Summer Fun Firsts!

It is hard to believe that it has been six weeks since our last update. The last posting was right in the middle of Jade's first visit with her half-brother Geoff and half-sister Rachel. In the midst of it all, Jade and I were able to have a playdate with Savanna and her Mama Melissa. How the girls have grown since China! Jade had her first father's day! Boy does she love her Dada. In mid-June Jade rejected her highchair. She has been sitting at the table with us and does a really amazing job of feeding herself. In addition, she wants to clean herself up after eating. She asks for a wetnap and wipes her face, her hands, the table and her head (usually in that order). Kona has really warmed up to Jade and often come close enough for Jade to give her a kiss. Jade also has figured out how to get on and off of the sofa and the glider and is often easily entertained if she gets to sit in a big people's chair. The 4th of July was Jade's first real beach visit - including testing out the water. She was definitely not too happy at first, but after a while with her Nemo sand bucket, eating a bit of sand, and tossing a bunch on her Mama, she warmed up. Of course she made sure to wave to her Dada while he surfed!

We gave Jade her first real baby doll (which we purchased some 2 years ago). Jade understood it was her baby from the minute we gave it to her.

She gives it hugs and
kisses and shared her water with it. Jade is doing an odd thing regarding safety. She gets very upset if she is using a toy with a seat belt and will not proceed with her play until she is properly buckled in. This same concern is applied to the safety strap that keeps her baby doll in its stroller and she will not proceed with pushing the stroller until her baby is secure. Jade started at Tiny Tot program sponsored by the City of West Hollywood. It is in West Hollywood park which is a wonderful facility. We were not able to get her in to the 4 day a week program (mon - thurs, 10am -12pm, with parent). They have guaranteed us Tuesdays - which is the "in the pool" day. Jade and Todd are having a wonderful time with their swimming. We are hoping to get a second day this summer and then get in her 4 times per week for the fall. We have continued to utilize our yearly pass to Universal Studios as a great way to have Jade play in a really neat environment. The Dora The Explorer Nickelodeon area for little kids is really great! Last but not least, we got our family membership to the LA Zoo and took Jade on her virst adventure to the petting zoo. She had a wonderful time. She is saying over 30 words which include sounds of animals (moo, baaa, etc). Jade was very excited to greet the goats and sheep appropriately!