Brock The Tiger's Tale : 9 Months

This kiddo thinks he is a big boy. 

He thinks he's so big that he needs a king sized bed every night. 

And that he needs to brush his 3 teeth for hours at a time.

He also think he's big enough to drive the ranch truck and our car, 

 climb piles of gravel like Jack, 

and most scary, he thinks he's old enough to have a special friend to kiss. 

(he must have a cute, girly reflection...)

In a lot of ways Brock is turning into a big boy. At his 9 month check up he was 29.75 inches tall, 90th percentile. His mellon is still large and in the 90th percentile as well. Unlike his brother, Brock watches his figure and weighs 19lbs, the 26th percentile. He must not want to be big in the weight department.

He's big enough for piggy-back and horsey rides,

 to ride in the grocery cart next to Jack now,

sit at the counter and eat table food,

 and big enough to watch Bob the Builder.

Yep, Brock is growing up. He is turning into a squirmy, get into everything, try to climb up everything little tornado. He is starting to walk along furniture, walk while pushing the toy car, and climbing up stairs. 

He likes to clap, give things and people he likes the finger point, cover his mom with slobbery kisses or blow raspberries on her arm, crawl really fast to his daddy when he comes home, and get his hands on anything electronic. 

Our wiggle worm is drawn to music and is working on some great dance moves. We think he is going to have a great sense of humor and be quite a teaser. He already seems to know how to tease everyone in our family. He still loves to wrestle Jack and we haven't found anything the kid won't eat- fences, chunks of aerated dirt, and grass included. 

Next time I blink, this wanna-be big boy won't be a baby anymore!

We love you Brockie-Boom-A-Lockie

SHE'S HOME! SHE'S HOME!!

Do you remember that feeling as a little kid on Christmas Eve? That pure excitement, all most pee-your-pants, the feel like Christmas is never going to get here feeling? That is exactly how I felt on March 11th and for many months prior. But this event was a million times better than Christmas morning. My puff muffin, power ranger, rhino was returning home from her mission in Washington. I would be reunited with my salt, my hermanita, my bestie (for the record: all salts are my besties). 

Side-story to depict how much my husband likes to torment me... The morning of the 11th was a bit raining and overcast. Heath texted me saying "Did you see Kristi's flight got delayed? Looks like it won't be in until late tonight." Heath worked last summer at the airport so I thought he knew his stuff and naively believed him. This early April Fools was not funny. It was like breaking the news to a kid that Santa isn't real. 

Thankfully her flight was not delayed, actually early, so we barely made it in time to see her come down the escalator. First I saw some cute brown boots, my heart raced with excitement, then I saw a skirt and instantly knew it was her. The tears began flowing and I did my best to hold in my squeals of happiness. It seemed like time slowed down until she was close enough to squeeze. Not only was I excited, but relieved to see her. Part of me worried she was going to sneak off the airplane before it left Washington. Like most dedicated, faithful missionaries, Hermana Lambert didn't really want to come home. She put her whole soul into serving our Savior. Her heart was clearly changed for good, full of light and love. Even though I'm taller and older I can definitely say I look up to my hermanita.

 

Facetime with the Hatchs

Jack was very bashfully flirtatious with his long-lost auntie. 

Meeting Baby Z for the first time.

My most favorite picture of the day.

2nd favorite

This cool auntie came home to 3 new nieces and nephews...soon to be 4! 

I couldn't squeeze or...

kiss her enough! Yay! She's home!

Even though your fat belly wouldn't have fit in the picture, we missed you Bec. 

The Salty 5 isn't the same with 4...

Simple Moments : Silliness in the Tub

Last week was a long one for me personally. Heath was busy from the time he got done at school until well past dark playing his cowboy role everyday last week. I was with the boys from the time they woke until their heads hit the pillow nearly all day, every day. I honestly don't know how single-parents do it. I am completely drained. I tried to look for those simple moments to be grateful for and soak in. It was really difficult some days, but I still found them. I can honestly say those moments kept me going, along with a phone call to my angel mother to cry and vow I wasn't having anymore children (I'm sure we will...it was just one of those moments!)

One of my favorite moments from the week was bath time on Thursday night. Once he hears the water running, Brock is like a magnet to the tub. Jack couldn't be more polar opposite lately. He has despised taking a bath the last few months due to some awful rashes he has had. Brock was busy playing in the water. I wasn't planning on giving Jack a bath because I didn't have the energy to fight him, but surprisingly he said, "I wanna play Bawkie in the tub!" He willingly took off his clothes and diaper and climbed in. Once he was in he said "Two boys. Cute!" Soon they were making each other giggle and splashing like crazy. I'm not sure what was so hilarious but they were both laughing so hard they could hardly breathe. Goodbye frustration, hello love. I love my silly boys.

Moments with Captain Jack : Monkeys in the Bed

We've had a rough couple of months with sleeping at our house. Brock doesn't and Jack has been waking up around 2am screaming. Both end up in our bed because Heath and I are too tired to get them back to sleep in their own. I'm grateful for our king sized mattress! I'm also grateful for adorable boys who make waking up after awful nights so pleasant.

One recent morning, I was completely zonked out with Brock on one side of me and Jack on the other. Heath had left for work about an hour before. My Captain woke up and laid on his belly with his face about 6 inches from my face. His silly giggle woke me up and opened my eyes to a gigantic smile and a sweet little "Hi mama!"

Just last night at about 5am, both the boys had been nestled into our bed for a few hours, I heard laughing coming from the other side of the bed. I peek over to see Jack totally out. He giggled for a solid 15 seconds or so. Heath and I couldn't help, but joining in.

Oh how I love my stink bug.

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!

Simple Moments : Graham Crackers and Milk

I love the moments I get to spend one on one time with either of my boys. Brock was napping, so Jack and I had a chance to have some fun together. Nothing says fun like sharing graham crackers and milk and Thomas the Train. It wasn't anything special, but one of those times I realize how much my Captain is growing up and how much I love him. Jack showed his sweet side by handing me a graham cracker from his pile- "Here Mama!" So glad the camera was right in front of me to capture his cheese ball face.