Li'l Miss Houdini

We now have a little Ms. Houdini on our hands. Yesterday while she was home with mom she learned how to climb out of her crib. I watched her climb out a second time, and she has a nice little escape routine set up. Little did we suspect she'd use it to her advantage to climb out of her crib at 2:00 am, YES 2:00 AM. So, here's her story....

She started crying just before 2:00 this morning. My usual routine is to turn off her sound monitor for about 10-15 minutes when she first starts crying and she usually puts herself back to sleep. Not this morning. Ten minutes after she let out her first cry I hear her, but the sound monitor is turned off. I quickly jump out of the bed, realizing what she has done. I didn't want her to fall down the stairs from her room to ours.

As I round the corner of our bed heading to the bedroom door, it all of a sudden slams open. All I see is the orange glow of the wood burning stove, and a little silhouette of Li'l Ms. Houdini; arms spread out far; yelling "HI!!!" at the top of her lungs, all smiles and happy. (She must have felt like such a big girl coming down the stair all by herself.)

She quickly climbed into bed with us, proceeded to thrash about till she got comfortable (feet poking in dad's back, head plopped on mom's rib cage), then finally fell back to sleep sometime after 3:00. I guess this means we have to buy a new toddler bed and figure out how to keep her in her room so she won't wonder the house in the dark. Goodness!!!!

Hanging With My Bugs

Cousin Tessa and her boyfriend, Tim, took Joie for an enjoyable play date to the Butterfly Pavilions on Saturday (3/21). These are the pictures from their fun outing:

Tessa and Tim pick up Joie at home at 3:00 in the afteroon. Joie has to look cool in her fancy shades.
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This is a really huge bug.

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Joie actually touched this starfish - ugh, gross (or as Joie says, Dross!)

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I see yoooouuuuu.....
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Hi, Bugs!
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Pretty butterflies.

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Bye, bugs.

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Look at the bird.

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Look at the rock.

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Say cheese.
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What an exhausting day examining all the bug life.

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Tim is Joie's new BFF

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Uh oh, we wiggled

Going For A Tractor Ride Today

Today was a VERY FUN day playing outside. First Daddy took me on a tractor ride, before my nap. Then Mommy and Daddy helped me fly my Fairy Kite. But it was too hard to take pictures, so you'll just have to enjoy the tractor pics today.

Love You All Millions, Joie.

I need some potty training tip....

We've been trying to get Joie interested in the potty. But I think we're going about it the wrong way.

She uses it more for a toy then a learning tool. She pulls it apart and stuffs it with blankets and toys.







I read on one of those parent-type magazines that it's best to put the potty in the living room so the little ones can get used to using it. But again, I think we're going about it the wrong way....












This morning Joie decided to wear the green ring around her head. I'm convinced we're going about potty training the wrong way - the ring sorta got stuck, she kinda panicked, and we had to twist and tug to get the ring off.


Help!!! I need some better suggestions.

Joie Is Kind Of Sick These Days

We took Joie to her pediatrician's urgent care this morning because she just can't seem to kick the green sniffles and coughing. And she's been telling us she doesn't feel good. She opens her mouth, points inside, then does the sign-language for pain/hurt. At first we figures she either was teething with molars or had a sore throat. It turns out she has an ear infection - her first. Poor baby. She's been a real trooper through it all, though. And we found out today that her doctor is half Chinese. How lucky could we get. No wonder he seems so fond of her.




We just got home from the doctor's office. Mom and Dad made a special bed on the couch for me to rest.

Here are a few pictures to make you smile.

I love to wear mom's shoes and carry her purse. Where's her credit card? I'm ready to go shopping.

A couple special moments with Dad -

An Artitistic Moment

And A Snuggle Moment.

The t-shirt says - "Guaranteed To Make You Smile".

Need I say more....

Hello, Joie Fans.

Below are just a few pic for your kicks.

First Valentine's Day, First Real Hair Cut, and First Car!

This was also Joie's first "real" hair cut. She had a bang trim just before Christmas, but it wasn't so good. Mom trimmed her bangs then, and took her to get it fixed - which also wasn't so good.

Jackie is trying to cut Joie's hair. But Joie is such a little wiggle worm, she just doesn't want to sit still. (You can see Dad in the background having Anne cut his hair.)

Jackie and Anne "posing" with thier little customers. I wonder what Joie is looking at in Jackie's ear?

Let's get a real pose, everyone - no ear inspecting.

Anne and Kim - two of my fans!

Joie's bangs are still a little crooked, but her hair cut is so cute.

Joie also got her first car - the Little Tikes 30th Anniversay Convertable Coupe.

I'm going to helpDaddy put my new car together. Let's pull it out of the box first, Dad.

Where does this go, Daddy?

I have the tires when you're ready, Dad.

Daddy went to the garage for something. Let's try out my new ride. I know it doesn't have front wheels yet. But I'm too excited to wait.

Something's missing besides the wheels.

I think I'll hide in the kitchen closet while Dad finishes my car.

SURPRISE! IT'S ME, JOIE.

Ready or not, here I come.

What's left in here?

Hey, the box is pretty fun to play with.

Yaaaawn!!! Nap time.

Mo-om, I was sleeping on my box.

We're cruising now...

We have the sippy cup, now all we need to add is the cell phone.

Climbing in through the window.

Push FASTER, Dad!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY. I LOVE YOU!!!