Easter Fun

This week was full of fun!

My good friend Logan and I went to visit the Easter Bunny. I don't know why he was sitting in the middle of the mall, but none-the-less I was able to sit on his lap and take a picture. The Easter Bunny wasn't as cool as Santa Claus, but he came in a close second. Mom joked that he was the Easter Bunny equivalent of Billy Bob Thorton's character in Bad Santa...

After I met with the Easter Bunny I couldn't wait for the weekend to come.

On Friday night we drove down to Grandpa Ron's house in Jamul. I loved being there because I could crawl ALL around the house, and mom didn't have to monitor me like she does at home. Because of the soft carpet I was able to practice using my walker. Mom and Dad are SO proud of me, as I took my first official steps on my own:

As you can see I have become quite good at standing, and now have the desire to climb. Mom better baby-proof the house ASAP cause here I come...


On Saturday we got to go see my Great Grandma Jensen. While we were there she gave me an Easter Bunny that sang Peter Cotton Tail. I had lots of fun laughing at it! In the afternoon I put on my boat outfit and went down to see Grandpa Ron. I really liked being at the boat, and think I made a pretty good captain.




Dad even held me up and let me steer (Grandpa's boat is docked in the harbor and doesn't go anywhere, but I got to steer anyway)


I loved being at the boat and was able to take a LONG nap as the ocean waves rocked me back and forth. After playing all day on the boat Mom, Dad, and I went out to Jamul to dye some Easter Eggs to leave for the bunny. Dad didn't like the vinegar smell of the dye, so he kept his distance but still managed to give us some decorating tips. We even made some eggs for people who couldn't spend Easter with us this year. Uncle Shawn, Aunt Hayley (and Hollywood, Jack, Kahlua and Bugs, although I did wave hi to Bugs in the morning), Grandma Schafer (who was working on the mountain in Mammoth as the Easter Bunnies assistant- in full costume), Grandma Frankwick, and Grandpa Frankwick. Dad even made an Easter egg for his favorite dance crew The Jabbawoockeez (sp?). We were being very silly, but had lots of fun.

Before I went to bed I put out all the eggs, along with a note and carrots that I left for the Easter Bunny.

In the morning we woke up REALLY early and got ready to go to church. While mom and dad were busy getting themselves dressed I was allowed to crawl around the living room. To Mom's surprise when she came out of the bathroom I had managed to crawl to the ottoman, stand up, and pound on Dad's computer (the only thing in the whole room I shouldn't have been playing with)




Mom, Dad, Grandpa, and I all had a very nice time at church. I learned the special meaning of Easter, and am glad to know there is more to the holiday than just a bunny and some eggs. I was a good girl throughout the whole service and only made a couple peeps during prayer. When we got back to Grandpa's we took a family picture of our first Easter together.

After we changed into our play clothes we got to hunt eggs and open our Easter baskets. Hunting eggs was a lot of fun!!!

The Easter Bunny brought me all sorts of neat things, from rattles and sippy cups, to sweatshirts and toys. My favorite things to play with were the eggs in the basket. As with everything else the first place they went was my mouth.


Mom told Dad that it was OK for me to play with the dyed eggs, but she forgot that when I put them in my mouth the dye would come off. I had a blue mouth for the rest of the day...

While I was opening my Easter basket my family came over to spend Easter with me. Great Grandma Schafer, Connie, Randy, Ryan, and Brandon brought over an Easter feast and Mom and Dad ate until they felt sick!!! While they were busy gorging themselves I spent some time playing with Aunt Connie. She sure makes me smile!

The Umbargers brought me a puppy that talks and sings, and Great Grandma Schafer brought me a big Easter Bunny to play with. Holidays are AWESOME!!!

All the food and excitement left everyone feeling very tired. The Umbargers decided to go home and rest up for the dinner feast, while Ryan stayed behind to have some one-on-one time with me. I sure love my Uncle Ryan!

The crowds all came back to the house in the late afternoon and some of Grandpa's friends from the boat stopped by. I got to play with Ava, who is 6 months older than I am. I enjoyed watching her run around the house, and tried as hard as I could to keep up with her.

Our Easter festivities went on well into the evening, and all of us were exhausted from all the fun. We said our good-byes to the family and went back home for some rest and relaxation.

Easter was a special occasion and I am grateful for all the blessings I have been afforded.

Everyday I am learning to do new things.

Mom is giving me more freedom to be on my own, and I am loving it. As you will see, in this past week I have been doing lots of things like a big girl.

For about a month mom has been working on teaching me to use a sippy cup. At first I didn't like it because the flow of liquid was different than in a bottle. Mom would hold it up for me while I drank out of it. Now that I am big and strong I use a sippy cup at dinner time, and can hold it up all on my own.

Look how big and fat my cheeks are getting!!!

Seeing as how I use my two front teeth to bite on EVERYTHING, mom and dad decided to start letting me munch on different types of foods. My new favorite snack are snap peas; listen closely and you will hear my compers biting into the pea...

Bath time fun became even more fun when mom filled my tub with bubbles. My duckies and I had a good time splashing around, but the bubbles made the water taste funny! I am curious about everything, and like to stand up in the bathtub and survey my surroundings. I think it is great, but mom must feel otherwise because every time I stand up she is right there helping me back down.
My demanding shrieks asking for help to stand up are increasing as I want so bad to start walking. When mom realized that I am able to use objects around me to stand she decided to buy me a walker. I am very proud of myself for learning how to stand WITHOUT anyone helping me, but I get so excited to be on my feet that I shake with glee and fall down. I didn't know that standing could be so painful.

Last Saturday was my daddies birthday! After daddy got a haircut we went to lunch together. I kept trying to eat some of mom's food, so dad cut up an apple and mom let me try it.

It was fun biting into it, but the texture of the apple was a little weird. Despite the oddness, I kept going back for more.

In the afternoon we all took a trip to the bowling alley. Dad sat in the back with me and laughed at the new position I assume when in my car seat. He was teasing mom that I hold on because she is a crazy driver!

At the bowling alley dad let me dance around on the floor. I love being in public and getting lots of attention.

At home that night mom and I made daddy a lemon pie (one of his favorites) and we sang him happy birthday. Look at all those candles...

After they finished this birthday ritual dad shared his pie with me. I didn't like the lemon part too much, but the whip cream was awesome.

Monday was another holiday, and I got to play in the yard in my St.Patrick's day outfit. I enjoyed being in the sunshine, but wasn't given much freedom to roam given that the back yard is Jackson's Territory (mom says he hides booby-traps).

Later that afternoon mom and I went to Goldenspoon and shared some Mint Ice Cream to celebrate my Irish heritage. I have decided that I like holidays; you get to dress up, eat good food, and participate in silly rituals. I am eager with anticipation for Easter as mom tells me I will really enjoy it- I mean come on, bright colored eggs, candy, bunnies, what is there not to enjoy!!!

We are spending the rest of this week preparing for an Easter celebration with my family. Mom tells me that I will be doing all sorts of "first time" things this weekend (dying eggs, getting an basket from the Easter Bunny, going to church, etc.) so come back next week for my tale of Easter fun!

Life is going by so quickly, this coming week I will be 8 months old.

I may have been born a runt, but after my growth spurt last week I have turned into a BIG girl!!! (I may have even grown out of the 5th percentile). I am eating lots more; am able to feed myself a bottle, and mom gives me baby food twice a day. I would really like to feed myself, but mom said there will be plenty of time to do that when I am older.

Look how small the remote looks next to me NOW:

I have become quite the mover now that I am big, and can crawl everywhere!! Mom can no longer leave me unattended. The other night I was in my play room with my toys while mom was in the kitchen making dinner. I looked over and saw her stirring something on the stove and decided that I wanted to get a closer look. To mom's surprise I had crawled all the way from my play room to the kitchen stove and grabbed her foot. I think it startled her because she made a funny squeaking noise. Now she knows better than to ignore me...


This week Grandma Schafer came to stay with us for her birthday. We had lots of fun together and she helped me practice my standing. I am getting really good at it, but haven't yet grasped the concept that my muscles aren't strong enough to hold me up without support. I get really frustrated that I can't get up on my own and shriek for mom to help me. Mom always puts me back on my tummy (the doctor says it is better for my neck to be crawling), so the other day I decided to start using objects around to help me get up.

Mom caught me...

Mom really isn't that mean, but I really like it when daddy comes home from work because we have lots of fun! The other night he let me stand up, and showed me how to dance.

Our first Father/Daughter dance:

My second tooth finally came in this week. Mom and I thought that the pain of teething was gone for now, but after feeling a little under-the-weather we have come to conclusion that my top teeth are now making there way in to join the bottom.

Now that I have some teeth I like to put everything in my mouth and chew. Mom decided to let me share her banana since I love my baby food bananas, obviously I don't like the real thing...


Along with all the other things I am learning to do, I have found my voice. I love making noises. Coughing is a great attention getter, and I babble all the time. Ba ba, da da, and ga ga are among my favorites.


In honor of Uncle Shawn and his favorite band K Paz De La Sierra I learned to make a great Mexican noise. If you listen closely you will hear it...

I am looking forward to signing with him when he comes to visit!!

This week out family had a fun and eventful weekend at home. Mom dressed me up in an outfit she made JUST for me, and we went on a walk down by the beach. I got to show off my happy-girl smile to the public, and got to play outside in the grass (not a big fan of grass, it is too cold).

Afterwards we spent some time swimming in the spa! I am getting more comfortable with the water, and mom says we will be able to take swimming lessons soon.

Now that I am BIG I get to wear bikini bottoms like mommy!

Grandma Schafer had given me my own cell phone when she was visiting, and I quickly learned how to use it (mimicking mom and dad is becoming really fun). As you can see I am going to be quite the phone talker...

After the long weekend Dad and I were exhausted. We had so much fun together that we both took a nap,

I sure LOVE my dad!

Time is going by so fast!

I am already 7 months old!

Mom says time is going by way to fast! Each day is a new adventure, and I am learning so much! The past couple weeks were full of excitement, so make yourself comfortable, cause you're in for a long read...

Mom decided it would be good for me to play with a new friend this week. I was hesitant at first, but after meeting her we quickly became buddies. She was really funny looking and we spent hours laughing at one another - I even showed her how to play patty cake. We got along really well, and now we get play together almost everyday.

Friends are cool!!!

As you can see I have perfected sitting up, and really like to be in this position.

This week mom decided to take me on a trip to main street (in Huntington Beach, where I live). Before we could go she had to get me ready (what a process)! After she lathered me with sunscreen, she put on my hat and sunglasses and got me all dressed up in my beach wear for a stroll down the board walk. She even let the stroller seat face out so I could see all the people and the beautiful scenery.

I got to celebrate my first Valentines day on Thursday. Mom and I woke up early and made daddy some heart pancakes for breakfast. After he left for work we occupied our time by cleaning the house and getting it ready for the nice dinner we had planned for the evening. It was a lot of fun watching mom cook dinner, but it was even better watching daddy's face when he came home and saw what we had done for him! After the family finished eating (yes I got to stay up late) we all went into my play room and hung out together. I showed dad how I can military crawl, and he was very proud of me.

I sure love my daddy, and was glad he said he would be my #1 Valentine.

After months of picking on me from under the gum, my first tooth officially came out to play on February 18th. It's a sharp little guy, and I demonstrated that to mom when she tried to feel it by biting her. It was not a bite with malicious intent, I just don't like it when she sticks her finger in my mouth. After my tooth came through, one would assume that the pain of teething would go away- but no. My other bottom tooth isn't too far behind, and this one is proving to be quite a booger. I get a little bit of pain from it poking at my gum and hope it will surface soon. Until then I will continue to gnaw on everything in sight!

If you look closely, you can see it poking out...

Even though I am teething I am a very happy baby.

My skills are improving at an alarming rate! Last week I learned to scoot across the floor, and now I am able to use my arms to pull me around (mom calls this my military crawl). It won't be too long before I am able to us my legs as well. I like this new found independence; if I need something I don't have to call for mom like I used to, now I just maneuver myself to the object of my desire. After mom and dad realized how mobile I was becoming they baby proofed my downstairs play room. I now have carpet and a weird gate thing that lets me see out, but doesn't let me get out. Mom says they had to take out all the things that I could get hurt playing with. I sure like my new room, don't you?

This week we got to go up to Mammoth to visit Grandma Schafer. It was really weird, I don't remember traveling. I went to bed at home and woke up in Mammoth! Mom said I was such a good girl that I slept through the whole 6 hour drive (they drove from 9pm to 3am)! It was great seeing Grandma, and I didn't waste any time before I began showing off all of my new talents. She was particularly proud of me when I showed her how I can do a side plank!


Grandma was able to take the weekend off of work so that dad and mom could go snowboarding while she watched me. The two of us had all sorts of fun!! We talked, laughed, ate, you name it.

We had so much fun together that I conked out.

After I took my nap, Grandma showed me how to stand up. I was very proud of myself, but now want to stand up all the time.


The next day, while mom and dad were on the hill, Grandma bundled me up and took me on a walk to the lodge to show me off to her co-workers. They were all very nice, but I really enjoyed meeting Wooly! It was fun being out in the snow and I am looking forward to playing in it when I get big!

We were sad to leave Mammoth, but I was eager to get back to my home.

Things are happening so fast for me, one day I was content sitting in my boppy chair and now I want to roam around and explore this big world. I can't wait to find out what I will be able to do next!!!

Yesterday was a sad day; we lost a special member of our family. Liliana Rose Walters, only 9 months old, passed away peacefully in her mother's arms.

Our thoughts and prayers are with her parents, Debbie and Steve, as well as everyone whose lives she touched during her short time on this earth. Liliana's story has inspired our family and reminded us how important it is to appreciate every precious moment of life that we are given.

If you would like to read about her story and provide words of support to her family, please visit her website by going to http://www.caringbridge.org/ and entering Liliana as the website name.


Mom and dad tell me that Liliana is with God, and together they are watching over me in Heaven; I hope to make her proud.

After a couple weeks of down time life got busy again this week.

And when I say busy, I mean BUSY!

My week began with a Super Bowl Sunday party at my friend Bella's house! There were so many toys and kids to play with that I was overwhelmed with excitement. I really enjoyed watching Bella crawl around, and can't wait till I can move! While daddy watched the game, mom, who insisted that football season ended 2 weeks ago, and I got to hang out with everyone. Gensesis, another friend of mine, was there and she was really nice to me. I hope to be just like her when I grow up!



On the way home from Bella's house I passed out from all the excitement. When I woke up on Monday morning I felt a little icky and didn't know why I was having trouble breathing. Mom informed me that I was experiencing my first cold. I don't know about any of you, but I sure don't like this cold stuff. My nose was really runny and I had a pretty bad cough. To err on the side of caution mom took me to see my doctor. As she had guessed they confirmed that I had a cold in about 2 minutes and told her to come back if it got worse. As we walked out mom and I were lamenting the trip to the doctor, but mom said it was worth the drive to find out that I had gained a whole pound in the last 2 weeks! Can you believe that I now weigh 14lbs!!! I guess my love for food and bottles is paying off!


I am really having fun eating at dinner time. Jax has started to sit next to me when I eat, and he even sneaks some off of my hands from time to time.


Dad showed off his man talents this week by putting together my new big-girl crib. After mom arranged the bedding Grandma Frankwick had given me I was allowed to sleep in it. I like it a lot better than my bassinet because Josh gets to sleep with me.


I still wake up every morning with a big smile on my face (even when I have a yucky cold)

Mom and I went to San Diego to see Autumn this week. After mom got her hair cut I got to get mine done! I really enjoyed sitting in the big girl chair, and Autmun said I am going to be a great client. She even put my hair in some tin foil for mom to take home; I sure thought that was silly, but mom is a little sentimental - she doesn't want the word to get out so don't let her know I told you.
On Friday we drove to Temecula for the wedding rehersal of Frank and Diane. They are good friends of mommy and daddy's, and mommy got to be part of the wedding! I got to help mom learn how to walk down the aisle and afterwards we went to celebrate at dinner. I got to wear my new red dress which I loved. In the picture it even matches my eyes. He He He

Because I had been such a good girl mom bought me a DVD player so I could watch my sign language video during dinner. I sure had the set-up!

We had a fun evening and everyone I met was really nice to me. After dinner we drove down to Grandpa Schafer's house in Jamul to stay the night. Despite all of mom's efforts I still had an icky cold and had trouble sleeping. I guess that I was snoring so loud that she couldn't sleep either. Two hours of sleep was all that I had in me, and at 3am I decided it was time to get up. It didn't take mom long to answer my screams since the garbage disposal sound of my breathing had kept her from really falling sleep. We made our way to the family room and mom put my movie on the big screen. I sat up and laughed as mom, half-asleep, tried to play with me. Around 5am she got up, turned off my movie, went into the bedroom, and returned with an amazing new toy. Grandpa and Debbie had bought it for me, and I am sure glad they did because it is AWESOME!!!

The house kept me occupied for a couple more hours while mom gave in to two of her addictions: red bull and re-runs of America's Next Top Model (another secret you CANNOT let her know I shared with you). I finally dozed off to sleep as Grandpa got up, and hung out with him while mom got ready for the wedding. We arrived in Temecula in the early afternoon and met auntie Andrea who drove with us to the winery. Dad showed up a little while later looking as handsome as ever and I changed into my wedding attire so that he could escort me to the ceremony.

It was fun watching mom walk down the aisle in her pretty dress, but I really loved watching Diane come out of the Bentley in her beautiful gown. The ceremony was nice, and I got really excited when they released the butterflies!!! As the reception began dad and I mingled with the crowd and I loved all the attention. People were gushing over my adorable Burberry Coat, and I have to say that I did look great!!

When the wedding was over we drove back down to Grandpa's exhausted, and all 3 of us crashed out when we got there. In the morning mom made me a big bottle and for the first time ever let me feed myself!!!



In the mid morning Great Grandma Schafer, Cousin Brandon, and Aunt Connie came over the see me. We had lots of fun laughing at one another, and I thoroughly enjoyed showing off my new talents for them. While mom was off doing what ever she does in the kitchen Great Grandma Jean (Schafer) and I participated in some shenanagins of our own:

The busy week, combined with my cold, left me worn out. Mom tells me that there will be some down-time in the next couple of weeks, but I am finally recovering from my cold and am looking forward to creating some mischeif...