See Jane grow. Grow Jane! Grow!

I gave it a good try...

2009-01-19T20:36:00.000-08:00

But I feel like I've neglected this blog.

So, I'm putting it down and have created:

Sweet Pea and Buttercup (sweetpeaandbuttercup.blogspot.com) to incorporate the needs of our growing family.

Please join us there!

June 2008 First Hair Cut

2008-11-20T10:50:00.000-08:00

It was a long time coming! I finally had to trim Jane's bangs! She was a trooper, though a little skeptical of the whole process...

June 22 Happy Birthday Daddy!

2008-11-20T10:39:00.000-08:00

The day after the party, we celebrated Daddy's birthday!
Happy Birthday Daddy!

Jane's Party!

2008-11-20T10:22:00.001-08:00

We had a big, backyard party to celebrate Jane's second birthday. Cupcakes, BBQ, baby pools and beer! The birthday girl was FILTHY by the end, so it's a safe bet that she had a great time.

Kentucky June 2008

2008-11-20T10:14:00.000-08:00

We took a trip to Kentucky to visit Big Lloyd in June. Jane and Merriwether had a great time riding ponies at The Kentucky Horse Farm. We had excellent visits with Big Lloyd and a 2 hour traffic jam allowed us see every stinking inch of Louisville.

June 18, 2008

2008-11-20T06:27:00.000-08:00

(ever try to get a good picture of a 2 year old?)

Jane is TWO!

We spent the morning at the playground and then had a spaghetti dinner and gingerale cake to celebrate the start of the terrible twos!
(what you don't wear your birthday suit on your birthday?)

June 3, 2008

2008-11-20T06:19:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday to ME!

Jane had a great time helping me blow out my candles. Ahh--the relighting birthday candles were just an appetizer of what was to come in 15 days!

May 2008

2008-11-19T11:40:00.000-08:00

We had a great time on our Florida vacation. We stayed in Yankeetown with Pete and Debbie and then spent some time in Clearwater. Jane loved chasing sea gulls, making sandcastles and swimming in both the pool and the ocean.

Playing Catch Up

2008-11-19T11:37:00.000-08:00

I know. I know. I've been a bad blogger. But I do have an excellent excuse! I am going to do my best to catch up by spotlighting the big events since May!

Stay tuned!

Toddler Idol

2008-05-19T17:07:00.000-07:00

Who can resist a bargain? Not our GooGoo, that's for sure!

This incredible toy has become Jane's absolute favorite, and can you believe it only cost twenty cents?!? And, it came with working batteries. And all of the buttons work, except for the microphone button which only works about 1/2 the time. Oh, let me tell you about the The Wheels on Elmo's Bus and The Elmo Pokey and my personal favorite the E-L-M-O
(I guess the YMCA had too many negative connections).
Thanks again GooGoo.

Andrew and I are going to buy Jane that drum set she has been asking for
but she'll have to keep it at your house!

She ate a smurf.

2008-05-17T17:56:00.001-07:00

Just kidding!

The blue icing was from her friend Gwen's birthday cake. Jane went to her little friend Gwen's birthday party today and it was great fun. The party was held in the play room where Jane takes her Busy Bees class. I don't know who was more excited about climbing on the equipment, Janie or Daddy.

Choo Choo!

2008-05-15T17:20:00.000-07:00

Jane has a new love for trains. She insists upon getting out the same "Little Train" book from the library every week. We got her this train set for Christmas, but today was the first day that she set up the track by herself. I was still instructed to "sit, sit" and supervise the construction.

Tuckered Out

2008-05-13T17:00:00.000-07:00

We had a busy morning. First, Jane woke up an hour earlier than usual. Then, we had Busy Bees. Next, it was time to do some shopping. She fell asleep in the car on the way home for maybe 30 seconds. She seemed pretty lucid when I got her out of the car seat and plopped her onto the chair. Lucid enough to demand "tubbies" (Teletubbies) and her "apple lunch".
I was in the kitchen for less than 5 minutes preparing her lunch and this is how I found her.
Transitioning her into the crib took about 3o minutes, but she had a nice nap and woke up bright eyed and bossy-tailed!

Happy Mud Day, Mama

2008-05-11T18:26:00.000-07:00

(psst: it's a movie, click the play button)
Oh, come on! This would make any mother tear up, right?
I had an awesome day! Andrew made a delicious brunch and I got flowers and chocolate among other things. He also took Janie to visit the neighbors so that I could (are you ready for this) shower in peace. We visited Goo-Goo and then had a dinner at Cafe Hon

(completed with a 2 year old tantrum for dessert).

But just hearing "Happy Mud Day Mama"
for the first time and the 100th time
(she's like a broken record)
never got old.
Today, I feel blessed.

Newells!

2008-05-10T11:22:00.000-07:00

Toddler Translation: Noodles (specifically: spaghetti)

I'll admit that I am a lover of spaghetti. Andrew has bet me that I can't eat an entire half-gallon of spaghetti and to that I say, "Game ON". But my love for complex carbs has been trumped by my own daughter. Without a doubt, "newells" are her favorite meal.
And she eats them with gusto.

It seems like Baby Gretchen (that's the new baby's new womb name) is also a fan. Byron's mom has supplied the three of us with a vat of spaghetti fit for the Carb Queens that we are.
Thanks Earline!

It's all happening at the zoo

2008-05-02T18:52:00.000-07:00

Hilary and I took the girls to the zoo today. It was a beautiful Friday in Baltimore and, as expected, the zoo was very crowded with field trips. As two elementary school teachers, we considered rescheduling, but everything went surprisingly well. We went to the Children's Zoo and Jane had a great time brushing the goats and seeing the farm animals. We also got to see the polar bears take a dip and more birds than I care to ever see again.
And what would be the perfect punctuation to such a glorious time?
Why ice cream sandwiches, of course!

Sisters...

2008-05-01T17:15:00.001-07:00

It's a GIRL!

So healthy and so peaceful. She was just content to lay there and have her picture taken.
We are thrilled
(and Janie doesn't get it at all!)

Nothing in Moderation

2008-04-29T16:52:00.000-07:00

Why wear one headband?

When you can wear three!

A First...

2008-04-23T16:52:00.000-07:00

Yes, that's my girl...

holding an "Athletic Award" for finishing her "Busy Bees" Gym Class at the YMCA.

Janie had a great time in her Busy Bees class, such a good time that we signed up for the next session too. They have a two story indoor playground, similar to the ones at McDonalds. Janie was the youngest child to get to the top and the only girl who went down the green slide. Maybe the apple has fallen farther from the Roberts Family Tree than we thought.

Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?

2008-04-20T16:51:00.001-07:00

I was looking through some pictures and found this one from one year ago today. Now, I'm all teary eyed. It's true what they say about the baby years, "The years fly by, but the nights last forever." Okay, now I'm blubbering.

Damn these pregnancy hormones

Daffodils

2008-04-17T17:12:00.000-07:00

Spring has sprung!

Auntie Jen

2008-04-15T17:06:00.000-07:00

Aunt Jen came and babysat last week. She and Jane had a glorious time. They wore sunglasses, sat in sun chairs outside and watched Elmo together. Really, what more could a nearly two year old ask for? Aunt Jen made quite an impression. Jane is now asking to go "see Jen's house".
I'm thinking an overnighter might be coming soon!

Fairy Tale Ball

2008-04-10T16:45:00.000-07:00

Our local library has a program for young children called, "Mother Goose on the Loose". Each week, Jane and I go to the library and listen to stories, sing songs, dance and participate in "Ring Around the Rosie" until we are dizzy. This week, the library had a "Fairy Tale Ball" for the little ones. Jane got to wear princess clothes (courtesy of DeeDee's Costume Rental) and go to the library for a fun party. They had trio of string instruments play ball music, balloons, games, cupcakes and juice. Needless to say, Janie had a blast!

This is a picture of her and her friend Olivia in their costumes.

I love you, Miss Hannigan

2008-04-08T17:10:00.000-07:00

Maybe I should take the hint.

Apparently our house is a mess.

Everyone's a critic.

The Next Generation

2008-04-07T17:10:00.000-07:00

of playing peoples!

Jane has inherited two of the most valuable pieces of the Roberts Estate. She is the proud owner of the 1970's Fisher Price "Lift and Load Station" and the "A-Frame Play House". She is enjoying these relics as much as me, my siblings, and Merriwether has before her. As you can see, she has modified the Lift and Load Center slightly. I do agree that these loyal plastic employees muchly deserve an outdoor pool. After 38 years of loyal service, it's the least our family can do.

Also, not to exclude the McLoughlin's here, Janie is also sporting the
"Next Generation of McLoughlin Bed-Head".

Little Esther Williams

2008-04-04T05:02:00.000-07:00

Thanks to an episode of "Little Bill", Jane got "toddler fixated" on swimming yesterday. So, we put on her "Beebee" suit and let her practice some strokes hoping that would quell her fixation. Well, now she's "toddler obsessed" with going swimming. She woke up this morning asking to incessantly go to the "poo". Looks like we are hitting the indoor pool at the YMCA today! Wish me luck!
(As an aside, my preggo brain almost title this post "Little Ethel Merman". But I should surely save that title for when I get a video of her singing "Every thing's Coming up Roses".

fat food

2008-04-02T06:03:00.000-07:00

Jane has become intrigued by the cats. She calls them "RiRi" (Rikki) and "Mommy"(Tommy). Her favorite chore these days is giving the cats their "fat food". She also likes to offer her stuffed cats (as seen in picture) "fat food" many times a day. She also likes to offer me "fat food", but I assure her that I've got that taken care of!

"I deet!"

2008-03-31T16:07:00.000-07:00

Toddler Translation: "I did it!"

Janie set the table tonight all by herself. All I did was hand her each item and she put it on the table in the correct spot. Okay, I folded the napkins too--I'm not suggesting she's a genius,
just way above average!

Fan-tastic

2008-03-28T05:36:00.001-07:00

Let no one question our loyalties. We bleed purple around here.

www.littlemockingbirds.blogspot.com

Jersey Girl

2008-03-25T08:29:00.000-07:00

We spent Good Friday and Saturday visiting Andrew's step father Joseph and his wife Susan in Tom's River, New Jersey. Jane was very taken with "Grandpa Joe" and "Sue" and wanted to hold their hands whenever possible. We went to the beach and the boardwalk, but it was way too windy and cold to get the full effect. We all had a great time and can't wait to visit again this summer! Happy Birthday Grandpa Joe!

Eggcellent!

2008-03-24T07:00:00.000-07:00

We took the time to dye Easter eggs before leaving on our whirlwind Easter tour of New Jersey and Philly. We only had one casualty as an over zealous toddler (who shall remain nameless) grabbed the bowl of "boo" dye and it spilled on the dining room table.

Okay, so I've been busy...

2008-03-20T19:16:00.000-07:00

you know--creating LIFE and everything!

Jane is going to be a big sister!
That's the big news around here and the reason I haven't been posting lately. I've just been very, very tired. Our latest creation is due September 22nd. This is a picture of our sonogram picture from 8 weeks. If you look very carefully, you can see...something. Truthfully, I have no idea what anyone can make from these pictures. We called Jane "Wilma" when I was pregnant, partly because her sonogram picture looked like the eye of a hurricane. Right now, Andrew is calling the baby "Stewart Gilligan" after Stewie on Family Guy. I am calling the baby "Roger" after Roger the alien on American Dad. Suffice it to say, Andrew and I watch too many adult cartoons.
D'Oh!

Tent People

2008-02-19T07:10:00.001-08:00

Jane and Daddy pitched a tent in the backyard (maybe I have been a little rough to live with lately). They had a great time playing in there and Daddy was instructed many times to "Sit, Dada". Daddy can't wait to take Janie camping and Mommy can't wait to stay in a hotel that night!

Happy Birthday Kennedy!

2008-02-19T06:58:00.001-08:00

We celebrated cousin Kennedy's seventh birthday last weekend with a Bowling Birthday Party! Jane bowled her first game and beat both me and Andrew. She was so excited when the ball went down the lane that she did a little running dance and fell two inches and hit her face on the lane. Yay! Another bruise (but that's blue icing in the picture)! All in all, it was a great time.

Making Her Mark

2008-02-11T07:56:00.000-08:00

I think that Merriwether first called drawing "making my marks". It's a term that we have adopted as well. Janie loves to make marks with crayon, yet she prefers markers but her mean mother won't let her use markers very often. (It's the kindergarten teacher in me). All crayons are to be known as the color "boo" and she prefers you to "sit" and watch while she creates.

Say What?

2008-02-11T07:54:00.000-08:00

What caption would you write for this picture?

They even look alike!

2008-02-11T07:50:00.000-08:00

Because it's cute. That's why!

Mmmmm Yogurt!

2008-02-11T07:42:00.000-08:00

No, that's not Regan from the Exorcist, that's our beautiful Jane Ellerslie eating a nice bowl of blueberry yogurt. Did you know that it is an excellent moisturizer as well?

Oh and don't be fooled by my boastful sister, we make our own yogurt too! (Okay, Andrew does. But we are part of a team, right?)

after these messages

2008-02-06T13:44:00.000-08:00

we'll be right back!

I'm not giving up on the blog. I'd never let Hilary win that easily. We'll be back later in the week with a vengeance!

Don't Ask. Don't Tell

2008-01-28T16:53:00.000-08:00

This is how I found Captain Bananas this morning.

Happy Birthday Uncle Brooke.

Blinding Me With Science!

2008-01-25T10:40:00.000-08:00

We took a trip to the Maryland Science Center today, courtesy of the Herman Dyer family membership. They have a huge children's room with great hands-on activities for the little ones. Jane loved the water table, the submarine rooms (which I had to follow her around in on my knees) and the spinning ball thing. It was so great not to be responsible for 20 children while at the Science Center. I forget that I don't have to dread "field trips" now that I only have one child to follow around. A city school field trip was entering the children's room as we were leaving, and I can't say I was missing my job at that moment. Anyway, we had a well planned (thanks to our cruise director/nazi Hilary) great time. Thanks again Heidi!

If the visor fits...

2008-01-24T10:27:00.000-08:00

Today, Jane and I enjoyed a trip to Target together. I had to know that something was going to go wrong, because she was way too compliant about riding in the cart. Picture it: There we were in the middle of a toy aisle shopping for a neighbors birthday present. Enter stage left a mother pushing a cart with a little boy Jane's age riding in it. The woman picks up a random toy. Jane points her finger at the woman and rips into a litany of "NO"s, only to be punctuated with a "bad". So it went like this, "NO NO NO NO NO NO--BAD!". Everyone looked stunned, except Jane who just took the opportunity to repeat herself. "NO NO NO NO NO--BAD"

There is no recovery from that, but to leave the other mother and her cherub in the aisle to count their blessings.

We have to start talking nicer to the cats.

Our Morning with Harper

2008-01-22T11:03:00.000-08:00

Harper came over to play this morning. She and Jane had a lot of fun playing in Jane's crib! This blog has made me realize who stupidly hard it is to photograph two children. I take back everything I said about that woman at Sears Portrait studio (everything besides that comment about her poor fashion sense, she still deserved that)

Merry McLoughlin!

2008-01-20T17:14:00.000-08:00

We certainly can stretch out the holidays, can't we!

Today, Lucy, Allen, Uncle Scott and The Grandpa all came over for the very last Christmas celebration. Jane and Allen haven't seen each other in a while and although there were some squabbles about "sharing"(you can guess whose child was against the idea :0 ), they had a great time together. Allen has just started walking, however, I believe he was born to dance. Such a happy boy!

Goo Goo Fan Club

2008-01-19T19:55:00.000-08:00

Without a doubt, Janie is the president of the Goo Goo Fan Club. For those of you who may not know, Goo Goo is my (Amy's) mother. And Jane is absolutely obsessed with Goo Goo these days--really, it's verging on stalking. Jane has to call Goo Goo about 10 times a day. Unfortunately for Jane, (and simultaneously fortunately for Goo Goo) Jane has not learned how to dial yet, but that doesn't stop here from picking up any phone (or rectangular prism) and calling Goo Goo. The conversation goes something like this: "Doo Doo? Hi. Doo Doo? Hi. Doo Doo dat di do elmo do nay." To get the true effect you have to imagine her cradling the "phone" up to her ear with her shoulder, her eyes glanced to the side and lots of pointing with the free hand. She also pauses during the conversation so that Goo Goo can reply. Goo Goo is also demanded after nap and every time we get in the car. Hilary and I both agreed, that we would demand Goo Goo many times a day as well, if it didn't make us weird.

What can we say, she is the best Goo Goo we know!

Let It Snow!

2008-01-17T19:43:00.000-08:00

Hey, what's more fun than a snowman?

Splashing in snowmelt puddles!

Good Morning Sybil!

2008-01-15T07:04:00.000-08:00

Jane likes to vary her morning moods.
Some mornings she wakes up happy and ready to go (just like her father)

And some mornings... well, let's not say who she takes after.

A Very Koelbl Christmas

2008-01-13T06:53:00.000-08:00

It took a while for us to all get together, but Chris and his kids were able to come up on Saturday so that we could finally celebrate Christmas together. We had a pancake brunch and everyone enjoyed opening presents and playing outside in the fresh air. Janie is so in love with her cousin Kennedy and Kennedy is so good with Janie. If only she was old enough to babysit....

Stay tuned for a Merry McLoughlin scheduled for this Sunday!

Little Mommy

2008-01-10T18:27:00.002-08:00

Janie loves her baby dolls these days. Andrew and I have named them all and she can identify who is who. The baby dolls often need to be swaddled (preferably in tea towels) and they are well fed and bathed by Jane daily. Uncle Brooke's favorite "Jane trick" is when she sniffs the baby's butt when asked if they pooped. Andrew made her a doll bed for Christmas and every night Baby Wilma, Baby Hannah, and Baby Merriwether get 5 blankets piled on top of them and Janie pats them passionately about 5 times and they magically go to sleep. I think it would be more fair if she'd have to nurse and rock them (in a broken chair) all to sleep for at least thirty minutes while listening to Annoying International Lullabies coupled with a white noise machine. And then she should have to creep out of the room while praying that the charming hard wood floors won't creak and cursing all of the people with wall to wall carpeting and a door that didn't click so loudly that it wakes up the baby... But I digress. It's nice that she enjoys being a mommy. It does make me proud.

the first rule of fight club...

2008-01-09T10:20:00.000-08:00

Just to get it out in the open, Janie has a terrible bruise on her cheek right now. She moves so quickly and so quietly these days I swear she is half ninja. It was New Years Eve and I put her down to open the car door and she ran behind me and I clipped her with the car door. She cried briefly, but I cried longer. The good news is that the bruise is many colors and matches all of her outfits beautifully! There goes my nomination for Mom of the Year.

Keeping up with the Joneses

2008-01-06T18:04:00.001-08:00

I have to admit that this blog has become something totally different than what was intended. Hilary told me that her New Year's Resolution was to start a blog about Harper and Merriwether. Being the incredibly supportive younger sister (and middle child) that I am, I immediately started to make fun of her and this whole "blogging craze" including the word "blog" itself and all of it's tenses. So I was going to start a parody blog to her "Little Mockingbirds" blog called "Mocking the Birds" and tease her and her queerness without mercy before the eyes of the world wide web.
But, that was the old Amy. Oh, I still plan on mocking her daily (otherwise she wouldn't know who I was), but once I started making the page I fell in love with idea of making a page for Jane. This is proof that stretchmarks and sleep deprivation coupled with the loneliness of SAHM-hood can really take the sting out of your stinger. I want my baby to have a blog too. A pretty pink one where I can post pictures of her and bore the universe with all of her marvels. Did you know that she can sing "The Itsy Bitsy Spider?" Well, she can't--but I think she can. Yes, I have perfectly logical reasons for making Janie a blog--regular communication with out-of-town and busy-in-town (Uncle Brooke) relatives.
But as Andrew will attest, I find little use for logical reasons.
So here we go!