Practicing

I've been slowly getting the baby gear and toys organized lately. I have them all in the office, which will eventually be the baby's room. However, Jackie has been very interested in all of these things lately and has been playing with them more than she ever did as a baby. She even wants to be changed on her changing table pad sometimes...pretty funny. Yesterday I was cleaning up around the house and Jackie was playing around. I didn't see her for awhile and then found her as the pictures show below....

She brought down the Boppy all by herself and placed her baby in it to feed her.

And she brought down toys for the baby to "play" with. Guess she's just practicing up for the new baby!

Twinkle, Twinkle

Jackie is getting quite a bit better at Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star. She can actually sing the whole song..but she got a little camera shy half way in between this one. She has been breaking out in song more often lately and it's so cute. I believe it's because she listens to her Cd's from Grandma and Grandpa K. every day! They have actually given me a little refresher with the words on some of those childhood songs as well.

Picture Day

Jackie got her two year pics taken on Thursday. She was a bit shy at first, but warmed up quick. Once again, I went in with the intentions of not going overboard on buying pictures, and once again I bought WAY too many. Below are the poses I ended up with....

YES!

Four years ago today I said "Yes!"

2 Year Stats

We visited the doctor yesterday for Jackie's 2 year check up. She got to stand on the scale and get measured like a big girl this time. No shedding off all the clothes, finally! She did great, until they brought the ruler down to measure how tall she was...she didn't like that. She screamed and cried from then on out. Good thing our Doc is quick!

Stats:
Height : 36.5" (97%)
Weight: 32lbs (97%)

Our little girl..isn't so little apparently...

"Cheese" ball!

Birthday Fun!

Grandma and Grandpa Mehmen came to visit for Birthday weekend! Here Jackie and Grandpa were dancing to Jackie's new Cd's from Grandma and Grandpa Kennedy.

My sister, Jana, and her family came on Saturday to join in the celebration as well. Olivia and Jackie had so much fun together...especially when it came to eating!

The first cake I've ever decorated....for two months, Jackie said she wanted an Ariel birthday cake. The week before her birthday she said she wanted Dora. She got Ariel and she still liked it!

Jackie getting ready to open her gifts! She was VERY excited!

Daddy and Olivia helped her a little....

Cousin picture...Finn, Jackie, Connor and Olivia. On Saturday evening, Joe, Angie & Finn and Sarah & Roy joined us for pizza, cake and gifts. Thanks everyone for coming...fun times!

Happy 2 Years to my Sweet Jackie!

It's a few days early, but with a busy weekend..I wanted to sit down and reflect a little about our beautiful daughter....

Dear Jackie,
It's hard to believe you are already 2 years old. You have changed so much this year. You went from our baby, at the beginning of the year, to our little girl. You have a personality that is like no other. You love to make people laugh with your silly little antics and your smile can brighten any one's day. You love people! You never want to leave anybody out.

I know I'm biased, but you are such a bright little girl. You know how to communicate your wants and needs, even if you don't have the words...and really there is not much you can't say. You have a memory that blows me away.

You have become so independent. You enjoy playing by yourself for longer periods of time...even in the basement all by yourself. You take care of your "babies" with such love and tenderness. You like to do things the way the "big kids" do it. Even with all that independence, at the end of the day, there is still apart of you that likes to be our "baby." You love to snuggle and let mom and dad kiss your "ouchies."

This is going to be a big year for you Jackie! You are so lucky to become a big sister. I know there will be lots of changes for you, but in the end you will always be our baby. Our baby that rocked our world and taught us so much about ourselves. Our baby that has truly made us better people and has made the world a better place with your existence. Love you always Jackie! Happy Birthday!

Sayonara!

Dear Nasty Cold and other Viruses,
I'm not sure how to tell you this....and I'll try to be nice. You've been around long enough now and you've officially overstayed your welcome. You've been here since October and it seems you have made your presence about EVERY-OTHER-WEEK. Now, don't go creeping into anyone else's house...because I'm sure everyone else has had enough as well. It's just time for you to find a deep, dark pit and stay there. So with this, I bid you farewell...please don't write, call or try to contact us in anyway.

Yours Truly,
A Recovering Nasty Cold Sufferer

A Lil' Bump, and a Lota Snow

It's a snowy day here! I have to admit, it's pretty. It's that nice, thick, wet, good for building snowman, type of snow. It would be even better if it's all melted in the next 48 hours :) A few pics of the neighborhood below.....

And then a pic of the Lil' bump.....

Hello Baby!

Playdate

Jackie had a play date on Monday at a local community center with her friend, Leah. Every Monday and Wednesday they open the gym to kids and have trikes, bikes, balls, push toys, and a bounce house.....all for $1 per child. (can't beat that for two hours of wearing the kiddos out!)