She Wanted an Iowa Storm...

and that is what she got.  The whole time my mom was here, she kept hoping to see an Iowa storm.  Well, she saw one, several in fact, but she was privy to the worst one I've ever seen.  We got baseball sized hail. BASEBALL!!!

Ya, my parents car got pretty beat up.  The front windshield was cracked in 3 different spots and there were dents and dings on every panel of their car.  Fortunately, our car was at Hy-Vee since Ash was at work and they didn't get the baseball sized hail.  It just suffered some dings on the roof.  

Our apartment complex looks like a battle field.  There is debris everywhere from trees and chipped siding and shutters and broken glass from both car windows and apartment windows.  We were fortunate enough that it just ripped the screens on our windows and didn't break or even crack them.  

After this storm blew past us, another torrential rain storm came through and in the middle of it my mom asked if the power had ever gone out at our apartment...it hadn't until less than 5 minutes after she asked that.  Oh mom, you just kept jinxing us!  Needless to say, she didn't ask anymore questions or wish for anything more after that.  

2 weeks old

 Little Miss Juliette is 2 weeks old.  We took her in for her 2 week check yesterday and she did just amazing!  She weighs 8 pounds 2 ounces.   That is up 5 ounces from her birth weight and 8 ounces from when she left the hospital.  She is starting to get quite the chub on her :)  She is more alert each day and we just can't get enough of her!

Book Worm

Dexter loves books.  He loves to have them read to him, and he has discovered "reading" them himself.  We constantly catch him looking through books and spouting out memorized phrases.  His favorites these days are "Go, Dogs Go!",  "If You Give A Mouse a Cookie", and "Could it Be?"

He lays down in the middle of all his toys with a blanket and reads to his hearts delight.

Fern Gully

We have a meadow next to our town home.  I love it.  We have all sorts of animals that live around us because it.  We get fireflies as well.   Maintenance only mows the grass and every once in a while will mow the meadow. I'm grateful that they do, it gets rid of bugs, but I can't help but to be reminded of the movie Fern Gully.

Poor little animals.

Well, We Tried

but he just isn't ready.  Earlier this July, we thought that because of the flood and the inability for us to transition him into his big boy bed, that we would try to get him potty trained. He has been showing all the signs, I took a potty training class, and bought him his "Super Why" and train underwear, as well as all the other "necessities".   Well, it flopped.  He just didn't care.

Froggy had to join in on the fun.  (It was the only way he would wear his underwear.)

We did get some cute pictures though!

1 Week Old

1 week old already!  Juliette, you are such a joy to have in our house.  You are very peaceful baby.  You love to listen to and snuggle your daddy (and you think mom is only good for a meal ticket-- but we'll work on that).  Your brother claims you has his baby, and you love to listen to his voice, too.  You are so wonderful and bring such a beautiful spirit into our home.  Thanks for finally deciding to join us! Love you!

<3
--Mommy

Our 2 Kiddos

Here is Dexter holding Juliette for the first time.  He's a little unsure of it all...

...then he finally threw in a cheesy smile.

He is warming up to having her in our house and taking up mommy's time.  He liked holding her and especially liked her holding his hand.  I think things will all work out nicely!

Bowling

This summer, we were able to take a day and go bowling.  Dexter loves bowling but usually struggles with the taking turns part.  He did fairly well this time, though.  We had a Groupon and got some nachos and soda pop as well.  Gotta love a cheap family date!

Gifts

Dexter brought 2 gifts to Juliette in the hospital, and she had some gifts for him when she came home.

Dexter got her a dolli and a blanket with a butterfly.

Juliette got Dexter a new baseball and football.

Finally, here she is enjoying her first ever boppy nap, even Daddy enjoys those.

Home!!!

Juliette Arriving home.

We are home! We made it! Baby JJ is doing great, so is Ali. We thought we would let everyone know we decided on a middle name, it is Rosalie (Pronounced: rosalee). Rosalie is Ashton's Great-Grandmothers name, and Alison's Great-Grandmother's name is Rosa, so, we thought it would pay homage to both families, and that is the one we thought she looked like. Below are a few hospital pictures from today.

Juliette ???? Jenks

She is here! 7lb 13o,z 20.5 inches long, 14.5 inch head, 14 inch chest. Grandparents, we will call you, or possibly Skype with you later.

Update

No Baby yet. She got her epidural about an hour ago, and they came and broke her water about 15 minutes ago. They are currently roatating her from side to side because she still has the cord around her neck. Ali is still doing well, she is getting a bit of a nap in at the moment. Not much else is going on. Oh, How is Ashton holding up? He is doing fine, just had some warm cookies can't beat that. I didn't eat them in front of Ali though, I figured that was just mean. More Later.

Mom, They are Put Away

I asked Dexter to help me put away his toys before he went down for his nap.  I kept asking him to get his trucks and put them away, and he finally turned and looked at me and said, "trucks put away!"

It Has Begun!

Well we are here in the delivery room, Ali is officially hooked up and receiving drugs. First pictures of the day.

She was talking to her mom. Everything is going great and we are excited to get started! We will continue to post throughout the day.