MISS JEFFRE

Over 18 months ago, A and I posted a listing on Care.Com hoping to find the perfect nanny for our family.  Until then, JP and AA had been at the local daycare center (and originally at Miss Emmy's).  We had been happy with both of these prior arrangements, but for a variety of reasons, we felt it was time to pursue the nanny route.  Many of my friends had luck with this website, but I was quite apprehensive about finding the right person this way.  

After posting our request of "Looking for someone to join our family ..." I received many inquiries.  It was quite easy to rule out some candidates from their initial response.  Several seemed promising and were offered interviews.  But I'll never forget reading Miss Jeffre's response on my old school smart phone while on vacation on Mackinac Island with the family (yes, this was the same vacation I learned I was pregnant with Baby J - quite the vacation, I guess!).  Jeffre's long email listed many strong qualities we were looking for ... and it was peppered with just the right amount of spunk. I'm sure I have her application saved somewhere, but I remember "I love blueberries in my pancakes, singing in the shower, and the Minnesota Twins."  And, I distinctly remember her writing (about two thirds of the way into her response) " ... and, I'm a girl!"  (Because, honestly, up until that point I though the applicant was a gay guy!).  I immediately had that gut instinct that she was the one for us.

The next week we interviewed Ms. Jeffre in person, and the following week we hired her.  She’s been with us ever since. 

Jeffre has such a laid back personality, yet she has complete control of the kids.  I’ve never heard the kids complain that she is coming over (in fact, I’ve heard the opposite … why isn’t Jeffre coming for TWO more days?!?).  She always has a smile on her face and she is grounded with a heart for God.  She doesn’t seem to mind if I hear her singing or watch her dancing with the kids.  Jeffre has helped teach the Big Kids how to write (working on reading), ride their bikes, and share their toys.  She is fair.  Although not a mom herself, she has such a calming personality and often gives me encouragement!  I just hope she wants to stick around for a few more years!

Today was Miss Jeffre’s birthday- and why not celebrate in style with a Frozen cake? 

GETAWAY

For only the second night since Baby J has been born, I was childless last night.  I'm not sure who had the most fun … A and I going out with some friends for a great dinner;

JP and AA at Grandpa T's in the hot tub;

or Baby J eating ICE CREAM at Grandpa A's and Grandma K's.

Seems to me like this was a win-win situation for all involved!  

INDOOR BEACH PARTY

One of my favorite Christmas gifts I receive each year from Grandpa T is "Gymbucks"… vouchers given out over the Holidays to receive great savings during the last week of January.  For the last three years, I've used these "bucks" to stock up on swimming gear for the year.  It's a refreshing way of wishful thinking … and the kids always spend hours running all over in their new attire getting all set up for the Beach Party.  

Yes, it was a balmy 40 degrees outside today, but the true party was inside!

BIRTHDAY

Happy Birthday Daddy!

We are so lucky to have you in our lives!

BASKETBALL

CARS

And look who was finally invited to play(suck on) Cars today!

Seems like just yesterday when JP had these cars all to himself:

ARIANNA

Cousin Ari is one!  

(this means baby J is not too far away … yikes!)

 The Big Kids have been counting down Ari's birthday bash for the last week.  

 New toys, cousin kisses ...

 and new friends to (re)meet.  JP was the only "big" boy to play with Aunt K's many nieces.  

(After we left the party, JP asks me, "Mamma, which girl had the pretty sparkle sweater again?"  Oh boy, I thought.  It's Lucy.  And she's trouble.)

 AA loved the new girls to play with.

And everyone had to get in on the gift opening!  

SHOWER

Baby J just loves crawling into our walk out shower ... Today was the first time he did so while the water was on! Daddy was quite surprised to see a little guy join him! And Baby J LOVED it! Not so sure this was a good idea!

DRIFT BUSTIN'

H-A-P-P-Y

NINE MONTHS

Baby J turned 9 months this weekend!  

 Stats: 19.5 pounds (50%), 29 inches (90%), BIG head (95% … down from >98%!)

 Sleeps: 7 PM- 7 AM, two naps in day

 Eats: breast milk (not for long!) four times each day, just starting to eat solids (favorite non-baby food: graham crackers, cinnamon raisin toast, and meatballs)

 Sounds: ahdahdahdah, amamama, high pitched singing, LOUD shouting for more food, squeals

 Learning to: clap hands, dance, walk along furniture, crawl up stairs, wave hi

Loves:  books (Brown Bear, Brown Bear), songs (the Itsy Bitsy Spider), anything JP is playing with, the sight of his bottle

SKATING

HILL

Before we bought our house, I remember looking unfavorably at the hill in our backyard.  "What will we ever do with that?," I thought.  It didn't take long to answer this question!

What is our backyard hill for?  Sledding with Grandpa A and Grandpa T of course!