Visiting Melody

When my jogging buddy moved suddenly last summer, we immediately started making plans for a visit. 

Jane got herself all buckled up and ready to go. The airline attendants asked if we wanted the back row they reserve for unaccompanied minors and we got three seats to ourselves.

Jane appreciated the space to sprawl out and eat/kick. It was really convenient while traveling alone since there was nobody else to hold her. 

Melody and her girls were excited to meet Jane. 

They loved her. She didn't sleep well at all, but was otherwise very content the whole trip, which was a relief.

She was happy in the longish car rides, well-behaved at restaurants, mostly smiley and playful.

Saturday Melody took us to the Silos.

I'm not a store bought treat fan, and even bakeries tend to disappoint me, but this one was really impressive. We tried their cookies and cupcakes and both were delicious. The cookie was huge and inexpensive. I spent January off of sugar, so it probably tasted doubly good to me.

Jane enjoying being out of the stroller and carseat. She liked feeling the fake grass. We went in all the stores, ordered to go at the restaurant, the bakery, and this garden shop, basically everything we could do.

It was a perfect day with an amazing friend.

Back at home we had some fun with her girls and I got to see all the remodeling projects on the docket.

At church we saw Jocelyn and Tom Maughan and I visited with them. I have so many fun memories with their family growing up and it was great to catch up.

Nora and Lulu were very dutiful baby entertainers. They have a great play room with a swing and trapeze bar and Melody is adding on a climbing wall.

The next morning we went for a jog in her neighborhood around this beautiful easement. It's definitely a nicer way of life out there. So many friendly people, less rush, more space, affordable.

Jane fell asleep on the walk, then we went to Melody's friend's house to pick up Nora and she invited us in to visit. She shared her Swiss chocolate and we chatted and she played beautiful classical music on the piano and Jane played happily on the rug, it was one of those moments where everything is perfect and you want to freeze time.

Jane woke up happy.

Sweet little doll

Playing with Snow White.

I think she missed her brothers, but was glad to have the girls fill in for the weekend. I loved being with Melody again and having a semi-break for a few days.

We had a great first girls trip and are looking forward to more in the future.

January II

My little sweet baby ready to brave the cold.

San Jose cold at least.

Doing homework after a Pretty, Pretty Princess game.

I got Jane a bigger suit for our chilly morning walks to school.

Cute little bear

Giving Jane all the hugs while she was waiting for her shots. Perry was very concerned about her.

She took it like a champ and had a little nap on the way home.

Getting the old fence finally taken down.

Perry enjoyed watching all the people working.

It was a long time coming with lots of stressful neighbor negotiations but we finally got it done. The best part is the easy to open gate with a latch that works.

Didn't want leftover chili for lunch, ate the bowl I made for myself.

I took Scott to try on suits and couldn't handle the suave.

They were mostly patient and had a pretzel reward.

This one was fussy and the dressing room got hot with so many of us in there. Then she crashed hard on the way home.

She even transferred to bed.

She loves chewing on things.

They love her. Sometimes a little too much.

Keeping Jane happy.

Our backyard looks so beautiful with the new fence.

Happy girl with her daddy

Jane's first bike ride. She loved it.

Sweetie boy wanted a picture with me

I put up some fun Star Wars contact wallpaper on one of the walls in the bedroom for Scott and Jonah.

Now that Jane can sit up she engages with her brothers more to play.

It's so cute to see them play together.

You can almost see him saying, "heeeey! Dane!"

We just love her.

It's nice to see them gathered around a book instead of a phone, even if it is a dumb one.

Flower baby

The hat didn't last, but she was still adorable.

Big girl sitting up and smiling for the camera

The leaning forward on her hands is more normal for her.

Her giant stretch to reach for things she wants cracks me up.

She sticks her leg out straight and bangs it when she's excited or even just bored.

My little cupcake

I tried to have her play with toys at the library while her brothers picked out books, but she was not thrilled about it.

Always ready to play with John

Super foggy walk to school

Jane was not a fan

We were watching my friend's kids at their house and she sat up happily watching the chaos all morning.

We met Bruce Hale after school.

They studied Clark the Shark at school, but he signed the kids' books that we already had.

We watched Cars for family movie night because poor Perry hasn't seen or doesn't remember the movies that were Scott's and Jonah's favorites at his age.

Jane steals her brother's chairs. Scott is getting too big for his anyway and Jonah loves sharing with her. We all think it's so cute.

Licking her highchair tray clean like a true uncouth Crapo.

Sleepy angel in my bed like a little stinker

Good morning selfie for John

We went to get my mom's chocolate dipped strawberries for her birthday. 

No treat for Jane. She settled for a few licks of the wrapper.

Happy fluffy bear on our walk.

Perry had the most time as the baby of the family and I really babied him, so I was worried he would be jealous of Jane. So when she's on the bed and he comes in and just lays next to her and talks to her it makes me so happy. She pinches him or pulls his hair and he just laughs.

When I walk past the living room now it surprises me how put together it is. John worked hard on our bookcases and I love them so much. There are still things I want to change in the room, but the bookcases make it homey and beautiful.

Perry getting his hearing checked for a speech therapy application.

Maybe it's weird, but I thought it was so cute seeing him do things like a big kid. 

Chubby cheeked sleepy girl

The stinker

Twin day at school. We were well-prepared from Halloween.

Trying to grab the flowers and her feet.

Sometimes the mobile keeps her happy for a few minutes.