so lovable

What a happy baby. She loves to give us the huge grin, but has not laughed yet. Come on baby, what are you waiting for? Your mom and dad can't wait to hear your voice.

She is now grabbing everything in sight. They say that red and yellow are the best colors for babies to see. What better than a Starburst bag?

The shirt says it all.

I eat rice!

Well almost. Tough at first and we are still trying to get used to it, but another big step in the life of this baby.

1/2 tablespoon to start, we are getting used to the spoon and sitting up to eat.

it's been a while

Life is finally get back to normal at the Whitlock house. Right after Halloween, I had a small stint in the hospital. I am doing great now, but it definitely put a kink in the everyday life of all three of us and Roxie. During this time, Josie is now supplemented with formula and is having trouble sleeping through the night. She is still growing like a weed though. And her major development...Josie can ROLL OVER!!! => I was so excited the first time that she was startled by my screaming in joy. What a big girl!


During month 3, Josie was able to meet some more of her family that lives out of town. We packed up and headed to Columbia, MO to see Dave's cousin Tristan, his eagle scout ceremony. Josie met her great grandma and grandpa & great aunt Barb (Dave's mom's sister) who live in Tulsa, OK. What a joy to see their excitement to see her.

I love everyone's face when they see a baby...it is a bit like seeing the face of God. So innocent and pure, what an incredible experience.


great grandpa and Tristan


Aunt Barb and Josie
This was her first day in jeans and the experience of her first craft show. She has now been to two total. I love this season.

Josie reaches for her bottle and can loosely hold on for dear life.



Where she has the most fun now...in the saucer chair.

She found her feet. They have not made it into her mouth yet, but give her time.

Happy Halloween

PS--This was Josie, 1 hour into the trick-or-treating!

What a cute carrot. At our house we get over 150 trick-or-treaters on Halloween. It is so great to see them all in their costumes and telling their jokes. I always come away with a few good ones. We love this night!! I'm the farmer who grew this carrot. And what farmer doesn't have a beloved dog by their side??


So concrete wasn't the best background...but it worked.

Scenery is much better.

just some new pictures

With me being back at school, we have not been many places or gone out to do many things. But Josie is growing like a weed in the house. Here are just some fun photos of her happenings.

She is now more able to reach in front of her to swat and touch the items...this is exploring daddy's tongue and hairy face.

I found her the other day sucking her thumb and watching Wheel of Fortune, as I was taking dinner out of the oven. She is her daddy's child. Is this what they do when I am not home??

I absolutely love this picture. It's definitely framed on my desk.

The nurses in the peditrician's office were laughing at him. She is wailing and Dave is carefully taking off her diaper and such...here he is trying to get her dressed. Check out his face.

We are playing fools. Who says this isn't tummy time? And mommy gets to watch Hell's Kitchen in the background.

Look...I can hold a rattle.

Blowing bubbles is her thing. Nana calls it babies rabies.

Thank you Baby Einstein...a break now and again. Hello self, in the mirror.

This is her favorite toy and her favorite place to hang out. She loves the hanging apple. She swats at it all the time.

the doctor said...

...that Josie is progressing fantastically!! We went for her two month appointment on Friday, which ended up being over two months by a week of so. We went 6 weeks ago. From then, she has gained over two pounds, now weighing in at 11 pounds 10 ounces (75th %) and is 23 inches, which is an inch and a half bigger (also the 75th %). Her head circumference is 15 inches (50th %). Dave and I were very eager to get to the doctor to see how big she was. We have woke up many times and said to each other...she is bigger!!

The doctor was really proud of her because she can hold her head up really well when she is on her tummy! She was also very excited to hear that Josie sleeps through the night. She has been doing this since week 5. A couple days during the week at first, then by week 9, every night is a full night's sleep. She goes to sleep about 9:30 or 10 (no later) and is up around 7 a.m. Mom loves it!! But there is a downside now...I have to go back to work.

I start on Monday and is surely not looking forward to it. I already am crying and she is still in my arms. I wish we won the lottery (but I guess that we would have to play to win, oh-well.)

These 6 weeks have gone by so fast, and looking back I wish I could have more. Isn't that the case, we always want more. I have asked my sub to stay 6 more, but only jokingly. They need me back. Conferences are coming up soon.

Josie is going to a babysitter's house, Barb. Barb watches the son of the kindergarten teacher at school. She only watches the little kiddos. up to 2 years. We are really happy with her.

Some things Josie loves:

-to face out and see what everyone is doing

-her reflection

-to smile

-breastmilk

-talk a walk

-to be outside at anytime of the day

-her changing table

-Church, especially the music

-the Cardinals!

Some things Josie hates:

-to be held lying down

-a wet diaper

-drowsiness

-vitamins

Thanks for checking up on us!!

A big smile from a great girl. Mark Ecko gear...a designer dud (thanks to my vice-principal)

We are trying to figure out the Bumba chair.

This dress is real cute on her.

This was funny. I looked up and she and the bear were having a staring contest. The bear won.

lions, tigers, & bears...oh my!

It was all new for Josie. From the smell of wild animals, the sights, and the sounds, senses overload for our little girl. While on maternity leave, I have been doing as much as I can with Josephine to make the best and most out of our time together. Plus, I hate being trapped in the house all day. My mom, her friend, and her grand kids, with Josie and I, all packed up for a fun day at the zoo. It was absolutely beautiful weather with no rain and just the right amount of sun. (on a side note, St. Louis weather was absolutely fantastic this summer...no complaints from me). My mom has not been to the zoo since I was a kid...time to show her the updates.


I came fully prepared for a crabby baby to the happiest on the block. Josie is not a huge fan of her car seat, so when she was ready, I had the front carrier waiting and ready to go. I am still breastfeeding so bottles are not an issue. Plus, I loved going to the zoo with tons of kids, therefore tons of moms, and many like me, feeding as they walk. Go girls! That's what they're there for!


It started with the monkeys. She just woke up, not sure what is going on. The monkey was curious too.
Then quickly, it was time to ditch the car seat, grandma to the rescue.

The giant hippos were fascinating to mom. What a cool site. There was a giraffe sitting close to the edge of his area, making him an easy insertion into the photo. His spots almost looked black. He was a neat one.
Grandma got her a hat to shield the sun, but it did not last long, the little one needed a nap. She was pooped out. All the sights and sounds made for a great day, and a sleeping baby. YEAH!! There are little giraffes and elephants on her hat. It is adorable.

a child of God

Her Godparents: Deacon Jerry and Sara Whitlock

On Sunday, the 13th, Josephine was baptized into the Catholic Church. She is official!!! It was a wonderful ceremony, celebrated during the mass. It had a very holy feel with great things happening. And who would have guessed that our child was quiet the entire time. She was a bit startled when Father poured the water on her head, but she did great. She continued her awesomeness when many friends and family gathered at our house for a celebration. They got a chance to browse the house, check out here scrapbooks, and hold Josie. It was so special. Dave and I are very blessed to have such a beautiful girl who now is a child of God.

our smiling baby

The first time Josie was caught on camera smiling.

She is getting so big! We woke up yesterday and noticed that she has grown. Josie is turning 8 weeks on Monday. On Sunday, she will be baptized and put in God's care. At the last doctor appointment, she gained almost two pounds and is in the 50-60th percentile for weight, height, and head circumference. She is going through a period that she is fighting sleep. She will cry, very loudly, if she makes it to extreme tired. We pay more closely to her signs to help her nap before this crazy time begins. She goes everywhere with us...from the grocery store, to the mall, to the Cards game. She has been to her 2nd game (which was more comfortable than the first). Josie is cooing more often and loves to lay on her changing table (thanks Lindsay!!). Josie still eats about every 2-3 hours, but is sleeping through the night in 6-8 hour spans. This is awesome! I am actually getting some good rest. Thanks for checking up on us!

Josie's first trip

Not only did Josie take her first trip...she also had her first trip out of Missouri.
Overnight during Labor Day weekend, the Whitlock clan packed up and headed for Springfield, Illinois. Before we got to Springfield, we stopped in Arthur, IL to visit the Amish town. What an interesting society!! We were a bit fascinated by their culture and the way they live. Can you imagine no electricity. You could not be reading this right now. Dave and I both agreed, we could handle all the other aspects of their lifestyle, but no electricity would be real tough. Josie thankfully slept the whole ride up there. (She doesn't love the car as much as we would like...probably 70/30 on that she will cry the whole time in the car).

After Arthur, we drove to Springfield. We tried to hit the pool for the first time, but she was very tired and the water was abnormally cold for an indoor pool. Maybe next time. In Springfield the next morning, Dave and I toured a house designed by Frank Lloyd Wright...very fascinating. Then, we visited the Abraham Lincoln museum. It was the most interesting museum we have ever been to. The way they present the information was very awesome. Highly suggest that you go and check it out.

There was a giant sculpture of Lincoln...Josie looks even smaller.
Papa Whitlock with us and young Abe.

Nana and Papa Whitlock enjoying time with Josie.

Dave, Josie, and I taking our first family portrait with the Lincoln's. Watch out Abe, John Wilkes Booth is close behind!