First day of Preschool

I finally found a program that Gwen can attend!!

Most of all the kids programs in Iowa are based off of the school year. Since Gwen did not turn 3 before September 15 of last year, she was not able to start preschool in January like we would have liked. Anyways, this program is structured just like a preschool class is. It's called the Good time Gang Preschool. She loved it! I am so glad she now has something away from me for a couple of hours. Hurray for me and hurray for Gwen!!


Picture of Gwen right before her class started
When I went to pick her up this white board had all the information on the activities they did today. They only thing she didn't like was the green eggs and ham part. She did say she ate the hams not the eggs. Too funny.

I'm a big girl now!

The other night Gwen had asked me to take down her bedrails. I asked why and she said because "I'm a big girl now!"

a week of accomplishments

I can finally say it.... Addison has finally figured out how to use her jumperoo correctly and hold her own bottle! Yes!!

blank park zoo

This has to be the smallest zoo I have ever been to. We circled it twice and were done in less than 2 hours. Um yea extremely small, but Gwen enjoyed it very much and that's what matters.

Gwen and Addison ready to begin our adventure
Happy to be here

Loved feeding the goats. she fed them one pebble at a time

Had to make sure they all got some (good sharing Gwen)

Brief picture on a toad

And that's it folks. maybe next time I'll have more help with taking pictures.

a visit to the Easter Bunny

I took the girls to see the Easter Bunny today. This was the first year for both of them to meet the friendly rabbit. Gwen wanted nothing to do with the rabbit or Santa the previous years. Addison did great. She was more interested in the rabbits fur and how it tasted.

Gwen is 3 years
Addison is 6 months

And the final attempt with a picture of both of them. Addison was much more interested in something else then looking at the camera. And of course that is when Gwen was smiling so cute for the camera!

Okay let me taste this now.

Look where?

Happy Easter!

Love,

Gwenyth and Addison 2012

Craft day

Gwen and I decided to do some crafts the other morning before the gym. So to get into the Easter spirit we made bunny ears and decorated large easter eggs. So fun!

party time! Again

After we got back from California Gwen had yet another birthday party to attend. This time it was at one of her favorite places to go to with daddy... Monkey Joe's. It's just like Pump It Up, but seems to be more age appropriate for Gwen and her buddies.

pj day at church

Gwen was so excited for pj day at church last weekend. I just had to take some pictures of her too. What a ham!

bicycle time

Gwen's been practicing riding her 'big' girl bike and is doing great with it.... that's until mommy ran it over with daddys truck by accident. At least it was just one of the training wheels.

Fun times at the park

Its been soooooooooooo beautiful in Iowa this past week and weekend. I feel like I am back in sunny Southern California! We had a high today of 85! Yes, keep the warmth coming. Today was filled with many outdoor activites. Okay we had to run some errands first. We rode bikes, took magnum for his walk, and then went to a park down the street for some swinging fun. Unfortunately, our park across the street from our house does not have baby swings. So, we had to get in the car and drive 2 min to another. I was able to capture a couple cute pictures of the girls. This was Addison's first time on a swing.



I can only imagine what she was thinking or wanting to say at this particular moment! HA

Gwen is getting so big! She just loves to be outdoors and swinging is her absolute favorite activity right now. Hopefully she'll get the legs working so mommy doesn't have to push her all the time.

6 months old

Our baby girl just turned 6 months old on the 13th. At her 6th month appointment, she came in weighing 16 lbs 6 ozs. She gained 2 pounds in a month! Hello chunky monkey! She doesn't just have 3 rolls on her arms, she sporting 4!! Love it! I know everyone wants to know her head circumference, well we will just say she's in the 92nd percentile for it. Thank you daddy once again!!! As of right now she still has her daddy's blue eyes. I'm still waiting to see if they are going to change to brown like Gwen's did at this age.

Other milestones:
1. Holding, hitting, chewing on, throwing any object that is in her hands.
2. Rolling over FINALLY (okay Gwen was about this age when she finally did too)
3. sits up by herself with some support
4. Eatting baby food like a champ ( you really couldn't tell right!) not a big fan of peas and greenbeans, but loves everything else so far.
5. learning how to drink water out of a sippy cup (its more for throwing around right now)
6. Has an attitude you wouldn't believe. She has this scream that is so LOUD. She does it all the time to get your attention. She hates to be left in a room by herself.
7. Finally got a giggle out of her in California.
8. we are still working on those first teeth to pop through

California

Note: will I ever do this again by myself... hmm not in the near future, but I MADE IT!!!

Having a layover with two little ones at a busy airport is not what I call enjoyable. I think I had more stares then anyone willing to help. Awesome! I had more comments like, "wow I would have never done what you are doing!, Did you choose to do this by yourself?, Looks like you have your hands full." Nice! Thanks people! We had no potty accidents and if Addison either had a bottle or a bink in her mouth, we did great!

Sunday was a relaxing day with a family bbq. Gwen got to play with her cousins, and eat until her little heart was content. Addison was passed from one person to the next, which was a wonderful break for mommy!

Monday rained!! yes, apparently i brought some of Iowa's weather back to Ca. At least we didn't have to wear huge winter coats, hats, gloves, boots.... should I keep going. Gwen and I both loved just wearing a light raincoat. We met up with an old friend of mine and her 3 girls. It was so nice to catch up and see her new little Eden. (loved her hair!!)

Tuesday I GOT MY HAIRDONE and am now officially a brunette again. It was so wonderful to have someone who knows how to do hair, do my hair. I had the worst experience here in Iowa and I am sooooo nervous to find another person. I guess I'll just have to go to Ca or Nv to get my hair done. We also enjoyed more time with my sister's family.

Wedensday we went to Sea World with the Murdocks. (see previous post for pictures)

Thursday we met up with another friend and her little ones for some fun at a local park. Gwen loved to be outside and especially to have a friend to do it with.

Friday met up with another friend to take pictures of the girls. Gwen was not having it though. Oh well it was fun to catch up with her and her little girl Lila. We also met up with Jayson's grandparents for lunch. Gwen was so excited to see her Mema and Grandpa. That evening we had dinner with my other sister her fiance.

Sneak Peak at some of the pictures she got!

Saturday my mom and I took Gwen to the beach. She would have stayed there for hours if we had let her. It was the most beautiful day for the beach.

Sunday we met up with some extended family for my cousins baby shower. It was so much fun to see my aunt and cousin whom I don't get to see all that often.

Monday was a much needed down day and pack day.

Gwen getting a mani and pedi one day with grandma and mommy

Tuesday we were up bright and early for our 8:30am flight out of San Diego.

I always love to go home and see my family and friends. I never seem to have enough time to see everyone. I told Jayson I need to stay home for at least 3 weeks to get everyone and everything I want to do in. He has no choice but to agree with me!

Okay... my mom really needs a new camera! With that said I didn't get many pictures taken, but we did make a lot of memories.

SeaWorld

While visiting my parents in California for a few days, we were able to go and meet up with some really good friends of ours from Las Vegas. Gwen was so excited to see her best buddy Haden. It was like they had never left one another. They picked up right where they left off.

Gwen and Addison excited to be at Sea World
Picture with Shamu
Haden and Gwen right after they saw one another

They did this all on their own

So happy to be with each other

Mr. Bryan was a huge help with Gwen

He even rode on rides with her

Okay so did Jamie