Cross Country Skiing

At the end of January Austin went up to Mapledell Scout Camp to go cross country skiing with his 11 year old scouts. The over-nighter was cold, but fun. It was Austin's first time cross country skiing. He had a great time! It was definitely a workout!

5 months old!

It's hard to see, but Jenna has baby rice cereal all over her face. We started her on the cereal to help keep her tummy full throughout the night because she started waking up earlier in the morning. She didn't like it too much the first couple times, but now gobbles it down!

At her 4 month check-up she was 13 lbs. 10 oz. and 24 1/2 in. long. She ended up with a virus this last weekend and we went to the doctor to make sure it wasn't strep (it wasn't). She gained a whole pound in the last month! She is now 14 lbs. 10 oz! I can't believe how much she has grown and that it has been 5 months!

Giggles

Jenna is now laughing and it is the best sound in the world!
Here is a video of some of her giggles.

Bath time

Jenna LOVES her baths! Because of the smallness of the place we live we have had to put her bathtub on the kitchen table. She knows that when I lay her down next to the tub that it's bath time! She gets the biggest smile on her face and is happy throughout her bath.

Unfortunately now she is too long to lay down in her bathtub. There is a little bump in the middle of the tub where it snaps together and her bum now hangs over it. I can't imagine that it's very comfy. We've started putting her in the shower with Austin. She hasn't liked it at all and cries every time we put her in. We are making some progress in that she didn't cry last night . As soon as she is done and I've wrapped her in her towel she is as happy as a clam! And breaks out into a huge smile. I'm sure she's thinking, "Thanks Mom for saving me!"

My little Mother Teresa

Bonding

Need I say more?

Bunny

Jenna loves her little bunny blanket that Grandma Summerhays gave her. She has a hard time going to sleep without it. She loves to put it right up by her face to fall asleep. It is so soft and silky! I wouldn't mind having one to sleep with either!

Jenna's First Christmas

I have been trying to get this post out for a month! Life has been crazy and really busy. Being a mom, wife, and working full time takes up all my time!

Christmas was hard for me to really get into this year. The craziness of going back to work full time was not meshing with excitement for Christmas. At first we weren't going to have a tree. Our little apartment isn't big enough for a full sized tree because of the rearranging we had to do when Jenna was born. I know you don't need a tree to make it Christmas, but to me it wouldn't have been the same. Austin was voting for no tree. I finally decided to get a small fake tree from Robert's Craft. By the time I got around to buying the tree it was the week before Christmas and there was only one small non-lit tree left in the whole store. I brought it home and knew it was pathetic looking, but at least it was a tree. Once I got the lights on it (I re-strung it twice), and the ornaments, it actually looked quite cute.

The tree

The stockings were hung...

Austin and Jenna

The best present of the year!

Jenna liked the paper more than the presents!

Austin was so excited for Jenna to get Snow White!

Mama and baby
I was so excited to spend Christmas with my little family. I know Jenna didn't understand one bit what was going on, but that didn't stop my enthusiasm to wrap her gifts and open them for her!

Jenna's haul!

Ingrid Michealson, gotta love it!
Austin also surprised me with a new car stereo! I can now listen to CD's in my car again!

Austin with his surprise gift!

My friend Jen sent me the best package! It was the gift that just kept giving! I don't know how she stuffed that box so full. Thanks for all the great stuff Jen!

I guess you could say we might have gone a little overboard with the electronic gifts this year.

It isn't Christmas unless you have Christmas Casserole! Yum!

We went over to my parents to talk to my sister Meghan who called from Brazil. It was so good to hear her voice!

My mom embroidered this adorable baby sampler. It has Jenna's name, her birth date, height and weight. It was such a thoughtful gift!

Austin sporting the bow from one of Jenna's gifts. He looks like a 1920's flapper!
Every year my mom gives a bear to one of the grand kids. This year she gave it to Jenna.

Jenna in her cute Christmas outfit.

My beautiful sisters Shannon and Eliza with Jenna and Mallory

Austin and Shannon
Lisa and Mallory (Mallory didn't want her picture taken. Sorry Mal!)

Jenna trying the Bumbo chair
She had been doing so well with holding her up we thought we'd try it out.

Ready for bed after a busy but fun day!

My little Mei Mei in her Christmas jammies!