Jack...

has started to enjoy his tummy time. 

Jack has discovered his hands.  His hands are usually touching each other, and most likely near his face. Every now and then he will try to suck on his hands or fingers too.

I love this little chillin' pose.

Jack usually has his feet touching each other too.  He has such cute little toes.

Jack has started to love his bath.  He has big eyes and a smile through the whole thing.

Jack has started to spend time in his saucer.  He won't stay in it for too long, but enough to let his mama get things done.

Mylo

A couple of weekends ago we were invited to this little guy's birthday party and I was really excited about it.  Mylo is the nephew of one of my best friends, Kristen, who died when I was 13.  Mylo's mom actually went into labor with him on the day that Kristen had died, even though she wasn't due for weeks.  Mylo was born the next day and looks quite a lot like his Aunt Kristen.  After getting in touch with Kristen's mom and sisters this last year, we received an invite to party and a chance for me to catch up with them.  So, I brought Chad and the kids with me and had a good time.

They had a pony for the kids to ride.  Lucky for my kids there weren't too many other kids there, so they got as many rides as they wanted.

 But the kids' favorite thing about the party would have to have been the trampoline.  We had a hard time getting them off of it and by the time we left their little legs and feet were black.

 Mylo is a little shy, and I had a hard time getting a picture of his handsome face.  He was just finishing feeding the pony some grass.

This is the lady that I wanted to see more than anyone, Kristen's mom Tracy.  She was just as sweet as I had remembered and brought back a lot of happy memories for me.  I was honored for an invitation and so glad that I went.

6 months ago

I have been thinking about my little sister Erin, for today marks another milestone.  Little Henry died 6 months ago.  I am pretty sure that February 13 was a terrible nightmare for Erin and Rob, but I can tell you that it was a terrible day for me as well.  Throughout Henry's week I held hope that the results from the MRI would be positive, and that very soon Erin and Rob would be taking him home.  Never did I once entertain the thought that Henry wouldn't live.  It was just too much.  

Looking back on that day I can remember the phone call, with my Dad giving me the results of the MRI, and how hard I tried for him to tell me that he was joking.  I remember crying hysterically while relaying the news to Chad and the overwhelming sadness that descended.  The rush up to the hospital, and seeing all of the family.  The worst part would have had to have been walking into the hospital room, where Erin sat in a rocking chair, holding Henry in her arms.  The sadness was tangible, and no one was exempt from puffy red eyes.  I was so happy for Erin, to finally be able to hold her baby boy, yet devastated that they were soon going to stop the machines that were keeping him alive. 

Even now, as I type this, my tears are flowing.  Like Erin said in her recent post, I would give anything to go back and do that week over.  To be able to have Henry here, watching him thrive and grow.  Erin means a lot to me and I hate to see her sad and unhappy.  I would do anything to fix this for her, but I can't, and I hate it.  She is amazingly strong, even through this unimaginable circumstance, and I believe her and Rob have many happy years ahead.   

School Update

On July 8th I found out that I passed my final exam!  I was so happy to read that I passed the objective portion with a 99% and the practicum portion with a 91%, which gave me honors status.  I had started to doubt that I had passed it at all, so that was a very nice surprise.  Right away I started working on my resume.  I have to say that it was really fun to send out my resume.  Last time I had done resumes, which was pretty much before I had kids, it was all done hard copy and by mail.  It was so cool to send it out by e-mail!  I was pretty much obsessed with checking my e-mail for the next couple of weeks and was loving seeing any response come back, though most were to say that they weren't currently hiring.  It didn't last long however.  On the 23rd of July I got officially hired!  I will be working as a part-time Independent Contractor for a company based out of California called The Transcription Doctors.  They are very flexible and I will be working from my home computer, which is exactly what I need right now with my little growing family.  I have started training just a little.  Tomorrow, my new foot pedal should arrive and I will be off to the races.  I am really grateful for Career Step and the training they gave me.  I am an official  Medical Transcriptionist.... Wahoo!!

Better late than never...

My friend Becki, who also took the pictures, put together this adorable announcement for Jack. Thanks again Beck!

Swimming Lessons and Parades... Wahoo!

The 2-week session of swimming lessons came and went in a flash.  

Keaton learned how to swim to the bottom of the pool for rings and how to dive off the edge.  I even saw him do a front flip off the edge too (or Jedi jump as he calls it.)

Sam has finally conquered his fears and will go under the water without holding his nose (which even I won't do ;).

This was Emmi's first year and it seemed to be a miracle just to get her to go into the water without crying.  We had one rough day, but she did beautifully the rest.  She learned how to blow bubbles with her mouth and kick with her legs.

 Thankfully, Jack slept through most of it. 

We were able to have our lessons at the same time as our best friends, the Ewell, the Ross, and the Edwards kids.  It made it all the more fun.

For the 24th, we drove up to see the Bountiful parade, where I grew up.  It is sentimental to me because I was in the parade a few years during jr. high and high school with cheerleading and drill team.  We couldn't keep Sam and cousin Tanner out of the road.  They had to be as close to the candy as possible.

The crew.  My mom, Aunt Janny, sister Ab, brother J and Chad with Jack.  They are all in red to support Peter Caroon, who is running for governor, and who J, and my sister Erin work for. Go Peter! :)

The grumpiest of the bunch would've had to have been Chad.  He does say that he likes parades as much as he likes going to the dentist.  It was so hot and crowded, I didn't blame him.  I was just glad he was a good sport to come with me. 

Emmi and Lauren.

Keek and Tanner sharing a seat.

Jack's Blessing Day

On Sunday, July 4th, we were able to bless little Jack in our home ward.   Here is all the kids just before we left for the meetinghouse.  We all love this little man with his little bald head and big blue eyes.  We are grateful to have him at our house.

We were excited to have all the Hunsakers and Thomsons with us for Jack's special day. Here is Jack's parents, and both sets of grandparents.  We invited all the family over to the house after church for some good food and conversation.  It was a full house, but I think we all had a good time.

Three-generations, aren't they cute? Jack was blessed by his papa, and Chad did such a great job on the blessing, as usual.  I was a very proud mama.  And in case you were wondering, I did put socks and shoes on Jack for church. ;)