon. She fills the cups at the kitchen sink. I taught her "cheers," but when we go to clink coffee mugs, she pretends to pour the contents of her mug into mine. It's so cute- I'll take it.
Dada even set the table for breakfast before Jax saw it. He may have been more excited than her. Please note the fruit bowl in the center of the table.

Below, please find Hillary strengthening her core muscles through jumparoo time. Also, she's been growing a pretty serious faux-hawk as of late and I kind of love it. It compliments her animal-theme pajamas.

Snow Day

We put Jack's snow clothes (sans her good winter coat which is at school) over her PJs today so she could go out with Dada to see the snow. Please see Hillers using beanbag chair in background.

She liked looking at it and saying "No!!!!" (meaning "Snow!!!") and banging on the window while Dada was shoveling..
But she wanted to come in quickly because it was too cold - she didn't want to touch it.
Can you blame her? Snow is the worst.

Doctor Visits

Before we get to the nitty gritty, it's time to give you a brief update. Above is a photo of Jax sleeping last night. In honor of Jack's 2nd birthday, my friend generously (and unnecessarily) donated to the Sierra Club and, in return, Jack received a stuffed seal which she calls her "puppy." I googled it- a baby seal is a "pup." Another sign Jax is a genius.

On the contrary, see below for how nap time went today...
This nap time occurred after her 2 year wellness visit this morning. The wait is over- the stats are in.

Weight: 24 pounds (15-20 percentile) We are up from 5th percentile!!!
Height: 32.5 inches (15th percentile) At least she's proportionate!
Head: blank. I guess the head measurement stops at this visit. Crying shame.

Below is a photo of her at this visit. She was weighed on a big kid scale and measured by standing against the wall. She was terrified. But no vaccines this visit. The doctor said she can stop drinking whole milk and she appears to be in perfect health. She screamed bloody murder during the exam, which he said happens until they turn 3.
Below is Hillers at HER appointment yesterday for the slight flat spot on the side of her head. Thankfully, she doesn't need a helmet. But I have to keep her off that side as much as possible, so I held her in the bjorn carrier almost all day and I am beat.
Jackie's friend's mom from daycare emailed me today. Jack's little friend said to her mom this morning, 'I want a ponytail like Jackie's!' Yes, this friend speaks in full sentences. We all develop at our own pace!!!

Sisterly Love

Jackie gets so excited when we put Hilly in the exersaucer or jumparoo and she can play with her.

She also loves to give hugs and try to pick up Hilly from the Bumbo seat (which Hilly is growing accustomed to, thankfully). Doesn't Hillary look so comfortable? Haha

Hannie gets jealous and always wants to be included. She LOVES baby dolls as much as Jackie. It is so annoying.

And below is a pic Jim snapped of me and my girls. :)