And a Happy New Year

Can I just say WOW! I know I always say I'm going to be better with this blog but that just isn't happening. It makes me sad but hey I've got good intentions. I feel SO blessed I wish I would write more often so I can share all the reasons why with my avid readers- haha!

Every year seems to bring such joy and 2013 was no different. There are always changes that occur in our family because of jobs, school, Britlee, family...the list is endless but our biggest change in 2013 was that of adding to our small little family. And that my friends is a cause for celebration! There is nothing greater in this world then my family. My little children and my husband are what life is all about. There are of course ups and downs and life sure is a roller coaster, but at the end of the day whether I'm on the verge of tears or dancing around it sure is the best day ever!

We weren't expecting our little guy until the beginning of January, but as always my children like to keep me on my toes. He sure surprised us and came in December, which I might add YAY!! For many reasons that is, one being--he's my little tax deduction :)

As you all know we were not finding out what the gender of this baby was because I LOVE surprises. Ok that is not true at all, in all honesty I really don't like them. I'm not much of a "fly by the seat of your pants" kinda gal, I like knowing what is happening. But for some reason when it comes to having babies I really really want to be surprised on their gender. With Britlee, Justin just wasn't giving in to that desire SO we found out but then he promised me when we got pregnant again we could keep it a surprise. And he kept his word. I know at times that was hard for him, but I think when our little guy was born, just like me, he fell in love with the idea of waiting and loved that anticipated feeling! Seriously it was so exciting!

So now to the good stuff, the stuff you are all waiting for right--my birth story! Ha, well I hope you are otherwise I'd probably stop reading because that is what I'm going to share. I love sharing the stories of my little miracles.

On the 27th (of December that is) I felt fantastic. I finally didn't feel too exhausted--that should have been my first clue. I cut my dad's hair, played, and sadly had a work training in Idaho Falls that night. I didn't look too forward to that because it went until 9pm, which means I wouldn't get home until almost 10 and then getting ready for bed so I was looking at the earliest bed time of 10:30. You might all be thinking--whoopie--but seriously usually I was in bed BEFORE 10pm. I was just too tired and since I couldn't sleep too well, with being uncomfortable and all and thinking about all the things I needed to get done going to bed before 10pm helped me get a few hours of sleep every night. The later I would stay up usually meant the less sleep I would get in the night-ironic right! LOL yes I realize that of course that's how that works but when you're up by 2 or 3 every morning and then your lucky if you can fall back to sleep by 6 going to bed before 10pm becomes priceless. Ok so over with the random rant. So I went to my training, chatted with friends there, stopped at the store to get some stuff for Britlee and home I went. The training ended a little early so I was EXTREMELY excited.

I went to bed that night, now I have no idea when but I got some sleep. When I woke up the next morning around 8am I felt kinda funny! So I thought, "oh I gotta go to the bathroom." Nope that wasn't it, so I got in the tub. You know that's the best thing to do when you don't feel good or want to relax. I then started to have contractions. This wasn't too unusual because I had been having those teasers for weeks. But this time I just had a feeling they were different. So I started to time them. 5-6 minutes apart, hey thats not bad I thought. So I got out of the bath after about a half hour I would say and started going about the rest of my day. We had promised Britlee we would go on campus to "exercise" so we all got dressed for the occasion. She was dancing around cause she was so excited. Now at this point my idea of exercise was walking around the track, which she loved because before we left I would let her out of her stroller and let her run around the track as much as she wanted.

We got ready, had some breakfast, and all the while I'm still having contractions or surges as I like to call them. About 9:30am I was telling Justin, "if not today I believe we will be having a baby by tomorrow, I'm sure of it." While eating breakfast I had a surge so I closed my eyes so I could focus and not allow myself to feel the pain. Britlee shouts "Hey it's not night night time, the sun is up!" I couldn't help but laugh. Seriously she is so funny and was very concerned I was trying to go back to sleep.

Justin started to get all excited and running around like a chicken with his head cut off. I told him to relax because he was making me too nervous. He said he couldn't he was so excited we could be having a baby today!

My surges were getting closer and of course not going away so I knew time was coming close. I called my mom to tell her we were going to start getting ready to head to the hospital so whenever she and dad could they could come over--they were cleaning the church and I didn't want to make them leave. So I called Uncle Cory and asked him to come over. Of course I woke him up, what a lazy bum, but when he heard I was going to the hospital because it was baby time I heard him jump right out of bed and he was at our house within 15 minutes. I'd never seen him move so fast lol. While we waited for Cory Justin showered and I started cleaning up and explaining to Britlee that today was the day and we were going to the hospital to have the baby. She was SO excited she was running around the house singing and dancing saying Grandma and Grandpa are coming to stay with me so momma can go have the baby. It was so fun to watch her.

We called the midwife, Rachel,  and told her we were heading to the hospital. She lives 30 minutes away so she needed some notice. She asked us to go to the office first and get checked so we could see the progress. When we arrived we found out the dr had just been called to the hospital to deliver a baby so he wouldn't be able to check my progress. The lady at the desk didn't believe I was in labor at first, she said I was too calm and relaxed--that's what I like to hear!! That's the point :) Anyways we called the midwife to let her know we would just go to the hospital and see her there. She said just to wait there for her because she had another patient coming in that she needed to check. So we waited, but my surges were getting closer and I was thinking that we were going to be having the baby in the dr's office all by ourselves. My surges were 2 minutes at this point and I told Justin we needed to leave. So we left the room and in walked the midwife. She's got really good timing! Rachel checked me and said sure enough I was in labor--I had no doubts--I was 6cm dilated and 100% effaced. It was about 11am and we headed to the hospital and she was going to meet us there. At the hospital they let us in and started getting everything ready. Asking SO many questions, it was kind of annoying. I know that's what is supposed to happen but I was trying to relax so I could have my baby! I needed to get into the zone! But that sounds mean, lol it really wasn't too bad but there were moments. They hooked me up to the monitors to see how the baby and I were doing with each surge. I told them I was ready to get into the tub to help me relax, but then I also mentioned I was ready to push so that was the end of that idea! Rachel then showed up and by 11:45am my little Rustin James was born. Justin kept saying, "it's a boy!" He was so excited and we just couldn't believe how lucky we were to have another healthy baby and be able to bring him into the world natural and just the way I had imagined it yet again. There is honestly nothing better then the first time they look at you and just seem to recognize you right away. He was perfect and was almost instantly ready to eat. :) That's my boy!! I got to snuggle him for a long time and feed him and just enjoy having another baby! Honestly he was perfect.

I couldn't wait for Britlee to be able to come and meet him. After cleaning up and everything we got transported to the mommy and baby wing, we found out because of the time of year and all the cases of flu and other sicknesses they were not allowing kids. AGHHH!! I couldn't believe it, I cried. I wanted my little angel to come and meet our new little angel. Uncle Cory came to visit and then a couple hours later mom and dad came. They took turns coming in so someone would be out in the waiting wing with Britlee. We just couldn't let Britlee not see him so Justin took him to the door and help him up in the window so Britlee could see him. She was so excited! She couldn't hold him or come in but she got to see him. And I tell you when we actually came home and she saw him there was NOTHING more precious then her excitement and instant love for him.

Ok so that was a LONG story! Thanks for reading it and putting up with the blabbing. I am so grateful for the support of my husband and his help in being my partner. He is the BEST guy to have by my side when having a baby. He is so positive and always cheering me on. I feel like I can do anything with him by my side. We now have two beautiful children and we couldn't be happier. We love our angels, Britlee and Rustin!! We are truly blessed.

Life is perfect and I've aged like ten years in the last month with little sleep and trying to keep a sweet sister from loving her brother a little too much. lol. Britlee is honestly a HUGE help and she just adores Rustin! 2013 was a wonderful addition to our lives and we look forward to 2014!! We love our family and friends and thank you for your support and love.

I'll post pictures of my munchkins soon!! (I promise)

Oh my gosh, seriously

Who knew that living with a two year old could be so stinkin fun and exhausting? Well honestly I'm sure everyone did, as did I but some days I still can't believe it. Britlee is 2 1/2 now and most people think she is older just because of the conversations she carries. Today's favorite phrase after her nap was, "oh my gosh, seriously?" So funny. I wonder on a daily occurrence where she came from.
I know I've awful at this blogging thing and I keep saying I'll get better but I don't. I have so many clever things to say when I don't have a computer to use so when Justin's home and not using his I can't think of anything. So today I'll just be boring yet again :)
Life has been good for us. Busy as usual. Justin is working full-time and doing school full-time so we don't see a whole lot of him except on the weekends. So we LOVE our weekends. I'm growing and growing, oh wait let me correct myself--the baby is growing and growing ;) I still can't believe how fast time truly flies. Britlee is just a constant crack up. She has quite the personality and I love it. I love that I get to be home with her everyday, I don't know what I would do if I missed these moments. We went to the doctor the other day for a check up and while I went to the restroom to pee in a cup--the joys of being pregnant--Britlee chatted with the nurse. And or course proceeded to tell her how I have a baby in my tummy and so does she. Britlee climbed up on the chair and laid down and lifted her shirt. She was ready for them to listen to the heartbeat of her baby and measure how big her tummy was. I love that the nurses and midwives are so good with her. They obliged and totally made Britlee's day.
When Britlee is tired or doesn't want to do something she says "I too tired, or I can't I have a baby in my tummy!" I tell you I don't know anyone funnier than her. She has started getting out of bed at night and putting on her "princess panties" and changing into clothes instead of being in her jammies because they are dirty and she's ready to play. It is so hard not to laugh. My munchkin is just too funny and too smart for her own good.
Though life is crazy and exhausting I sure love it and would have it no other way. Well maybe with less heartburn!!

Holy Long Time

Ok so this post will be pretty short and sweet but WOW! I can't believe it has seriously been SO long since I have a post. Seriously life isn't that busy, though sometimes it feels like it. I miss writing little stories about my little munchkin, so I better get started on doing it more frequently. Nobody has said anything about it being so long so I'm assuming no one reads it, but I don't care. I need to write down more stories on our lives and than maybe I will share!!

Summer Adventures

So Justin left us at the end of April and since then our lives have never been the same. I've been more tired than ever and extremely bored. Not that Britlee is in any way boring, but when she sleeps and there is no one to cook for, no one to watch movies with, no one to bug, no one to snuggle with....then life gets very boring. So we have tried to do things to keep us entertained and our minds a working. We have increased our walks and our trips away from home. We visited our friends Carol and little Bailey a couple of times which is always great. They always seem to make us feel better. We took a few more shopping trips then normal but I'd say we've been pretty good on not spending much and doing mostly window shopping. We've learned more of Britlee's artistic abilities. I'd say she was a natural.
Our first little trip was to Salmon to hang out with my cousin's while my aunt and her husband went to Boise to watch my cousin Tyler run in the state track meet, in which he did awesome!!! Britlee LOVED being with the boys. I have never seen that girl follow boys/guys around so much. She's always around girls so she's more comfortable but ever since Justin left she has seriously needed manly attention and she follows it. It must be that comfort thing. I get that way too. When I feel sad or upset I just need a man hug and seem to feel much better real quickly.

We then had a second trip to the same place. Salmon was a hot commodity for us. Tyler graduated high school and is headed to Boise State. Tyler was one of his high school Valedictorians! I am SO proud of him. Britlee LOVED all the attention she got. People were wanting to hold her and snuggle her and make her laugh. She followed the kids around everywhere. She is quite the social butterfly. My Uncle Brian's family tried to share a piece of chocolate cake with her and she spit it out. I was pretty proud of her. I mean she's never been much of a sweet tooth, always enjoyed the veggies more than anything and I sure didn't want her to be like me and ALWAYS want something sweet. I must admit though, since then she has turned over a new leaf and now loves chocolate, her momma's daughter I suppose. 

After all of our Idaho adventures we ventured off to Arizona! What an adventure that was. Britlee and I had to catch the bus at 5am to ride to Salt Lake (it didn't show until 5:30am) and my goodness thank goodness for a break because it was hard for Britlee to sit in her seat surrounded by strangers and to take care of her business...yep that's right. I'd say the airport wasn't near as bad as I imagined that it would be. I had to get us all into the airport but once in people were nice and things were easy. We had a bit of a wait at the airport so we did a lot of rounds by the gate we were going out of. She got a little restless in the stroller so I took her out for a bit. That may have been a mistake, but she sure loved it. Britlee decided she wanted to push the stroller all by herself, she is quite the big girl you know; quite helpful. People kept laughing and she loved it even more. 

Britlee was definitely very chatty with the people we sat with. I hoped she would nap, but she wouldn't so it made it for an interesting day. Uncle Ron and Aunt Jeneil were right on time, or actually probably early. I had forgotten how big the Las Vegas airport was, it's a good thing there are signs or we would have been super lost. Arizona was a blast. We spent a few days at the house and then traveled on up to Utah to see Justine, Tyrel, and Chance. Ron and Jeneil's dogs LOVED Britlee and just kept trying to lick her. Of course I think dog licks are so gross but Britlee would usually laugh. She would try and push them away sometimes but she really enjoyed their attention. She would even chase after them. Britlee would also just stare at the fish in the fish tank. In the mornings she would sign fish and work her way over to see them. Such fun adventures. It really was a blast, we can't wait to go back. 

What to say

Below you will find lots and lots of pictures of parts or our summer. I couldn't figure out how to get it to align like I wanted so sorry. I'm a little annoyed but such is life. These pictures consist of our summer at home, at Deanne's, and on our way to other adventures away from home. Eventually I'll do specific posts but for now just pictures with little captions. 

Enjoying the outdoors

Trying to put on her own shoes! Doing pretty
good I'd say

Loving the dino. I think she thinks she is the
coolest kid with that thing

A day at the park

She loves the slide and Zane sure liked helping
her climb up and go back down

Here I am

This is so fun!! Seriously Britlee thought this was the greatest thing that existed.
She wanted to play on it every day we went back

Riding with Zane

Swinging

A masterpiece

Such a beauty

A little tired from all the graduation partying

We are SO proud of Tyler!! 

This is Matthew, Deanne and Brian's nephew and
now Britlee's new best friend. 

Just too cute

"I Love Fishing!!!"

I'll get those fish one way or another

First plane ride!! On our way to see
Aunt Jeneil and Uncle Ron

Who me?

So first off I must apologize to any that care (probably mainly me) that I have not been keeping up on my blog. I am such a slacker! I want to so bad and I have TONS of pictures and stories from this summer but just haven't taken the time to type out clever thoughts. So maybe this week or weekend but in all reality probably not. BUT I do have a short story for today. Just a little story of how funny my little lady is. 
Last night we were putting Britlee to bed and I burped (so gross yes I know and SO unlike me hehe). I looked at Britlee and said Britlee how could you and my comedian of a daughter looks at Justin and points to herself and makes a face like "Who me?" Oh seriously it was a crack up!! She is so funny and just knows when to do something to make it hysterical! 
So that's my story for today. More posts to hopefully follow soon. Some summer photos, anniversary activities, beach fun....the works! Just wait :) Ok it may be months but they'll show themselves eventually!!!