We Wish You a Merry Xmas

Christmas has come and we are so excited! There really isn't much under our tree this year, but we have our sweet boy. It has been lots of fun having him look at lights and see his reactions. The other day when I was wrapping presents Brody got a hold of some paper that he liked and just shook it like crazy.

I imagine next year, he'll really be into everything and my tree may only have the top half decorated, but I look forward to it. This year he's pretty mellow and everyone says to enjoy it while we can, but I really can't wait for it.

We didn't send out Christmas cards to anyone this year, but we do wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

4 Months of Brody

It's really hard to believe, but our little man hit his 4 month birthday on the 15th. I know its not any real exciting thing to anyone but the mom and dad, but I really cannot believe its been that long.

What amazes me most is how much a baby really does change and grow in day to day life. Brody is obviously not slowing down anytime soon in the growth department, which doesn't surprise us one bit....that's what babies do...grow. What is surprising to me is how much he can learn!

In any book I have read, Brody can do just about everything some babies can do by 4 months. Physically he is rolling like none other, he can put weight on his legs when we stand him up for long periods of time, he can see us really well and follow us with his eyes, he can pay attention to things for much longer than he used to, and he can spot the smallest thing on the floor and reach for it. As far as talking and all of that, he pretty much YELLS at us and giggles very easily.

His newest things are pretty funny. When he gets upset instead of a constant cry, he purses his lips together and kind of whines. Even better, he now sticks his tongue out and makes the farting noise or the motor noise (i'm not really sure how to describe that!). Last night he woke up at 4:30 and instead of getting him I was going to let him cry it out. Instead of crying he blew his tongue and lips to make that noise. This went on for a half an hour straight. He'd kinda cry for a second and then the noises would start again. I just laid in bed and giggled to myself as I listened. I could actually hear the spit that I was sure was getting all over his face and bed.

I can hardly believe that Brody has been with us for 4 months. It seems like he's been here forever. He is such a joy and we love watching him grow each day.

Big Boy Brody

I realized the other day that there is a constant stream of pictures of Brody on here, but not so many of Trevor and I. Really, when you have a dang cute kid you can't even help wanting to show off every picture you can, but I need to remember to take some of all of us. Brody really is growing. He is rolling over like a pro. About a month ago he rolled from his back to his belly. I was so excited. He had been trying to roll the other way, but it is way harder, and he couldn't quite get it. I thought that I should put him on his tummy and try that way. We hadn't been putting him on his tummy much because it seemed like he really hated it. Sure enough, he rolled. He didn't roll once or twice, but like six times. I was able to get it on video. The next morning he did it again a few times.....and that was it.....never again.

Then about two weeks ago I woke up to find Brody on his belly in his bed. It totally freaked me out and I was checking to see if he was breathing. I could not believe it. I hadn't put him in his bed on his belly, but there he was. He rolled onto his belly and we hadn't even seen it. I spent the whole next night flipping him back onto his back. I finally gave up. If Brody wants to be on his tummy, he's going to be. Once Brody rolled for us to see, we clapped and felt like throwing a party. Not really, but it was exciting. A couple of days after that he was rolling like it was no big deal. He loves it. He doesn't love staying on his belly though, and he can't remember how to roll back onto his back. Every nap and each night Brody sleeps on his tummy. He never starts that way, but that's how it ends.

Brody also pays very close attention to things now. He got some new toys that hang from his car seat that he loves to grab at. He has also really found his toes. He even tried to eat them in the tub the other night. Of course every thing that he grabs at goes in his mouth now. We really have to be careful of what is within his reach.

One thing I love is reading. I have sworn that I will read to my kids and hopefully they will learn to love it too. I have a book of nursery rhymes that I tried to read to Brod, but he just didn't enjoy it....he was just too little, until now. He loves his little books. He likes the bright colors, and he reaches for the pages.

We love these new developments, but it's also kinda sad that he is growing so fast. Each step is so exciting. I don't think watching Brody will ever get old to Trevor and I.

Winter Prep

Unlike the pioneers, we do not spend months in preparation for winter. There is no gathering food, making warmer clothes, or getting the animals ready.

However, in our case we did have to buy pellets for our stove, and after a quick peek in Brody's closet we realized he had not one single long sleeved shirt. Nor did we have a jacket or any hats. Not only had we not gotten Brody anything warm, but there wasn't warm item of clothing from all the stuff people have given us!

It was definitely time to go shopping.

Trevor and I had been eyeing this one hat at old navy for a long time, but we just couldn't justify spending the money on it. Everytime we got a chance to go into an old navy, we would in hopes that it would be on sale. Finally, we just broke down and bought it. It was worth EVERY penny. Especially since it seems like the majority of "cute" clothes are girl ones, I was glad to get him this hat.

We happened to go into a Target and find a hat for just a buck and bought it too. It cost a lot less, but it is definitely as cute as the other hat.

Yay for cute and warm winter clothes!

Rice Cereal

At Brody's two month wellness check-up he soaked through the paper on the table with all his drool. Our pediatrician told us that that's a sign that baby can digest and start rice cereal. She suggested not to start right then, but she kind of left it open to us.

I certainly was in no hurry to start Brody on anything more solid, because to me that meant he was growing up...and momma's not ready for that. I'm also a believer that you don't have to do EVERYTHING by the book. It's not like Brody is going to wake up on his recommended 4 (or 6) month birthday and be like, "hmmm.....today I am ready for rice cereal, but yesterday I was too little." I truthfully think that as the mom I know my kid pretty well.

Not too long after our dr. appointment, we noticed that Brody was watching what we were eating and drooling and moving his mouth while we ate. So shortly after his 3 month birthday we broke out the cereal and gave it a try. I know, I know....gasps of horror are being heard all over as other mom's read this.....get over it....Brody LOVED it! He opened his mouth everytime the spoon came close, and even tried to get the spoon. When he gets fed now he grabs onto my hand and tries to "help" bring the spoon to his mouth. The doctor said if he wasn't ready he wouldn't be able to digest very well, but that was not the case for our Brodster...the poopy diapers were as often and normal as usual.

Brody is like a 15 pound kid, he's no light weight. I mean really, how much longer could he go on just his mom's milk?

This Thanksgiving

Every year we pull double duty for the major holidays. Round one of Thanksgiving was spent with my family and round two with Trevor's. It's nice that we don't have to chose one family or the other, but at the same time it's not so nice on the belly. Can you say major calorie intake? Wow.

It is crazy to think that last year at this time there wasn't our little Brody with us. In fact, I very distinctly remember last Thanksgiving. We had been hoping to be blessed with a baby for quite a while and it just hadn't been happening for us. I had always thought that when we were ready that I would just get pregnant. Well it didn't work that way.

I remember sitting at my Aunt Gina's house and just taking in everything. I was kinda feeling sorry for myself because I wasn't pregnant. My Aunt Nanette even asked if I was. That only made my pity party worse, then shortly followed with thoughts of, "Does she think I'm pregnant because I LOOK like I'm pregnant....great....."

That weekend was the football state championship (just like this year) in Tucson. I was so glad to see my friend Erin there, but once again was feeling crappy. Erin was a few months pregnant and while I was thrilled for her, I was a little jealous. Little did I know....

About a week later I took a pregnancy test and it came up positive!

Last year I was pregnant with Brody and didn't even know it, and this year we had him hear with us. I can't wait for all the many more holidays we will have with Brody. Everything is SOOOO different with a little one. Bring on Christmas.....

Sweet Sounds

I remember the day that Brody was born the dr. said to him, "Come on baby, cry..." It seemed like an eternity before Brody made that first cry and I swear it was the sweetest noise I had ever heard up to that point in life. I don't think I have heard something better, but I have found its match.

Our Brody laughed out loud for the first time yesterday. He is always a smiley little boy, but I haven't been able to get a giggle until now. I read in a book some of the things that a three month old can do or may be doing and laughing out loud was one of them. I was a little disappointed, because Brody hadn't laughed yet and I was really looking forward to it. But just like him coming a couple days before his due date, Brody laughed just a few days before his 3 month birthday.

By my reaction you would have thought that Brody had just won the nobel peace prize, but it was his simple giggle that reduced me to tears. He laughed several times and I called Trevor to let him hear, but he couldn't hear it. Of course, once Trevor got home 15 minutes later he wouldn't laugh again! (Trevor's going to start thinking that I'm lying if Brody won't do any of the cute things for him that he does when Brody and I are alone)

I haven't even been able to get Brody to laugh again, but now that I've heard it once, I know it can happen at any given time again. Until then though....I'll be waiting on the edge of my seat!

Bigger EVERY Day!

"They" say that kids learn more in their first 5 years of life than at any other time. I am totally a believer now. Our little Brody went from sleeping, crying, pooping, and eating to this kid that is trying to do everything at once.Very early on Brody rolled over, but it was kinda a fluke thing. I think he must have been slightly sloped, because he hasn't done it since. This week though he is really trying to roll over. He gets a little hung up on his arm though. On Monday he was trying so hard and Trevor and I just kept cheering him on from the side lines. You seriously would have thought he was performing brain surgery by our excitement. All that ended up happening was Brody getting halfway there and getting super mad. He cried and cried because he was so frustrated and we were just watching and not helping. He quite literally wore himself out. He ended up falling asleep mid-roll and stayed that way for about 30 minutes.

I have really been pushing the pacifier on Brody because I have noticed his intense desire to have his fist shoved in his mouth. I really was hoping to discourage the whole thumb-sucking thing by giving him a pacifier. I figured that a pacifier can be taken away eventually, the thumb cannot. Well, Brody found his thumb. I give up. I'm pretty sure that there really isn't much I can do about it, so why fight it? The only bright side is that since his initial thumb-sucking he really has mostly chewed on his thumb...not so much sucking....maybe he doesn't like it all that much??? Yeah, yeah...keep dreaming.

On Halloween we put Brody in his stroller without his car seat and Trevor told me he didn't like it because it made him not look little. Trevor thought he looked too grown up sitting up like that. Well, Trevor propped Brody on the couch and I didn't like it because I thought he looked like a big kid instead of the 12 week old baby that he is. Brody was a little like the leaning tower of Pisa at times, but mostly he sat up straight all by himself. Seriously, where did my baby go? It's true that they grow up WAY to fast!

Holy Cow

Is it ever to early to start dressing up your kid for Halloween? Well, we didn't think so. I got Brody this cow costume over a month ago, and then it looked huge, but it actually worked out perfect. We didn't do any actual trick-or-treating, but we did go out and about. Brody actually delivered little treat bags to his grandparents and a few others instead of received candy.

Here we go...

Really mom, how much more of this?

Shake your cow tail

What's a cow without a little hay?

Growing Boy

Not so long ago we took Brody for his two month wellness check-up. Hard to believe that two months has gone by, huh? He had to have shots so that wasn't too fun, but I love going and seeing how much he has grown. At birth Brody weighed 9 lbs. 1 oz. and was 21 and 1/2 inches long. At 9 weeks he didn't weigh as much as I thought, but he was still in the 86th percentile weighing in at 13 lbs. 8 oz. Crazy! That isn't the real kicker though. He is now 24 and 3/4 inches long! That puts him in the 96th percentile. We think he is going to be a pretty tall boy. I love chubby babies too, so I hope he keeps putting on the weight. So what's new at two months? Well, Brody continues to smile and coo more and more each day. He likes to be on his belly, but he really wishes he could sleep on his tummy all the time. I try to not let him, but sometimes during his naps I let him. As you can see, he likes to pull his legs underneath him and push that little tush up in the air. This is just like his mom when she was a kid.

Brody has been a pretty strong kid from the get-go, but he just gets stronger everyday. He not only picks up his little head, but he picks up most of his chest too. He doesn't want to miss anything going on. He also stands up when you are trying to hold him. His strength really shows when he's mad. Brody will lift his lower body off the ground, and if he could figure out how to work the arms at the same time he would be mobile.

Brody has been a pretty good sleeper, but we just started to try the Babywise method, and it is amazing! Anyone that has a kid should read that book. We started late in the ball game, but there were immediate results.

Overall, I am sure that my baby is doing everything that any 2 and 1/2 month old baby does, but EVERYTHING he does is amazing to us!

Future Friend

For two years now our little neighbor has made the half mile round trip down to our house on his little 6 year old legs to come for a visit. Tanner's his name and he's one of my favorite kids on the planet. The last little bit when he comes he's usually toting a little sister named Kinley along with him. I feed them an otter pop or two, we watch Harry Potter, or they borrow movies and then they go back home. They can be a handful, but they are SOOO much fun too. When I found out that I was having a boy I thought of Tanner and thought, "okay, boys are just as fun if not more than girls."

Since we have had Brody, Tanner hasn't been down to see us by himself. His mom brought us dinner that first week and he hopped in her car before she could stop him so that he could come see Brody. I don't think I have ever seen a little boy so interested in a baby. Tanner seems to LOVE Brody.

Not too long ago we went to a SJ volleyball game and as soon as we walked in the door, Tanner was on his way down to sit by us. Sure enough, the moment we sat down, Tanner was right next to Trevor with his arm propped on Trevor's knee. He stared down and Brody and was so good not to touch him or bug him, but just watched him. Brody was asleep and had his pacifier in his mouth. At first he wasn't moving, but then he started to suck on his pacifier and Tanner said, "Hey, how does he do that when he's sleeping?" I told him that Brody must be thinking about dinner. Tanner thought about that for a second and said, "Ya...probably cheese pizza." Haha. I about died. That Tanner is such a thinker. He says the funniest things. Then he watched Brody some more before saying, "I bet we'll be really good friends, but we'll have to wait some years."

Tanner must be ready for Brody to walk down to his house, I guess.

Brody's Blessing

Sunday was a big day for several reasons. First of all Trevor and I got our first NIECE! Yay! Trevor's oldest brother, Dustin, and his wife, Amy have two boys (Grant and Preston) and finally had a little 7 pound 2 ounce girl named Samantha. It was also my mom's birthday yesterday. She said having Brody blessed on her birthday was the best present ever, and that was our other big event of the day.

We had so many things going on so it seemed like scheduling Brody's blessing was anything but easy. My step dad was out of town for three weeks so we wanted to wait for him, and then we didn't want to bless him before conference because it was too soon and if we waited until the next fast sunday it would be November and Brody would be so big that he wouldn't fit into his blessing outfit and he'd almost be big enough to walk himself up there! Okay, not really, but seriously this kid is just getting so big. Unfortunately because of doing it this last Sunday it conflicted with Dustin and his family being able to be there, but there was just no way we would have ever been able to get EVERYONE there.

The morning started off with us not being sure that we would have very many people there. We still weren't sure my step dad would be there. My Uncle Von was out of town. My one Grandpa had been in the hospital and was home, but still not doing so well. And of course Trevor's oldest brother wasn't going to be there. We were wrong. Everyone (minus Dustin) made it, and then some. Including Trevor we ended up with 13 people in the circle! My two cousins, Preston and Sterling even stood in. I hadn't originally asked them, but it was kinda neat to have them. Especially Preston because I have felt like we are pretty close since college.

My stomach did flip-flops all morning in anticipation of the day. I was so nervous for Trevor, and so glad that it was him and not me that had to give the blessing. Trevor didn't get nervous until right before the blessing. Even then he just had some shaky hands, but you never would have known it.

The blessing was awesome. I was fine until I looked up and saw all the support we had there for us and then the water works started. Once Trevor began I really started to cry and I had to make myself stop so that I could pay attention. My mom leaned over and put her arm on me as she began to cry as well. Brody's blessing was beautiful, and when it finished I looked at Trevor's mom and she had teared up as well.

Brody did really well. We worried that he would scream bloody murder or that he would have an explosion in his diaper that would ruin his outfit, but nothing happened. He had even fallen asleep and woken up right before the blessing, but he stayed awake and didn't make a peep. He was so good.

We feel so blessed to have all the support and love that we had shown to us yesterday. Thanks to my mom so willing to share her birthday with her grandson. Thanks to all the family that traveled like Trevor's brother, Mike, and my dad and Grandpa Garner. And most of all thank you to my husband who is worthy to hold the priesthood and was able to give such a wonderful blessing to our little boy.

Say Cheese!

Our little man is getting so good at smiling and "talking" to us. We just love it! But it is so dang hard to catch that on camera. It seems like everytime I run for the camera he becomes shy. The smiling stops, and he's done being cheerful. Until now.....

Brody's Perspective

Can you believe it? I am six weeks old today! I can still remember contorting mommy's belly to unimaginable things just by simply trying to stretch out. Now I can stretch as much as I want. Speaking of stretching, I just didn't have enough room to grow anymore in mom's belly and after coming out I have just been growing like crazy. At two weeks I had already grown an inch, and it's probably more by now. I also haven't been weighed since then, but mom and dad both seem to think that I am pushing close to 12 pounds by now.

Things sure have changed. I am becoming more and more alert each day. I hold my head up and make burping me nearly impossible. I just want to be able to view the world as much as I can. I don't want to miss anything.

Like all babies my eyesight is going to be somewhat blurry for the first year of life, but I am getting better and better at following mom and dad with my eyes. I can follow them even when they are far away. Of course, knowing there voice helps me to know where to look! Since we are talking about eyes I'll tell you that it is a constant wonder about what color my eyes are going to be. They still are that slate blue color that I was born with, but sometimes in the light they look like they could go greenish-blue like daddy and other times they look as if they are going to be as brown as mommies.

At night when its time for bed mom or dad will try to swaddle me. This is fine as long as my arms are left out of the swaddling. If they don't leave them out I will grunt and fight with my blanket until I win and get my arms out. Then once they are out I usually put my hands in the cutest places (at least that's what mom and dad think). Sometimes I lock my fingers together, other times I scratch my head, and if I am feeling hungry or just want to be comforted I try to stick a fist in my mouth...I haven't quite figured out the whole thumb sucking thing.

These days I am starting to coo and smile at my parents on purpose, not just 'cause I got gas. They love it of course. I smile and coo the most in the morning. Dad thinks that I am "chipper" like mom in the morning. Another morning person in the house....that is unless you try to wake me up and I'm not ready to be awake, then I am not the happiest camper.

I have found a best friend too! It's the ceiling fan. Well, I like just about any ceiling fan, but especially the one in the living room. I smile and try and talk to it more than I do my mom and dad.

Mom says that she always loves me, but she especially has loved me the last four nights. I thought I'd cut her a break and I have slept anywhere from 4 to 5 hour stretches. I can't decide if this is just a trick, or if I'm going to stick with this routine.I'm basically right on target for what any 6 week old baby should be doing, but sssshhhhhh! My parents seem to think that I'm the cutest, smartest, and strongest baby ever. I've pretty much got them right where I want them....wrapped around my little finger!

The New Me

I love being a mom, but I have to admit something....I have never felt so crappy about myself. I don't know what it is. I knew that my body would be forever changed, and mine really isn't so bad...but I just have no confidence anymore.

Whenever I'm shopping or out and about I see all these little mormon mommies, and I think, "Just because you're a mom doesn't mean you have to start looking like crap." Well my friends, I feel like I have hit that point. I have tried to look good, but there is just something going on in the back of my mind telling me otherwise.
I finally decided that I just really needed a change. I love short hair, and I have been wanting to cut my hair short...but I always think I look dumb once I do it. I thought about cutting it back when I was pregnant, but held off not wanting to make any hormone charged decisions that could only possibly lead to a breakdown.
So I did it. I cut my hair. It may not be a big deal to most people, but it was for me. Yeah yeah...hair grows back...but my hair was the longest it's ever been. I get compliments on how pretty my hair is all the time. I was really afraid of losing the one pretty thing about me. I swear we cut like 12 inches off!

The good thing is, I like this haircut. The girl that cut it did a good job. She didn't just lob it off and send me on my merry way. She helped me pick out something that would look good on ME, and I LOVE it! Plus, I can actually do it. It's not one of those times that it's cute in the salon and then too hard to do at home.
(Disclaimer: If you think that my hair looks like trash, that's your opinion and you can feel free to keep it to yourself. However, if you are one of those do-gooders who thinks they are doing the world a favor by giving compliments whether or not they are actually sincere, don't leave a comment here. I HATE false compliments.)