Mondays with Crosby and Jane Claire

At 11:24 am, Crosby Fox turned 4 years and 14 weeks old!!!  At 1:03 pm, Jane Claire turned 1 year and 2 weeks old!!!  This week has been pretty laid back.  No parties to plan.  No parades to attend.  It was a low key kind of week.  Fine by me!

That gave us time to do stuff like this...

The Cyrs gave Crosby a set of Superstructs for Christmas and they are awesome!  Crosby and I are pretty proud if the ferris wheel we constructed.  As you can tell, it really spins!  We have had hours of fun with these so far.  Pretty sure there will be lots more!

On Friday, we went to the Mayfield's house for a little play time with friends.  I managed to snap a few pictures of the kiddos with my NEW CAMERA!! LOVE it.  Hoping I pick it up more frequently than I did my old one!  The only picture I took of Crosby was the first picture!  And you can only see his eye and his hair.  I thought it turned out pretty neat though!

Lucas swinging...

Little Bit swinging.  She LOVES a swing!

Kara and Jenny were brave and let their little ones play in the mud.  I didn't give Jane Claire the opportunity and Crosby didn't take them up on it.  But the ones that did get dirty sure looked cute...

Lucas sure makes for a handsome princess! ;-)

Jane Claire found a ball pit she enjoyed.  And a bottle?!?  It would have been nice for her to have taken a bottle this easily over the past year...

Charlotte was with us on Friday so the fun continued all day!!  Caught them working on a puzzle together. I am sure Crosby was telling her where each piece goes seeing how he practically has them memorized.  Seriously. Boy loves a puzzle...

 Last weekend was a tad hectic!  As if Jane Claire's birthday party wasn't enough to occupy my thoughts for the whole weekend, we had a decision to make as to what to do on Saturday.  Should we let Crosby play in his soccer team's first game or go to Mule Day?!?  Obviously, we went with the later and skipped out on his first game.  That made this past Saturday Crosby's FIRST SOCCER GAME EVER!!!  Needless to say, that was a pretty big deal in this household!  And, of course, Blake had to work.  Which meant it was up to me to get everyone fed, dressed, and ready to be at soccer fields on time.  Fortunately, Blake was able to play with his schedule a bit and made it just in time!

We ran into a few buddies while we were waiting for our game to start.  I promise they were happy to see each other.  It was supper sunny outside!  Still a little chilly but it was a beautiful day.  That made it a little hard to smile for the camera...

Eating snacks while taking pictures is also rather difficult! Dean and Crosby couldn't stop chewing long enough to smile!  At least Lucas looked my way...

I managed to squeeze in a picture with Dean and Lucas' mommies!  Sweet friends...

I love how both Heidi and Kara, coach wives, wore shirts to coordinate with their team color.  They are true soccer moms!  It never even crossed my mind.  I am not sure that I even have a red shirt, which is sort of basic.  Here they have bright yellow/green shirts ready to go!!!

GranBuddy and Lulu made it up for the game.  GranBuddy was more than happy to get his hands on Jane Claire...

And here is my boy, #16, ready to start the game...

I am thinking I should claim "16" as his number from here on out since it was his very first number.  Right?!?  I mean, how does that work?  How do you decide what number to go with.  Seems like a logical reason to chose a number to me!

Playing with John Christopher while they wait...

The whole team lined up.  Too cute...

Waiting to get in the game...

Going after the ball!!!

Most of the kiddos got to attempt a throw in at some point during the game.  I thought a collage of his very first throw in would be fun!  And that moment he turned around just to say "hello" during the game...

Little Bit just watched from the sidelines.  A bottle of water provided a little added entertainment...

Little Mess...

Handshakes...

Post game snack time!

Crosby had lots of fans for his first game!  I decided to.  LeAnne and me...

Lulu and GranBuddy with Jane Claire...

The Autrys

I can't tell you who "won" the game.  How silly that no one really wins or loses these days!?!  It was a fun time regardless.  Too bad he will miss next weekend's game.  Yikes!  They may kick him of the team for missing games 1 AND 3!!  Let's hope not...

Crosby and I were being silly one afternoon and decided to play with my NEW CAMERA!!!!

Now if I will just pick it up and take pictures...

Good pictures...

Although silly pictures are kind of fun!

Interestingly enough, my boy was more than willing to take them!

Oh dear.  The things we do for our children!!!

Meanwhile, Jane Claire was taking a stroll with her stroller...

I just love to watch her waddley little walk!

It is one of the cutest things ever.  Straight kneed and all...

She is getting closer to the real deal...

She knows it...

and she is proud!!!

Today, Jane Claire and I are actually in Huntsville!  I had 2 patients pop up in the area so I planned a fun, girls trip with LeAnne!  We stayed with her sister Carla.  She and her daughter, Bella, loved having Little Bit around.  This was a picture they took while I was training patients earlier...

We get to spend the morning playing in Huntsville before we head back home!  Fun times!

Mondays with Crosby and Jane Claire

At 11:24 am, Crosby Fox turned 4 years and 14 weeks old!!!  At 1:03 pm, Jane Claire turned 1 year and 1 week old!!! I guess this makes it official.  I have a 4 year old and a 1 year old.  No more denying it.  I am having to accept it.  My baby is technically not a baby anymore.  Heaven help me...  

Tuesday was the official day.  In keeping with tradition, Crosby and I went into Jane Claire's room first thing and sang "Good Morning to you" followed by "Happy Birthday to you".  I had to get it on video...

I thought I would give Jane Claire her first taste of whole milk before breakfast...

"Hmmm. I am getting something out of here?!?"

"What is this stuff?"

"Well whatever it was that came out of this straw was pretty good!"

I have been a little concerned about switching Jane Claire over to milk.  I have been working on a sippy cup but she drinks very little from it.  Definitely not enough to meet her daily needs!  We will see how this whole milk business goes.  Hopefully I can keep up with her until she makes the switch!  Time will tell...

It was a school day so Blake got Crosby out the door and off to Otter Creek.  While they were gone, I took the birthday girl's perspective pictures.  Jane Claire and her bunny...

Jane Claire and her bunny in her chair...

Big feet, little feet...

Mug shot...

I just love that mug shot!  She was smiling so sweet.  Then she started laughing and being silly...

Grabbing the camera...

She got her way! :-)

After her morning nap, Blake and I took Jane Claire to Puffy Muffin to celebrate her birthday...

She didn't appreciate the meal quite as much as we did!

We picked up Crosby and had Lulu waiting at Otter Creek to say hello to the birthday girl!

I promise Charlotte was happy to see her, too!  It was a chilly day and she was ready to get out of the cold!

We made a stop at Nothing Bundt Cake to get a small cake for Jane Claire to have ON her actual birthday.  Of course the fact that I love their white chocolate raspberry cake had absolutely nothing to do with it.  Not at all.  It was all about the sweet birthday girl!  One little candle to blow out...

She was a little tentative...

But she finally got those fingers in the icing...

And got a taste!

She couldn't stop for a picture after that!

Cramming a chunk of cake in her mouth!!!  I think she liked it...

Of course we got a video of that too...

After bath time, I sat in her room and rocked Jane Claire to sleep.  I can lay her in bed and she will fall asleep on her own.  But there are times when I cannot resist letting her fall asleep in my arms.  I thought it was justified on her birthday...

 My sweet one year old baby sound asleep.  Oh to freeze time...

On Saturday, we headed down to Columbia for Mule Day.  I may have gone to Mule Day a time or two in my youth.  It just wasn't very cool to me back then.  Now that I have kiddos of my own, I love to head home for the Mule Day Parade.  I mean, what child doesn't love to see mules and horses and random floats driving down the road?!?  Exactly!  It is also fun for Blake and I to see old high school friends, meet their little ones and catch up once a year.

Crosby sported his Woody hat for the occasion...

He was kind enough to let Jane Claire try it out too!

An attempt at a family shot.  Failure...

Jane Claire enjoyed seeing all the mules and horses walking down the street...

Me and my girl...

Clapping for the mules!

Sweet girl...

How precious is Malone.  He fell asleep sitting up in his stroller...

My favorites...

Gotta love the miniature horses. I am pretty sure I take their picture every year!

Crosby and Woody watching the parade...

I stalled a little on 12 month sticker pictures because I wanted the weather to be nice.  It finally happened!  Too bad someone was NOT interested in participating...

"See this?  That is a 12.  I am 12 months old!"

"No, Mommy. I don't care to look at you right now.  Those obnoxious nosies you are making are not helping.  Besides, I am playing with a ladybug."

Pouty pants..

So we tried again later in the day.  I suppose this is the best picture of the day.  Depending on your definition of best...

It went downhill fast...

Maybe standing will be work?? 

Yea.  Not so much...

Oh well!  At least I tried!

So what has Jane Claire been up to in her 12th month?  She continues to sleep like a champ.  When given the opportunity, she can take 2, 2+ hour naps a day and still sleep from 8p-8a.  Sometimes even later.  She is out of her sleep sack at this point and just sleeps with her lovies and her lovie blanket.  She sleeps with white noise but is not affected when the power goes off.  Blake and I wake up but the kiddos don't miss a beat!

Jane Claire is still in size 3 diapers.  I am thinking we will be there for a while.  I made the switch to cruisers when I last bought them because you get more bang for your buck.  Boy do I miss the sweet smell of Swaddlers.  I could go back...   Miss Priss is still a tiny little thing.  She is wearing 9-12 month clothing for the most part.  She has a few things that are 12-18 month but they are brands that tend to run small so I don't know if that counts!  Her feet are TINY.  She wears a size 2 and those are too big most of the time.  0-6 month slip-on Robeez types work the best.  I just love those tiny little toes!!  Jane Claire's eyes are still blue at this point but I think I see them turning hazel in certain lights.  Oh how I wish they would stay blue.  Time will tell!

Mobility is still limited to crawling and cruising along furniture.  She does let go of furniture and stand in one spot.  She has not taken any steps without the use of a walking toy which is fine by me!  No need to rush walking.  An immobile baby is much easier than the mobile baby!  Although she can get most anywhere she needs, including up and down the stairs!  I

Jane Claire is a good eater.  She will eat most any fruit you put in front of her.  She is a fan of Yo Baby yogurt and veggie/fruit pouches when we are in a pinch.  She is eating mostly table food at this point so I have to carry less and less when we are out.  No complaints there.  She wants to eat and drink whatever I am eating or drinking.  I can't say that she has a favorite food.  She just likes to eat!
She still only has two little teeth to eat with so that can make things a little tricky!

Her favorite toy is probably her Fisher Price Stroller/Walking toy:

and her Fisher Price Activity door...

She still plays with her activity table, shape sorter and anything Crosby leave lying around!  The Dolly Parton Imagination Library sent a book in the mail called "Look Look!" and she is a fan.  Maybe it is because it is black and white?  Who knows!  Crosby likes to read it to her when she is willing to share!  Yes, that has already started!!  She is not always a fan of sharing.  Sigh.

On a similar note, Jane Claire is...how do I put it...a wee bit dramatic.  When she gets upset, she does the cry where she holds her breath for 10 seconds, nearly passes out and falls over.  Before I learned to anticipate it, she DID fall over a few times!!  It is quite disturbing for this momma to witness.  You never know when she is going to do it.  It may be because I sit her down in the floor so I can cook or, I don't know, use the bathroom!?!  I can be when she gets "hurt".  It can be because Crosby took the "Look Look!" book away from her to read it TO her.  You get the idea. She is a mess!! :-)   

We are crazy about the little darling that joined our family one year ago.  Jane Claire is a sweet, easy going baby that has been a joy to watch grow.  What a blessing she is to our family!

On Sunday morning, Jane Claire got to participate in one of Otter Creek's sweet family traditions.  Birthday Sunday!  On the first Sunday of every month, each child with a birthday that month is called up on stage.  That was Blake's job...

Once everyone is on stage, whole church sings the "Happy Birthday" song one round through followed by,"May the Lord Bless You" to the same tune.  Such a precious time! Jane Claire managed to get center stage...

All the kiddos head to the Gathering Room afterwords for a piece of birthday cake...

She has really gotten in to this cake eating business!

Little did she know there would be an entire smash cake for her to devour later that afternoon! ;-) Something tells me this one is going to have a sweet tooth a lot like her mother!!!