Family Ho Down!

Star in Your Own JibJab! It's Free!Mandy had one of these on her blog...I had to try it! Taylor gets to be Joe's square dance partner!

Growing up WAY TOO FAST!

The last few weeks have been developmentally HUGE for Parker. Before it becomes totally normal that he can do what he does, I want to remember how AMAZED I am at how fast he's growing up! In the past few weeks he has:

• ***Started walking EXCLUSIVELY! He's been taking steps for quite a while, but he's finally taken off...it is SO CUTE!
• ***Learned how to say all the animal noises. He knows what a cow ("mooooo"), sheep ("baaa"), pig (he moves his nose trying to snort), horse ("naaaaay"), snake ("ssssss"), cat ("maaaaow"), dog ("wub wub"), lion ("waaaaaw"), bear ("waaaa"), duck ("wa wa wa" while moving his hands in a quacking motion), owl ("hoooo"), and fish ("ub ub ub") say. My favorite is the cat...he puts FULL emotion into the maaaaaow!
• ***Learned to say: Nannu, eat ("eee" while pointing to his mouth), story ("owy"), milk ("maaa"), belly ("dilly"), nose, eyes, ear, hair, bye, hello ("awo"), mommy, daddy, puppy, fish, shoes, spoon ("poo"), shoe ("oosh"), doggy, stinky, and car. I'm sure half the time I'm the only one who understands anything he says, but it is SO FUN that he's starting to say what he wants to say!
• ***Learned to feed himself 100% of the time with a fork or spoon in each hand.
• ***Given up his morning nap for just one afternoon nap!

I am LOVING the phase Parker is in right now. I'm actually having a hard time realizing that he won't be my only little daytime buddy anymore once the baby is born. He's become a great shopping partner, cuddler, and sleeper. Starting over sounds so overwhelming! I am just SO GRATEFUL for my sweet little boy...I was looking at Kimberly's blog the other day listening to "There Goes My Life" and totally started bawling thinking about my baby growing up! I'm sure many of you can relate...I just hope I have it in me to love my second baby as much as I love my first!

Zabela vs. Henrietta

I'm going to attach an email from my dad with a list of names he thinks would be PERFECT for our baby girl...I think I'm going to need a bit more input...what do y'all think?

OK, so I’m thinking about my second granddaughter who is about to come into the world.
Yes, I’m excited.
I’m thinking we should help Robyn with the baby’s name.
Maybe all y’all should blog about potential names.
Seeing as I don’t blog too much I wanted to get things started with potential names for the cute little girl.
Here is my initial list:
Harriet
Henrietta
Gina
Carmen
Julie
Kimberly
Diane (my favorite – this should be her middle name)
Bobby (then we could say what about Bobby)
Roberta
Sherri
Shirley
Shirleen
Frances (Do you know how to tell if this is a boy or girl Frances?)
Hermana
Little sis
Big sis
Diego (Devon didn’t use it so it must be open)
Pamela
Marcia
Terri
Stacey
Laura
Kelli
Frederica
Janice

OK, this isn’t my top 25 but that is all I could come up with.

Have a great day. I hope this helps with your selection process.

I love all y’all.
Dad

And here's Devon's response...also a GREAT big help...

Here are my leading names.
Juanita
Angelita
Blanca
Enriqueta
Esperanza
Jesusa
Macarena
Marisol
Paca
Peppi

My Favorite Zabela Diane Gadd,

You have to admit, it has a ring to it!

Devo

IT'S A..................

GIRL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yes, it's true...I'm in shock! Joe and I went in for the Ultrasound today and told the lady that we'd both be really surprised if it was a girl. I've really wanted a girl, but sort of talked myself out of it because the odds were definitely not in my favor. With the babies that are due in Joe's family, there will be 12 boys and now 5 girls. We're both really excited. I couldn't choose just one ultrasound picture to publish, so you get to enjoy ALL of them! Isn't SHE cute?

Our First "Parker-Free" Night

A few nights ago, Joe's brother John called to see if we wanted to stay at an amazing 5-Star resort in Park City (The Stein Eriksen Lodge and Resort) for FREE. Everyone from his law firm was staying there for a retreat for a few nights, but they couldn't stay Friday night because of the Logan marathon he was running today. SOOOOOO, we got to stay in their place! We dropped Parker off at Joe's mom's house yesterday. As much as I missed him, it was a really nice break. Kimberly keeps reminding me that Joe and I need to go on lots of dates before the baby's born, so this was a great excuse.

John told us to try and look inconspicuous...not to announce to the world that the room guests had changed. It was funny because when we first got there, Joe and I could not figure out how to get to the rooms, so we walked around carrying our stuff looking like idiots searching every door until we finally figured out where to go. We went to dinner, then came back and enjoyed the beautiful room and view. I was actually really excited because our little get-away gave me the chance to finish Harry Potter! Considering I started Book #1 about a month ago, I've been spending every nap-time and spare minute reading. I LOVED the final book, but was actually really sad for it to end. Yes, I cried. I've been dreaming Harry Potter, so I'm going to go through serious withdrawals.

This morning Joe went on a long run in preparation for the St. George marathon while I finished the book. Then we went and got bagels for breakfast, shopped at the outlets, and went to pick up our child. I expected him to squeal with delight when we walked in, but he just sort of looked at me and kept doing what he was doing. I guess we'll have to leave him more often...

Parker and G-pa Roush

Last night we went to visit Grandpa and Grandma Roush for FHE. Every time we go see them, I wonder why I don't visit more often. Parker LOVED Grandpa. I was a little late on the video capturing, but here's a taste of the fun they had....everyone needs a Grandpa Roush!

I've Been Tagged!

Mandy tagged me sometime last week, but I've been devoting every spare second to reading the Harry Potter series. I'm even dreaming Harry Potter these days, so this will be a fun break and trip down memory lane.

1. Where did you meet your husband?
We were in the same ward at BYU. I had just gotten home from my mission and was a little freaked out about dating. Joe was in the EQ Presidency, and they were going around meeting all the new members. I'm not sure if they knocked on any guys' apartments, though.... Anyway, they came to my apartment, and I was the only one home. They came later to meet my roommates, but I was the only one home again (I must have been a big nerd!)

2. What was the first thing you said to your husband?
I wish I remembered what I said... I do remember Joe laughing a lot and making me feel really good about myself, so it must have been something funny. I thought he was really fun and nice, but as soon as he started asking me out I got a little weird and gave him a run for his money. My family fell in love with him before they'd even met him...they were rooting for him before I was!

3. Where was your first date?
We went to Cafe Rio (yum!) and then to Movies 8 (the dollar theater in Provo) to see Bend it like Beckham. I'd had very minor surgery that morning to remove a pre-cancerous mole, so the dermatologist told me not to do anything too wild...

4. Where was your first kiss?
We were at Joe's apartment and had just finished watching Mr. Krueger's Christmas and he just went for it! We've made it a tradition to watch a Christmas movie every Sunday leading up to Christmas starting in November (Joe would probably start in October if I let him). No more anticipation of the first kiss, though...

5. Did you have a long or short engagement?
Well it SEEMED long, but I guess it was relatively short. We got engaged March 11, 2004 and married July 3, 2004.

6. Where did you get engaged?
We went to Ottavio's for dinner (one of my favorite Italian restaurants in Provo). I kept telling Joe that we should just go somewhere fast (like Taco Bell) because we were going to a Men's Chorus concert afterwards. He insisted on going to Ottavio's. I was a little suspicious, but I didn't think he was proposing because I was almost positive he hadn't talked to my dad yet. Little did I know they had a little conspiracy going against me. Anyway, we ate, then the waiter asked if we wanted dessert. I immediately said no, but Joe said we should get dessert anyway. We ordered dessert and I chose creme brulee (is that how you spell it?) I was holding Joe's hand and I commented on how cold his hands were...he just said "bad circulation". When the waiter brought "dessert" he had a ring box with two spoons on the plate instead (so I never got the creme brulee...how sad). Anyway, Joe got on his knee and SANG TO ME! He sang the first verse of "Luckiest" by Ben Folds. He could only see me, but I saw every head in the restaurant turn to watch. It was really cute. He asked me, I said yes, we kissed, and everyone in the ristorante stood up and clapped.

7. Where were you married?
In the Los Angeles, CA temple.

8. How was the reception?
I LOVED IT! We did it in the church, but had a big tent hung up with lights, so it didn't look like a church gym. My colors were different shades of pink, so everything was pink and white. My bridesmaids had HOT PINK dresses. They were actually really pretty. The food was amazing, and Joe and I actually got to eat! It was great!

9. Where did you go on your honeymoon?
We went to Cancun, Mexico. We stayed at an all-inclusive resort called El Dorado Royale on the Riviera Maya. We played on the beach, swam, went snorkeling, and ate A LOT! For those of you who know Joe, you know that when it's "all-inclusive," you have to get your money's worth....that means room service every night even if you just ate dinner 30 minutes ago! I'm ready for another honeymoon!

OK, I guess the rules are that I have to tag some more people who have to answer the same questions. SOOOOOO, I tag Ansku, Maylene, Kimberly, and my mom!