Back in CA

THings have been a little easier being at home.  I have more of my tricks at hand (swing, etc) in case Janey is fussy and we are back on a more regular schedule.  Janey has taken a liking to swinging.  SHe is still a little small, but as long as I keep my hand at her back she is fine.  She moves to swing and watch Hogan walk around in the grass.

Family time in the front yard.

My Mother's Day present.  Stackable rings - one of each of our birthstones.

Ed and Janey reading.  Janey really likes to listen to us read.  WE go to story time at the library at least once a week and read every day.  I have had to get tough with her -she wants to put the books in her mouth.  But as long as I give her something else to put in her mouth she is fine just looking at the pictures.

Hogan;s birthday was May 15th.  Luckily the sitter was here for part of the day. So Ed and I took Hogan to the beach,

Later that night Hogan had his birthday cake.

VA visit 3

We spent several days at Gran's (my mom).  THe first day there Janey got to meet Mr. and Mrs. Trader (bad mom for those who know what that means).  THat same day Janey also got to meet Dan and Leigh Pottle.  I only have a picture of Janey and Bad Mom.

 I did have a chance to get my Sweet Frog fix and introduce my mom to it.

Gran and Janey at Sweet Frog.

Janey was still fussy, so while I got to go to Connie's for dinner one night, Janey did not get to come and have a porch experience:(

WHile I was at my mom's I had the chance to look at some old photos of me.  I think a younger Janey looked very similar to me at 6 weeks (pic below).


Towards the end of the week we headed back to Richmond to stay at AUnt Becca's (my sister).  Janey was having a lot of trouble with the teeth at this point.  I had to rearrange some dates with friends - thank goodness they were all flexible.  Since Janey goes to bed at 7, it was easy to see people after that.  Unfortunately that meant that many did not get to meet Janey. 
By afternoon most days Janey was a hot mess.  The thigns we do to make our kids happy:  one afternoon Cathy, Becca, and I were all doign the hokey pokey trying to make Janey happy. 
I got to see my closest Godwin teacher friends again:

Luckily Janey and I were at Becca's on Saturday and Sunday morning (key word is morning - when Janey was happy).  SO Becca got to have some good time with Janey.  THis is a picture of the three of us chihlling in bed in the morning.

Saturday a bunch of sorority sisters got together at Claire's house.  Janey got to meet Claire, Abby, and Carlene for the first time and got to see Betsy again.  Janey also got to meet Thomas for the first time.

Claire holding Janey.

Janey chilling in a chair poolside.

Carlene and Janey.

The plane ride back was pretty rough - but we made it.

ANd next trip Ed will be with us, which will make everythign easier.

Virginia Visit 2

We had some time to relax over the next few days.  WE had lunch with Pop-Pop and Gran Margie several times and they also came home early from work most days.

Janey got to see the horses in CW.

Janey and I

Janey had lunch at the Trellis!

Not so happy about this teething thing!

Pop-Pop and Janey

Pop-Pop,Aunt Becca, Janey, and I

Janey in her surfer onesie - thanks Audrey!

Janey got to see the baby lambs in CW.

On WEdnesday Janey and I went down to spend the day with Betsy (my friend from college).  I got to meet her new daughter Lauren.

Betsy with Lauren and Janey.

Janey really likes to play with her feet.

At the end of the week we again packed the car - this time heading for RIchmond.  THere we gathered with former co-workers from Godwin HS.  Janey even got to meet Janie (a friend's daughter).

It was the first night Janey had trouble while in VA.  Not sure if I will ever know what the problem was.  But I barely got any sleep - partly my fault for going to bed at 1 am. . . .But we got up the next morning and headed to my dad's in Williamsburg.  ON the way there, we stopped at my cousin's house to let them meet Janey.

Kathy, Belin, and Janey

                                     the second cousins on the Tate side.

That night Janey was supposed to meet my WIlliamsburg teacher friends.  But the previous night had been rough and the day had not been much better, so it did not go too well.  I am not sure if she was just tired of meeting teachers or if it was just the teething.  But I did not really get to catch up with my Williamsburg teacher friends (except for the ones who stayed late to hang out after I put Janey to bed). But Janey did get a good night's sleep, which was the priority. . . .

Virginia Visit

I am going to hand over the computer to Mom so she can recap her visit with Janey to Virginia.  I had to stay home and take care of Papa Bear, so I figure Mama Bear will better tell you all what went on.

Janey and I had a wonderful visit to Virginia.  It is probably going to take several blog updates to include all that I want to say. . . .And after downloading the pics I have I am beginning to realize that I was not very consistent about taking pictures.  I have several pictures from a few days and then none from others. . .

Janey and I made it out to Virginia without too much trouble - I really could not complain about the plane rides given that I was dealing with a teething four month old on my own.  Here is a pic of us on the plane:

Gran (my mom) picked us up at the airport and we stayed with her fo three nights.  We made sure to go downtown to see Pop-Pop (my dad) and Gran Margie the first day.  We also got to catch up with Leslie (my friend from HS), her mom, and her kids that day!  Janey loves watching older kids run around. 

Saturday morning we packed the car and headed for Mitch's house (my cousin) where the Bardolfs gathered to meet Janey and hang out.  Even some of the Timmons clan made it.

Brennan and Audrey meet Janey.

Uncle Scott and Janey

Aunt Aimee and Janey

Cousin Andrew and Janey

Uncle Mitch and Janey

The second cousins

the original cousins

Aunt Theresa, Audrey, Aunt Sue and Janey

Brennan loved giving Janey zerberts

Aunt Mere with Janey

AuntTheresa with Janey

Cousin Kollin and Janey

 The next morning Janey got to meet Ashley (my college roommate from first year).  Then we hit the road to drop Aunt Becca off at her house and head to Pop-Pop's house for a few nights.

Janey's first swim