Santa 2012

We took Jade to see Santa at the Bass Pro Shop today! A coworker tipped us off on going there rather than the mall because you get a free picture and you can take your own pictures. Jade had fallen asleep in the car on the way there, so she was in a bit of a daze which led to minimal reaction. At least there was no screaming! :)

Holiday Party

Last night was the annual Baker Tilly holiday party. This year it took place on the 99th floor of the Willis Tower (formerly known as the Sears Tower). It was a super clear night and our view was amazing! Later in the evening they allowed us up to the 103rd floor where the glass ledges are! Here are a few pics of the fabulous view! Also, a big thanks to mom and dad for watching Jade and letting us enjoy a night out!

 

View from our dinner table

Looking down through the floor of the glass ledge

Nate and I on the Skydeck ledge



8 Months

Not much has changed in the last month! Jade is still go go go ALL the time, she still likes the same foods (with the addition of a new favorite, french fries), still takes the same naps, still only has two teeth, still has not said mama or dada, and is still a happy and easy-going baby!

 

 

For the last couple weeks she has no longer been army crawling and has consistently been crawling on her hands and knees! Also, when concentrating hard on something (usually a cell phone) she has stood on her own for several seconds! Here is a quick video of Jade crawling. Man, this girl is fast!!!

 

Arizona

We had a great time in Arizona this past weekend celebrating Cora's Baptism and spending time with the Baum family! I'm so glad Nate, Jade and I were on the same flights as my mom and dad! It definitely was nice to have 3 extra pairs of hands to help entertain a very active almost 8 month old! We were trying hard to entertain ourselves toward the end of the flight. Jade didn't seem to mind the hat, however! :)

 

 

I can't believe this was Jade's third trip to Arizona! Each time we have gone I have taken a picture of her in her stroller while waiting for Alison or Roger to pick us up. Here are the pictures! :)

 

7/28/12                      9/29/12                12/1/12

 

 In addition to Cora's Baptism, we were able to see Rowan and Cruz in the Church's Advent program and get in a little shopping at the outlet mall. He are a few pictures from the weekend.

 

Sweet Cora

 

A closeup of her bracelet

Family pic

I have the most adorable nephews and niece

Momma and Cora 

Jade with her favorite Aunt and Uncle :)

Little Miss Jade

 

So special that Cora and Jade were Baptized in the same dress my sister and I wore

Rowan and Cruz in their Advent Program

A goofy Uncle Nate with Jade and Cora

 

Cousin pic

This picture is a little blurry, but I had to throw it in here! Rowan and Cruz were so sweet with Jade. They kept wanting to give her kisses and Jade was definitely loving the attention of her big cousins!

 

 

 

 

Putting up the Christmas tree

One of my favorite memories as a kid is putting up the Christmas tree. I remember it being quite the production, bringing everything up from the basement, straightening branches, untangling lights and hanging ornaments. The big spread of snacks however made it all worth it! Nate and I have been incorporating the snack spread tradition into our Christmas tree prep each year.

 

The snacks!

Jade checking out the tree

She loves to hit the big (nonbreakable) red ball ornament!

The finished tree

Our stockings

 

Thanksgiving

I accidentally left my camera at my mom and dad's house during Thanksgiving weekend and didn't get it back until this past weekend. So, this Thanksgiving post is just a little bit late! :)

 

We had a busy busy Thanksgiving! We started the day at my Grandma and Grandpa's house where we had our first turkey dinner of the day! Here are a few pictures!

 

My little turkey!

Great Grandma and Grandpa and Aunt Mar

Grammy and Grampy

Jade's face in this picture makes me smile! <3

 

Mid afternoon we headed home to feed and let out Charcoal before heading over to Nate's Aunt and Uncle's house for the remainder of the day. I didn't get any pictures from this half of the day on my camera, so hopefully copies from Nate's family will surface in the near future! We (Jade included) got to enjoy a second turkey dinner. I think her favorite Thanksgiving foods were mashed potatoes and cranberries. 

 

The following Saturday, Jade, Charcoal and I  (Nate had to work) had one more Thanksgiving celebration with my Grandma (Gee Gee) and my parents! I was lucky enough to enjoy a third turkey dinner! :) Here are a few pictures from our time together.

 

The delicious turkey

Jade Marie

Charcoal and Lucky

Four Generations

 

.....and it continues

My little angel is growing way to fast! Since she has "mastered" crawling (in her opinion) she was ready to "master" something else. The past few days, Jade has been pulling herself up to standing on a diaper box. Well, yesterday while I was making dinner, I peeked into the family room and saw Jade on her knees with her hands up on the couch. She looked at me and smiled and then pulled herself right up! She proceeded to do this another 3 or 4 times afterward, so I know it wasn't a fluke! Here is a brief video, the quality is poor, but I think you can get the gist!

7 Months

If I were to describe Jade in one word at 7 months it would be active. This girl is go go go all the time. Perhaps this is why she is still giving us such great naps each day - an hour to an hour and a half in the morning and 2-3 hours in the afternoon! I know this won't last forever so we're definitely enjoying it before it's gone! :)

 

I was lucky to catch Jade still enough to not blur a picture. Three out of like 20 isn't too bad, right?

 

Love that smile!

Supermodel pose!

Of course, being silly!

 

Jade's unofficial weight at 7 months is 18 pounds 13 ounces. She loves eating yogurt, carrots and any kind of fruit. She goes after everything that is Charcoal's, she enjoys "watching" the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and she still loves reading books and when you sing The Wheels on the Bus. I'm so thankful for Jade and her ability to always make me smile. I'm hopeful she will babble Mama very soon! :)



Crawling

These last few days Jade's crawling (scooting/army crawl) has really taken off. She is constantly on the move, especially when she spots one of Charcoal's tennis balls. Today she literally crawled around the whole downstairs chasing the ball (more than once). Here is a little video of her on the move! Let baby proofing of the house begin!

 

 

Happy Halloween

I went back and forth as to whether or not I should take Jade trick or treating this year since she is only 6.5 months old and can't eat candy!! Well, I am so glad I decided to take her because she made the cutest little princess kitty!

 

My little kitty! Trying to draw whiskers on a baby isn't easy. I was happy to get what I did!

 

Nate had to work until 6 so he had to miss trick or treating. Luckily Grammy got out of work early and was able to come trick or treating with us!

 

Black cat and princess kitty ready to go! :)

 

Checking out her candy!

Jade kept grabbing for the Snickers bar!

Daddy got home in time to see Jade (and me) in our costumes! :)

Ready for bed in her skeleton jammies!



6 month pictures

We haven't been up to much these past few days, which means I haven't had much to blog about! I just realized I never posted any of Jade's 6 month pictures! Here are a few of my favorites! :)