Staying Busy!

This is just a little bit of what we've been up to. We went to the children's museum again with Angela and her daughter Olivia. My friend Winter and her son Cash were also there. Olivia loved dressing up. She kept trying to get Jocelynn to dress up and finally she gave him. Livy was very happy!

My mom got me a book of activities to do with Jocelynn. Like most toddlers, she gets bored and needs constant stimulation. I'm curious to see what other toddlers are like but Jocelynn gets bored easy. This activity was so fun. I really enjoyed it :) We cut the bottom of the water bottle, attached a washcloth with a rubber band, and put dish soap in a pie tin. She blew in the pie tin and as she stood up it went up with her. She ended up rubbing the bubbles all over herself.

This is baby Gabrielle. Jocelynn loves to visit her and we are so excited to be a part of her life and to watch her grow!

We go to the park often. She loves to run around.

Jewelyn Cid Okamoto Aug. 28 1973-Sept 27 2009

Sept 27, 2009 my friend's wife passed away from giving birth. I didn't find out of her passing until Tuesday Oct. 6th.

Sunday Oct 4th I gave a lesson on Charity. I prepared all week for this talk. I believe when we are asked to give talks or have callings in church they are to help us grow as individuals. Teaching this topic truly prepared me and helped me grow. Charity is the "pure love of Christ." It's kind, compassionate, service, love, forgiveness, etc. Teaching this made me want to make more of an effort to reach out to others. . . to reach out to Phil and his new baby girl Gabrielle.

Phil was my friend at Ontario High School. Before they were married he would often talk about her. Phil is such a kind, humble man and his wife is the same. They just have this sweet spirit about them.

I met Gabrielle Emi Okamoto today. I've made a commitment to be in this child's life! She reminds me a lot of Jocelynn when she was a newborn (lots of hair) and a cute Filipina nose. I don't know why this happened but I do know that I have a testimony that families can be together forever. I have a testimony that our Savior lived and died for us that we can have eternal life. This life on earth is so short and there is so much sadness and heartache. Let's all continue to make an effort to reach out to those we know and don't know. We are brothers and sisters on a journey called life. Let's comfort one another and lift each other up! Please pray for Phil and his daughter Gabrielle. Here's a touching song that someone wrote to Phil about Gabrielle. The site below has a place for donations if anyone is interested.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-f9S7lAks4

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/gabrielleokamoto

You Tube

Does anyone know how to post a YouTube video on here? Thanks!

Children's Museum

My sister in law, Rachel told me about the Children's Museum in Chino. It's only $3 and adults free. Jocelynn loved it and can't wait to return. The buckets behind her are legos. She would build on the table or wall. There was also a little computer in the corner.

This room had Police motorcycle and fire truck.

Her and Cash playing at the table with all the food.

Tons of food to go shopping! There were also puppets for a puppet show and a space room.

Pumpkin Patch 2009

We went to the Pumpkin Patch this year with the Giles and Salos. We had a lot of fun. It gets me so excited for the holidays! I love pumpkins!

Jocelynn loved the animals.

Goats crack me up because they are so annoying! They just go right up to you and try to eat everything on you.

We rode the tractor at the end of the night and that was fun!

Care Bear Birthday

Jocelynn's birthday party was SAturday and we had such a great time. The first picture was my first attempt at the cake. I was planning to stack the cupcakes and then I had paper that was going to be iced with frosting into a rainbow, then I was going to put care bears all around. It was so frustrating because it was falling over and too heavy so I was able to save it and below is the result. Not what I was going fo but it still turned out cute.

I blew up the care bears and painted them. I think they turned out so cute!

This was at the entrance and bubbles were blowing as they walked under (Thanks to Melinda's bubble machine)

Outside there was play dough and coloring and tons of Grandma's fun toys!

Grandma Lane, Aunt Katrina, and Tyler

Cute Olivia! It's always hard to get a picture of a toddler looking at the camera. The balloons on the floor was a hit!

I rented a movie from the library and my mom had some sticks. The kids loved it! The song was called "Tap your sticks" and they followed along. Jocelynn was so excited following along.

My cute nephew Preston. He was enjoying the party too with his juice and cute mask!

Some of the kids eating at the table.

I was so glad James got this on camera. She was super excited about a gift and the expression shows it all!

I can never get a shot of all of them looking at the camera. :)

Jocelynn and Tyler at the end of the night, enjoying their suckers and surrounded by the care bears. (That morning, I went to my mom's and her neighbor was having a garage sale. There were 4 care bears I got. Isn't that funny?)

It was such a great day! Jocelynn was wonderful and everyone seemed to have a great time!

Jocelynn's 2 year pics

1 year old

It's hard to believe how much she has changed in a year. So much has happened this year. It just feels like yesterday we were getting ready for her 1st birthday. Will time please slow down?

My friend Winter took these pics. www.winterwonderlandphotography.com

She did a great job, especially with a toddler.

Jocelynn is 2!

Jocelynn turned 2 on Sunday, Oct 4th. We went to my parent's house for conference and had cake. She's having a small party on SAturday with some friends and I'll post those later.

Here's some of Jocelynn's favorites the past year. We've had a great year. One year to two years old has been the best for me. Jocelynn was a fussy baby and I could never brag about what a good baby she was so I claim bragging rights now :) She has been a wonderful toddler, at times a headache but usually only when she is off schedule (my fault not hers).

Everyday we are busy doing so much. We go to the gym, park, Disneyland, store, play dates, library, walks outside or to grandma Kirk's or Grandma Lanes.

Favorites

Place to go: Disneyland

Eat: she is a good eater, will eat really anything. (loves chicken and mac n cheese)

Sings: ABCs, Itsy, Bitsy, Twinkle, New favorite is Barney song!

Talks: Says anything. Started talking in sentences at a year and a half

Toy: Little people or puzzles

Sleep : Bedtime 8pm wakes up at 730pm

Naptime: 12pm-2pm

Movie : Clifford or Care Bears but loves Signing Time still

At a year and a half Jocelynn could recognize the letters in the alphabet and say their name, she knew her colors, shapes, and numbers. Although she was a fussy baby she is really smart. Someone told me at one time, when she was a baby that fussy babies usually mean smart ones because their brain is super sensitive. At the time, I was like I don't care but now I really think it's true. We are now working on the months of the year. I of course don't push her but if she wants to learn more why not? So if you have a fussy baby, hang in there, the baby is probably a smart one :)

My sister Jamie came down last weekend and couldn't be here for her birthday so got her this before she left. Jocelynn loves it, especially the heels! Thanks Jame!

James would not be happy with this last shot but she looks too cute. He doesn't like the heels because he thinks it'll mess up her feet :) Such a cute protective Dad. Jocelynn started going potty in the toilet 3 weeks ago. It was pretty easy. She will not go poop though, although the past week she has gone 3 times on the toilet. I'm sure as time goes on she'll be more willing too. We have her in panties at home and she looks super cute in them. We look forward to this next year with our little girl!

Letter to Jocelynn

My friend inspired me to write a letter to Jocelynn. She wrote a letter to her daughter on her 4th birthday and what a great thing to do! Thanks Susie!

My Dear Jocelynn, Jocie, Moo,

Two years ago today your Dad and I were on a walk to CVS. The walk was a long one and when I got home we stayed up talking and went to sleep. Who would have guessed 15 minutes later, my water broke and you were ready to make your entrance into this world. I can't believe it's been two years. The best two years of my life.

Jocelynn I want you to know how much I love you. You are the light of my life, the air I breathe, the water on a hot day :) Seriously though, I would do anything for you. Staying home with you has been everything I ever hoped it would be. I never knew how hard it would be but also so rewarding. I've learned these past two years that I need to be one step ahead of you for you to be happy. I need to put you to sleep before you're overly tired, feed you before you are hungry, have new activities for you to play before you are bored, protect you before you hurt yourself, play with you so you learn to share. I want you to know I try my best everyday as your Mother. I am not perfect but I love you. I have enjoyed every moment of being your mother. Even the sleepless nights and long days of you crying.

It has been a joy for me to get to know you these past two years. You are so smart, exquisite, determined, motivated, loving, sweet and kind. I only hope and pray that you will see yourself in the same light that your father and I see you. You have so much to offer the world and we hope in time you will see your true potential. You are a special daughter not only to us but your Heavenly Father. He knew you before you came to this earth and what you can become. I'm grateful for a Heavenly Father that trusted your Father and I to bring you up in this world. You are a special Daughter of God and we are so lucky to be your parents.

You love to play, sing, talk and I love to hear you speak. You have so much to say and I love to listen. I hope as you get older you continue to talk to me. Tell me your thoughts, feelings, sadness, joys, worries, and happiness. Your Father and I only want what's best for you. We will do our best to help you and guide you in the right direction. We wish we could protect you from all the heartache this world can bring but it's all part of the plan. We are all free to choose and I can only pray as your Mother that you will listen to the spirit and be guided by the Holy Ghost. There are many that will deceive you and make bad things look good and good things look bad. I can only hope and pray that those individuals will not have an influence over you. You are strong willed (if there's something you don't want to eat, you won't), determined (puzzles- you keep trying till you get it right), compassionate (if we hurt ourselves you ask if we are okay), smart (you recognized the letter "M" at McDonalds when you were 14 months old and recognized the stop sign as an octagon at a year and a half). You remind me a lot of myself. You are shy but once you are comfortable you come out of your shell. Growing up I was shy also but there are many advantages to this. I think I was very in tune to others because I was aware of my surroundings. I recognized someone getting their feelings hurt or a young girl crying in the corner because I was quiet yet observant. As you get older you will also see the opportunities to be someone's friend and reach out to those you recognize need some love because of the wonderful personality you have.

Always know that your Dad and I love you. I can't tell you enough how much you mean to me. I will always be your Mother and will always worry about you because I want you to be happy and I want what's best for you. I can't believe you are already two years old. Time has flown by. I want to treasure each moment and slow time down. I love the way you wake up in the morning calling my name and smiling when I walk in the room. I love cuddling you in my rocking chair before you go to sleep. I love playing with your little people with you and you asking me what everyone's name is. I love how you want to stand on a chair and want to see what I'm cooking. I love how you say "I did it!" whenever you've accomplished something. I love how you love being outside, in the dirt and running around (even if it's 100 degrees outside). I love to watch you smile and hear your laugh. I love the when you drop something or break something and you say "sorry mom." Don't ever grow up and when you do "don't ever be far!" Happy 2nd Birthday my baby girl!

I love you always,

Mom