Transition

Well, my little girl is growing up. It kills me!!! She is a really good sleeper and has never climbed out of her crib so we have kept her in her crib even though she is 2 1/2. But times they are a changing! And the most important reason Jillian needs to get out of the crib is because Rocco needs to get out of our room and into the crib!!!! Sooooo, we worked all weekend to clear out our 3rd bedroom and assemble the new furniture and voila!!! Jillian has a new big girl room!!!!

The beds arrived!!! Good for jumping!!!

Here is the furniture put together. We are still missing some of the bedding - the blue flat sheet and also the comforters but you get the idea!!

Here are the polka dot curtains!!!

This artwork used to be in my room when I was a little girl. When the comforters come in, we are going to hang their baby quilts on the wall. But right now we are using the quilts as the comforters.

Here she is ready to go night-night!!!! She was so excited to be in her new bed that she told us at 7:30 she wanted to go to sleep. We didn't argue!!!


She has slept through the night with no problems for two nights in a row!!! What a big girl!!

Also, Rocco has slept in the crib for two nights and he did OK the first night and he did EXCELLENT the second night by sleeping through the entire night!! (We actually think he woke up crying sometime during the night but I took some tylenol before I went to sleep and I did not hear him fuss). But he did not seem to be too upset this morning so whatever works!!!!

Cooking Class

This summer, Jillian has been very into helping Mommy in the kitchen. What is her favorite thing to make? Blueberries muffins!!! She could make blueberry muffins everyday if I let her!!!

If you have a weak stomach, this video is not for you. I have a deep, deep love of all kinds of dough. Cookie dough, brownie dough, pancake dough, etc. But Jillian, my girl Jillian loves blueberry muffin dough.

Here she is in action. Paula Dean in the making...

Photo Shoot with 2

WOW!!!! Holy Cow!!! They really need to put these kind of things in a parent manual. I had an appointment today at 10:00 a.m. to get the kiddos' pictures taken. Rocco had a SUPER nap this morning! I thought perfect! This will put him in a great mood for pictures. Jillian was very good this morning too AND let me put her hair in pigtails (well, with a lot of bribery). We got there on time. We changed the kiddos into their adorable outfits. Let's roll!!!

First off, every time the flash went off, Rocco cried like we had shot somebody. Big crocodile tears!!! He has never reacted like that (of course, right??)

Then the photographer kept "threatening" Jillian that she was going to tickle her toes. Well, Jillian would SCREAM and throw her feet up in the air. Not attractive for a picture!! The screaming was not helpful to the Rocco situation. The lady would not quit saying it so I just gave up.

All in all, very stressful but the pictures turned out cute b/c well, they are so darn cute. Wearing the cutest outfits that money can buy. ;-) It doesn't matter if they are smiling or not.

This is the best picture of the two of them together. Our photo is zoomed in and looks pretty good.

Our poser.

Bows, bows everywhere!!!

Mr. Crabby

About to fall over...

As a fellow (amateur) photographer, we thought the lady did not set this picture up correctly. Jillian is too tall to stand behind Roc. Their heads are too far away. I never say anything in the moment. Why?? Why do I care if I suggest something else? Got to get more outspoken!!

Rocco finally started to warm up.

Big eyes, big smile!!

Cutie patootie!!!

There is that big grin!!

What a learning experiment!!! I don't know what I would have done had Grammie not been there! Thanks Grammie!!! I'll need ya in about 6 months!!

7 lbs and 2 years, 9 days

Half a year has gone by since Rocco Harrison was born! How is that possible? Time flies when you're having fun!! I am definitely having fun with these two little bitties. Well, one little bittie and we know I am referring to Jillian.



Just got back from the doc and we know that Rocco is not little bittie. Here's the official stats:




Weight: 20 lbs (90th percentile)
Height: 27 1/2 ins (75th percentile) This has dropped off a little.
HC: 95th percentile (Dr. forgot to write down the cms.)




Seriously, the child has a big head. A head that will not fit thru any neck hole of a shirt. Very frustrating!!!




There are two years, 9 days that separate my cuties. However, only 7 small pounds. Jillian better start being really nice to Rocco b/c he is going to bigger than her in a few short months. How crazy is that??




Nicknames:
RockStar, RoccoBaby, RoccoMan, RoccoPulco, Tank, TwoTon



Moving:
He is sitting up by himself but has made no attempt to crawl. He has not even made it to all fours yet. There is just too much weighing him down.



Features:
All the blue color in his eyes is gone. He has brown eyes. I know I am an eye snob but I am slightly disappointed (I am being honest). Both Grandpas have the most beautiful blue eyes you have ever seen (which Miss J was fortunate enough to get) and even Bryan has green eyes but Rocco got brown from somewhere.
His hair is blonde and getting blonder. Blonder is that a word?
He has the biggest, biggest, biggest thighs you have ever seen!!! I have a hard time getting his shorts over those thighs.
He still has the two bottom teeth only. I am looking every day for those top two. Jillian got them right after turning 6 months.

Food

At six months Rocco is eating solid foods. He is doing really well with the rice cereal and has also eaten squash, sweet potatoes, carrots and applesauce. We are going to do the green vegtables next. I am sure he will love them. He seems to have liked everything so far.



Sleep
NOT sleeping through the night



Bottle
NO bottle, NO sippy cup.



Smile
ALL THE TIME!!! Anybody can look at him and meet his eyes and smile and he will give it right back to you. Doesn't matter who you are!! He is a charmer!!!



Here are some shots with a hat (this photo shoot was supposed to be at the beach but we all know how that went)

We Cut It Short

What can I say?? It was just too hot for us. Since I can remember, my family has gone to Port Aransas during the summer, but I never remember it being this hot. I feel like a broken record. We can not escape the heat. We still had fun and most importantly, Jillian had LOTS of fun. That is what is important.

That girl had three things she wanted to see at the beach - a dolphin, a turtle, and a bridge. We all worked hard to make sure that happened. Plus, we threw in a bonus - a jellyfish. According to Jillian, the trip was a succes just based on those four things.

We went to the beach every day, we painted, we blew bubbles, we looked for dolphins at Station Street Pier, we looked for sea turtles at the jetties and she got to chase the sea gulls. What more could a two year old want?

Rocco was so good but it was just so hot for him. He was a little fussy but he is also showing signs

of getting a top tooth so he could be miserable because of tooth pain.

Here are some of my favorite pictures.....

Jillian has Mommy's shades and she is ready for the beach!

Riding the ferry over to the island.

Look who's ready for the beach!!

My favorite beach bum!

She's looking for the dolphins (well, in Port A there are no "dolphins" but we have porpusses (or is it porpi?) but it is hard explaining that to someone who is 2) . Grammie is also teaching her to "pose" for pictures. Can you tell?

Jillian is also very into using Mommy's camera. She LOVES taking pictures and if I do say so myself, she is getting VERY good at it. She took this picture of Mommy and Rocco. She was very upset that he would not say cheese but I think the picture is wonderful!



Expert bubble blower!!

You forget the little things. This was the first time we put Rocco down near the grass. He had the most puzzled expression on his face. We kept touching it and making funny faces. Jillian thought it was hilarious!!

This is Jillian and Daddy re-enacting their favorite scene from Mary Poppins - "Let's Go Fly a Kite." However, the Banks family makes it look a lot easier b/c they did not have to deal with the coast wind to deal with. Daddy and Jillian struggled to get the kite up but it was still fun trying.

Can you tell how hot he is? Can you see the shine of sweat on his forehead?? He was a trooper!!

Grammie took Jillian on a "photo shoot." Jillian ATE IT UP!! They took so many pictures!!

Hands on her hips. Next thing you know, she is going to say things like, "strike a pose" - Madonna style.

My hippie parents with their seaweed artwork. Jillian loved that too and will now when she is saying goodbye will say, "Peace in the middle east." Ha ha!!!

Family Pic - Port A 2009!

We'll see ya next year (well, if it is cooler??)!!

This is for Daon

As a young adult, I read books ALL THE TIME!!! I would read fiction, non-fiction, romance, biographies. I would read super fast. If I like the book a lot, I would read it over and over again. I just loved to read!!



And.Then.Came.Law.School.



When I came to law school, I did not understand the number of humongous books I would have to read. It started with civil procedure, contracts, torts, etc. They all came with huge books to read in the class. You might think these would be interesting reads but oh no, quite dull and boring. They all had one thing in common - huge books, long books with teeny, tiny print. The Constitutional law book was gigantic.



Reading all of these books was required to pass through law school. It took up all of my time. I would spend every moment reading page after page of law cases and facts and opinions from judges.


It.sucked.the.life.out.of.me.



After law school, I could not pick up a book. My brain was too tired. My mind could not read another word. It is like the reading part of my brain had shut down. It stayed that way for a long time. LOOOOOOOOOOOOONG TIME!!!




Then I started to notice what my mom or dad was reading. I started listening when my girlfriends were talking about a good book they read. And I decided to return to the land of the reading. I selected a "fluffy" chick-flick book. Nothing too deep. I wanted to ease back into the reading world. It felt good. It was liking putting on comfortable shoes. I could see myself making a full-fledge comeback and then................................



I got pregnant. Bye, bye reading. Well, not entirely true. I read pregnancy books. That's it.
Then I had Jillian and there was NO TIME to read.



Then I got pregnant again.......re-read pregnancy books. I had Rocco and now here I am. STILL NO TIME BUT.......



Why is this post titled "This is for Daon"??? My friend Daon is obsessed (I say this lovingly) with anything and everything about Twilight. So she inspired me to buy this......

It is my mission to read this book on my vacation. Can I do it???? We shall see. I'll let ya'll know!!!

Otherwise, I think this vacation is coming at the perfect time because I think the heat is slowly killing my hubby. Yesterday was 104 and his truck did not have any air conditioning. This was him last night at about 8:00 pm.

It will be awhile but I'll be back!!!

Thursday's Thoughts

It is hot!! The thermometer in the backyard says 110 degrees. That is crazy hot!! Getting in the pool feels like getting in a hot tub. The weather girl says no end in sight. There will be 100+ days next week too.
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In my post about Jillian, I forgot to mention her attitude. Boy, has she got one!! If I say no to anything, and I mean anything, then she yells at the top of her lungs "Mommy, you are not being nice!!!" followed by "I do not like you" and then throws herself on the floor. Yesterday, she asked for a bottle and of course, I said no and it was WWIII. She threw a fit for five full minutes. (See, this is why I cannot go anywhere with her right now)
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Speaking of the bottle, yes, my 2.5 year old still asks for one. She has always had a strong attachment to her "ba." When Poppy was still watching the kids during the school year, it was the only way he could get her to nap and trust me, I know he needed her to nap so I never fought that battle with Jillian. But now in the summer, when I am with her, I am fighting the battle. She only asks for it about once a week but when she does, the battle is ugly but Mommy is gonna win!!! I cannot let a 2.5 year old beat me on this issue!!

Now the other kid, who should be drinking a bottle - still won't. I did get him to drink a couple of sips out of a sippy cup the other day but not since that one time.

Is there any logic or reason in my life??
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I have finally found a daycare for the kids for this coming school year!! YAY!!!! I was stressing!! It is sooooooo awesome!! Go here to see it http://www.countryhomelearningcenter.com/
I have had such a difficult time finding any daycare that offers part time care but this one is fantastic!!!! They have everything a kid could want. Playgrounds inside, playgrounds outside, water parks, 1950s soda shop for cooking classes, computer class, indoor basketball parks, yada yada yada. Jillian and Rocco will go M-W-F and my parents are going to keep the kids on T-Th. I feel like it is a win-win situation. They will have the structure of a "classroom" for some of the time and the love and attention of Grammie and Poppy for part of the time. Plus Poppy needed a little break from full-time care for both kids. His golf game was suffering. :-) Now Bryan and I just need to rob a bank to pay for it - even for part time. It is ridiculous how expensive every single daycare I checked out was ---ridiculous!!! But I am glad I found this place b/c it offers so much more than any other daycare I found and it is kind of on my way to work!!! I hope J & R will do OK. We will see!!
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Yesterday, we went to the Reagan library for the Magik Theatre's If You Give a Mouse a Cookie. It was really cute but for ages 4-5. Jillian was NOT paying attention so we went to check out some of the books. I let her pick several and then we went to check them out. The lady said "Ma'am you cannot check these out b/c you have a late fee." We had checked out 3 movies for Jillian but I had turned them in. She said, "Yes ma'am, I see you turned them in but they were late. Movies must be returned in 1 week not 2. That will be $18.00." WHAT?????!!!!! I wanted to punch her. She was calling me Ma'am. She said I owed $18.00. Plus, in the midst of this, Jillian had wandered off. Found daughter, paid fine, left library very ticked off. I could have bought the movies for $18.00.

Again, where is the logic or reason??
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Otherwise, we are leaving on vacation on Saturday. Bryan has all of next week off so we are heading to the beach. I am hoping the kids (well, and the adults) survive the heat!!!

2 1/2 years

That's how long I have been lucky enough to be graced with Jillian Avery. That girl is an angel and a spitfire all rolled into one. She knows what she wants and what she doesn't want.

Stats

Since there is no doctor visit at 2 1/2, most of this is unofficial Mom guessing. Well, except her weight - 2 weeks ago, there was a doctor visit for sickies and she weighed 27 lbs. I am not sure about her height. She is a little minnie!! She still fits into several 18 months clothes but is mostly into 24 months clothes. Most 2T stuff is just way too big! With the onslaught of summer, her hair has lightened back to white blonde status and she has developed a slight tan on her arms and legs.

Words

Jillian has always been very verbal but now she has whole conversations. She loves pretending anything is a phone and will talk to Daddy on the "phone." She asks, "What are you doing?" a million times. The only time she is quiet is when she is in a new situation with new people. She puts her hands in her mouth and pretends to be shy.

Foods

Jillian has not changed much with her foods. She will eat chicken and turkey. She loves green beans and corn. She loves cheese and every kind of fruit. She loves to snack on CheezIts with Poppy. She loves a Zebra Cake snack with Daddy and of course, LOVES her choco snacks with Grammie. She will ONLY drink water....nothing else, period. When we go for walks, she has to have carrots or she will not go. On Saturday mornings, she and Daddy go on a special trip to get donuts. She does NOT like hot dogs, hamburgers, pizza, any red meat or broccoli.

Favs

Jillian is into Jonah (a Veggie tales movie), Goodnight Moon (there is an animated DVD that goes along with the book), Mary Poppins and any other Disney movie she can get her hands on.

She loves a book called Jesus Loves Me, Scamp, Brown Bear, Brown Bear, Polar Bear, Polar Bear, Panda Bear, Panda Bear.....really, she likes any book about animals.

Activities

Jillian is just now starting to play with Play-Doh, paint and make some crafts. This summer she takes a class at the Little Gym and LOVES it. She bounces, jumps, hangs, runs and rolls everywhere. Also when this girl hears music, she starts to dance.

Biggest Achievement

At age 2, Jillian was the lone star....no baby brother. It has been a rough road but she has come a long way in just six short months. She has embraced being a big sister with fervor. She loves squeezing his cheeks, saying "goochie, goochie, goo," and giving him zerberts. She loves to pick out his clothes especially his jammies, she loves helping with his baths and recently, she likes feeding him his rice cereal.

Pictures

My once photogenic girl has turned camera-shy. Well, maybe not shy but she is waaaay too busy to stop for a picture. There are not as many pictures of her in this 6 month period but here are some that make me smile.

This is her NOT looking at the camera.

This is her dressing up like Michael Jackson.




I love this picture. She looks so happy!!

This is the "Mommy made me say cheese" smile.

This was yesterday. She wanted the camera to be SUPER close to her face. (Notice that I cut her bangs this time. I'm trying to get better!!!) Good thing she is still adorable.

What a fun girl to be around! Next stop, 3 years old. How fast time goes by!!

Happy 4th!!

Well, nothing's changed around here - still hot, still swimming!!!

Jillian got new Elmo big girl panties!! She is doing really well with the potty training.

This morning, she painted for the first time.

She did an awesome job!!! A Picasso in the making!!

Then we went to Grammie and Poppy's for some swimming.

Jillian will jump for two hours if you will stand and catch her. Naps have been excellent lately!!

Rocco got to watch from the sides!!

Rocco and his Poppy in their hats. The wind caught Rocco's hat. It doesn't usually look so goofy!!

Happy 4th everybody!! Hope you had a good one!!

Actual Conversation

We are driving to gymnastics this morning and there is a huge brown truck beside us.

Jillian: Mommy, Mommy!!!
Me: What, sweetheart???
Jillian: I do not like P-U-S.
Me: What?
Jillian: (Pointing to big brown truck) I do not like P-U-S.
Me: Oh, gotcha!
Jillian: I like FedEx.

Jillian should be a paid spokeswoman. Daddy is going to talk to his bosses about it.