Memorial Day Weekend

We had such a busy Memorial Day weekend, but had so much fun. We ventured down to Dekalb Saturday afternoon and stayed all the way until Monday. Saturday I had a "Sex and the City" party at my good friend Kayte's new house. Just the girls, cocktails, good food and Sex! (Sex and the City 2 of course!) It was such a nice time and so great to get away for the night.

This is a picture of the group at Kayte's house (note the champaign toast!)

Jason stayed at my parents and played dad...this was the first night Jillian was put to bed without me nursing her to sleep, (could have been a nightmare!) BUT she did great! She went right down for him and slept through the night at my parents house. You know how it is when you are not in your own bed, I was expecting the worst!

Sunday we woke up and got ready for a bike ride...on the hottest day of the weekend! We drove into Geneva to ride along the river. It was a great day, just a little warm. Jillian did pretty well for the most part. She fussed for a little in the beginning, we stopped and fed her lunch then continued on our way. She fell asleep in the carrier for about an hour or so! When she woke up we stopped to have ice cream and a diaper change. We were almost back to the car, but Jillian had enough...and fussed the entire time back (probably about 20 minutes). Jason got through several versus of Baa Baa Black Sheep (for whatever reason, she seems to like that song).

Here is Jillian in her carrier...Pre-ride!

Jillian got a ride on Grandpa's shoulders after our ride...she was such a good girl!

When we got home we pretty much dumped Jillian in Uncle Kyle's baby pool (well its actually cousin Zack's, but Uncle Kyle blew it up). She was so sweaty and dirty from the bike ride. She enjoyed the pool for a little while and cooled off a bit. It was the end of a great day and Jillian went to bed easily again, sleeping through the night! After Jillian went to bed my mom, brother (Kyle), Jason and I ate pizza, watched the Fire game and played Ticket to Ride. A great, relaxing evening. (my dad was at the Fire game)

Jillian in the pool!

Jillian loves all the new things at Grandma and Grandpa's house!

Monday the family got together to celebrate Memorial Day. Uncle Shaun, Aunt Misty, cousins Zoey and Kylie came over. Grandma Grace also came over for the BBQ. It was a bit rainy, but we cozied up in the gazeboo and enjoyed a little wine spritzer! After an early dinner Jason, Jillian and I hit the road for home.

Here Jillian is playing with her cousin Zoey, we could never get Kylie to sit still enough for a picture!

Thanks for a great weekend!

Pools and Patios!

Pools!

SUMMER TIME! Now that the weather is warm (some days HOT even!), Jillian and I blew up the new pool we got from Steve and Angie (Thanks again, we love it!). She was so cute in it and splashed and splashed. She loved it so much she wanted to drink it! Here are some fun pictures of our time in the pool!

Patios!

Later that day, it was warm enough to have dinner on the patio (I guess you could call it that, its a working progress!). So we brought out a booster seat for Jillian and fed her dinner outside. She LOVED it and sat in her chair for OVER an hour! It was fun to be outside with her, eating dinner at the same time as a family. Jason and I are looking forward to those little things as Jillian keeps getting older. Take a look at our fun outdoor space!

Little Fish

Today was our first swim class at Swimtastic Swim School. Jillian had a blast! She spashed in the water, kicked her feet and reached her arms. She even didn't mind being dunked under water! She liked everything except the slide...the instructor went down the slide with Jillian and she wasn't so sure about the big splash at the end! But it was only the first class so we will work on that. I can't wait to see how she progresses each week and how she'll love to be in the water.

Wave hello to daddy.

1-2-3 dunk!

We were moving so fast that Jason couldn't capture the picture! Hehehehe

A happy Jillian after swimming.

Maybe we'll see some pictures of Jason in the water with Jillian!

9 Months...holy cow!

We had our 9 month apt. today and Jillian is doing so great and getting so big everyday! I can't believe she is already 9 months old. It seems like yesterday we were bringing her home. Here are some pictures and the new things Jillian is up to these days!

Jillian weighs 18 lbs. 10.5 oz. (which puts her in the 50th percentile), she is 28 3/4 inches long (she's tall, that puts in the upper 85th percentile!). She is doing awesome! I think she is getting taller more than rounder these days! Jillian eats three solid food meals a day. She really likes feeding herself, she does pretty well picking grains of rice and putting them into her mouth. She really likes black beans, avacado, apple sauce, prunes, blueberry/pear. She will eat most veggies but I can't say she loves them because she will eat the fruit over the veggies anyday!

Jillian is FINALLY sleeping through the night! We did have to let her cry it out...but those three nights of crying were worth it, everyone is sleeping now=) Jillian is no longer taking little catnaps. She takes two naps for me, one for 1.5-2 hours in the morning and the other 1-1.5 in the afternoon. This is all great, but Jillian feels the need to start her day at 5:30 AM!

Jillian is ALMOST crawling. She is going backwards on her tummy more than forward. She gets into the position and rocks, but not forward movement yet. She likes to scoot on her bottom and gets to where she wants to go that way. She is into everything. Jason and I are rethinking some furniture so she doesn't get into things (tv cords look like so much fun!). She likes to stand as well, we might not crawl for very long. She pulls herself up when you hold her hands and can support her own weight holding on.

Mothers Day!

For our first Mothers Day as a family we picnic'd at Rock Cut State Park in Rockford, IL. For many years my family celebrated Mothers Day, Fathers Day and other great moments in our family there. So it was so much fun to be there for my first Mothers Day. It was a little chilly when the sun went behind the clouds, but at least it wasn't raining (like many days in the past)! Jason and Jillian spoiled me with a new toaster oven! (No, really its what I asked for) Jillian was so good for such a long day. We went to the early service at church and left right from there to Rockford. She slept all the way to Rockford (a little over an hour), but that is all she slept for the day. For not having an afternoon nap she was such a good girl. Although she was tired, she fell asleep before we even left the park! So all-in-all it was a great day and I couldn't have asked for a better way to celebrate being a mother. Here are some pictures of our fun day.

Jillian with her "Ganma" Murray and Grandma Deibert

Jillian with her Great-Grandma...Jillian is a fourth generation Murray!

Great Grandpa, Kelley, Jillian, Jason and Great Grandma

Silly Grandpa, that hat is too small for you!

Jillian's first Easter!

For Jillian's first Easter we went down to Illinois to Grandma and Grandpa Murray's house. It was a long, busy day...but a good one! We got up in the morning and went to church here in Milwaukee. Jillian was so good at church, as she always is. Then we drove right from church down to Dekalb. We got there about lunch time. Shortly after we arrived Uncle Shaun, Aunt Misty and cousins Zoey and Kylie got there. Then Great Grandma and Great Grandpa came and Diane and the kids. Before we knew it, the house was buzzing with chatter, laughter and running kids! The weather was decent, a little of the breezy, chilly side but sunny enough to play outside for a bit. Of course Jay had to take on Great Grandpa in another round of Bocce ball (I think they are one and one in wins now...wonder who will win the next one!). Mom and Dad made a terrific ham for us and we had a delicious feast with all the food everyone brought! Jillian had a great first Easter and was a pretty good girl (even without the afternoon nap!). After dinner we hung out for a short while and then packed up the car to head home. It was a long day, but a fun one. Here are some pictures...

Grandma and Grandpa playing with Jillian

Great Grandpa giving Jillian a little love

Can we say "Cheese" Uncle Shaun

Cousin Zoey created a fun playland for Jillian...so fun!

The power of Grandma's and Grandpa's!

What grandchild doesn't love going over to Grandma and Grandpa's house to play!? They get spoiled and loved on the whole time...and it is not any different for our little Jillian. Here are some fun pictures from some recent visits to Grandma Grace's and Grandma and Grandpa's house.

Grandma Grace reading a book to Jillian...and Jillian trying to eat it!

Grandma Grace feeding Jillian.

Jillian getting a bath in Grandma Grace's kitchen sink...even there she had a good time!

Grandma is always wearing fun things for Jillian to grab at!

Grandpa always plays on the floor with Jillian...he gets "down to her level"!

There are always new, fun toys to play with!