Jane: 11 Months!

I'm so incredibly late on this post. Jane has been 11 months old for nearly 2 weeks already. Since we're leaving for our trip Friday I figured I better get this post up or she'll be 1 year old. 

Jane turned into quite the clapper over the past month. We went to a puppet show that Hailie and Seth were in and she started clapping like crazy. It was so cute and she does it all the time now. I especially enjoy it when she claps for herself after doing something. She even began clapping on cue which has been fun. 

Besides clapping Jane has also begun giving high fives and even fist bumping on occasion. Sometimes she gives us a high five and when we get excited about it she then claps too. Adorable. 

At the start of the month Jane started standing for longer periods of time and even began squatting down, pick something up, and then stand up again. As seen in a video I previously posted she also started pushing things around all over the place which led to her first steps at 10 1/2 months! (also mentioned earlier)

We also had a big month in the teeth department. THREE more teeth made an appearance. Her upper central incisors as well as her left bottom central incisor. That makes SEVEN teeth! Number eight should be here anytime now. 

Jane's sleep has improved so much over the last month. She was still waking up around 2 am but now if she wakes up it is usually around 5 am and then she goes back to sleep for a couple hours. There have been numerous days where she's slept past 7 without waking at all. I'd sort of given up hope that this would ever happen but then it did. I can't count on it but it's amazing and we're getting there so I'm thrilled. 

After months of little interest Jane now loves her sippy cup and does really well with it. She gets so excited when you give it to her and it can help ward of crying and buy yourself a few minutes to take care of something. She wants to feed herself all the time too are will barely be spoon fed. It's crazy how fast she's turning into a toddler. 

One of my favorite things is our "So Big" game. We say "How big is Jane" and she throws her arms up in the air and we say "So Big". Every now and then she will randomly throw her arms up and look at you like "are you going to say it????" Love this little lady. 

 We absolutely adore our funny, goofy, silly thing and we are so happy she's part of this family. It's amazing watching her personality shine through and see her love for her sister grown more and more every day. We love you Jane Everly!

Deanna Rose

In April, Deanna Rose Farmstead opened up for the season and we were very excited! We've been a couple times already and we've had a great time. On nice days the place gets pretty busy so we haven't attempted any of the "extras" like giving baby goats bottles, horseback riding, wagon rides, etc., but one of these days when Kevin can go we will definitely have to do some of that stuff. 

Showing Maddie the chickens

In the meantime Anna is enjoying just looking at most animals and letting goats eat out of her hand. 

Jane lounged in style since I decided to bring the big jogging stroller this particular trip. 

We had met up with some friends this day and Anna and Ethan had fun being silly in the grass.

Silly girl!

Jane finally fell asleep and we decided to take a snack break. I wish someone would push me around while I slept sometime. 

After our friends left and Jane woke up, the toddler play area had cleared out some so I let both girls crawl around for a bit. They were having such a great time.

I love this picture. I just wish Anna didn't look quite so sad. She was smiling until she saw me about to take a picture. Silly girl.

We need to go back but we've had pretty busy weeks so there have only been a few days with nice weather we've been able to go. Rhyme Time at the library has ended for the summer and only one week left of playgroups for at least a few weeks so we will definitely be going back pretty soon. I love taking the girls here. It's free most days (unless you do "extras" and even then it's reasonably priced) and there is so much for the girls to see and it wears Anna out which is always a good thing. Can't wait to go again!

Garden City

We finished up April with a road trip to Garden City, Kansas for James and Michelle's engagement party. We hit the road abut 4:30 pm after Kevin got off of work. Some sleeping happened but by the time we arrived at 11:30 pm everyone was pretty tired. It was a little interesting having all of us sleeping in the same room and Anna in our bed but we managed to ger some sleep 

We snagged a late check out and since the party wasn't until the afternoon we had time to do a little swimming in the hotel pool. It was the first time the girls have been swimming together so that was pretty fun.

Gama and Gampa were at our hotel and stopped by so we actually have a picture of all of us!

A little snooze before getting ready for the party. 

The party was at Michelle's parent's house and it was such a lovely day for an outdoor party. Anna had a blast exploring outside and was just busy busy busy. 

Jane enjoyed herself too. They had several birds and Jane absolutely loved them and was squawking away. 

The food at the party was AMAZING and the cake was delightful. We had such a great time meeting Michelle's family and we look forward to seeing all of them again in just a couple months for the wedding. 

The happy couple!!!

Jane just climbing on Mommy. 

We had decided to head back that night rather then staying another night so we could have our Sunday at home. Things were just going so-so before we stopped for dinner. 

Rest stop!

After this break things didn't go that well. Jane and Anna finally fell asleep but then we had to take a bathroom break which woke her up. I nursed her and changed her and we were on the road again but at soon as we got on the highway our car gave us a 'low tire pressure' warning. Not knowing where the next stop was we turned around to get some air. All this disruption made it difficult for Jane to go back to sleep and eventually her crying woke Anna up. With the almost hour delay we knew we weren't going to make it back to Olathe so we made the decision to stay in Topeka. Things were calmer once I let Anna watch more shows on my phone but once we arrived to Kevin's Mom and Dad's things took a turn. Anna was so overtired and threw a massive tantrum over us turning off her show. Eventually the girls made it to bed but it was well after midnight before Kevin and I finally managed to crawl into bed.  All that driving was pretty tough on the girls. Ironically we didn't end up getting back home until late afternoon but at least everyone got good naps that day. I guess that's the way it goes when you travel with kids!

Those 9 month pictures

We had Jane's 9 month photo session with Glass Lantern Photography at the beginning of April. It was a few weeks late but I was hoping for outdoor photos and we were in California so this was the best we could do for timing. 

 

We were doing morning pictures and it was still pretty chilly when we headed out to the lake. We had a rough beginning so we used the time to get some of each of us with Jane which we hadn't really done since her newborn pictures. 

An outfit change and a stool to stand up on turned things around and we started getting some smiles. 

Happy girl!

Love those smiles!

I didn't feel like trying hard for photos of the girls and while I was glad I had no expectations there were a couple pictures that I love anyway. 

Anna making Jane laugh

The best family photo we've managed yet!

Our little cutie pie!

Anna was off playing in the flowers while we tried for a picture of just Mommy and Daddy with Jane. 

Love this girl so much. 

Can't believe that our next session will be Jane's 1 year session. The days do seem long sometimes but the years most definitely go by fast. 

Earth Day and Silly Girls

The Parents As Teachers program we are a part of held an Earth Day event earlier in April that we were able to go to. I wanted to go last year but it didn't work out so I was glad we made it. The girls had a blast!

There were all kinds of activities to do from climbing in large box houses, threading pool noodles, "fishing", painting with water, and more. There were rabbits, ferrets, a hairless rat (yuck), and a newt the kids could pet too. 

Lots of fun stuff and many great ideas for things to make at home. There was also a fire truck and the kids were able to climb around inside. 

And outside too. 

One afternoon Anna decided to share her lunch with Jane. Anna loved sharing and Jane thought it was pretty hilarious to have food put in her mouth. 

We went to a birthday party for a playgroup friend and Anna loved the birthday hat (after we got home of course). She was pretty dirty from playing at the park and I managed this goofy picture before taking a bath. 

Jane's been cruising all over the place. She even took a step the other day! Kevin had come home early from work and he was pretty excited that he was home for it and that it was to him!

 She hasn't done it again but based on how she's pushing things like the laundry basket all over the house she will be walking before we know it. A little video to show you what I mean. If she has open space she'll go across the entire room!

More March Stuff

I was sorting through pictures and thought I'd put a few more up to wrap up the month. I intended to go through my phone and upload pictures but I just can't seem to get to it.

There is a group of ladies that I've met through playgroups and we've been getting together every so often for a Mom's night out. At the beginning of March we turned it into a baby celebration since Rebecca (far right) was due with her daughter the next week. We had such a great time and I love our nights out. We have another one planned for the beginning of May and it will be to celebrate Amanda having her second baby boy the next week. 

Me, Amanda, Meg, and Rebecca

This is from when Jane was just starting to really stand. The diaper box was the perfect height and we still have the box out since she loves it still. 

Anna has been really into building blocks lately. She often asks in her adorable little voice "Do you want to build blocks with me for a little bit?" with the "little bit" raising up really high. We just bought some nice wooden blocks and she's been getting into those. All she wants to build with them is a hospital though and then that turns back into playing doctor and giving check-ups. 

I was over at my parents house one day and I plopped Jane down next to Seth. Typically Seth doesn't really pay much attention to the girls unless he thinks they are going to chew or slobber on something of his. Every now and then he gets interested (he likes it when they laugh at what he is doing and will play along but other then that the don't exist.) This particular day Seth was okay with it and gave me a series of pretty funny pictures. 

We have broken out the wagon a few times and it's fun now that Jane can ride in it too. 

I thought it was cute that Anna wanted to haul Jane around for a little bit. 

Kevin's older brother James proposed to his girlfriend in March and they will be getting married this July. We're so excited for James and can't to welcome Michelle to the family!

James and Michelle

We were in town one weekend to celebrate Gama's birthday. Kevin and his Dad randomly decided to pull out Twister and we got a kick out of watching them play. 

Uncle Joe was in town that weekend and the girls had fun hanging out. 

We also went out for lunch the next day and had fun trying to get a picture with Gama and all the girls. It was tough to pick a favorite but I really like this one. 

Gama and her girls