JJ's First (Real) Smile

Last night at my brother's house, JJ had his first real smile. Sure, he's smiled before when he's in and out of sleep and things like that, but this was an actual, intentional smile. And... of course it was at me (Josh)! I came inside from grilling some meat on the BBQ and he looked at me and kept smiling over and over for about 2 or 3 minutes. Looks like one more tick mark on my side for the best friend spot!!

Thanks Aunt Karyn!

JJ's Aunt Karyn gave him this darling Hippo! We had to take his picture in it!! :)

Look how well he can hold up his head. This is what he looks like everytime I try and burp him! He's holding his head up, looking around!

I love his blue eyes!

When you look at this picture it probably makes you think he purposely laid his head on the Hippo's shoulder. Instead it's him falling over right after the picture below was taken! haha



My precious little baby!

Cute little smirk!

Daddy's Blessing Outfit

This darling outfit is what Josh was blessed in. We realized this week after hearing that our little man weighs 10 lb 13 oz (on Wednesday) that he may not fit in it by the time his blessing comes around. I decided we better take his picture in it right now just in case. It's so precious and I love that it used to belong to Josh. I think it's so sweet that now Josh's son is wearing his clothes. Thank you to my sweet mother-in-law for giving it to us. I sure hope it still fits by October! It would be so special if he could be blessed in it just like his Daddy was!

Look at those cheeks! They are just so kissable!! :)

I love this picture! It looks like he's really listening to every word his Daddy is saying!

He has such big BEAUTIFUL eyes!! :)

I love my precious baby! He hasn't been feeling super great the past couple days so we have been doing a lot of cuddling!

I know Josh thinks he's JJ best friend, but secretly I am! :) haha

Labor Day in Cedar City

Yep, the Albrecht family had its first family trip. All four of us (Lori, Josh, JJ, and Hurley) piled up in the station wagon and headed on down to the country. OK, unfortunately we don't really have a station wagon and our little Insight was busting at the seems. It is amazing how much crap we had to pack for one little baby!

Here are some pictures of our weekend full of fun, food, horses, sheep, food, family, food, and fun. Did I mention fun and food? I know there isn't any food in any of these pictures, but we ate like royalty down there. Tami, Lori's sister, made sure we each gained about ten pounds before we left. Between her and Lori's parents we couldn't have asked for better hosts.

Lori insists I write about my "near death experience" as she calls it. I was riding Salomon, the big beautiful paint, and he tripped. We both went down right as Lori was pulling up to the riding arena. She saw the a huge cloud of dust, then the horse popped up and I was still on the ground. Of course, she assumed the worst and immediately thought the horse had fallen on me. Turns out Salomon and I both just got a little scraped up, but we were fine.

Thanks Tami and Travis for letting us come play at your "ranch." We had a great time and really appreciated all you did to make sure we had fun. Thanks Mom and Dad for letting us crash at your house and for being much better hosts than we ever have been here up north!

Here is where we spent a lot of our time. Tami's new house!! Aren't the horses beautiful?

Tami, JJ, and Madison

She is pretty much battling it out with me for the best friend spot in JJ's life. I hate to admit that I think she was winning over the weekend.

Madison's dream come true.

JJ's first horse experience. Spirit was letting him hang onto her.

Not really, but it kinda looks like it.

Lacy and Spirit

Is that a happy face or what?!

That giant is Salomon. The horse, not the guy on the horse.

Travis had to show me how it was done on the monster.

The "cotton balls"

Lacy says they need to sell the sheep back. Nobody really likes them...

Funny thing is, they never bought them. They are just "storing" them for Lori's brother, Wayne.

Three beautiful girls.

TJ and JJ just loving each other

JJ's cousins took really good care of him and made him feel really welcome in the family. He may be just one of 27 cousins on the Childs side, but he sure felt special all weekend.

Lori and her Daddy

Lori's Mommy

Most beautiful wife ever

Here I am trying to control Salomon. I'm not sure what I was thinking, but I didn't take my boots or any good riding clothes. Do not attempt to ride that guy in tennis shoes and ankle socks.

Isn't he a beauty?!

TJ told me I "took it like a man" when the horse and I fell. He's such a funny kid.

He also said that he used to think horses were stupid, but he just didn't know any better. Now he wants to rope steers in the rodeo and he wears his boots all over like a real cowboy.

We didn't want to come home and face reality again, but here we are back in the city. TJ, you were right. Cities are BORING!!