Lovin' Mom

Rocky???

Josie is ready for her workout! She is STANDING on the sofa and STANDING in the recliner. Of course it is only for a few moments, but she is getting the hang of it.

Naps For Everyone

Josie is a great napping partner! She will sleep anywhere - just get her warm and lights out! The same goes for her parents!

Six Months

Sitting up, laughing, standing, teething, but still not rolling over (or even considering it)! Her schedule hasn't changed much - up at 6 eats a BIG breakfast of oatmeal and fruit - bottle around 8, cat nap of 15 minutes - eats lunch veggie and rice bottle and nap - bottle again around 3 or 4 another cat nap, dinner at 6 oatmeal and fruit, bath and bottle - bed by 8. She has had a tough time sleeping all night for the last few weeks - she wakes up and cries for my nemesis, the pacifier, and then right back out. Josie is 20 pounds and 28 and a half inches long. Her eyes are still blue and her hair is getting even more blonde (with a hint of red). She has outgrown most of her 9 month clothes and is pretty comfortable in the 12 months. She is a happy little girl! She smiles all the time and plays well by herself. She still loves the jumperoo but I think the ultrasauser is her favorite now. She will get on her knees but not on her belly and only understands reverse in the walker! Everything goes right in her mouth - especially her rubber duckie - which is by far her favorite toy. She can't get enough of him! She loves
bath time in the big bathtub and tries to kick out every drop of water. She is so much fun! She talks all the time and her latest sound is Dadadadad....all day long, dadada...no Mama, just Dadadadada. She growls, squeals, yells and whispers. When she gets mad she scrunches her noise and snorts (it's so cute)! She sticks her tongue out and blows (which is not cute with a mouth full or carrot). She is full of personality and a little attitude. We are trying to teach her patty cake but she gets so excited she closes her eyes when I clap! With each day that passes she is learning to do something different - and each day is more precious than the last. I knew I was going to love being a mom - I just didn't know how lucky I was to be HER mom!

Christmas at GrandCheryl's

We celebrated Christmas at Kevin's Mom's house in mid January. Lots of laughs and - my favorite - lots of breakfast!
Eliza shared her ladybug tent with us!
Josie didn't want to share her college "fund/fun" money
GrandCheryl's sharing a little love!

We really enjoyed our visit- Josie's first Christmas was fun fun fun!

Happy Birthday Grayson

This is another case of "why didn't I take more pictures. Josie attended her first birthday party for Grayson Kellett and handed out a few kisses for Brenda Vasser. Josie met lots of new people but was not the youngest at the party. Natalie's little boy Kai is about 3 months old. But before the cake and ice cream Josie fell asleep and we headed home.

Real Men Wear Pink

What is it about a man snuggled up in a pink blanket that is so sweet? Maybe it is the little girl who feels so safe on his chest that makes it even better!

Never Say Never

I USED to say that I would NEVER allow my child to have a pacifier - even when she was born I REFUSED to give her one....

Thank goodness the lactation consultant at the hospital sent a pacifier home with us (even though I told her we wouldn't need one). It took me three weeks to give in - but everyone is happy I did!

So - I guess I was right - I didn't give her A pacifier - she has two (ok, really 5). Never say never!

Christmas Night

After a long - wonderful day - Josie and I had a little mother-daughter time. Our first Christmas as a family was so very special. I truly thank you God for every moment we share.

Christmas at Great Grandma's

We traveled to Charlotte Court House for Lunch at Kevin's Grandma's and boy was it worth the trip! The entire family was there to celebrate the holiday. And the homemade hot rolls were perfect! (This is one of those times that you realise you should have taken more pictures)

Gift Time!

Josie enjoyed, ok - so we enjoyed watching her try to open her gifts.



Everything I could ever ask for (other than make-up, a brush, and matching pj's)

Christmas Morning!

What a blessing! Josie made our Christmas so very special. Amanda gave her the little outfit and I am aware that Josie is going to kill me when she gets older for leaving it on the entire time - but I couldn't resist!
After Josie woke up and had her bottle, she took another little nap in my arms while waiting for her Grandparents and Uncle to arrive.
We all ate breakfast together and then watched Josie try to open her gifts!







Lots of hug and kisses for our little girl!

Christmas Eve

Josie helped Kevin assemble his early Christmas present while I fixed breakfast. Kevin and I then headed to Richmond to see Haynie and Jennifer Lee's little boy Issac who was 12 days old and admitted to the hospital due to a high fever. Kevin helped Santa Haynie assemble a few toys for their tow older boys while I stayed with Jennifer Lee and Issac (Issac came home the day after Christmas is is doing just fine now!!). My parents took Josie to our church service and then met Kevin's Dad and Doris for their candle light service that afternoon. Kevin and I got back just in time for the festivities at Kevin's Dad's house. I was so glad to get my hands on my little girl. I feed Josie while everyone ate so I was the last to finish. The rule is - no presents to everyone finishes eating. Our nephew John watched me like a hawk - and was very concerned when I told him that I am a V E R Y S L O W eater. I even told him that I will only eat one green pea at a time. It was touchier for him and the other kids! The other rule is the youngest grandchild gets to open the first present and only one present gets opened at a time. We handed Josie her first gift and told them that we all had to wait for her to open it - she put it in her mouth! The other 5 kids offered to help her!! After a few pictures and a great meal - the paper flew! It was so much fun watching everyone - but Josie lost interest and fell asleep! After a little nap she was ready for the next round of kisses! (notice the teething fish is in almost every photo!)

Happy Birthday Granddad!

Josie fell asleep before the celebration began - but we enjoyed the Alaskan King Crab Legs Aunt Nancy sent Granddad for his 67th Birthday! Yummmmy!

Kisses for Amanda

I have told you before that Josie loves Amanda and now I have proof! Amanda is the only person she does this too - and she kisses Amanda every single time!

More Kisses For Amanda!

This is what happens when she really loves you!

Merry Christmas From Commonwealth

Josie and I came to work to wish you a Merry Christmas! She enjoyed her rattle from Amanda and if you watch the videos you will she she also enjoyed kisses!

John and Josie spent some quality time in the floor today!

Bath Time

5 Months

Who knew 5 months could go by so fast! Josie is 18 pounds and 28 inches long! She is now squeezing into her 9 month clothes because the 12 months are just a little big. Josie has changed so much in one month. Her appetite has greatly increased! She loves pears, bananas, peas and oatmeal - she does not enjoy peaches, apples or cereal. She still spits up A LOT - but obviously it is not effecting her weight gain. She is sitting up better but still has the "wobbles." I am concerned that she is going to skip crawling because she refuses to spend anytime on her belly - and she spits up every time we put her on it. Still not turning over often - only by accident.
She smiles and blows bubbles and has the highest pitch squeals and laughs. She is trying so hard to talk and is a little parrot saying back to us the simple noises. We can see two pearly whites beginning to peak through those pretty little bottom gums. Her favorite toy is still the jumperoo and her teething fish- which is a must have! She is like Velcro - whatever she touches sticks to her and then puts it right into her mouth. Still sleeping all night and takes a long nap in the afternoon. She is trying to pull up and wants to stand rather than sit. She is so much fun now - I enjoy every moment with her!

Christmas at Uncle Charles and Aunt Betty

We had a wonderful meal and great conversation at Charles and Betty Young's house. Josie was the center of attention and enjoyed every moment!

Soooo Sleepy

I had to video this moment - she was "in and out" for about 5 minutes before I grabbed the camera - You have to watch the entire clip to really enjoy just how sleepy she is!

Not so happy!

This is what happen when you wake her up!

Hanging Out With Grayson

We ate lunch with Granny, Granddad Walker and little Grayson. Josie really enjoys watching Grayson and Grayson was so sweet - he talked to Josie (or JoJo and he calls her). You could tell he just wanted her to jump up and play and so did she!

Loving on Amanda

Josie LOVES Amanda! She kept kissing her and loving on her. Josie can't take her eyes off Amanda when she's around. And Amanda is so good with Josie - she doesn't mind the spit, drool or poop! We love Amanda!