The Girls

Jayla can't seem to get enough of her new baby sister. She is always kissing, "squeezing," and playing with Jessa. Jessa seems to like Jayla as well. She always stares at Jayla and smiles at her. Jessa even tries to talk to Jayla...and Jayla likes to imitate her little baby noises.

I am so blessed to have these two little ones in my life. Some people wonder how it is raising kids who are adopted. I can honestly say that I love and appreciate these two little ones even more because they are adopted. I realize just how blessed I am and how grateful I am for their sweet Birthmothers.

Which Grandpa is it?

Jayla loves me to read this alphabet book to her. She loves to point out everything on the pages. Whenever we get to this page Jayla always says, "GRANDPA." I'm not so sure which grandpa she thinks the Jack-in-the-box is.

You be the judge...

I think it just goes to show that she has two amazing grandpas!

Fish, Fish and More Fish

We went to the Aquarium to see all of the fish. We had a lot of fun and Jayla really got into it! She was so excited to see all of the fish...and she made sure that we were spotting the fish too.

She wasn't so sure about the shark tank. When the sharks would come up to the glass she would say, "scared" and want me to hold her. After I showed her that they couldn't break through the glass she was okay with being so close to the sharks.

She was very intrigued by these fish as long as we didn't get too close.

Michael tried to get her to pet the sting ray, but she wasn't having it.

There was also a little playground for the kids to climb on.

Just a random picture that we thought was kinda cute...Jayla was frustrated that she couldn't get her vest off. We were fortunate to get a picture of it.

Awww...Jayla was scared of the giant fish in the fish tank so she decided that she needed a hug from me...I sure didn't mind.

Even though she was scared of some of the fish Jayla was still sad to leave. Little Jessa didn't seem to care...she just slept the entire time. She is a sweet little baby girl.

She Smiles and Talks...

This past week Jessa has started to smile like crazy! You can get her to smile the best after she has a full belly...I guess you would smile too. Whenever she smiles she has to use her whole body. She wiggles everything...it is pretty cute.

Oh yes...and she has learned to talk really well too. Whenever you talk to her, she talks right back. It is funny to see her work so hard to get the tiniest squeak out. Here she is trying so hard to get it out.

Happy Valentines Day

So this Valentines Day was a little different. We mostly spent it with family. Michael and I didn't ever go on a date just the two of us...we spent our weekend hanging out with those that we love...each other, our beautiful girls and our family. We went out to dinner, watched a movie and played games with our family members. Although it was a different Valentines Day it was still really great.

Bed?

Jayla kept asking to go to bed. We kept wondering why she wanted to take a nap after waking up only an hour ago. After a few minutes we realized that she really wanted to try out Jessa's bed...so we let her. She laid down in Jessa bed and didn't make a peep for a whole 10 minutes staring at the Snoopys.

Big Sister

Jessa started to fussing so after making her a bottle I came into the living room to feed her and this is what I found...

Jayla, being such a helpful big sister, had given Jessa all of her favorite toys to try to make her happy...and to top it off Jayla was reading to Jessa. (I'm not so sure Jessa enjoyed all of the attention...her face says it all.)

Valentines Party

We had a party with Jayla's music group today. She loved all the dancing, music, and activities, but the best part by far was when everyone was handing out valentines...because attached to each valentine was a piece of candy! Jayla couldn't believe her eyes..I think she thought that if she didn't eat everything as fast as possible that it would all disappear.

Good Luck Tyson

As tradition has it the missionary, in this case it was Tyson, always gets taken out to dinner right before entering the Missionary Training Center...or better known as the MTC. It was really funny because we saw 3 other missionaries eating lunch before they were dropped off at the MTC today.

Afterward everyone came to our house for a little while to just hang out right before Tyson had to leave. Of course the biggest attractions are always the little grandkids.

I love this picture...grandma playing with cousin Owen. She had him giggling so hard!

Here Jayla is begging grandpa to get her some candy...she always knows who the "sucker" is.

Awww...the final drop off. It is also tradition to get a picture by the MTC sign. So far everyone's eyes seem pretty dry.

Well...Tyson we are so proud of you and excited...we know that you will make a great missionary! We will see you in 2 years. Our prayers will be with you.

1 Month Old

Jessa is already 1 month old! We can't believe it. She is very strong. She can hold her head up for a long time (she is already showing off her athletic skills.) She is very alert and recognizes our voices. She follows us everywhere with her eyes and watching us if we leave the room. She makes baby noises like crazy in her sleep and we have been able to get a few half smiles out of her. She has the biggest eyes and loves to look at our lips when we talk and whenever we feed her she has to look at us in the face. She loves her binky and bath time. She hates getting out...she cries when I take her out. She was 8lbs 12 oz. and 20 inches long at her doctors appointment last week, but I have a feeling she weighs more than that now....it must all be in those cheeks.

Tyson's Farewell

We spent the weekend with Michael's family his brother, Tyson, will be leaving on his mission in the next couple of days. Unfortunately not very many people could make it, but we were really excited to spend time with everyone who was able to come.

This is Tyson...lounging around while he can before they put him to work on his mission.

Jayla loved Tyson! Whenever she would see him she would yell his name...if fact when he was up on the stand waiting to give his talk she kept yelling his name. I am just grateful that she didn't do it right in the middle of his talk.

Oh yes. She loved Uncle Justin too...anyone who would meet her demands and throw her around again, again, and again.

This is my favorite...I have to snuggle with Jessa while I can...before she gets bored of cuddling when she gets older.

Grandpa was holding Jessa and Jayla got jealous. She told Jessa to go "away." The funny thing is that she never gets jealous whenever I hold Jessa, just when grandpa or grandma hold her.

OK...I think that this time it was a REAL smile. Grandma kept talking to her and playing with her. She must have liked it because she gave us a big grin.

Grandpa loved playing with little baby Jessa any chance that he could get.

Grandma wasn't that much better...she made sure that he held Jessa before anyone else could get a chance. She is so funny! I love that she loves her grandchildren so much.

Bathtime

Ever since baby Jessa was born Jayla has been watching my every move. She is a very observant child and she loves to copy everything that I do. Right after I was done giving Jessa a bath and busy putting her clothes on...this is what I found. Jayla was giving her own baby a bath. She even put Jessa's expensive conditioner on her own little baby doll's head. I was thrilled about that...