Did I mention . . .

Hallie is 5 1/2 months . . . she is doing this many, many times a day . . . it won't be long now when life changes forever (i.e baby proof, vacuum, follow them around constantly)!!  Why do they have to grow up so fast!!

Birthday season

Dave's birthday always starts the summer off right.  We had some elaborate plans that didn't come to fruition (Who knew that Park City's summer season started on June ELEVENTH!!)  So hopefully we have more to report after my birthday.  We did get to go out to eat and go shopping.  Plus, we hit some homes from Parade of Homes.  (More on this awesome adventure later!)
Here's some photos of my 'Younger-than-he-looks-older-than-me" Hubby.  I love this man!  I am so glad he is in my life.  He definitely makes me a better person!

Retirement

As of last week, I was planning on returning as a PE teacher next year until Dave found employment.  However, on Sunday, I felt inspired through several different mediums to plan on not returning and focus on being a stay-at-home mom.  I was scared to follow this prompting, scared of stepping into the darkness of the unknown (and unemployed).  I was scared that I might not be a great stay-at-home mom and that I might miss working.  I was scared for many reasons, but ultimately, I want to be on the path that Heavenly Father would have for me.  I found peace in following my heart and I signed my "retirement" papers on Thursday.  I will be a full-time mom (at least for the time being).  It was a bitter sweet day on Friday, the last day of school.  I love my students and this PE position has been such a blessing.  It has been very fun as well.  I hope some day to return to the teaching field in one way or another.  I know I can never get these young years back with my kids.  I want to be with them full-time while I can.  I want to fulfill my dream of being a great mom.  You can always earn money later right?  Not to mention that I am hoping that this means a job for Dave is just around the corner . . .
Dave made  me a retirement present to commemorate my 6 years in the teaching field at 2 different schools.  He is so good to me :)

One my first day as a SAHM I went to run a race and was away from my kiddos for 4 hours . . . off to a good start don't you think? :(

Any advice for a new SAHM?

Memoirs of Jack-attack

Dave taught Jackson to sing Pitter-Pat.  In it there is the word "bumpershoot" (Apparently it means umbrella?)  He stops Dad to say, "Sometimes in the car, we hit a bump and mom says 'Shoot!"  

"Dad, Dad, I have a question . . . I forgot my question!  Dad, I have a question, Do you know what my Question is?"

Yesterday at dinner Jackson asked for something.  Dave said, I'd like you to ask in a nice way.  Jackson replied, 'You would  . . .' (Trying to say 'would you pass the' . . . but he just left it at that.)

New Toy Story lines (Do you know where this is from?)

"Ok, first item . . . umm . .  oh yeah . . ."

"You're my favorite Sesame (Deputy)"

"He's not a space ranger, he doesn't fight people, or shoot lasers or fly!  Excuse me (He then presses his chest and arms pop out to be wings)  He really says all this!!

"Do we have to hold hands?!?"

This was a staged tantrum, I got the camera out and then told Dave to turn the TV off and then clicked away . . .

He was 'Painting'  Hallie.  Ask I go to stop him, he says, "Mom, I was being really soft and gentle so I didn't hurt your cute, little Hallie-Gallie"

After giving me a bag of chips for Mothers day, he told me he would share them with me.  Once he ate them, he replied, "Mom, these chips are comfy!"

After a great mothers day and talking about an upcoming Father's day He told us what he wanted for Jackson day.  When do we break the news?

We like to call you the Jack-ster.  So one day you called me the Mom-ster . . .hmmmm

After his first experience being 'stuck' some where, Dave told Jackson I was stuck in traffic coming home from work.  Jackson was so sad, he cried and cried and said they needed to go help me.  Luckily I came home to show him being 'stuck' wasn't the end of the world. 

And a little love to our Hallie:

Hallie's 4 month stats

Height 26.4 inches (99% . . . even higher than at 2 months)

Weight: 14 lbs 11 oz. (75%)

Head: 50%

She came in practically perfect in every way.  Besides a little skin rash due to eczema, she is healthy, strong and happy.  One funny thing though, she really didn't like the doctor.  Previous to this she hasn't shown any preference or stranger danger, but when he would even look at her she would start crying.

Also, I am becoming a bigger and bigger advocate of immunizations.  With all the controversy about them, I was a little nervous at first.  But now with the recent outbreaks of measles, whooping cough, rotovirus, etc.  I am SOOO thankful we have immunizations.  Plus, for my kids it is a total of about 2 minutes of crying (then I feed them) and then they have no recollection of the pain.  By the end of the feeding, I was squeezing Hallie's chunky thighs and she was laughing and giggling (she is very ticklish).  I was old enough to remember chicken pox and I am so thankful my children might not have to go through that, even if it isn't life threatening.

I am so thankful for this little gal.  She lights up my life.

(pictures taken at the Tulip Festival at Thanksgiving Point)

Hopping Hallie

I know I am the worst mom ever for comparing my children . . . but I am shocked that we thought Jackson was so jumpy and Hallie is even MORE jumpy!
Here is a video from Jackson at 4 months in the jumperoo.

Hallie is such a joy!  It is amazing to me how my heart has expanded with so much more love for her.  It doesn't feel like I had to 'share' my love I have for Jackson, but it is like a whole new world has opened up for me to love and adore this little one.  She is so happy and smily.  I just stare and coo and gurgle and blow bubbles at her for hours (or at least an hour before it is naptime again :) )  She adds so much joy and happiness to my life.  I am so thankful for her!

Newest new trick.

Hallie is under 4 months.  Jackson was just over 4 months and I thought he was rolling early!!