Madeline is Mobile!

So, I don't really know what to call how Madeline moves in this video--creeping, army crawling--but whatever it's named, she is mobile!



p.s. In the two or so days since filming this, Madeline has improved dramatically in her coordination and muscle strength--it looks like traditional crawling more of the time!

Christmas

When we read the story of Christ's birth this year on Christmas Eve, we also acted it out. Our boys really enjoyed it (Justin less so for the dressing up). Madeline kept not wanting to lay down and play Baby Jesus. We also borrowed a tradition from one of our neighbors and throughout the month of December we placed a soft piece of cloth in a box every time we did something like Jesus would do. It really helped center Christmas around Christ and His birth. On Christmas morning, the boys woke up to see Baby Jesus in his box under the Christmas tree. They really liked thinking about how soft the bed would be for Baby Jesus.






This year, instead of trying to capture our children's faces as they opened their gifts, I opted for enjoying watching them. I did pull out the camera for this wonderful photo below of the boys enthralled with the last gift they opened.The boys' favorite toy is this train set Grandma Clendening sent. They play with it every day (Justin of course loves to help them set up cool new arrangements).

We had a wonderful Christmas and enjoyed all the time we were able to spend together as a family. I love this time of year that we get to focus on the Savior, His birth and His life. We hope that all your Christmases were equally merry!

Halloween Photos

So I know this is totally belated but enjoy the Halloween photos below.

The boys loved making and frosting Halloween cookies (and of course eating them too!).


Miss Madeline was adorable in the ballerina tutu that Aunt Marianne made for her! We got so many comments on her as we were out trick-or-treating with the boys.



The boys loved being pirates! Seth got pretty good at saying arrgh!

Updated Pictures

We tried a couple of times to get more family pictures over the Thanksgiving break. Marianne was amazing--taking copious amounts of pictures two separate times. However, when you have to try getting three small children to be happy and all smile at (and look at) the camera at the same time--even miracle workers (like Marianne) have difficulty. It probably didn't help that it was nearing nap time, and the boys wanted to play since we were outside.

Luckily, I've discovered a new feature on my computer (thanks Marianne!) that allows me to capture selections of photos. So, below are the pictures I wish were all in one!
Seth holding his favorite bear (luckily it made it through the wash recently though the tag warns against washing). He loves all stuffed animals but this bear is his favorite. (As a side note, his nickname, Squishy, used to apply to his posture but still fits because he loves to squish stuffed animals--either in his arms (hugs) or on the floor).


Miss Madeline in one of the rare face front smile (ish) faces. She has a full-face, open mouth smile that is heart-stealing. I'll have to get more pictures from Marianne that have better photos of her.


Benjamin was having fun with grandparents visiting and being outside with everyone.


While I like Justin and myself in this picture, I love Madeline's face! It is so indicative of her personality. She is so excited she got her arm free from Mom's jacket! She loves to wiggle and move and surprise those around her!

Hope you enjoy these pictures of our family. I will try to get more photos and updates posted in the next three weeks that I have off from school.

Merry Christmas!

Growing up!

Our children are growing up!

Below is the result of Seth refusing to take a nap in his big boy bed a few weeks ago--he fell asleep during Kung Fu Panda!
He is getting better sometimes at staying in his big boy bed to sleep--he will occasionally take naps and sleep there at night. The other nights he sleeps in the pack 'n' play as Madeline is now sleeping in the crib.


She is also sitting up! While she does tip over eventually, she does sit up for extended periods of time (at least when she wants to).


While we tried some rice cereal a few weeks ago (to disastrous results--she screamed and fussed the whole night long), I brought the highchair in tonight so she could watch the rest of us eat dinner. Usually she is in her bouncer near the table during dinner (though she ends up on my lap or Justin's), but she enjoyed being able to see so much better from the highchair and contributed some gurgles to the conversation!

Seth in a Big Boy Bed!

Madeline is getting big enough that she will need the crib soon. We weren't sure Seth was really ready for a big bed but we tried it last night! We set up the bunk beds in the afternoon (with Seth watching and helping) and then put them to bed at night. Seth only got up twice (but never came out of the room and slept well!



They love their bunk beds!

Benjamin's first day of school!

Benjamin is five and a kindergartener! He rides the bus to school and gets on the bus at 6:30 in the morning and gets home around 3:10. The pictures below were taken the first day of school, the first two in the morning one with night vision the other regular and the last picture was taken when he got home from school.



Benjamin loves going to school and Seth is adjusting to losing his daytime playmate--luckily he gets to go and see Aunt Marianne every day!

So I know these posts are short but hopefully they will get you a little caught up on what is happening with the Jorgensens. :)

Madeline Rolling Over!

So I know I am totally behind on the blog--here is an attempt to catch up!

Madeline has started to roll over from her stomach to her back. I got out the camera five minutes ago to try and catch it and she cooperated!



She is growing so much!!

We all love Madeline and her brothers are so cute helping me take care of her!

Madeline's Blessing

We blessed Madeline July 4th. Most of my family was able to come--Mark was recently ordained an elder so was able to stand in the circle. Justin gave a beautiful blessing even though he was nervous doing it in church (we blessed Seth at home because he couldn't go to church for a few months). After church we took pictures. Benjamin was tired and cranky to start with and Seth got there soon afterward (5:30 and no dinner can't really blame them), so it was a little hard to get nice pictures. The results are below. Enjoy!

Here everyone but Benjamin is smiling but it's a great picture anyway! After we got over being frustrated by him not smiling we laughed at how silly he looks!

This was the closest thing we got to a good family photo (we had similar trouble with pictures at Seth's blessing). After this picture Seth asserted his forceful personality and demanded OFF Mommy's lap! :)

Through all the hassle and noise, Madeline is sleeping through it peacefully. It is amazing how much of her brothers' racket and noise she can sleep through. She is an angel baby (and sleeping through the night!!!)

She still did fit into the dress Justin's grandmother made! Here she is on the matching afghan also crocheted by Justin's grandma.

One of Justin's coworkers gave Madeline a cute diaper cover.

Cuddling with Daddy!

Our darling cute baby!!

So sweet!

We love our Madeline!!

Seth Talking!

So, Seth has never been very big on using a lot of words. I was somewhat concerned about his development since he wasn't using two word sentences like the charts said he should be. Well, this past week he came out with a three word sentence,"I want more." He had been saying a food name at dinner and we told him he had some of that food. Then he came out with, "I want more," in as calm and matter-of-fact manner as if he were Benjamin's age and had been talking for years. Today, he said "I want ketchup on bread" after just asking for ketchup (which was already on his plate). It was amazing to listen to him construct the sentence--he went through two or so drafts (in immediate succession) before he got it into the order he knew was the correct one with no prompting from anyone! Obviously he is just economical with his words--if mom understands with one word, why use more? :) He is realizing however that when he uses his sentences at dinner, mom is so impressed that she gives him pretty much whatever he is asking for (I did however nix the ketchup on bread idea!). He is growing up so much! He also came out with some other sounds that seemed like sentences but he was using so many new words that I couldn't quite make all of them out.



Here are some pictures of Madeline in a dress that Justin's grandmother made for him. We are hoping to bless her in it but it was a little tight getting it on a couple of days ago when I took the pictures so we'll see if it still fits for her blessing in July.



Here she is with one of her big, whole face grins!! Granted I didn't catch it at the most opportune moment but it is so much fun that she is smiling so much more now.