We will miss you Brycen Monte.

Our oldest nephew Brycen died in a car accident Sunday morning. He was 18 years old, a great football player, the best older brother, and an all around nice guy. We were first told that he fell asleep driving and rolled his car. The latest is that he survived the car accident and crawled to the road where he was hit by a car that then drove away. Its awful. He was a great kid and we will all miss him.

You can read the news articles Here and Here.

Jett 6 Months

Can you believe it has been 6 months already? He gets his 4 month shots on tuesday (because thats the kind of mom that I am?) so I won't have measurements until then. Right now he:

Sits up
Loves Sweet potatoes
Hates Carrots
Makes funny faces at fruits, almost like its sour?
Can hold his own bottle
Recognizes the bottle and pulls it to his mouth
Rolls from back to front
Goes to sleep on his back
Wakes up on his tummy
Recognizes faces and is starting to get a little shy
Loves to cuddle (shocked us all, I know)

He is at such a fun stage in that he can play with toys, recognizes you and smiles, but still can't quite move around. He is sleeping well and so I am pretty well rested. I could never imagine loving this boy like I do. He makes me laugh all day long. We love this little guy!

Here are some pictures for you. The outside needs some love and new paint. I also have a few plans for the paint on the inside as well (mostly the kitchen cabinets). We will see how it goes. When we move in on the 15th of September I will start posting some before and after shots.

Brooke

A House

Well, we have been house hunting for a while. It was starting to get really frustrating and I came home one night and told Mick how I was refusing to look ANY MORE. But I couldn't stop my daily habit cold turkey, I had to look ONE MORE TIME. Well, a house I had seen earlier but was too expensive had just been reduced to something we could afford. So I sent an email to my realtor and next thing you know we own a house!

Its in chaparral, its about 10 years old, and it is going to be quite the challenge. Most of the big things are done, but there are a few cosmetic things that I need to change. First and foremost being to paint the kitchen cabinets and install a backsplash.

I am stressed out of my mind with all of the potential and I refuse to post pictures until I have a before and after of SOMETHING... because then I will feel better about the whole thing.

Until the after,

Brooke

5 Months already

Jett is 5 months already. It is crazy how things change. It some ways it is easier to take him places, if he would only stop puking and nap without being held, life would be so simple right now.

Right now he:

15 pounds 8 ounces (50th Percentile)

26 inches 75% for Height

Loves sucking his hands

throws his feet

sucks on his toes

lifts his feet to roll to his side

arches his back when he gets really mad

Starting to coo / babble

likes to hear his own voice

got used to being held to sleep in Idaho... bummer for mom.

Loves rice cereal and is starting to work his way into solid foods. I am thinking of making it, any advise out there?

When I first found out I was having a boy, I was a little dissapointed, not going to lie. I have always wanted a girl and thought that the first kid is really more like an accessory. HOWEVER, I live to prove that boys can be fun to dress up too. My mom saved a lot of clothes from when we were kids, and I also have a love for all things knitted and crocheted. I love spending sunday afternoons dressing him up in clothes just to see what fits, what doesn't, what looks really good, what is itchy, etc. See the picture of Jett in his rediculous jacket and hat. Notice the socks? Thats right, they are like the male version of ballet slippers in knitted form. I love them. My grandma Johnson made them for my brothers when they were babies. If Mick only knew what we did when he wasn't home! I love it! On a side note, the knitted bootie has also become my favorite item ever because they never came off. I am unable to knit but a champ at the crocheting, so if anyone is able to teach me, I am a more than willing student! "Blue Steel"

In other news, Barrett is home from school and it is very fun having him around. He is great with Jett, he knows all the fun and exciting things, and we get to feel young just being around him and his energy.

Idaho

This was Jett this morning as I unpacked. He is in a little MOOD.


Idaho is one of my favorite places to go. There is great shopping and great friends. We went to Idaho this last week to visit some friends and family and help Barrett pack and drive home from School. I thought having a week we would get to see everyone we would love to see, but having a baby with you ruins a lot of plans. He travelled really well but he hated the heat and it made for short days in 'Town'.Not the greatest picture, but we have to see Jett and Dax together. Maybe Josh's will turn out better. Jett wanted to hold his hand.
Grandpa actually asked to hold Jett. I almost had a heart attack.

My new Nanny, Jozlyn. She loved holding Jett and always kept him very entertained in the car.

Trish Eve Taylor and Ruger also loved little Jett.

We also went to Idaho for a quick weekend in april that I never told you about. Here are the pictures.
I also posted some amazing before and after photos of my latest project on the Hire To Inspire blog. Check it out by clicking on the button on the top right of my page.