Changes

We're at that point where the old is gone forever, and the new is here and exciting. And then I know it won't stay for long. I feel like crying some moments, and rejoicing in others as I watch my little guy grow and change and learn. For example, he went from this:

To this.

Yes that's right! My little man has out-grown his car seat. Who knew 22 lbs and 27 in. would creep up so fast? He's not rolly-poly, but he's strong. He can hold himself up by his hands if you hang him from a counter-top, or something like that. He's too heavy to carry everywhere, and he loves being able to mimic every noise he hears. (This was the moment I realized that boys are born as men in little bodies, and really are born with sound-effects.) My favorite at the moment is "hhoooo, hooooooooooo".

One day weeks ago, without warning, I looked up after 20 seconds of indisposition to find him standing up by the couch. What! When did he learn that? He's been doing it ever since. Then, a week later, he started crawling! I'm excited for that, cause now the fussing can stop. I'm sick of the constant whining that he can't do what he wants to with his little limitations, and now he can go wherever he pleases. It's so fun to watch him entertain himself in an otherwise empty room. He'll crawl over to the wall, pound on it for a second, then move to the couch, or TV, or the little hole where the carpet fibers are coming undone. I feel free! (But I know the worst is yet to come). I'm so happy that he's reached this milestone. I'm so proud of him! Love you buddy!

The other afternoon, I listened by his door several times (as I do everyday) to see if he was up from his nap. After several pauses of silence, and the need to get going, I reluctantly went in to wake him up and this is what I saw...

It's amazing that he did it all in silence. Now we sometimes let him take several laps around the crib before we pick him up.

Funeral

Grandpa's funeral was nice. The viewing was much better- in my opinion. The best thing about someone dying, is the family reunion that follows. It was nice to see all the family I haven't seen in a while and get updates about their lives. You know how it is.

The interment was beautiful with a 21 gun salute! Here's P soaking up the sun and chillin' for a moment with his namesake.

Jazz game

Porter went to his first Jazz game! It was the last home game before the playoffs, and we lost miserably, but Porter had a good time. Jill and Rob gave us their tickets after a long day of moving, so we stopped by the game on the way home. We stayed only about an hour, but P loved it! We switched seats with the people who were in our, and we're glad we did! We had more room for our knees, and P held on to the hand rail and could sit there all by himself! It was way after bedtime, and we supposed he would be cranky and fussy the whole time. O contraire! I guess the lights were enough, and he loved the noise! Thanks J & R for the nice time!

8 Things

I've been tagged!
Here are the rules:1)POST RULES ON YOUR BLOG 2)ANSWER THE SIX "8" ITEMS(They're not in any particular order)

8 FAVORITE TV SHOWS
1. Cosby
2. Matlock
3. Jon and Kate
4. Friends
5. Seinfeld
6. 9:00 news
7. Price is Right
8. Gilmore Girls
(Can you tell I watch re-runs?)

8 THINGS I DID YESTERDAY
1. Went to church
2. Cleaned my kitchen
3. Went on a walk with my little family
4. Played with P
5. Took a nap
6. Called my mom
7. Finished a movie with Evan (Pride and Prejudice)
8. Posted the camper shell to sell online

8 THINGS I LOOK FORWARD TO
1. Getting our emer. prep. all taken care of
2. Real, permanent springtime
3. Playing at the park
4. Evan graduating…T-minus 2 months…
5. Our vacation this summer
6. Running outdoors
7. Losing my love handles
8. Quitting my job

8 FAVORITE RESTAURANTS
1. Olive Garden
2. Macaroni Grill
3. Glorias Little Italy
(notice the pattern?)
4. La Fondas
5.Carl’s Jr.
6. Costa Vida
7. Rumbi Grill
8. Poncho & Lefty’s

8 THINGS ON MY WISH LIST
1. Evan really does graduate in June
2. Doing our list of home improvements
3. Buy land this fall
4. Find someone (or someones) willing to take P while we go on vacation this summer
5. Go camping
6. Go hiking
7. Have more kids
8. Never see snow again

8 PEOPLE I TAG
1. Tea
2. Tara
3. Erin
4. Simone
5. Amy
6. Jaclyn
7.
8.

Grandpa Gentry, you'll be missed

My sweet grandpa passed away suddenly yesterday. He was a dairyman in St. George, and was always looking after the cows. He's had several health concerns over the years, but still kept plugging away at the dairy. He never came home for "supper" last night, so grandma sent someone over to check on him, and they found him sitting up in a ditch, holding a pitch fork. Appropriate? I think so. We like to think the angels came to him and told him they were taking him in a few minutes and that's where he sat to wait. I sure will miss him. He was 81 yrs old and lived a great life. I worry about grandma and what she'll do and who she'll take care of.

My testimony grows everytime someone close to me passes on. I know there is life after this, and I know my family will be together forever. God has blessed me so much. This knowledge is so precious to me, and I wouldn't be okay without it. I will miss his voice at the table, and his shuffle on the floor, but I know I'll see him again.

Radioactive?????!!!

Our Precious cat is back home with us. To tell the truth it was kinda nice having her gone for 2 weeks. We could leave food on the counter, I didn't have to vacuum up cat hair every day, and we wouldn't hear her meowing in the middle of the night. It was a good vacation. There were many instructions to follow when we picked her up:

No contact with people under 18yrs.
Minimal contact with caregivers
No contact with persons older than 45
Wash hands after ALL contact.

These are just a few of the rules, but we have to do this for 28 days! What! She has radiation levels safe enough to have her home, but she is still emitting radiation. (yeah, no contact with the thyroid either). I know you're all thinking, why should this be any different than usual? Well, when we brought her home, she was a totally different cat! She doesn't shed much, she won't meow like she used to, she's not starving all the time, and she is much happier! I love it! She just looks healthy and happy. She's gained all her weight back, and she's healed! Now if we could just get her and Porter away from each other...

The new arrival

He's here! Just as predicted, Gilbert Danger Peckham came into this world 5 days early! (With a little concern from parents over insurance for the wee one.) We went to see him in the hospital that day- Sunday March 29th. He's beautiful and looks just like Tara-with Johnny's lips. He weighed in at a whopping 8lbs 9 oz. and 21.5 inches. She did have this baby all natural, and I mean without medication(since childbirth is basically as natural as ever!) Go Tara! It's way better that way! Hope you're feeling better now and enjoying all the naps you can get. Congratulations. Sadly, they're moving to Dallas in 2 months, so little P is still the only cousin in a 15 hr. radius. I hope you visit often. He's so cute!!!!! If only I could hold him now....

The Supremes

Our ward has a pot luck once a month. This has the sole purpose of getting to know the new members of the ward and keep in touch with our friends and neighbors. There is always a theme, but last month we had a talent show for the entertainment. As the R.S. Presidency, we wanted to show our talents (?) Though we were the only org to do so... We rehearsed a few times, and learned the dance. Most of our talents are found in the lip syncing category. We were the supremes. Candace found these rediculous bouffant and literally marge simpson looking wigs and we put on gold eyelashes and everything. When the lights went out, the show began. I have it on video, but this is the only pic we took of the night. Though it doesn't do the outfit justice. Not bad, if I say so myself. Oh, and bishop, we accept your challenge!

It's a shower!

My sister Tara was due with a boy the beginning of April, thus I wanted to throw her a shower. She already had one with family, so I invited a lot of friends and some relatives from our side. She got pretty much just clothes and some bath accessories, and overall I think people had fun. We played the "price it" game with several essential items, and a pretty fun matching game with candy bar prizes. I think people had fun, and I liked throwing it. Here's a picture of the handouts we made and the mommy-to-be. She's really hoping he's born ON her due date (Apr 3rd), but I think he'll come at the end of March, just for fun! Thanks for your help Tea and Mom. Good luck Tarezee!