Jackie's Birthday Party

Some photos from Jacquelines Birthday party with Daddy's family. Because Jacqueline's birthday falls over spring break when Oma and Opa go to Florida we had this party a little early, but I think it is really kind nice to spread out some of the birthday fun.  Oma got ballons to decorate but Jackie that they were fun to punch and bang around. They kept her quite entertained before the party. ( I love the face she is making in this picture.)

 Her cake came from Idas and had a picture of a horse. Jacqueline picked it out herself. She blew out the candle before Adam even got the cake on the table.  I was just happy she let us light the candle, she had a very healthy fear of fire and so I wondered it she was going to be ok with the candle.

 Great-Grandma and Grandpa were excited to see and hold Grace.  Jacqueline picked out Grace's out fit to match hers, Grace needed to where pink with ruffles.  

Jackie decided that she needed to be the Photographer part way through the night and took my camera.  (By the end of the day between the two of us we had taken over 270 pictures.)  She had some fun self portraits like this one and also some great pictures of Oma taking pictures of Jacqueline and of Great-Grandma and Grandpa.

Jacqueline was very excited about opening presents and so fast I almost missed snapping any photos.  It was fun to watch her go at the presents since last year and at Christmas she really did not care about unwrapping things. 

Her big present from Oma and Opa was a new scooter.  Opa tried to explain how she was suppose to ride it.  She was not so sure about that but has had a lot of fun standing on it, pushing it around the house being pushed on it.  I am sure that as the summer goes on she will have a lot of fun riding the scooter around the neighborhood. 

 Jacqueline also got some new games to play, memory and shoots and ladders, and a very fun magnetic dress-up doll.  It was a great night. 

seeing spots

Its been a long few days at our house.  Adam was in Germany on work, when Tuesday Jackie woke up covered in spots.  All day I thought she had chicken poxs, strange because she had the vaccine but what else could it be.  Thankfully, we got an apt. with the pediatrician that day, but it was late afternoon.  By the time we got to the office, Jackie was red and itchy everywhere swollen hand, feet and ears.  It wasn't chicken pox, it was hives. A reaction to meds she was given the week before to treat an ear infection.  As my mom would say "When it rains it pours."  After a horrible painful itchy day and a  long day of being lethargic and whiney, Thankfully, we are now on the mend.  But I had to post this picture. For a few months we have been paci free except bed time.  This morning when I went in to get Jackie she was giggling with 2 pacis in her mouth. Her comment to me was " You funny!" Glad my happy girl is back, and Adam is home.

Grace is going great, growing big fast.  I wish she was a better sleeper at night but I know that will come.  She loves holding her Sophie, snuggling, and being upright.  Adam is convinced she grew inches while he was gone.  She is already too tall for some of her 3 month clothes.  I think she will be long and lean just like her big sister.

Milestones

Sorry but the week has been crazy so I have no new pictures to post but I needed to record these milestones or else I will forget.  Yesterday, Jacqueline counted from one to ten in order by herself, no help or prompting from me.   I was astonished. I have heard her count before but never that high and all in the right order, Kelly would be proud.  Also, Grace grew out of newborn clothing.  I would write more but I am busy working on horses for Jackies birthday party.  I can not wait.

Butterflies

Last year Jacqueline loved the butterflies at Fredrick Meijer Gardens so  we wanted to be sure to see them again this year.  Knowing what a pain the stroller was last year, wee opted to put Grace in the carrier instead and let Jackie walk.

(Jackie was a little disappointed that the train was not still up from Christmas, but we found plenty to see.)  The butterflies were fun and so was the moveable garden for the kids.  Jacqueline of course loved the horse most of all (sometime when it is not snowing she will need to go see the big horse in the garden.)  She also like crawling under the little version of Goldsworthy's arch.  

It was so nice that Adam was able to take the morning off work to take us, so much more fun when it's the whole family, but the Gardens are so busy on the weekends I really wanted to take the kids durning the week when we could play and explore without the crowd. It was a great morning but I think if we would let her Jacqueline would run around the indoor garden all day long. Gotta love that smile.

Grace 1 Month Photo

This may have been the fastest month of my life.  Time has flown by with 2 kids at home.  It's been an adjustment but it is so fun to have 2 wonderful little girls at home.  I would love to write more, but Grace is sleeping and I should be too.

Grace Newborn Photo

So excited to see the rest of Grace's photos. (Aren't the blocks cute my Aunt Cheryl made them for Grace.)

Papa's Book

Papa's new book comes out in April but he had an advanced copy today and Jacqueline wanted to read it.  Too cute.  If you want to read the gate you can follow this LINK to enter to win a free copy or check out his website for more information. 

 

I just had to include another wide eyed picture of Grace.  

23 month photo

This is Jackie singing to Grace.  I love that to sing we need a spoon for a microphone.  Jackie had more fun singing then Grace but, Grace did stay awake and watch us sing and dance. (There are more photos on shutterfly.)