weekend cousin playdate

This weekend we had Philip's sister, Shellee, and her kids over to let the kids play and brainstorm about new shop ideas. It was super fun, and Jo loved it!

waiting for daddy to get home

Jo and I have started a little daily tradition of going outside about 30 minutes before daddy gets home to wait for him and watch for his car. This is easily her favorite part of the day. She loves sitting outside and watching cars, kids, birds, etc. pass by. She loves touching the ground and trying to stand up and hold onto the railing as she looks out at everything going on. She is seriously so happy during this time of day, and I love just sitting outside with her and watching her soak it all in. The funnest part though is when daddy actually pulls up and we get up and wave as his car pulls in. And as he gets out of his car and she sees him she gets SO excited. It is so sweet. He then runs up the stairs to get her and she squeals and gets so excited and usually reaches for him. We love this time of day!

    

And sometimes we like to have a mini photo shoot while we are waiting for daddy as well. If you can't tell ;)

a little family update

This summer is passing so quickly, and I can't believe it's already almost July! Several weeks back I quit my transcribing job to focus more on working on my etsy shop and being with Jo. It was really such a needed change for Jo and me, and I have found myself to be much less stressed recently. I am still working on finding ways to promote my shop and get the word out about it, as I just started it at the beginning of the year. I did a fun little giveaway with the Wifessionals Blog and several other shops, which helped a bit. And now, I am just continuing to come up with more ideas for the shop and promote it! I really enjoy working on the signs and being creative in that aspect.

There are some of the wooden signs I have done recently for my shop.

Philip is still working at CAN Capital as an Underwriter. He's really great at his job, and he likes it enough for the time being. He is still in school, although he did take this summer off so that he could see us a little more before he starts fall semester. For now, his major is still International Affairs. Somehow he finds the time to juggle all he does and be an amazing husband and daddy. Our little Jo just adores him! (And so do I)

And Jo is still just as cute and sweet as ever! She is 8 months old and growing so quickly I feel like I can barely keep up. We love her! <<See the previous 8 month post for the full update on her>>

8 months old

Dear Jo,

How in the world are you eight months old already!?? Time is flying by so quickly, and I just wish it would slow down so I could soak up your sweet little baby self right now for just a little longer. I love watching your personality develop. You are such a sweet, easy-going, goofy, happy, single-minded, beautiful little baby. You love to just sit and observe everything and everyone around you (just like your mama).Whenever we are out and about, at a relative's house, at church, etc. people always ask me if you are always so easy going. And my reply is always the same, "pretty much!" Haha. You seriously are such a sweet little thing. And you always know exactly what you want, and you will let us know with your reaching arms and little squeals and growls. Or if something gets taken away from you that you really want but aren't supposed to have you are sure to let us know by throwing yourself out, arching your back and crying. That's super fun. Haha. You smile all the time at everyone and love to laugh, but you don't like to be tickled. Whenever we try to tickle you at first you start to laugh, but it quickly turns into a half laugh half cry. But you love when we make goofy noises at you and when we "get you" by coming towards you slowly and then getting you. You still HATE removing or putting clothes on you. Whenever we do so it sounds like someone is torturing you. You aren't crawling or even army crawling yet. You continue to just roll everywhere, but it does look like you'll be crawling any day now. You will scoot your little bum up in the air and are trying so hard. You just haven't quite figured it out yet. And still no teeth. I'm okay with both of those things for now. I will enjoy the no crawling and no teeth while it lasts. You LOVE food. The only thing that we have found that you don't like so far is plain yogurt, which I don't blame you. That stuff is nasty. So, we mix it up with your fruits or veggies and you'll eat it that way. Your favorite foods are sweet potato, butternut squash, pears, and carrots. You like everything else as well, you just seem a little more excited and eat a little more vigorously with those. It's so cute to watch you eat. When you want another bite you open your mouth so wide and you look like a baby bird. You LOVE to dance. If there is any sort of music on or if anyone starts singing you will bob your head and bounce up and down to the music. It is so sweet. You LOVE to be with your cousins. You love watching them and talking to them, especially Liam. You just stare at him and are always trying to grab him or touch his face. You want to join in so badly as you watch them run around and play together. One day! We have been to the pool a lot this summer, and you love to get in the water and splash. You have also fallen asleep with me holding you in the water several times. You seem to find it soothing. You are definitely an outdoors girl. You LOVE to sit outside and just look at everything around you. You are still sleeping through the night and you are usually napping twice a day at this point. Sometimes you will wave to people, which is so adorable. And you have been such a mama's girl lately, and I have been secretly (or not so secretly) loving it!

You are growing like a little weed, and I feel like you are learning and doing new things daily! I love to watch you learn and grow and I am so grateful to be your mama!

Love, 

Mama