Just thinking...

I am breathing a sigh of relief because finally we have ALL received the H1N1 flu vaccine and the required boosters... about 8 weeks ago we stood in line at the health department for over an hour. It was worth it, I have never been as worried about one of my babies getting sick as I am this season with Oliver... I don't think I'm paranoid or anything it's just that infants are at high risk for complications and the thought of my Oliver getting something nasty makes my heart sink. So why not try to prevent the severity with a vaccine. Whew... I'm so glad we did. Now if I could just keep everyone from grabbing his hands when they greet him. why do people do that? don't they know his hands go straight into his mouth with their germs on them? seriously? please don't touch babies hands, oh and stay home if your sick!


Last weekend it snowed... it was perfect. We listened to Christmas music as we put up the tree, placed the garland and strung the lights... it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...


I am ashamed to admit that every year in the past I have not bought one thing for Christmas before Thanksgiving... black Friday is the kick start to my Christmas shopping... but not this year. I already have a few things... and you know what? It feels good, but I could never be one of those people who is done Christmas shopping by August... I love to shop during Christmas time... with holiday music in the background, every store decked out, cold crisp air, the bustle, the sales... it's invigorating.


Glen is a fan of Survivor... so I watch it with him. this season... I am really liking it. so many twists and surprises and at first I didn't like Russel he is too crafty, but... I think he's growing on me. Yes, I am rooting for Russell!... oh and good riddance to Laura. (the viper)


You know nie nie and cjane? Of course you do, everybody knows these famous utah bloggers right? Well I check in on them from time to time and I'm sure there are a million reasons why I might envy them... beauty, brains, fashion, creativity just to name a few but actually those traits are too endearing to covet. You wanna know what I envy? It might seem crazy to you but I envy them because they are sisters living by each other, making memories everyday, not just the two of them oh no there are four of them. They get to hold each others babies, have casual dinners together, go out to movies, watch their nieces and nephews grow, talk and laugh with each other... not just over the phone... they see each other. They hang out. I wish I could hang out with my sisters.... I wish it everyday.


I am SO excited to see New Moon! I am pretty bummed that I was not die hard with this movie release. I did not don my cape or vampire fangs and get a ticket for the premier, what a dud!


We are in charge of our ward Christmas party... I am stressed! It's a lot of pressure because I want everyone to have fun and enjoy the night. It is in two weeks and I hope it all comes together... there are a lot of little things that have to come together that I have no control over...
I really like DETAILS and sometimes I over think a lot when planning. It's so nice to have Glen... he is calm and level headed and reassuring... he is willing to do whatever it takes for things to go smoothly. He completes me ;)


Last week Oliver was so wobbly while trying to sit, he wasn't even close. Still such a baby. This week he is sitting! All by himself without tipping at all... a big boy! that's how fast he changes... I really don't like it. How are people ever done having babies? Does that statement mean I'm never going to stop? Of course not. I just really cannot imagine not having a babies warm "puppy dog" breath on my neck, no more swaddling, rocking chairs, velvet skin, tiny parts....


It is driving me crazy that I have not posted anything about Halloween and it's almost Thanksgiving. And what's worse... I have all of summer to catch up on too! I can't wait to upload all those pictures and write the details... I hope I can get to it soon!


My beautiful friend Sunny (and baby Ethan) came up from Lehi last week for some much needed girl time. We got a ticket for the friends and family event for the jj cole sale and thought we bought everything we needed. Glen offered to watch all the kids while Sunny and I went to dinner and to Old Navy then once we got home we decided we needed more jj cole stuff so we lined up early the next morning and went again. We also hit the mall... It was the BEST! I have not gone shopping for so long... I have not had such a great time in a long while...I miss Sunny, (hurry back!) I miss Lehi, I miss my cute girl friends there.


I have a bad case of "the wants"... it's a good thing it's Thanksgiving this week. Thinking about that makes "the wants" go away and in their place is the realization that I have so many blessings. Every day kind of blessings that are easy to take for granted and huge blessings that cannot be ignored... I am Thankful!


and in conclusion of this random post... I really need to get to bed because this little romeo will be waking soon...

my morning....

Just thought I'd share what Ollie looked like fresh out of the bath this morning...

oh and he smelled like heaven. The perfect start to any day if you ask me.

Ollie laughing

I've mentioned that it takes lots of silliness to get Oliver laughing. Here is the proof that it is totally worth it. Just try watching this clip without smiling, it's impossible! (be sure to pause my music player!)

they're back...

I couldn't stand it any longer... my boys HAIR, that is.
They have been begging me to let them grow it out and wear it long like their cousins from Hawaii, like the Jonas brothers... Anytime we were anywhere and there was a boy with long hair, Evan and Eli coveted it and said "we want our hair like that!" and so much to my dismay I caved in. I told them that they could go without hair cuts and we would try the long hair look. after several months of seeing shaggy hair on my darling boys I just couldn't take it any more. I announced loudly one afternoon. "You have one week to love your long hair, because after Halloween it is going to be CUT OFF! they boobed and cried and begged but I held strong and look....

They're back!

My handsome clean cut boys...

That first week after the hair cuts I couldn't hold back my smiles when I glanced at them, I couldn't resist covering them in kisses, Evan would roll his eyes because I was constantly kissing and saying "you are so cute! I really missed their short hair and I'm so glad it's back!

Happy Birthday to my one and only...

I really was a slacker in this years festivities for Glen's birthday... I think that birthday's are important and a fun way to show the love but I'm thinking this was the worst birthday ever for poor Glen! When I told him this he just laughed and said I was crazy, his day was fine. Fine??? that word says a lot... and I am feeling guilty. He kept saying he didn't care about having a celebration and he didn't need any gifts....

I was busy all week and so I tried to tell myself it was fine...

we did go out on our first "official date" since having Oliver, usually Ollie tags along but this time it was just the two of us ( thanks to my mom and dad).... It was nice to be on our own and it felt like a special night but in the end I am still feeling bad because I didn't even write him a love note, he picked out his own presents, (one of which was a nose hair and eyebrow trimmer... ah, the joy of getting old!) (sorry that little secret slipped out honey) I didn't even wrap them, he had to help me clean the house that day, he made his own cake and look... his birthday post is LATE. seriously.... I did not do very good but I am counting on the fact that despite all that was overlooked my wonderful husband knows the truth...
I love him, he is my life and I am so lucky to have him!

On the evening of his birthday we invited my parents over for dinner. I made lasagna as the birthday boy requested. The boys had lots of fun decorating Glen's cake singing "happy birthday" to him and helping him blow out the candles but the best part of course was eating it! Evan and Eli bought Glen his favorite candy bar they made him a cute card and emptied all their spare change into the envelope!

We love you Glen and couldn't stand it if you weren't ours!!
Happy Birthday!!

camping, fishing... imagining

Gabe and I went camping last week...

We set up our tent and went on a hike.

We slept under the stars and roasted mini marshmallows on tooth picks.

the next morning we discovered a baby bear who was lost and couldn't find his family

Gabe decided to keep him
baby bears like to eat berries (crunch berries cereal) and they drink from a bottle...



Gabe was a good papa bear....

The next day we went fishing at a nearby "lake"....

Gabe caught a few for our dinner

I am so glad that I get to be the one who he plays with ALL day long, he is my little sidekick! Gabe's imagination is endless and never ceases to amaze me. He is smart and
clever, his voice is magical, high in pitch with a little lisp. He is kind and sweet as honey. His eyes twinkle, he is hilarious and his laugh is contagious.

boy am I in trouble... I can't tell this little fellow no!
he takes me by the hand and says "will you play with me?"

And so that is what we do.

For the Record

It's official....Ollie is six months old!! (isn't he darling) I've been dreading this milestone, it came way too fast!! Yet at the same time, I love this stage and have been looking forward to it too... crazy I know... it seems the entire first year is that way...such a contradiction. I feel so happy that my baby is growing and changing but I just want to hold him back too... make him stay a baby forever! The first year is full of constant change and discoveries there just is not enough time to soak it all in... I like to think that I am, soaking you know? But seriously, can you believe he is already half way to being a one year old??!! How is that possible! I can't believe it!!

Right now Oliver weighs just 14 pounds 2 ounces and is in the 5th percentile. Still a little guy. He is 23 inches long (15th percentile) and his head is in the 30th percentile.

but most importantly...Oliver is 100 percentile... adorable!

He rolls from tummy to back and back to tummy but his favorite mode of transportation is to scoot on his back using his feet to push himself. I lay him on the floor in front of the couch and the next thing I know he's clear across the room by the fireplace! He can sit for a few seconds but still tips easily.

Oliver also loves to scoot around in his walker... yes that's right a walker. I know they are outlawed for some crazy safety violation... but seriously who is not smart enough to block off the stairs when an infant is on wheels?? I swear the walker is the reason that my kids have all walked early... research suggests the opposite, but I don't think so! Oliver loves to be upright, seeing all the action, he can move himself in the walker forward and backwards too. when he is tired of a toy he throws it over the edge and then looks down over the side
to see where it landed. smart boy!

His favorite toy is a tiny plush Grover doll. he loves to suck on Grover's nose!

He is obsessed with tags. He twists and turns every toy around looking for the fabric tag. He bends the tag and separates them with his little fingers and of course he sucks on them... everything goes into his mouth. He drools like crazy, but no teeth yet. He drinks a bottle every three hours during the day and is getting good at eating his rice cereal before bedtime. At night he sleeps from midnight to about 7 AM ... my worst sleeper yet! ;)

He needs his Binky to sleep and has a favorite blanket too! he gets restless when we rock or hold him for too long and prefers to just be placed into his crib ( lucky I know... but I do love to rock a baby to sleep so I'm a bit sad about this )

He is so smiley but we have to work hard to get him to laugh. He just grunts when we tickle him so we have to be really goofy... but it's so worth it! I love to hear him laughing!

Oliver loves everything about Gabe and is constantly reaching out for him,
squealing at him and watching him.

He adores Evan and Eli and they cannot get enough of him either... I thought that their interest in him would wear off but it hasn't. Eli plays games and sings songs to Oliver.

Evan takes care of his needs and knows just what to do when he cries.

Oliver can click his tongue, make drool bubbles, copy noises that we make, find his binky put it in his mouth, and hold his own bottle. He kicks wildly in the tub and his eyes... I love them! They are so full of expression. One of my favorite things Oliver does is if I'm holding him facing out he tips his little chin up looking back over his shoulder trying to catch my eye and give me a grin, with that sparkle in his eye... He completely melts me.

So awhile back....I admitted that I was a bit disheartened to learn that we were having ANOTHER boy, but at the same time I did know that this little boy was meant to come to our family! before I saw him I loved him but I thought of him as ANOTHER BOY and just... you know, run of the mill, been there done that... nothing exciting blah blah blah... Now I cannot imagine life without my sweet Oliver ....these four boys of mine...nothing about them is run of the mill or blah... They make my life full of fun .... can you believe that I love this many boys all at the same time, it blows me away how lucky I am to have them! A new baby brings so much happiness and perspective...Oliver has helped me to see that a mama's heart cannot run out of love and that although life may not always go the way that I think it should... it's okay!
I am so grateful for my little family... and in case your wondering,
I am so in love with this baby of mine!