March Already....

I can't believe how fast this year is already going. It is already March and I just got the hang of writing 2009.
Well, we have been doing really well at the Zak household. Julianna is reading and getting smarter than her daddy everyday. Ansley is trying to crawl, although using her head to push herself around seems a bit odd.
Nanni, Papa, Tara, Dawson, and Lauren came for a visit a couple weeks ago. We took the kids to Portrait Innovations to have their pictures taken. The kids did such a great job. Of course, after we spent all afternoon with the kids and spent way too much on pictures, we had to buy frames for them. So I finally have pictures of my girls hanging in the house. We have been in the house for almost 2 years, and only had 1 picture hanging. I changed that last week. We now have pictures everywhere! I love it.

The kids had such a great time hanging out together, as always. Dawson did have to go to the emergency room though, for croup. But, I did get some pretty cute pictures. He is such a funny kid. At one point, when the doctor or nurse hadn't been in the room in a while to check on him, he said "what kind of hospital is this?" We couldn't help but agree.

Last week Julianna went to Build a Bear Workshop and got a black dog named Snowflake. Now her favorite animal is dogs- not sure that she will ever have one in real life, but we will let her have the stuffed kind. She got a much needed haircut yesterday from Jason's barber. I know, a barber? But it turned out really cute.

Ansley is doing well. She went to the doctor twice this week. Once for shots and the next day for a cough and suspected ear infection. Her ears were perfectly clear though! She just pulls on them when she is tired when she scratches her head. She now weighs 14.9 pounds. She is an itty bitty. The doctor said that she should be drinking 24 ounces a day, but to get that much in her is a struggle. She is way too busy to eat. I am questioning if she is really my baby.

I know I am biased, but seriously...

Have you ever seen anything this cute?

A Southern Snow

Well, this week we had our first (and probably only) snowfall of the season. We got about 3 or 4 inches of snow and didn't have school on Tuesday and then had a 2 hour delay on Wednesday. It was nice to just hang out in our jammies and watch the presidential inauguration. I know that all the northerners make fun of us for not knowing how to drive in the snow and for stocking up on milk and bread, but do you really mind a day off for snow once a year... Julianna played out in the snow for about 30 minutes. Her feet were "frozen" so the fun didn't last too long. By the end of the afternoon I had a little cabin fever, so we went out to dinner at one of our favorites- Qdoba.
The girls are still enjoying spending time with Grandma Campbell, and I think that the feeling is mutual. Grandma said that she missed them since she didn't come on Monday and Tuesday. I wonder if she will be feeling that same way in May when Ansley is getting into everything and Julianna has Spring Fever.
We are still trying to get Ansley to sleep through the night- if anyone has any suggestions, I will listen!
Yesterday we went to Diddy and Susan's house to celebrate our birthdays. Julianna always has so much fun playing with Diddy- he is such a big kid himself.
Today Julianna is going to a birthday party at a roller skating rink, and she is very excited about it. I know she will have fun.

It's About Time...

I am sorry that I haven't posted in a while, things got busy when I went back to work last week.
We had a great Christmas. We spent Christmas Eve at my parent's house again because I am not quite sure that I am ready to give that up. Santa came and brought Julianna a bike! She has been riding it when the weather permits and doing a great job without her training wheels. Santa brought Ansley some little toys and books. The girls got lots of beautiful clothes from their grandparents. Apparently Grammie has discovered the joy in buying girlie clothes (and I love it). Christmas day we spent time visiting family and enjoying lots of good food and company. I love that even as I get older, the excitement of Christmas doesn't fade.
On the 26th we headed to Ohio to visit our colder family members and to celebrate Christmas with them. We had camp Christmas one night, and the Price family Christmas one night, and had lunch with Grandpa Ron. Last year there were no "babies" in Ohio and this year there were babies all over the place. So much fun. Dawson and Julianna had a great time playing together, like always. He is so sweet to listen to everything that she says and not argue! No wonder she is so sad to leave. Ansley and Lauren had a good time getting to know each other. I was hoping that Lauren would tell Ansley about sleeping through the night, but I guess she is keeping that secret. The day that we left (New Year's Eve) it snowed a few inches. Julianna and Dawson had fun playing in it, while we packed up.






We celebrate Christmas with Grandma Fran and Grandpa Ed when we got back into town. The girls were spoiled again with lots of wonderful and thoughtful gifts from them!

I stared back to work last Monday, and waking up was quite a shock to the body! Grandma Campbell has been taking care of Ansley and Julianna after school and the girls seem to love it! Julianna is disappointed in the afternoons when Grandma leaves to go home.

We had a little Panther Party for the playoff game last week. We wore our Panther gear and made a Panther cake (which I now refer to as Looser cake). Grammie and Grandpa came over and we ate dinner and watched the game- at least we had fun getting ready for it.



We did find out that Ansley has baby "acid reflux" which explains the spitting up and fussiness. Dr. Laramie put her on Zantac this week and things have been a lot better. She still isn't sleeping through the night, but she isn't waking up inconsolable either! I hate that we didn't know sooner, and that she was in pain for a while.




Julianna is back in the swing of things and getting smarter than Daddy. She has been reading to us every night. I can't believe how quickly she has picked it up. The ability to read is life changing and I am so excited that she enjoys it. Jason ran into Mrs. Fenimore (Julianna's teacher) this week and she said that "Julianna is wonderful and we should be very proud of her." We are!

Cookie Night

Yesterday we went to church with my parents and my sister and Graham. Julianna went to Children's Church- because she and I both learn more when she is in there. As I sat in the row with my husband, baby, parents, sister, and Graham (and knowing that Julianna was only a couple rooms away) I felt that our family was complete. Not that there won't be more kids or changes, but at that moment I felt totally at peace. I remember feeling that way last year on Christmas Eve at my parent's house.

Last night was the annual "Cookie Night" at my Grandma Hazel's house. It is probably one of my favorite days of the entire year, and definitely one of my favorite memories growing up. Every year the family goes to Grandma and Grandpa's house for dinner and then we make Christmas cookies. Grandma has always made homemade dough and icing. All of the brothers and sisters, cousins, and grandparents gather in the kitchen and watch the magic. There is always a little friendly trash talking about who will win the contest- although there is never a winner!
Last night I didn't make cookies. I sat in the sun room with Ansley Claire and watched from the quiet room. It was like a movie with the carols in the background and the excitement just one room away. I saw my daughter making cookies with her dad. My sister making cookies with her fiance. And my entire family together.
We are so blessed.
4 Generations

Party Time

Thursday was Julianna's 6th birthday- I know, I can't believe it either. She woke up early and came and got in bed with me while Jason got ready- she was very excited about her day. Grandma Campbell came over and watched Ansley Claire while I went to Julianna's school to pass out snack. Since she doesn't like cupcakes we brought in cookies. Julianna picked Bella to help her pass out the snack. I was only there about 15 minutes, but that was long enough for me to realize what a saint Mrs. Fenimore is. Seriously, I don't know how she does it everyday!


Thursday evening Julianna didn't think that we were going to do anything special, but I had invited all the grandparents over for dinner. Jason took her out for a little while and I got ready for the party. Jason took her shopping for a necklace at Hand Picked. She picked out a necklace with blue beads on it- very sweet. No more plastic jewelry for her anymore. When she got home all the grandparents were here and she was surprised. We had spaghetti for dinner and a cookie cake for dessert. She got lots of nice presents, but her favorite was a $4 pointer that I got for her at the school book fair. Apparently it is what her teacher uses to point to things in the classroom. Julianna practiced running a classroom with the family as her students. She had her hands full with us.



Friday evening Jason and I took Julianna to see "The Greatest Christmas Pageant Ever" at the Imaginon Theater. Diddy came over and watched the baby. The play was wonderful. Julianna was so disappointed when it was over. I need to try and find the movie for her.


Last night was the sleepover. Wow!!! We had 4 girls come over for the party. We ate pizza, decorated and ate cookies, and made jewelry. Jason stayed with the girls in the bonus room (since it isn't really connected to the house) and I stayed with the baby. I think this was probably the first time Jason wished that he could nurse. The girls watched Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and played. They had a lot of fun. This morning we planned on having waffles for breakfast. When Jason told the girls that we were having breakfast they requested pancakes, eggs, and bacon- I guess next time we will know!


Ansley Claire is doing really well. She has taken a bottle everyday this week- I don't want her to forget how. She has been rolling over and sleeping in her own crib. The first night I cried myself to sleep, but I think that she sleeps better in her nursery and I definitely sleep better. She tried green beans for the first time yesterday- not so sure that she will be a fan of those, but at least I got some cute pictures!

Kids Questions

Last night I was helping Julianna get ready for bed and she asked, "Mom, how do you meet a man?" She said she needed to know for when she is older...way older according to her father!
Isn't it funny the things that kids are thinking about. I am kinda glad that I can't read her mind!

Lately...

Well, honestly, we haven't been too busy to blog, I am just currently addicted to Facebook. The girls in the neighborhood were talking about it, so I checked it out, and now I need some sort of group to help me stop...
The girls are doing really well. Brian, Katie and Megan came down for Thanksgiving and stayed with us. Julianna and Megan had an awesome time hanging out together. They played so well with each other. I wish that they could see each other more often. While they were here they made Christmas ornaments, watched movies, played, and wrestled with their Daddies! Ansley Claire (I think we are going to call her by both) took a bottle from Uncle Bri Bri and from Daddy- we are making progress. Erin and Graham were also in town for Thanksgiving. Erin had an early birthday present for Julianna- a real wedding veil- you can tell by the pics that it was perfect.



Tuesday evening we went to Chuck E. Cheese with Grandma Hazel and Papa. They took Julianna and Mason there for their birthdays. The kids had a great time playing games and eating pizza. They didn't have birthday cake (neither of them like it) so instead they had Krispy Kreme donuts with candles.


Julianna got a report card this week and she had straight S's (that is kind of like straight A's for a kindergartner). We are so proud of her. She really loves school!
Grandpa Allen came over for a little while on Friday and hung out with me and Ansley Claire. We hung out and Ansley Claire almost rolled over!!! Friday evening we went to the neighborhood Christmas party. Santa Claus was there for the kids to see. Julianna and Ansley Claire sat on his lap and Julianna told him that she wanted a diamond necklace for Christmas (no, we aren't high maintenance). Ansley Claire also rolled over for the first time on Friday evening, but I missed it!


Saturday morning I gave the SAT at school. Jason stayed home with the girls and Ansley Claire took a bottle- no fuss, no muss- like she has taken them everyday. Yeah, we are finally there!!! I only have 4 weeks until I go back to work, so that is great news (especially for my grandmother).

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...