Church

Well yesterday I decided that it was time for us to get back to church. It has been a while since we have been, in fact I almost made a wrong turn on the way there- luckily my mom was with us. I have been concerned about taking Ansley because I don't want to put her in the nursery yet. Julianna, Ansley and I picked up my mom and headed to church. Julianna went into her class and mom and I took Ansley into the sanctuary. Ansley really seemed to enjoy the praise and worship part. There are lights that flash on the ceiling and loud music- she was very stimulated. But as soon as the pastor took the stage, she started loosing it. So mom and I took her to the "Family Room." They have large screens with the service playing and rocking chairs. She was a little fussy in there, but we managed. She did pretty good considering it was rigiht in the middle of her nap time.
After that we went and got Julianna a Christmas dress. I can't wait to get Ansley's and to have their pictures taken.
Last night Julianna was playing with a nativity scene that was given to me when I was about 9. She showed Ansley the baby Jesus and said "Ansley do you know who this is? This is baby Jesus." Well Ansley got fussy right as she told her that it was Jesus, so Julianna changed her mind and said "I was just kidding, this is baby Ansley Claire." She thought that Ansley was upset that it wasn't her. It was really funny.

This afternoon Julianna came home from school and said that she missed her old school. I asked her why and she said because she misses touching people. She said that at her new school she can't hold hands and help people like she could at her old school because it is a school rule that you can't touch each other!

Christmas Spirit

We are getting in the spirit here at the Zak house. Last night we decorated the tree, put out the garland and the Santas and played the Christmas music. Julianna and I had a lot of fun decorating the tree, and we (I) only broke one ornament. After all the hard work we laid on the couch and watched tv and fell asleep. Having a Christmas tree up makes everything more exciting. Even watching tv and sitting around the house is more fun with a Christmas tree!


On a very cute note- the other day Jason and Julianna were discussing her sleepover birthday party. Jason explained to her that they would be sleeping in the bonus room and that he would sleep in the bed and all the girls could sleep on the floor (our bonus room isn't really attached to the house). Julianna said "Daddy, I am going to sleep with you in the bed." Jason explained that it wouldn't really be fair if she were in a bed and they were all on the floor. Julianna's response- "It's my birthday, I can sleep where I want." Well that it is. I told Jason that there are not many years that we will even be allowed in the same room as the party, maybe after the girls fall asleep she could climb in bed with him!
Ansley has been very busy lately, trying to suck on her toes. She is always trying to find something to put in her mouth and the newest thing is her feet!!! It isn't always easy to suck on toes, so I try to give her a paci, but no, she would rather fuss over those toes!

Lately...

Well, all of the days have seemed to blend together lately. Last Sunday I went to see Chicago with the girls in the neighborhood and I was gone for 7 hours- a normal day, but not for a nursing mother, whose baby won't take a bottle. Well Ansley (and Daddy) did fine. She took enough of a bottle to get through the day but I think that she was relieved to see me- I know Jason was. It was really nice to get out for the day though.
Julianna is doing well. She is getting excited about her birthday and Christmas. This weekend we are going to decorate the house (a little early, but we are celebrating next week with the family). We have decided on a sleepover birthday party for the big girl. I guess we will have pizza and Julianna wants to decorate cookies- since she doesn't like cake. It should be fun. Daddy will have to stay in the bonus room with them since the room isn't really attached to the house. I would like to be a fly on the wall that evening!
Julianna is really learning a lot in school and we are practicing reading and spelling at home. The past week we have focused on words that have an "oo" or an "ee" in them. We say the word and she spells it for us. I may be biased, but I think that she is really smart! She really loves learning which is wonderful. At night when I read her story I hold Ansley and we read together. Ansley just watches and listens- unbelievable! Mom says that she will be reading by the time she is two years old if I keep reading to her. Right now I am not concerned with having a genius- just a baby that sleeps through the night and takes a bottle!


oh, and I am finally admitting that the baby looks JUST LIKE her daddy...

Happy Veterans Day

Happy Veterans Day to all the veterans including our Papa, Grandpa Ron, and Grandpa Tony! We are all home and spending the day together!
This weekend Julianna had two sleepovers. Friday night it was a birthday party at Bella's house and Saturday night one at Avery's. She had a great time at both parties and was exhausted by Sunday afternoon. Yesterday Julianna brought home an award from Art class. It was an award for behavior- that is 3 awards in only two months of school. She has gotten more awards this year than Jason and I received in our 26 years of school combined. We are very proud of her.



Ansley is doing well. Still not taking a bottle. I thought that we had found the "one" but apparently I was wrong. Saturday I picked up a Nubby cup and tried that- she wasn't interested. We went to a friend's house on Saturday night and tried their Dr. Browns bottles- nope on that one too. Oh, and then on Sunday I picked up a Nuk bottle at Walmart- apparently those aren't like breastfeeding at all!!! Guess we will go straight to a big girl cup at this point. She has been enjoying cereal though. I figure that if I need to go anywhere, Jason can at least fill her up with cereal while I am gone.


Jason and I are doing well (except for fantasy football- don't ask). I have a sinus cold though, and he was sweet and stayed home with me on Monday. Of course the baby was great and practically slept all day. But it was still fun to lounge around the house together.
Oh, in the best news ever- my Grandma Campbell is going to be watching Ansley when I go back to school in January. It all came together last week and I couldn't be happier. I feel so much better knowing that Ansley will be in such good hands! Thanks again Grandma!

Fun Times

This weekend we had a lot of fun with the Halloween festivities. As soon as Julianna got off the bus on Friday she asked when Halloween started. I told her that it started that morning, but she was talking about the trick or treating part. I told her that started around 6:00, which seems like an eternity to a 5 year old. When went out for dinner, because lets me honest I had been snacking on the candy already and I wasn't really in the mood to cook. I always start out motivated on Monday and somehow loose that as the week progresses. After dinner Julianna got dressed in her Sharpay costume. We curled her hair and put some makeup on her. She looked great! She went trick or treating with Addie and Avery (her neighbor friends). She trick or treated for a couple hours and then came home to pass out candy to the other trick or treaters. Ansley sported her pumpkin hat and bib that Grandma Fran got for her- next year she will be able to enjoy it a little more (and next year I can get her candy!)
Saturday morning we counted Julianna's candy for her homework assignment. She had 206 peices!!! I am glad that she isn't keeping track of it because I have been helping her eat it without her knowledge. We also ventured to BJs on Saturday. We stocked up on diapers and wipes for the baby, so we shouldn't need any for another couple weeks- that is actually exciting for a mother! We also went to a deli and Ansley got her second taste of ice cream. She actually had the nerve to get fussy when I stopped sharing it with her- the girl already knows what she likes.
Sunday, figuring that if Ansley likes ice cream she may also enjoy a little rice cereal, I bought some and tried it out. No such luck. I know that she is a little young, but I am trying to get her excited about something besides nursing. The neighborhood girls are going to see Chicago in a couple weeks, and I had planned on going, but now I am thinking that I won't be able to. She refuses to take a bottle, and I am too much of a softy to push it. We will keep working on it though.