No One Prepared Me For This

I heard that having a baby does funny things to your husband... unexpected mushiness, jealousy maybe. But honestly......A lion?

There's really not much else I have to say about this.

"Waking Up Is Hard To Do"

Many of you can attest to the fact that I am NOT a morning person... not ever.. not even slightly. In the middle of the night I am the lightest sleeper, but first thing in the morning I am dead to the world. I just hit this funny stage where, even if my eyes are open, I'm not really awake. Half the time I don't even know what's going on around me. And "sources" say that I'm not exactly "good-looking" when this occurs. I can feel it too... I lose all control over the muscles in my face! Well sadly, it seems as though my poor child has inherited this as well.

When he wakes up from his nap, he smashes his face against the netting in his Pack-n-Play and screams until someone comes to rescue him.

You may be thinking... big deal... don't all kids do that? Well they probably do, but only my child could turn from this: to this:

Poor kid doesn't have a chance. He has all the classic signs... Droopy eyes, flared nostrils, big lips. Don't judge folks. He can't help it.

But aren't his jammies so cute? (Thanks Katie) Somehow, I gave birth to the skinniest little thing. Like an adorable little string bean, huh?

I also took a picture of me with Jay because I realized that I have almost no pictures with him. I'm always behind the camera and one day Jay will look at his childhood and wonder if he really ever had a mom. So look Jay! I exist!

Our Fun Weekend: Part I

I know you've been holding your breath for part one... since I just posted part two a few hours ago. I firmly believe that I have just such a following that would wake up on a Monday morning with nothing better to do than check my blog.

Well we went to Utah this weekend to witness a couple of wonderful events. First we went to see my cute sister-in-law go through the temple for the first time ever! Yeah Janelle. She's getting married next month to this guy... (I hope it's okay to post this picture Janelle!)
This is Brent. He's a great guy and we're very happy for them! Look how in love they are! Really I just happened upon the two of them leaning against this fence staring at each other, and I decided to take a picture. I'd say that's "Twu love".

Going through the temple was awesome and all the Brady kids (and Mom and Dad) got to be there for the first time together. Pretty cool. The temple was gorgeous... if I knew how to spell it's name, I'd tell you to go there.

We also went to see my sister's new baby!!! It's a boy. His name is John Maxwell and he's super cute. It's in the genes. Jay got to see so many cousins this weekend. All but one actually. And there are 3 more on the way! I didn't get any good pictures of all the cousins at Amy's house but I got a few of Jay playing with Maya. She makes Jay look pretty pastey. Here they are playing with mayonnaise packets. This is Maya's excited face! One of my favorite parts about visiting Utah is getting to see my mission companion Shannon. It is always good to catch up. Here we are on the mission in our elevator that we named Henry. We named it because we thought it was pretty funny that it had a security camera. We started teaching it the discussions and even gave him English lessons. His progress was always so up and down though! Ba dum chh... Oh man I couldn't resist! The highlight of the trip had to be Jay's first date. He fell pretty hard for this blonde beauty... (Don't be creaped out Jeana, I stole this from your blog!) This is Addy. She and Jay went on a double date with her parents. Kind of awkward I know. But it sounds like their first date went something like my first date with Joe. Apparently, Jay screamed for the first 45 minutes and then fell asleep. Like father like son I guess. He was a bit more friendly after he woke up though. So much so that Addy's Dad stepped in to give him a talk. Now if Jay really follows in his Daddy's footsteps and doesn't ask her out again for a year, we know it's a match made in heaven. They also went to church together the next day where Jay stole all of Addy's toys. She got him back though by planting milk slobber all over one of them and making him break out in hives. She's a clever one. I like her already.

Our Fun Weekend: Part II

Still to come: Part One...

On our way home from Utah this weekend we decided to make a detour.Joe and I were SOOOO tired so Jay drove most of the way.Obviously, I'm joking but Jay loves pretending to drive.....well okay he probably has no idea that's what he's doing and he just loves standing on Joe's lap.

Our detour was to Shoshone Falls.

AMAZING! Totally worth getting lost.
(Hint: Take the road that says "Waterfalls" with a big arrow.)

The picture just doesn't do it justice. I've never seen so much water... falling.
But the part I loved even more than all that water was the mist that it created. We went at the PERFECT time for pictures.We wrapped Jay up in a big blanket because it was pretty cold and wet. But how cute are my boys?This one reminds me a bit of "O Jerusalem". (The picture of Christ overlooking the city) Maybe it's just because Jay looks a bit Biblical in his blanket.

It was so fun to take time out of our drive to see this. There are so many things in Idaho that I have never seen and have totally missed out on because I'm in such a hurry to get where I am going. This was a lesson to slow down and appreciate the journey.

(Update: Okay I couldn't resist. Do you see why it makes me think of this?)

The J-Files

So I hope no one checks this blog hoping to find updates on Joe and me because the only exciting thing around here is Jay. Okay that's not entirely true but he is definitely the best looking out of the bunch so he gets all the photos! It's part of his contract.

Anyhow, I'm writing this down so I don't forget it.
(Here you go Mom Brady!):

Jay pulled himself up to standing for the FIRST time yesterday. I thought it was pretty cool. And he thought it was hilarious.

I'm a Big Kid Now

Jay is becoming quite a Daddy's boy. I have no doubt that Joe will be his hero. Jay loves Joe's hat and always tries to pull it off his head. Oh and look close... Jay has 3 teeth!! Crazy cute huh?

Sanity... Welcome Back Old Friend

Why didn't anyone tell me that having a baby was entering into a world of endless stages?! First it's the newborn "sleep deprivation stage"... then comes "stand up and hold me or else I'll scream"... followed by "I'm starving always"... and now we are in "look at me, pick me up, watch my every move or else I'm going to go ballistic!" This has been the most challenging of all. MY HOUSE IS TRASHED... well it was.. until I discovered this baby: (Not the actual baby... the toy.) It's a little piece of heaven on earth my friends. (Jay is too.)In case you can't tell... he can walk around, and around, and around, and around... you get the point. It's great. It has a cool little piano that changes what it plays as you flip through the book in front of it. It has a tray and about ten other toys to choose from. Then when he can actually walk and stand, the seat comes off. Genius! Love love love this.

Anyhow, other than that Jay is teething and learning to crawl. Pretty cute. Love love love him too.