Brad's Little Football Player

My baby boy is huge, and Brad is very pleased that he is well on his way to becoming a star football player for BYU. We went to his check-up appointment yesterday morning, and after waiting for a while baby Johnny got weighed and measured. For those of you who do not remember (let's be honest here, who remembers everyone else's baby stats) Johnny was 8 lb. 9 oz. when he was born and 20.5 in long. He is now, drumroll please, a whopping 16 pounds and 25 inches long!!! That means he's over 2 feet tall, when he stands up that is. He's in the 75th percentile for height, and 90th percentile for weight. He's definitely our chunky monkey. The doctor said he's developing just beautifully, and has great neck support and strong legs. We love our precious baby, but it is crazy to see how fast he is growing. Brad always teases me about how I'm going to cry when he leaves for his mission. I told him I'll probably cry when he graduates nursery and goes into Sunbeams.

Part Two

Friday was our last full day in Washington and we tried to fill every minute of it with fun. My friends Amanda and Dennis came over and met Johnny for the first time and then we headed over to Southcenter to eat lunch. I definitely got lost in that mall, it's completely different than when I used to live here. Fran laughed at me because I got so disoriented.




Later on we watched Emma and Stevie play on the toys at the mall and headed back home so they could take a dip in their little wading pool. I'll have to post some video of Uncle Stevie joining in on the fun. He couldn't stay in for too long though, because he and Brad headed downtown to go to the Mariners game. Brad had never been to Safeco field before, and even though the Mariners are having a rough season, they won their game.



Brad said he and Stephen had a great time and he would love to go back. Especially if the Mariners happen to play the Cubs in an interleague game. He probably just would not get the chilli nachos again. Maybe next time we'll go to a game together.


Johnny loved meeting his Uncle Stevie for the first time as well, and I think Stephen liked meeting his new little nephew too. Stephen thanks again for being such a great baby-sitter. I'm sure it was probably not just your favorite hour, but also Johnny's. He can just tell when someone feels very comfortable with a baby. He wants you to hurry up and come to Utah so you can watch him again real soon.
We had so much fun visiting and were sad to say good-bye, but we hope to see everyone again soon. We also just want to give a special thanks to Johnny, for being the best baby ever and not crying at all on either flight. He's a keeper.

Anniversary Fun

We headed out to Snoqualmie Falls with Fran and her kids on Thursday morning. It was lots of fun watching her kids run around and it also made me very grateful that my kid can't walk yet.

Brad was very pleased Johnny had on his "little engineer" onesie, and took a picture in front of the engineering landmark plaque at the observation deck

Brad liked the waterfall, and the kids loved stomping in the puddles. Since it was our anniversary, Emma was sweet enough to agree to baby-sit for us. Such a little helper that girl is. With Johnny in such great hands (ok, so Fran helped Emma) Brad and I were free to enjoy the evening together. We went to our first session together at the Seattle Temple, and then headed over to Maggiano's for some delicious dinner and dessert. Our reception in Washington was held here, and Brad really liked the food. He especially enjoyed the cheesecake and was grateful for the chance to eat it once again. I didn't get a picture of it before we chowed down, but here is the empty plate in all of its glory:

It was such a great night to celebrate a wonderful occasion. Thanks for such a great date Brad!

Wow

Does a year really go by this fast?

Isn't he so cute? This was taken on our wedding day exactly one year ago today. Happy anniversary handsome!! You have brought me so much happiness. You've made me laugh, you've been thoughtful, sweet, kind, patient, and understanding. You'd have to be, I was pregnant for 9 of the first 12 months of our marriage. I can honestly say you are the best husband I have ever had!!!

I love you handsome. We've made so many wonderful memories together already. Now with Johnny I can't wait to see where our life takes us. You are amazing. I love you. I hope you have a wonderful anniversary.

I love you Bradley

Our Week in Washington - Part One

My little baby is growing up!! Johnny loved this toy of my sister's so much while we were visiting. He was working his way in a circle, trying out all the toys, making noises, smiling at the sunshine, and even getting the music to play all by himself. I can't believe it. We're going to look for one of these for him to play with at home because he loved it so much. Emma and Stevie must have remembered it used to be theirs, or they just liked it so much, that they jumped in and played with it (or tried to) when Johnny was taking a rest. Those kids are too much fun.

Saturday Johnny met his Great Grandpa and Grandma Goodrich for the first time. He was very smiley and let them both hold him for as long as they liked. We had so much visiting and hope we'll be able to come back again soon. Afterward, Brad and I baby-sat for my sister. Okay, so I love my sister and her kids too, but with that crazy heat wave her house was literally like an oven. With Brad, Johnny, me, Emma, and little Stevie cooking inside. The kids jumped at the chance to cool down in the bath. All I can say is those kids sure know how to splash.

My Dad took me, Brad, and Stephen for a drive down-town on Sunday. He made sure to show Brad lots of fun things, and especially to stop at Kerry Park so we could take a picture. I love this place so much, it's such a beautiful view of the city and the water, especially at nighttime with the water and the lights. Brad said he loved seeing the city and especially loved walking downtown with Stephen and going to the Mariners game with him on Friday. I just loved being able to share with him so many of the places I loved while growing up in Washington.

Stephen, Brad, and I went to see the new Batman movie at the IMAX theater downtown on Monday. I saw Batman Begins on the same screen and thought Brad would like seeing this one at an IMAX theater too. The screen was over six stories tall, and the sound is really amazing. The ticket price is a little more than I'd like to spend, but let's be honest here, with a little baby, we don't get out much. Thanks to my Mom for baby-sitting Johnny for us.

Happy 3 Month Birthday!!

Johnny celebrated turning 3 months old by taking his very first plane ride. This picture is what our sweet baby Johnny did pretty much the entire flight coming to Seattle. We left Utah to come and visit my parents and my brother and sister. I was a little worried about how Johnny would do on the flight, but as we were walking onto the plane he fell asleep in my arms and stayed asleep the entire way here. Hallelujah. When we were getting up to leave the plane the woman in front of me turned around and said, "I didn't even hear that baby at all." I told her he slept the whole way and she seemed upset and said she wished he had made some noise so she could have heard him. I just smiled and said "Sorry," but honestly you've got to be kidding me. I'm sure had he made some noise or cried everyone around me would have been annoyed wishing they didn't have to sit next to the crying baby. I guess you can't please everybody, but Johnny sure made his Mommy happy by being such a good little baby and taking a nap. Let's hope he sleeps the whole way back to Utah!

Sisterly Love

This is a picture of my sister Melinda and myself. I do not think we could be mistaken for twins, but I think it's pretty obvious to most people that we are sisters. We both were expecting our first child around the same time. I had my baby boy first on May 15. She saw the pictures Brad sent out after Johnny was born, and I remember her telling me she thought her baby would look similar to mine. Lo and behold five weeks later baby Henry came into the world on June 19. I was surprised when I saw his pictures. Melinda got over her surprise as well, and we're hoping these two cousins become great friends!

Baby Henry on the left, and Baby Johnny on the right. Both are about six weeks old in their pictures. And yes, that baby does have blond hair!!

Wishful Thinking

I was looking through my pictures trying to find a profile view of myself before I became pregnant. But let's be honest here, when you're not married and pregnant, who wants a picture taken of themselves from the side. So after much searching, I found this one, which is from a few years ago.

This beauty was taken a few weeks before I had Johnny. Yes, I did get quite large and in charge. But thankfully a lot of it has come off already. It's crazy how much a baby can take over your body, but Johnny was worth every bit of it.

Are You Kidding Me?

All right, so I know that kids grow fast. My own kid has practically quadrupled in size since he was born. Ok, so really he just added a few pounds and a couple inches. I just looked at these pictures of me with my niece and nephew taken about two years ago and it's like they're different kids now. Emma just barely turned 3 and Brother will be 2 at the end of September. It's been a year since I saw them last, but I'm excited that I'll see them soon. Emma, I know I didn't give you Lucky Charms and Doritos like Uncle Stevie did, but you still better be ready to play with me when I see you!

Emma in August 2006

Little Stevie at his blessing in November 2006 (age 6 weeks) I know, he's huge

Fran took this picture like two weeks ago

Celebration!!

This week marks the end of classes for Summer term at BYU, and Brad will finish with both his finals on Wednesday. We're celebrating the end of the term and taking advantage of the break before fall semester, by going to Washington this next week. It will be the first time since we were married that we've been back, and we're very excited for all the time we'll be able to spend with family and friends. None of my siblings have met Johnny yet, and my Grandma and Grandpa Goodrich are excited to see him for the first time as well.

Brad has been to Washington twice before, both times were a year ago exactly. He came in early August when I went to the temple, and then we came together two weeks later for our wedding reception. They were both extremely short visits, which meant that I didn't get to show him around town at all. One of the places that I love is Kerry Park, which is downtown on Queen Anne hill and where the picture of Seattle above was taken. I also want to take him to Pike Place Market, a Mariners game, Alki Beach, Snoqualmie Falls, and a bunch of other fun places.

Here are some of the pictures of places I'd like Brad and Johnny to experience:

Pike Place Market (obviously)

Seattle Waterfront

A Mariners game at Safeco Field even though it's definitely not their best season

The Seattle Public Library - This place is amazing

If any of you have a favorite or must-see place in Seattle let me know. And yes Fran, we definitely will be hitting up the Kent Station.

It's Official

No last-minute name changes for our baby, it's official. His name is John Bradley Perkins, and he was blessed last Sunday on August 3rd. It was a beautiful blessing, and the day was also special because the 3rd is my Grandpa Delgado's birthday. Johnny was such a little angel, and didn't cry at all during the blessing, or even the whole time we were at church. Unfortunately he cried while we were taking pictures after church. Thanks to my Mom for helping me find his outfit for the blessing, and to my Uncle Ricky for making the beautiful white afghan to go with it.

My Mom was excited to see Johnny and how much he's grown, since the last time she saw him he was only 9 days old. I didn't get a good picture of my Dad with him, but he was excited to meet Johnny for the first time.

We went out for a delicious dinner with Brad's parents and mine also on Saturday night at the Joseph Smith Building. Afterward we decided to take a stroll around Temple Square. It was such a nice evening and Johnny loved the walk. Especially in this great stroller that my cousin Tina gave us. I just had to take a picture for her so she could see how happy he is in it. Thanks again for the stroller!

I was excited for Johnny to be at Temple Square for the first time and really wanted a picture of him in front of the Salt Lake Temple, because it's the temple where Brad and I were married.

It was such a great weekend, and we were so happy to be able to share Johnny's special day with everyone that came. We know not everyone that wanted to could make it, but we're grateful that Brad's parents, my Mom and Dad, and Daylen and Ashley were able to be at his blessing. Thanks for coming, and Johnny says he hopes to see everyone again soon!

Chesterfield Adventure

We started out this adventure by packing. Johnny was not pleased when I laid him in his pack 'n play while I tried to accomplish this task. He still wanted out even with the mobile and the music playing. I was wondering how I was going to pack all three of us when this kid just seemed to want to be held. I picked up my sweet baby, and asked him if he'd stop crying if I let him help me pack. So I propped him up on our bed and he was quite happy and watched with a big smile on his face as I finished the job.




We got into Chesterfield late after some bad traffic, construction work, and a detour eating dinner. Daylen brought Brooks over so he could meet his cousin. I think Brooks looks so adorable here with his eyes wide open. I've mostly only seen him while he's sleeping. Even though these two are only 7 weeks apart, you can see what a difference that makes when they're this little.

Look what proud Dads these two are

Ok, I know nobody else liked this unwelcome guest and I don't blame them. Stray cats can be kind of a pain. But I sure love petting any playful kitty. Brad was nice and drove me up to his parents' place and found this little guy for me just so I could pet him.

Brad was quite pleased to climb the ladder inside the Perkins' Cabin. It was so much fun seeing all the places Brad has told me so much about.

But apparently not exciting enough to keep these two awake. It was such a fun weekend and great to be able to visit with everyone in Idaho. Brad also blogged about our trip, which you can read about it on his blog. I will definitely be posting the videos of Brad and Daylen and Maurie jumping off the high platform in Lava.

My Wonderful Husband

This is my husband Brad. There are many reasons why I think he is so wonderful, and I will share a few of them with you.



Reason 1: He loves taking naps on the couch. Especially Sunday naps. He looks so adorable when he's fast asleep without a care in the world. Until someone (never me) comes by and accidentally wakes him up because they are bored.



Reason 2: He doesn't laugh at me when I ask him to constantly take my picture next to random things. This picture was taken last fall at the Utah State Fair. I love going to a fair of any kind, and I was so excited to go to this one in Salt Lake. Even though we didn't go on any rides because I was pregnant, we still had so much fun just being together.

Reason 3: He is always so thoughtful and kind. He surprises me often with notes, little gifts, and even flowers. And he always gets "it's the thought that counts" points when he forgets the hidden flower in the trunk.


Reason 4: He is such a wonderful father. Johnny loves him, and he loves Johnny. The kid lights up when he sees his dad, and the two always have such a good time together.



Reason 5: Ok, I know looks aren't everything, but seriously, this guy is just so handsome. I married a wonderful man who is smart, kind, funny, thoughtful, and pretty much amazing in every way!