Blessing Day

Brian blessed BrinLee on March 7, 2010. I actually made the dress that she wore. It was my very first crocheting project and I was so proud when I finished it AND it fit her! The beautiful quilt that she is laying on in these pictures was made for her by her Grandma Evie (Brian's Mom). The blessing that Brian gave was precious and I was so glad that our friends and members of our family were there to hear it! We love all of you!

She's already 1 month old!

I just can't believe it. I am trying so hard to hold on to these first few months of BrinLee being just a little baby and time is going by so fast! I really enjoy these first few months, although, things are a little different with her than they were with Erek. BrinLee spits up ALL OF THE TIME. I'm pretty sure Erek spit up once, MAYBE twice the whole two years he has been alive. Not little BrinLee, poor thing. I always feel so bad for her when she spits up. She makes these faces that just break your heart. And who likes to spit up anyway?? It can't be very fun.

She isn't much of a night sleeper either. At least with Erek I could sleep when he was sleeping, but BrinLee seems to want to sleep when Erek is awake, so my body is trying to adjust to getting about 4-6 sporadic hours of sleep every night. When Erek was a little baby, he loved to be in his bassinet. I would want to hold him and snuggle with him and he just seemed to like lying by himself more. BrinLee wants to be held. She could be sound asleep in my arms and the minute I set her down, she is wide awake again. She seems to be most content in someone's arms. Erek is doing really well with that too. Better than I thought he would. He used to be right by my side at every second and I was worried he would get jealous every time I was holding the baby. He doesn't though. He loves this little girl so much. He loves to give her hugs and kisses and especially her paci whenever it falls out of her mouth. It's so cute... he hears her cry and says, "Uh-oh! Paci!" and then runs to where she is and shoves her paci in her mouth. He is going to be a great big brother for her.

Although it's been a little hard adjusting to the new schedule, I really enjoy her. She is a such a sweetheart. There is a special bond between a Mother and Daughter and I love knowing what that feels like from the Mother's perspective.

Here are some pictures that I took from my phone last Sunday, the 24th. We weren't at home and I didn't have my camera so this is what I got.

At her one month doctors visit, she weighed 9 pounds 9 ounces and was 22 inches long. (The same size Erek was the day he was born.)

How I spent my Christmas Eve

The day started early for me. My Mom was flying in from Utah to spend Christmas with us and her plane didn't get in until 12:15am. We got her all settled in and finally got to sleep around 1:30. I was so glad that she was here! Having your Mom around to help out when you have a baby is just the best thing. I am so lucky to have her and such great sisters too! They make everything so much easier. :) I think the baby knew just when to come, because that morning at around 7:45 my water broke. Yippee!! I called my doctor, got Brian out of bed and we grabbed our stuff and headed to the hospital. I was so excited the entire time. I was actually welcoming the contractions that were coming. I had been hoping to feel contractions all week and they were finally here! The trip to the hospital was so much fun. I think it's because I was so nervous about actually going into labor until at that moment. It wasn't that pleasant of an experience when I had Erek and I was worried it would be the same with BrinLee. Once I realized I was ready to have her, and was VERY uncomfortable being pregnant, I got excited. The entire day went pretty smoothly and I really enjoyed the whole experience. The nurse that spent the whole day with me was great and when her shift ended, I was able to get the same nurse that delivered Erek two years before. I was so comfortable the whole time (thank you drugs) and was totally making jokes and laughing with my doctor and the nurse, while I was pushing. 5 pushes later, she was here! *sigh* It was incredible. She was born at 7:40pm. Erek wasn't allowed to come into the hospital because of the Swine Flu going around, so we didn't get to spend Christmas Day with him until we got home on the 26th. He really enjoyed spending time with his Grandma while she was here though and was pretty spoiled.

What a little sweetheart!

She is here!

Thanks Uncle Jon!

10 months... and still counting!

So my due date is here and the baby is not. I wonder what it feels like to go into labor all on your own. I was actually excited to get that experience, but I don't think it's going to happen this time either. I really hope I don't have to wait 10 days to get induced, like I did with Erek. I have an appointment in a couple of hours and I am going to hopefully schedule something for Saturday. I kept feeling like this little girl was going to come early, and then we decided to move a week and a half before my due date and I was doing everything I could to keep her in until we moved. Now I am ready and she is still just hanging out, loving life where she is. :) I'm guessing she isn't going to be very small either, considering I feel like a gigantic bus and can't believe how much my tummy sticks out. I'm so excited to see her and to hold her and I don't think I have ever felt so excited to go into labor. Wish me luck!

P.S. I do plan on finishing my vacation post, but it might have to wait until later.

Day Three of our Coeur d' Alene Vacation

Day three started off in the streets of Downtown Coeur d' Alene for the 4th of July parade.

Here is a picture of Erek and his Grandma Evie and behind them is Grandpa Rusty with Mikey.

This is one of Erek's famous looks. He likes to try and be sneaky and look at people without turning his head.

The poor little guy doesn't like the heat very much. His cheeks always turn pink.

After the parade, we took a 30 minute drive to a little town named Kellogg. They have a nice ski resort, and in the summer time, you can still ride the Gondola to the top of the mountain.

Here is Brian and Erek, Grandma Evie, Brian's brother Mike and wife Taylor, and their kids Mikey and Carter.

Enjoying the ride.

Erek just woke up and was a little confused.

Erek (18 months), Mikey (19 1/2 months).

There was a fun little park at the top of the mountain for the kids to run around in. Notice the sign next to the slide. (Children ages 3-11 ONLY please.) We don't follow the rules.

We ended the day back in Downtown Coeur d' Alene next to the lake to watch the fireworks. The sun doesn't go down until about 9:30, so we had to wait around until 10:30 to watch the show. Erek had already fallen asleep by then, but the rest of us enjoyed it!