100th Post!!

I think it's appropriate that my 100th post is about our Sweet Layla's blessing day. She was able to be blessed the same night as her cousin, Grace, with just our 3 families there. It was a very sweet blessing given to her by her dad, who got all choked up as he spoke about her eventually finding a spouse to take her to the temple to be married. He can't imagine giving her away at some point.

One extra special part of the night was that each baby girl wore the same blessing dress that her mama wore as she was blessed.. many years before. My mom was very thoughtful to save those. Who knew that both baby girls would get to wear them on the same day!

We were so happy to have so many loved ones in the same room for such a special occasion, and those were not there were definitely in our hearts.

We love you Layla and Grace.

Us

Happy Holidays

Love   The Montagues

Baby Blog Hopping

To see a cute picture of our chubby Layla, and an AWESOME new product for baby baths....

GO HERE

First of all...

... we missed Ben & Amanda, Jason & Jacey, and Jamie, Ryan & baby Grace at dinner. We can't wait for Christmas to be all together.

We started our day by watching the parade. Josh's faves: Spongebob & Buzz Lightyear.

Josh and Jack also designed their own handprint turkeys.

The To-Do List

(and corresponding recipes)

My first, and very successful, pecan pie!! Yum.

Layla was the only one relaxing on this holiday.

The Spread

After our wonderful Thanksgiving feast, we all watched 'Up,' which was so cute and had my boys' attention the entire time.

Adam Sandler's Turkey song has nothing on Josh.

(at the end of the day, we heard "Thanksgiving is over...")

Happy Thanksgiving!!

FINALLY!!!

Layla's Smiles

...and such cute ones of Jack and Layla. He is so proud to be a big brother and loves Layla so much.

My 3

This week...

... we are just hanging out. 

Is that a smile... yep, I believe it is. She is thinking, "Now I am safe from my always-jumping and bumping brothers!" She loves the swing.

Josh got his first snowboard this week, but there is still no snow here. How does he solve that?

Layla was finally awake long enough for me to get some pictures and footage. Really, she sleeps more than any teenager I know.

(sorry about the spit-up, but it's her best talent)

And, congrats to Jamie and Ryan this week, who gave us our first cousin: Gracie May Turner. I am an aunt for the first time! I love her so much already, and I haven't even met her.

Time With Josh

In the car-

Gwen Stefani: "I'm just a girl, living in captivity..." (again, "I'm just a girl...")

Josh: "Mom, she's a girl."

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Taking a family picture with Uncle Jason-
(for our Christmas card, which I'm not showing yet)

Josh: making a silly face in EVERY picture

Jason: "Josh, you can't keep making silly faces."

Me: "Wow, that's like the pot calling the kettle black!"

Genetics, or just silliness? They both do a mean shaky-fist. Again, started by Uncle Jason!

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Josh: (looking contemplative and tapping his forehead) "Fink, fink."

Me: "What are you thinking about?"

Josh: (still tapping) "Hmm. Where peek-a-boo book?"

(explanation: I just gave this book at a shower; the same book that Josh had as a baby. He had been thinking about it all weekend since, and was now looking for it. Too good of a memory.)

Halloween Fun!

I didn't realize...

...how curious my comment about Layla's middle name (Hope) would make people. So let me satisfy you... or at least try to with an explanation. Please keep in mind that I am in no way uncomfortable sharing this. You (the reader) are either a friend or family.

Most of you know that Dan was self-employed all last year, trading on the foreign exchange markets. And all of you should know that along with the US Stock Market crashing last year, the world was also greatly effected. This began the downward spiral of our family's financial stability. Just as a company that is shutting down needs to walk away from certain things, so did we.

Towards the end of last year, we also felt that 2009 would be a good year to add another member of our family, but with my history of getting pregnant, figured it would be a while. When we found out our baby news, it was at the same time as Dan and I were making some pretty heavy and serious decisions. We thought, "why the heck would any sane couple have a baby during all of this mess?" 

Being very aware of the nation's struggles, and so many people suffering financially, we heard many stories of hopelessness and despair. But I can tell you honestly that Dan and I never felt those things. There was no room for fear, since it is a useless feeling and if one is consumed by it, cannot move forward. We came together as a couple, and counted our blessings - Josh and Jack, the coming baby, and the knowledge of eternal families. Nothing else mattered.  

So when we knew our baby was a girl, and as we thought of names, 'Hope' seemed so appropriate. We knew that we had put many material things aside, but none of it mattered when counting our family as the most valuable of our possessions. We knew that Layla came to us during that time to keep our minds focused on all of those facts, and all we felt was hope for a more positive future. (really, there was nowhere to go but up!)

We are doing great! We have been so blessed as a family, but also as individuals. Dan was fortunate enough to get rehired by Wells Fargo in February, and so many doors have been opened for him. We love being back in our favorite neighborhood - Sugar House. We are loving getting to know our new neighbors, going to some great parks, and being closer to my parents and other family. 

We are happy. 

Lucky Shots?

Dan, being the KING of finding a deal, came home with a b-ball hoop he found for $2 at a yard sale. It is now just one more thing to, hopefully, help keep the boys busy during the winter... and in the basement when mom needs a break!

I literally said "go," and both boys did this...

And, not to be outdone by her brothers, Layla shares her talent for being cute and posing herself for pictures! I did not move her arm there. This is the infamous left hand that she loves by her face so much that she entered the world with it all balled up by her cheek. (she had a lovely blue bruise for a few days) But, who says that we can't have more blue just because we had a girl?!

Layla's Day

Welcome Layla Hope Montague!

Our baby girl joined our family on October 9 around 2:00 pm... after a way too long labor! She weighed 6'15 and was 19 1/2 inches. To me, she immediately looked similar to Jack. She has changed a lot since the hospital, so you can decide.

Who wants details? (if not, skip to the next picture!)

*started natural labor Thurs night at 11:30 - 12 days early

    *around 6 hours later my contractions stopped - what?!  (started oxytocin)

*a few hours after that, we learned that my water had not completely broken

*within an hour of re-breaking the water, Layla arrived - WHEW!

(total time in labor - 14 1/2 hours... no epidural)

Dan has used the word "cute" more than ever as we started getting ready to introduce a girl to our very blue/truck/sports-filled world. Even Josh has added it to his vocabulary. Layla will probably get anything she wants out of her softy-daddy!!

Because of the new policy of no kids at the hospital, Josh and Jack waited and waited to see their new sister. The first thing Josh did when he ran in the door was run to grab the stuff he knew was Layla's (toys, blankets, utensils, etc.) and showed them to her. Jack did the opposite of what I thought he'd do and wanted to just hold her and kiss her head! It was the sweetest thing ever, and I couldn't have been more proud as a mom. Holy cow, I have 3 kids!

This outfit was actually the one that Layla came home in, and was the very same that I wore as a newborn. It was from my Grandma Helen, who is not with us. She loved babies so much and I can even remember the unique way she would kiss their sweet cheeks. I always hoped that she would be able to meet my babies, but I know that she was probably right there to send them in to my arms. 

Here is our sweet Layla Hope. 

(maybe soon I will tell the story about why her middle name is Hope)

A Few of Our Summer Faves

There are too many things we love to do in the summer to list them all, but here are some recent pics:

Water + Bikes = smiles and soaked clothes

One of the things on my pre-baby list was to finish this toy room for the boys. CHALKBOARD PAINT ROCKS!!! 

The boys will turn anything in to a ride for each other. Since they weigh the same, it's easy to push the other. They have been "breaking in" the infant car seat since we unpacked it. It's ready for anything now!

1) The boys love the animals at the fair.

2) Both boys love their friend, Lucy.

movies & popcorn & blankets

Kid Cam

What do the troublesome two do while mom is in the shower?...

...find the camera, though it's in a different spot every day, and snap some shots!

These are totally random and boring, but not when you visualize Josh using the camera, it's funny.

And now for the grand finale: the second time Josh got a hold of the camera, it had been left on record mode. Here is REALLY what goes on! I challenge you not to laugh out loud along with Josh.

A Total Blag!

   I have to admit that I am so proud of Josh. He has been able to count objects one-to-one for quite a while, as well as count to 10. (sometimes he forgets 7!) But today I observed him sorting his gummy bears first, then counting and labeling each pile.

   Let me tell you why this both makes me happy and, yet, leaves me confused. I have been teaching kindergarten for a few years now, and all of those skills that I just mentioned are included in the state's curriculum, but tested for at the first of the year. I am confused because I would still have a couple of kids every year enter K with no knowledge of colors, or being able to count objects. With all that is even just in cartoons these days, I find it odd to know that 5 year olds are not being exposed to those simple things. I am not saying that Josh is any smarter than any other child his age, but I guess I am just proud that Josh, without having any of those math skills shoved down his throat, was able to learn how to do them through his own play.

This is just one reason why Josh won't be starting 3-year-old pre-school this fall. I believe that kids should be kids before they are in school and are every day until they are adults. And just look at the knowledge they can gain if left to do their own investigating and play!!

I really get to brag about these next 2 accomplishments... since they are my own. (and I usually only blog about the boys) This top quilt is one that I made for our arriving baby girl. I started it a few weeks ago, and finished it last week... finally! 

This quilt is for my sister's soon-to-come baby girl. We pregnant women just get really ambitious when we don't find anything we like!  This quilt only took me a few days to complete, since Jamie did all the cutting and pinning before she went home. (our girls will be about 6 weeks apart!)

And, finally, even with my crazy nesting and drill sergeant attitude with Dan, he still brings home my favorite flowers. I love him. Thank you, babe, for putting up with these last few weeks of insanity!!

In Spite of...

...the almost synchronized vomiting that occurred with the boys this afternoon, I found myself in a mood of gratitude.  I think it's easy to feel that way when 2 very busy, rough, loud boys are forced to lay out so their stomachs stay calm, and are laying on each side of my lap.  

(oh, and of course my hormones...)

- I love looking at their little feet and hands when they are relaxed.

- I love that when asked what friends to invite to Josh's b-day party (not until Jan), he listed Jack very first!

- I am grateful for the concern I feel for something as small as threadbare patches in Josh's 3 1/2 year old favorite blanket, and what do I do for him when it finally dies.

- I am glad to be home this year from teaching. 

- I love that when I take Jack out of the tub, wrapped in a towel, he still lays his head on my shoulder until we get to his room.

- I love when I hear Josh singing (loudly) "wash, wash, wash" as he washes his hands after using the bathroom.

- I can still love both boys at the end of a really long day, when all of our tempers were short and we end up spent.

- I must love them enough, and enjoy being a mom more than I thought, to even have considered having 1 more!

So Long Nanas Dotes

Thomas Goates is:
*the baby bro of my family
*an uncle that will drop plans to come help with my boys
*incredibly mature, kind, honest, spiritual... I could keep going
*a great, dedicated athlete, student, employee, and friend
*an amazing example of how I want my boys to live
*very ready for this mission
*leaving on Wednesday to serve an LDS mission in Argentina

We Will Miss You Thomas

Josh Says...

This week Josh is being screened for his speech, since I think it's delayed enough to qualify for some therapy. (free through your local school district)  In the past few months, he really has made some amazing progress, but he still struggles with leaving consonants out of words, switching letter-sounds, and some other issues.

Here are some of the phrases he says now that we LOVE that probably won't be around once his speech is "fixed."

"I luf that." (for anything he loves and wants)

"One moy, please." (one more please)

"I haf to nee-nee."  (I have to pee pee)

"I luf orns." ( I love orange) - his favorite color ever

"Dust keep tying."  (Just keep trying)

"Not want to." (I don't want to)

"Woosy" (Lucy)

Winzy (Lindsey/Lynsie)

Wevi (Levi)

Nanas Dotes (Thomas Goates)

Montague Camp-Out

Mirror Lake

Our family spent the last couple of days up at Mirror Lake with "Boppa Yuss, Aunt Winsey, and NaNa Wevi."  (g-pa Russ, Aunt Lynsie & Uncle Levi)  It was beautiful, but pretty darn cold.  If only I had known it is one of Utah's highest elevated spots...

The cold never stops our boys from having a good time. Jack, who we know loves water, would get so excited whenever we walked down by the lake, and would yell out "ya-ya." (water)

Everyone in our little camp tried and tried to catch some fish. We did eat one small one that Dan caught, but couldn't return to the lake. Mmm. Super fresh.

Josh was allowed to bring up his outside cars and trucks, yet somehow all of his Cars characters found their way in to his things. They were lined up, buried, raced, and filled with dirt. A boy's dream!

Jack just loved being outside for 3 straight days! He collected rocks, watched the birds, walked along the tops of logs, and at one point even lost a shoe and just kept going without mentioning it to anyone. He was completely content.

 

Josh also had a great time!

What's the other best part about camping? The yummy food!! Thanks Lynsie for all the help and extra snacks from your garden. I owe everyone a lunch since we left early on Tuesday.

"Pa-bo!"

(peek-a-boo)

Like I said, everyone tried and tried to make the big catch.  Josh and Jack spent a few minutes with their pole and each caught some little fish. Josh knows that the secret is saying, "Here fishy, fishy!" Try it next time.

Little Jack was glued to uncle Levi our last night.

I love this picture!!

Here are my silly boys causing trouble while the rest of us were cleaning and packing up. Between the two of them pulling on it, I was sure the sign post was going to snap right off! They really were good campers.  

Thanks Montagues. (Todd, we missed you) We had tons of fun!!