Jill's Holiday Program

Here is Jill's first holiday program at school. She loves being in the spotlight, and had a lot of fun singing her songs and ringing her bells.

Happy 2nd Birthday Jillian!

In some ways it is hard to believe that Jillian is 2 years old, and in others it seems like she is going on 12! This morning Jillian woke up, and like Mommy went to make some coffee in her coffee pot (drips water), sat in her chair to receive her birthday phone calls and well wishes talking away, and then headed out to breakfast with Grandma, Auntie, Uncle Chris, Andrew, Emma, Joey, Mommy, and Daddy. After much attention and filling her tummy at breakfast we came back to the house to open some gifts before going to the Teenie Weenie New Year's Eve Ball! Much different than last year where Jill fell asleep on my shoulder with the dj's music blaring and not making it until midnight--12 noon-- today she was partying like a rock star! She is in full diva mode constantly amazing us, making us laugh, and making us shake our heads a bit too! Happy 2nd Birthday Jillian Grace!

We like to potty, we like, we like to potty!

First off, lots of posts here sorry they all come condensed onto one day/update!

Our Labor Day weekend was very low key--spent at home except for an outing to Grandmas for dinner, but what a momentous weekend at the same time! Saturday we were planning on going to a Kane County Cougars game...we've never been to one, and since the Flyers that were even closer are gone we figured it was time to try them out. The weather forecast was calling for rain, it wasn't looking too promising outside, and we were back and forth on if we should go. We have also been back and forth on when we should start potty training Jillian. We started Joey pretty early. Since they are 17 months apart I was pregnant and very big with Jillian, having to go potty quite a bit myself so I would put Joey on the potty as well. It took him a while to catch on to the whole process, but he was fully potty trained before he was 2. Jillian has been so interested in the potty chair because of Joey always going, and she has had her attempts of jumping on there herself. A while back I had thought after our Orlando vacation we should start trying her, but hadn't quite committed. Well, we finally had nothing going on over the weekend, I had bought some underwear for her for what I thought was going to be Christmas or whenever we started trying, but I wanted to have it washed and ready to go. Well, Jillian saw the Tinkerbells and Minnies and had to put them on! So our Labor Day was spent 99% of the time in the bathroom with Jill! It did seem a bit early, but Joey had already started trying at her age, and really we can not wait to be done with diapers! Jillian loves showing off her big girl underpants and has moved on to major big girl status wearing her underpants all day long, even when we are going out. She has a few accidents, but is doing an amazing job. She is still in her "night nights" (pull up diaper) at nap and bedtime, but since she's been in her big girl underpants she has not #2'd at all in them! She must not want to mess the pretty patterns! What started off feeling like we were potty training a puppy carrying a dripping girl to the potty, currently has come to our pretty girl grabbing my hand and saying "I go potty" this morning as we walked to the potty! Its not a 100%, but she is so well on her way. She has done an amazing job, and we couldn't be more proud of our little big girl!

Jillian's 15 month check

Today we went in for Jillian's 15 month checkup. Jillian did great. It helped that this past weekend we went to the library for a Teddy Bear Clinic. They read some stories about Teddy Bears and then had a clinic where they had one of the librarians dressed as a doctor and another as a nurse. They asked each kid a few questions about their bears "What's your bear's name? Is he big or small? Do you hear his heartbeat?" Then they gave Teddy the Bear (Joey and Jillian don't really have teddy bears that they have any attachment to, so we used some random teddy bears we had so Joey didn't have a name to say for his bear so the doctor said it was Teddy the Bear) a checklist of the exam, a certificate for Teddy's check up, and a sticker for Joey and a small one for his Teddy. Jillian wasn't quite ready to sit through that exam since it was getting close to lunch time, so we didn't make her.

Speeding back up to today, Jillian did great for her exam. Joey said he would take Jillian to the doctor like he took Teddy and he did really well too. If you remember in the past Joey threw up at Jillian's appointment because he was so terrified! This time Joey did so good talking to Jill, telling her she was doing good, and watching bug eyed as she got her shots. We talked about how Joey will come back in 3 months for her 18 month appointment and his 3 year appointment and show her that you don't have to cry with shots. Jillian did do well. She cried only as long as it took to get her pants back on, and she was very interested in the crayon type band-aids she got. She did fall asleep on the way home, but she did very well at the visit. She was given a clean bill of health and her doctor smiled as he walked in the room and asked her if her middle name was Twinkle Toes because she was dancing around on the table while she was waiting for him. So here are her stats:
Weight: 23 pounds, 6 ounces putting her in the 60 %ile
Height: 31.25 inches, putting her in the 76%ile for height

Here is our little girl sporting her first set of pigtails. Her hair is still a little short for a pony tail, and a lot falls out in her pig tails too, but Daddy was wrapped around her finger a little tighter after he saw her in her piggies!

Jillian's 1 year check

This morning I took Jillian in for her 1 year check up. Jillian had the hardest time with the elevator...I think she might have a fear of elevators. There was an older lady in the elevator looking at Jillian and talking to her and another baby (9 1/2 months). Jillian was shaking her arms and legs and looked terrified. When the lady got off the elevator the other baby's mom asked me if she knew where she was going because she looked so scared. I thought maybe she does know, but thought she was still too young to be scared of the doctor's office. As soon as we got in she was perfectly fine. She had smiles for everyone, and laid perfectly still as her doctor checked her out. She said giggled and babbled a bit and her doctor said that she was the "best patient he's had all year, and one of the best 1 year olds he's ever had." He said they are usually hard to keep still, but she was so interested in all he was doing and held my hand while he checked her out. She then clapped, babbled, and was jumping on the table, but was very easy to keep calm and controlled. The nurses commented that she had great targets for her shots (yes she has plump thighs!) and Jillian let them know she was not happy with the shots, but calmed down quickly. The nurses were on there way out the door when they asked if I had any questions. I asked if we could go... they said yes unless I had a question. I was just not used to the whole get your shots and leave concept. With Josh and even Joey I would have to wait 15 minutes after their shots to have their hearts rechecked. Joey was given the okay at his last appointment with his cardiologist, whom we never have to see again because his murmur is gone, and Jillian has not had any issues at all. As her doctor said she is a beautiful and perfectly healthy! So here are her stats...

Weight: 21 pounds, 15 ounces (66%ile)
Height: 29 inches (48%ile)
Head circumference: 17 7/8 inches (62%ile)

Jillian's Birthday Party

Well, Jillian's birthday week came to an end, as did 2010. We celebrated her birthday with family and friends on New Year's day...what better way to start the year than being surrounded by the people you like best! We did miss a few people at the party, but Jillian still had a great time, and has had quite the birthday week of activities and celebrations. Happy First Birthday Jill!


Also, here are Jillian's 1 year pictures. We don't pick up the prints until the 11th, but here are some of her pictures.

Happy First Birthday Jillian!

It is so hard to believe that Jillian turned 1 year old today! We had a fun filled day of celebrating. We started off going out for breakfast with Grandma, Auntie Christy, Uncle Chris, Andrew, and Emma. Jill loved her Mickey Mouse pancakes and got nice and messy with the chocolate chips. She enjoyed opening some gifts before heading off to the Teenie Weenie New Year's Eve Ball. It was our park district's "countdown to noon" party for kids. They had a moonjump, crafts, dj, slides, merry go rounds, see-saws, popcorn, ice cream, and balloon drop at noon. There was also time to stomp on some bubble wrap too! Jillian made it until just before noon when she dozed for about a half hour and then woke up just before the party ended and was back in full swing. She came home to a yummy lunch and played some more while Joey napped, and then Nonna and Grandpa came over for dinner, birthday cake and more fun! Happy first birthday baby girl!

Chubbette!

Jillian is now 4 months--time really flies! Jillian went in for her 4 month check today, and turns out Jillian is quite the chunky monkey! She weighed in at 15 pounds 9 ounces and 25.5 inches, which puts her at the 88th percentile for weight, and 90th percentile for height! We tell Joey practically every night at dinner that he better keep eating or else his sister will surpass him, and I think it may happen sooner rather than later! The doctor also said she looks very healthy and is doing really well. He commented on her strong trunk control and predicts she'll be sitting on her own by 6 months! We have been sitting her up a lot, but she can only sit unaided without toppling for a record of 12 seconds, but we have some time still! Jillian is so close to rolling completely over, she will roll on her side but not make the commitment to continue onto her tummy. I anticipate the last part of the roll to happen sometime soon though.

Jillian did fairly well with her shots. She cried more than both the boys, but I guess I'll give her a break being a girl (thank heaven for Motrin!), and the doctor commented on her behavior when he checked her ears--she tried pushing his hands away and complained a little and he told Jillian she was acting just like her brother Josh when getting his ears checked--he hated it! Josh was very patient with everything else, and barely ever cried with his shots, but hated having his ears messed with!

To give Joey a little credit in the weight department, he was born practically half of Jillian's weight and was a far reach from any growth curve, but he packed on the pounds fairly early on as well. Here are a few pictures of Joey (and one with Josh too!) at 4 months, and Jillian at 4 months. They sure know how to store the milk in their cheeks!
(Not sure why the one of Jillian showed up so small)




Here are some random pictures from the past week and a half.


And here is Jillian with Emma (almost 1 month!).

Jillian's Baptism

Jillian's baptism was a wonderful day. Auntie Trisha and Uncle Chris became Godparents again! Jillian didn't make a peep when she was christened, and Uncle Chris and Auntie Trisha did a great job with everything. Auntie Trish made a beautiful bib for Jillian (we knew it would be gorgeous since the one she had made Josh was so amazing!) and Uncle Chris did a good job lighting her baptismal candle. Auntie Trish came over in the morning to help dress Jillian in Nonna and Auntie Steph's baptismal gown and then after church we put her in Gianna's baptism party dress. Thanks for the dresses everyone! Thank you Auntie Trisha and Uncle Chris for all of your help at the church and with the party. It was a great day, thank you for sharing in her special day!

Big Brother Andrew

Andrew spent a couple of nights at our house when his baby sister was born. Joey and Andrew had a lot of fun together. They loved playing outside, and Joey loves to tackle and rough it up with Andrew but Andrew is still a little unsure of the whole idea. On Saturday, before Easter, we went to th e park district for "The Bunny Bash" where we made some Easter crafts, saw animals in the petting zoo, listened to music, did an egg hunt, potted flowers and more! Sunday was Easter, and the Easter bunny made a stop at our house! Andrew and Joey had a great time, but Andrew also enjoyed going to see his parents and baby Emma too. Here are some pictures of Andrew, Joey, and Jillian over the weekend.

Jillian is 2 months!

Jillian had her 2 month checkup today. It is hard to believe she has been here for 2 months already! She did really well at the doctor. I kept telling Joey that he had to tell her that it would be ok, and help calm her down with her shots, but Jillian was all smiles and giggles in the office and Joey was the one clinging to me and crying. I guess Jillian will learn soon enough to be scared, but even though I never even took Joey's coat off he did not want to make eye contact with anyone there, even when he got a train sticker from the doctor. Jillian is now 12 pounds, 1 ounce putting her in the 81 %ile for weight, and for 22 5/8 inches for 60%ile for height. The doctor said she is a perfect picture of health and we make a great team in terms of her feeding!

Walking into the office we are always greeted by first names, the receptionist, doctor, and many nurses know us well from Josh and Joey being there monthly since they were preemies, and Josh more frequently because of other concerns. Our pediatrician even came to Josh's wake, and asks how we are doing as a family and acknowledges Josh each time we come in. We had many visitors in our room today because they all had been involved with Josh's care, have seen Joey several times, and were very happy and excited to meet Jillian. Jillian had a great experience at the doctor's office today, and only cried (as expected) when she got her shots. We hope she is still all smiles next time we go!
(Here are just a few pictures from last month, we do have some more recent ones but they need to be loaded on the computer first.)

Jillian at 3 weeks

Ok, so 2 weeks have gone by with no updating, sorry about that! Everyone has been doing great. Joey continues to be concerned for Jillian, wanting to feed her, share his toys, and be apart of everything. Jillian is still learning her sleep schedule, but doing better. We think she has been going through a little growth spurt since she was eating every hour around the clock yesterday! She has been filling out as well, and at her 2 week appointment she had gained 13 ounces in only 9 days! Watch out Joey, she's going to catch up fast!

During the past couple weeks we have had some fun visitors. First Auntie Trish came over to watch Jillian and help out with Joey. Jillian enjoyed time with her Godmother-to-be and Auntie Trish made her the coziest, cutest blanket which she uses quite a bit.

This past Friday Nicole came over to babysit Joey and Jillian while we got some things done around the house. Joey remembered Nicole right away and started showing off all of his toys and playing with her. Jillian got her attention as well and Nicole did great with the two of them. Sorry, we forgot to pull out the camera! Saturday our neighbors came over to meet Jillian. Joey loves playing with all of them, so he had a blast, and Jillian took her turn with everyone as well. Unfortunately Jillian slept most of the time, but we know soon enough she will be throwing basketballs on their lawn and enticing them to play with her just like Joey! Thanks Aubrie for the yummy cookies too...they didn't make it past Sunday, they were very good!

Not much else happening here. We tried getting Jillian, Joey, and Java together for a picture, but Jillian was not in the best mood. Joey really enjoyed holding his sister though, and of course leaning against Java! This is Daddy's last week of leave before going back (to the basement) and we'll miss him playing all day!

Jillian is now 1 week old!

Jillian is now 1 week old, hard to believe a whole week has gone by already! She has been doing great, sleeping as expected for a newborn. She has great neck strength and is already lifting up and sometimes turning her head for a second or two. When changing her she is feisty with strong kicking legs and arms. She is one tough cookie! She also shows a lot of her feminine side with her sweet smiles and soft cries. I didnt't think I'd be a girly girl kinda mom, but we put her in all pink the other day- bow in her hair and all (thanks Gigi!).


Joey continues to adapt well. He still enjoys helping with feedings, and has also been busy around the house. He has been painting, coloring, cooking, and playing video games too!

Jillian Grace

Just a quick post to let you know that Jillian Grace Kurby was born this morning at 8:24 a.m., weighing 7 pounds, 10 ounces, and length of 19.5 inches. She came out crying, and is doing very well, along with the rest of the family. We will be updating more later on!
Love,
The Kurby Family