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!

Jane-5 Months

Where does the time go? It seems like she was just born but today is Jane's 5 month birthday. She is absolutely adorable and we love having her in our family. She brings us so much joy. She really is a happy and fairly easy baby.

What's new about Jane:

• Swivels around on her stomach to get to toys
  
• Pulls on her musical hanging toys or reaches for other toys that are hanging above her
  
• Loves to suck on two (sometimes just one) of her fingers
  
• Drool, drool, and more drool
  
• Refuses to eat any baby cereal or baby food
  
• Continues to sleep from about 9:30pm-7am (love it)
  
• Most days won't take a long nap but rather a few short naps
  
• Recognizes familiar people—she really lights up when she sees Dawson, Brad or I
  
• Lots of giggling and baby babbling
  
• Attempts to hold her own bottle
  
• Loves to be in a sitting up position and seeing all that is going on
  
• Is ticklish
  
• Loves peek-a-boo
  
• Loves her swing and vibrating chair
  
• Loves to be rocked to sleep
  
• Loves to be outside, especially for walks
  
• She is still a momma's girl

Easter and Spring Break

On Easter I woke up fairly early with Jane and waited and waited for Dawson to wake up. Brad woke him up at 8:30--I don't ever remember having to be woken up for a holiday growing up. We were always up extra early and I'm sure that drove my parents crazy. He enjoyed going through his fun filled basket and helping Jane go through hers. She was fascinated with her basket and just stared at it and wouldn't look at me to get a picture. Dawson then had a small egg hunt with just himself--not as exciting as an egg hunt with his cousins but he had to spend the majority of the day with his dad so he didn't have time for an egg hunt with his cousins. After Dawson took off we headed over to Brad's sisters house for an amazing brunch and a good time visiting with family and friends. Jane LOVED all the attention and she was as cute as ever all dressed up.
The afternoon we got Dawson back and headed up to Sunriver, OR with Brad's parents. We were not sure if we would make it or not due to the snowy weather. We ended up sitting on I5 right outside of Dunsmiur for 2 hours. It was NO fun at all but Jane was able to get out of her carseat and stretch. The drive to Sunriver usually takes us about 4 1/2 hours--we made it in 8 hours. We were so exhausted and sore from sitting in the car and being on edge driving in the snow. It snowed lightly on and off up there which Dawson loved.
We had a great time in Oregon as usual. I love going to the outlet's to shop. I got a couple great deals on clothes for Jane and some shoes for me. Monday we spent mostly shopping around Bend. On Tuesday we made it a fun filled day for Dawson. We headed back into Bend and took him to a fun center. We went bowling (I scored a 145 which shocked me....maybe those bumpers helped a little the first couple throws.) For whatever reason everyone had bumpers--we couldn't figure out how to change it and it just made the game all that much more fun. After bowling we went to the attached arcade and Dawson played some games and scored tickets to cash in for little prizes. We then went on their bumper cars which was a lot of fun. I love watching Dawson laughing and having a great time. After playing around town we went back to the house we were renting and Dawson went for a walk in the snow with Brad's dad. Brad and Dawson went out and kicked the soccer ball around in the snow and had a snowball fight....Dawson likes throwing snow balls just not having them thrown back at him.
Jane had an okay vacation. She didn't sleep well (she's used to her nice cozy bed not a small travel bed.) So needless to say Brad and I didn't get much sleep. She loved hanging out with Brad's mom (and I enjoyed the break from having to hold her and entertain her all the time.) I am thankful we brought her play mat up because she does love playing with her toys on there.
Our vacation didn't last long enough as usual but we were so happy to get away for a few days. We are enjoying the last couple days of spring break hanging around the house. I can't wait for summer! It is so nice having Dawson and Brad around all day.

Jane-4 Months

My sweet Baby Jane is 4 months old this coming Sunday, the 21st. Where does time go? She goes to the Doctor on Monday to see how big she really is-she looks petitie to me. I can't believe how much she is growing and changing every day. She is the most perfect and beautiful baby and I'm so lucky she is mine. (Can you tell I'm just a little bit proud? I had to wait a long time for her.)

Here are some things that Jane is doing now:
*Holds her head and neck up pretty high and can look all around when laying on her tummy.
*Trying SO hard to roll over. She can get to her side and that's about it.
*Giggles, giggles, and more giggles.
*Full of huge smiles.
*Sleeps most nights from 10:30-6:45 with one wake up for a pacifier.
*Recognizes her toys, Brad, Dawson, and I and gets so excited when she see's us.
*Loves to "talk" to anyone or just herself.
*Loves listening to music.
*Is a fan of TV and her favorite show right now is American Idol.
*Such a great traveler. We have had to take a few day trips to Vacaville and back and she has done a fantastic job
*I think she is pretty nosy-she likes to see what is going on and who is around her. She just might be a social butterfly.

I am sure I am missing some key elements of what she can do by now. It's fairly early in the morning and my mind isn't 100% awake yet.