Veterans Pool

So I think this has been the funnest thing Brock and I have done yet. He LOVED the Veterans pool in Provo. The play structure you see in the background has water shooting out all over the place and it is all really shallow so he can play. Plus there is a "big pool" which he loves to swim in - he is such a fish, he kicks his legs and moves his arms, he tries pushing me away because he wants to swim on his own. He puts his face in the water and blows bubbles! He loves to swim! And the best thing about this place is it is only $3! I plan on going often - the whole Cryptothingy from last summer has me nervous... lets hope we all stay healthy!


We went with my friend Sabrina and her daughter Addie, she just loved to sit under the sprayers and get sprayed. Brock does not like to get sprayed!

Sabrina and AddieSo they both look quite confused!

Hair Extensions

So this post is not coming in the format I was planning on - but here it is.

For those of you who don't know I got hair extensions 2 weeks ago (22 inches - that is about to my pant line). I was planning on taking pictures and posting them the day I got the extensions - but it did not work out that way. They have been such a pain - I must have got a bad batch of hair (because my neighbor got extensions the same day and hers are BEAUTIFUL!), so I never even took a picture of me with long hair because I never felt like they looked good. I am taking them out this weekend and we are going to try again in the winter (when I am not pregnant and irritated).

Anyways...
I have never had long hair - it has always been to about my chin, so I have learned some things since having long hair that I would like to share with the world.

1 - When did washing my hair become an event? I never understood why people with long hair did not wash their hair everyday, or why the would say, "arg, I have to wash my hair tonight", but it really is an EVENT, that must be planned in advance.

2 - along with #1 - it effects your daily plans - I did not take Brock swimming one day because I had just washed my hair that morning and did not want to have to do it again.

3 - After your shower you can ring about a gallon of water out of your hair - I would recommend doing that IN the shower, this did not occur to me the first shower I took.

4 - You have to buy a hair brush and actually brush your hair - this is also an event that must be planned. "arg, I have to go brush my hair." And you have to start at the bottom and work your way up! That is not how people brush their hair on TV!

5 - Every time you sit - you have to move your hair

6 - Every time you put a shirt, bra, underclothing, etc on you have to pull your hair out - ANNOYING!

7 - You find hair EVERYWHERE! I never had hair in my drain or bathroom floor - now it is not only there - but on the couch, bed, in the car - everywhere!

8 - When you put clothes on after a shower your clothes get wet from touching your hair!

9 - You feel a little bit like an "elitist" to people with short hair. "That's right I have long beautiful hair - ha!" (although mine wasn't very beautiful)

10 - It is so hot - especially at night - which is a whole other story - so uncomfortable.

Now I know many of you are thinking, "didn't she know that." But most of you reading this have had some sort of long hair in the past - I NEVER HAD - it truly is a whole other culture. I am sad to take them out, but am excited to be done (mostly because of the heat) and am excited to get them again in the fall when they are prettier and I can enjoy them!

Fun in the Sun

Last week was hot - so we tried to get out everyday to cool off. On Tuesday we went to Wheeler Farm in Salt Lake. It was a lot of fun. They have this little river that is only like 2 inches deep - mom's brought their kids in water clothes and shoes and just let them splash around in the river - they also had boats and balls. I will definitely do that next time!



Brock still loved throwing his ball and rocks into the river. Anytime he sees water he must throw a rock into it. Next time I will go earlier in the morning - we went mid-day and it was too hot for most of the animals - so they were just in their "houses" - the workers said they are all out in the morning/evening/or a cooler day. Brock did not care, he loved his picnic lunch and the river. There were some ducks, roosters, and geese walking around - Brock almost got snapped at from a goose who wanted his cracker - it was pretty funny.


On Thursday we went up to Sundance Ski resort. This is like my favorite place. It is 10 or 15 degrees cooler, beautiful, close, and fun. The water was a little fast - but he could still put his feet in the shallow places and throw rocks - so he was happy (as noted above).

Some of my most favorite moments with Brock is sitting on a blanket sharing a picnic lunch. He holds the sandwich and he shares with me. It is so cute. He takes a bite, then he gives me a bite, and so forth. We just sit there for about 20 minutes sharing the lunch and "talking" - the other day we were doing this and I thought to myself - "you are my best friend" - I don't know if that is sad or not :) But I just have so much fun with him, how could he not be!

This photo also documents Brock's last time with his FAVORITE ball. He took it everywhere. It rolled into the river a few minutes after this picture - I tried to chase after it - but I could not get it. (If any of you are on the Provo river trail and come across it - grab it for me :) Brock was sad - he just kept pointing to the river and saying "ball".

Below are two pictures of Brock. One is at Sundance last week - the other is at Sundance last summer. So crazy how fast they grow up!

Random

My Brother Michael graduated from Brighton High School. Here he is with Audrey and Brock.

Jason got a new computer. I think Brock was more excited than Jason, he just loved the box and all the "packaging" inside.

We had my family reunion last week. (above) Jason climbing a tree - he is so strong! (below) Brock with my cousin Lizzy. They love to play with him - and I love it too!

Father's Day

Today, on Father's Day, I would like to say what a great father Jason is. When Jason and I got married we pretty much knew everything about each other, marriage was not an adjustment for us, nor were there many surprises. The only thing that I can honestly say that I did not know about Jason was what a good father he would be. I don't think he even really knew how great he would be - even up until moments before Brock was born.


But the second Brock was born, Jason took one look at him and took COMPLETE ownership. He was like, "This is my son, and I will take care of him." and he has. Anyone who was at the hospital that day noticed how he cared for Brock, he wasn't letting anyone hold him, he just walked around and showed him, he NEVER wanted to put him down. It doesn't take long for anyone who is with us to see that Jason knows, understands, and is in love with Brock. He truly understands him on a deeper level than anyone else does (including me). They instantly had a bond. Brock is HIS son, and he acts like it. Jason's main priority is making sure that he is getting the best care and is comfortable (well, main priority after he makes sure I am ok :).

On the day of Brock's birth I took a nap and woke up to Jason reading Brock the scriptures (Old Testament, Jason's favorite), I did not let them know I was awake, I just sat there and listened to Jason teach Brock from the scriptures, he has done it everyday since. It has been wonderful to watch.


Jason is constantly "taking care" of things around the house for Brock. He always refills his sippy cup and milk cup after he drinks it, same with his snack cup. He refills the wipes and diaper trays every time they are getting low, he packs and unpacks the diaper bag every time we go somewhere (even if Jason isn't coming), he turns down Brock's covers every night before he goes to bed so it will be easy for me to just set him in there. I have never had to do any of these things, I just always know they will be done.


I remember someone in Young Women's telling us to marry someone that we know could raise our kids the way we wanted if we happen to die. At the time I did not think that was practical, no man could really raise kids like a woman could. I put that advice on the back burner, but now I realize I followed that advice. I trust Jason 100% to raise our children without me. He would do a fabulous job, and I would not even think twice about their well being.

I am so grateful for all that he does for us, and just wanted to publicly say how wonderful he is and how much we love and appreciate him. Thank you Jason, Happy Father's Day!

"Momma and Brock's Summer of Fun!"

K - So I stole the title from a Friends episode featuring "Janice and Chandler's Day of Fun!" But it is the new theme for our summer. Last week we went to Farm Country at Thanksgiving Point with the Bells.

Brock loves animals (except for big dogs that bark). The animals here are really friendly - they let you pet them and they lick your hands. He thought that was so funny, every time they tried to lick him he would just laugh. He had the most fun watching Payton though - Payton Bell (Karli's little boy) is just around the clock entertainment for Brock - He thinks everything Payton does is funny.

Other trips last week included: (but I broke my camera - so no pics)

• Hanging out on the beach at Deer Creek
• Going to the Library - including the Friday night movie (not very kid friendly)
• Duck Pond (Like 3 times - he loves chasing the ducks - and since little kids are constantly there the ducks will let you get VERY close)
• Provo River Trail
• Several Park trips

Hopefully I get a new camera soon and can continue to document.

5 year High School Reunion

I have my 5 year high school reunion in a few weeks and I have some mixed feelings about it. Below are some thoughts.

I am excited to see some people - However I feel like I have seen most of the people I care to see at weddings, showers, parties etc. And those I don't see that often - I look at their blogs - so I feel like I see them every day. I think that is the down side to blogging - you feel close to a lot of people that you, in reality, aren't very close with.

Things that have not changed since Senior year

I am still dating the same guy

Same haircut

Same hair color

With the exception of maternity clothes - I have only bought like 3 new pieces of clothing

(arg - this is kind of depressing)

Things that have changed

I am married

I have a child and am pregnant

I have learned a lot about myself and am much more mature :)

***

To all of you who are BHS class of 2003 I hope to see you in a few weeks - this way we can be more than just a blog on a glowing computer screen to each other.

Play Group Network

I just wanted to say that last summer I did a lot of fun things with Brock - but he just sat in his car seat and did not do much- I don't think he had any fun. I would watch the other boys with their mom's throwing rocks into the river or chasing a bird and thinking - I am so excited for next summer when Brock can enjoy it too.

So here it is... next summer... and I am determined to keep my promise. This morning I decided to go one step further and start a play group network with the other mothers in my neighborhood. This afternoon it turned into a blog. I am way excited and hope that it works out. Most of our activities will take place in Provo/Utah County because that is where we live, but I plan on doing somethings up in Salt Lake County because there is more to do... and that is where I hope to live soon.

The blog is private because we will be giving detailed information about where we are going to be with our children at a specific time. So if you are interested in being apart of the play group - let me know and I will invite you to the blog. Once you are invited you are also an author - so you can invite people to your activities as well.

*Note - for privacy reasons please only ask to join the blog if you live in Utah/Salt Lake county (sorry out of town friends - I still love you)

Snakes and Snails and Puppy Dog Tails...

That's what little boys are made of!

This is my favorite saying - and I think about it every time Brock wants to eat a rock or play in the mud or some other boyish thing. I LOVE having a boy...

and am SO EXCITED TO HAVE ANOTHER ONE!!!

That is right! We are having a boy! We could not be more thrilled! I love boys!

Ward Split - Goodbye 169th Ward

On Sunday our ward got spilt and we were one of the families that got put in a new ward. We are way sad. We have been in the ward for over 3 years and are planning on leaving this summer anyways, but it is hard to get pushed out early. Plus we have to go to another married student ward for just a few months. But I just wanted to say that we have LOVED our time in the ward and have made a lot of good friends and made memories we will never forget. This was our first ward after we got married and when we had Brock. We have learned a lot of great lessons from a lot of great people. Thank you for everything!

Random Things

Brock loves to stack things - anything that he can find - he stacks. If it won't stack (like balls) or keeps falling over (like rocks) he just pushes them together harder and longer - it is so cute. He makes this face like "If I just push harder they will stick". It breaks my heart a little when he takes his hand off and they still fall over. I wish I could make everything in his life turn out the way he wants. - Oh the joys of parenting!
Jason has been getting some new "toys" lately for graduation and getting a job. I think Brock has enjoyed it as much as Jason. Everytime he brings home a new box Brock crawls up on his lap and goes through the box with him. It is so cute!
Brock's goal in life the last few weeks has been to see what he can crawl under and what he can't. If something looks like he might fit - he must try. He got stuck one day under the kitchen chairs. It was pretty funny!
I was making an omelet one morning and sat Brock next to me on the counter. Next thing I knew - he was doing this!
Check out those bite marks!

PS - The scrape on his forehead is from playing outside.

Brock's Second Party

This is Brock's birthday party at Jason's parents house. Debbie made him some strawberry short cake. She tried to show him how to blow out a candle - did not work.

He was not to crazy about the cake - so we had to whip out some banana's to keep him interested. We had a great time. Thanks Debbie and Randy!

Brock's Birthday - FINALLY

Brock's birthday was over a month ago - but I have just now got around to blogging about it. I have recommitted myself to blogging!

Anyways - we had 2 parties for Brock - one with the Hanna's and one with the Herbert's (we could not get both families together on one night - so we had to spilt it up). Brock's favorite thing right now is cars - so of coarse I had to make a car cake. (Thanks Jess for the idea and help!) I am pretty proud of it - the round one was for Brock and the Car one was for everyone else.

We tried to get him to blow out the candle - but it was unsuccessful. (However - now he knows how to blow)
Brock was SO FUNNY about his cake. He just started at one end of the cake and slowly ate a little out of the corner and then was done. He never grabbed a handful or shoved it in his mouth. It was pretty clean and organized (I would not expect anything less from the son of Jason). The piece you see taken out in the front was cut for my mom (she is allergic to chocolate).
Family picture. I swear Brock is a happy baby - he is just very serious. In the background you can see a colleague I made for his birthday. I loved having it up for a few weeks! It had all my favorite pictures of Brock!

Looking for a new doctor

I am on the search for a new doctor ASAP (OB-GYN). We figure/hope we will live in Salt Lake when the baby is born, so I want a Salt Lake doctor. If any of you have recommendations PLEASE send them my way. I am 20 weeks along and want to switch NOW - so my real doctor can do my ultrasound. He/she would need to deliver at either Alta View, Intermountain (the new hospital), or LDS.

On a side note - I would really like a doctor that is supportive of natural birth. PLEASE SEND ANY RECOMMENDATIONS!!

Another St. George Trip!

It has been like a month since we went, but Brock and I went with Karli, Payton, and Brooklyn to St. George. Karli's ward friend came with us with her two kids. It was a lot of fun. We did most the same things, it was amazing to see how much difference a month can make in the development of a baby. Brock just seemed to be so much older this time and actually enjoy himself. Here are some highlights.

Hiking at Snow Canyon. (Obviously it was an intense hike - see the shoes :)
Swimming

My sweet little boy got sick when we were just packing up to leave. He threw up three times at the condo, twice on the car ride home, once in the middle of the night once we got home, and three more times in the next 2 days. It was SO SAD! On the third time he threw up at the condo, I had run out of clean pajamas to wear home, so Karli's friend, Michelle, let me borrow her little girls pajama's. I could not take him seriously wearing purple pj's - he is such a boy, even though he was sick - I was like, "Brock what are you wearing?" Isn't that the most pathetic face? It is like he is embarrassed.

Quick update

So I have been anticipating this post for a while... but now that I am finally able to post about it, I haven't. I just haven't had the words, and it was so anti-climactic that it just did not seem worth it. But here it goes.

For those of you who don't really know what has been going on the past few months - here are the main points.

• Jason graduated in December
• He applied to medical school but did not get in
• He has decided to not reapply
• He has been looking for a job since December (huge family trial)
• He got a job and started last Monday (huge family blessing)

• I had my graduation exit interview on Thursday and as soon as I finish my independent study math class I am graduated!
• I am still working from home (HUGE family blessing)
• I was released from my RS calling (second counselor in the RS presidency)

• Brock loved having BOTH his parents home ALL day for 4 months
• Brock is having a hard time adjusting to just mom being at home and not getting whatever he needs/wants whenever he needs/wants it.
• Brock turned 1 last week

• We have been incredibly blessed by the Lord these last few months - and strongly feel like we are doing what we should be doing (despite it wasn't what we THOUGHT we should be doing)
• We are here in Provo for a few more months (arg), hopefully until we save enough for a down payment on a house (maybe August?!?)

I know many of these points deserve much more detail/feelings/pictures, many of them I will do posts on later. I just wanted to get all that info out there.

Getting excited for baby #2

I know I am a few months away, but I am getting so excited for baby #2. I have been having dreams about my two kids and it is wonderful. In my dreams it is a boy (I don't feel it is spiritually motivated though (I did with Brock), I just think it is a boy), but I would be excited for a girl.

I just wanted to express my anticipation. To be honest, the thing I am most excited about is the delivery. I am just so excited to labor and deliver - I know that sounds crazy to most people - but I felt like it was the most spiritual and emotional thing in the whole world - and the moment they lay that baby in your arms... there is NOTHING in the whole world better than that moment. I am just so excited thinking about it. I can't really describe why I am so excited about the delivery, I was so excited for Brock's delivery, and although it was definitely hard (I pushed for 4 hours and then ended up using forecepts), I loved working hard to bring my baby into the world. I can't describe it. I have had a glimpse into what Luke meant when he said, "Mary kept these things and pondered them in her heart." I just loved the whole childbirth process, the pregnancy, the birth, and of coarse the best part - the baby!

When I first found out I was pregnant, I was definitely nervous about having them so close. But now it doesn't even cross my mind, and just can't wait. I found myself thinking, why don't I already have another baby - do I really have to wait 5 more months.

Another good thing about your second baby - is that pregnancy is more real. I mean sure, when you are pregnant with your first, you know there is a baby in there, but you don't REALLY KNOW what the means - you don't REALLY know how much you are going to love it. But now I know that my baby is really in there, and what it will feel like when I see him (or her) and how much I will love him (or her). So to sum up this post - I am so excited!

Brock's One Year Old Pictures

My cousin gave me a $100 gift card to Kiddie Kandids at one of my showers before Brock was born. I decided to use it for his 1 year pictures. I did not really have a good experience there, I got some cute pictures, but I told the photographer what I wanted, and I did not really get that. But they are cute.

If we say "Brock give ____ a hug", this is what he does - super cute! He gives GREAT HUGS!

I hated that his hand and finger are up in this picture - but then I realized it is like he is holding up the number "1" - for 1 years old - so i guess it is ok. (Thanks Grandma for the outfit)
Darling!
His pensive face

(Thanks Ashley for the outfit!)

This is not really my style - a little cheesy - But his expression is just so darn cute!

The cycles of clothing...Is it worth it?

Last January (6 months pregnant with Brock)
Before

After

(repeat)

(these are models - obviously)

So I pose a question to all women (especially those who have had a child or two), is it worth it to re-do your wardrobe every pregnancy cycle?

Today during the conference break I got out all my maternity clothes, and packed away all my "normal" clothes, and I felt like, "Didn't I just pack these away?" and "I am just going to pack them away again in a few months." The most prominent example of the frustrations are my "under clothing". I wore maternity last year, and than for the past year I have been wearing nursing, and then last Tuesday I stopped nursing and FINALLY got to wear "normal" ones again, and then today I got out my maternity again because I can't keep them tucked in! And this cycle will just repeat for the next 5 or more years! Is it worth it? And the same with Bra's, between nursing, pregnancy, and non pregnancy my size fluctuates about 2 or 3 cups, how many different size bra's does a girl need to buy??

And when I ask, is it worth it? I am not asking is pregnancy and children worth it? Because the answer is obviously yes, I am asking is the constant switching worth it? I don't have dresser space or closet space to keep both out, but I think I might as well purchase an extra dresser and just keep nursing/maternity clothes in it year round, and that way I am always ready, and don't have to spend 1 day a year packing maternity clothes away, and another whole day a few months later getting them all out again.

Many of you might be thinking, easy solution..."Don't get pregnant a few months later!" And my answer to that is... ?? "I don't need to explain my life :)" Plus I love being pregnant, I love my maternity clothes, and I love being a mom, so I don't see a down side. (except for the above rant)

Thoughts from a mother's heart

I have just put Brock to bed, and have a very strong desire to express the feelings of my heart. I love being Brock's mother, I love my role as a mother. Sometimes I just feel like I can't hug him enough, or kiss him enough, and I definitely don't have the words to describe what I feel inside my heart every time he looks up at me and smiles. I almost feel like his smile, his laugh, could just heal any part of me that is sad, or lacking, or incomplete. I am reminded of a scripture in Alma where he (Ammon) says that his joy was so great it consumed his soul and made him weak. I have felt that joy and am blessed to feel it on a daily basis, and feel it every time I have the sense to put down my to-do list and just play with Brock. I love just being on the ground with him playing - nothing makes me so happy.

I know this is cheesy, but once I put Brock to bed, I felt the way that you feel in Fast and Testimony meeting when you know you need to bear your testimony, I just had to tell someone (and in this case - everyone) that I love my son and I love being a mother. I am more grateful than I can express for Heavenly Father giving me the chance to feel this kind of love, and I am grateful for this child inside of me (and others to come), because now I know what special spirits they really are, and I love them already. Thank you for humoring me and reading this.