Waving

James waved bye-bye to Jim this afternoon! It was the first wave all by himself. He got his second tooth on Tuesday (11/20). Jemma didn't get a single tooth until she was 11 months old and James has two before 9 months! It is so nice to have Jemma and Jim home. They drove from CT to VA Beach on Saturday. And Jim had today off from work. It was so nice... we did nothing special... it was just nice to have him near. Jemma had a great day at school and got to wear a pink headband with the number 3 attached.

My favorite story from their CT adventure:

Jim was playing poker. Jemma sat on his lap and announced, "That is what my name starts with" followed by "That's in my name too!" Obviously to all, Jim was holding an Ace and Jack... he, he, he... never play poker with a 3 year old on your lap!! :)

Jemma wore big girl underwear in the car and only had one accident... during the first part of their trip to CT. She didn't have an accident at all on their way home! Now, we just have to transition out of diapers at night. I think we'll just give it some time...

Jim took the digital camera with him to CT, so here is catching up on some pictures! This is James on 11/17 in his "little version of daddy" onesie... I found this at Old Navy and just had to get it!Here he is on 11/18... he has Jemma's wand. I'm tempted to get rid of his toys... all he wants is what Jemma has!He has started pointing and just holding up his index finger. He often starts "chatting" and moving his finger around... I can't wait until he has actual words! Here is our sick little guy on 11/20... such a runny nose!

A picture of Jemma after opening a birthday gift. It is a Melissa & Doug dry erase board and magnetic chalk board with letters. We also got her a pink tiarra, sleeping bag with ballerinas, and a cute outfit set from Gymboree. I could not resist the set... it has anchors and is red, white and blue!

Jemma loved playing with her cousin, Elizabeth. Aren't the girls so cute?!? GrandMary made Jemma a chocolate teddy bear shaped cake, which she loved.Jemma got lots of wonderful gifts... a princess dress up box, an art easel, skecher's shoes, Gymboree outfit, stickers and puzzles book.

While Jim went to the baby shower, Jemma spent the afternoon with Grandpa Jim. I forgot to pack her mittens, so she wore her "Go Navy, Beat Army" socks!

Suzanne and Andy at their baby shower... I so wish I could have been there!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!! :)

What generous and thoughtful and wonderful neighbors I have. Amy invited me over for lunch with her family (Claire was sick anyway, so she didn't mind too much that James was sick), which was really nice. We went over about 1 and came back home just after 2... it was nice to get out of the house for some adult conversation! James wasn't feeling very well this afternoon and I could not get him to take a nap, so we just played in the living room floor. First, Mary brought over a huge plate of cuban-inspired Thanksgiving goodies (turkey, gravy, black beans with rice, cranberry jelly, stuffing and a roll). Then, Merin brought me a plate with yummy food (turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry salad, pineapple something that I have to get a recipe for, and sweet potatoes). Then, Amy brought me leftovers from her lunch. After I gave James a bath, Merin stopped by with a slice of pumpkin pie and apple pie! I feel so cared for and so full!! And I don't have to cook tomorrow.

Today was absolutely beautiful... sunny and 78... we tied the record high. James and I got out to enjoy it for a little bit today because tomorrow it isn't supposed to get out of the 50's!

I miss my husband. I miss my little girl. Today she turned 3. It is hard to believe that she was born 3 years ago. Sometimes it feels as if it was just yesterday that I was pregnant with her and yet she is a baby no more.

I'm off to bed. I am tired and trying to kick this cold bug myself!

Germs!

Germs are not good... especially for kids. Jemma is finally feeling much better (she even went to school on Monday), but now James is sick. He started with a little cold on Saturday. We took him to the doctor on Monday and she verified that it is "just" a cold. He has been running a fever (not over 102) off and on and has a deep, terrible cough. Unfortunately, there is little we can do except wait.

And of course, we had grand plans for this holiday. We were supposed to leave yesterday and be in CT today. We were supposed to celebrate Thanksgiving and Jemma's 3rd birthday tomorrow. Then, on Friday, we were supposed to shower Suzanne and Andy in preparation for Baby Girl Bates. Instead, I sent my wonderful husband and daughter off this morning. James and I are staying behind. I am happy that Jim and Jemma get this Dad-Daughter bonding time. And Jemma has been looking forward to seeing her relatives and having her Grandmother make a teddy bear shaped chocolate cake for her birthday, so I could not deny her that delight. But selfishly, I want to be with my baby girl on her birthday. And I'm sad that I will not get to visit with Ken, Karen and Elizabeth... they live so far away and the time that we get to spend with them is too little. And I am so sad that I will not be at Suzanne's shower. We have been planning this for a while... the best laid plans, right?!? I'm off to comfort a crying baby boy...

Catching up!

Where, oh where, does the time go?!? I'm sitting here typing, listening to the Hokies play and working on a crafty gift. I have barely made a dent in a gift that I would like to present next week... I knew it would just be started, but I thought I'd be a little further along. I've been collecting the "right" stickers and the "perfect" paper in preparation... now it is time to put it all together!

Here is a recap of last week, since I've been slack about blogging!

Monday (11/12)

Jim had the day off (Happy Veterans Day!), so he took Jemma to school. Here she is in her "new" coat and "new" shoes. (Both are consignment store purchases, but she thinks they are new!) She loves her "raincoat" (at least that is what she calls it) and keeps asking for an umbrella to match. In the afternoon, Jim mowed the lawn. James kept looking out the window and would just giggle and bounce as he watched his daddy. It was too cute! I took pictures and I keep wondering why I didn't video it...

We had wine with dinner, so we put some apple juice in a special glass for Jemma. She thought it was so wonderful to be like the adults!

Tuesday (11/13)

Wednesday (11/14)

Jemma woke from her nap coughing and crying so much that she got sick. But then, she appeared to be fine as she ran around the yard and did forward rolls in the grass! It was such a beautiful, beautiful day... sunny and 77! :)

Here is James crawling on the driveway. He loves chasing after the ball!

Here are Claire, Mya and Jemma drinking strawberry smoothies that Claire's mom (Amy) made. The girls had such fun together!

Thursday (11/15)

We took the kids to the doctor for their flu shots. I had Jemma see Dr. Springer too since she was coughing and not feeling well. I was worried about croup again, but it is just a cold. Poor little girl has a runny, runny nose and cough. We spent the day inside relaxing. Of course, it was raining and chilly so it was a good day to stay put! GrandMary sent two new princess costumes to Jemma... she immediately put them on and has been wearing them since she opened the mail! James pulled up to investigate the plant, which I may have to move!

Friday (11/16)

Jemma did not go to school today. This is how she spent most of the day. I hate it when she is sick... I've been putting small play kitchen items in the sink because James had not pulled up until now... he keeps me so busy!

Sunday, 11/11

We went to Emporia to have lunch with Granny and Papa, Nicole & Bryan and Logan. A few miles into our voyage, I remembered that I had not packed food for James. I had completely forgotten, so we had to turn around to get the milk and cereal and veggies... it is so much easier when they are eating grown-up food! We had a really nice lunch at Cracker Barrel. Nicole and family left after lunch to head home and get Logan to sleep.

We headed to the park with Granny and Papa. Jemma had a blast!

Daddy's Home!

Jim arrived safely home on Friday, 11/9! Yippie!!!!

Here is Daddy with the kids Saturday morning. Jemma wanted to snuggle and James was content to crawl around and play and climb!

I was upstairs nursing James and putting him to bed. I came downstairs to find Jemma getting milk for herself! This was a first for our little Miss Independence! (11/5)

James is just a happy little guy! How he can be so happy after not sleeping most of the night, just amazes me! (11/7)

I must take James off the hearth fifty times a day! Jemma never really had an interest in the fireplace, but James will not stay off.

Lauren and Gabriella came over for a while.