Week 49

Dear Jorie,

This was the week of races for me. The Lilac 5k on Sunday and the Corporate Challenge on Tuesday. This kind threw off most of our other plans, but we did take you to see the Lilac Festival on Friday after work.

We also did some shopping on Saturday, so you have some nice new summery clothing, and a pair of jelly sandals that are just a touch too big right now, but I know you'll grow into them soon.

You came and watched me run both races, which I'm sure must have been exciting and confusing to you. So many people for you to watch, and all of them moving around so much. 

That tooth is definitely there, although you still haven't let us see it. I've felt it more than a few times when you've chomped down on my finger. 

Cousins!

You're also getting really good at that whole walking thing, you can toddle your way almost clear across the room now. 

I'm sorry this letter is so disjointed and short, the races really took up most of my concentration this week. Now that I'm past them, we can return to our normal adventures!

             I love you baby girl.

First Tooth!

I'm not 100% positive (because I haven't been able to actually look at your bottom gums) but I think you have your first tooth! I felt it while you were nomming on my finger last night. It's your front bottom right incisor. 

YAY!

Week 48

Dear Jorie,

What an amazing week! You took your first steps, we spent lots of time with all of your grandparents, we went to the Rochester Public market for the first (and second) time, and we celebrated our very first Mother's day!

Your Father and I are so proud of our new little walker! You've been doing a lot of walking practice now that you figured out you can do it, taking two or three steps before sitting down on your butt. It's really cute to watch!

Saturday, I wanted to get some breakfast at the Public Market, so we headed over there, and after some stressful parking attempts, got ourselves some tasty pocket pies and even tastier coffee. We didn't stick around at the market for long, because it was COLD (and windy!) but you seemed to really enjoy the chance to people watch.

For Mother's day, you and your Father got me some potted flowers, you made me a salt dough hand print, and your Father even got you to sign a card for me. The hand print didn't turn out exactly how your Father wanted (the dough got all puffy after he did it) but I love it.

We also went to the Public market on Sunday, early, so your Grandma O could go to the plant sale they have there on Sundays. Me and your father act as "plant runners", running the plants they buy back to their van while your Grandparents shop. It was REALLY cold, but you were all bundled up, so you didn't care. You just enjoyed more people watching. I managed to get a few plants for our house as well, A purple basil plant, a hot pepper plant, a really cool heirloom tomato plant, some flowers, and my favorite, a raspberry bush! I can't wait to plant it and see if we can get some raspberry's this year!

After that we headed over to your Grandma and Grandpa R's where your Great Grandma DeGraff and her side of the family was over for Mother's day. It was the usual crazy happy time that it always is with that side of the family. Lots of love, lots of laughter, lots of people!

The good news is that the weather is warming back up, so hopefully we'll be able to catch the end of the Lilac Festival. I really can't wait to start taking you to festivals, where you can actually enjoy yourself instead of just being a passenger in the Baby B.jorn.

The only downside to this week was that you've had a really stuffy, runny nose. It dosn't seem to bother you too much, until I try to wipe your nose! 


I love you munchkin!

 

First Steps!

Yestderday, While at my parents house after my run, you took your first steps! There were just two of them, but the were definitely successful steps. First you just took one and then sat down, the next time you tried you took two in a row before sitting down. 

Way to go baby girl!

Week 47!

Dear Jorie,

You will turn 11 months old this week. One month from now you will be turning one year old. How crazy is that? 

This week was a crazy fun busy week. My car had some serious car trouble, so it's been in and out of the shop this week, which lead to some fun times for your Father and me. The weekend was of course the highlight of the week. 

Pointing at the Elephants

Enjoying the zoo!

Saturday, we went to the zoo! Your Grandma and Grandpa O came with us and we spent two and a half hours wandering around looking at all the animals. The wolves were out running laps around their enclosure, which you really liked. The monkeys were all a big hit for you. You especially like the little ones in the monkey house. I tried my best to make sure you could see all the animals, and I'm sure we'll be back more than a few times this summer.

Sunday was a REALLY full day! First we had a lot of people over for brunch, Your Aunt Becky and Uncle Michael brought Wesley. Micah and Andrew stopped over, even though Andrew couldn't stay long. Andy (your aunts brother) was in town too, so he came over, and we learned he might be moving back to the area! After we ate and everyone had been sitting around for a while, we took you and Wesley out into the back yard and got some swing time in. You always love being in the swing! Wesley still seems to not really know what's going on, but he's still really little!

Cousin size comparison

After everyone left, we headed up to Highland park to meet up with Jamee, Bill and Zetta. Zetta is walking now, and she spent the majority of the time running circles around us, but the two of you did sit down and play together briefly. The hugs were amazingly cute.

Showing off your standing skills

After the park, you and your father stayed home while I went for a long run. Your father said he had you in the swings for a while so he could get some work done around the yard. We're hoping at some point to have the yard be able to grow some fruits and veggies, but we'll see. Right now it's mostly a place for the puppy to play.

Nomming on a teether

You're still working on taking that first step. You do a lot of free standing, and tons of cruising, but whenever you run out of something to hold on to, you just plop your butt down and crawl where you want to go. I am totally ok with you taking your time with the walking. We have a hard enough time keeping up with you now!

Looking so big in the jogging stroller.

Still no teeth, though you've been acting like your teething again, so maybe we'll see some soon. I'm excited for that first tooth! 

Me and your father were remarking yesterday how big you look in your carseat. We were at My parents house on Tuesday to pick up a car to borrow, and you were sitting in your car seat and your feet were sticking out the end. I remember when we brought you home, how tiny you looked in that car seat, now you barely fit in it. We're going to have to get a new one soon. 

 
I love you so much baby girl. Happy 11 month birthday!

11 months old!

 

Week 46

Dear Jorie,

Swings!

The weather has decided to get much nicer out lately, so we've been spending as much of our time as we can out enjoying it. That's not as much as I'd like, but it's been enough.

This past weekend your father finally sold the big chain link sections of the dog kennel we had sitting in our back yard, which uncovered your swing set. We cleaned it off and you got to have your first ride in the swing! You really loved it, you kept laughing and squealing. 

Still not so sure about this "grass" stuff

We also had a chance to go to the park this weekend, and you got your first chance since you were a little tiny newborn to play on grass. You were very unsure about it at first, you wouldn't put your feet down and seemed very hesitant to put your hands down on it, but once you got used to it you were in full on zoom mode! You wanted to go everywhere and see everything. You were particularly interested in some daisies that were growing near where we had set up camp, and loved the way the wind gusts would ruffle your hair.

Walking with daddy's help

Standing all by yourself!

Your latest tricks include standing easily completely unsupported, pointing more or less consistantly to mom or dad on request, and making definitive recognizable "words" for the dog and cat. Dog sounds kinda like "ggugggeee" and cat sounds kinda like "keeeeeiiii." It is horrifically incredibly cute when you do it.


The rest of the week has been very busy, but not with anything interesting. You still love day care and seem to be thriving there. I still miss you terribly all day while I'm at work. 

At brunch on Sunday

I've just started planning your first Birthday party, which will be in just over a month. I'm really excited about it, but I can't believe you'll be a whole year old soon. You're getting so big so fast. I wish I could slow down the time and enjoy it more. 


 I love you baby girl.

Rocking the leopard print and cat ears

All clean after a bath and ready for bed

On a jog with mommy