Abby's Birthday at Disneyland

On Abby's actual birthday we went to Disneyland. Grandma took us to Ariel's Grotto to eat lunch with the princesses. This was the first time that Abby actually went up to any of the characters and took pictures. Normally she just likes to look from a distance. It was a great lunch and fun to get to meet all the princesses. We spent the rest of the day at the park and rode almost every ride that Abby was tall enough to go on, including the Matterhorn! It was such a fun day!!!

Mommy and Abby... wish her eyes were open

Abby and Jasmine

Ariel

Our dessert. The seashell and Ariel were white chocolate, yummy!

Abby blowing out her candle

Grandma and Abby

Abby and Belle

Abby hugging Cinderella

Abby and Snow White

Abby and Sleeping Beauty

Jack's First Steps

Tonight after dinner we decided to take some video of Jack since we have been slacking in that area for some time now. Jack must have been waiting for us to get the camera out because once we did he took his first steps. He was walking after Abby on her car and took 17 steps towards her! Now that he knows he can walk he's been doing it on and off all night. It's like he knows he can walk, but crawling is still faster so sometimes if he's in a hurry he thinks about walking and then decides to crawl instead. In the video Dan and I are totally quiet so we wouldn't spook Jack and mess him up. I love the part where Abby looks back and says "Jack can walk". We are so proud of our little Jack. I am so happy that we were all there to see it. Now he's really gonna be on the move, watch out!!! Pretty scary that he's totally mobile at 9 1/2 months old!!! Enjoy the video.

Jack at 9 months

Jack officially turned nine months old last week. At his check up he did very well. He now weighs 21lbs 6oz (62nd percentile) and is 27.5 inches tall (17th percentile). He has consistently stayed in the 75th percentile for weight for some time now, but now he is getting taller and slowly moving up on the height percentile chart as well as loosing some of that baby weight. Developmentally Jack is doing great! He has been able to crawl, pull himself up, stand alone and walk while pushing things for some time now. I would think that he would take a step any day now... but it hasn't come yet. You can tell he thinks about it though. He has his two bottom teeth and he almost has his top two through. He babbles all the time and thinks he's really talking to us. Twice now I've heard him say Mama, but I don't count it because I don't think he said it on purpose. He needs to be looking at me when he says it! He did say it in good context though!

Abby's 3rd birthday party

This weekend we celebrated Abby's third birthday. She picked the theme... princess, big surprise, huh??? It was such a nice day out, nice and hot. We had over all her friends and lots of family to help celebrate. The girls all wore their princess costumes. They started out the day eating lunch and playing outside on the swing set. Then we moved onto the pinata, followed by cake, ice cream and presents. After the party Abby and Layne rode their bikes for a long time. It was a great party! Thanks to everyone who came. We know some of you had to drive far to be with us. It wouldn't have been the same without you!!!

Abby and Layne riding bikes. Abby's bike was our gift to her. She loved it and did so well on it. She had been riding her other tricycle bike for a year now, but she picked this up quick! Layne and Abby have matching bikes and not even done on purpose.

Abby riding her bike. She does so well on it and has so much fun!

Abby, Layne and Shelby opening presents.

Irelynne and Abby checking out the loot.

Abby blowing out her candles.

The cake. Abby picked it out. The design, flavor, everything. It was so good too.

River with his candy from the pinata.

I guess River likes suckers, huh???

I know what I'm getting him from now on!

River showing off his candy

Christian and River. What cute cousins!

The kids picking up the candy from the pinata.

James taking a swing at the pinata.

Jack and June playing inside.

Layne hitting the pinata.

River hitting the pinata. Nice swing!

Abby takin' a swing.

At first we started out with Abby blindfolded. Then we realized that it was too hard and let the kids just take a swing without the blindfold.

Shelby, Irelynne, Layne, Abby, River and Mila

A group photo..kinda. Bryton is looking in from the background. We are missing Dylan, James and Christian too. This was the best picture I had with the most kids in it.

Abby's first hair cut

Well it was finally time for Abby to get her first haircut. Jillonnie came over a little early for Abby's party and gave her a trim. Abby stood very still the whole time. Her hair looks healthy and beautiful now! Thanks Jillonnie!!!

Jack feeding himself

I gave Jack some really yummy broccoli cheese soup the other day (from Banana Cabana) and let him try and feed himself. He used these stick like things instead of a spoon. Abby used them at first when she was little before graduating to the spoon. Anyway, Jack seemed to really enjoy this new concept that he can feed himself with a utensil. He always loves this soup (we all do) so after a while he got impatient and wanted me to feed him with a spoon. That way it could get into his mouth faster!

Jack, excited to try feeding himself

He's got it!

Jack did a good job... and not too messy. I only put a very little amount in the bowl at one time. A Mom trick I do until they get less messy.

Abby about to help feed Jack, what a good sister!