We have a Crawler!

So, here I am posting Jakey pictures again.
That's funny.

We've had some big changes/progressions in the last week or so. It started with Jake all-of-a-sudden being able to sit up from a horizontal position. Then, he was really, really trying to crawl--not just rocking on all fours. Then distinctive babbling. He's always been pretty vocal, but we really think he's "talking" to us now and we love it. Then real crawling. And now, pulling himself up to a standing position. Wow. Nap-time just got a whole lot harder, but we can't help but feel so proud when we peek at him in his room to find him standing up and looking for us.

This parenting stuff is pretty cool.

Here are a few snaps of Jake's first "real" crawling experience right when we unpacked him from our trip to New Mexico.

To Prove Something About Myself... Er, Maybe TO Myself

I realize that I am at risk of becoming a mom who only blogs about her kid. Not that there's anything wrong with that, it's just not the sole reason I started blogging in the first place--which was to shamelessly promote my own vain antics of pop-culture and "journaling". That being said--I get WAY more response with the "kid talk" on here, but will try to plug my own selfish thoughts anyway... here it goes.


I've discovered the "25 most listened to" option on my ipod. I guess I knew it was there, but didn't start frequenting the list until pretty recently. Maybe I was afraid of what would be on there... sometimes, my choices for tunes are less than "hip". (Who doesn't like a little Spice Girls here and there? C'mon!) Anyway, I've surprised myself with my own taste (even though there was very little that wasn't considered "retro"), and rediscovered an entire album in the process. There was Tom Petty, The Clash, Aimee Mann, The Cure, The White Stripes, Depeche Mode, and YAZ.

Yaz: Upstaires at Eric's. Man, what an album. I got all nostalgic listening to it in its entirety... and was brought back to nights dancing with Val in her bedroom in Middle School. Yeah, the band was old even then-- we were always considered "retro", I guess. Some favorites from 'Eric's' include: Midnight, Only You, and In My Room. All very mod-sounding and very Euro. I love it. Give it a listen--I dare you.

Superfluous?

While watching baby Kaiya the other day for Michelle and Brad, I may or may not have taken a ridiculous amount of pictures of these cute cousins. There was laughing, jabbering, eating of feet and stealing of bows involved. Enjoy.

Grandma Molly's House

I figure now that we are getting ready to visit Blaine's parents this weekend, I'd better post the pictures from the last time they visited us.

These were taken at Blaine's grandparents' house (Steve's parents) in Lindon. They have the coolest backyard and the timing was perfect... check out all the blossoms. It was a great afternoon.

 Pulling on branches with Dad, the pirate. Arg.

More...

More... (aren't they handsome boys?)

And more...

Swinging with Grandpa Steve.

More leaf pulling.

Brent showing Jack how to jump on the trampoline. Check out Jack's face. Hilarious.

Jack and Jake chillin' on the hammock. Yeah, neither of them knew what to think of this. They pretty much stayed there with those expressions until we made them move.

SuperBaby!

The family.

Funny boy.
I just can't get over how much he's looking more like a little boy and less like a baby.

Love him!

Posin'

Jake and Mommy.

Again.

Last one.

Happy Birthday Markelle

You know, I really can't empathize with some of my friends when they complain about their in-laws. Really, I can't. I know that I am a pretty lucky girl in this department and I'm not bragging, (well--I kind-of am) I'm just stating the obvious.

As soon as I met Markelle when Blaine and I were dating I knew she was great. She's such an awesome sister-in-law and an amazing friend. She's good at pretty much everything, which would normally make me want to hate her, but how could I? C'mon!!

Anyway, it's her birthday today and well... Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday Laurel!

Well, the day is almost over but we just got back from a fun-filled birthday fiesta for Rojo at Rubios. Hooray for birthdays, family, making fun of people, pie, cupcakes, fish tacos and the best red-headed sister ever!
Laurel is such a loyal, kind, beautiful and fun sister, friend, daughter, wife and mother. I am lucky to have her in my life and am incredibly blessed to count her as such a close confidant and friend.
I love you Laurel!
Happy 27th!

New Sister!! (For me. Not Jake.)

This is long overdue, (Doug and Jen have been engaged for a little while now) but I am so excited about Jen joining the Carter clan. They'll get married in August and we can't wait to claim her as ours... I think we will have to officially induct her in June when we all go to the beach house together. Poor girl. I hope she knows what she's in for. :) I love this girl! Don't you love the expression on her face here? She's thinking, "Why is Doug's crazy sister-in-law taking pictures of us? She's creepy and weird." True, Jen. True.

Lost is Boss

(No spoiler yet):

Oh. My. Holy. Crap.

I freaking love this show. It has blown my mind again and again and again. And last night's season closer was no different.

What is going on?

(Spoiler here):

Jacob? Wow. Finally some... well, not answers but something to chew on. Is there some religious theme coming out here? One man who guides our characters but ultimately gives them their agency? Or, is Jacob really the bad guy that Locke's new persona wants him to be? I keep thinking about the opening scene where Jacob and his nemesis are talking on the beach and Jacob says, "There is one end, and the rest in between is just progress", or something to that effect. It definitely plays on the whole "destiny" theme of the show.

Who is this other man who hates Jacob so much? What does he want? Is he protecting something? Is he actually the smoke monster? Has he been impersonating dead people to manipulate the characters?

Who is on The Black Rock ship?

Where are Desmond and Penny?

Is Claire dead or is she being manipulated by whoever is Christian?

Just what is Richard's role on the island?

Will we ever see Faraday, Charlie, or the real Locke again?

What does everyone think of the new Jack?

Who else hates Benjamin Linus???

"What lies in the shadow of the statue?"

And what about Juliet?????

That moment when she told "James" how much she loves him before she spiraled down into the belly of the island (leaving Sawyer screaming for her to "not leave him") was maybe the most heart-wrenching thing I've ever seen. I love them as a couple. Screw Kate! I said it.

...

I can't believe I have to wait until two-thousand-freaking-ten to find out if they will indeed be at LAX... and if so, will they have the memories of the island like Desmond's real memory with Faraday outside the hatch? Ahhhhh! I can't take it.

I guess I'll have to re watch them all before the final season.

*Sigh*

I love this show.

Five Minute Tulips.

We loved the Tulip Festival this year. I was so excited to capture it all with the camera, and I did... for about five minutes until my battery died. Who knew you had to charge those things? I suck. It reminded me of when Markelle and I took the kids to the zoo and when I realized I forgot my camera I stated (very loudly for comedic effect), "What's the point of going to the zoo if you can't even blog about it afterward?"

Oh well, it was beautiful and we had a great time. A double-hitter.

 Blaine and Jake. Jake loved touching the flowers; he thought they were pretty cool and we thought it was pretty funny.

At least Brent, Markelle and Jackson got a great family picture.
Stupid battery.

Jake The Snake

I think I'll pretend to blame my old laptop for my lack of real pictures on my blog, but honestly, I pretty sure that I'm just lazy.

Please bear with the insane amount of pictures here... I've really been behind. Hey, at least he's adorable.

We thought we'd take Jake to our little park to swing. He thought it was pretty cool.

I love his expression here... He's looking at his Daddy. So sweet.

Hanging out in the high chair.

Probably staring at the TV.

Smiling in his crib. I love this kid!

Playing with Daddy.

Jake started this up about a month ago. He sticks his little feet through the bars of his crib. We think it's pretty funny. He rolls all over the place in there now and grabs his mobile. Needless to say, the crib has been lowered.

Chillin' in his swing. This is the darling sleeper Nannie bought him.

Sitting up on his blanket.

Just look at those big eyes!

Goofing off for me and the camera.

Blaine is placating me a little bit here... I bought Jake this little shirt because I knew Blaine had a matching one. Green stripes squared.

Happy cowboy.

Just laughing.

I can't imagine life without this happy, funny baby boy. Who knew life could be this full? I sure didn't.