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!

Tagged

Well, I have been tagged by Nikki, so here it goes. No cleaning, No straightening, No wiping kids noses....Take these pictures right now!!

favorite room

where the kids are now

favorite shoes(i couldn't pick one, so here are my top 3)
self portrait

laundry room

bathroom
kitchen sink
the closet
the fridge
The following people are now tagged: Viv, Kendall, Melissa, Janalee, Brittany, Jenny & Emmy

STUCK

So, I'm in the living room feeding Brielle when out of the blue Daniel just starts crying, so not knowing why, or what happened I rushed in the dining area to see what was wrong, and what do you know, Daniel crawled under the table but then he couldn't figure out how to get back out, and he was getting quite frustrated by this point, but I wasn't about to just go in there and get him out, and wanted him to try and figure it out by himself, and learn that he can do things by himself. Well...he did eventually figure it out, it was kinda funny watching him, because once he did it I think he realized how easy it really was, and he was making it harder than it should have been. Also he has been getting so much better with his walking, he still wants to crawl most of the time, but he has started walking around the house a little bit.....he just needs a little more confidence, we know he has the strength, and balance, I just don't think he always thinks he does. But we are just so proud of him, and I can't wait until October when we take him to clinic at Primary Childrens and they see how far he has come!

Daniel Walking!!!!!

So the other day when Daniels Physical Therapist was here she worked really hard with Daniel walking and he was doing really well, then all of sudden today he decided to go ahead and take multiple steps! I was so mad at myself.....he took off and probably took like 10-12 steps and of course I didn't have the video camera, and when I finally got it out, he decided he wasn't going to do it again, but we finally got a little bit of him walking, by this point he was getting a little tired, but we did get a little bit. We are so proud of him and I know he still has a ways to go before he's a pro....but I know each day he is going to get better and better!

So jason and I were looking at her last night and can't decide who she looks like......what do you guys think??? with daniel it was all me, but with Brielle we can't really decide.
Giving Brielle kisses!
Can you tell he just adores her.
I came out to the living room to find Daniel on the couch pretending to sleep like baby sister....he would close his eyes and laugh and then peek out to see if I was still looking and then quickly close them again. Lately its been like where ever Brielle is, he has to be there.