Ode to June

Since June is wrapping itself up nicely, I figured I owed my blog a little visit. We have had a really good month! It started with Reagan's birthday and then Jason got out of school. It is beyond nice being able to see him for more than 20 minutes a day. He's been good to us on his time off! He amazed me last semester. I would have died taking accounting and business calculus at the same time. But...I probably would have died taking 3rd grade math again, too. He starts up at Western as a junior in September and I couldn't be more proud of him. It has been a long road, but the end is finally in sight and is so exciting.
Father's Day was really special too. We are so grateful for our dads - they have taught us so much! And Reagan and I are incredibly blessed to have Jason in our lives - he's a great daddy, and the love that he has for Reagan is immeasurable.
I do get a little overwhelmed this time of year because between Reagan's birthday, father's day, our anniversary, and Jason's birthday all within weeks of each other, things can get a little hectic (esp. in the gift department, which is why we choose to spend time with each other as "gifts" to each other for the most part!)
The day after father's day was our 3 year anniversary. Sometimes I can't believe it's only been 3 years, because I can't imagine life before marriage and having a baby. I think that's a good thing, though! We have done so much and more importantly LEARNED so much in the past 3 years. I have grown up a lot too. It's fun to see how far we've come, but even more exciting to see where our life is going. Over dinner, we talked about what the next 3 years will bring...A LOT! Getting done with school, more children, new jobs/careers, moving, etc. These next few years have the potential to be a whirlwind! But a whirlwind of happiness and family and exciting life goodness...catch my drift? =) Jason deserves the most original gift giver award. Every year without fail he gives me the most interesting, yet surprisingly useful gifts. Last year he gave me something that I had always wanted...a metal detector (wish I was joking, because I have been made fun of a lot for this, but those old people with their metal detectors on the beach always look so happy, like they are about to find buried treasure!) I had to join in on the fun. I whip it out when we're at the beach or a park, and have yet to strike it rich, but I do get some priceless looks, and my family always conveniently seems to drift away from me, or else they are just really embarrassed. This year, Jason bestowed me with another infomercial necessity...the Snuggie! These are hard to come by these days, so I was much obliged, and have worn it to bed every night. So sexy and so functional, all at the same time! Wish I had a picture for you. Maybe one of these days...
On Thursday we went with the rest of the LDS population of Bellingham (only slightly joking) to Brian Regan at the Mt. Baker Theater. It was highly enjoyable. I went with not-so-high expectations just because I've heard almost all of his material, and didn't want a re-run of it all, but I was pleasantly surprised. The guy that opened for him, Kermit something-or-other was pretty good too. We all need a good laugh once in a while! My great friend Amanda watched Reagan for us...the first time we have left her with anyone other than family, so it was a big step for all of us! Kind of ridiculous, I know, but she's my first child, and I'm very protective of her. Amanda, however, is a better mother already than I will ever be, so I knew she was in good hands!
July will be a big month too - from mission homecomings to 7-mile races (what am I thinking), our calendar is already pretty full. But I love a full calendar in the summer! My best friend Whitney is also due to give birth to her firstborn any day now too and I couldn't be more excited for that. I wait anxiously by my phone to hear any news that she can fill me in with! I love re-living the anticipation of having a baby through her. It was only a short year ago that I was doing the exact same things she was to get ready for her beautiful girl. Whit, I just can't wait to meet your darling little girl. I already love her with all my heart.
Here's a taste of what we've been up to in pictures. I know I can be long-winded sometimes. I apologize!

Love this precious girl! And I love her best with messy hair and that wonderfully delicious summery, sweaty, Coppertone sunblock-y smell! It is perfect, and I wish I could just capture it in a bottle.

My sister Haley made this scrumptious bread pudding for us on our anniversary. She also brought over homemade wontons the next day...I am LOVING her being home! She spoils me. The bread pudding was delicious, and even Jason, bread pudding connoisseur that he is, loved it.



Loving all the attention from the "dads" in her life...Dada Jason and Bumpah Pratt.

New favorite

If anyone has an extra $10 to spare, I would definitely recommend buying this:

Jewel's new "Lullaby" album.
It may be the best $10 I have ever spent.
I got it for Reagan for her birthday, but may as well have just bought it for myself!
I have always been a fan of Jewel. Not so much her newer country stuff, but this cd just blows everything she has ever done away. It is such a soothing album, perfect for babies...and their parents. It is really beautiful and perfect for "calming down" before a nap or bedtime. I have had all of the songs stuck in my head all day. It even has a rendition of Braham's Lullaby - it's perfect! I can't say enough about this cd. You could probably get it off itunes too. I love it.

Please water daily

On Reagan's actual birthday, she swam all day in my parents' new kiddie pool. Apparently slightly older aunts and uncles like it too. She loves it, but mostly likes walking around the edge, since it's her perfect height. This little suit is the best thing - it's UV-protective - perfect for my fair skinned little girl!






A prayer in the pool? Sure, why not?

Love those little leggies and bum.

Snackin' on some animal crackers after a swim

Loved being in her birthday suit on her birthday.

Totally wiped out after a long day in the sun!

The livin' is easy

I love being busy, and lately our calendar has been full of some fun events. First, my sister Haley came home for the summer from BYU-Hawaii. What a lucky girl! I'm sure she misses living in paradise, but it's so nice having one of my best friends back. It makes me feel normal and like I have friends! Sometimes I pretend that she doesn't HAVE to like me because she's my sister and that she really does just like spending time with me (which hopefully is the case). I look up to her in a lot of ways. Sometimes I think we are both envious of each other's lives in one way or another. NOT that I would ever choose anything different - but who wouldn't love going to college on Oahu? Case closed. Haley is such a giving person. She has had some really great experiences at college and I love to see how she's grown. When she was at the airport in Hawaii, she was with some friends who happened to be flying to Seattle too. A cambodian girl came up with her sweet little grandma and told her that her grandma was flying back home but didn't speak any English and wondered if they could help her through security and to her gate. All of the boys Haley was with said no (oh, pre-mission boys, haha) and Haley politely agreed, even though she had no idea of how to communicate with her, and had two huge suitcases that she was already struggling with. After a lot of pointing, "sign language," and confusion because Haley thought she was flying home to Cambodia and she was actually flying to San Fransisco =)they made it to the correct gate, and Haley motioned to her that she could "ask" (pointed to her mouth) about her "flight" (held out her arms like the wings of an airplane) and someone at the gate should be able to help her. How sweet huh? I thought this was a sweet story. Haley's always willing to help anyone even when it's easy to just say no. She eventually got to her own gate where those boys were all just sitting and waiting. Nice of them to help, huh?!
Next, my cousin Meagan and her fiance Greg got married on Saturday. They have been together since 7th grade, so we were all very happy to see them tie the knot. I love Meagan so much. She is just a couple years older than me, and I have always looked up to her. When I was younger, I wanted to be just like her. She doesn't have a mean bone in her body, and is one of the most easy-going people I know. She is also extremely smart, and teaches at WSU. Her and Greg seem to be very happy and we all can't wait for them to have some little mini Meagans and Gregs! Oh, and Meagan also made her own dress and did all of the flower arrangements on her own. She looked beautiful. How much more talented can you get?! I love weddings, and this one was beautiful. (This might be a no-no posting a picture by her photographer but I couldn't resist. I wanted to show her dress!)

Reagan, as usual, was being her crazy self. This girl's mood can change within moments. Uh oh, we're in for it.





On Sunday we had a little belated birthday party for Penny. We wanted to wait until Haley got home so she could be there for her niece's first birthday party! After all, you only turn one once! It was a sweet day. We had a delicious pasta dinner (Reagan's favorite) with all of the fixin's and then cupcakes for dessert. Haley helped me make the cupcakes perfect, and they turned out pretty cute. Reagan, on the other hand, didn't appreciate their aesthetic quality nor their deliciousness! We gave her a couple and allowed her to "dive in" but, like a true girly girl, she didn't like her hands getting frosting all over them and immediately wiped them all over my dad's pants. After a couple of tries, we let my parent's rat...I mean dog...take over and he loved them! I guess I shouldn't be disappointed that my daughter doesn't like sweets. I've never been one to keep sweets from her. We always give her bites of dessert when we have it, but she just doesn't seem to be a huge fan. I got an email the other day from Baby Center saying that the way they eat their cake on their first birthday is very telling of their personality. Well, we've always known Reagan to be very cautious and calculated in her decisions so I guess that theory rings true with her being suspicious about her cupcake?! Who knows. We had so much fun though, and she loved hammin' it up for the camera, dancing and rockin' out and playing with all of her presents. Our house now sounds like a carnival due to all of the "interactive" toys. Luckily most of them have an off switch!

Good job blowing out the candles, Emily!

The Birthday Girl's very own cupcake. These flowers were NOT edible, however I failed to mention that little fact to most of the guests. Oops! Oh well, good ruffage.

Don't make me eat this cupcake, dad!!

Loving all the attention!

Some of the fun cupcakes. My sister called them "Dr. Suess" cupcakes.

My pastry partner!

Penny and Auntie Tia. She loves mini guitar hero!

So funny. If she doesn't blow out the candle, one of us will!

More interested in the "boons" of course.

"It's my birthday, I can cry if I want to"... I remember various family members singing this to me when I was younger and it would make me so furious that I would start to cry, haha.

The real party animal.

So happy. She clapped for herself after opening every gift!

"What is this stuff on my hands?" I guess that's what I get for being so diligent at wiping her hands off.

A princess on her throne.

We had a perfect day, and are so happy to have this little girl. She means everything to us! Thanks for sticking with us through this myriad of pictures. A first birthday is a big day in a girl's (and a mom's) life, alright? =)

Happy Birthday, Sweet Penny Babe.

Six days old

You started out as a hope and a prayer in your mommy and daddy's hearts. You soon became our "Bupley" (our nickname for you before you were born) - a wiggly little thing, punching and kicking mommy from the inside. Ouch! You got hiccups all day, every day it seemed, while still in the womb. They seemed to give us a glimpse of your personality - who we'd be dealing with for a significant part of the rest of our lives. You became Reagan Penelope Wilson the day you were born, lovingly called "Penny" by your mama, "Goon" or "Goonzy" by your dad. For the better part of the first few weeks of your life, you punched and kicked like you still thought you were in the womb. We took lots of video of you, making karate noises and sound effects, because that's exactly what it looked like you were doing. Soon, you gained more control of your body - more importantly, you smiled. That was the smile that melted our hearts and continues to every day. The dimple on your right cheek makes us feel like we could never be mad at you. Let's hope it stays there! Before long, you were giggling til your heart was content at anything and everything, especially when daddy did his silly dances. Rolling over, sitting up, crawling, walking... you have been into everything the moment you realized you didn't have to just stay a "blob" in the middle of the floor. You have given us a run for our money! (Don't worry, we didn't pay for you. No amount of money could do that.) You have always been the sweetest little girl. So easy-going, so laid-back. You got that from your dada. You have the goofiest personality too (probably from both your mama and your dada), although you are the spitting image of your dad. Good thing he's handsome! It just makes us fall even more in love with you. When you were still in mama's tummy, dada would sing "Hey, Jude" to you every night before we all cuddled up to sleep. "Don't carry the world upon your shoulders" he would sing. You are such a sensitive and caring girl, I already feel like we are going to have to remind you not to "carry the world upon your shoulders" often. But that's okay. The world needs people like you. Always concerned for others, always filling the hearts of those around you with love. Daddy promised mommy that even before you could talk, you would be able to tell me how much you love me. He was right. I see it in your eyes, I feel it in your hugs. You've even surprised us at being able to say it when we needed to hear it the most. Being your mother has given me access to more joy than I ever thought possible. I now have no doubts as to who I am or who I am supposed to be. I owe a lot of that to you, sweet girl. Life is so much better with you around. We laugh harder, love deeper, and live more meaningfully. Thank you for letting us be your parents. We aren't perfect but if you stick with us we'll all make it together. Happy Birthday, Penny! Here's to one full year of learning and growing and playing and loving. We love you so much.