How cute is this!

So, really is this cute or what! My friend Viv made this for me! Its been so handy in this crazy weather we have been having, I get so tired of having to deal with blankets, and making sure Brielle is covered from the wind or rain, it has been quite the lifesaver! I mean, its not cold enough yet to bring out my bundle me, and so for this fall weather I have been loving my new carseat canopy! Plus the fact that we have a black/grey carseat, its nice to girly it up a little bit, because if I have one more person ask if she is a boy or girl I'm gonna slap someone, I mean really, I don't think she looks like a boy at all, and I usually have bows on her, but every once in awhile I don't and it seems that is when people decide to come up to and want to look at her, go figure, right. Anyways, thanks Viv for the wonderful present!

Giving In

Well....after having a month of no sucess, and frustration beyond belief, its time to get to the gym, I thought I was going to be able to do this at home, and well, have had no luck. Lucky for me I haven't gained any weight back, I just haven't lost any, which is almost as depressing, I have realized really how hard it is, to fit in a workout without interuptions, to keep my house clean, and take care of my little ones, and a husband who is in school full time and works full time, so the time has come to get my pass back, then I can longer use the excuse that my kids need me, or stop mid workout for a crying baby. Thank goodness for Golds gym and their Daycare, both kids will be in good hands, and Daniel will get some fun play time with other kids, and I can now focus for 1 hour plus on me, and getting a good sweat, an oh how I have missed their classes, I'm so looking forward to getting frustration out on the punching bag in kick boxing, to tone up in pump classes, and we can't forget those spin classes that kick our butt, I forgot what it was like to be sore, and I can't wait for that feeling after a great workout! So its now time to really kick it into gear and focus as much energy as I do into my kids and husband and spend some time in taking care of myself and my health!

Family Pictures

Daddy's little girl!

I love her toes!!



On Tuesday my friend took some family pictures for us, here is a little sneak peak at them, she should have them on her site soon, the link is under my blogging friends under Viv's photography.
(also please don't copy or use these photos without Viv's permission, Thanks!)

My little man!

Is he cute or what....I know I'm probably biased because I'm his mother, but I feel like the luckiest mother in the world, this little guy lights up my day everyday! I love you Daniel and I am so proud of all your accomplishments! If you would have asked me after Daniels first surgery if I ever thought Daniel would be able to do the things he is doing, I would have said probably not, but this little guy has proved to all of us, just how strong and motivated he is, these last 2 1/2 years have been the hardest by far, and never in a million years did I ever think I would have a child with a disability, but I would never trade what I have with Daniel for anything, he has taught me more that I could ever have imagined. We love you Daniel!

Get this off of ME!

So as you can see, Brielle is not to happy about this! I was trying to get Daniel down for a nap, so I set her on the couch for a minute and at first she was just fine, everything in tact, and happy as can be, then not even 2 minutes later I hear her grunting, and and you could tell by the sounds she was making she was not happy, I come out to the living room to find this, she slid down on the couch and her bow was now completely over her eyes and she was upset, of course I couldn't just move it, I had to go and get the camera and take a few pictures. oh and by the way, this little outfit she is wearing is a 6 Month! Holy cow.....my baby girl is wearing 6 months clothes and is not even 3 months yet! But I have to say I love the rolls, and love my cute little princess!

Tagged!

(Rosie, Nicole, Amber and Me)

Tagged: Here are the rules, you pick the 4th picture in your fourth folder, and then give a brief decsription.

Wow.....this picture brings back a lot of memories! This was my birthday dinner with my girlfriends back in 2004, and then the following week I met Jason, and well the rest is history. I had so much fun with these girls, being roomates, best friends, and of course travel buddies.

Now I tag.....Niki, Jenny, Kendall, Janalee, and whoever else wants to do it!

Just Because

Brielle was getting so frustrated, she was trying to get her whole fist in her mouth and couldn't and she was getting pretty upset about it, but her hands have become the new thing lately, she chews on them any chance she gets!
Daniel loves his stuffed animals, we have to have all 3 when we go to bed, we have his little tiger and big tigger and then pooh, and bedtime just doesn't go smoothly unless we have all 3.
I was putting Daniel to bed and he kept reaching up for Brielle, and so I bravely put her next to him in his bed and although he was happier than ever, Brielle on the other had was'nt so thrilled. (and check out those chubby cheeks on her, love them!)

The Circus

Last week me and my mom took Daniel to the Circus. He had the best time ever, he could not stop laughing and smiling! I was a little worried about how he would do considering he would have to sit in his seat for 2 1/2 hrs, but he did so much better than I ever thought, he took turns sitting on our laps, and then sitting in his seat, and really never complained, we had a few little moments that he got a little bored, but for the most part he did so good, and I am so glad we got to go. Thanks Dad for the tickets, we had a blast!

Just my luck

Well this last week I haven't had the time or energy to blog, and mostly due to lack of sleep! Now, I think we finally got Brielle on a schedule, we have been getting our wake time and nap times pretty consistent and finally getting her to sleep a little more through the night, so you would think well why are you not getting any sleep??? Well, just a couple nights ago I put Brielle down at about 11:00p.m. and she slept until about 6:15! Now this is huge because the longest stretch we have gone is 5 hrs and that only happened once or twice, its mostly been about 4 hour stretches for our little munchkin, but it just so happens that the first night I could have gotten a decent amount of sleep that is the night that Daniel decides to wake up at 2:30 a.m and would not for the life of me go back down, it wasn't until about 5:30 that he finally went back to sleep. And just as I was getting comfy and falling asleep our little Brielle woke up and was ready to eat, but I guess on the upside she ate then went right back to sleep, so I was able to get a couple hours of much needed rest! But it seems with these two its very rare for me to get them to sleep at the same time, it seems once I get one down the other is wide awake, and vice versa. But I'm hoping now that we have a pretty good schedule going with Brielle, that we can all start getting some rest around here, and get what little sanity I have left back. Now don't get me wrong, I wouldn't trade having these two around for anything, they are the biggest blessing and joys in our home, I, just like any other parent have our days, where we look at ourselves and wonder in the world did we get ourselves into. But then today I look at them, and think this is what makes it all worth it, their smile, their giggles, and or course all the millions of hugs and kisses I get in a day! I never knew how hard and rewarding being a parent would be, but I do have to say it is the best thing I have ever done!

Friends!

Last week me and one of my best friends Viv got together for a lunch date. Now I must say we don't do this nearly enough and I don't see her enough as I would like to. So when we do get together it seems we could talk forever and the hour we spent at lunch wasn't nearly enough time, but regardless of the time, it was so good to see her, its hard to believe just about 11 years ago we met working at Nordstroms, and from then on have stayed in touch through graduation, going away to college, marriage, me moving back east, and then back to Utah, and even after the kiddos have come. Its hard to find good girl friends that stick around and stick with you through the rough times and the good times, so Viv thanks for always being such a great friend, and being there when I needed a shoulder, or just a girl friend to talk to!

Real Salt Lake

On Saturday our friend Bryce got us tickets to the Real Salt Lake game. Jason has been a few times, but this was a first for me, Daniel and Brielle. We had a great time, and I enjoyed watching Daniel get so excited, he was constatly cheering them on, and when the crowd would get noisy Daniel of course would join in raising his arms and cheering and laughing, it did rain on us a little bit, so I ended up having to stand underneath the stadium a few times, but Jason and Daniel stuck it out and had fun in the rain, I just figured it probably wasn't a good idea to do the same with Brielle, after all she is only 2 months. So thanks Bryce for the tickets, we had a great time!

My baby rolled!

Now call me crazy, but I didn't think this was suppose to happen yet. Last night we were having tummy time and I put her on her belly and next thing i know she's moved to her back. What the?????? She's barely 2 months old....am I crazy, or is this suppose to happen yet. Because with Daniel everything was delayed because of his disability, and well...this is all new to me with Brielle, and I don't want to compare my kids, but with Daniel thats all I know, and I couldn't be more proud of him, but this is like night and day to me. She has done it a few more times today when I put her on her belly, and I don't know if she's meaning to do it, or if gravity is helping her out, but I put her on her belly and she lifts up with those little arms and the next thing you know she rolling to her back. Well I guess we'll just have to see if this keeps up, or if it was just a fluke, but whatever it is, I know this time around things are going to be a whole lot different. Oh and by the way....Daniel is doing so much better with his walking, he's still a little hesitant at times, and especially outside, but in the house he's walking everywhere! I couldn't be more happy for him and it has taken a lot of hard work to get here, but it has all been worth it and I'm just so grateful for this little boy and joy he brings to us!

Family Weekend

We had a great weekend, Jasons parents and sister Tracy came in for Brielles blessing. We had a great time hanging out, enjoying some yummy food, going to the zoo and making a trip down memory lane for Rick, Nancy and Tracy who all graduated from BYU, and of course having a blast playing with the kids. Thanks Rick, Nancy and Tracy for flying out and spending this special weekend with us.


Us at the ZOO

My dad had a work party at the zoo while Jasons parents and sister were in town and he was lucky enough to get all tickets so we could all go. So thank you dad! We had a great time looking at the animals, eating some yummy food and spending time together.


I was actually very surprised by this, but Daniel didn't like the Carousel, which I thinked shocked all of us. I thought as time went on he would get use to it and be okay, but that wasn't the case.

Check out my sister-in-laws belly! Isn't she cute, and she's not even due until January! We were so glad she got to come out, it seems like forever since we have seen her, but she came just in time too, she lives in Houston right now, and she basically got out on one of the last flights before the airport closed, since Hurricane Ike was closing in on the Texas border, and was due to hit within 12 hours of her leaving.
The boys

Well tummy time turned into naptime for Brielle, and I guess Big Brother Daniel decided he wanted to join in. Jason was watching the kids so I could get some things done around the house when he calls me into the room, and I find big brother right next to Brielle, you can just tell he just adores her. He loves giving her hugs and kisses and I just love watching him interact with her, I just can't wait until she's a little older and they play together, because honestly I think he's getting a little bored of having to always play with mommy, which kind of makes me sad, but I realize he needs to also play with kids as well, I guess thats just something I have to come to terms with, that he's not going to always need me, or want me around, I just didn't realize it was going to be this hard on me.

Brielle's Blessing

On Sunday the 14th we blessed Brielle. It was a beautiful day and a wonderful blessing. We had a great turnout and we are so grateful to all our family and friends who came to share this special day with our family. Brielle looked so cute in her gown, and I had so much fun dressing her in it. After the blessing we had a light lunch at our place and were able to catch up with friends and family. We are also so fortunate to have such great parents who are supportive of us, when we were living in Virginia my parents made the trip out when we blessed Daniel, and this time Jasons parents were able to make the trip out to Utah for Brielle's, so thank you to both our parents for all your love and support and sharing these special occasions with us!

2 Months!

Where has the time gone? Its hard to believe our baby girl is already 2 months old! She has been such a blessing in our family and I couldn't be more grateful for my 2 wonderful kids! We had her two month check up this week and she is just growing like a weed. She is now 12 lbs 7 oz (87th percentile) and 24 inches long (95th percentile). Other than her occasional fussy periods, Brielle is very happy baby with quite the little personality already. But we just love having her in our home and of course we just love her to pieces!

Remembering 9/11

I know for every American 9/11 was a day we will never forget and I remember that day like it was yesterday, I could tell exactly what I was doing, who I was with and how I couldn't get myself off the couch and away from the T.V. In May of 2006 Jason and I went back to Virginia to visit his parents and we got the opportunity to go to the Pentagon, Jason's Dad works at the Pentagon and was there on 9/11 and was able to walk us through and we were able to actually walk to the west side of the Pentagon where the plane struck and see the memorial they have set up. . Because of security reasons we weren't able to take pictures, but it was a incredible experience and one I will never forget. It was interesting to hear the stories he had to tell, having gone through the tragedy himself. Today as I remember that day I feel so fortunate to be a part of this great Country and I am so grateful for the men and woman fighting for us today and for those who risked there lives for others on 9/11, and rather than tearing us down I believe we have become a stronger nation.

Friends

On Sunday we had a get together with some friends, we had a great time enjoying some good food, playing the wii and watching the kids play together.

Swiss Days

Every year over Labor Day weekend me and my mom head up to Park City, we do a lot of shopping, eating, relaxing, and just enjoying a little getaway. To start the weekend off we head over to Midway to go to Swiss Days, Now for me I have probably been doing this with my mom for about 7 years, my mom on the other hand has been going for probably 10+ years......so this is quite a tradition in our family. I wasn't to on top of my game this year with taking pictures this weekend, so these are really the only ones I got, but we had a great time, we got to Midway at about 7 a.m and the shopping adventure started......we spent about 5 hrs there then decided to head back to Park City and hit the outlets, and about 10 hrs later and hundreds of dollars later we finally got back to the room to enjoy a night of watching movies, playing with my cutie, and enjoying some girl talk. So thanks mom for a great weekend! It was very much needed!

A new me!

Well, today is the day, about a week ago I had my 6 week check up and I got the go ahead to start working out again! I was so excited, I have really missed a good sweat! Considering we moved to Eagle Mountain and there is not a Golds Gym right down the street anymore, and we only have one car at the moment, I have had to think and get creative on what exactly I was going to do to lose this baby weight. It took me about a year to even star working out with Daniel, due to stress of his situation, and lack of motivation, but once I made the commitment I started working out in October of 2006 and by the time I became prego with Brielle, I had lost 35 lbs, yes....you read that right, sadly on top of the baby weight from Daniel I added a little more, I finally hit a breaking point, and had enough of not feeling confident about myself, so I got my self to the gym and had so much fun doing kickboxing, pump, and cycling. So this time around I was determined I was not going to let that happen again, right now I'm about 9 lbs from my pre-prego weight with Brielle, and so, that is my goal! Lucky for me Daniel and Brielle both decided to nap at the same time so I got my first day in, now its on to taking care of 2 sick little ones, sadly Daniel got sick over the weekend, and then got Jason sick, and then yesterday Brielle woke up with a cough...poor little thing, but when you have a sick toddler in the house....its hard to not pass it to everyone. Well, wish me luck, as I am determined to fit in my jeans soon!