Swing, Swing Mya!

Daddy and I took Mya to the park today to enjoy the beautiful day! She had her first swinging experience. Although a little weary at first, she ended up loving it! She made priceless experessions that we tried to capture in a picture. We loved watching her reaction as she went higher and higher (a little too high if you ask me...)! I think the action shots are the best!

"Just chillin' in the swing!"

"I don't know about this, Daddy!"

"Ahhhhhhhhh"

"Higher, higher!"

Daddy and I both tried to go down the slide with Mya. She wasn't so sure about it! Here she was with Mommy before. She looks more excited than she actually was!

Lunch with the Girls!

We had a lunch date with the Korman girls this week. We ventured to Glenview to see the girls, eat some lunch, and visit Von Maur (I miss Von Maur!). It was Brittany's first time out with both girls on her own. They all did great, but she definitely has her hands full! It makes me think twice about reproducing too quickly! Ella has gotten to be a very big girl. She explained to me that her baby sister's name was "Punky Doodle." She has such a personality! I see qualities of both her mommy and daddy! Daddy shined through when she told me a joke and then followed up with a cute giggle and said, "I'm just teasin'!" Quite the jokester! Baby Addie is a doll! She has pudgey cheeks and looks so much like Ella when she was a baby!

While at lunch, I started to think about how Brittany and my lives have changed SOOOO drastically! Going from hating eachother, to living together, to lunching with our little girls together! Wow~ amazing how things can change over 12 years! I miss living a mile away from the Kormans, but I am so glad we can make the time to get together to catch-up! Although we didn't get to talk that much in between feeding and caring for the little ones!

Mya enjoyed spending time with her friends.... and so did I!

Punky Doodle, Brittany, and Ella!

Mommy and Mya

(Did I mention it was POURING rain outside! That's my excuse for the bad hair day!)

I Just Can't Watch!

Apparently moving out of her first bedroom is just too much for Miss Mya to bear! While I was packing up boxes in her room, she was left to play with her toys on the floor. I guess I was too busy packing boxes to notice she had completely covered her face with her blanket. Was she trying to suffocate herself or was it just too much for her to watch all of her books, toys, and pictures being packed into boxes? Whatever it was, she stayed like this for quite awhile... enough time for me to go into the other room to get my camera to capture this picture! She continued to roll around with the blanket, but this time I paid special attention to her making sure she wasn't in danger. This is why we don't let her sleep with a blanket!

"What is Mommy doing with all of my things? I just can't watch!"

"Ok, maybe I'll take a peek!"

7 Months Old!

Mya is 7 months old today! I know I say it every month, but I just can't believe how fast time is flying by! She is becoming such a big girl! We are working on sitting up all by herself. She can do it for awhile but ends up falling to one side or the other. Good thing we set up pillows so she has a soft landing! She is still eating lots and lots of her cereal, fruits, and veggies. We have started to introduce new table foods to her. She gets a funny sour face when trying new tastes. She hasn't taken to too many of the foods but does seem to enjoy ham and sharp cheddar cheese! We will continue introducing her to new foods!

Mya still won't take a bottle!!!! We have tried lots of times and no luck! We have also started trying the sippy cup. I think our friends are more anxious for her to take a bottle than us! I guess they want fun "party girl" Rachel back! We will continue trying.... Mommy and Daddy would love a weekend away!

Sleep has been a little rough these days. Mya still goes down very easily at 7:00. BUT, she has decided that 5:00 will be her new wake-up time! I leave her in her crib to cry it out... only problem is that she doesn't cry! She plays and babbles (loudly!) until I go in there. I have tried feeding her and hope that she falls back to sleep. She usually "play" sleeps until I get cuddled back into my bed. Then, sure enough, she begins the babbling all over again! Stinker!

Mya has gotten in her bottom 2 teeth! She didn't seem to be too bothered by the whole teething process. Hopefully she won't be using those teeth during her "mommy" feedings! If you know what I mean.....

Here are some of her monthly pictures! She's growing, growing, growing!

Picture time wasn't quite so easy this month! She was VERY interested in eating the paper! Daddy had to be silly behind the camera to capture her attention!

Picnic in the Park

Yesterday we had a picnic in the park with Auntie Andra, Carly, Brady, and Tyler. It was a BEAUTIFUL day! Finally, Spring is here!

Girl, Where Did You Get That Tan?

Did she spend the afternoon on a tropical island lying on the beach? No.
Did she spend the weekend at the lake on the boat? No.
Did she get a really great package at the local tanning salon? No.
Did she smear a self-tanning lotion all over her body? No.

Then, how in the world did Mya get her tan?

I thought I was imagining things when I noticed an orange-like glow to Mya for the last couple of days. I didn't say anything because I thought it would be chalked up as more "new mom" paranoia. She definitely had a tint to her skin it was just a mystery to me as to how this had happened. I didn't think that 7 month olds could have jaundice, especially when she didn't even have it as a newborn. I knew she hadn't spent any time outside, atleast not enough to get a tan. I was very aware that it hadn't been more than 50 degrees and the sun hadn't made an appearance any too often.

Hmmm.. then what could it be?

To be honest with you, I didn't really think too much about it. Every once in awhile the thought crossed my mind but was then overtaken with the zillion other things on my mind. That was until we made our 6 month visit with Dr. Brown. I didn't dare ask her about it for I think she already thinks I am a bit loony. Our check-up was coming to a close when Dr. Brown stopped in her tracks and said, "Oh, did you notice Mya is orange?" "YES!!!!!" I replied. "I thought I was crazy and didn't want to ask," I continued. Her response, "Most new moms are afraid to ask. It's all of the orange foods she has been eating." That explains it.... all she eats are orange veggies- carrots, squash, sweet potatoes!

Who knew??? (Probably all moms! Who forgot to send me the memo?)

Does this work for adults? All my years of wasted money at the tanning salon, hours of laying out getting sun poisoning, AND a face of sun-caused wrinkles..... all I had to do was eat my orange veggies!

EASTER ON THE FARM

The Easter Bunny found us on the farm and he must have won the lottery! The kids woke up this morning to Easter baskets FULL of goodies! When I was a kid we got lots and lots of Easter candy (which I thoroughly enjoyed!) and a few goodies to go along, but nothing like this. When the kids awakened this morning to their Easter baskets, they were thrilled with their treats! Candy, toys, crafts, and to Tyler's excitement--- grass (the basket filler)! While Carly and Brady were showing off their new items, Tyler pulled ALL of the grass out and proudly showed off his grass! Oh the simplicity of a two year old!

It was the first time the entire Jannusch/Kuehl/Wiegman families were all together in a long time. It was so nice to spend quality time together. We ate a delicious dinner, played games, went on an Easter Egg hunt, and visited with lots of Mimi and Papa's farm animals. It was a beautiful weekend which allowed us to spend some time outside!

Mommy took lots and lots of pictures to share!

EASTER DINNER

Mya tries mashed potatoes for the first time. She wasn't so sure about it!

Mya and Ty get affectionate. They are definitely buddies!

Mommy with Mya and Ty

EASTER EGG HUNT

Mya found an Easter Egg in the flower! But....she decided to pick the flower instead!

Daddy and Mya watch Gracie play with the Cong!

Mommy and Mya enjoy watching the kids play!

On his farm he had ....... E-I-E-I-O!

Chickens....

Mommy, Daddy, and Mya feed the chickens!

Goats.....

Everyone looks at Gloria, the goat!

Horses...

Daddy and Mya pet Rico.

Sheep...

Carly and Brady feed the Momma sheep and her twin babies!

Family Photo Op... What a backdrop!

Mommy, Daddy, and Mya out by the barn

Andra, Mom, and Rachel

Close to Perfect!

Mya went to her 6 month check-up today (we're a little late.... she is almost 7 months old!). She is a growing girl weighing in at 15 lbs. 12 oz. (30%) and is 28 inches long (90%). We will be going from 2 solid food meals to 3. We are also suppose to start introducing table food (soft and mushy) to her! I am sad that my baby is growing so quickly. Her daddy is excited that she can start enjoying "his foods!" He already has mentioned his favorite.... beef sandwiches! Oh boy!

Mya was full of smiles for Dr. Brown.... thank goodness she didn't get her shots.... that would've turned her smile into a frown very quickly. Dr. Brown said she is close to perfect.... if only she'd take a bottle! I agree!

Carrots for Two

"Hi Jasmine, do you think my dinner smells good? Do you want some?"

"Here, I'll give you the container and you can help yourself!"

Ok, Just one!

Ever since I got pregnant with Mya I have turned into a lightweight drinker. I just don't indulge like I use to. I think it is partially because I know I can't have as much as I would like due to breastfeeding (I know....really mature!) and partially because I don't want to deal with the repercussions in the morning. Well, this week as been a bit stressful with lots of "stuff" going on. Matt asked me last night after little Miss was down if I wanted to have a beer. I replied with, "No, I think I'll have just one glass of wine." Well, I decided to make my "just one" VERY well worth it! I filled that bad boy almost to the top of a very large wine glass. I set it down on the table and Matt just laughed! You know what.... it was darn good! No hangover this morning.... just a TERRIBLE cold! Figures!

Did I mention we tried to sit outside? That lasted about 3 sips before we decided it wasn't "sitting out and drinking" weather just yet!

Down on the Farm

Mommy and I went to the farm to visit Mimi and Papa this week! I was a good girl. I slept in my pack-n-play and slept through the night with no feedings twice in a row! I LOVE Mimi's dog, Gracie. I wish Mommy took a picture of us playing together! She licks me and I giggle! She's ALMOST as cool as Jasmine!

Here are some pictures we took...

We visited Grandma Laurel. She let me play with a bag of Skittles.... I sure wish I could have some!

Mimi and Papa are renovating their bathroom. I got to take a bath in the kitchen sink! It was kinda weird at first, but then I sat back and enjoyed my soak!

Mimi Rey is so fun! She always makes me smile!

Papa Rick has so many cool animals on the farm. The chickens and roosters are "free range." They get to roam the farm! I can't wait until I can run around and play with the animals! I can ride Papa Rick's horses too!