White Valentine's Day!

What a beautiful day!  I woke up to Ethan saying, "Come see what's outside!"  He was so excited about the snow.  He hasn't gotten to play in the snow this year, so we bundled up and headed out for a while.  But not until after he got his Valentine's Day goodies.  He picked his singing, pop-up, Spiderman card at the store and I bought it without him knowing, so he was very excited when he opened it!

Candy and fruit punch for breakfast is okay, right?!?

Nora is all smiles, as usual!

Happy Valentine's Day from Nora!

Some Valentine fun in the snow...

His 1st Snowman!

Our 2 Little Valentines!

She wasn't too sure about 'playing' in the snow.



Jared and I are celebrating our 12th Valentine's Day together!  TWELVE!  That's crazy.  It was 12 years ago on Sunday that he first asked me out on a date and I, of course, said yes.  And then 4 years after that, he asked me to marry him (which, again, YES was the answer!)  Happy Valentine's Day/Anniversary Jared!  Here's to many many more!!  Love you lots!

Week In Photos

Not too much happening around here this past week.  We've had some pretty rocking dance parties in the kitchen...

Nora had her fisrt bottle... (I've got Mom's night out planned for this Saturnday!  So we thought we should try a bottle before then.)

She chugged it!

Nora enjoyed some time in the bumbo and tried to roll over...

Is It Really The End of January?!?

The weather has been very warm for this time of year, around these parts.  So, yesterday and today we decided to take advantage of the spring-like temps and outside we went.  Yesterday, we just went to the backyard for some baseball and exploring fun.  Today, we went to the park.  It was super windy, so we didn't stay long (and it was naptime).  Ethan hasn't forgotten how much he loves to play outside!

Playing under the treehouse

Just exploring the backyard...and being cute!

Ringing the bell

At the park

Just saying 'HI!'

Nora prefers her playtime to be indoors...not that I blame her :).

She's getting better at this tummy time thing!

 We also had some visitors over the weekend.  My dad had a meeting in Champaign on Friday morning, so he stopped by on his way home.  He stayed the afternoon and for dinner.  It was a good time, as Ethan always loves his Pop time!

This was just after Ethan got up from nap.  He was still in cuddle-mode.

And on Sunday, Grandma Karen and Grandpa came up.  I didn't take a single picture, but we had a great time.  Not that Ethan doesn't love his Grandma's...but he sure has a special bond with the Grandpa's!  He and Mark played & played and laughed & laughed!

3 Months!!

Nora is 3 months old today and she:

• Is growing like crazy!
• Has the most beautiful eyes...ever! 
• Is sleeping like a champ- Tuesday night she slept from 9pm to 8:30am! (Typically 10 hours though)
• Loves to smile and 'talk' to us.  She has the sweetest voice :)
• Is crazy about her brother and he's pretty crazy about her!
• Likes to suck on her hand, but is getting the hang of a pacifier.
• Isn't showing too much interest in rolling over.
• Is starting to show interest in toys and rattles and will hold things when placed in her hands.
• Is eating every 3-4 hours during the day, unless she is napping really well!
• Has found her tongue...and likes to stick it out.
• Is ticklish on her neck and even laughs when we tickle her!
• Still loves bath time.
• Is such a blessing to our family!!

At home measurements:  Weight: 14 lbs, Length: 24 1/2 in

Here are some pictures from our photoshoot this morning.  I can't believe our baby is already 3 months old!

Happy 3 Month Old Girl

Our Cute Bundle!

Bright blue eyes

Showing off her tongue

Ethan wanted in on the photoshoot

Potty Boot Camp

Yep, that's right!  This morning we took the diapers away and brought out the Mickey Mouse, Cars and Italian (thanks mom and dad) underpants.  We have been mentally preparing ourselves for a while and decided now was the time.  He has done awesome!  Before today, he had never told us that he had to go #1, let alone actually go.  He has told us everytime and has gone everytime today!  I won't get into the details but #2 is going just as well!  Aside from the excitement of the new big boy underpants, he gets a sticker for his potty chart and 2 M&M's when he goes.  We even made it through naptime with no accidents!  I know...we're only on day 1, but I'm feeling good about where we stand!

Checking himself out!

Straight from Italy!

His (home made) Potty Chart :).  Currently we are to #13...3 more until prize time!

This and That

Sorry for the lack of posts...we're still here!  Just not a lot going on, I guess.  Anyway, I've gone through some pictures from the last week or so and picked some to share.  Have a great week!

Ethan loves to play baseball...in the house.  This is our compromise.  He gets a cup as a bat, and the ball is soft.  He's getting pretty good with the 'batting'.

Flying Nora!

Pretend napping...complete with a minion from Despicable Me

Real napping...at 5:30 pm, because he refused to sleep during naptime. 

 And a few of beautiful Nora!  She is smiling and talking a lot now, and starting to laugh some too!

This happens often after supper... Dance parties in the kitchen.  He really gets into them :).

Fun Times

Well, it seems that winter has found us.  It's currently 17 degrees with blowing snow.  We are inside!  Anyway, on Monday, Abby came up to hang out with us and we had a good time just hanging out around the house.  She and Ethan have quite a special bond right now.  (When asked who his best friend is, he answers Abby!)  They played a lot downstairs.  According to Ethan, they played hockey, golf and yoga...

Hockey/Golf (Check out the serious look on Abby's face...)

High sticking on Ethan!

Ethan wasn't too interested in the yoga

 Nora has been enjoying her tummy time more and more lately.  And by enjoying, I mean she doesn't scream as soon as I roll her over...

I know I'm biased, but isn't she pretty?!?

Just curious...do you think they look alike??  This is Ethan at 3 months...

Tummy time for Ethan

One more blog-worthy photo... I got a bird feeder and hook for Christmas.  It is squirrel 'proof', but that doesn't mean they won't give it a go.  I'm also afraid that it is cardinal proof too, they just can't figure it out.  Someday, hopefully.

To the Park in January!

It's not that often the weather is nice enough around here in January to play outside...but today I think we topped out around 61 degrees and sunny!  We just couldn't resist a trip to the park.  The park we go to has a pond with lots of sidewalks along with a playground.  We took Ethan's bike and Nora's stroller and had a great walk/ride around before finding some slides to go down.  This park is so pretty...I think we'll have to try a photo shoot there in the summer!

Biking around the pond!

Such a handsome boy

Look close, neither foot is touching...

Nora all bundled up, enjoying her morning at the park too.

Riding in the sand is hard work...I ended up carrying the bike for this portion of our walk.

Bittersweet Goodbye

One of my best friends, Elizabeth (find here blog here) has, temporarily, moved back to Salem. Actually, she has moved into one of her childhood homes. One that I used to walk through the woods, across the street and through the field (or backyard...it seemed like a field at the age of 6) to get to. We have a lot of fun memories from that house, so it was really great to visit with her there. She and her adorable family will be heading overseas to spread the Gospel of Jesus to the Middle East.  While it is hard to say goodbye, not knowing when we will see each other again, it is awesome to know that she and her family are obediently following our God!

Here we are in her backyard somewhere around 1988, maybe??

And here we are 20+ years later.  Too bad we didn't recreate the pose...



The kids had a good time playing while we visited for a while. 

Ethan and Andrew (2 months apart) with Hap

Ethan- 2 1/2, Nora- 2 mo, Andrew- 2 1/2, Jacob- 4 mo, Sam- 4 1/2

Please remember the Jolliff family in your prayers as they begin their lives in the Middle East.
Hap and Elizabeth, I am so proud to call you friends and will miss you dearly!  We love you all!