splish splash

Jayna had her first swimming lesson today, and she loved it! This is a huge accomplishment for Jayna because she used to be terrified of the water (I know, big surprise). She used to cry and cling to me when I took her swimming. And if she got splashed or if the water was too deep she would freak out. She didn't even really love baths that much. So for her to go to her lesson all by herself, do everything the teacher asked her to (including put her face in the water) and have fun, was a pretty big deal. I was so proud of her!

She still hates getting splashed, but she didn't freak out, I was so surprised!

Kepler had a mini swimming lesson today too. We got to the pool a little early for Jayna's lesson and there was a drop in Parent/Tot class going on. So he got to feel special that he got swimming lessons too, since he always wants to be like his big sister.

The Y here has such a great set up, the kiddie pool is really warm and just deep enough so that Kepler can run around without going under water. Although he still goes under a lot because he tries to escape from me and swim all by himself.
We had so much fun today! Gibb and I were the total nerdy first time parents. Gibb had a break from work and the Y is right by his office, so he came in to see Jayna swimming and was taking tons of pictures. She's still our first child, what can I say?

one of each

I love having a girl and a boy!

It seems like I know so many people right now who have, or are going to have, a girl and a boy, or a boy and a girl.

When I was pregnant with Jayna, we thought it was a boy. But I was SO excited when we found out she was a GIRL! Gibb took a little while to come around, but as soon as she was born, she had him wrapped around her little finger.

When I was pregnant with Kepler, we thought (and hoped) it was another girl. I'm not going to lie we were both a little disappointed when we found out it was a BOY. It definitely took me a while to come around, but as soon as he was born I fell in love with my little guy!

Once we had Kepler I can't even count how many people said to us, you guys have the million dollar family, one of each! Now you can be done. I don't think we're done yet, but I do think we lucked out with our 2 munchkins. I'm so glad that we can't pick what we get, because then we wouldn't have our little family the way it is.

Each of our kids is such an important part of the family. Jayna is the little mommy! She is nurturing, compassionate, imaginative, helpful, artisitc, dramatic, and likes to try and be in charge and boss us all around. Kepler is our little sweetie! He's sensitive, snuggly, affectionate, talkative, fun loving, busy, and mischevious. I can't imagine our family without either of them.

It's weird to think of having another baby, and then it wouldn't be even anymore. I know when people have all boys or girls, they can't imagine having something different. But it's hard to imagine having another baby of the same sex of one we already have. I think if I had to pick I would have another girl and then another boy, and then we would still be even! But (I think) I've learned my lesson to be happy either way, and I know that whatever happens it will be perfect for our family :)

Winter Blues

Well the kids and I are finally starting to feel better and now Gibb is getting sick. I was so determined to stay busy and bypass the winter blues this year, but not leaving the house for a week wasn't really part of the plan. Last week at our house looked like this:

Lots of snuggling blankies
(I can't even count how many times I had to wash these)

and lots of just laying around, we had no energy

But we did try and do some fun things to keep our spirits up.

An intense game of hide and seek, where Gibb would basically hide Jayna in the smallest spot she could fit in, and then I would try to find her. They had some really good spots and Jayna was so good at staying quiet. Even when I tried to trick her into talking to me to give her hiding spot away.

This might not look like a very good hiding spot, but it was so high up that when I opened the closet at first I didn't even notice her and was about to close it, and then she laughed.

Pulling each other around on blankets? We were pretty bored...
We actually stole this idea from Morgan, and Kepler remembered it, when we pulled the blanket out he just layed right down on it waiting to be pulled around, he loves it!

Gibb standing on his head, whatever works right?
I was actually pretty impressed he could do this, I mean he is in his 30's now!

I finally started working on this quilt I'm making for Jayna's bed. I love how it's turned out so far!

Everyone keeps saying that Jayna's hair is getting so long, but I don't really notice it since I see her everyday. But last week I noticed it when she had a ponytail in and it was still halfway down her back. She's pretty proud of her long hair, but hates getting it brushed or done! She also refuses to get it cut, I think it would look so cute in a bob, and be so much easier to take care of.

Jayna having a good big sister moment and reading to Kepler while I got their lunch ready. She insisted that he sit on her lap. They have so much fun together when they're actually being nice to each other.
I found this picture from a year ago of Jayna reading to Kepler, and she insisted on him sitting on her lap back then too. It's funny how so much changes in a year, but so much stays the same too.

I found this picture because I was just looking back at our blog from a year ago and then started reading old posts for 20 minutes! I'm so glad that I have everything written down to remember. I feel like I don't have as many things written down as I want, but I'm glad I at least have this! It motivated me to blog more, even when I feel like I don't have anything to blog about.

I'm so glad we're feeling better now, so we can get out of the house! I'm starting to feel sad that this is the last year I'll have both my kids all to myself. Next year Jayna starts preschool and even though it will probably only be 2 or 3 days a week, it makes me want to have as much fun as we can, while we still have our freedom and no schedule!

Okay, this is becoming a really long and random post, so I think I better just stop now.

Home Sweet Home

We've been home for 2 days now, and we are so glad to be back in our own house. We had a great Christmas and time visiting family, but we are happy to be home! We got home Friday night with 2 vehicles packed to the brim and 2 sick kids. Kepler woke up sick Christmas morning, and then passed it along to Jordyn, Holly and Milo, and then they passed it back to him and Jayna. Isn't that what cousins are for?

It's so funny seeing the difference in the kids' personalities when they're sick. Kepler was sick for most of the trip and he was just more chill, snuggly, and laid back and went with the flow. Jayna has been sick for a day, and it's pretty much the end of the world. She's miserable and requires constant attention and sympathy.

So here is what I missed most while we were gone.
Our King size bed! I didn't really think we needed it until we went back to sleeping in a Queen bed, and tried sleeping in a Queen bed with Jayna.
Jayna having her own room to sleep in! Sleeping in the same room with Jayna means having a night light on, that is basically as bright as a regualr light, ALL NIGHT LONG. As soon as we tried to sneakily turn it off in the middle of the night she wakes up crying.
Our double garage! I don't think that requires any further explanation.

Here is what Gibb missed most while we were gone: the quiet.

Here is what I miss most about our trip now that we're home.
The cousins! Even though it was crazy at times, it sure is great having built in playmates for our kids all day.
All the yummy food! Only at Christmas are there literally piles and bags of treats and yummy home made food sitting around begging to be eaten.
Built in entertainment! Sometimes the best part of the day was after the kids were all in bed and we just got to hang out with all the adults playing games or watching movies. It's so nice having people to hang out with, without having to find a baby-sitter.

I'm a little sad that it's all over with already. January is a hard month coming down from the Christmas high, and only 3 days in, I can already feel the winter blues setting in.

Here's to 2010 being fun, warm and full of new experiences!

2010

New Year's Eve we had a party for the kids early, did a countdown around 8:00 pm and then we got to party!

Thanks for going all out Auntie Erin, the kids had a blast!

Playing hot potato

And showing off their prizes!

Happy New Year!

Watching a movie with the cousins!

Wow, staying up until 1 am every day for 2 weeks really starts to take it's toll.
The 4 1/2 hour drive home the next morning was a little rough, but it's always worth it in the end!

Grandma's House

We had so much fun staying with Grandma and Grandpa, and having tons of cousins around to play with!

Playing outside in the backyard, Kepler wasn't such a huge fan, but Jayna sure loved eating the snow.

Making a gingerbread house

Playing trains with Grandma, Choo Choo!!

Christmas Sunday

Girl's Night at Jukio's Barrio and then going to see Young Victoria, which was an amazing movie!

Strawberry-Banana-Mango Virgin Margaritas, so yummy!

Tobaganning was fun, but didn't last very long since Jayna started getting frostbite on her cheeks.

Evan and Jayna making yummy buns with Auntie Erin

Jayna and cousin Osh catching a ride from Great Grandma after swimming

Christmas Day

Christmas morning playing with all the presents from Santa!

Jayna was so happy that she got what she asked for!

Kepler snuggling with his huge giraffe!

Kepler loves the play kitchen, I think he played with it more than anything else.

Kepler was in heaven Christmas morning (even though he was sick).

He wishes he asked Santa for a Cinderella with a sparkly bottle too, maybe next year!

Baby Milo playing with his toy and making the funniest face ever!

The tradition for Gibb's family is to have a huge brunch of crepes and sausages, it's so yummy! And then we got to chill for the rest of the day. It was really relaxing.