We have plumbing!

Crazy title, I know...but we do have plumbing at the new house.  I am pretty excited about it.  It is fun to go out to the house every weekend to see what kind of progress they are making.  This weekend was especially fun, because they did all of the driveway and sidewalks, tile work, countertops, lighting and of course plumbing.  It is really starting to look like a home! 

 This picture turned out so cute!  I just grabbed her, and she actually looked at the camera.  Good job Dad!

 Too cute!  Jocelyn was checking out the attic storage with daddy.  I have no idea why they need to put these random doors (AKA creepy doors) in the middle of a wall.  Really?  Not good for decorating.

Our driveway

 Things are going very well in the Bass compound.  Jocelyn loves to drink her milk out by the pool with Lynna.  The first week was kind of rough for Jocelyn and Toby.  Now, I think we are making a turn for the good.  Toby is quickly learning that he needs to use the bathroom outside, and not on Linda's new hardwood floors.  Jocelyn is sleeping better, but still getting up much earlier than we are use to.  This makes getting ready in the morning a challenge. 

 This is Hilarious!  The other day Derek and I were sitting in the TV room (not paying attention to Jocelyn), when we looked over and she had crawled into the TV room closet where all of her toys were and proceeded to sit in her bumbo (which I didn't realize she could still fit in?!?).  We just died of laughter. 

She was so proud of herself! 

I have so many cute things to share about Jocelyn, and I have to write them down before I forget.  Unfortunately, I have no idea where her baby book is right now?  It is in a POD somewhere.  The story of my life right now.  I feel that over the past couple of weeks, Jocelyn has learned so many new tricks.  She is still waving bye bye, blowing kisses, says dog, duck, uh oh, and her new word is WOW!  No, she doesn't say Mom or Dad yet :( but, what she does say is so cute!  She is starting to immitate us.  I was (being a nerd) and singing to a DVD of hers.  The words of the song are "Go, Go, Go, Go on an Adventure..." and immediately after I sang that, she said "go,go,go".  So cute.  She also can tell you what a Dog says, woof! If you ask her where her belly button is, she pulls up her shirt and smiles at you while pointing at her belly.  I just feel like she understands a whole lot more than I give her credit for.  Little kids are sponges, I tell you! 

Just yesterday, I asked her if I could have some kisses, and she leaned in (with an open mouth) and gave me a kiss.  Ahhh, melt my heart.  I think she also understands what she is supposed to do with a kleenex?  When I put it up to her nose, she blows....with her mouth, but you know what I mean.  It is so much fun to watch her grow and learn.  I can't wait to see what happens next. 

5 Adults, A Baby, 2 Dogs and a Cat

That pretty much sums up our current living arrangements!  Bless my WONDERFUL parents! 

Here is the story:

About mid August, Derek and I were taking a leisure drive to look at new homes (while baby J was taking a car nap).  We found a community that we liked, and a floor plan that we absolutely LOVED!  Through our conversations with the builder, we learned of a realtor, and came up with a game plan to get into one of these homes! 

We put our house on the market...........and sold it in 3 weeks!  Holy Crap!  For those of you who don't know, it takes 6 months to build a house....and we had to be out in 30 days.  So, after having a small anxiety attack, and realizing that staying in an extended stay place for a long period of time sounded HORRIBLE, we searched for other options.  Luckily, they already had a spec home (same floor plan) that would be ready the week of Thanksgiving.  Unfortunately, I didn't get to pick out all of the trimmings, BUT, I do like what they chose. 

So, that is how we got to 5 Adults, A Baby, 2 Dogs and a Cat..............

Last night was our first night with my parents, and it went very well.  Jocelyn slept great, Toby fell in the pool twice (he is pretty much blind), and we got a great home cooked meal.  We still have a few items left at the old house, and we have to be out on Thursday.  Then, we will officially be homeless...kind of. 

Here are some pics of our new Adventure!

The for sale sign in our yard

We filled up two of these PODS, and still have things left!  I hate moving.............

This picture was taken right after we changed to/bought this house.  Much farther along than the house we were planning on building (which still hasn't even broken ground and would be ready in late January!!)

This picture was taken a week later than the one above.  They have been making significant progress each week, which is so much fun to see.  Very Exciting!

As usual, Derek and I have IMPECCABLE timing!  We chose to move....and the Rangers are playing in the championship series.  We have been attending games/packing/moving for the past several days.  Go Rangers!

Also, last Friday (October 7th) was our 5 year wedding anniversary.  We have been so busy, we didn't even celebrate, no dinner, no card....Just a Happy Anniversary.  Maybe once we get completely moved out, we will go to dinner and our new landlords can babysit for us?!?  Happy Anniversary, Derek.  Can't believe it has been 5 years of marriage and almost 13 years as a couple! 

More Pictures

A few months ago, one of Jocelyn's teachers asked if she could take some photos of her for her portfolio.  Of course, I said yes.  She took one million pictures and of course Jocelyn was Miss Stone face, and wouldn't smile for the camera hardly.  She only gave me 8 images, so I guess the rest sucked??  Here are a few.

 

This one is cute. Not only would she not smile, she would have nothing to do with her head bows!

I think this one is funny, she looks like she has big bug eyes.

This one is probably my favorite out of the group.  I was kind of terrified of the field she took us to, but it turned out okay.

This one is cute too!  She was sooo over the photo shoot at this point.

I debated putting this picture in here because A: her face looks distorted, and B: she is wearing a tiara....a plastic one.  She pulled this out of her bag of tricks, and I was like OMG, really?  Yes, I know I dressed my kid in a tutu for her birthday, but I am not one to take a professional photo with a tiara...and a boa.  I just let her do her thing, and smiled and nodded.  

Overall they turned out okay, it was very sweet of her to ask and to give us these images to keep.   

Look who's walking.....kind of?!?

I looked in both Derek and my baby book to see when we started walking, and we were both right around 13-13.5 months.  So, Miss Jocelyn is right on target!  Jocelyn started walking yesterday, and unfortunately I missed it (insert tear and sad face).  Dad was johnny on the spot and grabbed the cam corder and got her walking.  She is still quite wobbly, and would much prefer to crawl or be held...but she can definitely walk.  I look forward to chasing her very soon! 

She is loving her new classroom at school and has made a lot of new friends.  The other day, I got the pleasure of taking her to school (normally Dad does this).   When we got to the classroom, I kneeled down to put her on the floor, and she immediately cruised over to the table and sat in a chair?!?  It was as though she was like "I am ready for my meal, someone please serve me".  I was like, well, I guess she doesn't need me anymore and walked out of the classroom.  I asked Derek about it, and he said she gets her breakfast as soon as she gets there at that little table.  Note to self:  Don't get in the way of Miss Jocelyn and her food!  Got it!

Below is the video Derek shot of Jocelyn walking back and forth between he and gramma.  It is kind of a long video, so you can watch a few second of it and get the idea.

I also had to include this picture.  This was over labor day weekend.  Jocelyn was soooo tired that she couldn't even finish her lunch.  She slept like this for about 25 minutes or so!  Ha!

Our little Aggie Princess!!

Our little 1 year old!!!

One year ago today Jocelyn came into our lives.  She has blessed us in so many ways.  Every time we see her smile or hear her laugh it just melts our hearts.  Honestly, she has been the best baby ever!  I have no complaints.  She has slept good, she eats REALLY good, and has a wonderful temperament.  Everyone always says that there is no love like the love you have for your children, and that love is indescribable. 

Tomorrow we take Jocelyn in for her 1 year check up!  She is so close to walking, but not quite there yet.  She will be moving up to the toddler room very soon, and as sad as that makes me, I am ready for her to move up.  I think she is bored with the babies?  She has been pulling hair and acting out, but I think that is due to the lack of stimulation. 

At school today they had a big birthday party for Jocelyn, I had a long day at work, so Dad sent a picture text so I could see.  My good friend, Kristin took some wonderful pictures of Miss Jocelyn for her 12 month photos.  It is so amazing to see how much she has changed in just a matter of months. 

I know I have already posted this picture, but I just love it!  AND, I got a steal on this precious smocked dress.  It reminds me of my childhood!

It was literally 1million degrees on the day of the shoot.  Derek went to get all 4 of us snow cones when we were done.  Jocelyn loved hers! 

You can't see very well in this pictures, but she had it ALL over her!

I promise this train was out of commission.  It was just a neat shot!

Jocelyn's 1st Birthday Party

Today we had Jocelyn's 1st birthday party!  I have been planning for weeks, and at first I really struggled with the idea of having a big party, or a smaller one.  When I was little, my Mom made a big deal about birthdays, so I knew having a big party was what she would have wanted me to do....so I did! 

The theme was "Under the Big Top" or a "Circus".  I kind of got carried away?!?  Oh, well....I am proud of everything that we did.

WARNING:  This is a long post with LOTS of pictures!

I am very proud of our balloon arch.  Derek and I stayed up really late and made it.

Got a little crazy with the sidewalk chalk.  It was fun to see the messages that everyone left for Jocelyn.

Very cute door sign

Apparently, I like chalk?!?

Party favors.  They each had stickers, candy, bubbles and a circus animal of some type.

I thought this was cute

Above the table is a pennant flag with a picture of Jocelyn sitting in the chair in her room for each month out of the year.  Everyone really liked looking at them and seeing how big she has gotten. 

Our menu was corny dogs, hot dogs and sliders.  We also had animal crackers, chips, popcorn....and fruit (had to throw something healthy in there, right?)

 Some more 12 month pictures of Jocelyn next to her birthday party invitation.

Lynna made Jocelyn's smash cake as well as the cupcakes for everyone.  They were very good, thanks Lynna!

Notice Jocelyn's precious outfit!  Her onesie is monogrammed with the #1 under the tent, and her name "Jocelyn Ann" below.  I personally made the tutu for her to wear.  It lasted long only enough to get some cute pictures.

The Jones Family enjoying some cotton candy and a snow cone

Our cotton candy expert, Brad, attempting to get the cotton candy machine up and running.  We also had a snow cone machine, which was very nice to have considering it was 145 degrees outside.

Jocelyn wouldn't have anything to do with it?  Every time we would try to put some in her mouth, she would turn her head.  Oh well.

 Another close up of Miss Jocelyn in her very cute birthday outfit!

Grandma Lynna made Jocelyn's smash cake

Overall, she was really delicate with the cake eating.  She didn't demolish the cake, but definitely was covered in icing. 

We also transformed our garage into a big circus tent.  We had games for the kids, and of course the ever popular blow up pool with balls in it. 

Jocelyn was very excited about her new Gyro Bowl that Aunt Blaire and Uncle Steven got her.  She wasn't really into the gifts, just wanted to eat the paper and the Gyro Bowl 

I had to put this picture on here, because about halfway through the gift opening, I realized that I wasn't taking notes on who got Jocelyn what.....and I look over and Miss Emma has a pen and a piece of paper as if she was "taking notes" for me, so cute!

I see now why you really don't open gifts at a one year old birthday party.  I had a lot of assistance from all of the other guests (Emma and Blake)....and my child was sitting in a chair...............

with a present ribbon on her head eating her Gyro Bowl, sigh............

Jocelyn's last gift was a handmade table.  Grandaddy worked very hard to make Jocelyn this precious table to enjoy for many years.  As I mentioned up top, my Mom would always make a BIG deal out of birthdays.  Every time my sister or I would have a birthday, we would wake up to a birthday breakfast at our little table (very similar to this one) and have donut holes and chocolate milk using our little tea set.  Don't hate, people, but this tradition definitely happened until I was in approximately 6th grade.  BUT, it was very special and I plan to do the same thing for Jocelyn.  Ironically, Aunt Blaire (my sister) got Jocelyn a tea set (in picture) to continue the Bass girl birthday tea party tradition. 

Overall the party was a success!  Everything turned out exactly how I imagined it.  I know Jocelyn won't remember her first birthday, but I will.  I am so thankful that we were able to share this special day with our friends and family.  Jocelyn is a very loved little girl and she brings so much joy to our lives!