Exciting times...

As I write this update, I am listening to Josh play with Jonah in the living room and Jonah is clearly saying "mama"!  Jonah is now 10 months and 3 weeks.  We can't believe the little boy he is becoming.  He is learning so many new things.  He loves to stand and practice walking.  He talks, and I swear he said "nanna" a couple mornings ago when I was making him breakfast.  He is clapping and doing "arms up."  So fun!  Soon he will be walking and turning one...can't believe it.

As some of you may have heard, I did not get either of the teaching jobs here in Pinedale (but came in a strong 2nd for both).  It was heart breaking because I am so eager to become a teacher but I feel fortunate to continue to stay home with Jonah.  I do have a job serving tables 3 nights per week at the brewery.  The tips are fantastic, so if nothing else comes along, this will provide us with the desperately needed money, me adult time, and Josh one-on-one time with Jonah.

Last week, my mom, Jonah, and I went to Denver to visit and help my Oma and Opa.  Although it can be hard to see them aging, we had a good visit.  Here are a couple of pictures.  One with Oma, Great Oma, and Great Opa, and the other is Jonah in his pool.

Thank you Jo!

I have failed to post a thank you to our nanny, Jolayane, who took care of Jonah while I student taught from January through April.  Jo and her husband have moved to Casper, and we want to wish them the best of luck, and we miss them!

My First Mother's Day

Today was a great day spent with my two guys, and my gal, Milli.  Josh made us breakfast this morning then we went for a bike ride from our house almost to Fremont Lake.  After another meal, lunch, also made by my loving husband, we worked on the landscape.  Josh made a planter box on the south side of our house, raked both yards, built me a potting bench in the garage, spread grass seed...oh yes, I do have the best husband in the world!  I weeded and picked up pooh...and played with Jonah.

We spent Friday night in Jackson at the Wort, a historical hotel in downtown.  It was a great deal because we had one nights stay, dinner at the Silver Dollar, and a movie!  Jonah slept through the "Clash of the Titans."  Saturday morning we went garage sale shopping around Jackson and did some errands.

A GREAT weekend.

YUMMY dinner at the Silver Dollar Bar & Grill in the Wort Hotel

Bath time at the Wort

Us outside of the Wort

 My first mother's day.....

Anderson Update

As stated in the previous post, I have finished student teaching.  I am currently waiting for one last assignment to be graded (my portfolio...a compilation of work from my student teaching experience) then I can apply for graduation.  Woopiieeee!

I applied for two science teaching jobs here in Pinedale, one at the middle school and the other at the high school.  The high school position would be teaching physics and physical science, which would be fun but the middle school position is my dream teaching job.  Science fair is a HUGE ordeal here at the middle school and I would love to get kids involved in science at that age level.  They seem to like learning more than high schoolers....or maybe that's just my perception.  I interview this Friday for the middle school and early next week for the high school.  It's kind of my only shot at teaching here so I really hope to land one.

At nine months, Jonah is doing great.  Saying "dadda" and blowing bubbles all the time.  He sits up on his own, crawls everywhere on his stomach, and is so close to using all fours to crawl.  He can almost sit up own his own from laying down.  He talks a bunch...baby babble.  He loves playing independently and with us.  Such a good baby.  

Last night, his daddy took a bath with him...here are a couple of pictures of Jonah enjoying splashing and playing.

Nashville, TN, 2010

It's hard to believe that the hotel where we stayed last week in Nashville, the Gaylord Opryland, is now flooded.  I looked at pictures online and it is devastating.  Yes, the place was excessive, but it was beautiful with thousands of plants.  Sadly, the good people of Nashville are now without jobs, homes, and possibility loved ones.

On a lighter note...here are a few pictures of our trip.  We were staying in at the Opryland hotel because Josh attended the Council for Exceptional Children conference.  I had just finished student teaching the Friday before we left.  I pushed to get my last assignments done, so I had to do was to hang out with Jonah while we were on the trip.  One of the highlights of the trip was traveling down the Cumberland River on the General Jackson paddle boat.  We had a great lunch, afternoon entertainment, and saw the banks of downtown.

Jonah traveled great.  Hardly any fussing on the planes through all four flights.  He loved checking out a new place...got sick of mommy shopping at the mall...remember we live in a one-horse town. 

Here are some pictures...

It's time....

Next Monday, I head back to the work force...so to speak.  As a student teacher, I will not be getting paid for working full time but my host teacher is going to let me be is substitute teacher to get paid when he is gone.

I am currently dealing with knowing that I will not be home with Jonah for 12 weeks...it's going to be so tough.  I thought it would be easier because I have been fortunate to have 6 months with him, but I don't think it works that way.  Now I know how working moms feel.  My biggest fear is that Jonah will say "momma" for the first time to our nanny.  Tear, tear...

On a lighter side, the little guy had his 6 month doctor appointment yesterday and weighs 14 lbs, 5 oz, and is now 27 inches!  He is getting big!  He had his shots...sad for baby and mommy!  Jonah is eating peas, green beans, apples, avocados, and yams!  He loves food and is still breast feeding.  This last month I have worked on preparing baby food and stocking up milk.  I think he should be good for awhile.

Here are a couple of pictures that I took a few days ago...

Jonah's new shades!

Sitting on his chair

 

Christmas to 2010

We hope all of our friends and family enjoyed the holidays as much as we did...now we are pooped and need a vacation!  We spent several days in Evanston visiting with Grandpa Anderson and Bushia, and Oma and Grandpa.  Jonah met several cousins, aunts, and uncles.  

We spent a day with the Robison clan before Christmas.  Aunt Joyce Robison, Sally Salder and her children came to met Jonah, along with Uncle David, Aunt Lisa, and Julia, Christina, and Mike.  Don't forget G.G. (Great Grandma Robison).  It was great spending the day with our extended family.  Thank you all for driving to see us.

Christmas Eve morning we opened gifts at the Anderson's.  They surprised Jonah with a handmade wood car.  So cute.  First thing Jonah did was stick it in his mouth.  

That evening, we headed back over to Robison's house for a crab broil and gifts.  Jonah was so spoiled.  G.G. gave Jonah a little red chair that Great Grandpa Francis had made for his son, Steven Robison.  We spent time visiting Great Oma, G.G., Great great Aunt Hilde (she really is a great woman!), cousin Gunther (from Heidelberg, Germany), Uncle Chris, Great Uncle Tom, cousins Uriah, Melissa, and Terrance.  A FULL HOUSE!   Josh made it to midnight mass where his mom is the choir director.

Christmas day we made breakfast for Grandpa and Bushia, opened stocking with Oma and Grandpa, and visited with family and friends.  A great way to spend Christmas!

We drove home for Zach and Asia's visit, then packed up again to head to Grand Targee to visit Jerry Espey and his family (more cousins!) who came from Missouri and Idaho to ski.  We skiied awesome powder and headed back to Pinedale to spend New Year's Eve.  We spent that evening at White Pine with Oma, Grandpa, Uncle Chris, Lilly, Aunt Hilde, and Gunther...and Milli!  Wow...driving and family!  

Now, we are back in our little abode ready to visit one more cousin, Mark Wilson, who is ready to ski.  Josh is back at work and I am spending a couple more weeks with Jonah before starting student teaching on January 25th.  I am spending time making baby food, working on homework (ugh), and chillin with the little guy.  I hope to get some more days of skiing before I begin student teaching. 

I have posted our Christmas and New Year's pictures in a slide show on the right.  Enjoy!