good habits, plant problems, and a week with Grandma

I am feeling great today.  Finally starting to get caught up on my blog, and it feels fantastic! Two posts in one day, that is definitely a record for me! Speaking of records, this month also marks the one year anniversary of my blog.  That's right, I actually kept up a journal for a whole year!!! For someone who has always been pretty flaky in this area, I am definitely giving myself a pat on the back for sticking it out.  I'm pretty sure keeping it up is a lot easier for a mom with one kid, so those of you keeping it up while raising several?...you are my idols :)  

As far as my other habits go, there are both good and bad things to report.  I've started walking with my sister-in-law a few times a week, which is awesome.  Melanie lives right now the street and we have committed to 2-3 miles most days, pushing our strollers up and down hills, with 3 goals in mind:  To tone down the flab, catch up on gossip, and most importantly, work on our tans.  So far, it's going quite well.  On the more disappointing side of things, my mom gave me a potted plant for Mother's Day.  It has all kinds of awesome herbs in it to cook with, and my mom reassured me that herbs are "hearty" plants, and I would have little trouble keeping them alive.  I've always wanted to have an herb garden.  My mom always did when we were growing up, and I loved how easy it was to go out back and get what we needed.  Well, the rosemary and chives are looking fabulous, but I've killed my parsley and basil, and the cilantro is looking quite worrisome. O well.  Too bad I didn't inherit my mother's green thumb.  Better luck with the next plant.  Anyway, Here are a bunch of pictures from the week I spent with my mom, from April 26th to May 3rd. 

So I felt kind of bad because when Jessica had her baby a week early, my mom was still up in Utah with me instead of Arizona with her.  Luckily, Nate and Jess were awesome and agreed to set up their laptop off to the side in the delivery room, so my mom and I were able to sort of see little Sawyer when he was born!  The doctor said it was his very first delivery being broadcast on the world wide web.  He was a really good sport.  It's hard to describe how I felt watching my sister greet her baby for the first time.  It was truly a wonderful experience.  Thanks Jess, for letting us be a part of it! I love you so much!

We managed to take a few snapshots of the i-chat during the delivery.  This is one of my favorites.  I like how you can see my mom in the corner too.

All choked up after the delivery, what an awesome experience!

Later in the week we went to this great indoor pool in Lehi with my cousin Jerai and her little guy Boyd.  Jake LOVED the water slide!

Smothering Grandma with a big wet smooch.

Jake loved the bubbles!!! A little too much actually.. about 5 minutes after this picture he got a little too excited and face planted on the concrete.  Sorry Jake!! Luckily, he's a tough little guy, and got over it in no time :) 

Jake does this funny little shoulder shrug thing when he gets super excited.  You can kind of see it in this picture.  I love him!

As always, the trip felt too short, and mom jetted off to join  Jessica and her family for the next week. Goodbyes are no fun, but we just always have to look forward to the next fun reunion! And when that seems too far away, there is always I-Chat!! thank goodness for that! :)