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Category Archives: Family & Friends

New Year’s in Keller

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I’ve been a little slow in sharing pictures from all our Christmas celebrations. I’m sorry it’s almost the end of January before I get the last Christmas-related post in.

For New Year’s, we traveled to Keller for the Dzubinski family Christmas celebration, held at my sister’s house this year. You might remember, we went up a day early and visited the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History.

Friday, New Year’s Eve, Sarah had a little party, although it was mostly just us with the addition of her neighbors across the street. They have a little girl that is Cameron’s age and you can tell they are great friends.

Trevor with his Uncle James

Jessica Playing

Here’s the newlyweds, well the newlyweds of the bunch, since they’ve been married the shortest at 2.5 years. Isn’t that sweet that Jason is so affectionate?

Julia and Jason

After the neighbors left and the kiddos were asleep, the adults exchanged Christmas gifts. This year, our family decided the adults would draw names. I was a little disappointed about that since I love shopping/making gifts for people, but that’s what everyone else wanted to do. It’s a good thing I didn’t start my Christmas shopping for the adults in June like I did for the kiddos. Although it worked out that at least one of us drew at least one of my parents since I did have Jessica’s Shutterfly 1st year memory book in the works when the decision to draw names occurred.

Dad and Mom Viewing Dad's Gift From Me

New Year’s morning, the kiddos opened their Christmas presents. In addition to a toy, a book and some clothes, we got all of them a hat from Beany Bling, the Etsy shop my friend Jillan and her sister Jennika run. Right now, they have some really cute hat and tutu outfits. The bumblebee one is adorable. You’ll see lots of pictures of Cameron in his new hat. He loves it.

Sarah, Trevor, Cameron and Aspen Checking Out Trevor's New Toy

Jessica Opening a Gift From Us

Of course, every time all the Dzubinski cousins get together, we try for a photo shoot. This time, Jessica didn’t want anything to do with it. Remember last Christmas with them all as little munchkins. Our babies are growing up, sniff.

Trevor, Jessica, Cameron and Aspen

Jessica Investigating Her New Laptop from Aunt Sarah and Uncle Brian

Jessica Trying Out Cameron's New Sit and Spin From Us

Papa Looks On as Cameron Tries Out His New Laptop from Uncle Jason and Aunt Julia

Cameron, Aspen and Trevor Play While Julia Observes

Trevor and Jessica Help Brian Unload the Dishwasher

Jessica and Aspen Playing Together

My Beautiful Sister

Yes, that is a Rosa’s cup in her hand. We went there for New Year’s lunch. I would love to make that a tradition, but alas no Rosa’s in Austin.

My Silly Brother

Once the kiddos all awoke from their nap, they shared a snack at the little picnic table. Aren’t they cute?

Cameron, Trevor, Jessica and Aspen Snacking Together

Afterward, we walked to a nearby neighborhood park. Cameron started off on his new scooter, but after only one house away from home, he decided he would rather ride his tricycle and he rode it the whole way. Jessica and Aspen rode together in Cameron and Trevor’s wagon, but Aspen didn’t like the rear facing view or James pulling fast for a stretch bothered her and she ended up riding in style on Jason’s shoulders for most of the walk to the park. It was really chilly out and I kinda wish I had changed Jessica into pants, but she had a blast and the cold didn’t seem to bother her.

Trevor, Jessica, Cameron and Aspen on the Way to the Park

Can you believe Cameron can now swing in the big kid swing and make it swing all by himself?

Cameron Swinging

Aspen Going Down the Slide

Jessica Going Down the Slide

On the ride back, Trevor rode in the wagon with Jessica, while Aspen rode Trevor’s car. Trevor ended up annoying Jessica by playing footsie and she ended up being carried by James for a bit and me for quite a bit on the way back to Sarah’s house.

Jessica and Trevor in the Wagon

The kiddos continued their play while our New Year’s dinner was being prepared in the kitchen.

Nanny Playing with Her Granddaughter

The cousins played together Sunday morning.

Cameron and Jessica Both on Their Laptops

Cameron Making Jessica Giggle

Jessica Playing with Cars

My Baby and Me

Notice those beads? Jessica enjoyed the beads so much that once we got home, I dug some out and she has enjoyed wearing them for at least a little bit almost every day since. And yes, her bangs are shorter than the day before. Sarah trimmed them for me.

Jessica Playing

Everyone else left an hour or two before lunch, but we left shortly after the early lunch (first to arrive and last to leave).

15 Months Old

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Jessica turned 15 months old on Sunday. Yesterday, she had her well-check at the pediatrician’s office. She weighs 21 pounds and 15 ounces (25-50%). I had been a little concerned that maybe she wasn’t eating enough, but Jessica’s doc said she hasn’t strayed from the growth curve, so I needn’t worry. With two relatively tall parents, it’s no surprise she’s on the tall side at 31.5 inches tall (75-90%). Her head circumference is 47.5 cm (90%).

Mommy's Little Model, 1/7/11

What Jessica is Up To

The biggest change, of course, is that Jessica is walking. From her first steps on December 20th to now, she has become a walking machine. She still crawls some, mainly when she stumbles and falls down in a wide open space since she hasn’t quite mastered getting into a standing position without any props. She loves to walk. In fact at the playground yesterday, that is pretty much all she wanted to do. She held my hand and walked around.

Walking, 1/5/11

At the Playground with Daddy, 1/8/11

She is still my little billy goat climbing on and into anything.

Climbing at the Playground, 12/16/10

Climbing in the Dishwasher, 1/6/11

Jessica is no longer the biggest fan of the swing at the park. I guess because she is walking, she doesn’t want to be limited to the swing seat. She now loves to slide. She automatically turns backwards to slide. This is great, because she also turns backwards to go down steps/stairs and for this I’m extremely thankful.

Sliding at the Playground, 1/8/11

We recently took her to Jumpy Gym. I had taken her once before, before she was walking, and she wasn’t really into it. I wanted to take her again before she turned 15 months old, since it is free for kiddos under 15 months of age, to see if she liked more now that she is walking. She had a blast. Her favorite activity was the big slide.

Sliding at Jumpy Gym, 1/9/11

In December, Jessica started music classes at Gymboree (I used a great Groupon for the first month). Jessica enjoys playing with all the different instruments they have and Mr. Aaron is a great teacher. As part of her monthly tuition, she gets to utilize the free play (in the play and learn class area) that is twice a week. Winter is a great time for this, since it is like an indoor jungle gym. Over the Christmas holidays, James was able to go with us which allowed me to take pictures and video.

Chilling at Gymboree, 12/20/10

Jessica still likes to go to the mailbox with me. Sometimes we go in her stroller if we are continuing to the playground and sometimes we go in her car. She loves to hold the mail key and when we arrive at the mailbox, she holds up the key.

At the Mailbox, 1/13/11

I’ve started trying to get Jessica interested in coloring, but so far no real luck. This picture was the actually the closest I got her to scribbling. Right now, she tends to just bounce the crayon up and down on the paper.

Playing at Her Art Table, 1/7/11

What Jessica is Saying

Jessica is quite the jabberer. We’re definitely going to have to start watching what we say around her. Words she says: whoa, uh-oh, up, mama, dada, ball, hello, hi, and I’m sure there’s a few I’m forgetting.

She is also starting to be my little helper. She’ll put her milk cup in the refrigerator if I ask her and open the door. She’ll take things to Daddy if I ask her.

Playing, 1/5/11

Say Cheese, 1/5/11

What Jessica is Eating

Jessica is definitely a picky eater. There isn’t a fruit she hasn’t tried that she hasn’t liked, but vegetables are a different story. I have to get sneaky. I’ve put acorn squash on her quesadilla. I’ve also used two spoons, one for the fruit smoothie and one for the squash/tomato/cheese puree.

She’s a big fan of her cereal. She knows where its kept in the pantry and if I leave the pantry door open, she will get it off the shelf (it’s on the lowest shelf) and open it up and start snacking.

Eating Chex Straight From the Container, 1/12/11

Hand in the Cereal Box, 1/12/11

Fort Worth Museum of Science and History

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For New Year’s we traveled to the DFW metroplex for the Dzubinski family Christmas celebration. We arrived on Thursday, one day before everyone else. This gave my sister and I some scrapbook time Thursday night and we took the kiddos to the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History Friday morning. They have a museum membership and since Brian was working and James wasn’t feeling very good, I got to use the 2nd adult part of their membership. I love museums and could have easily spent much more time looking at the exhibits, but toddlers don’t have that kind of attention span.

The first exhibit we checked out was the Cattle Raisers Museum. There Cameron got to try rounding up the cattle while riding a horse. He did a pretty good job with Sarah’s help.

Sarah Helping Cameron Ride a Horse

Trevor was really into this cow who changed colors.

Watching the Color-Changing Cow

Then we checked out the special exhibit about Egypt. We tried to put Jessica in between Cameron and Trevor on the camel, but Jessica didn’t want anything to do with the camel.

Cameron and Trevor on a Camel

Then we checked out the Children’s Musuem, definitely the part where we spent the majority of our time. The next picture shows a case that had a number of ping pong sized balls in it. When you put your hand on the brass hand just outside, you caused the balls to be blown in the air.

Cameron Making Balls Float

Jessica didn’t truly get the cause and effect of putting your hand on the hand outline, but she sure thought it neat when the balls blew up in the air.

Jessica

I think Jessica’s favorite part was the mini grocery store. She enjoyed pushing the child-sized grocery cart around and filling it with fake food.

Jessica Doing Some Grocery Shopping

"Look Ma, I'm going to buy an apple."

Cameron definitely knew how to fill up his basket. If that grocery game show was still on air, Cameron would be a contender.

Cameron with a Full Grocery Cart

Trevor Doing Some Grocery Shopping Too

Jessica didn’t really get into checking out, but Cameron sure did.

Cameron and Trevor at the Check-out Counter

There was also a medical section with an ambulance you could drive, babies you could care for and stethoscopes you could use.

Cameron Driving an Ambulance

We were probably at the museum for three to four hours, including time spent in the museum cafe eating lunch. We easily could have spent a lot more time there as there was much more to see, but naptime beckoned. In fact, on the drive back to Sarah’s house, all the kiddos fell asleep in the car.

Sleeping in the Car

Christmas in Midland

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This post is very picture heavy (30 pictures total) and maybe I should have split it in two, but oh well.

We drove to Midland the Wednesday before Christmas. This was the first long car ride with Jessica forward facing. We took along some baby DVDs and she spent most of her time in the car watching them, outside of the very short nap she took. Her favorite is the Baby Einstein Baby MacDonald video about the farm. By the time we went to Keller for New Year’s weekend, she was pointing up at the DVD player if she was awake and there wasn’t a video in it. I’m not sure that is a good thing, but we don’t really watch any TV when we’re at home, so I guess in the car it is okay.

I tried to have holiday inspired clothing for each of the four full days we were in Midland. Here she is on the day before Christmas Eve.

Jessica Modeling her Ho Ho Ho Outfit

Chilling on the Couch

Jessica enjoyed playing with her cousin Dawson while in Midland. The first two days we were there, he was all about “baby Jessica.” Here he is chasing her in the kitchen.

"You can't catch me."

Christmas Eve morning, we went over to my parents’ house before going to Rosa’s to lunch with them. We pretty much always make a stop at Rosa’s when we’re in town.

Jessica and her Nanny

Jessica Working a Puzzle

Late afternoon, we attended the candlelit service at Crestview Baptish Church with James’ parents and our nephew Dawson. After the service, a photo op presented itself in the church lobby. Although Crestview was pretty casual in terms of Christmas attire, I loved getting all dressed up. Having a child makes me get sentimental, and I always remembered a new dress for Christmas. Jessica’s dress is Christmasy with snowmen and Christmas trees, but with the colors not outwardly Christmasy. I look forward to many more Christmases of getting dressed up for church.

Family Photo

Joe, Olivia, Jennifer, Jessica, Dawson and James

After church, we all ate dinner (Tami, Randy, Granny & Pawpaw too). Then we opened gifts. Usually James’ family just digs into presents and no one really gets to see anyone open anything, but this year we watched the kiddos open a few things before everyone else dug in.

Dawson showed his Christmas spirit by wearing a Santa hat the entire evening.

Dawson Opening a Gift

It was so much fun watching Jessica open her gifts. I think she really gets present opening now.

Jessica Getting Some Help From Grandpa

Jessica Opening a Gift From Nana and Grandpa

Jessica Opening a Gift From Mama and Daddy

James and I didn’t really get her much this year since the big Santa gift we had planned fell through due to being out of stock. However, the books we did get her, she really enjoyed.

Jessica Checking Out a New Book

Jessica Opening a Gift From Great Aunt Cytha

One of the gifts James’ parents got Jessica was this Bethlehem book that sings. Jessica really liked how it lit up too.

Jessica Enjoying the Lights of O Little Town of Bethlehem

For James’ Mom and my Dad this year, I made a Shutterfly book that looked back on Jessica’s first year. I made a third one for Jessica too. I had wanted to share it on my blog, but you have to set up a Shutterfly share site. Instead if you want to see it, come visit (I love to have company) and look at Jessica’s.

Olivia Opening Her Gift From Us

Before Tami, Randy, and Dawson left to go home, I took some family photos. I had wanted some with Dawson too, but he’s at an age where all he wants to do is make faces at the camera (I hope Jessica never reaches that phase).

James and His Sister Tami

James With His Mom and Sister

Here’s Jessica in her Christmas pajamas Christmas morning. Aren’t those little reindeer on the feet cute?

Jessica Sitting on the Floor

One of her favorite activities at James’ parent’s house was climbing the high chair. She would go up and down repeatedly. It about gave James’ Mom a heart attack, but she only fell once and it barely even phased her.

Jessica Climbing the High Chair

After breakfast, Jessica opened her gift from Santa. She really enjoyed the stuffed dog Santa brought her. “Santa” only spent $5 on that dog since he was busy buying gifts for other kiddos and got the dog as a deal.

Jessica Opening Santa Gift

Jessica Hugging Her New Friend

We then went over to my parents’ house to visit and eat lunch. Jessica opened her stocking there and she discovered how tasty marshmallows were.

Jessica Sampling a Marshmallow

Santa visited Jessica at my parents’ house and brought her a Curious George book and monkey. She seemed to dig the monkey and held him while I took some photos before we left.

Jessica with Her Nanny and Papa

That afternoon we opened stockings with James’ family. Jessica helped her Daddy open his stocking. She enjoyed all the sparkly sequins on the stocking James’ grandmother made for him a long time ago.

Helping Daddy With His Stocking

Jessica Modeling a Santa Hat

Dawson received a number of Wii and Nintendo DS video games for Christmas including a Wii Lego game from us. He spent most of the time he was at James’ parents’ house that day playing on his DS (a kid loves new play things). Jessica was very interested in what he was doing.

James and Jessica Onlooking Dawson's Game

After the big Christmas dinner, I took some more family photos.

James With His Pawpaw and Granny

James' Parents: Joe and Olivia

There’s even one of James and I.

Jennifer and James

Sunday was pretty leisurely. We went to church with James’ parents and had lunch at the new Genghis Grill. I then went over to my parent’s office and we walked to Manor Park to visit my grandmother. Alzheimer’s is the most depressing disease in the world. The previous time I had visited my grandmother, I hadn’t expected the Alzheimer’s to have progressed that much, so it was rather upsetting. This time I knew more of what to expect and it wasn’t as upsetting, but the disease still stinks, big time. It’s nice to know that she is well taken care of in the Younger Center at Manor Park though.

Tami, Randy and Dawson came over for dinner that night. I actually got a decent photo of Dawson and his Mom.

Dawson and Tami

After Jessica went to sleep, James and I met up with my friend Brian. It’s sad that we both travel over 300 miles to visit  with each other when we live less than 300 miles apart (he lives in Houston).  Monday morning, we returned to Austin. It was nice visiting with family, but we were happy to be back in our own beds.

Stay tuned for more pictures from the rest of our Christmas festivities.

A Few Milestones

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Last week, Jessica experienced two milestones.

After music class last Monday, Jessica took her first few steps completely unassisted. This is super exciting. On Christmas Day, she received some mini marshmallows in her Christmas stocking at my parent’s house. She had never had marshmallows before and at first she didn’t know what to think. Once I put one in her mouth, she discovered how tasty they were and wanted more. Later that day at James’ parent’s house, I enticed her to walk more with marshmallows held out in front of her. Here’s a video of James doing the enticing.

The second milestone occurred last Tuesday. We switched her car seat to forward facing. I wanted to keep her car seat rear facing as long as possible (see an excellent article on the car seat debate here) and while she still seemed comfortable and still liked riding in the car, her legs were starting to have to be bent as her feet rested on the back of the seat. So the day before we took the long drive to Midland, James put the seat forward facing.

Rear Facing, 12/20/10

Forward Facing, 12/21/10