She's Walking!

Jenna took her first steps Sunday August 29th. We were trying to record her doing another trick, but she saw the camera and her attention was diverted. She crawled over to me to get it. She used my leg to help her stand up and I moved back to keep filming. After I moved backwards she took a step to get closer to me. Then she took a few more. We were so excited!

Jenna's first steps!

I understand that this is a terrible video, but at least it is documented right?! I was trying to watch and record at the same time. I thought that the picture would turn when I turned the camera, but it didn't. So sorry!
I love how Jenna cheers for herself at the end! So stinkin' cute!

I was so afraid of missing this HUGE milestone while at work, that I told my sister (she watches Jenna for us) to push her down if she tried to walk and I wasn't there. I'm such a great mom, I know! I'm so grateful we were both there to witness it.

A few days later Jenna started pushing herself up into a standing position with out holding onto anything.

The best rattle - Tic Tacs!

I'm amazed at Jenna's perseverance. She's made so much progress in such a short amount of time! Jenna falls ALOT, but she doesn't ever cry. She picks herself back up and tries again, over and over.

Almost a pro!

Walking is now Jenna's preferred mode of transportation. She just goes and goes. I wish I had her energy! It has been fun watching the changes in her and seeing her explore the world around her.

July

July was a busy month. Here are some of the things we did!

We went to the zoo...

Jenna and the giraffe
She was wearing a giraffe onesie.

Momma and Jenna

Jenna switched between these two moods all day!

Zuri the baby elephant

We went to the pool...

Jenna had more fun playing on the towel than being in the water!
Eatin' a cheese stick.

What a cutie!

We went to a splash pad...

Jenna and Daddy playin' in the water.

Four cute cousins!
Mallory, William, Jenna, Claire

Jenna LOVES that Daddy!

Jenna learned to crawl like a pro...

Love how Jenna's whining the whole video :o(

She also learned to pull herself up to things and to take steps with help.

Jenna pulling herself up to a chair.
I apologize for the sideways view.
I didn't know the picture wouldn't turn with the camera.
(If someone knows how to fix that, please let me know!)

Jenna walking with Daddy's help.

Yummy!

BEFORE...

AFTER...

AND IN BETWEEN...

Doesn't that hand look scrumptious?
She lost the cookie on her chest and couldn't find it! Pretty funny!

Jenna really enjoys her biter biscuits! They are the perfect teething treat. They must really be good if they are that messy! I try to plan it so she has to bathe right after she's done. Easier clean up that way!

So Blessed

Love those big, clear baby blues!

We are feeling much gratitude and relief. Jenna's goopy eye, caused by a clogged tear duct, has cleared on its own! It is such a blessing! She woke up the morning of July 4th with a dry, clean right eye. The first time ever! I had her Dr. appointment for her 9th month check up set for that next Wednesday where we would have found out all the details of having it probed. She has been going through a bit of a growth spurt and we believe that's what helped clear her eye. We also believe our prayers were heard and answered. I will not miss having to put drops in Jenna's eye multiple times a day or wiping her eye constantly. I know she won't miss it either!

9 Months

This little cutie is 9 months old! It's amazing that in such a short amount of time so much development happens. Here are her stats: She now weighs in at 17lbs. 8oz. (25th percentile), is 27 1/2 in. tall (46th percentile), and has the head circumference of 17 1/2 in. (63rd percentile). She just went through a bit of a growth spurt and now looks SO BIG to the both of us.

Here are some of her FAVORITE things:
*She loves for mom to sing to her. Favorite songs: Rap-a-tap-a-tap, Bunny song, Twinkle Twinkle, Springtime in the Rockies, Rock-a-bye
*She loves to talk and make noise.
*She loves to play patty cake.
*She loves to pat things. Her new thing is to pat her belly.
*She loves to explore peoples faces. She is into poking at your eye or putting her finger up your nose or into your mouth.
*She loves to eat anything mom and dad are eating.
*She loves her baby food, especially carrots, and anything fruit.
*She loves pretzels and puffs.
*She adores books. She will often choose to look at a book over playing with any other toy. She is a pro at turning pages!
*She loves to come climb in the lap of whoever is sitting on the floor. Usually mom.
*She loves to be mobile and move around. Crawling is now her mode of transportation.
*She likes to kneel up to things, especially her car seat.
*She loves to try to play with anything electronic. i.e. cell phones, computers, camera
*She LOVES playing with cords of any kind. That is, when she can get to them. We do our best to keep them out of her reach, but when she is determined she will do everything she can to get around our barriers to reach them.

Jenna is a goer and doesn't slow down all day! (except for nap time) It's always fun to watch her explore and learn new things about the world around her. Sometimes those explorations end with a bump or a bruise, but after being loved up this girl is right back to it. Hearing her talk, laugh and squeal are the most wonderful sounds in the world. I love being her mom!

We love our little sweet pea!

Our 4th of July Weekend

Saturday July 3 - We started our weekend up in Layton with Whitney and Mom and Dad Cowley. We enjoyed a nice dinner at Chili's with Jenna keeping us entertained.

Whitney, Jenna, Grandma Cowley

Jenna's first lime.
She didn't seem to like it at first,
but kept leaning forward to take another taste.
A girl after my own heart!

Whitney and Jenna

Grandpa Cowley and Jenna
Grandpa was making funny faces at Jenna. She just stared at him in awe.

This girl LOVES her pretzels!

Jenna and Grandma

Sunday July 4th - HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!! Since it was the Sabbath we stayed home and enjoyed being together.

Dad sharing some of his popsicle with Jenna.

Opening up for another taste!

Monday July 5th - BBQ at Mom and Dad Summerhays' house. After eating some tasty brats and chicken we all congregated on some blankets in the shade. It was nice to relax in nice weather with good company!

We love being together!

Hooray!

Jenna shared a Cookies n' Cream Fat Boy with Mom.
I think she ended up eating most of it!

Cute girl Jenna!

Love that "o" face!
(Looks like she's getting ready to say The Pledge of Allegiance with her right hand over her heart.)

Oh what do you do in the summertime...

...when all the world is green?

Do you swim in a pool to keep yourself cool...?

We took Jenna to the local rec center for some swimming.
Unfortunately the weather didn't stay very warm.
It got windy and cloudy making it chilly.
Good thing we have all summer to go again!

A wet face from splashing!

Happy and laughing!
(at least for a minute)

Jenna and Daddy

Happy, excited, whiny, tired and cold all at the same time!

Who looks like they're having fun?

Snuggled up nice and warm!

...or swing in a tree up high?

Not quite sure what to think.

Such a sweet face!



Just chillin' in the swing!

Jenna LOVES the swing!
Once she figured out how to sit while swinging, it was a hit!

Is that what you do?

So do I.