Four month stats

Jovi is four months old!

Jovi turned four months old on Sunday (07/13), so just four days ago.
Sorry I didn't post earlier. Getting back from a ten day vacay has NOT been easy.
It was the unpacking that killed me. Not Jovi (for the record).

Anyway, here's what our little lady has been up to:

- She screams & squeals. A lot. For no reason at all, really. Just likes to hear her own voice, now that she's figured it out.
- Has more rolls than you would find in a bakery. (Okay maybe not).
- Is teething and super drooly.
- Comes close to rolling over. Just can't quite figure out that one little arm.
- She can lay flat on her back and kick her feet, to the point where she can pivot in a complete circle. She doesn't move her head, just her feet, and it's THE cutest thing. I believe she'll be mobile soon.
- Belches louder than me sometimes.
- Loves to sit in her bumbo (like King Tut), but like all things- In moderation. She gets sick of it after about five minutes. Go fig.
- Loves and I mean LOVES fans. They're her new mobil.
- She's become super ticklish right underneath her sweet little neck.
- Likes bath time & kicking in the water.
- Still hates the sun, but definitely tolerates it better more, now.
- Enjoys sitting up on the couch. She looks like such a big girl! (It kills me).
- Has discovered how to give momma the puppy dog look. I die. (She doesn't really know she's doing it though. Or does she?)
- She really really really likes getting kisses. Right on her cheeks. She'll even lean into you for it, and will open her mouth in excitement, and just GRIN!
- Really likes to eat her hands and talk at the same time. She's a multi tasker! (Not like her momma at all)
- Loves her piano toy that Nana got her. It plays music & lights up and she LOVES it!
- Will give a flirty grin to anyone who will pay attention to her. And I mean ANYONE!
- Went through a growth spurt while we were in CA to the point where we had to loosen her car seat.
- Enjoys her Mamaroo swing more than ever, now that she can stare at her friend, the mobil. 
- She loves to open her mouth & give kisses whenever we get close to that sweet little mouth of hers.
- And weighs 14.7 pounds (53rd percentile), is 25 inches long (63rd percentile), and has a head that is in the 84th percentile (42 3/4 cm). Doctor says she's doing great & progressively growing, just as she should be. 

It's a full moon tonight!

A few weekends ago, my sister and I noticed it being a full moon outside.

She quickly grabbed my camera and set it up on the tripod, while I ran after her.

We were in the perfect place for these pictures- Away from the city.

I love where we live and I love how we captured these images.

Not only were we able to capture the moon, but it's reflection as well!

In these images, you can see how the moon was moving. Notice the reflection changes…

I was so excited we were able to capture this. Thanks, Kelsey, for all your hard work!

Note: All images are straight out of my camera w/no editing and or filter. 

California

Friday, June 27th- Leave UT and arrive in Bakersfield late that night.

Saturday, June 28th- Hang out in Bakersfield & have a pool day.

Sunday, June 29th- Attend church w/Aubre's parents in Bakersfield.

Monday, June 30th- Leave Bakersfield to drive to Pismo to stay night.

Tuesday, July 1st- Leave Pismo to drive to SLO to stay night.

Wednesday, July 2nd- Leave SLO and arrive in Bakersfield that night.

Thursday, July 3rd- Aubre & Jovi in Bakersfield. Jake gone fishing.

Friday, July 4th- Albert's annual 4th of July party & BBQ.

Saturday, July 5th- Leave Bakersfield to drive to Kernville to stay night.

Sunday, July 6th- Leave Kernville to drive back home to UT.

The first day we were there, we just kinda chilled and visited Nana at work. She's all about showin off that baby!

We did our traditional Los Hermanos dinner later that evening and boy was it delicious! 

Photo taken on my iPhone

Saturday, Jovi had her first swim in Nana's pool & loved it! (I have never had a more relaxing Saturday)

Sunday, we went to church in my parent's ward & visited w/Jake's grandma afterwards.

It was so nice seeing Meme meet her new great granddaughter for the first time. 

Meme and Jovi

(I feel like Jovi looks naked w/o a headband)

Photo taken on my iPhone

Monday, we headed to Pismo a litter later than planned. (When do you ever leave on time w/a baby?!?!)

I was very excited to stay w/the people we were staying with, on Monday.

Jake knew this couple from awhile back & had quite the history w/them.

He had never met their kids, and I had never met this sweet family. I had only heard nothing but great things about this family, so I was very excited.

I had been friends w/the wife (Jessica) on social media ever since Jake and I were dating (just before we got engaged).

I never thought we'd be able to meet, since we lived in different states, but I always knew that the day we did meet, we'd be great friends instantly. And that we were!

We (unfortunately) didn't get a picture of all of us together, but we did get one of our little girls!

(Jessica and I were pregnant at the same time & had due dates just a few days apart. Jovi ended up coming three weeks early, as many of you know, so our babies are almost a whole month apart now).

Jovi and Brielle

Photo taken on my iPhone

We took Jovi the famous… You guessed it… Splash cafe! (It's a must when you go there).

Jake and I have each been here several times. It was fun to take Miss J

Photo taken on my iPhone

Tuesday late afternoon, we left Pismo and headed to the San Luis area, to stay at Jake's cousin's house.

I had never met his cousin, but I've met her husband.

He used to come up to Utah & go snowboarding w/Jake waaay back in the day.

Jovi had fun playing w/their little boy, who was 11 months old at the time. He was such a doll and we enjoyed a delicious BBQ that night, in their cute 'lil backyard.

Wednesday morning, we headed out towards the Avila Beach area, together.

We had fun walking the pier, and eating lunch on the pier together.

And then we had to say goodbye to the beach.
Back to flaming hot Bakersfield we went.

We got back to my parent's house early Wednesday evening and I crashed!
Jake went fishing early Thursday morning, so my mom and I just hung out @ the house w/Jovi, while we waited for my g'ma to get there.
It was so much fun to just hang out at the house together. Just us girls :) And Austin :)

Jovi & GG

Photo taken on my iPhone

Jovi and Nana

Photo taken on my iPhone

Friday was the 4th and boy did we have fun!

We woke up early Friday morning, and went to the annual BBQ put on by the church.

(When we first moved to Bakersfield July 1999 we went to the 4th of July breakfast, to meet everyone we'd be going to church with. It's become a tradition w/my family, that we go every year to this breakfast).

Uncle Austin and Jovi had fun together

Photo taken on my iPhone

Photo taken on my iPhone

Photo taken on my iPhone

We did the traditional fireworks in my parent's front yard. These were a few of my faves (no editing):

Saturday morning we left for Kernville, to see Jake's family.

Nana cried.

Pretty sure she's cried every time she leaves Jovi. It's the sweetest.

We continued the 4th of July festivities at Uncle Dan & Aunt Bonnie's house.

It sits right up on the lake, and has a beautiful view of the Isabella area.

Photo taken on my iPhone

Photo taken on my iPhone

That pretty much sums up our California trip.

We left for home (Utah) Sunday around noon.

We had such a great time & enjoyed spending time w/everyone.

Thank you to all, for your wonderful hospitality. We absolutely appreciate it. 

Jovi was such a good little traveler the whole time.

She went through so many changes (elevation changes, time change, environment change), and did so so so good. We could not have been more impressed

Jovi's first road trip & swim!

On Thursday, June 26th we left for California.

This would be Jovis' first big road trip yet. I was so excited!

We decided to leave after Jake got off work so we didn't mess up Jovi's schedule.

And that we did. She did so well too! I was very impressed.

We stopped twice for gas, and each time we fed her.

After every feeding, she went right back to sleep in her car seat.

She was such a good traveler, for not even being four months old.

That's my baby! And a good baby at that!

(We intended on leaving RIGHT after Jake got off work... 2-3 hours later we hit the road)

We saw a beautiful sunset just before we hit Cedar City

Photo taken on my iPhone

We arrived in B-town early Friday morning (4:30) and had a nice visit before we went to sleep.

Over the weekend, we hung out at the pool and had fuuun in the suuuun

Jovi had her first swim at nana and grandpa's house in Bakersfield.

She dipped her tootsies in their pool for the first time. And loved it.

Jake was so sweet w/Jovi as soon as they got in the water together.

Of course I wanted to be the first one to hold her, as she got in the water for the first time, but SOMEONE had to take pictures. It's not just a job for anyone on your iPhone.

I had to bust out my Canon for this event!

As you can tell, my parents love her.

But my dad- Really?!?! Watching those two is priceless. I just love it!

Jovi loves talking to my dad & telling him stories.

Clearly she was babbling to him about SOMETHING serious, while he was holding her in the pool.

My mom loved snuggling her little grand baby in the water. And Jovi was so calm w/her!

It was so sweet to see her get excited & kick her feets in the pool.

I love watching her try all these new things & get excited when she learns something.

She's such a good baby.

PS- She fell asleep right before we were supposed to put her in the pool.

That's right. She had sunscreen on & all. So what did we do? Take her inside & let her sleep in her swimsuit of course!

It took way too much effort lathering her up & getting her all dressed.

Our sweet little water baby. 

Jake's first Father's Day (as a dad)

Men. They never specify or tell you what they want/need.

Ever.

I had to kind wing it this year & just do my own thing for Jake.

Oh wait- This was the first year we ever celebrated father's day for someone else other than our own.

We got dad some new razors he's been wanting to try.

I gotta admit- It looks really cool. I think I wanna try some too! wink wink (not really)

We also got our Papa Bear some yummy treats 'cuz let's face it. What guy doesn't want yummy goods for his office?

The man got me some coupons of none interrupted sleep (for Mother's Day), so I thought I'd make him three fishing coupons- Good for any time, if he asks first. Ha!

Valid through Oct. 2014 :) So I guess not really good any time. 

The sisters in our ward were asked to help volunteer to bring treats for all the dads.

Here are my "pops" for all the cool ones out there.

Jake's treats

I made Jake some fishing cupcakes, along w/his coupons for going fishing.

More goodies for our Papa Bear

Jovi made this little craft for her dada, who she loves ever so much.

I wish it would've turned out a little cuter, but it is what it is

I'm so grateful for this hard working man of ours, that we like to call dad.

He gets his great work ethic from his dad, so thank you Papa Joe for raising a man well.

We weren't able to talk to Papa Joe this Father's Day, because he left for scout camp earlier.

Last year we ran into the same problem, but were able to catch him before he ran out of cell service.

We hope it was a good one, Papa Joe. You're loved dearly in this household.

I sure do love seeing Jake do all these manly things. 

He's in such a zone when he's mowing our lawn, and I love seeing him so happy.

He takes such great care of us & likes doing all these home improvement things, to our newly purchased home.

Thank you for working so hard, Papa Bear, so I can be a stay at home mom and have this one-on-one quality time (which we both feel is extremely important in our household).

We hope you had a great first Father's Day, Jake. Enjoy some fishin & yummy treats!

To make Father's Day even more special, this year, Jake was sustained and set apart on Sunday, for his new callings.

That's right. Callings…TWO!

He was called the week prior and I knew it would be a big one, when they asked us both to come in the room.

Jake is now the assistant scout master, and deacon's quorum advisor. 

He'll be planning monthly camp-outs for the young men in our church, and he'll be required to attend scout camp this summer, as well.

Since we'll be gone the week PRIOR to scout camp, he won't be able to attend the ENTIRE week, but at the very least he'd attend one night at the end of the camp.

I know he's looking forward to the monthly camp-outs.

From what I hear, they're pretty hard core w/them.

Jake is just the perfect guy for these callings, and I know he'll excel at them.

These are both right up his ally.

When he was being called to these assignments, he mentioned how he had great young men leaders (growing up), and that he hopes to carry on those examples to these young men as well.

As for us girls? Jake will be gone every Wednesday night, for weekly activities w/these boys, and one Friday a month for the camp outs.

Our Papa Bear will be spending lots of time in the Uintahs and I know he aint mad about it!

Happy campin boys!