Waving Like a Big Girl

We are loving how interactive our little Jayden is becoming! She is developing her little personality and wanting to explore and touch everything! And her new favorite thing, waving!! About a week ago Jonathan was taking Jayden to bed and showed her how to wave ... and just like that, she started waving!

Now she waves all the time! The other day we were walking through Sam's Club and while she was sitting in the cart she was smiling and waving at everyone walking by. Of course everyone stopped to say hi to her and naturally she loved the attention :)

Since half the time she won't wave when we try to get her to and she only waves when she feels like it, I'm glad I caught her on tape as proof!

My favorite part is when she is looking down and waving and when she is looking at her hand trying to  figure out what she's doing :)

Today, Jayden helped me wrap presents! She's such a big helper! We listened to Christmas music and hung out while daddy attempted to put up our lights. Unfortunately, I bought the wrong hooks so he didn't get far.

Can't wait to see what Santa brings for our little peanut! T minus 17 days til Christmas!! <3

Thanksgiving

I know it's been a few days since Thanksgiving, but I really wanted to blog about it since there is so much we are thankful for this year! We started our day with Jonathan's annual "Turkey Bowl" football game with his friends. They have been playing for years and it's fun to get all the guys together for a quick game! I'm sad I didn't get a pic this year :( Usually I'm really good about taking a few pictures...I'll blame it on the baby brain! 

After the game, we headed home to get ready for our thanksgiving feast. This year we were with my family so everyone met out at Mark's for our turkey dinner. Jayden looked ADORABLE in her new dress from one of our co-workers Debra! 

As always, we go around the table and share what we are thankful for. I know it sounds so typical, but after everything we made it through this year, I'm more thankful than ever for my cute little family and my health. Jonathan and I brought Jayden into this world and endured 38 long nights without her -- I don't know how I would have made it through that difficult time without his love, support and strength. And of course I'm so incredibly thankful for my daughter -- she never ceases to amaze me...like my mom says, she is small and mighty :) I can't wait to see what the future holds for her!

Saturday we got together for lunch with Jonathan's friends - it was funny to see 3 out of the original 4 best friends have baby girls! So instead of the table full of beer mugs, it was nearly full of high chairs! A look back over the past 10 years...

2004

2007

2009

2010

2011

2013

And to think Jonathan always teases me about taking pictures...I'm sure he's thankful now! :) Here's to many more fun times together!!

From our family to yours, we hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving <3

9 Months

I can't believe Jayden just turned 9 months! Scary how fast time is flying by...it seems like the days pass by too quickly and most of the time I don't even know where the time went!

We had such a fun weekend -- Jonathan wanted some daddy-daughter time on Saturday, so I went to the spa ... and it was AMAZING! I didn't realize how much I needed some "me time" until I was there! As much as I enjoyed a few hours of relaxation, I loved coming home to see my babe and my baby! :)

Sunday we had fam pictures with the Ericksons. Jayden looked so adorable in the outfit I picked out!

She even kept her shoes on! Which was a first!

The pictures took an hour or so and she did amazing (with the exception of one or two small meltdowns when she was hungry). I'm anxious to get the photos back to see how they turned out!

Monday was her 9 month check up with the doctor!! I was so excited to see how much she weighed! Last week I put her on our bathroom scale (which I don't think is 100% accurate) and she weighed 14.2 pounds. At the doctor, she measured 24 1/2 inches long and weighed in at 13 lbs. 13 ounces...don't worry Jayden, I promise I won't post your weight when you're older :) I can't believe she has gained almost 11 pounds and grown almost 10 inches since she was born! The doctor was happy with Jayden's progress and gave us some developmental activities to work on with her.

Jonathan and I are extremely happy with our little peanut and can't believe how far she's come! She'll be running around before we know it!

Shakes and Veuve

In the past few months, we have been regulars at Ruby's -- mostly because I've been craving their oreo shakes -- but also because of their amazing burgers! We love walking around the lake and stopping for lunch and a shake :) Bre even joked we should see how many different Ruby's we can go to...so far I think we've been to about 6 different locations!

Last Friday was baby Ella's first visit to Ruby's (and definitely not her last!) -- even though Ella slept most of the time, she woke up for a quick photo op with auntie :)

and with Jayden of course! 

Even though Jayden wasn't in the mood to smile.

She was probably jealous she didn't get a shake of her own...don't worry Jayden, mommy will share!

Just don't tell daddy :)

Yummmmmmmmmy!!

The next day we went to the tree lighting ceremony at the Citadel Outlet Mall. Such a fun party! Ironic it was catered by Ruby's! And they were serving some prettttty good drinks...(no, not oreo shakes)...open bar with Silveroak wine and one of my favorites ~ Veuve Clicquot :) Yummy! Good food, good drinks & good company :) plus, Jayden and Ella met Santa and Mrs. Claus for the first time! Too cute!

She wasn't scared at all! What a big girl! 

Just missing daddy :(

Santa and Mrs. Claus thought Jayden was small until Ella came over :) 

Look at the size difference between them!!

I love how Jayden is looking at Santa! Priceless <3

The whole night the girls were perfect...Ella slept almost the entire time and Jayden enjoyed the lights and the music and hardly slept at all! She wanted to stay up for the tree lighting!

Dancing with Uncle Al :)

Such a fun night! Can't wait for the party next year :)

Our Little Swimmer

Last night we had our first official swim lesson at Waterworks in Irvine :) We are so proud of our little peanut! Jayden did amazing and was a natural in the water (must be from all the swimming we do at grandma and grandpas house!) We signed up for the "parent & me" classes so Jonathan was swimming with Jayden while I was the proud parent taking a million pictures and videos! :)

She was smiling while she was swimming! 

It was so cute...the babies and parents swim in a circle and sing songs in the water! It was so cute!

"The babies in the water go side to side, side to side, side to side, the babies in the water go side to side, all through the pool"...LOL

What a proud daddy <3

Kick! Kick! Kick!

<3

She loved sitting on the floatie after the lesson! She was so proud of herself!!

The swim lesson was only 20 minutes long so afterwards we went to dinner at Knowlwoods with grandma, grandpa and monnie...such a fun night and we can't wait for next week to see how our little swimmer does in the next lesson!

Spooktacular Halloween!

What an exciting week we had! First, we welcomed baby Ella into the family :) YAY!! I love my littlest niece! <3 

Ella Louise Valencia

Born Monday, October 28th at 4:08 PM

7 pounds 5 ounces 21 inches

And yes...she joined the Big Bow Club <3

According to Lexi, here are the requirements to join:

1. Must wear a big bow every day

2. Bows must match your outfit

3. You must dance to "I like big bows"

Jonathan and I went to the hospital the night she was born and met our precious niece! Congrats to my big sis and her hubby! We are so happy for you!! Welcome to parenthood!! :)

We couldn't take Jayden to the hospital so she had to wait an extra day to meet sweet Ella.

Their first pic together! 

So Sweet <3 <3 <3

BFF :)

Now all we're missing is Brooklyn...maybe we can photoshop her in the pic!

I can't wait for Christmas! Lexi is coming out so all the cousins will be together! It's going to be SO much fun!!!! :)

And if that wasn't exciting enough...yesterday was Jayden's first Halloween! It took me a while to figure out what we were going to be! With my mom's help, I finally put everything together the day before Halloween (talk about procrastination!)

Jayden was Tinker Bell, I was Peter Pan (since Jonathan didn't want to wear tights LOL) and he was Captain Hook! 

We went to Jonathan's office and entered the costume contest! If we don't win ~ I think it was rigged! 

I mean look at that Tinker Bell! 

Ok...maybe we should win because of Jonathan's outfit...what a S.T.U.D.!

I'm one lucky lady! LOL

Before we went Trick-or-Treating...Jayden had a little surprise for us! We found her first tooth breaking through!!! Definitely explains why she likes to munch on her fingers and hands! Glad I have baby orajel on hand!  

Trick-or-Treat!!

Here we come!

Jayden LOVED carrying her jack-o-lantern candy bucket! 

Such a fun first Halloween! I can't wait for next year! 

I'll have to figure out another fun costume for the 3 of us! :) 

Happy Fall

I love everything about the fall - the weather, the smells, the holidays around the corner :) and this year fall has been very exciting! We just had Jayden's 8 month pics done and I must admit, her outfit was to DIE for! I really wanted an outdoor "fall" setting but I couldn't find any cute dresses for her to wear. So I headed down to Children's Orchard (my new favorite store!) to see if I could find any cute resale outfits. Just as I was walking out of the store, I saw in the sale basket a brown tulle tutu that was only $3.99! What a bargain! Then of course I realized I didn't have any matching bows or headbands...so I picked up a cute brown flower headband for only $2 (that's when I realized this is my new favorite store!). Not like Jayden needs any new bows or headbands...I'm pretty sure she has a gazillion! Andddd I just organized them :)

Color Coordinated...looks like mommy's closet :) LOL 

Anyways...back to Jayden's photo session...during the pics she was sitting up on top of a suitcase and while I was trying to take a pic on my camera she tumbled --- full on backwards summersault and landed facedown in the grass :( Jonathan ran over and picked her up...she didn't even let out a fuss...what a trooper! :) 

Here's a few sneak peek pics from our session yesterday :)

Our little angel <3

Happy Fall :)