Swimming

Last summer Jenny was pretty content to run around the pool, and very rarely went in the pool. On a VERY warm and humid day this summer she was forced to actually play in the pool and within 15 minutes she realized it is fun to swim. She prefers to wear her floaties and swim in a ring at the same time. Hopefully she'll have a lot of fun swimming with her cousins in Grandma's pool in a few weeks!
This weekend we are spending a long weekend in northern WI with Jay's family. Jay's folks have rented a large cabin so we can all stay together. We're looking forward to a fun weekend and a lot of card playing!

Thumb suckers

It looks like Andrew is going to take after his big sister Jenny. He is beginning to suck his thumb too. We're hoping this will make him less crabby.

We took the train to Chicago on July 3. Jenny loved it!

Dancing Jenny

We have been fortunate to receive many, many hand-me-downs for Jenny from Jay's niece. She has been in a dance class for a few years and has passed down her leotards to Jenny. Jenny loves to show us her dancing moves.

Andrew is growing fast. He is starting to get little rolls on his thighs. He continues to sleep well, but he seems to be getting crabbier. He likes to be held a lot, he also cries a lot. Jenny tolerates his crying very well, even offering him her most prized possession - her yellow blankie.

Jenny and Andrew

Andrew is growing fast. Jay was gone for a couple of days this past week and he commented that Andrew had changed while he was gone. He is doing better at nights, usually sleeping for a 5 hour stretch. This morning he woke around 4am and was sleeping again by 5am. Jenny is doing well. She is very nice to Andrew, but if he is being held then she must be held as well. The most important thing to Jenny continues to be the ability to wear a "pretty dress" every day.

We are making our first road trip this weekend. We are celebrating Jay's niece's high school graduation so we are heading to WI on Saturday.

We're looking forward to our trip to CA this summer. Jenny is especially anxious to see Grandma again.

Adjusting

Andrew is one week old and we are adjusting to having a newborn in the house. He seems to be a good baby so far, only crying when he is wet or hungry. He sleeps for long stretches at a time (4-5 hours), but it is usually from 7am-noon. We need to get him to sleep from 1am-6am. Unfortunately, his "awake" time is usually 1-4am. I had forgotten how much laundry a new baby generates, and I have been surprised at how ineffective diapers are at containing little boys.

Jenny is adjusting. She misses Grandma. When Andrew was crying yesterday she said "Maybe he wants Grandma to come back." I think Jenny wants Grandma to come back - Mommy isn't as much fun. She has begun to ask that I put Andrew down on the floor so I can play, and she wants to sit on my tummy "just like Andrew". She went to her cousin's house today, and she was adamant that Andrew "stay home". But she also likes to watch him take a bath, and get his diaper changed. Last night she wanted to read him a book. She'll adjust.

Jay is back at work, spending last night in MI. He was given a brief hiatus in his travels, but he is back at it. We're hoping he is sent someplace fun this summer so the kids and I can tag along.

I am doing well, but I am looking forward to exercising again. The weather has been great, and I would love to get outside for a good walk or jog.

I apologize for not having more pictures. I need to get on that! The picture of Jenny was taken at an Arboretum shortly before Andrew was born.

Andrew Jay

Andrew Jay arrived yesterday at 1:35pm. He was 8 lbs and 6oz, 21 inches long. He has recovered nicely from being born and he is looking pretty good today, even his head seems to be shaped pretty good (yesterday we weren't so sure). Jay claims Andrew's stunning good looks may come from him. Jenny seems to think he is okay, although she has been enjoying the fact that Grandma has been her own personal play partner. We are looking forward to going home tomorrow and introducing Andrew to Uncle Danny and Auntie Kristi.

Nothing new

I had hoped my next post would be about the new baby, but he/she doesn't seem to want to come early. It might be a good thing since Jenny's been sick all week and I think she's passed it along to Jay and I.


We've had a good week of weather so we've been outside a little bit. It's time to get outside and start planting flowers.


Here are a couple of pictures of Jenny. She is sitting on the bike, although she can't actually ride it very well yet.