Maggie's Birthday Party

A few weeks ago our neighbor, Maggie, had her birthday party - she turned 3. Her parents went all out and rented this huge blow up castle for the kids to play in. Brock and all of the other kids loved it!

There were other kids at the party - When I got my camera out Brock was the only one in the castle - the rest were swimming.

Update

I am home from my mom's house Everything is great. I am off of bed rest, but am supposed to "take it easy." Can anyone tell me how I am supposed to do that with a 15 month old?

All my tests came back great and the tear in my placenta has healed. If I don't do anything stupid I should carry full term.

I have some random thoughts about the last week that I am going to put down - so enjoy if you decide to read on. (this is more for "journaling" purposes)

1 - My family was so great!

• Starting with my husband who never complained once or had one annoyed look by having to stay at my parents house for a week. He takes such good care of me when ever I am sick - it's kinda bad because it makes me enjoy being sick because he is SO attentive.
• Then of coarse my family just dropped everything to take care of Brock and I around the clock. They all have such busy lives, but there they were right when we needed them. Our schedule is quite different than theirs (mostly eating dinner) - but my mom tried very hard to keep things regular for us - and was very concerned that Jason get a dinner that he liked and that he had lunch to take to work. She was always trying to make things easier on him.
• Ashley just stepped in and took care of Brock. He slept in her room - and she never complained - which was wonderful because her private space is REALLY important to her, so I am vary grateful that she loves us enough to give it up for a week. I could not thank her enough for being so great about the sitiation and taking care of Brock.
• My brothers have grown up so much. They would get mad at me if they saw me trying to do something, they were always asking me what I needed or if I needed any help. They would play with Brock outside when it was 100 degrees just because he was bored (sometime Jason and I aren't even willing to do that :).
• Thanks Family!

2 - Brock seemed to understand what was going on. Jason brought him to the hospital on Saturday morning to drop off my bag. He (Brock) walked in the room - he did not smile or reach his hands up - he looked very concerned and kind of scared. I smiled and tried to get him to see I was ok. But he was not fooled. Jason picked him up and set him on my bed and he just laid his head on my chest until Jason took him off. The rest of the week was kind of the same. He NEVER reached for me to pick him up - never brought me anything for him to play with. He demanded NOTHING from me. He would just ask my family or Jason. And he was SO attached to Jason. He cred everyday at the window when Jason left for work. I would be right there with him saying, "it's ok, mamma's here" he would push my hand away and reach out the window. If someone mentioned "dad" throughout the day he would go back to the window where he had seen Jason leave and look/cry for him. And he was SO HAPPY when Jason came home from work. He would run to him with his hands in the air and he would not let Jason set him back down. He has never acted like that before. On one hand I was grateful because it would have been really hard if he wanted me to do things for him - and on the other hand it is always sad when your children don't need you.

3 - I had just started my peer parenting the week this had happened. We had met twice and it was going great. We were supposed to meet 3 times this last week. I really felt strongly about peer parenting and felt like it was a great blessing to get to do a case before I had the baby. But I am going to have to drop the case - it will just be too hard on me - especially with the level of need this mother has - I need to be able to really give her a lot of time and effort - and I just can't promise that right now. I am a little discouraged because my/our desire and level of commitment has been so high with foster care and peer parenting, but as soon as we get started something always comes up and the timing is so off. Why does the Lord give us desires we cannot fulfill. "Oh that I were an angel..." I guess we need to take a lesson from Alma.

4 - On Friday (the day before all of this) I had gone to the store and bought TONS of fresh produce - boo. Why did I do that?

5 - They tell my I can't drive. Why? They always say that. I think it is stupid. I am going to drive - it does not take any more energy. (this is a rhetorical question - all you medical friends of mine - please do not leave posts telling me why I should not drive - unless you agree with me, then you can leave a post telling me it is ok to drive :)

Quick Post

I just wanted to post that I will not be posting for a while.

For those of you who have not heard I was in the hospital over the weekend. My placenta started to pull away form my uterine wall - I was bleeding and having contractions. I am staying at my mom's house for a week or so while I am on bed rest. So Brock and I will not be having fun adventures - so no great posts. Once I can tolerate sitting up for a while I will post about some of my thoughts and how difficult it is to be on bed rest with a 15 month old - even if you have your mom's help. Hope everyone is still having a fun summer.

We finally can play with the Kapfer's

The Kapfer's are our next door neighbors. The oldest, Maggie, is 3 and Molly is 17 months. Brock has basically grown up with them as his sisters. The only problem is that their mom, Ashley, has been going to nursing school and working as an LPN for the last 2 years. There dad is at home with them, but with no car. So Brock only got to play with them at home - but they never came on any of our "adventures".
Well last week Ashley graduated from nursing school and is now at home with her girls. She has worked so hard and we are all so proud of her! I am excited to have a mom to talk to during the day (Steve, the dad, although we were together for several hours some days, only said a few words to me the whole 2 years :).

So last week, on Ashley's first day home, we packed up the kids and went to the colonial days on Main Street in Provo.


We went in the morning so it was not too hot, and the kids enjoyed playing together and climbing all over things. We are so excited to have Ashley back home and hope to really live up the next 5 weeks before they move to Minnesota for law school. I can't even think about it - we will be SO SAD when they go!!!!

An exciting development

Background Info: Jason and I have been licensed Foster parents for the past 2 years. Unfortunately we have been unable to take any placements because I keep getting pregnant :). (You have to be able to make a one year commitment and they don't like you to have a brand new baby in the home when there is a placement for adjustment purposes, so we were never "eligible" for a placement). Regardless, we have felt very strongly about foster care and have wanted to be involved and know that one day - when the timing is right - we will take placements.

While We were going through the training I heard about Peer Parenting and wanted to do it "one day". I thought when my kids were all grown and gone would be the perfect time because then I would be "experienced" and have "something to offer".

More Background info: Peer Parenting is a program designed to help families who have either just been reunified, working towards reunification, or on the verge of removal. It is usually court ordered. The Peer Parent goes into the home and works with the parents (usually just the mom) on parenting skills, budgeting, shopping, nutrition, discipline, cleaning, whatever is needed.

Anyways, Peer Parenting has been coming to my mind a lot lately so on Monday I called to inquire - on Tuesday I went to a training course, today I got certified, and I will get my first case sometime next week. I will take on case at a time and work with her for a few months. I am SO EXCITED. While Jason and I were going through the Foster Care training we felt the spirit so strong at all of the meetings, trainings, and cluster groups. We have always felt sad that we have been unable to take placements, even though we knew the timing just was not right in our lives. But I felt the exact same feelings at the training on Tuesday. I get this feeling of, "this is what you are supposed to be doing." I see a vision of the woman I am supposed to be - it is awsome!

I was nervous about being young and with young children, I felt like some of the moms would think, "who is SHE to tell ME how to raise my kids?" But they will pair us up with common life circumstances - they get a lot of young moms with young kids. I will take Brock with me and we can meet at the park, the pool, the grocery store, where ever - they say young moms are the best because the mom's will learn from our example.

For confidentiality purposed I will not be able to talk specifically about my cases - but I will keep you all updated on my feelings as I start this new adventure. Wish me luck!

Elder Hanna

My brother Michael got his mission call last week. He is going to Phoenix, Arizona and leaves on August 20th!! I am so proud of him! I still can't believe he will be gone soon. I know he is making the right decision and will make a great missionary. He is such a hard worker.

For all my ward friends that have moved down there or are moving down there - you better have him over for dinner - :)

Fourth of July

Since we had Jason home on a weekday-day, we decided to make the most of it. We started our day at 6:00 am at the hot air balloon launch in Provo. This was mine and Jason's 4th year in Provo and we had never been - so I thought it would be fun to take Brock.As you can see Brock LOVED it. They let you go right up to the balloons. Brock was very intrigued when they would start the fire. And then when the balloons would take off he would chase after them. Once they were all launched Brock would look up in the sky all morning and point and say "oons". I did not think he would enjoy it as much as he did - especially at 6 AM!

Then we went to the Freedom Days Parade. We live on University Ave. and the parade goes right by our house. For those of you who are thinking "oh that's fun", you would be wrong! Every year we have squatters camping out on our lawn, people lighting fireworks at 2 AM, cars parking in our parking lot, people smoking pot in our stair well, and much much more. But for the sake of the 1 hour parade - Brock enjoyed it.

This is Maggie, Molly, and Brock (Brock thinks they are his sisters). (Brock NEVER took a binkey - however he likes to steal Molly's and chew on the opposite end - weird boy)

This is how Brock spends most of his life - on Jason's shoulders - it is his favorite place to be.
Then we went up to Sundance to play in the river, throw rocks, and "hike" around. This was Jason's first time up with us (we go about once a week). Brock loved having Jason up there - he could throw him around and do "manly" stuff. Jason rolled up his pants, went into the middle of the river to pick up a huge rock just so he could throw it back in the river so Brock could see it splash - Mom does not do stuff like that!


Then we went to a park to watch the Stadium of Fire fireworks. Brock had a REALLY fun time (Probably his favorite of the day) . He just ran around and watched other kids play (his favorite thing to do). Unfortunately the fire works got started late this year - so Brock was WAY tired by the time they started (10:15ish[he is usually in bed by 7:30 or 8]), but once the fireworks started he perked up and really enjoyed them. He would point to the sky and just start jabbering - it was funny because it was the tired/delirious kind of jabbering.

All in all it was a GREAT holiday - especially with Jason home. I wish we could spend everyday like that.

Red had a problem yesterday!

Remember when you used to have intelligent conversations with people that did not have to do with your kids, your spouse, or what you are making for dinner? It seems like a lifetime ago - and I am only 1 child into "mommy-hood". Yesterday I was at a party for my friend Ashley when I said to her (and all other mother's there), "Red had a problem yesterday!" Unfortunately she (and all other moms) knew exactly what I was talking about and a conversation ensued about Red's "super big problem".

*Background note: "Super Why" is a children's TV show on PBS. Everyday one of the characters has a "super big problem" that must be fixed. Alpha Pig has most of the problems - but it has been noticed that Wonder Red (the girl with the braids) never has a problem. Well on Monday Red had a problem (her grandma would not let her into her house because her shoes were muddy).

A few moments after I had made the comment I had realized that that was my exciting news for the day, "Red had a problem". Oh well, as hard as I try to stay on top of current events, politics, and anything else actually WORTH talking about, I will probably end up talking about my kids, my husband, and what I am making for dinner - but for the record, there was a time, in my past, that I was interesting and had never heard of "Super Why".

Discovery Gardens

Last week we went to the Discovery Gardens at Thanksgiving Point with Karli, Payton, and Brooklyn. We had a fun time. They have a giant statue thing of Noah's Ark with water squirting that the kids can play in, they have a bears cave, a light house, and fountains shooting out of the ground. The kids thought is was great!
It has been fun to watch Payton's and Brock's friendship evolve. They used to get along great - but lately since Brock is walking and "looks" to be like a big kid, Payton really wants to "play" with him. But Brock still falls over really easy and doesn't understand what Payton is doing. Once Brock is old enough and can actually keep up with Payton it will be great! We are so glad to have the Bell's in our lives!
This is Karli's beautiful girl, Brooklyn. She is the best baby, she is so chill and just goes with the flow. She slept on a blanket for most of the time.

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.