Monday

I haven't posted much of anything lately because we've pretty much been up to the same old! But here's a recap for journaling purposes.

Some exciting news is that last week Justin had his swearing in ceremony for the Utah Bar. His parents came (mine were out of town), I had a babysitter for the girls and the baby came with us. It was at Abravanel Hall in downtown SLC and was very nice. It was short and sweet and they had hors d'ouerves (yes I just looked up how to spell that) after. They had a couple of speakers and then recited all of the names. He picked up a big packet afterwards and amongst other papers and certificates, he received his official Utah State Bar card showing him as active and licensed! Hooray! I forgot my camera (bummer), but took a picture of him with his parents and Jackson but it's on his phone, so I don't have it yet.

Molly threw up at about midnight last night and I think she has the 24 hour flu. She had a fever this morning but is feeling better now. So much for the flu mist a week or two ago! (Although I did read that you get it so that the effects of the flu aren't worse...so maybe it has helped?)

Ali is in the thick of the terrible 2's! If you do anything she wanted to do herself, she has a total meltdown. It is so awful and I feel like I can't take her anywhere because I have on idea how she will react. It's like we walk on pins and needles around her. I can't wait for this stage to be OVER!! 

Jackson is doing great and has slept in until 6:20 am the past few days. He has learned to lick and smack his lips. It's pretty funny. He also likes to bite me when I'm nursing him! No! Even though he doesn't have teeth, his gums come down hard and don't like to give up. He will be 5 months old in a few days! Wow.

We have been having lovely weather, but today is the first day of the cold front. It's all windy, overcast and kind of rainy outside. I haven't been out and don't feel like I need to go anywhere! I head to Chicago on Thursday of this week (well really Milwaukee first and then Friday to Chicago) and unfortunately we are brining this weather with us. We are planning on pretty cold at around 50 degrees and rainy on and off. Boo. Oh well. We still plan to have lots of FUN! 

I have been working on a Halloween quilt! My mom bought the fabric for all of her daughters years ago and I've had the blocks for a few years and I'm finally working on finishing it. It feels really nice to have something to sew and do again! I almost have the top finished at this point. I have to add borders, then have it quilted and finally bind it. I also need to get the fabric to start Jackson's stocking. That's next on the list.

P.S. I got a babysitter on Friday night and Justin, me and the baby ate at Chili's. It was the worst service ever! It was like our servers totally forgot about us. It made me so mad! I paid for a crappy, slow meal and paid my babysitter who watched my kids for us too. Not cool.

Happy Birthday Molly!

Today Molly turned 5! She was lucky to have 2 birthday parties so that both sides of the family could celebrate with her. Molly opening her gift from Laney.

The first party was last Saturday with the Pendleton side. Thanks to Justin's parents and Scott (Justin's brother), Brooke, Laney and Reese for making it a fun time!

Molly has been asking for real golf clubs, so she was super excited to get a real putter and pink balls from grandma and grandpa! Her cousins got her some cool dress up things and she also got some adorable clothes.

She picked out this Snickers cake at the grocery store.

Molly with her cousins, Ali, and her friend Carly.

Today we celebrated with the Galbraith side at my sister Natalie's house.

Molly wanted a mermaid cake or cupcakes. I used some confetti and turned them into cupcake toppers by punching out some larger circles to go behind the Ariel, Sebastian, and Flounder circles. Molly and her friend helped me tape them together.

Excited to open her presents!

My dad bought her a makeup set from a recent trip to China. He's showing her how to open it and what's inside. She was obviously very happy with it! I don't know how thrilled I am, but I've told her she can only put it on with my help!

Mitt and Major make these lovely wallets out of duct tape. They made this snakeskin wallet today for her! Thanks guys! She also got a cat purse, clothes, and some girl legos. She has loved making cell phones from the legos that used to be my brothers, so we will see if she likes the girly colors just as much.

Yay! She was so cute this morning and wanted to know when she was officially 5. Thanks to my nurse, she made the time very memorable for me. She was born at 11:07 am on 10-7-07. The day she was born was also general conference.

Dear Molly,

We are so excited that you have reached 5! There are so many things we love about you. You are curious and want to know about the world around you. You are a sensitive girl and want others to be happy. You are very good at sharing and you are a great big sister to your brother and sister. You have a great memory and can remember very specific details about the past that you bring up spontaneously that impress us. You are very helpful to your parents and want to do what is right. You are a very talented girl and always willing to share your gifts with others. We love you so much!

Love, Mom and Dad

Jackson at 4 months

Alright here are some pictures of this guy at 4 months. I have a hard time ruling out pictures, so sorry, there are a bunch!

His daddy was so nice to give him a buzz hair cut without my permission :) But I guess it's ok. His hair is growing in blonde. Guess he fits the mold? I don't know. You will have to tell me. I don't really feel like we have a "mold" per se, but maybe it's just because I'm the mom and don't see it?

I lost his growth charts, but he has shot up! He is in the 30% for weight (14 lbs), 60% for height (I think he was 25 1/2 in.) and I think his head was 50-60%. He gained almost 4 pounds in 2 months!

This cute little doggy was a gift from my brother and sil. He loves his doggy! Well, he loves to EAT his doggy ;)

He's filling in and rounding out! Looking more and more like a baby and not an infant/newborn.

 I love it when they hold their hands! I think it is the cutest.

He continues to be a great baby. I brought out rice cereal again this past week and it's going much better than when I tried a few weeks ago. Yesterday and today he's started to really get it and actually keeps the food in his mouth. We are moving in the right direction! He still sleeps til around 5:30 am most mornings. What a luxury! I have no complaints with my cuddly little boy.

Lately

-Jackson rolls over! He rolls from tummy to back. It's his first trick really, so we are excited for him. He is not a tummy time fan, so we are glad that he's decided to get himself out of a bad situation.
-As I was writing this post and almost finished, he rolled from his back to his tummy for the first time!
-Jackson will be 4 months old tomorrow. He went to his well check last week and gained almost 4 pounds in 2 months! More to come on that tomorrow hopefully.
-He is a big time DROOLER and loves to eat his fists.

-Ali continues to wear as many clothes at one time as possible, even if she is wearing a shirt like it's a skirt around her waist :) It kills me that she pulls everything out of her drawers. I'm considering moving it all to a different place.
-She is SO particular. If we flush the toilet and she wanted to, she goes into tantrum mode and it's pretty hard to get her out.

-I overheard Molly say "You're like a grape in hot ashes." We constantly tell Ali she's a worm in hot ashes, but I guess that works too?!
-Molly hasn't had the best preschool experience thus far this year, so we are just about to pull her and put her into a different preschool (as in starting next week). It's a long story, but we think it will be best for her.

-I just finished the book "Divergent". If you liked Hunger Games, you might like it. I am anxious to read the next book.
-Justin finished "Ender's Game" and is thrilled to read books of his own choosing for once!!
-I booked a girl's trip for the end of next month with my mom and sisters in Chicago and I can't wait! Jackson will be accompanying me but the girls will stay here with Justin. I'm looking forward to it.
-I have not done anything remotely crafty unless you count fixing a hole in Molly's new pants!

What would you do?

Today I was getting my 3 children out of the car in the Ross parking lot and a man came over by my car and said he was homeless and asked if I could give him some money for lunch.

I said no. But then a couple of minutes later I felt bad! I felt like if it was a test, I probably failed! I kept thinking about it while I was in Ross. It just made me nervous with my 3 kids there and I wondered if he would have tried to rob me or something! I didn't feel very safe. If Justin would have been there, I think I would have been more likely to. Would you have given someone money in this situation?

The Results Are In...

JUSTIN PASSED THE UTAH STATE BAR!!! Yay!! This means he can practice as a licensed attorney. He gets sworn in in a special ceremony a month from today. Congratulations Justin! We are so proud!!

Family pictures