JAMSquared

Tag Archives: Jessica

Sibling Class

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Seton Southwest, the fabulous hospital where Jessica was born and where JAM4 will be born, offers a free sibling class the last Wednesday of every month, so last week we took Jessica. The majority of the class was held in the waiting area on the second floor. There were a total of seven kids, with Jessica probably being the youngest, but one other little girl was fairly close to her in age. The oldest was probably about six years old.

They spread a blanket on the floor picnic style and started off with the kids getting a snack while listening to story. Jessica didn’t really pay attention to the story, but she enjoyed the snack, sucking down the juice as soon as she got it.

Jessica Enjoying the Snack

Then a pillowcase was passed around and each child got to pull something out of the pillowcase that the nurses and other hospital staff use with the babies. They were then asked what they thought the item was used for. Jessica pulled out the hair brush and she knew just what to do with it.

Jessica Brushing Daddy's Hair

Then all the kids got to practice diapering the doll/stuffed animal they brought with them. Jessica did receive a little help from Daddy, but even so she knew just what to do. The newborn diapers they passed out work much better than the size 4 diaper that kitty normally wears when Jessica is in a diapering animal mood.

Jessica Diapering Kitty

Swaddling was then discussed and again they got to practice on their dolls/stuffed animals.

Jessica Swaddling Kitty

Cutie Pie

After that, they got to color a big sister/brother coloring page while the nurse talked to the adults. I think the little boy next to Jessica influenced her, because she has never laid down to color before.

Jessica Coloring

Finally, we toured outside the nursery and in a maternity room so the kids could see where the baby and Mommy would be.

I’m still not completely sure she understands that she will have a little sibling soon. Yesterday, I asked her if she wanted a little brother or a little sister. She said “sister.” Although I’m not sure if that is because she wants a sister or we’ve talked a lot about her being a big sister and have never really mentioned the word brother before. The two big sister books we read to her both don’t mention the sex of the baby. Either way, I have a feeling she is going to enjoy “helping” diaper and swaddle the baby.

Ten days until Jessica is two years old and six weeks until JAM4’s due date.

A Few Pictures From Midland

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While we were in Midland helping out as James’ Mom recovered from knee surgery, I didn’t take a whole lot of pictures. I meant to, but alas I did not.

These first four pictures were taken on Sunday, September 25th.

Here’s Jessica trying out Mommy’s shoes.

Jessica Wearing Mommy's Shoes

She also enjoyed Grandpa’s cap.

Jessica in Grandpa's Hat

I love this next one of her.

Jessica in Grandpa's Hat

Jessica in Grandpa's Hat

These last four pictures were taken on Monday, September 26th at a nearby park.

At the Playground with Daddy

Jessica Climbing the Playscape Steps

Isn't She Getting So Big?

I love the expression on her face in this next one even if it is rather difficult to photograph a swinging child.

Jessica Swinging

Only 12 days until she turns 2!

Full of “Purse”onality

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Here’s a little layout I did for the Scraps-N-Pieces September Template challenge.

Journaling reads: August 5, 2011 Jessica wanted my purse and since not much is in it as we’re still using a diaper bag, I let her have it. She enjoyed pulling out all the business cards. After putting everything back in the purse, Jessica was ready to leave the house. I loved how she would hold her arm up above her head, so the purse strap would stay on her shoulder.

Full of "Purse"onality

Papers: Connie Prince – Chugga Choo Choo; MDK Scraps – All Seasons (ESS) Fall
Elements: Summer Driggs – Flipflop-sicles; Serif – Enchanted; Serif – Indie Chic
Template: Scraps-N-Pieces September Template Challenge
Fonts Used: WillyWonka (title), Freehand591 BT

This next layout is for the Scrabookbytes September Quote Challenge. We were given two quote choices and I chose the Chili Davis quote “Growing old is mandatory; growing up is optional.” The pictures are from the 2010 Dzubinski family trip.

Journaling reads: Jason couldn’t resist pushing unsuspecting Sarah into the waterfall of the lazy river. What else are brothers good for?

Growing Up is Optional

Digikit: Summer Driggs – Flipflop-sicles
Fonts Used: Expletive Deleted, Crazy Loot BTN Inline

Thanks for stopping by and have a fabulous day.

St. Ann’s Fair

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Last Thursday afternoon, we headed to Midland. James’ Mom had her right knee replaced and we went to help out around the house as she recovers. While there, we went with my parents to the St. Ann’s Fair on Saturday morning. I have fond memories of going every year with my family as a kid.

Jessica took quite a while to warm up to the fair. I guess she is not a big fan of crowds. We started off at the carnival rides, thinking to beat the crowds. Although, she initially seemed excited about the carousel and little train, she then was quite adamant against going on the rides, so we moved over to the fair games.

Jessica with her Nanny

She “fished” up a flying pig that she became quite enamored with. The entire time in Midland if we asked her where the flying pig was and she didn’t have it, she would run around looking for it repeatedly saying “flying pig.” Jessica did the stuffed animal walk (like a cake walk) and she won a hippo that she also likes a fair amount as it has joined the crowd of stuffed animals that share her bed. She tried dropping a washer in a fish tank game, but then insisted on Papa dropping the washers. She got into the Plinko-like game that used metal balls and actually dropped all of those herself.

Jessica Playing Plinko with Papa

We stopped at the anti-abortion booth to visit with the lady I used to baby-sit for. I can’t believe that her oldest is in college. I remember repeatedly watching The Lion King with him when was but two years old, Jessica’s age. Jessica got a tootsie pop there and she sucked on it the rest of the time we were at the fair.

Jessica Enjoying Her Lollipop

We did the fishing booth again, before moving back over to the carnival rides.

Daddy Helping Jessica "Fish"

My Mom took her on the carousel and stayed standing with her even though she kept saying no. Once the ride started, she enjoyed spinning around. See the flying pig in her hand?

Nanny Holding Jessica on the Carousel

Next, James and I took her up on the Ferris wheel. She also didn’t want to go on it, but once we were on it, she enjoyed smiling and waving at Nanny and Papa who stayed on the ground as we went around.

Jessica Smiling at Nanny and Papa from the Ferris Wheel

My Mom then took her on the carousel a second time. This time my Mom basically forced her to sit on the giraffe midway through the ride. At first she didn’t like it.

Nanny Sitting Jessica on the Giraffe

Unhappy Jessica

By the time it came to a stop, she had started enjoying it enough to start sucking the lollipop again. She even smiled for me. I don’t know what it is, but lately every time she obliges my request to smile, she kinda squints up her eyes and they end up closed for the photo.

Lollipop-Sucking Giraffe-Riding Jessica

Saying Cheese

Stylin’

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Here’s another layout with the Ladybug kit by Amy’s Designs. I also knocked out two challenges on this layout. First up, the September Photo Editing Challenge at Scraps-N-Pieces. The challenge was to turn a photo black and white and then selectively color a portion of it. I really like this technique. I might have to do it again soon. The second challenge was the September Scraplift Challenge #1 at Scrapbookbytes.com. The layout to scraplift was this fun one by therapy97.

Stylin'

Digikit: Amy’s Designs – Ladybug
Fonts Used: AntsyPants, Times New Roman

Thanks for stopping by and have a fabulous day.