Lots o Leaves

I had to run out this evening to do a family photo shoot... and I told Ed that we'd gone all day without the tv and thought it a good idea to keep it that way. This was a great way to be welcomed back home, Ed is so good about finding something fun to do! With just a few minutes left of good daylight I snapped these and am so glad I took the time to do so (oh how I love you 5d and ISO1000!!!) :) She was a happy girl playing in the leaves!

Tomorrow marks the beginning of a busy couple days, but we're really looking forward to getting that costume on and parading around town lookin' all cute!

I thought it would be cute...

to put a few Cheerios out on the chair in a line so she could pick them up as she walked by. Little did I remember to put the lid back on the Cheerio continaer and put it away before going to brush my teeth. She's crafty, was quiet as a fox during the incident.

Miss Grumps

A favorite from our roadtrip. This face makes me chuckle!

Operation Leaf Removal

I'm officially relieved of my grass cutting duties for the year, it's now operation leave removal around here. It usually lasts several weeks and it's a big job. Last night was unexpectedly a warm evening and we were delighted to head outside for a little while for some fresh air! Ed loves any chance he gets to take J for a ride and show her around and explore the yard.





It's a shame we'll be stuck in the house for the next several months, just as jj was getting the hang of just chillin' and playing outside.

13 Months

Josie is 13 months old today.

I tried to sneak the headband on without her noticing. I came from the back, it's loose fitting so I try to be inconspicuous... but she KNOWS. Even distraction doesn't work... and off it comes. Doesn't she know it's so cute on her head???








All proud she got it off :) Sigh...


Josie's 12th month can be summed up by TWO BIG MOLARS that ruled the roost for several weeks. We're happy to have our happy go lucky girl back, but I'm fearful of the next set that are surely on their way! She isn't saying much new, except "yeah!!". Like... "Josie, are you cuuute?" "YEAH!!", "Josie, do you want a puppy?" "yeah!!" "Josie, do you want peas for dinner?' "YEAH!!". We know she's trying to say "Hi kitties..." and it's pretty sweet. I'm happy to say Little Einsteins is our new must see tv, and flipping through her books makes for a really great time. She's got maybe two more nights worth of formula for bedtime bottle left... and then it's way with the bottle forever. sniff sniff... she's loving broccoli and even loved pot roast the last few nights. Makes me happy to see her enjoy new things :) The salmon didn't go over so well though.. and she then smelled fishy the rest of the day, YUCK!

Discovered...

Yep, two molars! Sharp and big... yeouch!

More Teeth?

Oh man, was last night a loooong night! The babysitter said Josie just wasn't herself all day yesterday, and when we got home last night she was a big crabbles! She was falling apart at the seams and nothing was consoling her! We decided an early bath and bedtime, coupled with a warm bottle and Motrin was a good solution... and she fell right to sleep by 7 pm. But that didn't last long, awake again at 12, 1 and 3... poor girl. I find it hard to believe there's more teeth coming in (with 8 already!), but there's nothing else wrong, no temp, no runny nose. A little more medicine and another little warm bottle at 3 am (hasn't had a night bottle in at least 6 months, maybe more) and she slept on and off until morning. Luckily she woke up with a smile and has had a pretty good day today... a nice long morning nap and I hope she's on the mend from whatever was ailing her!

Destination: Brown County State Park

The first day of our trip was actually the best hiking weather, not too hot, not too cold... and overcast. We're a little less ambitious in the selection of trails now that we have a 23lb baby on our backs - and it's STILL a good workout. Back in the day, we'd gladly take the rugged and difficult trails, but for now... we're happy with "easy/moderate". Somehow there's still hundreds of steps and lots of elevation change to keep us out of breath though.



Earlier this year we bought the Kelty Kids backpack thing (something I never thought I'd own b/c they're sort of dorky ;))... and it turns out to be pretty much the Cadillac of carriers. It's so intelligently designed and really makes hiking as great as can be expected with the added weight. AND I think Josie is pretty comfortable in it, once she's in. She fights a good battle when we first stuff her in!





By the second day, the rain clouds had rolled in and made for a pretty miserable day not being able to hike much, but we found a break in the rain to hike the path around this lake, and we're so glad we did! Being stuck inside just meant we had to spend extra time in the water park...

36

He's 36 years old! We had a little party the night before leaving town and it turned out to be a fun time. Grandma and Grandpa J came over, we had pizza and an Oreo cookie cake that was delicious! Josie loved the candles especially. Lucky dad got a new pair of Ugg slippers just in time for the cool weather coming this way!

Home and Happy

Traveling away from home, for sort of the first time, proved to be more challenging than we thought... and that's with TWO ADULTS against one really cute 1 yr old! I'll never under estimate the value of disposable bibs/placemats and a dvd player in the Tahoe <- I credit our success to those few things. It was a good trip, sans the challenges, but we're glad to be home :)

the falls at Monroe County State Park

see ya in a week :)