July Happenings

I thought that after my sister and her family left I would have more time to get things done ... not so. We manage to keep ourselves pretty busy, even without any family in town. We love it though, and now we have even more people to play with. My good friend Ellen and her daughter Julia is in town from Brazil for a while and Joe's dad and brother are in town from Costa Rica for while. We are going to have a great (and busy) summer.
Here are some documented things we've been doing this week. Went to the beach with aunt Becky.
Had a Girls Night In with some friends from church and Janey got her toenails painted for the first time (and the last if her dad has anything to say about it, "Babies don't need adornment, they are cute enough as is."). It was fun matching her outfit to her toes.

We went to Joe's sister's place yesterday to visit (his dad and brother got in that morning). Joe's sister Heather has new twin baby girls, Danny and Riley, who are now five and a half pounds each and so adorable. I stayed in the house and "helped" (read: cuddled) while Joe kept his sick germs outside with the other rambunctious kids. Janey kept wanting to hold Riley.Joe's Grandpa and Heather's daughter, Addisyn. Joe's Grandpa didn't have any pictures of Addy, so we were trying to get some good ones for him, but she was being shy.
Joe's brother, Nathanael, Addisyn, and Janey. I think they were actually playing keep away.
Finally she opens up.
Janey's first experience feeding herself with no help, other than Cheerios or something. Not much made it in her mouth, but at least the bowl didn't end up on the ground.
Sharing.
Janey came to work with me again today. We had a really good day and she was being quite social, until it came time for her nap. Luckily it was time to go anyway. She really enjoyed typing on the keyboard without anyone telling her not to.

More Family Fun

The Petersons left on Saturday and we miss them already. We got a solid commitment that they will be back every summer, so it won't be too bad. Here's what we did their last couple days here.
Went to Sea World and had a blast. My sisters, mom and I all have year passes now, so if anyone wants to go, let me know. They have expanded the kids play place to include rides and a water park.
Here is Shamu. The kids watching Shamu. I think Alya fell asleep in the first 5 minutes. Janey was entranced (not pictured).
Alya giving the "ugly fish" kisses.
Tired kids doubling up in the stroller. They lasted longer than I thought: about 15 minutes.
Spending time together, playing at home.

Seaside Beach. Turns out that when you ask people to pay $8 to park, they go to different beaches. It made for a great couple of days for us. There weren't so many people that you lost your kids every minute. (Joe and I parked on the street and walked a ways, so we didn't have to pay the $8.)


Hana showing off.


Getting cousin kisses. Janey and Alya were actually kissing each other, but this is the only picture I got.
And sweet Hana.
Just before they took off. Good bye Petersons. We love you all (even Kara who wouldn't look at me) and we'll see you next summer.
After the Petersons left we got some errands done since we didn't have fun distracting us. Janey loves pushing strollers, carts, chairs, etc. While we were walking around Target Janey pushed the cart and actually grabbed things to put on her shelf. She also, however, wanted to push everyone elses carts and wandered off a lot. She's into sharing.
P.S. All pictures in this post and the last were taken on my new 5 megapixel camera phone. I love LOVE it. I love that I no longer have to find the camera and wait for it to turn on before I can take pictures. Now I grab my phone (which is always close by), push a button and I'm ready. This probably explains why these two posts have so many pictures. Get ready to have your picture taken.

Fun with Family

Some fun things we've been doing while the Petersons are here. I know most of my pictures are of my kid (what a selfish mommy).
Pretty cousin Hana.Park at Mission Bay.Belmont Park.Giving yogurt kisses.
Just a cute baby in a bath.
Swimming on the Fourth of July. Waiting so patiently to go in the pool.

Getting ready to watch the fireworks in Vista. She slept through the whole thing ... not even a flinch.
Lots of time at Grandma and Grandpa's.
The beach by Oceanside pier. Janey got sand everywhere and loved it.


Ruben H. Fleet Science Center at Balboa Park. Janey and Joe in infrared. They have a really cool new Kid City that Janey loved.
Shopping at the Carlsbad Outlet Mall.And those were only the things I had pictures of. We've been having so much fun.

The Petersons are FINALLY Here

My sister, Jeni, has been promising to come down forever it seems. Well, they finally made it and it is SO good to see them all.Janey went to all her cousins and gave them hugs and kisses.
Here she is celebrating Canada Day with her cousins.This last week has been so fun. We wish you guys would never leave and we could play with you forever.

My First Baby's First Birthday

So I'm a little late on this post. I couldn't find my camera cord, then I couldn't find my camera, but they are now both located and I have the time.
We had a lovely, small party at my parents' house. Janey loved playing with her friends ...... but not so much her cake. She stuck her thumb in it then got mad at it for making her hand sticky and threw it on the floor. I think she had one bite that I put in her mouth. I wouldn't be devastated if she didn't get her mama's sweet tooth.So I had a whole year to learn how to be a mom to a baby, now I have to learn how to be a mom to a toddler. Who knew they were only babies for so short a time?
The best way to describe Janey at this point is passionate. She loves what she loves and hates what she hates and she has no problem letting you know. It's a good thing she still loves her mom and dad. Some other things she loves: Grandma, baby dolls, balls, the beach, cheese, water, independence, other kids/babies, standing in the dishwasher, being outside, hugs and kisses, dancing/spinning, jumping on the bed (not hers). We LOVE our little, passionate, crazy baby girl.Thank you all who got her gifts, she is so lucky.