The Bruce Family

8 weeks ago

2011-10-23T21:42:00.000-07:00

These family pictures were taken about 8 weeks ago by a close friend of mine, Tessa. She is amazing and captured the sweet, fun personalities of my boys. She captured the love we all have for each other in these family pictures too. So happy with them. Thanks so much Tessa for taking these special pictures of my family and my baby bump!

Spring Wreath

2011-04-10T21:34:00.000-07:00

I made my spring wreath finally. I actually made 2. We did a service auction at Enrichment and I offered to make a spring craft for someone. This wreath was it. Someone bid on my item and I got the privilege The only difference between hers and mine is the letter B and W.

Mark it!

2011-04-10T21:28:00.000-07:00

Today while eating lunch Quinn was wondering around and got very quiet. I didnt get up right away to go look for him, I just called for him. I continued eating and he didn't come. I called for him again. He came in saying "color" and pointing to his leg. Apparently he found a purple sharpie...somewhere!

It was in BOTH ears. Like IN his ears. On his tongue, legs, head, lips,

all over! Its still stained on his legs, but thankfully the rest came off. He definitely is my mischievous boy!

Life Changes at 30

2011-04-08T21:49:00.000-07:00

I started a new blog today.

Life is constantly changing. Good and/or bad. This is pretty much my new journal. I need a place to vent. To share excitement. To drown in my sorrows. To brag. This will be it.

I plan on being myself on this blog. No beating around the bush. No sugar coating. This is me. This is real. This is my life. So if you get offended easily, you might not want to read this new blog of mine. I'm not going to be dirty or anything...but I do use the words crap, dang, freak and so forth....again if those offend, don't read the new blog.

Ladies and Gentlemen? Introducing my NEW blog....

protest

2011-03-02T17:18:00.001-08:00

It seems like now a days all the pictures I get are like this. Kasen and a cheeseball smile. Quinn just staring at me or sleeping. Kasen will pose whenever I ask him to. Quinn growls and turns his head when I try to get one of him smiling. So for now, these will have to do :)

we are working hard on getting rid of the paci, I've given in a lot more than normal lately since i've been sick that past week. Once I get my energy back we will only get the paci out at night again.

PT day 3 update

2011-02-11T14:01:00.000-08:00

Quinn is doing great at his potting training. He has only had a couple accidents during the day and has pooped on the potty twice now! Im so so proud of him. He is pretty proud of himself too. It's cute. He still likes his privacy and has yet to go potty with me in the room with him. I have to get up and leave so that he will go. It's pretty funny. I sure do hope this continues!!!! Wish me luck!

Too soon?

2011-02-09T16:20:00.001-08:00

This adorable, yet goofy 20 mos old (today) has decided that he wants to go pee pee on the potty. He has shown interest since around Christmas when we were at my parents and they had a little potty in their bathroom for my nephew. The last week we got our little potty out and he has been sitting in it for like a half hour at a time but never did anything other than sit. Well TODAY, he shocked me.

We were sitting on the potty, well HE was and I was on the cold tile floor in front of him. -if I ask him if he needs to go, he grabs his diaper and runs for the bathroom- and I was getting impatient so I thought id speed the process and turn on the water. I told him I would be right back and that he needed to sit there and I was going to go get a snack for him. I ran to the kitchen because I didn't want his nude body following me across the house in case of an accident. I grabbed the fruit snacks, ran back and he was still sitting there. As Im walking back over to sit by him he says " HA HA" and I look in the potty and he went!!! That was 8 pee pee in the pottys ago! He woke up from his nap dry. Coincidence im sure...but still! He has told me once that he had to go by grabbing his diaper and saying potty. Here is the funny thing though. He will NOT pee with me in the room. I have to tell him i'll be right back, leave, give him 15 seconds or so and then come back. Each time he has gone. Ive yet to see him actually go, but he DOES!

Hopefully today is not just a fluke and it continues on to having more dry diapers ahead!
Wish us LUCK!

Have I done any good?

2011-02-07T15:44:00.000-08:00

On days like these I often wonder...have I done anything RIGHT? Have I dont any good today?

While thinking these things and feeling sorry for myself, the words to this song came to mind...

Notice how it says so sing CHEERFULLY? When I read that I had a "snap out of it" moment. We'll I haven't yet, but I sure am trying!

Have I don't any Good in the world today,
Have I helped anyone in need?

Have I cheered up the sad?
or made someone feel glad?

If not I have failed indeed.

Has anyone's burdens been lighter today,
because I was willing to share?

Have the sick and the weary been helped on their way?
When they needed my help was I there?

Chorus:
Then wake up and do something more
Than dream of your mansions above

Doing good is a pleasure,
a job beyond measure

A BLESSING of beauty and love.

Now as I reflected on the words to that song again while typing it for you folks to read, I realized AGAIN..snap out of it! The best thing I can do for my attitude right now is to go out and serve someone else. To do something kind for someone other than myself. Don't get me wrong, thats nice too...but the point is to bless someone else and you will feel the good you have done.

Im going to go out and do good...a little later. lol....but I AM! I WILL! Just thought i'd share!

Fancy Toes

2011-01-16T14:52:00.000-08:00

For Christmas from my sis in law, I got a gift certificate to Jamberry Nails. I ordered my decals that night but just barely did my toes yesterday! LOVE how they turned out. Next time Im going to pick something brighter so they stand out more from a distance so people don't have to bend over to see them.

Anyway, I LOVE them! Thanks Nichole!

Full

2011-01-15T20:57:00.000-08:00

My heart is very full tonight. You know, I read a bunch of peoples blogs. They are so good with words. They can express things that I feel, into words. I know this is something that I'm not quite good at. I think I get too overwhelmed with my feelings that nothing I can type seems to express what I'm feeling at the moment. I need to get better at this. Even if it takes me an hour of typing and deleting on this post, I want to get my feelings, coherent, and on this post.

These are my 2 boys. Quinn, 19 mos. and Kasen, 6 yrs. This is where my heart feels full. Happy. I look at these boys and the love that I feel for them brings tears to my eyes. Then I go speechless. The words won't come out. To try and put into words the way I feel about these boys seems like an insurmountable task.

The last couple months of my life have been very up and down. The things that kept me grounded, waking up in the morning and smiling were those boys above. Times when I felt like nothing in my life was good, like nothing was happy. They would remind me day in and day out with a simple "I love you", "mamamamama" or even just a smile, hug or giggle.

There have been some dark days. Days where I would just cry and cry at night. I would sneak into Kasen's room and get into bed with him and just hold him and cry. He never woke up, never even realized I was there. Just being around him and next to him reminded me how blessed I am. There are times when I just cuddle Quinn in his glider and rock back and forth. Where I just go in, shut the door, and hold him. He reminds me that there IS good in my life. No matter how messed up everything else in my life may seem. Those little boys are some of the biggest blessings to ME.

Kasen has such attitude, spunk and enthusiasm. He is a character and definitely picked up the Campbell trait of sarcasm. I can joke with him, be silly with him, and even tell him about my day and he will be happy and excited. I really feel like he is our son to keep us patient, loving and laughing.

Quinn is such a cheery, happy go lucky little boy. He is so easy going and is always being silly. He is a total mamas boy right now and I have to admit, I LOVE it. He cuddles me, loves me, and pokes me. All things that just make me smile. I really feel like he is my son to make me feel loved, patient and blessed.

I snuck into the boys rooms tonight to take those pictures of them sleeping. I love them when they are sleeping. My love grows even more for them while they are sleeping! lol...

Really though? They are my world. No matter how they got here, no matter how they became my children, I am a changed woman because of them. I am better, wiser, more loving, more patient, and more blessed. As much as they can drive me crazy at times, I would never ever give them away. Even though I say I want to rent them out sometimes. Children are a complete miracle.

"While we try to teach our children about life, our children are teaching us what life is about."

Lately I've been pondering on the important things in my life. What I want, what I need, what I have...I just feel so blessed with what I have. Pondering on the things I don't have has gotten me nowhere. Well nowhere good at least. I want to be in a good place. I want to be happy with my life just as it is. I want to know that if I die tomorrow I can be grateful for what I did have. I don't have all the things I feel I need in my life. But I am learning to grow and accept that I don't need them to be happy. I just need to be grateful for what I do have. I have been blessed with so much throughout my life. If the things I want and feel I need do come to me, then I will be forever grateful. If they don't I know I may not ever understand why, or what for, but I know that I can trust the Lord and his timeline.

The past couple weeks my family has been waking up 10 minutes earlier in the morning to read scriptures together. It's hard, I find myself wanting to make excuses, but once I find my way out of bed? I am so grateful I did. The first day I noticed a huge difference. I was happy. Just in general had a good day. It has now become part of our daily routine and I don't ever want it to stop. This is one of the things I have to be grateful for.

I have decided that this year, one of my new years resolutions is to be grateful. So to end my post, I will give you the top 25 things I am grateful for in my life.

In no particular order:

1. Family Scripture Reading

2. My boys. Jeremy, Kasen and Quinn.

3. My faith in the Lord

4. a home to live in

5. my dog Bailey

6. a working car to get me and my fam places

7. water

8. visiting teachers

9. modern medicine

10. my camera

11. the atonement

12. my parents and siblings

13. smoothies

14. Jeremy's job

15. my good friends

16. clocks

17. music

18. temples

19. love

20. flowers

21. quinns nursery leader

22. kasens bff

23. Park Lane

24. good neighbors

25. the priesthood

Chip Chop

2010-08-22T19:26:00.000-07:00

Well it's only taken me a week to get used to my all time shortest haircut! The first day I couldnt decide whether I liked it or not...2nd day, same. Third day HATED it, and completely regretted cutting it at all. Since then my attitude has changed quite a bit. I am in love with it now!!!! LOVE.

Can't. Stop. Thinking.

2010-08-18T11:20:00.000-07:00

These are things I Can't. Stop. Thinking. about...

1. I got my first recruit! I am so excited. Jewels By Park Lane is such a fun job for me! I get paid to party and a good friend of mine is joining. She will do GREAT at it and I can't wait to see her succeed!

2. How can I get more people to book a show? What do I need to bribe? lol I need to find a way to get outside Power Ranch and get bookings that way...

3. I do get stessed by my job, but I love it. LOVE it. I get stressed by being a mom too, but I LOVE that as well. I think everyone gets stressed by their work at times. Doesn't mean I want to quit. That's a different level of stress that I haven't hit.

4. I really need to get my poof ball of a new hair cut thinned! Thank Heavens for Angie! She will be thinning it tomorrow for me!

5. My diabetes are back. They were gone after I had Quinn. They are now back. Full force and I am working hard to get them under control. I have a ton of mixed emotions about it and have been having a hard time accepting the fact that I am 29 and diabetic. I've started my meds again and I can already feel the difference. I've been on them a week and the last 2 days I have been starting to feel more and more like myself again. I've been in a rut lately, and I think it was because of my untreated diabetes. I am taking care of that now, and I am on track! Jeremy has been a really great support to me this past week while dealing with all of my emotions and helping me move on...thanks babe! I love you forever!

6. I REALLY need to put away the two baskets of clean and now WRINKLED clothes away that are sitting next to my bed. I see it, get overwhelmed and then move on to something else. I just need to face it, and do it! Then mop the floor too!

7. We are getting a 2nd car in about a week and a half and I cannot wait! I was a little worried that we couldn't afford it, but I know now that with my paycheck, we will be able to do it and then I will have some FREEDOM. Not that I want to drive the car somewhere everyday, but it sure will be nice knowing I can if I want to!

8. I really need to start taking more pictures. My kids, especially Quinn are growing up and changing way too fast and I need to be better about taking little videos and pictures to remember their sweet faces and personalities at every stage!

9. I went to curriculum night last night and I must admit....I really REALLY like Kasen's teacher this year. I was so sad when I found out that none of his friends were in his class, but he is making new ones and this teacher is MEANT for Kasen. She is very loving and warm and Kasen needs that. So happy with her.

10. I need to go to the post office. Quinn broke a piece of my jewelry and I get to send it back for free and get a new one, woo hoo! Glad tomorrow is Thursday and I have a car tomorrow! :)

1st Day of 1st Grade!

2010-08-18T09:43:00.001-07:00

ok seriously? What happened to my little 2 year old starting his 1st year of preschool? Now he has started 1st grade! How and when did this happen? It seems like the journey to get him here to earth was longer than the almost 6 years he has been alive! It's gone way too fast and I don't like it one bit! Preschool- Mrs Cassie, Age 2

Preschool- Mrs Cassie, Age 3

Kindergarten- Mrs. Bianco, Age 4

1st grade Ms Annesi, Age 5

This is the little Kasen I remember....

This is how I remember Kasen. Not as the big 1st grader, but as a little toddler still. I guess I can't make him stop growing, so we will just have to grow and love every stage!

Kasen,

You are so big and strong. You grow more and more each day. You are so loving and kind and I'm proud to be your mommy. I know you will do so geat this year as a 1st grader. You have the potential to do anything you set your mind to and I think you are starting to realize that. You are amazing. You are wise beyond your years. Sometimes I love that, but sometimes I hate that! :)

I am so glad that I will be here to watch you grow into a wonderful, handsome, loving young man! I love you dooder!

Love always,

Mommy

Hello, How are you?

2010-06-17T18:58:00.000-07:00

Quinn turned 1 last week and decided to show us how he can talk too! My kids first 4 word sentence!!

My Room

2010-06-01T21:12:00.000-07:00

This is what I made today. I have been working little by little, project by project, craft by craft to make our house cuter. I decided the bedroom needed some serious help. So...this is what I did for starters.
I bought some blank canvas' and some fabric to cover them in. Of course since it's me, there was NO sewing involved in any of this. Staple gun and pins. That's it. Oh and a hot glue gun too. Used a hot glue gun and some extra coordinating fabric to make some rosettes.

pinned some pleats, then stapled it in the back and took the pins out and wa la, it stayed!

scrapbook ribbon for the bow

used my cricut to print vinyl for the "love"

Finished product hanging above my bed! I am quite proud of myself. I love and it and get this, the hubs does too!!!!! Yaay for me!

Get a Grip

2010-06-01T21:01:00.000-07:00

I think its time for a new tennis racket. It isn't 1998 anymore and my hands are proof that my tennis racket IS from 1998! We went and played for a while the other night and the grip was shredding off into my hands. The frame is now cracked. Too bad my birthday isn't til October! lol...

Vent...

2010-05-25T12:56:00.000-07:00

Since my blog is now private, I feel I can vent and not as many people will know im upset! lol...

Well I need to vent about something and its been my life for almost a year now. Its only going to get worse as the heat comes and school gets out. I will be stuck home all day everyday with 2 kids and no car. My kids will be cooped up in the house and won't be able to go out and play because it gets too hot. I won't be able to go to the pool cause we can't get our new pool key because our landlord is behind in HOA fees. The account has been sent to collections so I doubt he is going to pay it if he hasn't by now.

Sure I have friends with cars, but who really wants to ask a friend anytime they need or want to go somewhere if they can hitch a ride with their two kids. Since school will be out, people won't have as much room in their cars now that all their kids will be home now as well. Not many people will have 3 extra seatbelts available. Sure I can walk to the pool. Again though, I have no pool key and probably wont be getting one. That was my only saving grace for this summer. The only thing I was relying on being able to do to get myself and the kids out of the house.

The other thing? I dont feel like I have much sympathy from the hubs. He has no clue what its like to be cooped up everyday and not see the outdoors until its dark out...He could do it for a day or two im sure, but knowing that its only for a day or two. This is my life. I LOVE my life. I love my boys, I love my hubs, I love my home. I DONT love our car situation. I feel trapped. I feel claustrophobic. Its depresses me. I know that if we had the money Jer would buy me a car in a heartbeat. I am grateful for all he does to support our family.

Its hard to not be able to leave during the day. To run to the store for one last ingredient for dinner. To be able to go pick up some meds for a sick friend, to be able to meet the girls for lunch, to be able to run to target for more diapers. Taking Kasen to swim lessons. Wish I could, but I dont have a car everyday to do that. My kid is almost 6 and can't swim. To run Quinn to the Dr for his umpteenth ear infection.... Little things like that. Even if I didn't use the car everyday, just the satisfaction of knowing that its in the garage if I need it, would make a world of a difference. I would feel a lot more free.

The one free day I do have is Thursday. Thats the day I plan everything and run errands and do everything. That is the day I don't relax and don't sit down. The hubby works from home that day and I get the car. I am go go go go go all day long.

Im just having a hard time realizing that school ends this week and I will feel more trapped than ever with 2 kids at home through the WHOLE summer, with no car.

I know it could be worse, I really do. We could have NO car at all. For that I am grateful...that we do have 1 car. But this is my life as I know it. I know there are other people in the same situation as me, but this is me and I am feeling trapped today and I came here to vent. Thanks for listening. Thanks for reading.

Crazy Hair

2010-05-24T13:05:00.000-07:00

Quinn has some seriously crazy hair. He has a bad case of bed head ALL day long. I try to comb it, but it doesn't help. I wet it down...doesn't help. This is when he woke up from his nap the other day...fun stuff.

Mothers Day 2010

2010-05-19T15:50:00.000-07:00

Mommy According To Kasen: I asked the questions, he answered...

Whats mommys name? Brittany Bruce
Whats Mommys favorite color? pink
Whats my favorite restaurant? I dont know...(I tell him to pick one)...Hungry Howies ($5 pizza)
How old am I? 29
When is my birthday? I forgot!!!! May 20th??
Why do you love me? because you love ME!
Who is my best friend? Autumn and Kassie and Jess, thats enough....
Whats my favorite song? Families Can Be Together Forever
Whats my favorite food? Mashed Potatoes
Favorite Drink? Cherry Limeade
Why do I love you? because, um...we are a family.
What makes mommy happy? Me being nice to you
What do I tell you? I love you
Whats my favorite fast food? Whats the place where they have star chicken nuggets? (Carls Jr.) YEEEEAH!
What am I good at doing? you are good at....feeding Quinn (LOL)

This was a special mothers day for me. I got to celebrate it with two kids, not one! I was about 8 mos pregnant with Quinn last year and sick! In fact I went to the ER the next day due to stomach issues. So this year was so happy! Not being pregnant and not being sick! We celerated by going to dinner and hanging together as a family. Im such a lucky mom. :) Motherhood is one of the most important things that has happened to me in my life. I treasure it, cherish it and hold on to it. I know they won't be young forever!

I'm in Love

2010-05-18T12:20:00.001-07:00

They adore each other. They are both always so happy to be around one another and to play together.

Crawling in bed (the crib) to read Quinn a story. I have found him in there MULTIPLE times.

I sent Kasen in with the camera bc Quinn had just woken up and he took a picture of him

I am so in love with my boys. I am so happy that they are in love with each other. All the happy giggly moments they share has made everything I've gone through to have them, that much more special.

Kasen amazes me. He is a fantastic big brother. He loves Quinn more than I could have hoped for. When Quinn wakes up from his nap, if Im doing something right at the moment, Kasen will go crawl in his crib with him and play until Im able to get him out. We have a game we play called "find Quinns Pacifier" boring I know, but Kasen is so helpful and always willing help locate it. He hugs and wrestles, kisses and soothes. He has such patience with him. He takes such great care of his little brother.

Im sitting here having all these feelings about Kasen right now and not knowing how to describe something so deep. He is such a sweet spirit. I am so grateful to my Heavenly Father for letting me raise this wonderful boy. I'm doing my best, and I love him so much.

trying to entertain Quinn while mommy and daddy got ready the other day.

Hello!

2010-05-17T13:36:00.000-07:00

Hi to all of my private blog readers! All through the next 2 days I will be trying to change my blog all around so please be patient with the construction. :) I will be trying to do it during nap times and down times! Step by step! Thanks so much for being my friend and wanting to read my blog!

UPDATES TO FOLLOW!!

Private

2010-05-04T15:10:00.001-07:00

Hey everybody!!

I will be switching to a private blog in about a week. From there I will start updating. I am getting tired of people leaving annoying comments in japanese or whatever langage that is and so I want to be able to have my friends look at my blog, no creepy people!

With that being said.....If you want to be invited to read my blog, please leave a comment with your email address, or if I have your email address, just tell me you want to be invited.

Due to recent stuff going on, please don't assume that I will just know to invite you. If you want to read my blog, let me know! :)

I hope this helps weed out the weird comments!

THANKS GUYS!

HAPPY BLOGGING!

Hi

2010-01-26T19:01:00.000-08:00

My 7 mos old decided to wave to me tonight! I can't believe how much he is growing up! Waving, crawling, pulling himself up on things. Such a big boy! Way more advanced than I remember at 7 mos.

Valentine Crafts

2010-01-26T18:43:00.000-08:00

Here are a few Valentine crafts I have made this week. I still have 3 more to make, Im really excited about them!!

Kasen and I both made this one together...

paper mache heart....

Wire rimmed ribbon heart...

Cupcake liner wreath! I wasn't sure how it would turn out but I LOVED it!

I inked the edges around the flower to make it stand out more.

FUN STUFF!!

I will post the other ones when I finish them!

Who is who?

2010-01-19T12:09:00.000-08:00

There are pictures of Kasen and Quinn both at 7 mos.

Its so funny to me how much they look alike and how different they really are!

H8 V8!

2010-01-19T11:50:00.000-08:00

Kasen decided to try V8 yesterday for the first time. We warned him he probably wouldn't like it. We warned him that it was 100% veggie juice. We warned him it had tomatoes in it. He didn't care. He was very insistant on trying it for some reason.

This was his reaction. I cut the video when he started to throw a fit...lol

Crawling

2010-01-19T11:48:00.000-08:00

This is a video of Quinn crawling. He is a bit quicker now, but this is his first video of it.

My Mallow...

2010-01-19T11:39:00.000-08:00

Here are a couple videos from over the past few weeks that we have taken.

Quinn trying his first marshmallow. He sucked it in and out just like a pacifier.

Biter

2010-01-11T20:23:00.001-08:00

Quinn's first biter bisquit. He sure made a mess out of it. He loved every second of it though. He is just barely 7 mos and officially crawling now. He has his 2 bottom teeth and is such a good baby. Im so lucky and blessed to call him my son! He is eating baby food and his favorite as of now seem to be green beans, pears and bananas. I hope that more veggies come into play soon.

December Recap- Christmas in WA

2010-01-11T15:08:00.000-08:00

We had the opportunity to go to WA to Jeremys parents house for christmas this year. It was a lot of fun and a good experience. Some family got to meet Quinn for the first time. Kasen LOVED playing with his cousins too. We love our family and wish we could see them more often. We are grateful for those who made it possible for us to be with them this year. Braxton (5), Kasen (5) and Isaac (3)...cousins and wearing matching jammies from gramie and papa

The nativity Scene, Jer was a wisemen, Kasen and I were shepards, Quinn was supposed to be baby Jesus, but he was sleeping.

Christmas morning waiting on the stairs to open presents.

Quinn (6 mos) Uncle Cam (17 yrs) wearing matching footie jammies! So funny!

making the traditional gingerbread houses. Kasen LOVED it.

Quinn had his first marshmallow. He sucked on it like a pacifier. In and out. In and out. It was hilarious.

Santas little helpers.

December Recap- Christmas in Az.

2010-01-11T14:38:00.001-08:00

Ugly Sweater Christmas Party....neither of us won believe it or not!

Santa and Mrs Claus at the school party with the boys

Santa came early to our house in AZ since we wouldn't be "home" on Christmas day

Cookies left for Santa

opening presents.

Quinns first Christmas. Such a gooooood boy!

A friend of ours took our family pictures, I know some of you have already seen these, but for those who haven't, here ya go! I LOVE them. He did an amazing job. I cant wait to get them blown up and put in our house!

November Recap

2010-01-11T14:15:00.001-08:00

Driving to Cali for Thanksgiving. Kasen wanted to sleep so he propped his blankie up, sit bobby up on top of that, and then used his froggie pillow backwards so that his head would stop bobbing to the sides. Very creative.

Kasen and Brielle getting sleepy in Grammas bed!

Cousins: Cambria, Dawson, Everett, Brodie, Sidney, Bronwen, Quinn, Kasen, Elijah and Brielle!

I had the flu the whole time I was there and didnt get out of bed til the day before I left. Still feeling awful at that point. I didn't go downstairs the whole day of thanksgiving. Bummer! No food for me!

Kasen and Quinn playing with his bottle of juice that he wont drink. Still won't take a bottle. Boo!

This boy LOVES the exersaucer! Mommy loves it too!

Kasen and mommy!

2009-12-15T15:54:00.001-08:00

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Happy 5th!

2009-11-16T15:51:00.000-08:00

Kasen turned 5 on November 7th. We had a fun little party for him with some quite tasty desserts if I do say so myself. He got to invite his friends, got to play games, and got to throw tantrums! It was a great day!

All the kids got party favors of a peter pan pinata with candy and stuff inside, a glow sword or wand and a peter pan book or tinkerbell stamp set.

For breakfast he was allowed to request what he wanted and he chose bacon and egg nog.

The cake I made. I had some help with the assembly, but its all homemade. Chocolate peanut butter cup. It was DELISH!

Playing peter pan toss across

singing happy birthday

pin the feather on peter pan...How amazing is that HAND DRAWN peter pan? My friend Kassie volunteered her hubby Travis to sketch a Peter pan hat for me to pin the feathers onto. Well, Travis went above and BEYOND and sketched his whole face along with the hat and feathers! It's amazing. It looks SO good. Pull out your movie case, it looks just like him! So talented! Thank you Kassie for volunteering and cutting and thank you Travis for the awesome art that is now hanging in Kasen's room!

His present from us...a new bike that he actually fits on!

A shout out to Michelle for helping me watch Quinn during the WHOLE party! Thank you so so much!

Another shout out to Taylor for letting me use her cake decorating tools and helping me making Kasen's cake look so pretty!!

You guys are all great!

Happy Birthday my adorable Kasen. You certainly are my world. You try me like I've never been tried before, but I wouldn't have it any other way because then you wouldn't be the Kasen that I love. You are so smart and say the funniest things. I can't believe that 5 years ago I became a mother because of YOU.

My 5 favorite things about Kasen:

1. The way you tell me you love me over and over throughout the day, just in case I forget...

2. The voice that you use when you talk to your brother. So loving and nurturing.

3. The way you walk in the door from school everyday and announce "I'm Back!!"

4. You are SO willing to serve and do anything to make someone else feel special!

5. The way you have compassion for someone who is sick. You tell them, "im sorry your'e sick." and its always so sincere.

My Big Boy

2009-11-16T15:14:00.000-08:00

As tradition, we decided to decorate Kasen's room the night before his birthday. This year was a little trickier. Up until this year we let him fall asleep in our bed, decorate his room, and then pick him up and transfer him into his own bed. Well this year he is TOO big to do that. We had to be super sneaky and decorate his room WHILE he was sleeping in his bed! There were a few close calls where we had to drop to the ground because he rolled over or moved around in his bed. We managed to pull it off though! Another tradition we have is to take a picture of him his last night being that age. So this was his last night being 4. :(

Sweet Sweet boy!

Birthday at School

2009-11-16T15:03:00.001-08:00

The day before Kasens birthday, Quinn and I walked over to Kasens school to deliver cupcakes to him and his classmates! He got to sit in a special chair, wearing a special hat while his whole class sang Happy Birthday to him. He LOVED it. He tried to act all shy, but we all know he isn't.

The community Birthday hat!

Trying to act embarrassed that his class was singing to him...except that girl next to him. Apparently SHE wasn't singing to him.

Mrs Bianco and Kasen

Kasen and Mommy

He got to pick a pencil out of the birthday jar from his teacher. He tried to pick a flower one, then one with hearts, but thankfully ended up with a camo one! Phew!

Random November Pictures....so far.

2009-11-16T14:29:00.000-08:00

My friend Anthea came to visit this last weekend with her two cute kiddos Madeline (2) and Mikas (4.5 mos) sooo good to see her!

First time sleeping in his crib. He is now sleeping in there for naps AND night time!

oooooooh!

Bumbo for green peas!

Trick or Treat

2009-11-16T14:11:00.000-08:00

We got together for a Halloween dinner with some friends before we took all our kids trick or treating. While Jeremy hung out with a friend and Quinn and watched football, I went and took Kasen trick or treating. We had a large group of kids and it was a little crazy, but we had so much fun! :)

Random October Pictures

2009-11-16T13:29:00.000-08:00

Pumpkin Carving

2009-10-28T12:38:00.000-07:00

We got together with some good friends on Monday night for FHE to carve our pumpkins together. It was a lot of fun and the kids had a blast together. I think Kasen was more interested in playing, than carving, but oh well!

Kasen carved a tiny bit and then got bored and ran off to play so Jeremy was left carving the rest of it. He is so dang handsome! I love those dimples!

I carved the lid and cleaned it out
Kassie cleanin out all the pumpkin seeds to roast
Jeremy helped with the face and carving
Quinn lookin cute as always!
The proud carvers! Don't you love the vomiting pumpkin? lol Nice job Travis!

Im in LOVE with this picture!

Sunday

2009-10-25T19:47:00.000-07:00

We had our Primary Program today, I am so glad its over. We teach the 11 year olds. They were all so excited that it was their LAST program before entering into young men and young womens next year. It was funny.

Kasen and his class had a part together. They were given a scripture last week and were told to memorize it. Well Kasen did as he was told and in return was able to eat the candy bar his teachers gave me. I was instructed not to give it to him til he had the scripture completely memorized. So we sat down and worked on it one day over his fall break, and in NO time at all, he was repeating it word for word without any help. By the time today rolled around he was saying is so super fast! Good boy Kase! You are a smarty pants!

Best part about today? Our friends made us dinner! They brought it over, salad, chili and these super cute pumpkin bread bowls! The salad was amazing and the chili was really really great also! Thanks so much Michelle! So grateful! :)

This is the first day he memorized it. He was so proud of himself! Notice the "john chapter 3 versed 5" lol so cute.

Trunk or Treat

2009-10-25T19:14:00.000-07:00

We had our ward Trunk or Treat last night. Kasen looked forward to it all week, it was really cute. He counted down the days.

Yesterday he counted down the hours. A bit annoying, but still really cute.

my cute duck

my handsome peter pan

This is a picture of him and two of his friends Paige and Emma. They have such a great time together and NEVER argue or fight. It's a dream come true for me. Paige is 5 and Emma is 6. Such fun, happy girls!

Me and my girlies!

First Feed

2009-10-25T19:02:00.000-07:00

At Quinn's 4 mos check up I was given the option to start Quinn on solids. I was planning on waiting til he was about 5 mos or so because he seemed happy with just nursing. Until I got sick....when I got sick with the flu/cold/sinus infection, my milk decreased significantly. I wasn't sure what to do and Quinn started waking in the middle of the night hungry. So I decided to start him on cereal sooner than I had planned hoping to help his hunger. This was his first feeding, it was so fun to feed him. I looked forward to it all day. I even waited til Jeremy got home so that he could be a part of it too!

He actually did pretty well. He doesn't mind it. He even grabs my hand and pulls it towards his mouth. He spits about half of it out while trying to figure out how to swallow something that itsn't pure liquid. Normal. He lets me know when he is done too. He is such a cute little guy. I kind of backed off after a few days though because Quinn got sick again, another ear infection. His 4th one in 4 months. Also, my milk supply came back after I was able to hydrate myself again. I will probably pick it back up once he is off his antibiotics and not so fussy and needy. He did really well though!

It's my birf-day!

2009-10-25T18:53:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday was my birthday. I am not going to lie. Having a birthday on Sunday is the PITS!

What is even more so the pits? That I went from being 28, to turning 30 next year! What happened to 29? Why don't I feel 29? One day I was 28, and the next day I will be 30 next year. I feel like the whole year got skipped! Oh well, I am now 29 and I seriously cannot believe that I will be 30 next year. 30 isn't old. At all. But it seems weird that "I" will be 30. I don't feel that old. Until I try and stand and it hurts my back, or I try and kneel and my knees crack. Anyway...

I got some wonderful presents, spent some time with awesome friends and family, and ate some DELICIOUS cake that my mom made me before she left! (She left the day before my birthday)...

All in all it was a great weekend. Thanks for hanging out with me friends! You know who you are!

Why do I do this?

2009-10-25T18:34:00.000-07:00

I get so behind in blogging and then dread having to catch up, so then it just builds up. So...all my posts will be short and quick so that I don't get too overwhelmed trying to catch up.

We have all been really sick lately. It started with Kasen, then me, Quinn started a couple days ago and Jeremy started today. Fevers, colds, flu, sinus infections, ear infections, you name it, we have had it! It's been a rough couple weeks.

My knuckles have cracked and dried up from using so much hand sanitizer! It's crazy.

Jeremy's grandpa passed away 2 weeks ago, and that was a really hard time for us as well.

Like I said, it's been a rough couple weeks.

On the brighter side, my mom was able to come visit for a couple days with her friend Laura. Downside? She came the day after I got sick, so I wasn't much fun and didnt have the energy or health to do a whole lot.

Thanks so much for coming mom. Sorry it wasn't the best weekend, but I was so glad to have you here while Jeremy was out of town and I was trying to recover! You are the best and I can't wait to see you guys next month when we can chat more and all hopefully be healthy!

My mom getting Quinn to smile for her

Check up

2009-10-10T10:22:00.001-07:00

Quinn had his 4 mos check up yesterday. He did great. He is such a good happy baby. He only cried for about 5 seconds when he got this 3 shots (2 in one leg, 1 in the other) an then I put his paci in and he stopped crying right away. By the time we left the Dr office I was even getting smiles out of him. Hopefully he will have a higher threshold for pain than his big brother!

Here are his stats:

Weight: 13.7 30%

Height: 27 1/4 100%

Head: 16.5 50%

His weight and head have stayed at the same percentage as his 2 month check up. His heighth however has gone up from 75% to 100%. Tall and skinny boy! That's for sure.

We love this little boy and love seeing him smile. He is such a happy baby. He started giggling at us in the last week or two and its like music to my ears. I will make a fool of myself anyday if it means hearing him giggle. Thanks for being such a good happy boy Quinners. We love you!

The World

2009-10-07T12:38:00.000-07:00

I cannot get enough of these boys. Kasen has been home sick two out of the 3 school days this week and I LOVE it. Once we get past that first grumpy hour of waking up, its been great. I have really missed having him at home and getting to spend time with him. It just seems like once he gets home from school its rush rush to get everything done before he goes to bed, so I don't feel like I get to spend that much quality time with him anymore. As much as I hate that he is sick, and hope that none of the rest of us get sick, especially Quinn...its a blessing in disguise. I have needed this time with him. I feel like our relationship is growing everyday and I don't want it to grow in the wrong direction. His attitude has gotten so much better over the past 2 weeks its wonderful. We have implemented a few new things in our lives and I really think they are helping with every aspect. I love my big 4, almost 5 year old! :)

Girls Night

2009-10-06T15:04:00.000-07:00

Friday night was girls night for me and my new AZ friends! It was so much fun. We went to PF Changs for dinner and then had Sprinkles for dessert. I had a ton of fun, and giggled lots. Can't wait for the next one!! Thanks girls! Best part? I went completely kid and baby free! Jeremy said Quinn gave him dirty looks when he tried to give him a bottle. Oh well, he has got to learn to take a bottle at SOME point.

Giraffe

2009-09-23T10:45:00.000-07:00

This is Quinn and his giraffe blanky. He LOVES this blanket. He sleeps better with it, falls asleep faster and is really comforted by it! Thank you Gramie! :)

He loves to snuggle with it. Every time we give it to him, he cuddles it up by his face and sometimes covers his face and falls asleep. He loves to suck on it. Its so cute!

Just a couple random cute pictures I took of him the other day.

My new hair. I got bangs. I haven't had bangs since 8th grade and to be honest Im not so sure I like them. They don't tuck behind my ear and I HATE having hair in my face. So they might be better once they grow out a little. Other than that though, I love the color and I love the cut. Jeremy told me I had Jennifer Aniston hair. I ignored him cause I wasn't sure if that was a good thing or not.

The much awaited jammies...

2009-09-12T14:51:00.000-07:00

PETER PAN!

Kasen has been looking for and wanting Peter Pan jammies for a really long time now. Nowhere, anywhere has anything Peter Pan. Well my wonderful mother found some random website in June that was starting to make them, but wasn't shipping until the end of August. Well when he finally realized it was August, the countdown began. He would ask me, his teacher as school, everyone he could talk to what the date was and how many more days til the end of August. When August 31st came around, it was THE day he had been looking forward to. He knew the jammies would be coming anytime. Well...yesterday was THEE day. As soon as the doorbell rand I was expecting someone else, but when I saw the box on the door step and looked at the address label my heart started pounding. This was it. The package we had been anxiously awaiting for months. I was so giddy. I immediately called my parents and let them know their present had arrived. I couldn't WAIT for Kasen to get home from school. I knew how excited he would be. I was more excited that I wouldn't have to hear..."mommy we should get my peter pan jammies, we should order them, when will I get them?" or any alternative of that question, every single day.

I picked him up and ran home to get the package before we went to a friends house...I made him stay in the car while I went in and got it. I filmed his reaction....it was just as I thought it would be...see for yourself...

SCROLL DOWN AND TURN MY MUSIC PLAYER OFF TO HEAR THE VIDEO:

The Green Lake

2009-09-05T11:40:00.000-07:00

We had a huge storm this morning. It lasted for hours. Thunder. Lightning. Rain. Flooding. This is a picture of the green belt behind our house. It was like a lake. It flooded really bad. Kasen wanted to go play in the muddy backyard so we let him.

VIDEOS ATTACHED. You will have to scroll down and turn off my music player to hear the videos.

Jeremy decided to take Bailey out to the greenbelt behind our house and Kasen wanted to go too...

They had a ton of fun and came straight home and all 3 got in the shower together! :)

Update on Rash

2009-09-05T11:31:00.000-07:00

It's getting a tiny tid bit better. He was a little cranky last night and the poor baby cannot stop itching his head. He is DIGGING at it. I cut his nails in hopes that he doesn't cut himself in the prcoess of itching. Here is a picture from this morning.

Once again blogger is uploading my pictures in the wrong direction. Anyone know why? It's save as vertical but uploads it horizontal. Grr.

Bug Bites

2009-09-04T09:24:00.001-07:00

Well Quinn slept with me the other night and when I woke up with him in the middle of the night I saw 2 red bumps on his arm. I just thought he had gotten bit by something and felt bad for him. Well when he woke up yesterday morning....he had LOTS of bug bites. Upon closer inspection, I realized they were all over his arm, both arms. And one on his cheek.

It's progressively gotten worse and is now ALL over his body.

Thankfully I had a Dr appt yesterday morning anyway for him to get his ear re-checked from his infection. Turns out Quinn is allergic to the antibiotics he was on. He had been on them for 7 days. Took them when he was 2 weeks old as well for an ear infection and didnt react then. It took him 7 days to react this time. The Dr said some people can be on meds for 30-40 years and all of a sudden develop an allergy. So...I guess no more Amoxicillin for Quinners.

These were taken last night, and its way worse this morning. They had to put him on a new antibiotic because the amoxicillin wasn't working and the infection wasn't gone, so lets hope he is ok with this new one.

Maybe I won't be going to girls night out tonight afterall. :(

On my mind...

2009-09-02T12:49:00.000-07:00

Just some stuff I'm thinking about today.

*I need someone to watch Kasen for an hour tonight so we can go to curriculum night. No one is volunteering. Is my kid THAT bad? Sad. Guess he will have to come with even though he isn't supposed to.

*My house smells so good right now. I love crock pot cooking!

*Quinn is starting to wake up and I'm not ready to feed him again yet. Go back to sleep little baby.

*I really need to get my booty motivated and on the treadmill that sits in my kitchen.

*Im really in the mood to craft right now thanks to Autumn and her Super Saturday! Im excited to help out!

*I wish we had plans this weekend for Labor Day. Maybe something will come up last minute. If not, we are on our own to make some fun! :)

*Excited about the mommy night out movie night on Friday with some friends.

*Is washing the last load of laundry right now. Yipee! It's never ending!

*Maybe I will wash Kasens sheets and make THAT the last load.

* I miss Kasen today

*Guess I better go feed Quinn.

*I need to take more pictures. I haven't in a while. I need to take more of Kasen too.

So long for now...

The Best Finger

2009-08-26T11:53:00.000-07:00

Starting at a very early age, Quinn is already a thumb sucker. He started a few weeks ago and will even sometimes spit out his paci so he can replace it with his thumb. Although I think its adorable to see a baby suck his thumb, I am trying to enforce the paci. It's a lot easier to take away then his thumb will be down the road. I don't want him to turn out like his mommy and suck his thumb til he is 12. Yep, that's right, had braces for 4 years because of it!

How can I resist right now though? Look how cute he is!

Once again, you will have to scroll all the way down to the bottom and turn the music player off to hear Quinn.

Gooo

2009-08-22T15:14:00.000-07:00

Quinn is really starting to talk a lot these days. It's really cute. I love to hear his little voice and I think HE loves to hear his little voice too. Here are a few recent pics and a little video of him talking.

(blogger will not let me upload this horizontally likes its supposed to be, it keeps uploading vertically)

You will have to scroll down and turn off my music player so you can hear him.

Secrets

2009-08-22T13:36:00.001-07:00

Yesterday I learned that my best friend has been keeping a HUGE secret from me. She finally decided to talk about it about 2 weeks ago, but really showed me the secret yesterday. There is a little ranch market in Mesa that she has been ranting and raving about. It's so cheap, its so good, you have to try it....blah blah. She kept telling me next time she went she would take me. Finally I MADE her take me yesterday. Pulled teeth and bent arms to make her take me. ;)

Let me tell you. I will NEVER buy fruit or veggies from a store again unless I need it quick. Even then I will have a hard time buying it.

As we walked through the market I felt as though I were in heaven. Picking out fruit and veggies has never been so fun. I loaded up, big time. The bottom of my stroller was stocked, the top was even full. I even used a little of Autumn's cart. I knew I was in trouble when I got up to the register and felt like the unloading of all I got was endless. "oh no, Im in trouble. Jeremy is going to kill me." I tried justfying everything I got in my head and just COULDN'T put anything back. The final item was scanned and here it came...the total. The thing I dreaded most.

To my delight, it was not even close to what I thought it would be! I got all these lovely veggies and fruit for ONLY...you ready?

(red potatoes, bananas, green grapes, strawberries, potatoes, pears, cantalope, apples, onions, celery, red bell peppers, green bell peppers, mushrooms, cucumbers, garlic, tomatoes, nectarines, carrots, head of lettuce, romaine lettuce, red leaf lettuce)

ONLY...... $24.93!

I heart the Ranch Market.

Thank you Autumn for sharing your secret with me. It was WELL worth the wait! I won't tell a soul. Promise!

Weekend

2009-08-17T13:24:00.000-07:00

These are some picture that were taken this weekend...

I told Kasen to go get dressed for the day and this is what he came out wearing...a green shirt thats too small, some green shorts that are too small and his green peter pan hat. Awesome. I made him change before we left the house.

This is Quinn in his cute tie onesie (all ready for church) that my sister Alison made for him. It's a bit big still (6mos) since he is only 2 mos old. We liked it, so did all the people at church. Thanks Ali!

This is a picture of Jeremy and I at our friend Bryant's Surprise 30th Birthday party. And a few more from the party too....

Alicia, Jen, Autumn, Jess and I
Jess, Autumn and I

Autumn and I

How did this happen!?

2009-08-11T12:16:00.001-07:00

How did my little Kasen grow up SO fast? Kasen started Kindergarten yesterday and it seriously makes me so sad. He was SO excited. We have been counting down the days for about 10 days now and yesterday was finally the day. On Sunday night Jeremy had the privilege of giving Kasen his first fathers blessing which was amazing. For all of us. I packed his lunch the night before and made him a special little note and put it inside.

He woke up Monday morning at 6:45 and came into my room upset. Of course, I was sleeping and asked him what was wrong.

Kasen: You told me we had to wake up early so we didn't miss school!

Me: well we do, we don't want to miss your first day

Kasen: Well it's late. You slept too late and we missed school. You didn't wake up early like you said

Me: Honey, its only 6:45! School doesn't start til 8:10! Its ok, we have plenty of time!

Kasen: ok, are you sure?

Me: positive

He was so excited. It was hard for me to be sad yesterday because I knew how much HE was excited and looking forward to going to school. I didn't cry ONCE! Aren't you proud?

Here are a few picture from the morning.

The sun was so bright that he could barely keep his eyes open! Walkin to school with mommy and daddy (and Quinn)Waiting at the gate for his teacher to take him to classHis teacher Mrs Bianco and his classmates on their way to his roomAt this desk, name tag and all!The brownie pencil cake I made him at the last minute. I ended up wiping all the frosting away from the sides after I took the picture. It was a cute idea, just not executed too well. It was a QUICK job. Oh well, he LOVED it.

I am so proud of you big boy. You are my light. You teach me new things everyday. Thanks to you, I am learning how to be a good mother. Patient, loving, understanding, compassionate and more. I hope I can only teach you the same wonderful things you have taught me.

I love you Kase Kase!

2 Month Checkup

2009-08-11T11:20:00.000-07:00

Quinn had his 2 month check up yesterday afternoon. I can't believe my little Quinners is 2 mos old already! He just seems so little and young to me still, but when I tell people he is 2 mos old it just seems TOO old. I don't like that. Call me crazy, I know he is still a baby, but all you mothers understand...he is growing too fast!

Here are his stats:

Head: 15 3/4 (50%)

Weight: 11lbs (30%)

Height: 23 3/4 (75%) but this isn't too accurate because the lady couldn't get his leg to stretch straight

The Dr said he was the length of a 5 month old which goes to show his measurement above really isn't accurate at all. He couldn't emphasize enough how big he was. So looks like we have another tall one on our hands. Just like his brother.

He is turning out to be such a good baby. The colic is fading. It's not every night like it used to be. I think he also gets overstimulated very easily so we have to be careful there isn't TOO much going on around him.

My favorite time with him...well I have 2 right now. First...when I nurse him, he has just started to look up at me and gaze into my eyes. It's like he is connecting with me. He has done that before, just looked at me. Now though, he just stares, doesn't look away for a good minute or so while I just talk to him. I love it. It's special time. Second...right after he is done eating. He is SO happy. He just smiles and smiles and coos and talks. For a good half hour. (during the day) and its so much fun. I play with his legs and shake his legs and bend em and its like he knows I am playing with him. He just smiles and smiles when I do it.

He has started to suck his thumb. Now that he has more control over his arms, sometimes he will spit his pacifier out and replace it with his thumb. He is turning out like his mommy! :)

He is starting to soothe himself to sleep during the day. We put him in his bassinet, put his pacifier in, cover him up and turn on the vibrating motion and sometimes he goes right to sleep. Sometimes he just talks and squeals for a little bit. Don't get me wrong, sometimes all he wants is to be held as well. He is getting there though.

Night sleep? It's pretty good. He wakes up 2 times still. Im not complaining though cause he still goes right back to sleep after he eats.

Kasen still continues to be a good big brother. He is SO incredibly helpful. He loves to talk to him and make him smile. It just makes Kasen's day when Quinn will smile at him. It's cute.

He really is a good, happy baby. He just makes me smile looking at him. Im so happy. He is such a blessing and we are grateful for him in our lives and family.

Name Letters

2009-08-10T10:07:00.001-07:00

Here is a picture of the letters I made for Kasens room when he was 1, and for Quinns room just a couple weeks ago. They were plain wooden letters that I altered using scrapbook stuff. Here you go Anthea! Let me know if you have any questions.

Im not sure why this pic turned out sideways...sorry!

Quinns Blessing

2009-08-10T09:43:00.000-07:00

Last weekend we were fortunate enough to have my family and Jeremy's family come out to visit us, see our new house, and be here for Quinn's baby blessing.

The weekend was definately too short and everyone went home way too fast but it was still so nice to have people come visit and see where we live and what we have been up to since we moved here in April.

The blessing was very special and it was a great day. Jeremy did a great job, and we were able to have lots of family participate in the blessing as well. We are so grateful to everyone who was able to come. It was SO nice to have you here. PLEASE come visit us again soon. We get lonely here in AZ by ourselves!

Jeremy's sisters...Megan (left) and Katie (right) painting pictures with Kasen

Jeremy's parents...Lyle and Jerralyn with Kasen and Quinn

Everyone, minus my brother Greg who was flying in that night, out to dinner at Arriba.

Sunday. The day of the blessing. 8-2-09 . Somehow though, I failed to get pictures of just Quinn alone in his blessing outfit.

All the family that came for the blessing. From Cali, Washington and Utah.

Thanks again to my family AND friends for coming and making that day so special for us and Quinn.

Are you related?

2009-07-31T11:06:00.000-07:00

Krista and Isobel (3 wks), Brittany and Quinn (5wks), Claudia and Bella (8wks), Alex, Reese and Everett (7wks)

While I was in Cali, I met up with a few of my friends from church who all happened to have babies around the same time Quinn was born.

We met at Panera Bread and the looks we received were comical. People kept coming up to us admiring all the newborns. They asked us if we were related. I mean really? Check out my blonde hair. My fair skin. Do we LOOK related? Not so much. We were even asked if we all planned to get pregnant together. Seriously? I wish it were that easy to say ok friends! Let's do it. Wouldn't it be fun? Let's all have babies together. Starting next month we are all going to get pregnant ok? Great! See you in 9 months. Once again...NOT so much. Nonetheless, it was really funny.

I can understand the stares and questions. The fact that all of us have babies within a couple weeks apart is really amazing. I am glad I was able to meet up with them and spend some time with them and talk about the sleep we aren't getting, breastfeeding and other baby stories together.

Let's do it again!

Smiles

2009-07-28T12:14:00.001-07:00

Quinn has been smiling for a couple weeks now but I was convinced he didn't like my voice. He was ALWAYS smiling for my mom. Big open mouth smiles. I tried and tried and if I tried long and hard enough would get a little wimpy smile. Then pass him to my mom and instantly she would get the big genuine grins. Sad. Well this morning I was on a mission. I wanted to catch his first smiles BY ME on camera. I tried and tried and didn't succeed. Finally I decided to change him into his clothes for the day and change his diaper. I left him in his diaper for a minute and just talked to him. I tried a VERY obnoxiously high pitch voice and it worked! I got real smiles from him. He officially likes his mommy now. I am embarrassed to talk like that in front of anyone, but hey! I got smiles!!

Rolling Around

2009-07-27T15:22:00.001-07:00

Thought rolling around in my head today:

**Back to reality, I still live in AZ. Even though I felt like I had never left when I went back home to visit, I realized quickly when I woke up this morning in AZ, that Ih ad left, MOVED and don't live there anymore.

**It was nice to go back to sleep this morning after Quinns 6am feeding. Usually Kasen is here waking up right when I finish. But as nice as it was, I miss Kasen.

**Why won't he stop crying? He is just overly tired and fights sleep so much! I forgot how hard a newborn is!

**What's for dinner tonight? I am officially dieting now that I am back from vacation. I want to lose about 10 more lbs to be at my goal weight.

**He is finally asleep in my arms but I don't want to move for fear of waking him up and starting the whole scream fest all over again.

**I miss my mom.

**We have a ton of family from both sides coming into town on Friday for Quinn's blessing and I don't know how to entertain that many people. Or feed that many mouths!

**I need to put new pictures up in my house. They are all so outdated from when Kasen was like 1.5....NONE of us look like those pictures anymore. Well maybe Bailey does. That's it though.

**Mastitis is NOT for the weak. Or for those who have trouble taking pills. 4 times a day for 10 days. BLAH.

**Its already 109 out and its 4pm. Still a few more degrees to go til the heat of the day. Thanks heavens for AC.

**I saw a few ants on my counter and now I can't stop itching....

**baby is crying again. I guess I have no more thoughts right now.

Photo Session

2009-07-23T11:55:00.000-07:00

I had my friend Alex come over a few days after we got to Cali to take some pics of my boys and some newborn pics of Quinn. She said she needed more experience and wanted some more pics for her portfolio. That being said, I wasn't sure what to expect. I had seen some of her work and really liked it and that's why I chose her. She came over and we got to business. She took about 100 pictures and I couldn't wait to get them back.

Well let me just say...it was worth the wait! I am ridiculously in love with them. I am absolutely please with the way they turned out. She edited a few and some of them didn't even need that. She did such a great job. I highly recommend her. Click on her name above and it takes you to her photography blog where you can see more samples of her work.

Anyway...here are some of the pictures I love the most. There might be a lot, it's hard to choose.

Grandparents Video

2009-07-07T14:20:00.000-07:00

This is quite the boring video unless you REALLY care. It's more for my parents and Jeremy's parents. This is the first tummy time Quinn really had. He did really well. He actually didn't mind it at all. More than I can say for Kasen at that age. Or any age for that matter. He hated it.

The awesome blanket he is laying on was hand made by Quinns great grandma Hansen. Kasen actually LOVES it! He LOVES hearts. It's such a beautiful blanket with a heart sewn in the middle of it. So nice. Thank you Grandma!

You will probably have to scroll to the very bottom and pause the music in order to hear his cute little sounds!

The boys

2009-07-07T13:50:00.000-07:00

these are my boys at 4 weeks each....

definitely brothers! One has just a bit more hair!

4 Weeks Old!

2009-07-07T12:04:00.000-07:00

I am SO sad that Quinn is already 4 weeks old. Time has gone by so fast. I'm so rateful to have him as part of our lives and part of our family. He is so sweet and makes us so happy. We all love him so very much.

Things Quinn likes doing at 4 weeks:

**Farting. I put this as number 1 because he can't stop doing it. He stretches? he farts. He lays down? He farts. He gets his diaper off? He farts. He definitely has some Campbell blood in him. I really have to watch what I eat so I don't make it worse for him.

**Eat. He is doing better and better at eating all the time. He really has the hang of it and I really can't complain at all about his habits. The only thing that drives me a little nuts is that he will fall asleep after eating on one side and leave the other side full and engorged. Having a history of mastitis, I can't just leave it full and feed him on that side first next time. I have to pull out the pump and empty.

**Poop. I can't remember the last time I changed his diaper where there WASN'T poop in it. At least they aren't too messy or smelly yet with the breastmilk.

**Sit in his bouncer. He really likes to sit in his bouncer and feel the vibrations and listen to the annoying music that it plays.

**Suck on his Paci. This is a soother for him. He likes to suck and I don't always like to be that for him, so he has a paci. He really likes it. I don't know that he likes it as much as Kasen liked his, but only time will tell.

**Tummy time. I am so surprised at this since Kasen absolutely HATED it. He loves to sleep on his tummy. Lay on his tummy and have tummy time on a blanket. Of course he only sleeps on his tummy when he is laying on my chest, or when he is supervised. I know the risks.

My camera has a bright orange light that shines when it tries to focus. It made his eyes go crazy :)

**Pat-a-cake. This seems to really entertain him when you play pat a cake with his feet. I am very animated and dramatic when I do it and you can tell he enjoys it. You can tell he is REALLY trying to smile. Every once in a while you get a small half grin. Enough to know that he wants you to keep playing.

Look at that large noggin! Guess he takes after his daddy and brother.

This is close to his favorite face to make. It's so cute. When he is content and just sitting there he makes this little O with his mouth. So cute.

That's about it right now. I wish I could say sleep, but as of right now it's not one of his favorites. His Dr has decided that he has colic. He screams and screams and is unconsolable. It is worse at night. He takes little naps inbetween screaming. I am currently trying to eliminate things from my diet hoping that it will make a difference. I haven't had dairy since Thursday and it seems to be helping a lot...during the day that is. He still gets crazy at night and cries for a good 2-3 hours. At 2 weeks old he had an ear infection and the screaming started shortly after he started the antibiotics so I thought maybe he was just in pain or maybe even had a reaction to the meds, but he is ok now, off the meds and ears cleared up and still is a screamer. Good thing I love him so much! I just feel bad for him cause you can just tell he is in pain. We tried reflux precautions per the Dr and those didn't seem to help so she doesn't think thats the problem. She could only contribute it to colic. Hopefully this is the real cause and will only last a couple more months! Here's hopin!

We love you Quinnos!

(As Kasen calls him)

Thank you for coming into our lives!

4th of July

2009-07-07T11:45:00.000-07:00

This year we had a pretty mellow 4th. It was actually nice. I don't have a lot of energy these days so it was just nice to have Jeremy home and hang out with us and be able to spend some quality time with my boys. Especially Kasen. We started out the day by making cookies! Jeremy contributed by showing me how to use my kitchenaid that I got YEARS ago for a Mothers Day gift. OMG! I am so sad that it's been sitting around for so long with dust on it. I will be using it a lot more now that I know how and have seen how simple it is!

M&M and Walnut! YUM!

All decked out in our red white and blue!

After that we all just played around and then took naps. We had some dinner and got ready to go to the fireworks in Chandler. It was HUGE. The park it was at was ridiculously packed with people and cars. It was still so much fun. When we pulled into the park it was 8pm and 102 outside! Blah! They had TONS of bouncy houses for the kids and even water bouncy houses. Kasen wore his bathing suit and got to enjoy the slides. The fireworks started around 930 pm and let me tell you...they were actually TOO long. People were getting up and leaving and you kept hearing moms all round telling their kids "ok here is the grand finale finally...OH..no it's not" but about 35 minutes later, the grand finale started and last about 10 seconds. Jeremy and I both agreed that they should have combined the last 15 minutes into the grand finale and just been done with it. Kasen absolutely LOVED them of course.

We knew he would. It was Quinn I was worried about, but he did really well. He slept the whole time until about 10 minutes til the end. He only woke up cause he was hungry. We waited in our car to get out of the parking lot for an hour. I ended up having to feed him in the car. Awesome. I am not so fond of having to feed him outside of my house. I will get into that in another post.

All in all it was a good successful 4th! We are so lucky and grateful to live in a country like the one we do!

Bailey

2009-07-07T11:32:00.000-07:00

This is a picture of Bailey begging for food. While we were eating dinner the other night, Kasen ran up to her and started laughing and taunting her with food in his hand (every day occurrence) and wouldn't leave her alone. I told him to stop teasing her and go eat his food. He couldn't stop laughing so I looked and she had this sticker on her nose. I immediately assumed it was Kasen who put it there and he denied it. She must have sniffed if and from there it just got stuck. She didn't seem to mind at all, we had food. That was her #1 priority. So funny!

Yes, I am well aware she is shaggy and needs a haircut! You can't even see her eyes! She will be getting one from out trusty groomer on Saturday when we go home to visit! :)

So content...

2009-06-26T15:22:00.000-07:00

I am so content with my life right now. Of course there are things that I wish were better, and there are things I never thought could be this good...but overall? I am so content. How could I not be with these sweet faces to call my sons? I was talking to my dad today and I mentioned something about my "kids" he just laughed and said "isn't that so weird to say that?" It really really is. I can't believe after all this time I finally have "kids" not just a KID like it has been for the past 4.5 years. I have "kids" not a ton, only 2, but thats perfect for us right now.

Both these pics were taken today. Kasen is such an awesome big brother.

He really likes to take care of Quinn. It makes him feel so grown up and its SUCH a help to me. I asked him to watch crying Quinn this morning for a minute while I finished something. Kasen went and got his new musical doggy and played the music and just sat next to him rubbing his head with one hand and holding his paci in his mouth with the other hand. It was such a sweet sight for me. I love that Quinn is only 2.5 weeks old and the bond is already forming. The love is already growing. Im ejoying this while I can, cause I know they won't always be so loving towards each other! :)

Look how much darker Quinn is than Kasen! Cracks me up. I think Quinn go his Grandpa Campbells skin coloring. It hasn't lightened a bit since he was born. Kasen was already white by this time. I have a little hope for one not so albino child. Yaay!

I took this on my cell phone this morning. Im in love with this pic, and most importantly in LOVE with these boys!

Fathers Day

2009-06-26T15:03:00.001-07:00

Since Quinn wasn't even 2 weeks old at the time, Jeremy and Kasen only went to church on Fathers Day. It was nice. It gave me time to make some last minute preps on his gifts from the boys. The boys. I love saying that. Anyway...

Kasen and I spent some time together making a couple gifts for daddy. Quinn sat and watched. With his eyes closed. :)

I was able to get them finished and on display by the time Kasen and Jeremy got home from church. Kasen was so proud so see it all put together and sitting out for daddy. Daddy was so happy and proud to get it too. It was a win win situation!

We made him a magnetic bookmark. Its a piece of cardstock folded in half with a magnet on each side on the inside. There is a pic of the 3 boys on it and a rub on that says "my heart belongs to daddy" You wrap the cardstock on the page you are on and it magnetizes through the page. Hopefully that makes sense. We also made Jeremy a poem with a frame. Kasen COMPLETELY decorated the frame himself. (a little help with the glue) he picked out EVERYTHING to go on the frame and where it went. He felt very "in control" and that was nice for him. Made him feel like a big boy.

Wonderful use of my Cricut!

Jeremy is such a great daddy, as I mentioned in my last post. He takes care of the boys whenever I need him too. He is very attentive (unless its 3am feedings) and never lets kasen feel left out. He is already very good about balancing his attention between the 3 of us. We are so grateful for him and all that he does for our family. We love him to death!! You are a better father than I could have imagined, and I had pretty high hopes for ya too! You have exceeded my expectations. I am so lucky. The boys are so lucky. Thank you!

1 Week Old

2009-06-16T11:48:00.000-07:00

Well I am sad to say my sweet little boy is 1 week old today...ALREADY! How can that be? Really. How is that? It goes by way too fast.

My parents left yesterday and Jer is back to work now. Today is going better than expected so far. I am feeling a little better everyday, but the bags under my eyes are getting a little more defined everyday. It's all worth it though. I love waking up with Quinn and just holding him and watching him.
So as for the labor part....

I was scheduled to be induced on Monday June 8th at 3pm. We checked into the hospital and things finally got started around 5. They checked me and put my IV in. I was still at a 3 and 75%. Same as the week before at my appt. After getting a hold of the Dr and getting the orders of what he wanted to do, it was now 6pm. The Dr wanted to use cervidil which is a medicine to help thin the cervix. They said it could take up to 12 hours for it to work and that I would feel some cramps with it. I was really discouraged. I just assumed that they would take me in and hook me right up to the pitocin. I was wrong. The nurse also told me that the cervidil could cause me to go into labor on my own at which point they would remove the cervidil and start the pit. I was really hoping for that.

At about 8pm the cramps were really bad. One CONSTANT cramp/contraction that wouldn't let up. It had been that way for about 2 hours since they inserted it. I finally asked for some sort of pain meds. She checked me and said I was a 4.5 and that I was having some contractions but they were going to keep the cervidil in for now. They didn't want to give me my epidural yet because they wanted to see more progress on the cervidil first. The nurse told me I could have staydol through my IV. I agreed seeing as how I was suffering...I had never had this medicine before. Within SECONDS I could feel the meds coming over my body from left to right. My whole body. It was the WORST feeling ever. I started to panic because it was taking over my body. I couldn't see straight. I started to get extremely dizzy. I started to cry and panic more. It sounds lame, but it was literally taking over my whole body. I felt claustrophobic and that was not ok with me. I started to get extremely nauseous. I couldn't keep my eyes open or even lift my head for about the next 2 hours. It was AWFUL! The nurse said she had never seen someone react this way to it, of course, and that she was sorry. Wasn't her fault. I just wanted it OUT of me. I just had to sit it out. Around 10pm, it was FINALLY starting to wear off, even though the nurse said it only lasts in your system about 45 minutes, and the Dr came in to check on me before going home for the night. He checked me and said I was still at a 4.5, but that my contractions were consistent enough on my own that he took the cervidil out and let me labor on my own.

At this point the Dr told me I was able to get an epidural which I didn't hesitate for. Around 10:30 I was starting to feel a bit more comfortable again.

Unfortunately, they let me labor on my own ALL night long at a 4.5 with on top of each other contractions. Again, unfortunately, when I was checked again at 6am I was still at a 4.5...bummer! The nurse said the Dr should be around for his morning rounds soon and we would wait for him to see what he wanted to do next. The Dr came around 6:30am and decided to break my water. WHAT A RELIEF!! They also decided to start me on pit. Finally, things were starting to happen and progress the way I had thought they would at 3pm the prior day!

Around 8am the nurse came and checked me and I was at a 6! It was working. Yaay! Around around 9:20 or so she checked me again and I was at an 8. At this point I called Autumn who was picking up Kasen and my mom and dropping her off at the hospital and told her to speed. That I wanted my mom there. I think I gave poor Autumn a heart attack. My mom too for that matter. She was so worried she was going to miss it and poor Autumn was so worried she was going to make my mom miss it. Around 9:40 I started feeling tons of pressure and knew it was time to push. I called the nurse in and she checked me and I was right...a 10! Ready to go. I text Autumn again and told her to SPEED SO FAST. Poor thing. lol....The nurse paged the Dr and told him to come over. She gave me 2 practice pushes to see how fast this would go, and after went to page the Dr again to tell him to hurry over. My mom ended up getting there a few minutes before the Dr. Once she got there I had to sit and wait with my legs in stirrups trying not to push. Thankfully the epidural makes it a lot easier not to push when you know you need to. The Dr came and I pushed 3 contractions worth and out came my sweet sweet baby boy. Quinn. He was born at 10:04am. I cried and cried seeing him come out and knowing that he was here. Finally here. Mine all mine! It seemed so surreal. It was an awesome feeling. I felt so blessed. I got to hold him on my chest for about 30 seconds until they whisked him away. He had a lot of fluid in his lungs making it hard fo him to breathe so they had to give him oxygen for a few minutes and suck out the fluid. It was about 30 more minutes before I was able to hold him again. Jeremy was an awesome photographer though and took TONS of great pictures for me and kept coming over to show them to me. What a great husband! Such a proud daddy too. He kept saying "I know I slacked with the pictures and Kasen's birth, so I'm not going to do that again" He took over 100 pictures that day!

I am so grateful and blessed to have my little Quinn here with us. To have him as part of our family. I am so grateful that Jeremy and I are able to raise him and take care of him. I know that I owe all my thanks to my Heavenly Father. Without Him, my little man wouldn't be here.

With all that being said...I can't believe a week has gone by ALREADY!

At this point Quinn is:

*Sleeping like a champ. I have to wake him to feed him every 3 hours.

*Eating fairly well too. He nurses a LOT better than Kasen ever did and for that I am grateful. (helps that he was full term and not a preemie like Kasen)

*Pooping and Peeing ALL the time. Or so Kasen thinks. :)

*Giving sweet heart melting smiles in his sleep

*Passing lots of gas. He really is a Campbell.

I can't believe he is mine! All mine. I'm in love.

Kasen is being very helpful. He loves his brother to death. I haven't seen as much jealousy as I was worried about. Not yet anyway. He gives him kisses every night before he goes to bed, along with telling him he loves him. He rubs his head when he cries and makes sure he always has his bear with him when we leave the house. (It just sits on the top of his car seat, but thats ok with Kasen). He brings me diapers, helps pick out this clothes and even puts his paci in when he "thinks" he needs it.

I am so grateful for my 2 boys. They are my blessings and miracles.

As for daddy...

He has been NOTHING but attentive to me. He has helped way more than I could have ever imagined. He is amazing. For the first 5 days I didn't change a single diaper. NOT ONE! He was the only one changing him. Every single diaper. Getting me whatever I needed, waking up with me at night when I fed Quinn. He has done so much. He deserves Father of the Year award as far as I'm concerned. He hasn't judged me when I cry for no reason, he hasn't shunned me when I was grumpy for no reason, he hasn't told me NO when I ask him for things repeatedly. He is just the best.

Thank you babe for all you have done for me and our little family. We are forever grateful. We love you so much and count down the hours til you get home from work and we can all be together again. Our sweet family of 4.

Quinn Campbell Bruce

2009-06-13T12:11:00.000-07:00

Quinn Campbell Bruce is here! He is perfect in every way. Of course. I just spend a while uploading pics of him on my facebook so for now blogger will have to wait. I will post a couple though for now, but feel free to look at my facebook for more.

He was born Tuesday at 10:04am. Weighing 7.9 and is 21 in long. He looks just like Kasen. He has a few of his own features but you sure can tell they are brothers!

We are doing well. Just trying to recover and enjoy the last few days my mom is here. My dad is here too and they are staying through monday. Jer goes back to work on Monday so on Tuesday it's back to the normal routine. It's gone by way too fast.

But for now...here is my sweet precious adorable Quinn.

My Last Weekend with 1 kid!

2009-06-07T19:42:00.000-07:00

This has been my last weekend with 1 kid. I am being induced tomorrow. I am not excited to be induced, but I am SO excited to see my sweet baby boy who is such a miracle to me. I wish I could have gone on my own, but the induction is for the best for me and my baby boy. Yes, some consider me lucky for getting to go 9 days early. I do feel lucky as well, but having to be induced isn't all that exciting to me. Especially considering they are for health reasons. Oh well, I am not going to try and one up anyone and say I have it so bad cause I know it could be worse, but I do just want to say, it has NOT been easy. None of this has. Getting pregnant, staying pregnant, being pregnant. It's not easy for me. I consider this my biggest trial in life. I will tell you what though...I have learned, and grown, leaps and bounds from this trial.

My mom was telling me about a thing that her friend did in relief society last week. Everyone took a piece of paper and wrote down their biggest trial. Folded it up and turned it in. They then passed around the basked and everyone picked out someone elses. After reading the trial, they were to decide if they wanted to trade their trial for the others. What an eye opener. I don't like ANY of what I have to go through to bring one of God's precious children into this world. I will say that I know it could be a LOT worse and that makes me SO grateful for what I do go through. I think in the end it makes ME appreciate my miracle that much more. Makes me realize the hand that the Lord has in bringing this sweet spirit into my life. Our lives.

So anyway, I don't want to compare my trial to anyone elses. I am just going to say its been a ROUGH ROUGH over 3 years, 3 miscarriages and 3 failed fertility treatments to get to this point of where I am at now. I also know it could be worse. Way worse. I have heard worse and know worse from others close to me. I am grateful for what I go through. Remind me of this blog next time we start trying to get pregnant. I really am grateful that it's not worse. I have been taught a lot. Relying on the Lord is the most important thing I have learned. It's all up to him. I am grateful to him for my blessings. For my life. For my family.

With that said.....

Im being induced tomorrow at 3pm!!!!!!

I finally get to meet this sweet little miracle, hold him, squeeze him and kiss him. Tell him how much I love him and have wanted him to be here. For so long.

It still just seems so surreal after all this time, and after all we have been through. It just seems like words. I am going to have a baby tomorrow. It doesn't seem real. Doesn't seem like an action that is really going to take place. I am very open to it though! :)

I will update as soon as I can with pictures and how everything went. For now? I need to go spend a little time with Kasen before his world is turned upside down tomorrow.

Once again, I am SO grateful for where I am and what is going on. ;)

Kasen giving his baby brother Quinn some kisses.

Last family picture with 3

Me and my sweetest boy Kasen

White me and Orange mom....don't ask!

Here it is.....my belly at 38.5 weeks...

Last Girls Night Out

2009-06-07T19:27:00.000-07:00

Those last two posts were the highlights of May for me...

Now on to the beginning of June.

On Thursday, Autumn put together a little GNO for me. This was and will be my last one for a while. Quinn can come with me, but this was my last SOLO one for a while. It was so much fun.

When Autumn asked me where I wanted to go, I didn't even hesitate. NIELSENS!!! Jeremy was a little annoyed that I decided so quickly seeing as how usually it takes about 7-8 restaurant decisions before I can finally settle on something. That night it just sounded really good so I was able to decide fast. Sorry Jer. lol....

We all met up and got some tasty food along with some DELICIOUS fry sauce. We then of course had dessert. Frozen Custard!! So good, but my sugar suffered the WHOLE next day for it. So did my stomach. Next time I will get a smaller portion. Oops!

Thanks so much for spending my last girls night out with me ladies. It was fun, tons of laughs as always and I think we all needed it.

Autumn and I...doesn't she look fantastic? I'm so proud of her!!

back: Alicia (the day after knee surgery-thanks so much for coming gimpy!!), Jess, Autumn, big ole me
front: Kelli, Jenny

GWA! Girls Weekend Away

2009-06-07T19:03:00.000-07:00

My REAL Mothers Day present this year was given to me the weekend after Mothers Day. A few friends and I went and stayed at a Resort in Phoenix for the weekend. My friend Jess owns a timeshare and was able to get some bonustime there for the weekend for us for super cheap! Thanks so much Jess!!! You're the best!

The first night we went to this exhibit called Chihuly. It was at the botanical gardens in Phoenix and was really really cool. It was all this glass blown art by a man with the last name of Chihuly. It was amazing to see all the intricate details on some of these pieces. We got there when it was light out, but the cool thing is, all the pieces light up. It was beautiful once it got dark.

Probably my favorite piece.

Me, Jess and Autumn, Jenny was the photographer

After Chihuly we were all starving so we went to dinner at a place called Streets of NY (I think) and had some tasty food

Jenny, Autumn, Me, Jess and Alicia

Saturday we woke up and drove to Autumns sisters baby shower. This is Amy and I. She is having a boy which she is naming the same as my boy. Only difference is....the spelling.
Quinn (for me) and Cwynn (for Amy). We are about 5 weeks apart.

left: Autumn, Alicia, Kelli right: Me, Jess, Jenny

After the shower the girls went swimming while I took a MUCH needed nap. Then we all went to dinner at Claim Jumper. OMG! It was so tasty. They have the best potato skins. I promise. :)

It was an awesome, needed, deserved and everything else sort of weekend. Thanks Jer for letting me go and for taking care of Kasen for the weekend while I took some R&R at a resort with friends. Best mothers day gift!!

When we going to do it again girls? lol

Mothers Day

2009-06-07T18:56:00.001-07:00

I am going to try and post the month of May in recap of just a couple posts. I have been slacking and not wanting to blog but after a few inquiries, I have promised to catch up on blogging before Quinn is born. Since that will be tomorrow. Here I am blogging. Last minute.

Mothers Day was a special day. I was sick all day, wasn't able to eat, only went to Sacrament for church and was given a candy bar (great for a diabetic pregnant woman) and then went home. I spent the whole day in bed not feeling well and the highlight of my day was eating rice for dinner.

OH...and these SWEET SWEET gifts from Kasen. One he made with his daddy, the coupon book. The other he made in his primary class. So cute. Yes, before I remembered to take a picture I had already eaten the FASTBREAK candy bar that was on it. I have had a little bit of a problem with one of my cravings lately. Peanut Butter and Chocolate. It's gotten the best of me.

Jeremy was very caring and sweet, and Kasen did all he could to take care of me that day. They are the best. I love them to pieces. :) Because of my sweet 4 year old boy, I am a mother. I owe him a lot for giving me the best blessing in my life. Motherhood.

Better Easter Pic

2009-05-02T11:48:00.001-07:00

I found a better Easter Pic of us that ISN'T blury. Yaay!

Coming together...

2009-04-29T22:33:00.000-07:00

Our lives are coming together in our new abode. I will not call it home because Cali will always be "home" to me. We are currently residing here. :)

Jeremy went back to work 2 days after we got to AZ. He likes the new location. Once again, he is doing the exact same thing for the exact same boss. Working with the same people and reporting to the same people. He said the office in Scottsdale is a little more active and he enjoys that. He does however miss his old lunch group. He is busy working and playing house. Moving heavy furniture and hanging pictures.

Kasen is busy being a monster. Poor kid is bored out of his mind without school and playgroup. We are working on both of those, but in the meantime he is coloring A LOT of pictures. He is adjusting fairly well. Making friends at church and enjoying his new CTR 5 class. He is in CTR 5c. There are about 8 kids in each of the CTR5 classes. Crazy. We enjoys the park thats right behind our house, it has a swing which is his new found love since he learned to pump on his own a while ago. He has his occasional "I miss...." moments, but for the most part is doing a lot better than I expected. He seems to like our new house, and enjoys having his own room with all his own stuff. Along with his own bathroom. He likes to help me with laundry and putting away dishes (tupperware) and enjoys sitting at the island on the barstool everytime he eats.

I am doing pretty well. Im done being pregnant. About 10 days ago I was feeling good, but now...now I am done. Sore, achey, heartburn, kicks from long legs in the ribs, waking me up at night, along with going potty in the middle of the night, along with some other TMI effects. I know he isn't ready to come out yet so I am trying to be patient. I am trying hard to entertain Kasen but its hard when all I want to do is sleep. Im extremely exhausted, but doing my best. The house is getting there. Master bedroom is done, Kasen's room just got done a couple days ago, scrap/guest room is near done, and the kitchen was the first thing to be finished. Of course there are still random things around the house that need a place to live. Our kitchen table is covered in things to decorate the house with. We are getting there. Quinns rooms hasn't even been started yet, but Jeremy works from home tomorrow and will be putting the crib together along with doing a little rearranging which will then give me the room to get in there and start putting stuff away. I will start washing his clothes tomorrow and putting those away too.

Our ward is great, so far. It's HUGE. People have been friendly so far and offerend a ton of help. No callings yet, thankfully. I think it will be awhile since its such a large ward.

The neighborhood is awesome. I really really love it. The master community we live in has events going on regularly. They have their own Elementary school, and a HUGE park next to that. There is a big pond that you can "catch and release" fish in. Volleyball courts, basketball, YMCA, pool, play structures. All within a 5 minute walk. Really nice.

We love our house, still getting some of the kinks out of it. Like the beetles, and bugs. The fact that when we try and turn Quinns lights on, the mater bed and bath power go out. Best part is, Quinns lights dont even work. You flip the switch and get no light and then no power in the master. We are working on some stuff, but overall love our new place. It's OUR place and we are so grateful for that. It's nice to be on our own again, and to just be with each other.

That's all I can think of for right now...if you have questions that I didn't answer you can ask and I will write another post with all the answers. I do have a facebook and have posted a ton of pictures there as well if you are interested. I check that a lot more than I do this. But now that we have internet and I found my camera cable, I will try to post whenever I have something to post about.

Baby Quinn

2009-04-29T22:20:00.000-07:00

Baby Quinn and I are doing well. I am 33 weeks now and seeing my new OB (whom I love) every week. We had an ultrasound yesterday to see how big he is getting. The dr said he is about 5 lbs right now which is in the 62nd percentile. He said a little above average but nothing to be concerned about as long as I keep my diet going strong. He said that if he keeps growing at the rate he has been then he estimates he will be 7.14 or 8lbs. I can deal with that. Obviously thats at full term, 40 weeks. If he is born earlier, he will weight less. Just as Kasen did.

He is now head down, which is a relief, I just hope he stays that way. He was still bum down at my ultrasound 2 weeks ago. So I am happy he turned. His head is measuring 35 weeks (BIG) and his legs are measuring 36 weeks (super LONG). He gets those from his mommy and daddy. I wont mention which, from who.

I start my NST's next week. (non stress tests) just to monitor the baby and his heart, contractions and to check my amniotic fluid. We did this with Kasen as well. Not as early, but I am starting to see that this is the best Dr I have had out of all the ones I have had since the beginning with Kasen. Very caring, very precautious, and takes good care of the high riskers. I like that. It puts my mind at ease. That's the latest on my life.

My little-big-man

2009-04-29T22:16:00.000-07:00

What a handsome freckle faced boy I have. I adore his freckles. I stare at them everyday and just smile. I look for new ones, I count them. I look to see if they have grown. I just love them. I

love this boy. I especially love this boy in his pimp suit his grandpa bought for him to wear on Easter. I didn't get any good pictures on Easter cause Kasen was sick, but I got these on Sunday when he requested to wear the suit again. Oh I can't get over how dang cute he looks. He looks so grown up, it makes me proud, but so sad at the same time. I love my little-big-man!

First GNO in AZ

2009-04-29T22:13:00.000-07:00

I had my first...MUCH needed....girls night out since being in AZ last week. It was SO nice. I am happy it turned out so well considering we all had had a really rough day, but managed to put the tough times aside and just enjoy ourselves!

We went to a place called Nielsens Frozen Custard. We started with dinner, burgers and frys and...FRY SAUCE. OMG, I have been craving it ever since and I didn't even know I liked fry sauce. We finished the night off with a creamy tasty custard. I got vanilla with reeses peanut butter cups and pecans. Nope, it wasn't sugar free. I was a bad girl, but also felt I deserved it with the crappy week I had had.

Thank you girls for such a good time! I can't wait til our girls weekend in 2 weeks! I hope we have even more fun and eat lots of junky (sugar free) food! lol

Sickness

2009-04-29T22:01:00.000-07:00

We got to AZ late on Friday night and slept on some borrowed air mattresses from a friend. Saturday we woke up early and the men from church came and helped us moved in. In the meantime Kasen and I were coughing NON stop and blowing our noses EVEN more. We had come from my parents house where my dad had bronchitis and my mom had pneumonia. We were just praying our colds didn't turn into anything worse.

Well on Sunday (Easter) we left Autumns house early because Kasen had a fever. The next day he threw up while coughing. We just thought he gagged himself cause he was coughing so hard.

The next day, I had an appt scheduled for Kasen at his new pediatrician just to make sure his cough hadn't gone bad. He woke up with diarrhea that morning. The Dr told me he had bronchitis and was going to order a nebulizer for us and have it delivered to our house. He also prescribed the meds to go in it, along with some antibiotics to help his lungs. Within seconds before the Dr walked out of the room, Kasen threw up all over me. Yes, all over me. Fun times. The Dr then sat down again and added some anti-nausea meds to his list of prescriptions. Saying he had some sort of bug AND bronchitis. All of this after living in our house 4 days and barely even having our beds unpacked. It was a nightmare. I just cried and cried and PRAYED and PRAYED that while I was taking care of my sweet sick boy that I wouldn't get sick myself. It was pretty awful. Anyway...

This is a picture of him on his nebulizer the first day. Feeling absolutely AWFUL.

He had to do this treatment 3 times a day for 8 days. It took about 20 minutes each time. I only forgot once. I was proud of myself.

He actually fell asleep with the mask on because he was so exhausted from coughing and being sick. Poor guy!

I AM happ to report that he has made a 100% recovery since then. THANK HEAVENS. Also, my cold went away (which I think was also bronchitis, and I never got the stomach bug he had!)

Easter

2009-04-29T21:42:00.000-07:00

The Easter Bunny almost forgot to come to our house. He did all his shopping before moving to AZ because he knew time would be pressed moving in the day before Easter. Bunny woke up at 6:30am with the "CRAP!" thought in her head. The Easter Bunny enlisted in a friend (Jeremy) and hid all the eggs and basket as quietly as possible, silently saying how grateful we were he slept in that morning!!! Searching....

and FOUND. His Mickey Easter basket.

Yipee!!

The goods.

Tender moments between Bailey and Kasen....

A not so good Easter picture of the 3 of us. That's what I get for trying to take it ourselves...

After church we headed over to Autumn's house for a tasty ham dinner and some egg hunting. Kasen was excited to hang out with his friends and find eggs at the same time!! We ended up leaving early that night because that's when Kasen started to get sick. The fever started.

The kids waiting at the door for the hunting festivities to start....

Kasen and Vanni sharing joy in finding eggs together.

Can I take this one mom?

Autumn and I

Scoping out his finds...some even had MONEY in them!

My baby and I.

Update on the Month of April.....Goodbyes.

2009-04-29T16:47:00.000-07:00

Here I am saying my goodbyes to everyone....Boo! To pack....

The room we have left. Somehow we managed...good packers!

10:30 at night at IHOP saying bye to Crystal. Another not so fun drive home.

Michelle and I at Dennys. We left the glasses on to cover the tears lol

And here we go.....saying our last goodbyes to my siblings. It was a sad sad drive home.

Kasen all happy on the way up there. Yaay for playing with cousins.

He got so excited he wore himself out on the way up there.

Cousins...Brodie, Everett, Dawson, Sidney, Kasen, Bronwen and Brielle

The 4 Musketeers

Siblings....Me, Zac, Jen and Greg

Siblings and Spouses

Found a house!

2009-04-04T20:54:00.000-07:00

We FINALLY found a house! I was about ready to have an anxiety attack knowing that we were moving next week and not knowing where we were going to live! NOW we know. We found a house in Gilbert. Just where we thought we would be. We are really excited. We went over to our storage unit today and seeing all of our stuff again (minus the dirty couches Jeremy didn't cover with cloths) got me REALLY excited. I have really missed our stuff. We are packing up the truck on Thursday, and driving out early on Friday morning. We have the Elders Quorum for our new ward set up to help us unpack the truck Sat morning.

Here are a few picture of the house that Jeremy took when he went out there last weekend when I had my baby shower. No, I have NOT seen the house yet, but Jeremy knows how OCD I am, and I totally trust that he wouldn't pick a house he knows I wouldn't like because he would never hear the end of it then.

The outside isn't a beauty, but he promises that the inside is what he fell in love with. The outside isn't horrible by any means, just not anything great either.

In no particular order:

Technology Center (right off the kitchen and the master bedroom)

Front/Side of the house

Living room, and right over the wall is the family room and next to that is the kitchen

Kitchen (dishwasher is in the island)

Hallway down to the kids rooms, and the guest room

Front of house

Family room-the blinds are BROWN, even though they look prurple.

Dining room (where the kitchen table will go)

backyard- no grass, but there is a nice huge greenbelt and huge park right behind the house.

I didn't post pics of the 3 bedrooms, bathroom, or master bed and bath. Boring. Anyway, we are really excited.

We will miss it here, but are ready for our new and exciting journey in AZ.

Baby Shower for Quinn (and Me)

2009-04-04T19:24:00.001-07:00

Last weekend my mom and great friend Michelle threw a baby shower for me. I had help as well with the food from my sister in law/neighbor/mom. It was so nice. My sister Jen planned all sorts of fun games and prizes too! I loved having everyone there to support me and be happy and excited for me. It took such a long and trying time to get sweet little Quinn here (in my tummy), and it just makes it that much more special to see my friends and family happy for me as well.

I tried to get pics with everyone before they left, but I wasn't able to. I am sad I didn't get to. I felt so loved by those who were able to come. I am so grateful for the friends and family that I have.

Thank you especially to my mom and Michelle for all that they did. I am SO grateful to have BOTH of you in my life and will miss you loads and loads when I move this week. :( I know that you will come visit me though, right?!

These are the party favors I made...that I so absent-mindedly forgot to tell people about before they left. WHOOPS! If you want one, I still have some left. I just made a few magnets to put on the front of the bucket, and filled them with colored m&ms. (the color of Quinns bedding)

Some of the decor that my mom decorated with. So cute and crafty she is! Although she will never admit that, SHE IS! Thanks for the cute decor Michelle!

This was the food we had. All Healthy food stuff (except the 2 yummy cakes my mom made!!!!) that I am able to eat.

Some of the guests who were there: (again, I wasn't able to get pictures with everyone, I am so sorry if you were there and I am not posting a pic!)

This is my friend Krista. We are due the same day! She is such a sweetie! She is having a girl.

This is my friend Anthea. We are due about 2 weeks apart. She is so fun! She is having a boy as well.

This is my dear friend Nancy (and her cute son Braden) from high school! I am still so happy she was able to come!

Sunnie and I. I have known Sunnie for years now. I will miss seeing her at playgroup when I leave.

Two of my cutie friends from playgroup. Kristin and Kim. They both have adorable 1 yr olds.

Lisa and I. She is one of the sweetest people I know!

April and I (from playgroup). She announced that she was 16 weeks pregnant! HOW FUN!

Crystal (sister in law)and I. I am REALLY going to miss you my friend. Thanks for being part of my shower! (and for being my photographer!!)

Sister Jen and I. Isn't she so cute?

Amanda and her cute pregnant belly. She is due with a girl at the end of May.

Melissa and I. She is also pregnant, boy or girl? Not sure yet. She is due at the end of August.

Jenny and I. What a fun person to be around. She is so crafty! I love her homemade presents!

Kasen Moments

2009-04-04T19:18:00.000-07:00

There have been a few instances lately that I have been meaning to write down. To me, they are just priceless and I want to remember them forever.

One the way to costco:
Kasen: those flowers are beautiful
Grandpa: not as beautiful as your grandma
Kasen: Grandpa! Don't say that about my grandma!
Grandpa: its a nice thing to say. The flowers are beautiful, but grandma is prettier than those flowers!

5 minutes later....

Kasen: Grandma, you are prettier than a tissue box!

Putting Kasen to bed:
Kasen: g'night daddy
Daddy: g'night Kasen, I love you. See you in the morning good boy.
Kasen: Daddy? You are gooder than a door!
Daddy: Thanks Kase, I take that as a compliment. A door is very useful and functional.

I am having so much fun with him and his sweet personality. He cracks me up everyday. These are things I don't ever want to forget. Thanks for making my life so much fun Kasen, I love you sweetie pie!

Kasen's Love Song

2009-03-23T10:40:00.001-07:00

This is a song Kasen made up for me all on his own. He is very into making up songs. He does pretty well at it. Just thinking of things to say, and not taking breaks to think. It just flows.

SCROLL DOWN AND PAUSE MY MUSIC AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE:

It was so sweet, his voice was so sweet, it made cry!

On our own....

2009-03-11T14:54:00.000-07:00

Before I got pregnant with Quinn, Jeremy and I considered all the options we could to be able to move out of my parents house. We even considered ARIZONA! Hotter than heck there. Anyway...we decided thats what we wanted to do. Didn't consider it too much before we had Jeremy talking to his company about it and so forth. They decided it would be fine as long as it got approved. They have an office in Scottsdale and he works with many of those people on a daily basis over the phone. Well long story short, the idea got shot down by the VP of the company because the company had a no transfer policy, unless there was a good business reason to move. Well there wasn't...we just wanted to move there because of the extreme cheapness of living there. Does that make sense? Anyway...we were both bummed, neither of us even prayed about it or thought much about it after that.

We continued to think of ways to move out and be our own family again. Moving to Utah? San Marcos? Temecula? Someplace cheaper, but we wanted to stay close to my family. I hated the idea of being away from them.

Well about 3 weeks ago, the day before we were leaving for AZ to go to my best friends sealing, Jeremy's boss Norma. Who is LDS as well and really looks out for Jeremy came to him with a solution. She had just posted a job on the website for a Sr Business Analyst in Scottsdale. Exactly what he does now. She told him since there was no business reason for him to transfer, that he would just have to apply and go through the whole application process as if he were starting new. This is a job that would LITERALLY involve doing the same thing, reporting to Norma as normal, working with the same people, everything the same. He just had to apply for it. Having gone through this before Jer and I were both extremely skeptical of it. What makes it different this time than the last time we got turned down? This time we decided to consider it more seriously and pray about it and really get down to the nitty gritty of the pro's and con's.

I was really upset and anxious everytime I thought about moving away. A. because I didn't want to be away from my family B. I didn't want to move away right before the baby we worked so hard for was born, C. I didn't want to take Kasen away from his best friend. I cried day after day. Afraid to pray about it. It was too much emotion to deal with. I am pregnant, I have enough emotion to deal with as it is. Well, a few days after we got back from AZ, I had to work in the temple. I spent a lot of time alone that night in places of the temple that I could pray alone. I prayed and I cried. I kept praying and crying. I didn't have an answer by the time I left that night, but I didn't feel as anxious about it. I didn't freak out everytime I thought about it. I was still scared to death, but not anxious.

A few days later, still praying about it, I received my answer. I cried and cried at the thought. How can I do this? How am I strong enough? How can I move away before Quinn is born, take Kasen away from his cousins and ME be away from my family. The more I prayed, the more relief I felt from my fear. My answer is yes. It is what my family is supposed to do. We are to move to AZ.

Jeremy went along with this process of applying for his same job. Interviewing with his boss, interviewing with HR. Doing what he needed to do. It's been a real waiting game the past couple weeks. I am a very anxious person, and it just gets worse when I am pregnant. I just wanted to know the companys answer. I wanted to know. His boss told him that if we DO get the job, they can probably postpone for about a month. Meaning once he gets the offer, we have a month to move. Well Jeremy got his offer today.

We accepted the job. We are moving to AZ. His first day at his new/old job in Scottsdale is April 13th. We are headed out this weekend to look for a house to live in.

I am SO excited at the idea of being my own family again. Having our own space, and being out of my parents house before this baby is born. Being out of my parents house at all really. We are SO grateful to them for all they have done for us. It was SUCH a blessing living with them and having them get to know us, especially quiet Jeremy and loud Kasen, better. My parents have formed such an incredible bond with Kasen, they are like his 2nd parents. I am very overwhelmed and stressed about this move, but trying to take it day by day so I don't throw myself into pre-term labor or anything. My mom and I have had many "discussions" about me going and its certainly going to be hard. I just keep reminding myself of that undeniable feeling I get when I pray about going. I know this is best for our family. I know this is what the Lord wants for us. I know that we will be missed, and we will miss everyone even more. I will miss my family, Kasen will miss his family and I know that even Jeremy will miss my family. ;) We have friends here that we will miss terribly but they have PROMISED to come see us. I am still going to hold them to that.

We knows it's right. I am EXTREMELY sad, but so happy at the same time. I know that it will take time to adjust, and I accept that. I know I will be sad for a while, but I do have a few friends in AZ that will keep me company when I need it the most.

Thank you to all who knew, and totally supported me EITHER way. It's been such a great help.

I am hoping to have a baby shower/going away party before I leave so I can see everyone one last time. I will let you all know when that is.

I will keep you guys posted on the house hunt and the official date we are leaving. We aren't sure of that yet since it depends on the house. But I will let you know how it all goes.

Thanks for your love and support. This is hard, but I know that with the Lord, my friends and my family WE can do this!

25 weeks...

2009-03-03T20:27:00.000-08:00

I am just hitting 25 weeks and am feeling fairly well, all things considered. I think I am about done losing weight, which I am ok with. I ended at about 26 lbs. I have not gained anything yet, which is still nice. I guess I really am still losing but since I am getting further along the baby is gaining as well. So it all evens out.

My diabetes are still very well under control. Sometimes I have to take an extra pill before dinner, but still no insulin which is a huge plus.

Im pretty achey and sore, and it seemed to happen a lot sooner than it did with Kasen, but I don't think its to the extent it was when I was pregnant with Kasen. I was heavier with Kasen, and wasn't as active since I didn't have a 4 year old to compete with.

All in all things are going well, and guess what? We finally found a name for this little boy. Still no middle name, but we have finally agreed on the first name. I think I nagged enough that Jeremy gave in! :) j/k! He likes the name as well!

Our little boy will be named Quinn.

We just need to think of a middle name that has more than 1 syllable in it and we will be all set.

The rest of Feb...

2009-03-03T19:52:00.000-08:00

This was the 2nd half of my Feb in a nutshell....

My sister, my mom and I (along with Kase Kase) went out to lunch at Old California Mining Co. The company was good, the food not so much. We used a coupon though so it was cool.

Later that night I got to resume my calling at the Temple and it was WONDERFUL! No one there knew I was pregnant because the last time I worked I was 5 weeks along and wasn't telling anyone yet. Since I only work on the 4th Wed, it was closed the day before thanksgiving and Christmas Eve, then in Jan it happened to be closed for Maintenance (annual cleaning) so Feb was my first month back! It was amazing.

We went to my niece and nephews (Brodie and Bronwen) school play last week. It was really cute. It was Grease and they both did a great job.

Crazy Kasen entertaining himself at the play. Giving grandma loves! All the pics I took of the kids in the play turned out awful! Sorry guys!

Friday night we went out with the Hornes again. We just LOVE hanging out with them. Owen and Jeremy are a lot alike. Extremely low key and quiet, yet they have no problem making conversation with each other. I love it. Michelle is just happy and outgoing and positive. We always have things to talk and laugh about. Kasen and Ethan don't get along THAT well, but they tolerate each other well. We went to CPK for dinner and then used some giftcards to get Coldstone afterwards. We then all went to Fry's Electronic Store and bought a new DVD played with a giftcard too! Ours DIED! THe boys loved seeing all the fish in the HUGE tanks they have there as you walk in. Sweet little lizzie was just a good girl all night long. She is 9 weeks now and is just a doll! It makes me SO excited to have my sweet little boy in my arms!

No Kasen! Yaay!

2009-03-03T18:49:00.000-08:00

Jeremy and I were able to go out to Arizona for a weekend (left on Friday, came back Sunday) to go to my best friends sealing in the Mesa Temple.

We left Friday morning and drove out QUIETLY (minus the loud music we played since Kasen wasn't with us) and got there around 2:30 in the afternoon. But first we had to drive through THESE.......BLAH!

These stupid things FREAK me out. I took the picture blindly. I can't even look at them. They just really scare me. I know, I am lame. Oh well.

Yaay for getting to AZ. We first went to Jeremy's job there in Scottsdale to meet with some people that he works with on a daily basis but has never met since they are in a different location. That was really neat for him to be able to put faces to the names and voices of the people he talks to on the phone everyday.

After that we went and checked into our hotel room, The Marriott in Phoenix. Can I just say again, it was SO nice to be alone. I love Kasen and all, but it was just nice to be alone with my hubby!

Friday night we went out to dinner with some friends. CAFE RIO!!!! OMG! I miss that place so much. How is it that I can finish a whole burrito there if I wanted to and they are the size of a nerf football? I am gross. Once again, OH WELL! We met Our friends Pete and Hiedi there with their kids and then Autumn and Bryant as well! It was nice to see them all and just hang out and talk and laugh as adults. After that we went to the church where Autumn and Bryant were having their luncheon the next day. We, well, I didnt, but put up the tables and chairs and then we went on our own back to the hotel.

The next morning we woke up early and went to the temple for the whole reason we came...the sealing! It was ABSOLUTELY amazing. It cried my eyes out. I held out for quite a while but when I hugged atutumn at the end it was uncontrollable. I couldn't even spill out the words I love you. It was probably (other than our own) one of the best sealings I have ever been to. I am so close to Autumn and we have been through A LOT since 8th grade and I am so grateful I was able to be there.

We drove over to the luncheon afterwards and ate some yummy lunch and met up with some long time friends.

Becky, Autumn, me and Andrea...we all went to high school together.

Me, Becky and Autumn. We have been best friends since high school and it was SO neat being together again. I miss the 3 of us. I miss Becky. We don't talk as much as I'd like to, but when we saw each other it was JUST like we had talked everyday. Not awkward, just fun and comfortable! I know Autumn felt the same way too.

Jer and I at the luncheon.

After the luncheon we went back to the hotel and changed and then went over to Autumns house to play and talk. Poor Jer and Bry, it was just a bunch of little school girls giggling and making jokes. Andrea, Becky Autumn and I were having a blast. Soon after, Becky had to leave and drive back to Tucson. (she drove all by herself, for the first time on the freeway!!!) It was a 2 hour drive and wanted to get home before it got dark. I can't blame her.

The rest of us went out to dinner and played phase 10...

Sunday morning we checked out and went and got some breakfast (yep folks, on SUNDAY morning we went to Dennys) and then we drove home...a LONG, QUIET drive home.

It was an amazing weekend and I am SO glad we got to go. Thanks to my mom for watching Kasen. I know it was hard for her, but I am grateful!! It was nice to have one last getaway before the baby comes.

Kasen was so happy to see us when we got home, he kept coming up to me giving me hugs and telling me "Im so glad youre home mommy! I missed you a lot!" We sure missed the little guy too! We love him to pieces!

Here come the POSTS!

2009-03-03T18:46:00.000-08:00

Apparently I am quite the slacker as it is when it comes to blogging. APPARENTLY I am even worse at blogging when I am pregnant. Here comes the month of Feb. I will put special events in their own posts, but just try to summarize the rest.

ENJOY!

My Heart Day

2009-02-16T13:07:00.000-08:00

Consisted of being with the ones I love. Kasen and Jeremy.

I woke up and Jeremy made me breakfast. Toast and eggs. Same ole same ole. But it's still nice to have someone else make it for me. After I ate, my present was for me to go get a pedicure since I can't really do my toes myself anymore. THAT was relaxing. I got a REALLY sweet love card from Jeremy. It made me cry, surprise surprise.

For Jeremy I used Kasen's window markers and wrote all over his side of the bathroom mirror "I love you" with a bunch of hearts. I then went into our bedroom and wrote down the middle mirror on our closet doors a love letter. The mirrors are about 9 ft tall I would guess? I filled the whole middle mirror and probably could have done more. I got him a box of chocolates that I just remembered I forgot to give him! LOL!! Wow. Shows your where my spacey brain is at! Whoops! He will have a surprise waiting for him when he gets home from work today. lol...my bad. Kasen and I also made him this canvas. Like I have said before, and as it shows below in the card we got Kasen....something that we have always said to each other (me jeremy and Kasen) is "I love you to the moon and back" so Kasen helped me make this canvas for his daddy!

For Kasen: he had been talking about making heart shaped brownies ALL week long. I am not really sure where he got the idea from, but he would MUCH rather have brownies than cookies anyday. So I just kept ignoring him. Telling him maybe another day. When Friday came, we baked the brownies and (when I say we, I mean Jeremy. I fell asleep at like 9, and had to have Jeremy make them after Kasen and I went to bed)....I got him a HUGE card, wrote with hearts and different colors in it, got him some chocolate dippers and made him his heart shaped brownie decorated with a little icing.

For dinner: We went to dinner, it was alright, but oh well. You live and learn. It was the first time we had been to that restaurant and will probably never go back. It was still fun. We got home around 9, and I fell alseep while Jeremy was putting Kasen to bed. I am SUCH a party pooper these days!!

Nice smile Kasen- he had cheese pizza for dinner! He is starting to branch out! I LOVE IT!

We had fun, it was a great day, I love being with my honeys, and I LOVED getting my toes done!

Such a cute kid!

2009-02-10T17:36:00.000-08:00

(he just woke up from his nap and has sweet bed head)

I had to bribe Kasen to do this with me, he just ate a whole bag of cookies while answering the questions. (100 Calorie Pack)

I saw this on my sister in laws blog, who saw it on a friends blog and I thought it was way too cute to NOT do.

What's your name? Kasen
What is your favorite color? purple
What is your favorite ride at Disneyland? the Peter Pan Ride
What is your favorite breakfast? waffle with butter on it
What is your favorite lunch? mac and cheese spirals
What is your favorite dinner? basketti
What is your favorite kind of juice? orange juice
What is your favorite snack? cookies
What is your favorite movie? Star Wars #1
What is your favorite book? uh, my favorite book is the Easter one that has eggs in it
What is your favorite song? When Jesus Christ was baptized
What food do you NOT like? I don't like meatballs
How many people love you? you (pointing to me) and daddy and grandma and grandpa and the baby and bailey
What is your favorite toy? my peter pan hat
What is your favorite holiday? Valentines Day
What is your favorite #? 5
What do you like to take to bed with you? I dont know. My blue blankie.
What do you want to do tomorrow? I want to play outside
How old is daddy? ::sighing:: I dont know. (I told him to guess) 45
How old is mommy? 65 ::giggling::
What do you want to do when you grow up? I want to be a fast jumper and a fast runner
What's your favorite game with daddy? hide and seek
When you can drive, where will you drive first? you mean my dad? (asking again slowly) Im going to go to old mcdonalds for lunch
Are you going to get married? yessss
To who? Brielle when she grows up- she is 4 like me. She just had a birthday.
What is your favorite animal? a horsie and a cow
Who do you think is SO cute? ME (he says about himself)
What are your favorite clothes? my peter pan shirt and my striped shorts (they are plaid)
Who do you like to play with? Brielle and Bronwen
What are you thankful for? uh, Im thankful for my Mommy and my Daddy
Why? because I love 'em
What is your favorite TV Show? Land Before Time
What is your favorite color jelly bean? purple
What is your favorite ice cream? peanut butter
Who is daddy's wife? Brittany
How much does mommy love you? to the moon and back and lots
What do we do on Sundays? we go to church
Who do you want to go see? Santa Clause
Who does mommy love? Kasen
Where do your cousin's live? California

Fun Filled

2009-02-08T19:26:00.000-08:00

On Saturday we went to Birch Aquarium with some good friends of ours. We had free tickets from like 2 Christmas' ago from my sister and we just FINALLY remembered to use them. We only had to pay for Kasen once we got there so it wasn't too bad. The weather wasn't the best, but for the most part it was all inside. The tide pools and the shark "exhibit" were outside and we just waited til it stopped raining to go out and came back in when it started again.

I am definitely glad we didn't pay too much to go. It was fun, the company was fun, but the actual aquarium wasn't all that great.

While Jeremy went to park the car, he dropped Kasen and I off out front so we didn't have to walk. How sweet. Kasen and I took a picture of ourselves while we were waiting.

Kasen "explaining" what all the fish were to Jeremy. Notice the Peter Pan in his hand that he carried in his hand the WHOLE time we were there?

This is was the first tank we stopped at. Lots of fish that you can't see, but you can see how intrigued Kasen and Ethan were.

This is the cool octopus that kept crawling back and forth from one side of the window to the other, as if to show people how his little suction cups work. It was really fascinating actually.

This was Kasen and Jeremy looking over the balcony at the beautiful ocean view in La Jolla.

The beautiful view.....

I asked Kasen and Ethan to get together so that I could take a picture of them together. Kasen ran up to Ethan and put his arn around him and Ethan FREAKED out. He just wanted to stand next to him. It was pretty funny since ALL day Ethan was crowding Kasen shoulder to shoulder at the exhibits. Making Kasen SO mad cause he was hovering. He would go stand RIGHT next to him and put his shoulders up against Kasen's and just start pushing him. He couldn't and WOULDN'T stand a foot or even a few inches away. Just on top of Kasen. So it was a bit funny when Kasen wanted to put his arm around Ethan just for the picture and Ethan freaked out. Taste of his own medicine!

A couple family pictures overlooking the view....

Jeremy and I

The Horne Family and The Bruce Family

After we left we went to El Torito for lunch because kids eat Free on Saturdays. Perfect. Then we went to Deseret Book since we were about 1 minute away. While we were there I saw the little Book Of Mormon action figures and pulled this one off the shelf fully knowing that Kasen would be able to answer my question since he has learned about Moroni in FHE and in Primary.

I pulled it off the shelf and asked "Kasen who is this?" he replied..... "C3PO mom!"

I guess we need to have a few more FHE's about Angel Moroni and start watching a little less Star Wars. lol....

All in all we had a great day and we really enjoyed hanging out with the Horne's! Thanks guys!!

Tomorrow

2009-02-01T13:35:00.000-08:00

Well tomorrow is the day I have been dreading since I found out I was pregnant. I've been nervous, anxious and worried. I am driving with my mom to UCSD Medical Center in Hillcrest (forever away) to have an echocardiogram done on my sweet baby boy in the womb. Apparently with my diabetes, there is a chance that he can develop heart disease or defects. I had gestational diabetes with Kasen, and this possibility was NEVER mentioned to me. Of course, I had Kaiser and they don't give you anything. This time around I asked if it's different from when you have gestational or Type 2, my OB told me no and that I should have been checked with Kasen as well. Just another blessing/ miracle that Kasen came out ok! This is the type of echo he will be receiving since he is still in the womb.

Transthoracic echocardiogram: This is the standard echocardiogram. It is a painless test similar to X-ray, but without the radiation. The procedure uses the same technology used to evaluate a baby's health before birth. A hand-held device called a transducer is placed on the chest and transmits high frequency sound waves (ultrasound). These sound waves bounce off the heart structures, producing images and sounds that can be used by the doctor to detect heart damage and disease.

I keep telling myself, as does my mom, that everything will be ok. I am trying really hard to have faith and believe that. I know the Lord will take care of my sweet little boy, as He has done so far through this pregnancy. But of course, I am human and still have nerves. I will have Jeremy give me a blessing tonight, and just keep saying prayers that it will all be ok, either way.

I know this baby was given to our family for a reason, and I am not going to look past that. I know I need to be strong, and calm down. I have a precious little blessing in my tummy and I won't take that for granted.

I will post tomorrow night after the test and let everyone know how it goes.