It's a LOVE/HATE Relationship

I love Jade's daycare. I don't love that I have to be away from her every day, but leaving her with people who take good care of her makes it much easier. I think it's safe to say Jade is a "teachers pet" kind of girl. I shouldn't be surprised...I was the same way. Lately, she even fusses for a minute when i get there to pick her up...like she doesnt want to leave. OUCH:) So, yes, her teachers are great and I love that she gets to play and learn with other kiddos. That's the LOVE part of the daycare relationship. The HATE part...germs! It's inevitable, any daycare mom will agree. Jade has had more than her fair share of colds, sore throats and ear aches. I've been told that the illnesses become fewer and fewer as she gets older and that she's building up a "great immune system." That will be wonderful...when we get there! For now, it is NO FUN! I know the sore throats and ear aches don't last long and we quickly feel better. But, when you're in the thick of it...you would do just about anything to take the pain away and help them feel comfortable. until then...i will stay focused on that "great immune system" she's building. It will be here...eventually.

It just goes by so quickly...

It's true you know. You hear it ALL the time, especially from parents, but IT IS TRUE. Jade suprises me every day with what she's learned to do and how much she's grown. You know when you haven't seen someone in a while (especially a growing child) and you can instantly tell they've gotten taller or their face is looking more "grown-up." This happens to me everytime i see my awesome nephew Ben and my super cute niece Sydney. Well, when it's your own child, you can see him or her every day and still see how much they are physically changing. It is nothing short of amazing. Then, when you add a developing personality on top of that...WATCH OUT!
So, to help me keep track and to update those who love to hear about her (i'm talking to you Gma!), here is a list of words she now loves to say and things she loves to do.

FAVORITE WORDS: ball (she always makes a funny face when she says it), that (everything she points at is "that"), ma-ma (while she occasionally addresses me with this word, she is usually referring to the real love of her life, her pacifier) hi and bye (never without waving) dada (this word is reserved for her actual dad...no other objects included) eyes (she loves to point out your nose, eyes, ears, mouth, but calls everything eyes).

FAVORITE THINGS TO DO: dance (seriously...to anything! she even dances to certain books while i'm reading them, but only certain ones, not all?!) speaking of books, she LOVES to read (well, she loves listening to you read while she turns the pages) we're in quite a pattern right now. every night after dinner i sit on the floor, she grabs her two favorite "book blocks" (sesame street and mother goose), positions my legs so that she can situate herself on my lap, then hands me book after book to read. playing outside. it's funny, every morning while i load up the car with our stuff she opens the door to her cozy couple, climbs inside, then shuts the door behind her. she just sits in her "car" until i'm ready to buckle her into our mommy-mobile. show off her belly! it's pretty cute...what isn't so cute is when she goes around the room insisting on showing off everyone elses belly. she's obsessed with her feet right now. she likes to pull them up by her face and even clap them like they're her hands. and she thinks it's so funny when mommy smells them and tells her she has stinky feet! kiss! wether it's blowing kisses to her teachers or family, or opening her mouth to give you or her toys a slobbery kiss, she thinks it's great! the other night, she was kissing ALL of her bath toys, she even kissed the net that holds all of her toys. (she was really feeling the love that night!)

I could go on forever, but i'll end this post with few recent pics. Expect more lists to come. it's the only way this mom can keep up, as it flies by right before my eyes.

                                             just one of those sweet kisses (on mothers day!)

                                                      we'll just call this one "bed-head"

                                                                  ready for school!

                                             my handsome nephew Ben, who i mentioned...

                                                      and my beautiful niece, Sydney!

Spring is in the Hair

Literally! Jade's hair is made up of a million brown curls that look just like little springs...and it is BEAUTIFUL! It never fails, when strangers comment about her when we're out and about, it's always "her hair is so cute" or "look at those eyelashes". Her hair should've come at no surprise. At the last ultrasound we had before she was born, the tech said she had a head full of it, she even pointed it out so mommy and daddy could have a peek! Over the past sixteen months it has grown fast and the curls keep coming. Now, i've gotten some very good advice when it comes to "caring for" and "fixing" Jades hair, I even had a hands-on lesson from Nana! I've learned it's not as simple as a brush and pony-tail holder. it's more like regular conditioner, leave-in condition, a wide-tooth comb, detangler, a fine-tooth comb, olive-oil conditioner, a brush, tiny hair ties, and last but not least...a bow! It takes me a while, but with time, i'm sure i'll speed up. And the end results are worth it! (at least to mommy) Here are some pics of her different hair-dos...

Like mother, Like daughter

Jade is at such a fun stage right now! (the best part about this is that i hear it just keeps getting better) she is 100% sponge...if she sees us doing something, she will try it. but, the one thing she doesn't seem to need an example of is dancing. a little music is all it takes to set our silly one into motion. ENTERTAINING! you can see for yourself in the video posted below which we took during our visit to the houston international festival.



another new for us is in the kitchen. jade is now well aware of where her favorite snacks and drinks live and she will lead you there from any room in the house to get you to refill her milk or grab her a few graham crackers. oh, good luck telling her no. she also is learning her "temper" skills. lucky for us, for now, those moments seem to pass quickly.
and, hello sunshine! don't you dare open the front or back door unless you're ready for some outdoor playtime!! Jade knows the routine...open the door, strap on your sandals and away we go! whether it's a nature walk along the sidewalk, a cruise in the cozy coupe, or playing on the back patio, we LOVE to be outdoors. so, quick recap...dancing. snacking. sunshine. she may have her daddy's face, but this girls actions are mommy to a T!