Simple Moments : Driving Out of the Smog

On Tuesday last week, I drove up to Kamas for a much needed hair cut and coloring and to do some videography. We had an awful inversion in our area and it was even worse in Salt Lake- gray, yucky sky for far too long. As I reached the Jordanelle lookout point, before decsending into my much loved Kamas valley, the crisp blue sky was breath-taking. It was clean! I could see as far as my eyes would let me. I hadn't realized how awful the air around us had been until I was out of it. The contrast made me appreciate the beauty around us, especially when we can see it!

Simple Moments : Jack the Protector

This is my latest edition to our blog : Simple Moments.

Each week I'm going to try to share a short post about a simple moment I experienced in the past week.  Lately I've recognized that the more I take time to enjoy these little things, the happier I am and the easier it is for me to deal with stress and frustration. 

How could this sight not bring a smile to my face? A few days ago I set Brock on the couch and pulled out the vacuum. Before I even had it plugged in Jack was racing to higher ground. I started vacuuming and looked up to check on Brock, but realized there was no need- His big bro was there to protect him from the scary vacuum. Luckily I was able to snap a quick picture. I get the feeling these two have been friends for a lot longer than 5 months. Love these brothers. I'm one lucky mamma!

A Toy Story Halloween

I really lack creativity when it comes to Halloween dress-up ideas. Luckily I have a husband who is surprisingly creative in this department (and in writing poems, but now's not the time to share one of his poetic masterpieces). We've pulled off some great costumes in years past, thanks to him. This year Heath's ideas came from his favorite thrilling multimedia production Toy Story. It may not be the most unique family costume theme, but we look legit and oh so cute together. 

(This is meant to be a picture my friend took of all if us at our ward party...I'm waiting for her to email it to me)

I was most proud of my ability to copy someone else's diy Buzz Lightyear costume off the internet. Special thanks to the mommy blogger's I don't know, who share their crafty abilities. Jack thought he was pretty cool when we got him all buzzed-out. I told Jack Halloween is the only time its okay to wear girl's tights. I wish I would have taken pictures before all our fun happened; Buzz's gadgets started falling off after trick-or-treating, especially on his boots.

 

That didn't matter to Jack. He loved every minute running around like a space ranger. Toy Story has been a big hit since then. He asks to watch Buzz every day.

Brock was the cutest Mr. Potato Head I've ever seen. He did scream when we put in his outfit, but he calmed down as soon as he realized he got to be held all night.

Jack thought trick-or-treating was the greatest thing in the world. It wasn't just because of the candy either. He got so excited seeing all the other kids walking up and down the sidewalks. Buzz gave everyone a friendly "Hi!" It didn't take long for Jack to figure out what this holiday is all about- knock on a door, say "Boo", and you get candy! He did get confused at most houses and gave them a piece of candy from his bucket and then took a new one out of theirs. So generous.

hApPy HaLLoWeEn!!!

Brock the Tiger's Tale : Confessions of a 4 Month Old

I may as well just admit it because its pretty obvious- I am one cute kid. Grandpa Kerry, who I got my middle name from, calls me Grinner. I guess it must be from the big smiles I give him when he makes goofy faces at me. My mom does say I have a great smile- something about having a thing called a dimple on my left cheek. It makes the ladies ooo and awe over me. 

Thinking of all that attention reminds me of something else I probably should admit. I love attention. I cry and throw a little tantrum when I'm not getting any, but don't worry because once I'm picked up, talked to, or have a finger to hold my life is wonderful again. My mom says I only get away with it because of that dimple thing. Man, I'm I glad I have that- whatever it is. I love attention so much that I can't stand sleeping longer than 30 minutes. I know it irritates my mom, but she and my big bro are so cool I just want to be around them all day long. 

Here's another cofession- I'm glad I have big hands and feet because one day I want to be a fast swimmer like my mommy. My height should help with that too. I'm 27 inches long. That's puts me in the 95th percentile for height.  I'm also in the 52nd percentile for my weight. I stay slim by rolling over and kicking my legs all day long. I don't like holding still or laying on my back. I also work on my swimming skills in the tub by kicking so hard I make myself slide off the bath chair. I sure scared my mom! But what she doesn't realize is I'm craving to be let free and swim like the little fish I am!

I've got to get one more thing off my chest. My parents do the strangest things. If they knew what the looked or sounded like they probably wouldn't do it. Sometimes I get the feeling like they act that way for me, so I indulge them by giving them the most adorable giggle I can muster, hoping it will make them stop being so embarrassing. For some reason it only encourages them and things usually escalate. Next thing I know I'm laughing so hard I start snorting! Geez, the things I do for them.

Yep, life as a 4 month old is exciting, especially when you consider the fact that at any moment Jack could hurl a ball in my direction. I'm getting pretty good at headers. I'm pretty lucky that my cool big bro wants to play with me. Watching him never gets old. Well I've got to go...my mom isn't holding my hand anymore, so its time to let her have it and then treat her to a smile and giggle. 

Moments with Captain Jack : The Lactating Parrot

On Sunday I noticed one of my breasts was very tender. Within a few hours I was achy all over. I instantly knew what it was, mastitis. Ugh. It is still completely miserable the third time around. Luckily I have a loving husband and two cute boys to keep me smiling through it all.

My big little boy didn't just keep me smiling, but laughing too. I had been pumping quite a bit throughout the day to try to keep rid of plugged milk duct I had. Later that night while I was resting on my bed, I heard Heath out in the living room say to Jack, "Oh bud, that's not for you! Its mommy's." He soon came into our room and told me Jack was trying to lactate. Our Captain was holding the breast pump right up to his chest and looking down to see if anything was coming out! Got to love him. Thanks for the laugh Captain Parrot!

Batting Practice

I know I'm his mom and have bragged about him many many times, but Jack really does amaze me. He is pretty coordinated for his age and seems to have an innate understanding of sports. He's only seen someone bat one or two times and starting doing it himself without any encouragement from us. I love my little athlete.

Brock the Tiger's Tale : 0-3 Months

  Oh how time flies when you're in love with a little miracle like this...

Time flies so fast that before I realized, that little miracle turned into this handsome little guy

It feels like Brock has always been part of our family. I can hardly remember life without him! Our little Tiger has changed and grown so much in the last 3 months. The days of a newborn seem so long ago... 

Brockster is one happy soul, especially if mommy or daddy give him attention. Unlike his big brother at this age, Brock doesn't usually like to chill by himself. He wants to be where everyone else is and the smiles get even bigger when the attention is on him. He likes to make sure he is literally wrapped around our fingers- he loves holding our hands.

As much as I tried to avoid it, Brock is a binkie-addict. Unless he is really hungry, he seems to prefer his binkie over nursing. When he does nurse, he acts like a tiger chewing on a piece of meat (not so fun for me!), so we gave him the nickname little tiger. Brock's new name is also fitting for him because he is a cat napper. After 30 mins he is wide awake and ready to get back to snuggling with mom and watching Jack play. 

Watching Jack play is starting to rub off on our Tiger. He gets really excited when we hold him up to stand and he can hold up most of his own weight. He decided 2 1/2 months was old enough to start rolling onto his belly. I worry at this rate he'll be crawling next month! It's exciting watching him learn new things. 

We love you Brock!

2013 Summer Summary (part two)

4tH oF JuLy

Holidays are beginning to get exciting for Jack, and the excitement is coming back for me too as I see Jack experience the fun for the first time. I feel like a little kid again just watching him. For the 4th, I was shocked when Heath told me he was going to run in the 5K without me even mentioning it. He convinced Landon and Jake to run too. Big Mater smoked him and Jake came in .36sec behind him. Old man Heath is getting out run by our nephews!

After the 5K we went to the Grantsville parade. With a ban on water guns this year, Jake and Tanner were a little bummed, but it didn't bother Jack one bit! He found a new love for taffy and flags.

                                                      

Cooling off in the shade with Grandpa

Checking out the tractors with Grandma

Jack gave the parade a triple "wow"- who knew you were allowed to run into the street looking for candy or to look at a tractor! Unfortunately, that habit has continued at home...

That night we watched fireworks at the Cole's house. Heath's cousin Lacey and her family were in town. It was so fun watching Jack and his second cousin Jax play together. Jack was not as impressed with the firework tradition. Even his favorite blanket couldn't help him enjoy the show. Maybe next year...

cOwS & sPriNkLeRs

One of my favorite moments through out the summer was driving over to Erda with Heath and Jack to move sprinklers. If I could have got rid of the intense heat that drained me even at 7pm it would have been twice as enjoyable. I usually sat on the swather and watched Jack play in the field and Heath use his enormous muscles moving the line. There is a beauty and peace out there I wish everyone could experience. I'm lovin the ranching life more and more...

fArEwElL to LaNdOn

The saddest part of our summer was saying our goodbyes to Mater. Even though he is really our nephew, Landon is more like a brother to Heath and an uncle to Jack. A few weeks before Heath took him on a man date. They went dirt biking through the ranch. Heath got home and mentioned how much he is going to miss him. I'm going to as well. I'll especially miss watching him play with the Captain. Jack thinks Landon is pretty cool. Outweighing the sadness was a lot of excitement. Landon is headed to the Ghana MTC to learn French and then to Madagascar! He is going to be an amazing missionary. Teach the hell out of them and give them a little bit of heaven Landon!