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Category Archives: Family & Friends

Jessica’s Circus Birthday – Part 2: The Party

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I love parties. Hopefully, Jessica will grow up loving parties as much as her Momma. I tried to trim the guest list for the party, but I think I still ended up with too many people in my house, but oh well. It was a ton of fun and Jessica will be able to look back at the pictures of all the people who came to celebrate her 1st birthday with her.

Unfortunately, I didn’t take any pictures during the party; however, my Dad and my sister using my Dad’s camera took lots of great pictures.

Here’s my Mom with her two youngest grand-children. We’ll be celebrating Trevor’s 1st birthday in less than 2 weeks.

Jessica, Nanny and Trevor

Papa and Trevor

Nanny and Cameron

I had sent James and his Dad to pick up the balloons and pizza. Don’t all those balloons look fun?

James' Dad Bringing the Balloons

Nana and Jessica

The balloon place was kinda backed up, so James didn’t have time to set up the circus tent before people arrived. Here’s Trevor and Cameron checking out the pieces prior to erection.

Trevor, Cameron and Papa

Jessica was enthralled with the balloons. She kept looking up at them.

Momma and Jessica

My friend Lori is so good with kids. Noah, Anna and Parker all enjoyed the jungle story she read them.

Lori Reads a Story to Noah, Anna and Parker and Parker's Dad, Brad

The Birthday Girl

Before people started arriving, our nephew Dawson asked what he could do to help. I showed him how to make popcorn and he filled up all the containers for me after each batch popped.

Dawson Scooping Popcorn

Cameron and Aspen

Parker Playing

Jessica Trying to Share Her Pizza

Action in the Living Room

Trevor Playing

Jessica’s birthday cake was a small two-layer affair.

Jennifer Bringing in the Cake

At first, she didn’t know what to think of it.

Jessica Checking Out the Birthday Cake and Candle

Jessica Eying the Cake

"Is this cake tasty?"

She eventually figured out that cake is pretty tasty food.

"Yeah, it's tasty."

I think everyone enjoyed the cupcakes.

Cameron Taste Testing a Cupcake

Jessica is so blessed to have so many people who care about her. She got a bunch of neat presents. She’ll be stylish, well-read, and have lots of active fun.

Jessica Opening Presents with Momma and Daddy's Help

"Oooh, I like books!"

"Is this car really mine?"

Previous party posts:  Part 1: Decorations. Stay tuned for Part 3: Favors and Thank Yous and Part 4: Food.

Happy Birthday James!

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Today is my sweet husband’s birthday. Earlier today, I took some pictures with Jessica telling Daddy happy birthday. I didn’t think I’d have time to actually post it, because I was trying to finish making the card for him, but she is taking a super long afternoon nap, so here it is.

Happy Birthday Daddy!

James is the best husband and daddy and I wanted to make him a super special card and I think it turned out fabulous. A gift on the other hand. I didn’t get him one. Yet? We’re not really big on exchanging gifts for our birthdays. I never know what to get him and he knows I just get myself gifts every time I get something new crafty-wise. Although, I do have a framed picture of Jessica for him to take to work. I guess that is a gift.

James' Birthday Card

Stamps: Motivet Birthday Morris; Stampin’ Up On Your Birthday (sentiment), Background Basics (on celery piece)
Cardstock: Stampin’ Up Whisper White, Pacific Point, Summer Sun, Certainly Celery
Designer Paper: Stampin’ Up Good Morning Sunshine
Ink: Stazon Jet Black; Stampin’ Up Pacific Point
Embellishments: Stickles Yellow; Inkessentials Glossy Accents (on stamped balloons); Stampin’ Up Old Olive 5/8″ satin ribbon; DMC floss 469
Tools: Prismacolor colored pencils; Nestabilites Standard Circles Large, Classic Scalloped Circles Large; Stampin’ Up Key Tag Punch; Martha Stewart Balloon punch

This card uses the October Motivet sketch posted below.

Motivet October Sketch

Lots of Visitors

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We had a very busy weekend. James’ parents, sister and nephew arrived Friday in time for dinner.

Saturday morning, we tried for a photo shoot, but Jessica didn’t want anything to do with that.

Grandpa, Jessica and Dawson

We then went to the Circle C Metro Park. James and Dawson tossed a frisbee, while Jessica played. She enjoyed the racket ball container we brought along.

Jessica at the Park

Sunday morning, my parents, Sarah and her kiddos (Brian was on his annual guys bow-hunting trip) arrived just in time for Jessica’s birthday party, which I will discuss in a later post.

After the party, James’ family left and the Dzubinski cousins played together. A number of these photos were actually taken by my Dad.

Cameron and Sarah

Trevor, Nanny, Jason and Julia

Aspen and Jessica Trying Out her New Toys

We took the play time outside to check out Jessica’s new ride, the gift James and I got Jessica.

Cameron Trying Out Jessica's Convertible

Aspen Test Driving Jessica's New Car

Jessing Enjoying Her New Ride

The Entourage

Jessica, Cameron and Trevor at Jessica's New Table

Sarah and Trevor

Monday we met up with Julia and Aspen for lunch at Mighty Fine Burgers and afterward we went to Gracywoods Park (an awesome playground, but we had a hard time finding where to park) and let the kiddos burn some energy before Sarah, Cameron and Trevor left to head home. My parents left the next morning.

Jessica and Aspen Swinging

Cameron, Nanny and Trevor Swinging

Trevor Enjoying the Swing

Aspen Coming Down the Slide

Cameron on the Motorcycle

Julia with Aspen on the Motorcycle

Papa, Aspen and Cameron


Happy Birthday Baby Girl!

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A shade over a year ago, on Friday, October 16, 2009 at 12:16 PM, Jessica Ann was born weighing in at 7 pounds 2 ounces and measuring 20 inches long. Looking back at pictures of her first born, I can’t imagine her being that small.

First Born, 10/16/09

She has brought so much joy into our lives. I can’t picture life without her. Yesterday, she went to the doctor for her 1-year well check. She weighed 20 pounds 8 ounces (25-50%), almost triple what she weighed at birth. She has gained 10 inches and is now 30 inches long (75%). Her head measured 47 cm in circumference (90%). She got 4 shots and did pretty well, although James said she wanted her mama afterward (I missed the appointment since I was experiencing a stomach bug and stayed home sleeping).

Now, 10/12/10

Jessica and Daddy, 10/5/10

Jessica and Mommy, 10/5/10

What Jessica is Up To

Jessica isn’t walking yet, but I think she will be soon. She walks behind push toys and things that will push (like the bath stool or the laundry basket). She also stands up very well with just one hand on something to steady herself.

She’s also a little mountain goat, trying to climb everything.

Trying to Climb Into the Exersaucer, 9/29/10

Even though she doesn’t really help yet, I’m preparing her to be Mommy’s little helper.

"Helping" Unload the Dishwasher, 10/1/10

Her fine motor control continues to improve. She opens up things like kitchen cabinet doors and the lid on this Lil’ Pink Bus she got for her birthday. She has also started putting objects inside other objects, like the blocks on the Vtech Push and Learn Pony (I am constantly hearing new songs from that thing and Jessica has had it for almost 2 months) or the mega bloks in the little pink bus.

She still doesn’t speak intelligibly, but she does love to talk. She loves her books and will spend quite a while flipping pages after pulling numerous books off the bookshelf. When we read the lift the flap style books, she knows just where to go to lift the flip.

Enjoying her Books, 10/13/10

The fish tank was in the study for most of the summer due to the flooring issues we had when the AC leaked. Once it went back to its place in the entry way, Jessica was enthralled by the fish. She loves to watch them. We actually got 6 new fish recently just so she would have more to watch since Bob and Buster, the two Black Khuli Loaches I’ve had since 2002, tend to hide in the rocks. Although, I wish we had spent the extra money to get an enclosed stand when James got me the larger fish tank 6 years ago. I’m somewhat nervous about her pulling on the air tubes or heater cord, but once we get the last baby gate up, she won’t be able to be at the fish tank without supervision.

Watching the Fish, 9/28/10

Unfortunately, Jessica is very much a mama’s girl and it is very difficult for her to be out of my sight. In the spring, she did great when I dropped her off at the church nursery for Thursday morning MYC meetings, but this fall is a different story. I love that she is attached to me, but I wish she was more comfortable with other people as well. She does great with James, even when I’m not there, but sometimes when he is holding her and I’m close by, she’ll reach out for me.

What Jessica is Wearing

Jessica is currently wearing 9-12 month clothing. Most of the one-piece outfits are getting too snug in the length, so I will probably be packing them up soon. Another reason to pack them up is most of them are very summery and we’re actually experiencing fall weather, my favorite season. Yay!

"Aren't I stylish?" 10/5/10

What Jessica is Eating

Jessica eats all kinds of fruits, fresh and cut into small pieces. The other day, I had sliced part of a banana for her and laid the rest still in its peel on the table while I finished getting the rest of dinner together. Apparently, I was too slow and she had finished what I sliced and reached out for the rest of the banana.

Eating a Banana, 10/4/10

Vegetables are a different story. She likes a number of vegetables, but they have to be pureed. Or disguised in yogurt. I’m trying to introduce more texture, but sometimes it is difficult.

I can’t wait to see what she learns this next month.

Play Date at the Zoo

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Last Wednesday, our Circle of Moms play group went to the Austin Zoo. It is a rescue zoo, so some of the animals are sad, like Stumpy, one of the monkeys who is missing part of his tail. However, they have a great petting zoo area and you can feed a number of the animals. Later on, it will be a great place to teach Jessica the importance of respecting animals. The zoo’s paths aren’t the most stroller friendly, but there is a lot of shade.

Jessica Watching the Monkeys

We arrived at the lion enclosure just in time to see him eat his lunch of chicken “nuggets.” See Millie peeking around Jessica’s stroller to smile at the camera?

Watching the Lion Eat His Lunch

Charlotte is an almost 3-year-old pro at feeding the animals. Her mom Kirsty and little brother Jack go to the zoo a lot as they have a membership.

Charlotte Feeding a Goat

Jessica

Christian had an elevated view from his mom Sue’s back.

Sue Feeding the Goats

Charlotte even called the deer Bambi. Isn’t that cute? Although, I’m not sure that was the deer’s name. I love how the zoo lists the animals’ names on the animal description signs.

Charlotee Feeding Bambi

Alisha Feeding the Deer While Parker Observes

Christian feel asleep in the backpack carrier. I guess it must be pretty comfy. Unfortunately, I didn’t think about getting a group photo until after he and his mom left.

Jack (Hiding in Stroller), Kirsty, Charloote, Michelle, Millie, Jessica, Jennifer, Alisha and Parker

I would like to let you know if you’re looking for a play group, Circle of Moms is awesome. It is easy to find a play group in your area. The play group tool is easy to use and the site coordinators are awesome. Our play group was even provided with helium balloons at yesterday’s play date. The kids had a blast, but I forgot to take pictures during the play date. They’re working on a newsletter and yours truly was interviewed for the article on organizing play groups. I’m kinda excited to see the newsletter when it comes out.