Glamour Shots

We just recently got Jane's 6 month pictures back and we were thrilled with the results! Through the wonders of facebook (and my ultra savvy sister) I was able to get some electronic copies of the pictures, but unfortunately not without the studio's copyright.

We love her little toes coming through on this picture. She loved standing and posing. Oh boy. The first and only one she'd allow sitting. After that it was all over.
This picture, while seemingly posed, was ALL Jane. We didn't even know she had her feet like that until the pictures came back. What a ham!

A more professional look. I am just waiting for the comments from my friends (especially Angela) on how my 6-month old is already in a cardigan sweater. Yes, soon it will be turtlenecks and business suits for this gal.

A little closer up; still loving her camera time though

Mohawk Madam

Jane is still rocking her mohawk these days, although we're happy to report her hair does seem to be growing faster and has been getting a little darker. In our efforts to lube her up with 100SPF, we thought we'd take the opportunity to do some stylin to her 'do. Plus she wanted to show off her new bathing suit she picked out for vacation.

It's a well-known fact that she will forever hate us for these pictures, particularly this last one. What is that face anyway?

The Evolution of Man....err, Baby

One of the best things about parenthood so far has been watching the daily changes and discoveries that Jane goes through. Within the last month or so, it seems that Jane has really developed, especially in the field of mobility. I have no idea when or how this all got started, but watching her evolve and start to move has been a blast. Here's how it all went down:

She learns to roll over, of course in an attempt to get something out of her reach.
Then comes pushing up on her arms, laying on her belly.
Next was getting up on all fours, and beginning a "rocking" sort of motion, front to back.
Then began her actually moving, unfortunately backwards in the wrong direction.
She learns to move her hands forward, but can't figure how the get the back side going.
Her will and determination get her hands in sync, and she "drags" her legs behind.
Finally learns to use her knees, and she's off.
Slow crawling at first quickly evolves into very fast movement.
She learns that things exist above her now, so begins to reach for tables, couches, etc.
Learns to pull herself up on her own, and starts banging on all things.
Now upright, she wants to keep moving and starts walking with the help of a hand.
Her legs quickly learn how to step and she wants nothing to do with sitting or laying any longer.
Standing has led to squatting. Yes, squatting. Jane averages about 40 squats a day. Up, down, up. Her thighs are getting massive. (Well, massive for her that is)
The strength in the her legs has helped her balance and she can now stand, unaided, for about 10 seconds.
And this leads us to today.

A couple of key notables:
- I left off that along the way there has been many head bumps, bruised knees, scrapes and whines - all that are normally gone after she gets her eyes on something else and forgets she just hurt herself.
- Lastly, all of the above has taken place in about the last month or so.

What have you learned in the last month?!
Any bets on when she starts walking?

I only have a few pictures to try to depict such an evolution...

The beginnings of the mobility. Don't let the look fool you; she's got an agenda. Always.

The backwards crawl under furniture. This face lasted 2 seconds, quickly followed by shrieking for help.

The picture doesn't depict much, however, she started on the other side of the room when she thought I wasn't looking. She turned around to see me eyeing her. I think she is praying for mercy from her mother

I haven't taken many of the standing pics yet, but this is what Evan and I find every morning. An eager beaver waiting for the day to begin. Also of key importance, about 6 weeks ago she could only get her mouth above the rim of her crib. She is growing like a weed!

4th of July

Jane celebrated her 1st Independence Day holiday in style - with lots of appearances at holiday parties, hosting a (belated) birthday party for Aunt Leslie, lots of boat time, and some time for relaxing as well. Somehow Jane accumulated a lot of 4th of July outfits, so we tried to get her in all of them. She was a huge hit at both parties we attended on Saturday; I think in the course of 6 hours, there was roughly 15 different people who held her, and not a single cry from Jane. A true people-pleaser!

Sitting on Great-Grandpa G's lap, catching a few rays. (Sidenote: please notice the muscles on her shoulders. That is not a shadow - her climbing/crawling/lifting attempts have built some serious muscles on this chick!) Matching outfits with Daddy. How cute! (bib courtesy of Nana)

Sitting on a new friend's lap enjoying the sights of the party and daydreaming about her 1st car

Sitting on Great-Grandma G's lap during Aunt Leslie's bday party

Waving for the camera!
Her face looks so uncomfortable. I feel terrible for her!

First time in the lake with Daddy; not exactly thrilled at the experience. But she did enjoy the wind blowing through her mohawk.

Out of the water = many more smiles

I had to include a pic of the matching pacifier - so fashion forward.

Northern Kentucky Revisited

While Evan and the boys were on their annual fishing trip, Jane and I made the trek to Nky to see my family and celebrate my cousin Aaron's graduation from high school. Naturally, most of the attention for the weekend was focused on Keegan and Jane; and particularly how different they are! At the time, Keegan was about 8 months old and Jane was 6 months old. Keegan likes to sit back, maybe play with a toy here and there, but for the most part, with the exception of a few grunts and squeals, he just likes to sit there and look good. Now Jane, she has to be on the go, trying to move, grabbing at everything, looking at everyone, and can't sit still. She apparently, is a very busy girl with a full agenda every day. It was great, as usual, to get some pictures of the two of them together. Cousins are so fun!

Of course we couldn't get them both to look at the camera. Apparently Keegan is bored and Jane is trying to whistle.Keegan's face is priceless in this picture; a half-smile off to the side, while Jane is plotting to steal a toy of his.
Jane discovered she LOVES toes; especially Nana's hot pink ones
All Nana had to do was wiggle her toes and Jane was in heaven

Have I mentioned that Jane grabs for everything?

The look I got when I told her no. "Who, me?"

Here they are being cute and civil with one another. Well, Jane finally started being nice.

Has to be one of the cutest pictures ever. And could she look anymore like her dad in this pic?

Jane's 1st Boat Ride

Evan is determined to have Jane loving the lake and water as much as he does, so we suited Jane up and took her out for her first boat ride on Lake Manitou. Here are the conclusions that were drawn:
-she loves her bathing suit
-she loves the wind in her face
-she loves watching the boats/waverunners go by
-she HATES her lifejacket.
Sorry, kiddo, that thing must stay on.

Her zebra and hot pink suit. She won't look at the camera because she is staring at Leslie's dog Jasper. She finds him fascinating.The initial wearing of the aforementioned lifejacket.

Finally gives up. Look at how long her legs are! She is like a frog in this picture!

A closer look at her peaceful "waterbed".

With dad's shades on

After the boat ride; a more subdued version than earlier.
I took her pacifier out, but the look wasn't quite the same. She's looking longingly towards the lake foranother boat ride....

jane's announcement

hi everyone.
i am making my blog debut tonight.
check out my "big" news below.
i tricked everyone by wearing my bib at first....

then i unveiled the best news ever! check me out!

my new baby brother or sister is due here january 12th. i will show them how it's all done. because i'm the big sister.

love, jane

Wedding Weekend

A few weekends ago the Gottschalk family headed down to Nky to celebrate Joel and Sarah's wedding! It was a great time and Evan and I were thankful to be a part of it all. It was especially nice to see family and friends we hadn't visited with in awhile, and of course, Jane got to meet some new people too. Joel and Sarah ordered nearly a perfect day, and everything went as smoothly as possible...at least from my perspective! I think the best part of the night was Sarah's "sarah-nade" to Joel (yes, she SANG for/to him!) inclusive of some classic hits, and also the very current New Kids on the Block! We had a great time the whole weekend and it was a job to celebrate such a wonderful couple! Since Evan and I were both in the wedding, we didn't get to take as many pictures as we'd like, but here are a few photos from such a fun day!



Evan and I with cousin Matt and his gf Alison. Downtown Cincinnati is the backdrop for this picture, and where Joel proposed to Sarah!

Siblings!

Posing with the groom-to-be at the rehearsal dinner

Shocking that these 2 would be ham-ing it up!


Katie, mom and I before the wedding

This is the only shot I have of the bridge and groom on their wedding day

Evan and I with Jane - she was ready for a party!

A closer shot. HUGE thanks to Evan's parents for coming down to Nky for the weekend and helping with Jane duties (and for also taking most of these pictures!!)