My 6 month old baby Jane

Happy half birthday to my sweet baby Jane! (Well this Friday the 21st anyhow....I just happen to be 2 days early.)
She is such a sweet baby and I love her dearly. I can't even imagine life without her being a part of our family. She has brought us such joy (and sleepless nights and strengthening our patience....but really so much joy.) She just makes me smile when I look at her and she looks back at me with her gorgeous huge eyes and grin.
Here is what's happening with Jane now:
-Rolls over from stomach to back and back to stomach (but won't roll to get anywhere in the room.)
-Pushes her upper torso up with her hands when on her stomach.
-Loves Dawson and just beams at him
-Takes three 20 minute naps daily (usually---once in awhile we get a longer one in.)
-Sleeps most nights from 9:30-6:30 with one wake up for a pacifier or bottle.
-Holds her own bottle.
-Loves to smile at everyone.
-Can move toys from one hand to the other with ease.
-Wants to put EVERYTHING in her mouth.
-Is attempting to sit up and will sit up for a few seconds on her own before toppling over.
-Loves to stand up when you hold her upper body.
-Loves to make sounds and babble.
-Enjoys music and when people sing.
-Gives big sloppy kisses.
-Loves peek-a-boo or any interactive game/song.
-Is still a momma's girl.
-Weighs 13lbs 12oz and is 26 in long.

Dawson

Dawson loving Jane during our indoor camp out last weekend. We roasted s'mores in the backyard fire pit and then Dawson camped out in our room. He LOVED it and actually asked to go to bed which never happens.
Dawson is almost done with the 2nd grade. It seems like he was just a little baby or toddler running around. I also feel like I just took him into kindergarten--where does the time go?
He is finishing up his 3rd season of baseball and he has improved so much! He has always been able to run the bases because he has such speed. He has improved so much at catching and hitting the ball which makes for a much more exciting game. He will start up his 3rd season of soccer this fall. He gets to play on an all boy team which will be good for him. Although he did tell me he wants to play on the boy/girl team because he is always better than the girls. He cracks me up.
The other night Dawson and I were sitting in the hot tub and chatting about different things. As he is playing around and we are chatting about growing up and tells me that he knows there is a God. It was so sweet to hear his testimony and I didn't even have to prompt him! I then took a minute to bear my testimony to him. It was a special moment to me and probably one he doesn't even remember happening. I know that all the hard work of going to church, daily prayers, and scripture study are paying off!

Mother’s Day

I LOVE Mother's Day. We don't ever do anything extreme and fancy. I just like thinking that it is a day about me and celebrating being a mother. The only other day that can be somewhat about me is my birthday but as I get older that is not as exciting. Brad was very sweet to get up and feed Jane around 6:30 so that I could sleep in a little. Dawson crawled in bed for some snuggles around 7:30. I had told him that's really what I wanted for Mother's Day was for him to snuggle with me. He lasted almost a half hour which surprised me. About 8:30 Dawson, Jane, and Brad brought me breakfast in bed. Honey Nut Cheerios and a glass of OJ never tasted better! It is always a little strange eating breakfast in bed while everyone watches you. After eating I was giving my beautiful mother's day necklace from Brad and the kids. It is a silver heart with a butterfly and crushed diamonds. I had maybe left a HUGE hint that I wanted this by marking it in a catalog and leaving it open on the coffee table. They also gave me a sweet card. Dawson gave me his own present that he had worked on at school and it was so sweet. He had made a big card with a very sweet thank you and why he loved me on the inside….he included that he is thankful I do homework with him (I hate homework time so that meant a lot.) Inside was a lamenated bookmark with dried flowers and 3 handmade cards with envelopes. He had made sure to use all the colors that I love. It was very touching. He was extra full of hugs and kisses for me. Jane on the other hand decided it would be a great day to only take 2 twenty minute naps and to be a little cranky. She's still a sweet baby though.

I was also fortunate to be able to spend part of Mother's Day with my own mom. Brad made this possible by teaching my primary class at church for me. He is the greatest! It was so nice to spend some time with my mom and Mary. I still appreciate and look up to my mom more than she can possibly even know. She is one of my best friends and I am so glad that she is there for me always. I love knowing that I can call her and just tell her whatever is on my mind and she will patiently listen and give me words of advice or encouragement. Sometimes I hang up the phone with her and feel bad for talking so much but she continues to call and answer my calls so it must not be that bad!

After spending time with my mom Brad, the kids, and I went up to Brad's parents house to spend some time with his mom. She broke down and baked us cookies even though we told her not too since it was mother's day. She couldn't help it. She is a fantastic mother in law and I'm so blessed to have her in my life. In the almost 4 years that I have known her she has taught me so much. She also gives me a lot of encouragement to be a great mother.

We then went over to Mary's and had dinner. Her husband, Ben cooked a delicious dinner for us. I was very thankful because I was NOT going to cook dinner on Mother's Day which meant I would be eating most likely ravioli or cereal. Mary was also generous enough to share some of her ice cream cake with me. It was super yummy.

Race For the Cure

This last Saturday my family and I were a part of 5k Race/Walk for the Cure for breast cancer in Sacramento. My sister, Lori, had set up a team with a couple of friends and co workers. The team (Walkers for Knockers) had 50 (or more) people on the team which was awesome. It was a fabulous experience and one I hope to get the chance to do again. I think we all enjoyed it so much because my mother was there walking as a survivor with all of us daughters.
After the race we meet up with an old foster sister of mine who was also visiting some family in Sacramento. It's always great to see her, her family, and her sisters. I got to meet their daughter, Amara who was born just 5 days before Jane. What a sweet baby she is!
After meeting up with them we drove into Vacaville to Crissy's house. My cousin, Danielle, came over to visit with her 2 1/2 week old son. He was so precious and I was thrilled to finally meet him!
It was such a busy and exciting day for us!