Hogle Zoo 2014

We took Jayne on her first trip to the zoo on Saturday. My cousin Candace, David & Aria were kind enough to invite us to go with them. We all had a lot of fun together. Candace was smart and suggested we get there early to beat the heat and the crowds.

Good morning sunshiiiiiine!

There is so much to do at the zoo. I haven't been since I was in Jr. High probably and they've really upgraded things since (only been a million years, I know, but still). A lot of things are really new and its impressive what they've done!

Jayne loved this giant water globe near the entrance. She just stood there and played with it for a long time. That grin never left her face!

Aria showing Jayne how to play

Jayne was pointing at the animals all day and would give us big smiles when she saw them.

We visited the sea lions, otters and polar bears (my favorite!)... 

...saw a cute baby elephant...

...chilled with the lions...

...and rode the carousel a few times. 

Jayne has learned to wave and loved saying hello while on her wild kangaroo ride. 

Even though it was an early morning, Jayne was in such a happy mood. When I'd get out the camera and she'd see it, she'd give me these cheesers...

 -She's happy in these pictures, believe it or not :) -

Jayne has a thing for water, no matter what form- giant water globes, pools, fountains, you name it! She had so much fun at the zoo's splash pad. 

This fountain kept getting her in the face but Jayne just kept swatting at it and bouncing up and down while reaching for more.

We ended our visit with the classic train ride. 

And no trip to the zoo is complete without a drink/picture with the lion's mouth drinking fountain. I have one of these gems of my own in my baby photo album. 

That's a wrap!

Jayne loved it, we loved it, and we loved spending time with Candace, David and Aria. Thanks guys!

Jayne - 10 months

This little mini is not so mini anymore! She's growing so quickly and learning new things every day. We love having her around, seeing her personality more and more, and just spending time with her.

Jayne's 10 month stats

• Such a ham. She gets people's attention and knows it. Her favorite audience is the grocery store baggers-she'll give them a smile and then turn around, then peek back and start over again. She's mastered the cheesy grin.
• Can sit herself up from a laying down/crawling position
• Plays with her toys with her feet. Without fail, she'll get to a toy, roll over gently and then hold it with her feet. Even reads books that way too. She's a little monkey.
• Often shakes her head to dance or to say no, or to be silly (hard to interpret which one she's going for)
• Four teeth total-top middle and bottom middle
• Pulls up onto her knees and straightens her arms mid-crawl but likes her belly for moving
• Loves to make a kissing noise. Sometimes she'll suck in her puckered lips for a long time, really concentrating on getting a good "smacking" noise. Its funny to watch!
• Wants to eat anything and everything including mom and dad's food. She does great with baby cups with straws
• Growing long and tall-94th percentile
• Love textures-she falls asleep continually pinching the tiny fibers on the back of her blankets. She's always brushing her fingers on everything 
• Great at mimicking any sounds we make now-giggling, coughing, clearing our throats. She thinks she's so clever every time and gives us big grins

Happy 10 months Miss Jayne!

 

July 4th, 2014

I love the 4th of July (said every American ever). But really-its such a fun holiday with traditions, fireworks, BBQ's, parades and a whole lotta family fun. This year Phil was in charge of the scout/youth breakfast for our ward. It was a big task and he was up before the sun working hard. My parents came over with my grandma to support Phil and enjoy breakfast.

(I think Jayne was confused that we were up and out of bed so early...she usually likes to sleep until about 10!)

Still all smiles though!

After breakfast/cleanup we headed out for some fun on the boat. It was a perfect tubing day and we've figured out how to get some awesome air on the tube! I didn't snap any pics because we were too busy having fun! We headed back from the lake for a BBQ at my parents. Nothing like a traditional BBQ on the 4th!

I made our shirts, my skirt and Jayne's headband. Jayne's dress is from my mom. Phil tells me we're the typical patriotic American family who dress up in stars and stripes. Yesir we are! 

Koda partied with the family too!

Me and my girl :)

After eating we headed to the park to set up our spot for the fireworks in Pleasant Grove. We love just hanging out as a family, waiting for it to get dark so the fireworks can begin.

Jayne really loved the glow sticks! She did not let them go! 

By the time it was finally getting dark, Jayne was relaxed and a bit sleepy. So was Phil after a long week/early morning prepping for the breakfast.

When fireworks started, Jayne was mesmerized and watched intently in my lap for a long time. Then I laid her down on the blanket and she put herself to sleep...while the fireworks were still going. The fireworks were awesome! I just love fireworks and this show never disappoints!

By the end, we were all tuckered out and ready to head home. (she's still clinging to her glow stick!)

That wrapped up another Independence Day for the Bennallacks.

First Swim (Seven Peaks)

A couple weeks ago we went to Seven Peaks with Jayne. It was her first time swimming and she loved it. Its so fun to see her explore new things. She splashed us, went down water slides and just sat and tried to catch the water from a spout for a while!  Can't wait for more summer fun at Seven Peaks-we plan on going all the time with our little water bug!

Jayne - 9 months

 Little Miss J is not looking so little anymore! Its hard to believe that she's 9 months old. She's spent more time in this world now than she did in my tummy...time flies!

Jayne's 9 month stats

• Certainly has her own little personality showing more and more every day. She's a clever little girl!
• Learning signs for milk, more, all done, eat/food. She's successfully signed milk and all done. Its so cute to see. We're still working on the others.
• Definitely recognizes the words "milk" and "cracker". If we say milk, she'll usually make the sign and it better be coming soon! Cracker always puts a grin on her face. She loves to munch on her crackers.
• Cut a new tooth on the top middle-and the other one is on its way. Its cute to see her take little bites of her crackers with her little chompers.
• Plays with Koda. He'll let her grab his ears, face, paws, tail-you name it. We put her on the ground and she often beelines it for Koda. They're best friends.
• Went swimming for the first time. She loved it- until she got a little chilly, or we tried to put a life jacket on her. The life jackets squeeze her cheeks haha! We also took her on  some kiddie water slides and even one bigger one. She enjoyed both and gave us smiles at the end.
• Getting the hang of the crawling motion. Instead of just pulling with her arms and pushing on her toes, her legs actually move by bring her knees up, alternating sides. Let's just say she's QUICK! We love watching her go!
• Mimicks sounds we make. Its a game and she'll blow after we blow, do a goofy laugh when we laugh and cough when we cough.
• Took her first ride on the boat. She napped for the first bit and then blew raspberries and enjoyed the rest of the ride. 
• Loves walks and "chills" in the stroller-meaning she always puts her feet up on the cup holder bar in front of her. We joke that she's just really good at taking it easy!
• Talking a lot! She babbles including dada and mama but we don't think she's associated it with anyone at all.

Chub-bay life jacket cheeks!

Happy 9 months cute baby girl!

Jayne - 8 months

Time flies when you're having fun...and Miss J is full of fun! This month-birthday is extra special as its my first Mother's Day. I am grateful each day for the opportunity I have to be a mother.

I'm loving this stage of life for Jayne because her little personality is so apparent and she's learning to do so many new things. Its really amazing to think of all that babies learn/do in the beginning of their little lives.

Jayne's 8 month stats

• Shakes her head (like she's saying no). Sometimes while dancing, other times, for fun. She doesn't know that it means no. She also dances like crazy-she even dances to the hymns at church. And when I say like crazy, I mean .crazy. Sometimes we joke that she looks "special"...you'll see in the video. :)
• Army crawls and rolls everywhere. She'll chug along, grunt and groan, pause for a break and then keep heading on her way...that's in the video too.
• Loves being out and about-anywhere there are people to watch she's a happy girl.
• We often find her in odd sleeping positions these days when we check the camera-or when we go to get her from naps/in the morning. She likes the top corner of her crib, or even is flipped completely around.

 

And here's the video of bath time fun, army crawling and lots of dancing...may be a bit boring for those not emotionally attached to Jayne :)

(got Phil's singing in your head yet? Jayne dances to that song, especially for Phil. Its the theme song to this show, one of Jayne's favorites!)

Happy 8 months Jayne!