Valentines, Birthdays, and more

I've been meaning to post for days, but things just keep getting busy! Matt, Joanna, and I had a lovely Valentine's Day. We ate pizza, exchanged valentines, and attempted to take a family picture. We went outside and set up the camera on the tripod. Here is something I learned: the good thing about a tripod is that the image isn't blurry due to movement of the camera, the bad thing about a tripod is that it doesn't say, "Joanna, look over here! Joanna, smile!" So... in most of our pictures, Joanna is not looking at the camera; she's looking at the noisy barking dogs or a leaf or something.

We've been trying to get everyone together for play day for some time now. We almost had it on Friday except we were missing Aidan. Poor Caleb was the only boy, and I think he felt it. :)

For a minute it looked like Anna and Caleb were going to ride in the car together. Then she pushed him out. Oh, well.

Here is Joanna trying to get between the couch and the side table. It kind of worked. Later, Caleb came by and pushed it over for her so she could crawl inside. Fun.

Joanna started to crawl toward Caleb's rocking horse, and Kim asked if she'd like to ride. As soon as that happened, Anna and Caleb wanted to ride, too. It was kind of a catastrophe. Caleb looks so sad in these pictures, but I thought they were cool because they just seem so real and full of emotion. Then, as soon as his turn was finally here, pure bliss! Joanna picked this spatula up from the play kitchen and carried it everywhere with her, even in the makeshift walker, a.k.a. the kitchen chair. My mom found these things called Baby Mum Mums that are rice husks, which doesn't sound very exciting. But they're long boat-shaped little rice crackers that babies can feed themselves and they're NOT MESSY. Joanna loves them, and Abby got to try one on Friday. She had no problem with them, and I think she thought they were pretty fabulous.

Joanna got a birthday present early from a friend at church, and I couldn't stop myself; we had to open it. It was pure torture for the 17 minutes we waited to see what was inside. :) It was this sweet little doll named Baby Stella who has a magnetic pacifier for her mouth! As soon I finally got it out of the package, Joanna took her, put her over her shoulder, and patted her very sweetly. It was soooo cute! Her favorite thing to do with Baby Stella is take the pacifier off her mouth, try to put it back on, have Mommy help, take it off, try to put it back on, succeed!, then take it off again. It's cute. She's so nurturing -- Ha!

Did I mention this was a long post? No? Oh, well... keep reading.

I posted a picture of this rose a while back. I have been so amazed at it; it just kept blooming and blooming and blooming. It finally went kaput in the storm last weekend. It sure had a good existance if you ask me.

We celebrated Matt's dad's birthday this weekend. He turned a big age, but I'm not telling which one. We were over at Aunt Mindy's house and her dog Rusty was outside. Joanna was pining for him at the door, but he didn't pay her any attention -- is that sad, or what?

Okay, were nearing the end of this post...really.

These pictures were just too cute not to post -- I love this brown outfit! The sleeves have a little embroidery on them -- so sweet!

Matt was making her laugh here -- what a precious face!!

Okay this next part is just for kicks. I ran across this picture that was taken on February 17th of last year. As you can see I was pretty pregnant and quite swollen. I though it would be fun to take a picture on the same day this year in the same place wearing the same thing. What a difference a year (and about 75 pounds) makes.

Two Years!

Matt and my 2nd anniversary was yesterday. It's funny but one year ago feels like last week sometime, but two years ago feels like a lifetime ago. I guess so many things have happened; I feel like my life is so different (and much better) than it was a mere two years ago. I thought I would lead you all on a little trip down memory lane: Here we are two years ago yesterday. We were married at the church at 4:00. It was a beautiful day!

Last year we neglected to actually take any pictures of ourselves. Um, oops, but I will describe us to you so you can get a mental image. I was 37 or so weeks pregnant and about 70 pounds heavier than I am now. Matt looked about the same but I would say a few pounds heavier and with shaggier hair. We did take a picture of our disgusting year-old cake, though. Matt made us taste it, and it actually wasn't the worst thing I've ever eaten. Luckily, the same friend who made us the wedding cake prepared a small anniversary cake. It was really good and didn't taste cold or mushy or old.

This year we did manage to take a few pictures. We even let Joanna pose with us even though she sure wasn't there two years ago.

Some Firsts!

Before I begin, please note that this will be a long post. I figure if you're here, you don't mind my long rambling blogs!

Joanna's Gran got a jogging stroller so she can take Joanna on runs with her. Yea!! Here they are before their first run. We bought Joanna a big car (for when she's a little older). Before we put it in the garage for a while, I let her take a test drive. She can go backwards. And she can slide down underneath it and get stuck.

We had a Fat Tuesday lunch at the church last week for the staff. Even though Joanna's just a part-timer, she got to go :) Anytime we go anywhere with low windows, she loves to look outside and see what's going on. We had several tries before she kept this hat on long enough for me to snap a picture. Now for this weekend. It was basically a plain ol' weekend, but we ended up pretty busy. Friday afternoon, Joanna and I decided to go up to the high school to see her cousin Kurt's basketball game. It was the first time I'd been back to the high school in a while, and whoa, the construction is crazy over there! It was Joanna's first time in a high school and first basketball game ever. I think she liked it. She got used to the buzzer pretty fast. I ran into a friend from high school who was there watching her little brother play. So I got to show miss sweet Joanna off a little! Look at that smile!!

On Saturday, Matt was determined to get up on the roof to blow off all the leaves and pine needles accumulated there. It was definitely time, but I just didn't feel good about letting him go up there. So... Yup. That's me. It was kind of fun, actually. After my high-walking adventure, I started getting Joanna's "new" rocking chair ready to paint. We found this little rocking chair that was in good shape but needed a redesign. So here is it's transformation: Red with a little white heart After some sanding Primed white Dancing Green! (like all of her other furniture) The only thing left I want to do is either get a stencil or convince someone I know who is fabulous at painting roses (ahem, Grandma) to paint a rose on the back (where the heart was in the first picture). Then it will be all ready for Joanna's birthday (shhh, don't tell her!). Here is Joanna looking on at me working on the chair. After all the outside work, Matt took Joanna inside, and she cuddled up to him and fell asleep! That was definitely the first in a while. So precious! Finally I will leave you with Joanna's first roller coaster ride. (Not really, of course, but I thought that's what she looked like -- like she was going down a roller coaster.)

More on the brilliance of Joanna

Here is a current list of words/phrases Joanna can say:

• Hello
• Dadda
• Bye-bye (which sounds a lot like Dadda, but it has a hand motion)
• What's that?
• Uh-oh

We've been working on the signing thing, too, although I've discovered that Joanna would really rather talk. So far, she can sign "more."

Words/phrases I know she understands (and I'm sure there are more):

• Hello
• Where's Daddy? or Where's Gran, Mamma, etc.
• Bye-bye
• Names: Joanna, Mommy, Daddy, Gran, Mamma, Pop, etc.
• Night-night

Today Joanna was eating lunch in her high chair. She tooted and said "uh-oh." It was hilarious!

We go to a Mommy and Me music class at the church on Mondays called Song Play. Joanna's not the youngest, but she's close, and she's definitely the tiniest. It is really interesting to watch her in the class. Most of the time she's on my lap or in my arms, but when the instructor gets the instruments out, the babies just crawl or walk over and pick some out. Joanna usually watches for a while, then after she has studied the situation, she'll go and pick out a shaker or two. It's so interesting to think about what might be going on behind those big blue eyes.

I was thinking the other day about how different our lives are now from a year ago or even half a year.

Today is Ash Wednesday. I was thinking a lot today about Ash Wednesday last year. Last year it was on February 21st. I was really really pregnant, very very sore, and desperately wanting to make it until after my shower on Feb. 25th to have the baby. So, February 21st last year Matt and I both had bad colds, but we really wanted to go to the 6:30am service at the church. We made it, and I was then able to go to work early. I worked through lunch and came home early so I could crash. Matt took off a little early, too, and we were able to rest. This was a really good thing because Joanna showed up the next morning at 3:38am. We haven't rested since! Ha! Just kidding.

Me at about 37 weeks.

Just a little over half a year ago, I was working full-time and taking care of Joanna full-time. Talk about crazy! I was exhausted, grumpy, and not feeling particularly fulfilled. What a change from now. I am so happy these days. Sure, I get a little grumpy when I'm behind on dishes or laundry or cooking or everything, but I'm sure that this is what I'm supposed to be doing. I've never had a job I loved more!

Joanna at 4 or 5 months outside the copy room. Working hard!

Here we are in 2008!

Are you ready for some...

...Friends?

This past Friday we had an all-girls playday because our friends Aidan and Caleb were sick. Here are Anna, Joanna, and Abby playing in Anna's crib. Anna and Joanna liked to jump and chew on the rail and move around. I think it made Abby a little worried. Won't be long Abby!

...Food?

This weekend my side of the family had a mini family reunion at my grandmother's house. Luckily she lives very close so it was easy for us to come and go. Joanna's a pretty easy traveler these days. We pack up the portable highchair, the portable crib, and plenty of food, toys, and diapers, and we're ready for anything (or almost). Here she is enjoying some lunch on Saturday. You can spot a few family members in the background. We had people from Houston, Austin, Dallas, Illinois, California, and England. (Where was my mother during all of this? Canada. Go figure.)

...Family?

We got to meet Joanna's new cousin Jade on Saturday. She is only 2 1/2 weeks old! Her mommy let me hold her a lot. She is soooo precious! From left to right: Aunt Mary, Ann, Christiana, Aunt Gail, baby Jade, and Aunt Pat. ...Fun?

Joanna got a new riding/pushing toy this weekend that we had with us. She actually does pretty good riding it -- she can go backwards. When it's in the push position, she usually pushes it on her knees; it goes a bit fast for her feet yet, but she gets the idea.

My aunt Gail has this scarf-thing that is made of rabbit fur and is bright green. She was showing Joanna how soft it is.

...Football?

Of course I'm sure you all know that this was Superbowl Sunday (whoo hoo) so in the midst of all the family at my grandmother's house, we headed over to Matt's brother's for a little pre-game fun and also to celebrate his birthday which was this week. Uncle Mark shared his birthday bows with Joanna because he knows how much she loves them. At this point she was getting pretty tired, but I think she wanted to enjoy the bow I stuck to her head! Joanna knows all about footballs now: what they taste like, how to pick them up, and what a touch-down looks like: Finally, I will leave you with this sweet shot. That girl just melts my heart!