Girls Just Wanna have Fun!

 Logan and Jocelyn are hysterical together.  J is getting to the age where she is just beginning to interact with Logan, and adores her.  We brought Logan up to the room where J was napping, and J jumped right up from where she was laying and began jumping up and down in her playpen.  It's so awesome that they have each other.

Playing in the kitchen.  From watching Logan, J has begun to explore more, although mostly just likes to empty the cabinets on the floor 

Frap time!  They were chasing each other (and Burton) around the house. When they met in the middle, would scream, and then run the other way 

Look at those smiles! 

Logan is always a good helper with the "plug" 

Mima is so happy that she can now bring her two girls around the backyard in the wagon 

Aunt Claire was visiting from Oregon and brought with her some very pretty gifts. J loved wearing her tutu around and looked quite diva-licious 

This was not the parents idea!!  J picked up Burton's leash and thought it was a necklace, so began to try and put it on.  Chris thought it was funny so put it on her and then quickly felt bad and tried to take it off, but J wouldn't have it. She wanted to keep her "fancy belly necklace" on for awhile 

Shore Days

 We were down in NJ at my Dad and Maureen's house for a long weekend.  We watched Kelly their dog while they went to see the Yankees spring training down in Fla.

Jocelyn found her wings!  She saw these and pulled them right towards Daddy asking for them to be put on.  It's really quite entertaining to see her little personality developing (loves bows, necklaces, fairy wings...) And that is their 'small' dog Kelly behind J, keeping watch for any evil fairies coming our way. 

The gorgeous sunset off their front deck overlooking Barneget Bay 

Off to feed the ducks! 

Daddy showing J the proper bread throwing technique 

"Look out below!" watching the Goose/Seagull/Duck frenzy for the bread 

St. Patty's Day 2011

 It has now become an annual (and by that I mean this is our 2nd time) tradition for Jocelyn and I to go up and see the St. Patty's Day parade.  I used to take my 3rd grade class to the parade every year so knew the in's and outs (aka, where to stand so you are not surrounded by a bunch of inebriated people) and always found it to be very fun & educational.  As J gets older we can talk about the different military branches, the pros and cons of being a Tuba player, how short skirts can't possibly keep those dancers warm, and so much more!  

Irish eyes were smiling down on us, because the day was gorgeous! 60 degrees and bright sunny skies.  We stood on 72nd and the kids were entertained for a lot longer then I ever thought, a good 45-60 minutes.

J and her buddy Grant enjoying the parade

After the parade, we walked into Central Park and things got even better... swings!! 

Enjoying the sunshine on her face 

"Oh Danny Boy..!!!! " 

Mommy and J 

J and her trusty binky 

Play time

Jocelyn has recently discovered her own stroller.  Nothing is more fun for her then to take her bears in and out of the stroller. She even has her very own parking space right on Burton's bed! 

The advancements we see each week are amazing.  Just this week she began to recognize that the blue ball goes in the blue circle (however, she is not doing that here!) and her fine motor skills have increased so much! 

Ride Em' Cowboy! 

Nana helps both girls play with the puzzle.  

Independent Play

We / I started implementing independent playtime into our day today.  J is fairly good at entertaining herself, but we want her to start getting used to playing by herself, without looking for Mommy or Daddy to play with.  I'm following the babywise method, which advises starting with around 10 minutes and using a timer.  J goes into her bedroom, surrounded by all of her fun toys, the gate goes up, timer goes on and off she goes.... if only it were that smooth!   Today (Day #1) she stood at the gate and screamed the entire time.  When the timer went off, I went in, and very happily talked to her and looked at her toys with her.

This can take some time, but I'm hopeful it will work out well!

** Note: We first started I.P on Monday and in her room.  Wed. we switched to in a pack-n-play and by Friday she was ok with it.  J still gave out a few screeches here and there, but she mostly just played and walked around the pack-n-play.  As soon as she is good for the full 10min, I will extend her to 15, and on from there.

New Doo

As getting dressed, Jocelyn 'strongly' pointed at the box containing her hair bows.  I gave her one, she began to put it in her hair.  I continued to dress her, and she continued to "strongly" point at the box.  I gave her another, she tried putting it in her hair... and the activity continued.  This was our finished product, and J was very happy with her stylist.  

We made sure that even her backside was covered.. can't miss any bows here people!  

Much to my amusement, Jocelyn had no intention of having the bows taken out.  This is her, a bit later, happily eating her lunch like a lady (that means using both hands to stuff herself full of raviolis).