Kisses

Christmas Moose sets the stage.

"You want me to do what?"

"Hmm...I'm thinking..."


"Okay - Daddy can have a kiss."

"A Christmas kiss for you too Christmas Moose."

Jax & Jilly

Jilly (almost 3) & Jax (almost 4)

So Steve and I saw the movie Marley and Me over the weekend and thus I felt obligated to give our Best Boy Jax and Pretty Girl Jilly some face time on the blog. For all dog lovers - a very good movie - but bring some tissues. The movie is very true to life and shows that having a pet is not all fun and roses - but the rewards far outweigh the daily grind. Both Jax & Jilly show us unconditional love each and everyday - even if they've just been yelled at or haven't been played with in what seems like forever. They follow us everywhere and would defend us if we were in harm's way. It's hard to believe that we've had them for almost 4 & 3 years respectively. Jax is still our happy-go-lucky-throw-the-ball-for-me-please-please-please boy. He LOVES to be outside. Jilly continues to be a tad more calculated and loves to eat - anything and cuddle up for some loving. They see me off every morning and greet me every night that I come home - and on the rare occasion that they are not waiting at the door - I miss them. What gets me most about them getting older is that Saela and Baby #2 will have never known life without them - and that thought gets me teary almost every time.

Early Christmas

"Why yes Grandpa - if you say please, we can of course go open presents."

"Oh - thank you for the gifts - let's go play!"

"Hmm...I wonder who would like to get me as a present?"

My dad was able to visit earlier this month for a few days and we all had a wonderful visit. Saela spent time with him reading books and playing with all of her toys. We had an early Christmas celebration which was enjoyed by all. Saela did get a stomach bug while he was here - which put a little bit of a damper on the fun - but I think Grandpa relished the extra cuddle time. We miss him already - but are thankful for the time we were able to spend together this holiday season. We hope you are all able to be with family & friends to share in the joy of Christmas and the birth of our Savior.

Crazy Hair

This is how Saela looks after removal of a ponytail holder.

I know it's been awhile since an update. Saela and I have had two rounds of a stomach virus and let's just say this pregnancy has been less than easy thus far. (Steve has been super understanding and helpful!) Hopefully, we are heading into an illness free 2009. Saela seems to be doing much better and was able to return to daycare today. She is talking up a storm and has learned how to say no. Now, if she would learn to "understand" the word no when Steve or I say it - we would be in business. I will try to post a few more pics soon.

15 month Hodge Podge

"Please"

"Sorry Jax & Jilly, but I like this cereal."

"Whew, that was a lot of hard work!"

Okay, you might think we never change Saela's clothes anymore - but this happens to be her favorite pair of pajamas. She will hold them up and sign "please" as she is demonstrating in the first picture. She says "please" by signing for everything and it melts my heart every time. From wanting food to her shoes put on to her favorite pj's - she says please - what gets hard is when she says please for something she cannot have - it's hard to say no.

She's becoming an expert walker and is falling less and less. She loves covering things up with washcloths or paper towels or blankets - or whatever she has handy. Her vocabulary is growing daily - her words now consist of "Ja"=Jax, "Mim"=Mom, "Da-da"=Dad, "Uh-oh"=Uh-oh, and when asked what a ducky says or what a cow says she says "Qak, qak and Boooo" respectively. I have been trying to catch this on video - but have not yet been successful. She will also look at the pages of a book and "read" to herself and this is seriously the cutest thing EVER!

Her favorite food is cottage cheese - and we now hide her vegetables inside the cottage cheese to get her to eat them. She no longer freely eats broccoli as she did a few short posts ago! We also discovered this morning that she likes taco chip dip - so much for feeding my kid healthy food. She had a banana, store brand "Special K" and taco chip dip for breakfast. Perhaps this is why she is passed out in her high chair. What I've been telling myself to ease my conscience is - "at least she doesn't eat like this everyday."

As her 15th month mark has come and gone - she continues to grow and amaze us daily. We thank God everyday for her presence in our lives.

Guilty?

"No, Mom, I do not have anything behind my back."

Saela Shares

Coming Soon to a Theatre Near You

Big Sisterhood

starring

SAELA CATHERINE GREEN


Estimated Date of Release
6.2.09