Moms

Marvelous day.  Marvelous day!  I have been so taken care of, just marvelous.  Cody has cooked all the meals and taken care of the boys, I even got a nap.  Like a nice, looong nap.  The kind where you wake up and you don't know what day it is.

I came in the kitchen this morning to find 2 dozen orange roses from Cody.  That man knows what he's doing.

Although it's hard to top the daises Cole ripped out of our yard.

And I have to share these pages Cache brought home from school...

Love it.  Then there's this one:

 (I.D. is Investigation Discovery...where I watch all my crime shows.  The secrets out).  And apparently I don't help him 'wright' often enough.

Cody smoked some delicious ribs and roasted some veggies for dinner.  YUM!  Cody's parents stopped by and had dinner with us, it's always great to see and visit with them.  I made an apple pie which we're about to dig into...

Finally, I saw this commercial last night and got misty-eyed.  Maybe it's the hormones.  Whatever.

I love being a Mother.  I LOVE my mother.  I LOVE my mother-in-law.  I'm so grateful to be surrounded by friends who are all wonderful mothers.  So here's to you!  A Happy Mother's Day, indeed!

Ketchup

You know those people who can go weeks or  months without posting on their blog and when they finally return they get like 600 comments in 24 hours?

Me neither.

I haven't posted in forevers and (as I've lamented in previous posts where I complain about blogging) it's SO hard to get the motivation to blog.  I want to, I really do.  Sometimes I'll think, "oh man, I have to blog about that" or "that's a great topic for my blog".  But when I get home I don't really want to sit and type it out.  Why is that? (Yes yes, this is the same question I pose just about every time I do this.  Which, apparently, is once every 3 weeks).

A lot/nothing has happened in the past bit and I wondered if I should create 8 separate posts about each event OR just put them all together in this post.  And here is why: I keep thinking, "I freaking need to catch up on my blog and I should do that before this happens so I can blog about that before this other thing happens that I need to blog about that before then."  So here - here's a condensed post about what's been going on in my world:

Right around the time I last posted, Cody was out of town for 10 days.  Ten. Days.  Pretty sure we haven't been apart that long ever.  How did I survive?  Pretty well, actually.  That's when Rosey came to play, I had other friends stop by and hang out with me to pass the days.  I was REALLY nervous to have him gone that long, I for sure thought I would lose my mind and abandon our children. Surprisingly? I did  just fine.  I even tackled some projects (and finished them!  Gasp!) to surprise Cody with when he got home.

I recovered our bar stools,

bought and painted this bookcase for the living room,

FINALLY put together our huge world map,

got this rad 1960's dresser to go under our TV,

and inherited some incredible things from Cody's great-grandma Leone.  A complete set of butter yellow dishes (I'll have to take another picture when they're all out, I'm thinking I'll use them for Summer!)

and these gold nesting tables.  LOVE!

Cody's parents took the older boys both Friday nights and let them sleep over and kept them for most of the day on Saturday to give me a break.  My besti neighbor Celine helped with my kids and projects, I even had a night to play with Amelia, Tanya came to hang out...I was great.

The weekend after Cody came home we went to Park City with some friends for a 'Spouse Check In', if you will.  Just a weekend where we could spend time together and talk about things.  Cody and I aren't great at confrontation and sometimes it's hard to tell the other person what we need and what we want.  Taking the time to just get away (even if it was only for 24 hours) was a breath of fresh air.  We were able to talk and get some things out in the open.  It's still a process, it's not like we had this little weekend and suddenly everything's perf (disclaimer: Cody and I are super in love and we're doing great, it's not like we're on the edge of parting or anything like that, lest you be concerned.  Are you?  Don't be.), but we're doing better.  And I love that.  And I love him.

How were we able to leave Baby Cruz overnight, you may ask?  Because he's a rock star.  Little dude is almost 12 weeks and he's pretty much been sleeping through the night for the past 3 weeks.  He falls asleep around 8:00 and stays asleep until 6:30 or 7:00.  Win!  I mean, we got a sitter (thanks, Katie!) and it's not like we're going to go out of town every weekend, I'm just so glad we were able to take that time.  Speaking of the newest Jolley mister, he is the key-utest thing ever and I'm overly obsessed with him.

He is starting to coo and make cute sounds, he kicks like crazy - seriously, it's like he's air running.  I've tried to film it but he senses the camera and goes into frozen stealth mode...the sneaky devil.  We are all showering him with love (Cole has to come see Cruz first thing in the morning and Cache is great and calming him down when he cries).  But seriously, can you blame us?  Could he BE any cuter??

Last weekend Cody and I were invited to go a fight at UVU.  Now...we're not "fight" people.  At all.  And this night was a confirmation of that.  Friends?  That whole 'fight' world is this underground mecca of crazy.  I have no idea where all those people are in normal life, but man...they came out in droves for this event.  I've never seen so many guys wearing tight black t-shirts in all my life.  I've also never seen so many girls wearing...well, let's just say some got pretty creative.  Just gussied up people that want nothing more than to be seen.  People watching by far out-entertained the fighting, but it nevertheless was a night out with friends and Cody.  Still...super hilarious.

Probably the biggest news?  Cody's gym is moving to a bigger, better,  badder location - we're so excited!!

Cody and Jason

It's the old Harley Davidson building on 800 N in Orem.  TONS of space, it's just what they need.

Isn't it amazing??  They will start training there June 1st.  Soon!  It will take a while before they are able to get the space into what they want, but it won't take too long and I'm over the moon about it.  I'm so proud of Cody.  Come see us in June!

The weather has been soooooo fantastic and we've been planting flowers like crazy.  Last night we were out planting and the boys were building hideouts in the front yard.  The light was so pretty and it was such a warm, pretty evening.  Just perfect.  I'll post pictures when we're done.

Let's see, have I covered everything?  Probably not.  But it's a start.  I have tons of other things to post and will get them up here as soon as I can.  Let's just hope it's not another 3 weeks.  Because that's when school gets out, and we know I won't have any free time then.

Slipper and the 'Rosey'

I'm not sure if I have disclosed my love affair with the movie, 'Slipper and the Rose'.

Friends? I LOVE IT.

My Mom had recorded it off TV and I grew up watching it...loving it. It's witty and hilarious and deliciously sprinkled with 70's flair. It's romantic, cheesy, the music is catchy and I will never, ever be sick of it. LOVE it.

Now let's talk about my friend, Rosey. Darling girl. I met Rosey when I started working for my Dad forever ago and we became fast friends. Amongst the things we had in common was none other than our mutual love for 'Slipper and the Rose'. It's a small group of people that know about this movie, so we were destined to be besties. We would quote it at work and watch it for movie nights (I mean, we quoted other movies too and had other interests, we're well-rounded. Sort of.). Amongst our favorite films to watch together:

Pillow Talk

The Scarlet Pimpernel

Anchorman

High Society

White Christmas

Never Been Kissed

Singin' in the Rain

(Just to name a few....)

Fast forward many years. Rosey and I no longer work together, we're both married and she's lived in other states or other cities, but we always manage to find time to hang out or talk on the phone and every time we do it's like no time has gone by. Do you have friends like that? I hope so, those ones are the best. Where it's months later and you can pick up right where you left off. She and her dear husband are moving to Mississippi for the Summer, so before she left we decided to have a movie night and watch our favorite. She came over Saturday night around 9:00 armed with bevs, popcorn and Nibs. YUM. We talked and laughed for 3 hours before starting the movie.

Then of course we quoted during the movie and sang and gushed and squealed and laughed (because another thing we have in common is the fact that we're both hilarious). I mean, can you see these wondrous costumes? The ball scene looks like it's been showered in sherbet. Fantastic.

Even though we've seen the movie a thousand times, it's still so fun to watch it together. It was seriously the funnest night ever! She left...around...4:00am. Yeah. "I'm not even mad, that's amazing" (Rosey might be the only one who gets that). Ahh, I love her. Truly one of my bestest friends. Best night ever, so good for my soul. I will miss her terribly this Summer, but when she returns in the Fall? Movie nights filled with shenanigans are sure to ensue. I believe a screening of 'Phantom' is in order...

Sigh...

Easters

Happy Easter! We had a GORGEOUS weekend and we celebrated in all kinds of Spring splendor. As is customary with Utah Springs, the weather is totally unpredictable. This is not new info, but I have to admit that this year the weather has been all kinds of random. Fer rills. Example? Friday morning there was a full on blizzard blowing outside. Wha? Sideways snow, frigid temps...just brrr. THEN Saturday morning is all clear and blue and warm and marvy. Whatever, Spring.

I'm so glad the weather was great because Saturday was the annual Easter party at Grandma Kae's. I don't know how this woman does it, but she single-handedly fills and hides eggs all over her lawn for all of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. There's like...312 kids. Each kid gets like 15 eggs, they all have their own color/pattern to look for, they each have their own special bag to collect eggs in. Again, I don't know how she does it, but every year she pulls it off. After the little ones get their haul we sit down for a yummy lunch and visiting with family. The sun felt soooo good, it was such a pretty day.

Cole getting down to business.

Cache and his cousin Erik enjoying their spoils.

After the party we ran some errands, came home and sent the boys to bed so Cody and I could set out Easter. Last year I went all out for the boys, but this year? Yeah...that didn't happen. I feel bad I didn't do more, I feel so unorganized. Next year, right? We filled eggs and made a trail for each of them from their bedroom to their baskets that we put on the bar, then we hid eggs in the living room. Cache wondered why there was a trail of eggs and I explained to him that I told the Easter Bunny I didn't much appreciate him leaving muddy footprints all over my house last year for me to clean up, so I made him wipe his paws before leaving their treats. He bought it.

Oooh! A wee cherub!

Then we made a big breakfast with bacon and....well, eggs. Duh. Easter.

Late this afternoon we went to Cody's parents for dinner and yet another egg hunt. Dinner was DELISH, complete with deviled eggs and red punch (my faves).
The kids ran around the yard finding as many eggs as they could, which was about 15 each. Again, seems like a daunting task to me - well done, Jolley parents!

Then we just relaxed in the backyard, chatting and relaxing. It was fantastic. I love that family, let me tell you what. The day was so, so beautiful and we hung out outside until the sun went down.

I think I've sort of taken Easter for granted the past...ever. But man, what a great Holiday. It's like a second Christmas. Not only do you get to surprise your children and do fun things for each other, but you get to focus on the Savior and the wonderful gift of the Atonement. It's like a refresher. It's this wonderful feeling of starting new and fresh. You get to spend time with family and reflect on what's really important. Best Easter ever.

Back in the Crossfit saddle

Some find that when they're pregnant they have this glow, this beautiful sheen of lovely that comes with creating life.

I do not have this glow.

I have more of a...a manatee/walrus appearance...large and upset that I'm awake. Now that I have a beautiful little cherub, I intend on doing something about my bigness. The solution? One being the fact that I've returned to Crossfit.

My friend Ann had a baby boy two weeks before me and has started with me, and dare I say - we've started a fitness motivation revolution! Our friend Becky is starting to join us, my sisters-in-law (Jen and Steph, who were already coming but now want to come when we're there because we are the awesome) are going to go when we're there, my friend Mindi and her friend Brittany are coming now and my other friend Britt (are you still with me?) wants to start coming, too. How great is that? Misery for all! Not going to lie, I've been sore and it's not easy doing this stuff after being sedentary for...well, ever. But I am determined and we've been 3 times in the past week. Cody is helping me with diet so hopefully I will soon resemble the fox he married.

So what's stopping you? Come join us.

The Artist

Have you seen this movie? Ohmygoodnessitsfantastic.

(Click on the video to view it full size)

I saw a preview for this months ago and have wanted to see it SO bad! It's right up my alley! It's a silent film, black and white, the story follows a successful silent film star who meets a chorus girl (Singin' in the Rain?). He turns his back on talking pictures while she embraces it...I can say no more. Last week I drove past this little movie theater in PG and I saw that they were playing it! Huzzah! I instantly called my dearest Celine (have I gushed about her yet? Soon...very soon) to see if she wanted to see it with me. We both had some free time Saturday afternoon, so we took Cruz and some treats and went to this delightful movie. Celine and I had the BEST TIME watching this together, she is so great. We both have a crush on the leading man, can you blame us? He resembles Gene Kelly and has charm to burn. Yum. Afterwards we got shakes and fries and laughed hysterically until we had to get back to real life. I love her.

Seriously, go see this. And if you need a date? Call me.

Announcing...

Cruz Michael Jolley

2.20.12

7 lbs., 4 oz., 19 1/2"

He's here! I am so enamoured with this baby boy. The little cherub has completely consumed me for the past 4 weeks, I am smitten. I just LOVE him.

I mean, look at him! How cute is he? I will say, getting him here was a bit tough. Cody and I got checked in to the Hospital and all was great. Especially because I was able to get Tiger's Blood syrup in my ice chips. When did they start allowing that?? Best thing ever. I got the epidural (which um, hurt more than I remembered...ow) and things seemed to be going just fine, but early afternoon they wanted to speed things along, and that hurt too. Bad. Around 3:00 my nurse told me that I wasn't progressing as quickly as hoped and Cruz's heart rate was dropping.
They put me on oxygen which was sort of scary. I know it's not a big deal, but still. Nothing improved for an hour and they started talking about an amnio infusion and a possible c-section (!). Finally at 4:00 I had dialated to a 5 and Cruz was doing better. They kept me on oxygen but things were looking up. Cody's Mom came and within in 30 minutes I was ready to deliver, but where is the Doctor? In the operating room...so yeah, my nurse had to lay me on my side to prevent her having to deliver the baby. At one point I told Cody he would have to scrub in. The nurse started getting everything ready and in the nick of time the Doctor showed! Yay! I pushed three times and then then Doctor said, "Ok, during the next contraction we'll just ease you through it". I took a few breaths and then he said, "Alright here we go..." I got ready to push, but uh, I sort of didn't need to. The contraction helped deliver the baby and suddenly he was here! Look at his cute little 'stork bites'.
Cody and I were crying as they took Cruz and got him all cleaned up. Oh my, he was so small and perfect. He sounded a little raspy, like there was something in his throat. They took him to the NICU and hooked him to a CPAP machine to monitor him for a few hours. Cody's whole family came to see us at the hospital and the boys were so excited to meet their new brother. Finally at 10:30 they brought Cruz into my room. They took turns holding him and Cole kept saying, "He's sooo cuuuuuute!". Tender. They came to see me a lot during those first few days, so did Cody's family and Grandma and Aunt. Friends stopped by and Cruz got plenty of love.
Since we've been home I've been overly taken care of. Cody took off those first two weeks and completely spoiled me, I wasn't ready for him to go back to work and for me to face reality. He is such a Prince, that man. The boys have been big helpers - Cache is always ready to give Cruz his binky and Cole loves to take care of the diapers. He also asks if he can 'pet' the baby.

Look at his perfectly shaped head.

The first few nights were rough, but now Cruz has a bit of a pattern and it's getting easier. He's a great little sleeper and he eats like a champ. He's gaining weight and growing too fast. I spend so much time just staring at him. I just love, love, LOVE him. We are so happy to have him in our little family. And I must say, Cody and I make beautiful babies. It's not fair to the rest of the world, really. Welcome baby Cruz!