Bradley's Big Day

Bradley's birthday was on Conference Sunday this year.  Now I don't know if this is a good thing or not, but Bradley seemed to enjoy being home and being with his family... even though it meant, no friends, and no activities.  But either way, anytime his birthday is on a Sunday, it will be Conference Sunday, so he might as well get used to it :).  He got the streamers as usual, and his sign.  And since Dad worked in the morning, he had to wait to open his presents.  Well, except for Kelly's.  She let him open the gift from her in the morning.  She was so sweet and thoughtful to get something for him.  I was proud of her.  And I know it meant a lot to Bradley.

I just loved all of these facial expressions that Kelly captured (she was our photographer)

I think this was a second gift from Kelly, it included a little note.  Seemed like a sweet little moment between the two of them.  Gives me chills.

The next day, Monday, was Bradley's PARTY!  He was SO excited for his party, and unfortunately, I think it was mostly for the gifts.  Sadly we've failed at teaching him to not be greedy on his birthday so far.  But like half of the people that I've said this to, have said, "He's a kid, that's what birthdays are for." So I'll lay off.  I think he knows how to be grateful.  This was just one of those times where he gave himself a free pass :). 

I love how he does this with his candle blowing.  The big deep breath.  He's so cute!

I felt kinda bad that night, I was really off of my game.  Sometimes Bradley's birthday can feel really strange just because we're out of practice.  We have so many so close together a couple of months before his, and then we have the long break.  So we really get out of our groove.  I felt bad that Meg's family missed out on the cake.  But anyway.  I think most of the people had fun, and it was a success in Bradley's mind.  So that's all that matters :)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BRADLEY!!!

Baby Jack's fan club

I know I already have a million pictures of this little guy and his sibs, but I really can't get enough of their fascination with him.  And the pictures will just help me remember how much they do love him right now.

Luke and Erika will just sit here and love all over him anytime he is within their reach.  It's adorable.  

Luke put his little kitty in Jack's arm and was so giddy about the fact that Jack bent his arm and "wouldn't let go of it!".  They were giggling and came to get me and made sure I got a picture of it :).  So cute.

I also wanted to mention what a good baby Jack is.  As if I haven't done that enough.  And just to humor those of you who don't know what that means, here are the things that make Jack a "good baby". 

his cuddliness

he nurses well

he usually only wakes me up once a night

when he does wake me up, he will eat, then go right back to sleep! such an angel

he rarely cries

when he does cry, it's just a fussy little whine for the first 5 minutes, he gives me time to stop what I'm doing before he goes full force on the alligator tears

he's pretty easy to console

he lets everyone hold him and is usually content with even the smallest little hands and arms

he loves me :)

he has only had a few diaper blow outs in the almost 2 months he's been alive

he loves his bath and we found out today that he loves the shower as well

he stays asleep when I move him from one place to another

he doesn't startle easily and he is a HEAVY sleeper

he's not as sensitive to big kid noises, so he's okay to just hang out in the same room with his older sibs

Is this list long enough to justify the title?  Absolutely.  I would know, I've had several not "good babies".  They're much harder, but not any less cute and lovable.  (some of my kids need to know that just because they weren't easy babies, doesn't mean we don't love them.... you can't help but love a baby.)

Not sure how this got in here, but this was our Conference game... it's not my favorite, but the kids sit and listen (for the most part) so it's all good.  And we get snacks :)

There have been a number of times that he has smiled at me when I am smiling at him.  I am not sure if they were on purpose, however, because I can't seem to get him to do it every time.  But look how cute his little smile is right now :)  I can't believe I got a picture :)

I love having pictures of their faces like this, this is how I seem him most :)  So sweet!!!  Just wanna kiss his little cheeks!

Getting ready for Brother's Day!

We took Bradley up to the temple to get a few pictures of him for his baptism.  He looked SO handsome in his new suit!!  And SO grown up!  It was a lot of fun to find places to pose and get him to smile.  I think we did pretty good!

We went up to the temple before lunch (yes, I checked my child out of school to take pictures, don't judge me :)), rushed Bradley back to school, ran to the store to get donuts for him to hand out for his birthday, then Nate left for work, and I got sat down to edit the pictures, picked up the kids from school, came home, made the invitation, uploaded them to Costco, made dinner, went up to my Dad's to borrow his card (Nate has mine), filled the envelopes that I had addressed the night before, then drove our crazy selves all over the world and back to take the invitations to a Post Office that would have them out on Friday night.  It was one crazy evening, but I totally did it!!  Some people even got theirs on Saturday!  

The only problem now is: I don't remember why I was so anxious to get them out and so quickly.  Kinda silly.  If only I could have a better grip on reality IN the moment.  But either way, they got done, and out, and before the baptism :)

Bradley is so handsome!  And such a sweet big brother to want to share his big day with Jack.  I love it!