Two month stats

Jovi is two months old!

I know last month I posted a little late, and now this month I'm posting a little late (again), but that just goes to show how busy things are around here & where my blogging priorities are. I apologize. The nursery has been a little high maintenance lately, so when that's 100% complete I'll post pictures :) but for now- clearly that's where I've been occupying my time & not here. Forgive me?

Here's what Jovi's been up to as of 05/15 (when her two month check-up was):

- Sticks her tongue ALL the way out now, and not just a little (like a puppy dog).

- Doesn't like being swaddled anymore, and if you try- She'll just kick & squirm her way out of it.

- Has discovered she doesn't like having her feet covered. You can put a blanket on her, but (just like her dad), has to have her feet out. I hear that's hereditary, and a few people in Jake's family are that way, so….

- Talks and babbles ALL the time. They're not just little coo noises anymore. I'm certain they're full on sentences.

- Smiles constantly and is most happy in the morning. 

- Loves being on her changing table & smiles EVERY time she's put on there.

- Likes bath time more & more each day. We just have to put a space heater in the bathroom to make it extra warm & have one person pour water on her (mom) while the other person scrubs (dad), to help keep warm. 

- Drinks anywhere from 3-6 ounces on the daily. It usually averages somewhere around 4 or 5 most days though.

- Loves snuggles STILL and will fall asleep best/longest when in bed w/mommy in the morning after her 7am feeding.

- Can put her own self to sleep in her bassinet/swing, when tired.

- Has been holding her head up since the hospital, but now has better control & stability & LOVES to look around at things.

- Pushes herself up when lying on your chest/over your shoulder. I think she'll be an early crawler!

- Likes to use her legs and stand up on your lap A LOT. Her legs are VERY strong and she almost likes to bounce when doing this. 

- Weighs 9.77 pounds and is in the 21st percentile for weight.

- She's 21 inches long and is in the 6th percentile for height & growing as we speak.

My First Mother's Day (as a mom)

I had a wonderful first Mother's Day as a mom.

Jake took Jovi into the living room, both Friday and Saturday night, so I could get a full night's sleep over the weekend.

Sunday morning, Jake made a delicious breakfast:

Eggs, biscuits, cinnamon rolls and a delicious fruit platter. 

I've (obviously) celebrated many Mother's Days with my mom and grandma. This year was my first year as mom though, so it was different.
Jake went to Hobby Lobby and made a cute card.
In our house, we don't buy cards. We exchange love letters during special occasions (birthdays, anniversaries, etc.)
He made a sweet card and wrote a sweet note in there from him, and another note from Jovi.
He put her hand on a pink (non-toxic) ink pad, to get her handprint while she was sleeping.
Now that's one card I'll keep forever!
When I opened the card, I saw Jovi's message first, since it was on the right hand side, so  naturally I read her note first :) It was so cute. Misspelt words 'n all. Just as if she wrote it herself. 
Jake made me a little coupon book, that had messages in it saying "Good for counting sheep" or "Good for uninterrupted sleep." I'll definitely be taking advantage of those!
The last coupon was telling me to go get some clothes that fit. Ha.
Never did I think my hips would expand, as much as they did, during pregnancy.
Needless to say, nothing really fits anymore, other than his basketball shorts, over sized shirts, and my old maxi skirts.
To the mall I go!!! Thanks Kelsey (my sister) for being willing to come w/as my stylist! 
I'm afraid I've lost all styles as a mom. Ha

I feel so blessed to be this sweet little girl's mom. 
The love for her is undescribable and it just grows & grows every day.
I'm especially thankful to my Heavenly Father for trusting me to be her Earthly mother & take care of her.
I love our little Jovi so much, and thoroughly enjoy being HER mom.

Jovi's Baby Blessing

Last Sunday, we had the opportunity to bless our little Jovi.

(There was a total of three baby blessings that day.)

Jovi got to wear my dress that I wore on my blessing day!!!!!

What a special day it was & what sweet words her dad said.

Thank you to everyone who came & helped. We truly appreciate it.

Here are a few family pictures, from the special day. 

And what a beautiful day it was. Perfect 80 degree weather.

Aubre . Jake . Jovi

The whole shebang from my side of the family

(left to right)

Sterling, Kristin, Ava, Kelsey, Courtney

Aubre, dad, Jake, Jovi, Austin

Mom, Tyler, Carlie, grandma and Maddie & Brooklyn down in front

Albert's and Strain's

(left to right)

Johannah, McKenzie, Melissa, Bryan, Papa Joe, Aubre, Jake, Jovi

Austin, Grammy, dad, grandma, Tyler, mom, Carlie, Kelsey & Courtney

The Strain's

(left to right)

Melissa, Bryan, Aubre, Jake, Jovi, Papa Joe, Grammy, McKenzie and Johannah

The Albert's

(left to right)

Kelsey, Courtney, Austin, Aubre, Jake, Jovi, Tyler, Carlie, mom and dad

After the luncheon at our house, we took family pictures with my immediate family.

We haven't taken these since my brother first came home from his mission.

It had been a few years, so it was nice.

We are a happy family! Sing it now :)

Of course the only good picture I get of her on Nana's blanket, is this one.

One of her with her pacifier in her mouth. We'll have to shop that out later. 

My mom made this beaut-iful blanket for Jovi, for her baby blessing.

We want to thank everyone who came out for the blessing; Especially those who traveled.
We had family traveling from Arizona, Idaho, and California.
It was so nice having everyone here. I loved it & miss it terribly! 
Please come back. Please?!?!
After all was said & done, I realized we didn't get any pictures of the men who stood in the circle. 
I want to thank all those who were worthy enough to participate in such a special day. 
It was a very big event for us & we feel eternally grateful for those who helped make it extra special. 
Circle: Our bishop (Bishop Marshall), my dad (Russ), my brother (Tyler), Jake's dad (Papa Joe), Jake's brother (Bryan), Sterling Steele (my cousin's husband), Ryan Taggart (childhood friend), Sean Welsh (friend & co-worker), Matt Bassinger (friend & old co-worker), Mark Lyman (friend & old room mate), Tim Coles (friend & old room mate), and Steve Pugmire (friend & old co-worker).
I know it may sound silly that Jake had so many co-workers, old co-workers, old roomies, etc. but these are people who Jake has looked up to, admired, and been good friends with, for quite a few years now. 
We have both lived in Utah for over five years, and to NOT have any of these men stand in the circle, would have felt like a family member was missing.
I, also, have grown close w/these people & their wives. I love every single one of them & consider them family. 
Thank you for being the shinning examples you are, and for helping make our day as special as it was. 
Special thanks to my totally awesome sister (Kelsey) for taking these pictures and editing them. MUAH!

Jovi Ann, your dad and I love you very very much & hope you grow a close relationship with your Father in heaven. 
Jake, thank you for being a worthy Priesthood holder, so you could bless our daughter, and thank you for the sweet sweet words in which were spoken. You made this mama bear cry and I loved hearing your testimony afterwards. 

Canadian Bacon- Whole Wheat Pizza

I got this recipe out of this totally awesome cook book my totally awesome in-laws gave me. The recipe book is called Money Saving Meals (Betty Crocker) & it's great!

$1.49 per serving
Prep time: 15 minutes
Start to finish: 55 minutes
8 servings

You will need:
- 1 pkg. regular active or fast-acting dry yeast
- 1 cup warm water
- 2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon whole-grain cornmeal
- 1 can (8 oz) pizza sauce
- 2 cups finely shredded Italian mozzarella and Parmesan cheese blend (8 oz)
- 1 pkg. (6 oz) sliced Canadian bacon, cut into fourths
- 1 small green bell pepper, chopped (1/2 cup)

Directions:
1. In medium bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Stir in flour, 2 tablespoons of the oil and the salt. Beat vigorously with spoon 20 strokes. Let dough rest 20 minutes.
2. Move oven rack to lowest position. Heat oven to 425 F. Grease cookie sheet with remaining 1 tablespoon oil; sprinkle with cornmeal. Pat dough into 12x10-inch rectangle on cookie sheet, using floured fingers; pinch edges to form 1/2-inch rim.
3. Spread pizza sauce over crust. Top with cheese, bacon and bell pepper. Back 15-20 minutes or until edge of crust is golden brown.

ENJOY!