Happy 1st Birthday Brianna

Jolynn's best friend-to-be, Brianna, had her 1st birthday party today. There were so many kids there. It was fun to see which ones were going to fall into the same age group. There were the 2-3 year olds that were crazy running around. Then the 1 year olds that were just learning to walk. Then the 3mo (Jolynn) - 9mo that were still in the hold me stage. I realized that most of my picture and video taping has been by me. I have one picture of Jolynn and me (and I took that one too) - when we were in the hospital.

So I had Mike take some of me and Jolynn.

Three Months

I don't know what is scarier - being back to work or Jolynn being 3 months. Time is going by so fast. Jolynn has made great progress on her development. She can hold her head up pretty well, her arms don't flail as much, and the smiles and coos just keep coming. She likes to be pulled up by her arms and plop back down on the pillow. She also likes to "stand" or "sit". Neither of which she can actually do on her own yet, but she can see so much and loves that. Thankfully she has finally started to find her hands, and in turn, something to suck on. I don't think she has decided yet if it will be her thumb, a finger, or a couple fingers. Her mood is the best in the morning. I think she is like her momma - she is a morning person. We haven't quite got the sleeping thing down yet as far as timing. She sleeps very well and for long periods, but not the right periods. She still wakes up at 4am; eats, then falls asleep for a hour or so, then we have our awake time. This is where all the cooing and smiles happen. She loves having a conversation around 7am. I hope to have even 15 minutes to spend with her before we have to pack up. Through out the day she takes little cat naps and then between 5 and 6 she goes down for the count. Doesn't wake up until midnight. But then sleeps from midnight to 4am. Somehow we need to move that 6 hour slot up so it is when WE are sleeping too.

We have a new toy from Grandma Margaret. It is a tummy time playmat. She lays on the "scoop" and there is a flower petal mat underneath. She is able to hold her head up and touch the ground with her hands and feet. She scoots around in a circle using her limbs. There are activities on each petal. This has also helped with getting rid of her gas because she is on her tummy forcing the pressure out.

I don't think I posted about her 2 month check up last time. She did very well. 50% in all areas. Doctor was very pleased with her weight gain. She was 7lb 10oz. We have been weighing her on our home scale and last Saturday she was 8lb 1.5oz. She doesn't go back until 4 months now.

It is funny how so many of our friends had babies around the same time. Erin has a boy, Richard Jr, that is about 4 months older than Jo. We joke that we have arranged them to be married. Talking about them dating and going to prom. There is competition though. Jared and Naomi have Brody, also about 4 months older than Jo. Richard Jr already has one up on Brody though, Jo and Richard have already been on a "date", chaperoned by us mommies. Then there is Jodi's daughter, Brianna. She had her 1st birthday party this past weekend. B and Jo are going to be best friends like their mommas.

I am so happy to have such a supportive network of friends and family. Grandparents have stepped up to help with watching Jolynn or Polly, or both. Jon has started to realize that I will need him a bit more now that I am back at work. He pitches in when he can, but still needs a little push now and then. I love watching him with Jolynn - she loves her daddy so much.

We had her 3 month photos at Flash. It was an evening session. Jolynn was not as cooperative as her first photo shoot. There was a lot of crying. I don't know if it was her gas, the fact that we woke her up, or she didn't like the photographer. I felt a little uncomfortable with this photographer; I really liked our first girl, Maggie. She happened to be the manager - must be why she was so good. Wish we could get her again. Anyway, Jolynn didn't like getting her photo taken so we had to reschedule for a morning session. Jon will have to take her because I'm not taking off work to get her picture taken.

That's been our month in a nut shell.

(Jolynn - now that momma is back to work, please don't grow-up too fast. Love you.)