Better pictures from the Scarlett's trip

Our friends have come and gone, but KT just sent me some better pictures of their trip and some adventures we had.


Quick visit to the temple to take pictures. It was freezing!

The bows that we (KT) made.

Space Needle

Best picture of Reagan ever, hands down.

"Reagan from the block" (J Lo style) in action.


Cute girl (with huge arm?)


Reagan's new friends. KT likes to dress up like Reagan in their J-Lo outfits.

Thanks again for coming you guys. We had a blast! We'll come visit Sin City soon...

Shout Outs

Some exciting things have been happening the last couple of weeks to some people we love, so we thought we'd share.

First off, it is my sister in law, Kristin's, birthday today. I look up to this girl in so many ways! Happy Birthday Kristin! We love you!
Also, my other sister in law, Katelyn, and her husband Kaden moved to Texas safely, with some adventures to tell from what it sounds like. Glad you guys are safe. We love you.

My two beautiful sister in laws

It has also been a season of love for the Pratt side of the family!
My favorite Uncle Ernie got to spend Christmas in Brazil (lucky!) and proposed to Cynthia. We are excited and happy for you both. Cynthia, welcome to the family!

My cousin Jeremy also got engaged! We are happy for you Jeremy and hear that she is a wonderful girl! Unfortunately I don't have a picture to share.
And last, but definitely not least, one of my best friends has found a way into my family. My cousin and one of my best friends, Logan, proposed to one of my favorite people and best friends, Lisa. Lisa, I knew that we would be kin one way or another and I am so happy for you guys! Reagan is looking forward to being your flower girl and I am equally excited to be your maid of honor...wait...ummmm...I AM your maid of honor, right?
jk =)

Christmas brings exciting things!

The Human Fund

We hope all of you blog readers had a wonderful Christmas and/or Festivus, whichever you celebrate. As our gift to you, because we are feeling extra generous this year, we have made a donation in your name to the Human Fund.

You're welcome.
We had a very fun and relaxing Christmas. My favorite thing in the world is to stay in pjs all day with the ones I love, talking, reminiscing, and playing with fun new toys! I am like a little kid again - thanks to Reagan, it was like I was experiencing Christmas for the first time. The sights, smells, sounds...everything! I was a little sad when that "Christmas-y" feeling started to fade a little bit a few years ago but I am happy to say that it is back in business! As expected, Reagan was much more interested in the packaging than the presents themselves, but once they were opened, she appreciated them, and looked a little shocked when the camera flash kept going off in her face when all she wanted to do was bounce around and have fun...how confusing the life of a child must be!
I have always loved Christmas. I love this time of year more than any other, and I really enjoy looking back at some fond memories and traditions that we have been doing for as long as I can remember. I really hope to carry on these traditions with my own little family. Right now, the three of us don't make a full nativity cast, but just give us a little time! In the meantime, we join my family in that part of the festivities. We missed Jason's family so much this year. We love you guys!
The day after Christmas, one of my best friends KT (really - that's her name...Kathryn Therese. Cute huh?) and her husband Will came to visit us from Las Vegas. I have not seen them since their wedding last August, so a visit was due, and we had so much fun! KT is a 2nd grade teacher and Will is working on his Master's, so I think that it was quite a shock to come from their busy lives to our life that basically revolves around watching Reagan roll around the house and being amazed at every little thing she does! (Not to mention the weather change - however, they did have snow not too long ago, but KT just informed me that Will's dad picked them up from the airport in shorts - lucky!) We had fun seeing the sights in Seattle (KT tried crab for the first time at Pike's Place - go KT!) We also played games, saw Valkyrie (can you say anxiety) and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (wouldn't recommend it), played games, and ate more than we should have. (Time for New Years Resolutions!) =) We also got to make a quick stop to see the temple (KT & Will are temple connoisseurs), and one night KT and I stayed up late while the boys were settling Catan to make some cute bows and headbands for Reagan. I didn't take many pictures, but KT took some and as soon as she posts on her blog, I will share! KT is very crafty, where I am not, but she put up with me and we figured things out and made some pretty cute little hair accessories. Reagan's hair is finally coming in so I am excited to try them all out!
Speaking of Reagan (where would this blog be without at least one mention of her in my post?), she has two teeth (and a diaper rash to show for it!) and is moving around so well! We are so proud of her. It makes me laugh so hard to watch her wiggle-worm her way to each toy that she wants to play with but she gets there and is surprisingly fast on those little arms and legs! I don't even know the "true" definition of crawling, but for all intents and purposes, she is doing it, and it is so fun to watch! It does not look like the perfect crawl but sure works well enough for her. So now if you come over and my house is a mess, it is because I can't leave her long enough to clean up anything because she is now sure to get herself into some trouble! She is also becoming quite a movie critic. She rather enjoyed the historical nature of Valkyrie, and thoroughly approved of Tom Cruise's performance, but was rather disappointed in Brad Pitt in Benjamin Button. Plus, she knew that there were way to many inappropriate parts for her, and so she reminded me of this by yelling at the quietest moments of the movie so I would take her out and spare her of such scum! Thank you, Reagan, for making me want to be a better parent... =)
And last but not least, Reagan is a dancing queen! She recently started nodding her head and moving her shoulders and body back and forth when we prompt her "dance dance dance!" It is so funny to watch, and she absolutely loves to entertain. Thank you to her I have no more awkward moments. I think she senses when no one has anything left to say and then starts her dance routine. I'll have to take some video soon of her antics and post it...it's too funny.
All in all it has been a great Christmas and we are looking forward to the New Year! Maybe this year I will be able to stay up past 10 pm on New Year's Eve...we'll see!
Some of the gang at G'ma and G'pa Pratt's house. Aren't my brother and sister so cute?

Dad reading from Luke 2. He's a pro by now. If this turns out sideways, I apologize.

Beautiful Hawaiian-esque tanned Haley. Haley don't leave me!

Opening Christmas jammies. Such an original tradition (jk)! Still, a great one.

Little mini Babushka. Cousin Levi (in Russia) would be proud!

Santa was good to Reagan. Her favorite new toy. She would bounce the day away if I let her! She's workin' on toning up those thighs.

Why do they make this so difficult for me?

Happy sisters Christmas morning.

Jason's new girlfriend. The I-Pod touch. Can you tell he's just a little bit excited?

Can't a girl enjoy chewing wrapping paper in peace?

Matching Penny and Auntie T-Dot.

Will.I.Am. and Reagan. She loved him!

KT and me.

If you lasted this long through these pictures, good on ya!

While the weather outside is frightful, we've been...

Making mischievious faces for the camera because we want to grab it...

Playing with Auntie T-Dot...

Cuddling with Nana...

Going on dates...

Putting up large Christmas trees...

Scooting...

Playing with Auntie "Leyli"...


Trying out hip new hairstyles...

Being sick (We'll spare you the picture)...
And pouting, because sometimes we just forget Santa is watching, okay?

Birthday

It happened...I hit 23 years old. Yikes. So far...nothing too disastrous has happened. I will keep everyone updated, because I'm sure you're all wondering how I am holding up, being so ancient and all.
My birthday was one of the best I've had in a long time. It started with getting to sleep in (this doesn't happen very often - I REALLY enjoy it when it does). At first, Reagan got up pretty early, so I sat in bed feeding her, probably mumbling to myself about how I never get to sleep in, etc. but lo and behold, she fell right back asleep, and slept for what was probably another two hours. I secretly didn't spend a lot of this time sleeping, because as I laid there, I couldn't help but look at the two precious faces of the sleeping beauties next to me. Well, Jason is more of a sleeping handsome, but I digress. It was heavenly. This sleeping in happened right through our ward Christmas breakfast. Oops! As much as I love the feeling of heavy biscuits and gravy weighing down my insides all day, it was nice to be able to rest. I was a very happy mommy. Jason presented me with a birthday present - a new camera. I'm excited about this and blog readers everywhere should be as well, because I soon shall have more lovely photos adorning this page. Reagan really likes it as well - in her mouth.
We then went out for a sushi lunch, which was highly enjoyable. Reagan liked chewing on the edamame shells. As much as a one-on-one date with my husband would be nice every once in a while, it's a lot of fun having both of them as my dates when we go out. Luckily, Reagan is fairly well-behaved in public, but I must admit I secretly think it's really funny when Jason is holding her and she lunches toward his food or drink, or puts things in her mouth that she shouldn't. Jason is definitely the more civilized, responsible one, always watching if what she is chewing on is a choking hazard, or wiping her mouth. I guess 23 years isn't enough - I still have a lot of growing up to do.

After our delicious and refreshing lunch, I got to go shopping and pick out a new pair of jeans and a purse - that's right, a PURSE, not a diaper bag, with only things belonging to me in it! Although a few diapers have managed to work their way in their somehow, I am determined to keep it a purse. This was a fun little treat. Jason carried Reagan around in the front pack carrier and looked at toys that he wishes he was young enough to justify buying while I got to peruse the store and pick out non-baby items, which doesn't happen often, much to my own choosing. It is so much more fun to buy baby clothes because Reagan looks cute in everything and they don't have to be tried on. I wish that adult clothes were still sized by age. I would be a size 23 jeans and everyone would be happy. =) I mention that Jason carried Reagan around in the baby carrier because I think it's the cutest thing ever when I see men carrying around their little ones like this. People are probably scared of me, but I always can't help but smile when I see men "wearing" their babies and letting their wives shop. Real men wear babies.

(And YEAH, that is Jason without a shirt on and a silver chain necklace, wearing our baby while making dinner. Doesn't your husband do that??)
After a short shopping trip, we ended up at my parents and I got to open up a few more presets there (man, I sound really spoiled), my favorite being the "Steam Buddy," as seen on TV right along the best salesman of all time, Billy Mays. This is something that I have been wanting a long time, and can't wait to steam iron everything we have that is fabric - comforter, drapes, clothes, you name it. Even carpet. Genius. Thank you, Billy Mays, for endorsing a magnificent product.

To finish off the night, we got to go to our favorite family restaurant "Nancy's" which isn't really called Nancy's at all but to be honest I don't even know its real name. Nancy is just the name of the lady that works there that we love and asks jason's name and introduces herself every single time we go in there. We had lovely and spicy Thai food and some good laughs. Our bellies were appreciative of that later.
All in all, it was such a fun birthday, and I really got spoiled, but I don't mind it once a year. Thank you family for a wonderful day!

(A few real life, non-google images pictures to come. The downside to getting a new camera is that my computer doesn't recognize it when I try to upload. And because after that point I am computer illiterate, that's a Jason job.)

Lessons learned

Last week we had an interesting experience. We had been at my family's house visiting and were debating about leaving to go to work early or staying and reading scriptures with them before everyone went to bed. Sounds like an easy decision, now that I look at it written out like that, but Reagan was tired and we were anxious to get to work and work out (our new thing - we'll see how long it lasts!) Needless to say, we stayed the extra 15 or so minutes to read scriptures and say prayer with them before leaving to go to work. Reagan fell right asleep once we got in the car (thank goodness!) and about fifty yards down the road, we saw this huge, disfigured object in the middle of the road, along with lots of smaller pieces scattered about. (Funny side note, my mind works in interesting ways. Pair that with really horrible eyesight, especially at night, and the first thing that came to my mind was that it was a giant cow laying on the side of the road...seriously?) Maybe it should have been obvious, but it was very dark, and as we approached we squinted our eyes and realized that it was a CAR, obviously seconds after a pretty bad accident. No one else was around, and so Jason pulled over to the side of the road, turned on the hazard lights, told me to call 911, and walked over to the car. Since no one in the car seemed to be moving, I got a little bit scared of what he might find, and how we could help, but he knocked on the car door, and a young girl opened it. She looked as though she had been sleeping when Jason knocked on the door and she had her cell phone right by her ear, like perhaps she had fallen asleep while on the phone. She shook herself awake, stepped out of the car, gave Jason a huge hug, and started crying. She was saying lots of things that didn't make sense, which I'm sure was a result of the shock of the accident, and Jason just kept telling her that she needed to sit down and take it easy until help arrived. We could smell alcohol coming from her car, and realized that this accident was probably a result of drunk driving, but we didn't make any conclusions. She had hit a telephone pole and then spun around into some trees. From the looks of her car, it was a blessing that no one else had been in the passenger seat at the time. Immediately people who lived close by and must have heard the crash happen came out with blankets and used their cell phones to direct traffic. It restored my faith in humanity, seeing all those people out there, with arms around her, making sure she stayed safe. Thankfully, she was, for the most part, not hurt, nor was anyone else, but a lot of emotions ran over me. Some parts of me were angry if she had, in fact, been drinking and driving, especially when we were seconds away from being a part of that accident. But, while we could have been a part of the accident, I was even more grateful that we had been there shortly after it happened so that we could help, even if it was in a very miniscule way. I have never been the first to the scene of an accident, and while I was scared and probably not making any sense to the emergency dispatcher on the phone, it taught me a lesson about how precious and short this life is. We all make mistakes, and we all have opportunities to help people, but life can be taken away in an instant. Just watching the news, I find myself constantly in awe of how many unfortunate situations can happen on a daily basis and yet, we have somehow managed to stay away, unscathed. This situation reminded me that I need to be prepared for anything, and to be grateful with the time I do have with Jason and our precious little Reagan. And it also reminded me that reading scriptures is important! I'm glad we stayed at my parents just a little longer to read them, so that we avoided being a part of that accident. It is a weird feeling, however, to meet and perhaps help someone in such a "close call" situation like that, never to hear from them again. I at least want to tell her that I have spent more time enjoying my husband and daughter, and that I am glad she is ok. I don't know why, but this situation really hit me and I was able to learn what may seem like an obvious lesson to some, but one that gets lost in the hustle and bustle of everyday life to me all too often, and that is to relax and enjoy the moments that I have with those I love the most.

Reagan Penelope's Stats and Regina George

Today we had Miss Reagan Penelope's six month appointment. Yes, that's right - tomorrow Reagan is six months old. Half of a year. In the next six months, she will be crawling, walking...talking?? I feel like all I do on my blog is talk about her, but can you blame me? We are just very proud parents. Reagan is an adorable bundle of joy and fun, and we can't get enough of her. She is probably the most hilarious person I know. And I especially love watching the wheels turn in that little noggin of hers. Today she used a sippy cup for the first time, and is really looking like she will be close to crawling soon! But slow down, baby, sloooooow down.
I will be 23 at the end of the week. I can't handle all of this! Since when was I well into my twenties with a baby? I like the baby part...the getting older part, not so much. It's pretty scary. We had better keep these babies coming, because I have a feeling that all of this interrupted sleep and nursing 80,000,000 times a day (and night) is going to take its toll on me. (Or maybe it already has. Please don't tell me if you've noticed!). I always wanted to be a fun, young mom (like the one in Mean Girls? Anyone?), and I can feel some unwelcome friends called wrinkles slowly finding a comfortable home around my eyes and mouth. But, I'm a Pratt...it's bound to happen around the eyes. Enough rambling...I have to go play Bridge and watch Murder She Wrote, or maybe some Jag, clean my dentures, and apply for my free hover-round.
Here are my homegirl's stats as of today. I really feel like she went from being newborn to the size of a one year old before I could blink my eyes. Yikes.

Head Circumference - 43.7 cm.......70th percentile (pinhead?)
Weight - 19 lbs....................95th percentile (we've joined a gym, okay?)
Height - 28.5 inches...............Approx. 1 inch off the charts (America's Next Top Model?)

Took her shots like a champ, and HEALTHY AS CAN BE! (The only thing I really care about!)


I'm not a regular mom, I'm a cool mom. Right, Regina?

P.S. Hey all you other cool moms out there, is there anything you did to avoid baby getting constipated when first trying solids? Things that we may not have tried yet? We've done prunes, apple juice diluted with water, etc. Poor Penny - It's just been a few days, that's all I'm sayin.

And Happy Birthday to mommy dearest this past Saturday! Love her SO much.

The Music Genome Project

I was just recently introduced to the "Music Genome Project" found at Pandora.com and am just so excited and intrigued by it that I had to pass the word. I still don't know much about it, but what I have found out has made me a believer. You can type in various favorite songs or artists, and they will create a radio station for you to listen to based on your preferences. Every time a new artist or new song plays, you can give it a "thumbs up" or a "thumbs down" whether you like it or not, and slowly, it will narrow your radio station down into songs and artists that you will absolutely love. I have been introduced to new music that I probably would never have before, and if that is as exciting to you as it is to me, then you will love it. I guess I would sort of explain it as "Tivo for music"...which maybe already exists now that I think about it, but it was news to me!
p.s. Does anyone else know of any free, fun, or useful websites like this one? I am always excited to find new things to do to waste or spend quality time on, and this was one of them. Please share if you have some gems as well!

The holidays are coming up, and I am excited/grateful about lots of things:
- I got to see my friend Whitney last week. Best friends shouldn't go a whole year without seeing each other. It was a much-needed reunion, and it was a blast watching Reagan meet and adore Whitney. Sometimes it makes me sad that my daughter is intrigued by just about everyone except me. She is just a tough audience and I am always in need of new material! Anyways, Whit had that new material and had Reagan laughing so hard she had tears running down her face...seriously. Who would have thought that happened to babies too? I love Whitney like a sister and it was so great to be able to see her. Have you ever met my beautiful friend Whitney? If not, here is the one picture I had from my phone of her and Reagan cuddling. They seriously love each other.

- My little baby girl is growing up so fast. She will be six months next week. I can't handle it, but it is so fun at the same time. She is such a big girl! Jason just commented recently on how much more "grown up" she acts and how she is definitely developing a hilarious little personality. She totally knows when she is being funny. Most recently, she has started giving Jason little smirks along with a "can you believe this?" eye roll when I am trying to change her diaper, feed her, etc. Sometimes I feel so "functional" while everyone else gets the funny faces...that's okay. She still loves me too. Some of her other tricks include: hugging and kissing back (in her own little way), waving back at people when they wave to her (she will not do this for me, but loves to mimic certain people), sitting up (finally!), "dancing," singing along when we are singing to her in the morning or at night, spitting whatever we are trying to feed her back in our faces (so sweet), shrieking at random people she sees (embarassing), putting her pacifier back in her mouth on her own (I still hate seeing that paci in her mouth), she is really starting to concentrate on the sounds coming out of her mouth, and she loves playing with anything that isn't a toy. I will give her a toy, and instead she grabs for: my cell phone, a hairbrush, a nose plunger (I don't know the technical term), napkins, etc. She can seriously differentiate from things that are for fun and those that have actual uses. Today Jason told me that I need to start "using" her toys and then she will maybe want to play with them. So I wiped off the counter with her stuffed animal. Just kidding.





- I am so grateful for Jason. I really hate talking about it a lot and hate sounding cliche, but in a world full of craziness and irrationality, he is the most down to earth, rational person that I know. I am so glad that he understands me, and accepts me despite my faults. I am more in love with him now than the day I married him, and that love grows deeper every day. We definitely need each other. I was gone for a little while last week, and when I got back he let me know that his life was falling apart without me here - he was late to things, and probably watched more TV than one should in a week (don't worry, it was probably all educational). I also think that he spent the majority of my time gone huddled in a corner of our condo in the fetal position. As sad as it sounds, it makes me feel pretty good knowing that his life falls apart without me here. I need him just as much too. He is sometimes the only one in the world that I feel like I can have a logical conversation with, and the fact that we love each other only makes it better.

- I am becoming more and more aware of how blessed I am. I don't feel deserving of it all, but I will take all I can get! Sometimes my life feels too right - but then I realize that it's because all of my happiness lies in the people that surround me - Jason, Reagan, my great friends, my sweet family. And they are all amazing, so why wouldn't I be happy? I mean, I could be really grateful for all the money I have and my smokin' hot bod, but that seems just a little too superficial. (I hope everyone can sense my sarcasm in that last remark.)

Life is good.

p.s. My Uncle Matt, owner of "Goodburger" restaurant off of the Guide, is hosting a free Thanksgiving dinner all day at his restaurant on Thursday for those that do not have family here or for one reason another are not able to have a big Thanksgiving dinner of their own. If anyone knows of people in the Bellingham/Lynden/Ferndale area that are in need of Thanksgiving dinner, send them that way! There will be delicious food and lots of fun people to visit with (including me!) A picture of Uncle Matt with my cute little cousin Mylo was on the front page of today's Herald. Check it out!

Reagan Penelope 6 months

Belated Halloween Pics