Tuesday, January 27, 2009

J Walker

The weird perspective in the first is because I'm scooting backwards on a chair. Yes, I am wearing old pajama pants from high school. Yes, Gabriella is convinced that she has to take all of her regular clothes off to dress up like a "chef."

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Oh the places she'll go!

I posted about Juliana's steps after Christmas, but since then she has been hesistant to do more than a couple steps here or there. Tonight she decided to go for it. She was walking all over the living room! I wish I had my little digital camera that does video, but its batteries were looted for Gabriella's new digital camera. I could've found the right screwdriver and stolen them back... but I decided to just enjoy the moment. You'll have to wait for a video clip.

I-La-Yooouuu

I could blog about the history making moment that we watched as a family this morning (Gabriella was impressed by Sasha and Malia's new house), but I think that will get enough coverage in its own right so I'll stick to other exciting developments...

Juliana said "I love you" unprompted for the first time today. Granted, It was all smushed together and sounded more like "I-La-Yooouuu," but still, what a special Mommy heart melting moment. Juliana started saying a few words very early, but she isn't as verbal as Gabriella was at this age. Gabriella chattered and Juliana is more one to be quiet for a long time and then pop out with something that totally shocks you (like saying "Thank You" clear as day completely out of the blue a few days ago.) Over Christmas Grandma Barb was working with Juliana on saying "I Love You" and Juliana was kinda sorta able to repeat something that sounded a bit like it... The kind of sounds you could only construe as an actual phrase if you are a Grandma or a Mom. Today Jonathan was giving Juliana goodbye kisses and after she was done kissing him and giggling she turned to me, gave me a big kiss and said "I-La-Yooouu." These girls learn how to work us early.



ps- Yep, that is a big 'ol bruise on her head. When we were in Iowa my Dad predicted that she would be getting a few of those in the near future. This is her first big head bonk... and I don't even know exactly how she got it!

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Christmas Eve

*Click for a larger view




























Sunday, January 11, 2009

What it means to be grateful

The girls and I stayed home from church today. They are still having a hard time shaking the bug they picked up right before we left Iowa. Gabriella has been requesting an early bedtime each night so I know she isn't feeling up to par.

This morning I made pancakes.
Gabriella ate her first, gave me a coy smile and said: "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"
Me: "That depends on what you are thinking."
Gabriella: "I'm thinking I want another pancake please!"
Me: "Of course"
Gabriella: "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"
Me: "Maybe. What are you thinking?"
Gabriella: "I love you!"
Me: "Yep, I'm thinking exactly what you're thinking"

Today while we were eating lunch Gabriella looked at Juliana and said: "She is SO wonderful!"
Me: "You are pretty wonderful too."
Gabriella: "Yes, we are wonderful, and we are both so grateful."
Me: "Oh? what does it mean to be grateful?"
Gabriella: "It means you are GREAT! Like when you have two daughters and they are so great you are great-ful."

I have to say, I'm pretty darn great-ful... and very very grateful.

I haven't forgotten the rest of the Christmas pictures. They will come soon.

Thursday, January 8, 2009

Santa Baby

Our trip to see Santa 12.23.08

Grandpa got one of the mall's firetruck stroller for the girls. Juliana LOVED it.

Only in small town Iowa will Santa give you a book and actually read all of it to you.

Juliana wasn't so sure about the Santa thing, but she did OK.



Grandpa is better than Santa anyway.




Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Home Sweet Home

We're home!

We had a great visit to Iowa. We were able to catch up with several friends and lots of family. It had been two years since our last visit and that is just way too long!

Unfortunately both girls were under the weather for the plane ride home. Being on a plane for 4.5 hours with a baby with a stomach bug (upper and lower) is an experience that is probably best forgotten or at least not talked about and definately not blogged about (because I think most of you would take this blog out of your links if I described it in detail.) Fortunately, the turmoil was confined to our little row of seats. Someone sitting near us even commented on how good our baby was... if she only knew...

ANYHOW, I would really like to thank my family for a wonderful trip. Thanks for all the gifts and even more for the attention that our girls were spoiled with. Thanks to Dad and Barb for letting the four of us invade for three weeks. Thanks to Barb for sneaking off and doing our laundry anytime I turned around for a second. Thanks to Dad for all the food. And... NO thanks to my sister Amy for letting me borrow her amazing Chi hair straightener and making me utterly dissatisfied with mine!


A few more Christmas/Iowa pictures will follow, but here is a sneak peek.