VA Trip

Some highlights from our recent trip to Ashburn and Virginia Beach, VA:

Happy with Grandma Stonehouse!

Quite amused by Grandpa showing off his dance moves!

Love my Grandpa!

Playing outside

Grandpa loves

Hanging out with Aunt Amanda!

Kissies

Visiting with friends Sue and Jakob in VA Beach

Staying with friends Victoria and Kayleigh - Victoria was such a good reader!

Girlies playing together

Friend Sara!

Friend Afton

So nice to see our friends!

Separation... Anxiety!!

We are in the thick of it...  Leave Jackie in the play pen for a minute to grab something from the other room, drop her off at the church nursery, or hand her over to anyone but mommy and daddy, and she cries as if nothing will ever be right again!  While it is nice to know that she's attached to us, it certainly makes life more difficult than before, especially when she's crying in bed instead of napping.  I wish I could find a way to communicate in baby speak, so I could tell her I'm really going to be back in just a minute...

In our time of Bible study, Josh and I recently talked about the "separation anxiety" that so much of us experience as Christians between the time when God promises something and the time when His promises are fulfilled.  This is when it's the toughest to wait it out and trust God without finding our own solutions to our needs or sinning against God.  I think about the Israelites who couldn't wait for Moses to come down from the mountain with the ten commandments and made a golden idol for themselves in the meantime.  Or the disciples who hid, terrified, after Jesus was killed, sure their Lord was gone forever, leaving them alone and in mortal danger.

Sometimes we feel we are in the same situation.  Let's be honest, we weren't wild about moving to San Antonio....leaving our friends....leaving our house....leaving our church....  But we know that God has promised that He has plans for our lives that are going to be good for us, not harmful.  This is when we find out...do I really trust Him?  Do I trust Him enough to have a good attitude about this situation?  To invest in a new church and in new friendships even though it sometimes feels pointless?  To resist clinging to a life in Virginia that I see with rosy glasses now that it is gone?  Do I trust my heavenly Daddy to come and rescue me?

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.  Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you.  You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.  I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile.

Jeremiah 29:11-14

6-8 Months

Eight months, and we are still living a life of leisure as Jackie has decided not to advance from sitting and rolling to crawling.  This may have something to do with her mortal hatred of tummy time....immediately onto her back she rolls!  In fact, I have not seen her roll from back to belly in months.  We have yet to find an object motivating enough to keep her on her tummy to do any real practicing...not daddy's phone, mommy's face, a chocolate chip cookie, a favorite toy, or a ridiculous amount of cheering-on.  If she sees something near her that is out of reach she stttttrrrrrreeeeeeetttttches as far as possible to get it or it doesn't happen.  She's a very strong little baby and has gotten pretty good at standing holding onto a coffee table or couch - she just needs one of us to put her there since moving toward said coffee table on her stomach is out of the question!  She can occasionally stand without any support for a second or two.  And her sitting...superb!

Splish-splashin on the front porch

Tasty toes!

Jackie seems to be following in daddy's footsteps as the family extrovert.  Unless we're getting close to feeding or nap time, being around people seems to open her mouth and bring her to life.  You may notice from pictures that she loves to stick out her tongue and talk - LOUDLY!  Charming though it is, it often occurs at inopportune times.......such as during church when I have to bring her into the service because she is crying in nursery...did I mention separation anxiety??  That hit hard this month out of the blue, but as long as mommy's holding her, she'll make friends with anyone around!

Love checking out Target!

You think it's genetic?

What?  Sun shades are toys too!

Little Miss Personality

Baby Jack has always loved music, and good thing too, since we're always playing some instrument.  The guitar will calm her even during her crankiest time at night before bed.  She also adores listening to music through our DVD player, which makes the TV screen light up bright blue - totally fascinating to her!  Sometimes I will swear she is "singing" when we do because she starts babbling in an extra-high-pitched voice.

Best things about these two months:

• "Happy dance" - she dances by shaking her head back and forth when trying to interact with someone and make them laugh - soooo cute!
• I thought it would have come sooner, but she's finally started sucking on her toes.
• Enjoying giving us open-mouthed, drool-covered kisses more than ever before.
• She is sooooo much more affectionate and will actually cuddle a little before bedtime now!

It wouldn't be a post without a picture of the Stonehouses at Starbucks

LOVE getting my snuggles!

Happy 8 months, big girl!

Staycation in San Antonio

Some highlights of my parents' trip to San Antonio last month:

Visiting the LBJ ranch in central Texas...don't hate, he's a relative!!

Toe touch!

In my Sunday best!

Out to dinner at the Riverwalk

Hanging with Grandpa

Out to dinner at Rudy's - super yummy Texas BBQ that you eat in a gas station...

Grandma has the best toys!

 

Happy as a clam

Telling a story

First Fourth

Showing her patriotic stripes

We are officially hosting Fourth of July festivities at our house next year!  We arrived home with friends at dusk because we were told fireworks would be visible from our house...only to find the street lined with people in chairs, a mariachi band, and a spectacular fireworks display! 

Couldn't take her eyes off them

Kiddos enjoying the show

The view from our house

Feeding Frenzy

Opening night

I wish I had the life of a infant....multiple naps a day, somebody gives me a warm bath every night, and I get to fall asleep while eating...  Jackie must like it too because she never showed much interest in solid food.  However, all good things must end, and our little girl is getting so big! About a month ago we started her on rice cereal.  This is my road to a little more freedom from the four-hour leash I'm on during the day while nursing.  Still...I gotta admit it was a little bittersweet to see her take a new step toward growing up.

Not sure yet what she thinks of rice cereal

What's next?

Making your own baby food might sound like a waste of time, but it's ridiculously easy...and mom and dad are eating more fruits and veggies as well because of it.  Squash is a big favorite, as you can see.  Peas made her choke and gag...  Avocado made her eyes water...  I'm scared to try the green beans...  

Food fit for a princess

Apparently, I'm not fast enough with the spoon...today Jackie decided to take matters into her own hands.  She grabbed the utensil out of my hand and shoved the squash into her own mouth.  I can almost hear her thinking - "I am soooo big!"

I love my squash!

What?

Avocado?  Only if I can feed myself.

It's easier if I turn the spoon over...

We've tried to start eating dinner together as a family, and it's going pretty well so far - except for the part where I have to cook every night!  It's hard for this girl to get used to making sit-down-dinner-worthy food, but I'm enjoying the process.

Bon appetite!

Happy Father's Day!

According to Josh, this was "the best father's day" he's ever had.  I have successfully set the bar low for next year! :)

I love that baby daddy :)