Brock the Tiger's Tale : 6-8 Months

I can't seem to keep up with recording Brock's milestones. He is changing and growing too fast! I have to admit deep down I am anxious for this kid to grow up because he is quite the mama's boy and it exhausts and frustrates me. His smile is very deceiving...he isn't always a happy chill kiddo. Despite the many irritating moments, I do love this smiley wiggle worm. He is cuddly, snuggly, and has the sweetest dimples. Its hard not to be happy when he shows off his grin!

By the time Brockie-Boom-A-Lockie turned 6 months he was sitting up independently, scooting in a circle on his hands, and still not sleeping through the night. Although he's not quite as chunky as Jack was at this age, he is still a big boy- 95th percentile for height, 45th for weight, and 92nd for head circumference. His Dr. was a little bit concerned with how big his head was, so we are hoping it hasn't grown even more by his next appointment. The kid has quite the large mellon!

It wasn't long before Brock the Rock was rocking on his hands and knees. He loved to show off how tough he was, by doing a plank and holding it longer than his mama. I was really surprised he started crawling by 7 months, because he loves to be held all. day. long. He still didn't have any interest in food by 7 months either. After 2-3 bites he had enough and would begin to spit if anything got close to his mouth. "Da-da-da" is his favorite noise to make, even though Ma-ma-ma is his favorite person in the world. He is skilled at giving 5's too. Brock is pretty interested in anything with wheels. He LOVES riding Jacks red car and knew just how to hold on the first time we put him on it. 

One of my absolute favorite things about Brock is that he loves to be roughed up. Hanging up side down, being tickled, tossed in the air, or rolling him across the floor- you name it- he loves it. He loves it even more when its Jack doing the roughing. Brock actually initiates the wrestling with his bro. Jack is pretty soft with him for the most part, but even when he gets too rough Brock just laughs! 

These brothers sure do love each other and it makes a mama happy!

Brock has finally decided to start eating baby food. Sweet potatoes, squash, carrots, and corn are his favorites so far. He is not a fan of apples and will slurp down a little bit of bananas or peaches but he doesn't gobble them up like his veggies. Strange, I know. Before he was 8 months old, Brockster was pulling himself to standing anywhere he could. One thing I've noticed about Brock is he's not content with what he can do. Its clear he wants to be able to do the next developmental skill. Before he could sit, he was never content laying in my lap. He had to be sitting or standing up with help. Once he could sit, he seemed to be really frustrated he couldn't go anywhere. Now, moving around on his hands and knees isn't good enough. He wants to be on his feet jumping or pretending to walk. Maybe he inherited a bit of his mom's perfectionism- which is not always a bad quality! He may just do some really great things in life because of this attitude!

We love you Brock! Keep sharing that contagious smile!

(And try sleeping through the night...its not that bad. You may just like it!)

Out of the Mouth of Babes

Jack is really starting to talk and says some pretty funny things. This latest category of post is all the funny things my kiddos say that I want to remember...

Daddy's Mitt:

We got Jack a baseball mitt for his birthday. The kid can't catch but he thinks he is super cool when he wears it and tries to catch. He is OBSESSED. So obsessed that he will not quit asking me or Heath to play baseball or shoot with him until we cave and play for a bit. It was one of those times. Jack wanted Heath to gets his 'big mitt' and play baseball with him, so he asked "dad mitt?" ...it started to sound even worse because Heath was preoccupied with something and wasn't responding to Jack. Jack repeated over and over "Dad mitt? Dad mitt?". Soon Jack was getting frustrated that Heath wasn't getting his mitt to play, so he started slurring his words and saying them louder. "Da mitt?! Da mitt! Da mitt!" I could not stop laughing, but didn't really want to hear such vulgarities out of my toddlers mouth! Please just go play catch with the sailor-mouthed kid!

Concern for Mama:

We were leaving the high school after watching a basketball game one night a few weeks ago. It had been raining and the parking lot quickly turned into a sheet of ice. I was carrying Brock and Heath had Jack. Even after Heath warned me of a slippery patch and trying my best to walk carefully, I slipped a bit. Luckily I caught myself and didn't fall but it scared me so I squealed a little. Instantly Jack shouted, "You o-tay Mama?" He even asked 4 or 5 more times before we got home. If that couldn't melt the ice, I'm not sure what could.

My rough and tough toddler sure does have a sweet and tender side. Just last night, I climbed onto the kitchen counter to get something on the very top shelve in a cupboard. Jack was eating dinner and carefully watched me. "Don't fall Mama." He shouted. After I jumped down he grinned and said "You not fall. Jump!" I love my Captain.

My Dad Is 60!

This guy is my hero...

He doesn't look it, but last month (this post is a little late) he turned 60. "Where's his old man belly?" you might ask. Well, he doesn't have one because he is one hard working, disciplined individual. Those are just a couple of the qualities I love about my dad. He has many amazing attributes. Here's a some of my favorites...

One of my dad's qualities I admire most is his spirituality. I have always felt his deep love for our Savior and His gospel.  His dedication to being a disciple of Christ has been an enormous blessing to our family. I have numerous memories as a teenager and even now, of coming home late at night or waking up early to find him on the couch immersed in his scriptures or on his knees. If he wasn't around, it was clear he had been there because I would find his scriptures or an ensign article left opened.  His example of making time to be still, ponder spiritual things, and develop a relationship with our Savior and Heavenly Father has made a lasting impression on me. My padre is also diligent in doing all all he can to help me and my sisters develop strong testimonies. I don’t think many families have such purposeful and well-planned FHE lessons as we did growing up. I felt the spirit often, learned of important principles, and sensed ways I could improve, even nights when I was being a bratty, selfish teenager. Thanks to my dad and mom, now our annual family reunion has a spiritual focus, one to help us become more unified and feel the spirit. 

I mentioned my dad is hard working. Saying it that way just scratches the surface of his work ethic. I don't remember seeing him sit around the house watching TV or reading all day. Of course he did and does those things to relax, but not until he has exhausted himself doing what needs to be done-  teaching school, logging, cutting firewood for us, cutting firewood for others in need, sharpening chain saws, doing car and boat maintenance, fulfilling his church callings, preparing talks for funerals, fixing solar stuff, doing random house fix-ups, visiting widows etc etc. He always has a list of "to do's". He has perfected the skill of being "anxiously engaged". He does what needs to be done whether he likes it or not. Doing so has modeled him into an awesome guy!

I also love that my dad is simple. He doesn't get caught up in the cares and coveted attitudes of the world. He never wants the latest and greatest and is a wise steward over what he has. Because he and my mom are frugal, my sisters and I experienced some great things growing up. I wouldn't trade summer vacations to California's Redwoods, building a schoolhouse for an impoverished village in Guatemala, or snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef for having a fancy car or the coolest toys growing up. Through those experiences traveling, my Dad taught me to respect and love the beautiful world Heavenly Father has blessed us with and to 'live simply so others may simply live'.

My Mom, sisters, and I couldn't think of a way to celebrate my Dad's 60th that he would really enjoy. He's not one to love the party scene or people making a big fuss over him. My nephew Jed came up with just the right celebration for Grandpa Kerry. While he enjoyed some ice fishing with the boys, the girls created a "Mountain Man" cake for our mountain man Dad...

 After lunch and cake and ice cream, what did my Dad do? He went our to an elderly neighbor's house to do some yard work. That very act is the epitome of who my Dad is. I sure love him for it. I'm grateful for his testimony, his hard work, his example of living simply, and of course all our great memories!

Happy 60th Dad! I love you!