Jenna Mei

It seems like time is speeding up with the days, weeks and months going by faster and faster. I realized today that there are 10 weeks of school left. I look forward to the time I'll be able to spend at home with my little Jenna Mei. And talk about time going by fast. She is growing like a weed and will be 18 months on Apr. 2nd. (Hooray! She'll get to go to Nursery!) She truly is the light of our lives and has become such a fun little person. She talks like no other 17 month old I know. She learns and remembers new words it seems like everyday. Her favorites (or most commonly used) are: "uh-heh" (uh-huh), "uh-oh", "oh no", "go", "are you?" (where are you?), "gen" (again) "appu juice", "sissies" (fishy crackers), "keekee", (cookie), "sues" (shoes), "kees" (keys), "Abby Jane" (her cousin), "bunnya" or "bunny" (her snuggle bunny), "binky", "bankey" (blanket), "bye bye", "grawpa" or "pawgra" (grandpa/grandma), "ome" (home), "a up", "mama", and "daddy". Everyone that is in a picture is "daddy" and anything that daddy has is called "daddy". I was feeling unloved because she went for a time without saying mama. EVERYTHING was "daddy". I am loving that I can tell her something or ask her something and she can understand. It makes it so much easier to figure out what she wants or what she needs. I taught her "pee pees" and "poo poos" so she can tell me when she needs her pants changed. It's great! Here are some pics from the last couple of months...

Lovin' her spaghetti!

That's the cutest messy face I've ever seen!

Going down the stairs!

Dressed for church

Grandma Cowley made Jenna this cute winter hat!

Cheese!

Austin is the one who gets Jenna up every morning.
One morning this is how he found her, stink buggin' it!

Wearing mama's shoes
Jenna love, love, loves to put on mine or Austin's shoes.
She has a harder time with Austin's but tries just the same.

Like father, like daughter!

Our first attempt at putting piggy tails in Jenna's hair.
They were so stinkin' cute!
Unfortunately they only lasted 10 min.
Her hair is still to thin and fine to hold them in.
Hopefully soon she'll have more hair!

Cryin' cause she wants the camera.

There's my happy girl!

Jenna bein' a goof!

Anniversary

It's been 3 wonderful years!

Tub Time

Jenna thoroughly enjoys taking a bath. It is one of her favorite things to do at the end of the day. I have to admit that in our small little apartment giving her a bath was not my favorite thing. It was quite the process.

BEFORE: Get the baby tub out. Fill it up in the shower with warm water. Bathe Jenna in the baby tub sitting in the shower. Get very wet in process. Dump water out of baby tub. Turn over and let dry. Take out before Austin or I shower. Store on the stairs in the hall.

Happy, but cramped.

Rubber ducky, cup, and washcloth
The best and cheapest tub toys!

NOW: Fill bathtub. Bathe Jenna. Drain bathtub. SO MUCH EASIER!!

Jenna's Bathroom
It is amazing how you take a tub for granted until you don't have one!

So much room to play!

One happy girl!
(One happy mama too!)

Christmas Day

I know I'm behind since it is now February and I'm just getting Christmas posted, but life, which is always busy, has been even busier these last few weeks. With school starting back up after the holiday, grades were due, sleep was not happening, and sickness hit. Then we had parent/teacher conferences and more sickness. We are glad to have January over with!

Christmas Morning

Coming out to see what Santa brought.

Jenna checking out her presents.

Santa brought Jenna her own rocking chair.
Now she can "rocka, rocka" anytime she wants!

Rocking her new baby in the "rocka chair".

Jenna LOVED opening the presents.
She knew exactly what to do!

Giving love to her new pillow pet that daddy gave her.

Trying to figure out how to maneuver the stroller.
She had a hard time with turns.

Austin must have been a good boy this year!

Jenna is so happy in the bath!

Visiting Great Grandma Summerhays

"Grandma Great" opening her presents.
Mallory was her little helper.

A nice bed jacket to wear and keep her warm.
Lovin' the shades Grandma!

My Dad and sis Shannon

Jenna and Daddy

Jenna with "Grandma Great".
She will turn 94 in 2011!

It was fun to be able to have Austin's parents and his sister Whitney over for Christmas dinner. We made a ham, cheesy potatoes, rolls, and Christmas Jello. It sure was tasty!

Mom and Dad Cowley opening their Christmas gift.

We were able to go in together and get them a Kindle.
They were so surprised!
What a Merry Christmas it was!

Twas' the Night Before Christmas...

We spent Christmas Eve at my parents house this year. The night started off with a dinner of yummy enchiladas and salad. Then into the family room for the reading of the Christmas story from the Bible read by Papa. My family can't get together without bustin' out some Christmas carols and drinking eggnog. It was a fun evening spending time with family.

Mallory treating us to some fabulous Christmas tunes.

Mama and Jenna
You will rarely see her these days without some kind of cracker in her hand.
It is one of her favorite words to say too.

William is such a cutie!
This smile gets me every time!

Two of my beautiful sisters!
Meghan and Eliza

Gettin' into Grandma's lid drawer.

So sweet and innocent!

My mama, sis Alyson, and me

I love family traditions, especially at the holidays.
One of ours is making Christmas cookies and frosting them with
blue, pink, yellow, or green frosting.
LOVE it!

Austin livin' it up with a massage from my sister Shannon.

Roberto

Alyson getting cute little Abby Jane to laugh.

Will and Lisa bundled up and ready to go!

Shannon and Claire Bear
I tried to get a picture of Claire looking at me all night,
but she wouldn't do it!
Little stinker!

Reading has become quite the regular past time at family get togethers.
Austin and my Dad

"Cheese!"
In her cute Christmas jammies!

Notice that Jenna is in a rocking chair in the last two pictures.
She's obsessed.
Hopefully Santa will bring one to her for Christmas! ;)