:: and the long lost one returns... until another dry spell, at least ::

Three months. Long time, I know. Here is my run-down of our latest & greatest.

MAY brought really fun things for us. Jack found four teeth in one day. Ick. Poor boy. We made it through it though. He loves showing off his new teeth! We put offers in on some great homes (short sales, thus the multiple home offers) since we decided to stay in Utah for a few more years. We're still waiting on that one. We took Jack on his first hike on Memorial Day... who knew he loved hiking so much?!? I'm sure it is more than likely the fact that he got to ride.



Oh... I turned 33. So weird. 33 and almost as many white hairs sprouting out of my head. Needless to say I found myself in a funk for a few days. Not because of the white hairs, of course. Just the fact that I remember when my mom turned 33. I don't know why that hit me as strange. At least I'm proud of my white sprouts. I earned every one of them! {Please note that on the custom wrapping by my lovely sister, there is a cake ablaze with 33 candles and the kind consideration of a fire extinguisher. The mind reels what she will think up for my 40th!}



This picture is just hilarious. Here is my boy trying to help his puppy escape with his bare teeth. I always knew I grew a jungle cub.



JUNE brought more waiting on the house, more teeth for Jack and picking up crawling speed by the day. He'll be running before he walks, I'm sure. I've been doing a fair bit of design for an up and coming new apparel company. T-shirts for now. Branding, logo, shirts, print schtuff and I've taken up a little copy writing which I am having a great time with. Lots to do. Early work from April here. More on this later.



I went on my first sans-John weekend to Montana with Jack. I... will never do that again. Fun with family and tons of fun with Grandma-Great and my sister Jen in the car, but man. Tough. Oh, and did I mention how cold it was? Still, always a great time at the cabins. Look.






Back home, Jack fell in love with swimming and we had a great Father's Day for John. I am so grateful to have a husband who is absolutely cuckoo for our son! He is such a great daddy!





JULY, the first half so far, has been awesome. Family reunion with my side up in Montana at Hebgen Lake. Ryan drove all the way out from Ohio with his cute family. Good skiing. Beautiful weather. Great food. Jack loved his cousins so much! We loved the Ligretto game Jen brought up. She made addicts of all of us! July 1st, Jack took his first 5 steps on his own. Unfortunately, he decided that walking isn't nearly as fast as his speed crawl. He'll get there. Pictures to come along with more details.

Whew! I've done it. Consider yourselves relatively caught up with the busy Luangraths for now. Cheers. Happy summer!

:: jammies optional ::

Anyone who has been at our place around Jack's bedtime knows that John loves to show off our boy's rolls. Here they are in action at Grandma Great's house. Jack had been super crawling {with serious tempo} for about a week when he headed for the stairs in her front room. We thought we'd "see what squirt does." Most importantly, check out the tail end of this video. Does Jack know he is this funny? First the stairs... what next? He'll be running before we know it!

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

:: happy easter ::

I love Easter. This year it followed one of the most amazing General Conferences that I can remember. I couldn't think of a better way to get in the spirit of Easter than the talk from Elder Holland. Conference, then easter with everyone dressed in their best, blossoms, green mountains emerging from the snow pack... Last year it was a bit dreary here in Utah, but this year was gorgeous! For Jack's first Easter, we decided to go to the park right after church. Jack didn't venture much further than the blanket we brought with us since he wasn't a huge fan of grass. We got some great photos of our little family though! Have I mentioned how happy Jack is? He is available for photo shoots anytime. :)

Due to popular demand, I'm posting a few of the photos we took on Easter Sunday with Jack. Let us know if you want any printed and we'll send them to you.



























My, how Jack has grown. Here he is with his cousin Brooklyn. She's 6. Jack is 7 months. You do the math. {no need to adjust the screen... he really is that big.}

:: all clear ::

At the beginning of this year, Jack & I switched over to John's insurance which required changing doctors and hospitals. I wasn't too sad about losing my OB though... she missed that Jack was breech until my due date... thus the c-section. {ick} I found a great office of doctors who work very closely with a midwifery group within our new hospital. The doctors get involved with high-risk pregnancies {no, I am not pregnant} but otherwise the nurse-midwives take over the annuals etc. I have to say I was a little skeptical and nervous about not seeing a "doctor" doctor, but overall I think that was my best experience ever going in for my dreaded annual exam. She met with me for over an hour getting my full {and I do mean full} medical history and is working with me to find out if everything I've got going on is connected. Anyway... I'll spare the details about all that. Here's my point {yes, I am getting to it}.

She found a lump. I had surgery when I was 25 {yes, it has already been 8 years} to remove a tumor and haven't had it checked since. The new lump is in the same location. {Any brothers reading this can stop now and skip to the next paragraph since I know this kind of talk makes you squeamish... you know who you are.} I thought it was just scar tissue when I did my regular self-exams and, since I am still nursing, figured it would work its way out. Teresa, the nurse, wasn't so sure. Bracing myself for whatever outcome, I went in to have an ultrasound yesterday to get everything checked out. Having a couple of months to stew about this made us all more than a little nervous. Especially John.

Thankfully, I'm all clear! So why did I go into all that detail and post this on a blog of all places? I'm hoping that my situation will push all you amazing women I know to put BSE into your schedules once a month if you aren't already doing it. It takes a few minutes, but it is so worth it! It's all about early detection to keep us healthy so we can have a long active life.

{More unnecessary details if you are interested: The tumor I had when I was 25 turned out to be clusters of pre-cancerous cell growth which in 10 years time could have morphed into full-blown cancer. I could have had a much different result yesterday had I not done something.}

So thank you, family, for all your prayers. I feel so blessed!

march :: month six

It seems that I am doing once-a-month posts now to this blog. I guess better than none at all, right? I also find that our family blog is quickly turning into Jack's page, not altogether a bad thing... he's so much cuter! We are obsessed with the boy. Plus we have family & friends from San Francisco to Virginia, Hawaii to Mongolia. We have to make sure they will be able to recognize our fast-growing son when they actually get to meet him in person! But before I get into Jack's latest and greatest photo shoots, I probably should update everyone on what is new with the parents.

We are still waiting to hear back from dental schools for John. Our top {UCLA} is still in the running so we are still hoping like crazy. We've been working on some contingency plans though too, so as soon as we find out either way, we'll be making our next move. In the meantime, John is still loving his job and keeps moving up in the company. I'm so proud and feel so honored to have such a great husband! He certainly keeps me laughing and is such an amazing daddy to Jack. Wherever the wind takes us will be a great adventure for us. John is so good at so many things. I love that!

As for me, my time working for Zions Bank is finished. Unfortunately, my proposal to work from home on a permanent basis was approved by two but sadly not by all. It's tough to have a senior designer/creative director working from home I suppose. Sad to leave the great people I worked with, but it gave me the needed push to do what I should have done a long time ago... I'm going out on my own! Right now I have been designing for a local creative/printing joint and have a couple of other clients in the wings as well. Most importantly though, I get to be with Jack which is the best thing I have ever done. I'm so excited about all this!

And saving the best for last... Jack-boy. Jack's month six was super busy. He has had a blast exploring the house now that he is mobile with both backward and forward motion. He is so pleased with himself now that he can follow me into the kitchen! He's been busy breaking through teeth too. One a few days after his 6-month birthday and 1 just this last week. He has been getting more and more mobile throughout the month. His babbling is starting to sound more and more like "da da da da da--- da da da da da." Just kidding. He's starting to try out all kinds of consonants along with a great deal of splattering all over the place. Eating solid mush is working out great too: vegetables are great; he's learning to like his fruits; but he absolutely and completely hates carrots. I tried to upload a video here, but no dice. I'll try to upload his carrots & crawling videos later. In the meantime, check out our cute Jack-boy now!




Lunch.






I am convinced he likes to chew the spout of his cup, but hey whatever works. He gets his water out and down his chin quite successfully!







Yum. Sweet potatoes.






"Jack, Daddy's hair is attached you know," John said.






Post-nap... puppy as pillow. The last month or so, he can't sleep without it. Bonus to Gavin for an inspired Christmas present!








Jack spends most of his time playing with blocks on the floor or crawling {yes, crawling!} and getting into mischief. Favorites? Books, books, books! But when he is done with those, he heads for the doorstop spring, shoes, my woven purse strap (great for gnawing on) and the air intake grate for the heating/cooling of our house. He's all into textures and things that make his music. Needless to say, I've been much more on my toes as of late!






Here I am with my sleepy boy at Grandma's. Is it bad to say how cute he is when he is tired?









Jack and I took advantage of the beautiful weather last week and went on a long walk to the park. He loved being outside in the wind. I even got him to show off his first tooth that he got a month ago. His second one just came through last Friday on the 27th.







Watching for mommy after a nap. Jack's new game.







We went on a field trip a few weeks back to my great friend Jandee's gorgeous place down in Springville. I think Jack was checking Isaac for teeth. They were so cute figuring out what the other little person was all about. I'm convinced they'll be roommates at BYU.






Showing his Irish roots on his first St. Patrick's Day. Jack go bragh! Handsome like daddy.

Jack's new trick

We like to think our boy is just brilliant. He loves books, is very interested in the art of paper crumpling and this last week, Jack found a new trick. Our little drool machine is developing quite the chops for trumpet. The lighting is a little dark, but so funny!

Finally. An update.

Okay, okay. I have been appropriately reprimanded by my great friend {read: honorary sister} Carrie. What better friend is there than one to whip you in line every now and again? Thanks Carrie! This is for you and everyone else who has been dying to see what we have been up to. There has been so much going on for the past 4 months, I thought I'd do an abbreviated photo essay of Jack here in one post. This is for everyone in our family and for all our friends who we love so much!

:: OCTOBER ::


Here is our boy Jack sleeping through Halloween. Such a cute puppy.




John dressed up as Genghis Khan... won $25 in his company's costume contest. I'm so proud.




Here's our first time at our Downtown Farmer's Market with Jack. It was more a big moment for me. Lots of walking, but spectacular produce! Pumpkins and corn on the cob to die for.




Despite Jack's facial expression, we really didn't give him a lemon for this photo. For some reason, anytime we went outside or took him in the stroller, this was our view of Jack.




Me and Jack on our daily walk around our complex... when it is good weather of course. We get some awesome leaves in the fall.




I miss this. Jack used to sleep with his hands behind his head.



:: NOVEMBER ::


Jack kept trying to pull himself up so we decided to see what he thought about sitting up. He loved it with the pillows to fall on!




My boys. I love this photo. Jack resting and John beaming! He is such a great daddy.




This was the best thing for Jack! The first day we had it, he started reaching for the toucan spinner. We are so proud of him. John would feel even more proud if I mention the killer deal he got on craigslist for this little jungle... only $20!






We took Jack up Millcreek Canyon to see the leaves. It was so nice to go just 5 minutes away and be in the mountains. We all loved it!

:: DECEMBER ::


And with one wild laugh, Jack brought in Christmas 2008. He has been laughing for quite a while now, but this was the month he really started to belly laugh... and sit up... and play with his stuffed animals... and roll over. It was a big month!




He loves his books every night before he goes to bed. Thanks goes to Eric Carle and his genius illustrations in his Brown Bear books... Jack's favorite page: "Goldfish, goldfish, what do you see?"... a smile every time!



Jack started holding his stuffed animals whilst talking to them... he really started interacting more with his surroundings {and his parents} this month. So dang cute!



On our annual Christmas tree hunt... Jack's first... at Home Depot. Yeah. I know. And it was cheap! :)



Singing Christmas songs. He loved it so much he joined in!



And on his four month birthday, Jack sat up. Not for very long and most likely from the benefit of his squishy baby thighs, but he did it!



My cool cousin Aimee had her boy exactly two months before I had Jack. They finally met Christmas Eve, but both boys were so sleepy I don't think they had nearly as much fun as we did. The Santa suit was John's present for Jack's first Christmas... though his belly barely fit! {Jack's, not John's}



Loved the paper more than the present. Glad I used gold this year. Anything shiny finds its way into his mouth. Scratch. EVERYTHING finds its way into his mouth.




"Like my hat?" Presenting, my little chubstah. 20 pounds 4 ounces worth of sumo baby and off the charts at his 4-month appointment with his doctor. 26.5 inches long put him in the 93% height-wise. I think he may be tall.




Visiting his great great aunt Melva. She is still going strong and will be 99 years old in April. She is so amazing and absolutely loves having visitors.



As if I don't have enough photos of Jack, this is my absolute favorite from Christmas. Sitting up in front of Grandma-great's tree and having a fabulous time.



:: JANUARY ::
Busy month for our house... I quit working for Zions Bank {long story} after they decided to not let me work from home. So, while they are trying to replace me... I'm working from home. :) The irony kills me. And helps our savings! Just needed the faith to jump, I guess. I've been setting up my own freelancing business from home. I have already had so many clients pop up I know I did the right thing. We are being so blessed. Plus, look at my boy! Who could resist staying home with such a handsome baby?



I think he is trying to make the cover of GQbaby.




Our new year baby. It may appear that we are feeding him Haagen-Daaz, but seriously he is only nursing. I know, the mind reels. I'm just glad he is healthy and is currently on the brink of being super mobile.




John & I thought we'd just see what he would do with the sippy cup that came with his new Combi high chair... he put it straight to his mouth. My favorite part though, is that I finally captured him playing with his feet... he grabs everything with them: blankets, toys, my arm while I'm changing him... cute monkey boy.




And here is the top part of the new high chair {King Jack's throne}. I wanted so badly to get a wood one, but with our limited space and need for a transitional type, we found the cool Combi from a joint in North Carolina with a deal. The bottom part folds up and the chair part lets him sit wherever it lands.


:: FEBRUARY ::



John turned 31 this year! Here is Jack with the card he made for daddy. {He was more interested in playing with the paper than writing with the crayon.} Then here we are at Braza Grill for his birthday. Mmm... brazilian barbecue, grilled pineapple, and his cupcake with sparkler candle. Thanks goes to Nikki, Ty and Brooklyn {our cousins on the Luangrath side} for taking us! We know it was SUCH a sacrifice for all you can eat meat brought right to your table. Game on!



Visitors. Jen and Grandma-great came down for lunch. We love it when they are here!



Yep, Jack is scooting himself all over the house. Backwards. He is such a happy kid. I love this photo and can't believe how big he is already! He'll be 6 months old this Saturday and I only have a few words for Jack... don't grow up so fast!