Jane's Talking Explosion

Over the last couple of weeks, Jane has been trying multiple new words every day, which is a marked change from her days of reveling in a single word only (bird, ball, & car, in succession).  We are still amazed every time she says one and realize it is the beginning of a major shift in how we interact with her since we will be able to communicate verbally (strange!).  This morning, she said "stairs" first thing when we walked by the stairs (we talk about how they are dangerous a lot, but she's never said it before).  Then, she said "Jane" when looking at a picture of herself!  And, her favorite word for the last week has been "bye," which she usually says "bah-bah" with a cute wave, and she says it to everyone and everything, including people in stores, dogs outside, and cars on the street.  But today, she clearly said "bye-bye" when Michael left for work.  Adorbs, like everything she does!  She also still has her few signs--more, please, bath, and down.  And she loves to talk in gibberish. Her favorite word is "abeesh" or variations thereof; we wish we knew what it meant. 

Jane is also getting very huggy, especially with stuffed animals. She has a lion and a paci that are only for bedtime, and she has become very clever and persistent about stealing them out of her room, no matter where we hide them. It's so cute to see her hug the lion to her face, so it's hard to take it away from her.  She also loves dancing to any music, going outside, imitating the chickens ("bok bok bok"), running back and forth, looking at whatever we're cooking on the stove, hearing loud machines, reading, seeing the cat outside, bouncing on the couch, trying to touch the potty and unroll the toilet paper, trying to steal my phone and flick the screen with her finger, and trying to flick the TV screen like it is a smartphone. 

....It's a boy!

There was no doubt in the ultrasound tech's mind, or in ours for that matter.  And he loves to kick lately!  I can see his little feet trying to break out. 

He weighed about 11 oz a few weeks ago, so by now he might be in the 1-pound range.  Amazing!

We saw him sucking his fingers, which reminded us of when we saw Jane try and succeed to get her thumb on her 19-week ultrasound. 

Jane came with us for this one, but we still don't think she understands that there is a baby hiding in there.  She is fascinated by my belly-button, though.  We have to get used to thinking of ourselves as parents of a boy now, too!

We are still searching for the perfect name.  We're looking for something classic, not too common, not too trendy, not too exotic, and not hard to spell.  Easy, right?  We also want to like both the full and nickname versions of it.  Ideas are welcome!

My Writing Center colleague Lois also made awesome cupcakes with hidden blue frosting in the middle as a fun way to reveal the sex--picture forthcoming when I figure out how to upload it from my new fancy phone.

Jane is Really Walking

Jane started walking for real a few weeks ago, specifically on May 21, our anniversary.  Michael's mom taught her to walk while were out of town for the night.  It is so cute to see how wobbly she is and how everyday she walks farther.  She has to be holding something in her hand while walking, often a sippy cup or a large item. 

I have so many cute pictures and videos to post! Gotta get to that!

Jane Walked Today!

Jane took her first steps today! She was walking around my legs holding on to my pants, as she often does, but holding on lightly.  I said "it's almost like she could let go and walk," which she then proceeded to do! She stood by herself for a few seconds and then took a couple of wobbly steps. Then she fell to her knees and cried because she was a bit scared.  Michael had just come into the room so he saw it too!  She already loves walking around while holding on to furniture with one hand, and sometimes she lets go with both hands, just resting her belly against the coffee table.  In no time she'll be walking everywhere! 

Yay Janie! 

Jane Waking Up

Jane is always so happy when she wakes up...it's the best.

Janie's First Birthday Party

I wish I could find more opportunities for Jane to wear this dress.  Jane seems to find it hard to move in, though.

Michael's whole family was able to come because they had Spring Break, too

I finally got my own!

This is the pile before the guests arrived

we had the party two days before St. Patrick's day, so it was Irish-themed--I made bangers & mash, brown bread, green blueberry cake, and Brenda made green punch

enjoying bangers & mash later

Jane's birthday party was well-attended: the Crewses, my mom and Pete, and many friends from Baylor all graced our home! Jane loved it, although she got a bit overwhelmed at times.  She shoved an entire piece of green cake in her mouth all at once, which was very enjoyable for her but seemed to prevent her from napping that afternoon. She got so many cute outfits and toys--we are all stocked up with age-appropriate goodies, just like we were last year from her showers! 

I can't believe it's been a year since she was born.  I really can't believe it.  She is so big and alert, talking, smiling, laughing, and dancing up a storm lately.  The past year has been a very rewarding daze.  We really are completely in awe of this amazing baby God has given us.  We still don't know what we're doing half the time, and still feel a bit sleep-deprived, but it's amazing how you learn to make it up as you go and develop  a kind of parenting confidence.  Janie really is pure sweetness--so beautiful.  How did this baby not exist on the earth before last year?

Spring Break: Mama Peggy & Pete's Visit

Daddy loves showing Jane the world

This is Jane's first time seeing Baylor's beautiful Armstrong Browning Library, and she loved it

A whole library about poetry?

We went to a Baylor Baseball game, which is special for us as a Baylor baseball game was the beginning of our courtship almost three years ago

At Waco's Cameron Park Zoo, which is full of bamboo

So much to see!

Christmas card shot?

Say "cat," Jane

Giraffes?!  How great is this world!

Pete pushing Janie

Awww

Ain't Daddy great?

Jaguar!

The Jaguar paces back and forth right in front of the window--so cool

We also went to Homestead Heritage, a community that makes traditional arts and crafts and yummy from-scratch food. You can see Janie trying to emerge from her stroller!  She will not be held down.