Daddy's Girls

Jordyn went to the doctors for her 2 month check up last week. She is 11 lb. 6.5 oz. and 22 1/2 inches tall. Both girls have colds and we found out that Jordyn has an ear infection...poor little thing!
It just seems like everyday the girls are getting more and more in synch with each other. India gives out lots of hugs and kisses everyday and Jordyn smiles and squeels at the sound of her big sister's voice. If it weren't for eating they wouldn't need us around at all! Speaking of eating, India is going on another of her hunger strikes. She doesn't seem interested in anything we put on her plate. What she eats one day, she doesn't eat the next. Pizza (affectionately referred to as PP by India) is usually a winner. Other than that, every meal is hit or miss. We figure she won't starve to death. If she was hungry enough those peas would look pretty good:) Jordyn on the other hand never misses a meal!! She is such a pleasant baby, always smiling and cooing.
Check out their adorable "Auntie's Shopping Buddy" shirts~

We love you all,
Linwood, Sara, India, and Jordyn

Jordyn - Two months old

Jordyn is getting bigger by the second! She is such a joy! Fortunatly for us we have another mild tempered baby. She is now smiling regularly, moving her arms, and kicking her legs. She has discovered that she has hands but the feet are still a mystery! She is now sleeping for a good 3-4 hours at a time - much better than her big sister slept at two months. During tummy time she can lift her head up and move it from side to side. She also likes to practice standing on her legs. All of the hugs and kisses from India have resulted in Jordyn's first cold. It's so sad to watch such a little one coughing and congested! Hopefully she'll be back to herself in no time. She has the other females in the house wrapped around her finger. One little sound and Jordyn waits to see which one will be there first. Jordyn is a night owl like her daddy so after Sportscenter she gets read to. With lots of joy we send our love. Linwood, Sara, Bianca and Linara

India - 21 months old

We can officially say that the weight of parenting is falling upon us as we are beginning to realize that these little ones are soaking in everything that we do and say. One of India's favorite activities is putting on Mommy's sunglasses, grabbing her purse, baby, and waving "Bye" as she slides down the steps towards the door. She tries to put Daddy's wallet into her back pocket and her baby loves to go for rides in Jordyn's carseat. She's even learned how to dip her cookies in milk!!!

BIG NEWS: While we haven't jumped completely into potty training mode, we try to get India on the potty at least once per day and .... she has gone pee and had her first poop on the potty!!!! We are so proud of her and hopefully can ease on into full fledged potty training.

India has also just begun sleeping in her big girl bed. We took the side off of the crib so that she doesn't have a choice (and we can't give in and put her in her crib when she cries). It's only been 2 nights but we're making progress. On the first night she cried and kept climbing out. We were persistent and used Super Nanny's strategy of just putting her back in bed. Eventually the sleep monster won and she fell asleep. Last night she only wimpered a little bit and we thought she did excellent. When we checked on her a few hours later she was passed out on the floor hugging her blanket. It was soooo cute!!!

Christmas Morning Video

Christmas Morning

The day has finally arrived!! We were definately more excited than India for Christmas morning to arrive. It is so much more fun being the parents than the child. India had no idea what she was about to experience when she woke up in the morning. As she was coming downstairs she stopped on the landing in shock of what she saw in front of her, this was not the same living room that she went to bed seeing. It only took a few seconds for her shock to turn into excitement and she was sliding down the stairs as fast as she could. We had set up the little keyboard that Aunt Mary and Uncle Wallace had gotten her, turned on a bubble machine, and there were packages everywhere from Santa, Grandma and Grandpa, and packages from her Aunts and Uncles. She went right to the keyboard, sat down and began playing as if she had been doing it all her life. I think we might have a musician on our hands! Everyone was such a blessing with all of the thoughtful gifts that they sent...personalized items, blankets, clothes, books, toys, and so much more!!!! India has played with it all and is in heaven. We spent the second half of our Christmas Day passing out treats and greetings at the hospital. We left the hospital, made a stop by the Rescue Mission then came home and enjoyed Christmas dinner together. Jordyn slept most of the day in the comfort of her sisters screaming.

Christmas Party

The week before Christmas was packed full of excitement. India had a Christmas party with her friends from daycare. She got to sit on Santa's lap again and even let her little sister sit with her. This was not such a joyous occasion...Linwood and I take comfort in the fact that she doesn't like to sit on stranger's laps:) We also had a Christmas get together with our family in Colorado. India had a blast running around, playing with Cenika, and pulling Al and Stacey's dog's hair. She was quite the musician playing Guitar Hero with everyone. Jordyn slept most of the night and was an adorable addition to the party.
We miss all of our friends and family and hope that everyone on the East Coast is enjoying their holiday.
We love you!!
Linwood, Sara, India, and Jordyn

Jingle Bells! Jingle Bells!

Life is crazy and hectic and wonderful here in Colorado. Linwood is really liking his new job where he gets to be a blessing to at-risk kids everyday. I am enjoying staying home with my girls, watching them grow and do new things everyday. India got a dancing Santa that she absolutely loves!!! (Must take after you Gram) She can watch him sing and dance for minutes at a time. Of course she tries to show him how to do her moves, both by example and trying to twist his body the way she thinks it should go. Jordyn is growing by leaps and bounds. They just don't stay little long. She is staying awake longer and is more alert. Ironically she's most calm when India is craziest, yelling and squealing in her face and grabbing at her. India is becoming quite the little Mommy. She feeds and burps her baby, wraps her in a blanket, carries her around by her leg, and tries to put clothes and diapers on her. We went to the Aquarium and had breakfast with Santa a few weeks ago. India liked Santa and his elves when they were swimming in the fish tank but she wasn't too sure in person. She might have stayed on his lap for 2 seconds:)
We love you all and miss you!
Linwood, Sara, India, and Jordyn

Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!

The snow waited longer this year but it has finally begun. India put on her snowsuit and went out to play in it. Well kind of... she didn't know what to think. We look forward to taking her out again and going sledding with her. Nana Washington was here to visit this past week and spoiled the girls. They loved all of the extra visitors and attention they got.

India is getting to smart for her own good. This past weekend Linwood and I were in the kitchen. He was getting some eggnog and I asked him to only give it to India for a special treat because she hasn't wanted to drink her milk. India walked into the kitchen, pointed at me, and said "no." We laughed and laughed!!

Jordyn is growing, sleeping, and eating. She actually seems most at peace when the house is craziest (i.e. full of laughing, screaming, and all kinds of noise). We joke that this is her way of not feeling it when she gets squashed and pulled by her big sister.

Hope you all are doing well.
We Love You!
Linwood, Sara, India, and Jordyn

Jordyn Linara

This first week of Jordyn's life has been full of excitement. Big sister India is adjusting well. She has given Jordyn lots of kisses and tried to pick her up and hug her. She has a baby doll of her own that gets fed and burped and she's tried to change it's diaper. Grandma and Grandpa Zutell were here to visit and none of us wanted them to leave! Thanks for all or your help G'ma and G'pa!!!!

New Arrival

The day has finally arrived for India to be a big sister! Jordyn Linara Washington was born at 1:41 PM on Wednesday, November 19, 2008. She was 7 pounds and 20 1/4 inches long. Here is a video of India meeting Jordyn for the first time.

Any day now!

Written on Nov. 4:
On this historic evening of celebration for the next president of the United States, we are counting the days...or maybe the hours until the newest edition of our family arrives. According to our doctor's appointment this afternoon we are 4 cm dilated! The bags are almost packed and we are so excited with anticipation. India is still not sure what to think. When asked today if she was going to be a big sister she said "no." Of course that's been her favorite word lately:) We'll keep you posted.
Love you and miss you!
Linwood, Sara, and

Day at the Park!!!!!!!

Big Sister In 4 Weeks!!!

The time is getting closer for India to be a big sister! We had a doctor's appt. this week and everything looks great with the baby. His or her head is down and we are 2 cm dilated and 50% effaced. Of course we found out with India that this doesn't mean anything about when the baby will arrive, but it's a good sign that my body is preparing for labor. Any progress now is less time it will take at the hospital.

India is enjoying her final days as an only child. She has been coloring, painting, playing in the leaves, playing at the park, going to the zoo, and can go up AND down the steps by herself now. You can also see from the picture below that she is perfecting her sign language (she is telling Daddy that she loves him). We have also been taking trips to the library. Her favorite book is a Dora book about being a big sister. She looks at it all the time but doesn't want any help reading it, she can do that on her own :)

We love you and miss you!
Linwood, Sara, and India

18 months

My parents say that in 49 days there will be another human being living in our house!! Lord knows we don't need more estrogen in this house!! So were hoping that India has a little brother. If not I guess God will have to have more mercy on daddy.

I was sick the last few days and no one got much sleep here because I wasn't going to be the only person awake when I won't feeling good.

I have a big girl bed in my room but I haven't been sleeping in it yet. I just hope they don't think I'm giving up my crib for someone we don't even know.

(LOL)

My favorite thing to do is get my books out and read. I like to dump all my blocks out on the floor to watch my dad step on them and yell "ouch!"

I can climb up and off of anything I choose. Playing in the dirt and with rocks are pretty fun too, they just don't taste good.

I give my friends high fives when I leave the day care because my dad says I can only kiss family till I'm 30.

Along with this new person coming to live with us I was told that family is coming to see us for the holidays, so I will be looking forward to seeing everyone!

We Love You bunches!!!

Linwood, Sara, and India

More pics