Camera Hog

Claire just started to socially smile. I was trying to capture the moment on camera since this is the pivotal moment when all the late night feedings, crying, poopy diapers are worth every second. Brad must have heard the commotion from his room because he came running in to get his darling mug in the photo as well. So I stopped taking pictures of Claire to give Brad a moment to be the star. Claire decided to have one of her feminine mood swings. Needless to say the photo opportunity was over. So much for capturing her smile for today. Oh well, there is always tomorrow.

What a weekend

As you can tell from the picture we have had a rough weekend. Brad started coughing, then wheezing, then came the strider. So off we went to Dr. Shakula's office. For those of you who don't know, Dr Shakula is hands down the greatest pediatrician. I used to work for him about 7 years ago. I would never go to anyone else. Brad has Bronchitis and croup. He has been so grumpy. Plus he has been wired because he is on steroids. Not a good combination wired and grumpy. Then Claire started to get sick as well. We caught hers early so everything will be fine.

I had to go to Walmart yesterday to fill the Rx's. The second I walked in the store I knew I had made a mistake. You know when you have to wait for a cart at Walmart you should just turn around and walk away. Unfortunately I need the drugs so I had to go in. After dumping my life savings at the pharmacy and waiting in line for an eternity. I finally got home to tuck my little sickies into bed.

Join the Band

For Christmas Randy's brother Matt received Guitar Hero for his X-Box. Such a silly little game you say? That is what I thought until I played it. It is actually really fun and addicting. When you first start out you feel like a moron with no rhythm. But then you get the hang of it and you can't put it down. It is like you can't get enough. Even Brad got in on the action. Can he join Anna and Bailey's Band?

Steve and Kari came over the other night to play with us and we played for hours. I don't know if we spent more time laughing or playing. My brother Eric got Rock Band for Christmas. That is the game that has the guitar, drums, and microphone. I don't even dare to go over there and try it. I might have to go to rehab and join guitars anonymous.

Nuddies

There is nothing better than a nuddie picture of a baby. We took some of Claire the other day. Today I was editing them in photo shop. I could not believe the fat rolls on this girl. This is the one and only time that fat rolls are so fricken adorable. She is 5 weeks old and is tipping the scales at 10 lbs 11 ounces. You go girl.

On the contrary brad is and always will be a twiggy nuddie. This is a nuddie shot of Brad when he was 8 weeks old. He barely weighed 5 lbs at 2 months. To this day he can barely keep any weight on. His nutritionist said we have to put butter or peanut butter on everything that he eats. Who gets to slather butter on everything and have his figure. Too bad he was not the girl.

Too bad my fat rolls are not fricken adorable. However I think that I would be a little grossed out if someone came up to me and said "My, your fat rolls just keep getting cuter and cuter"

I always love when the holidays are over and you can throw out all of the junk food crap that we eat all season. Don't get me wrong it is delicious to eat but after a few months you start feeling like a walking stick of butter. A big old salad sounds so good. Does a Cafe Rio Salad count?

Merry Little Christmas

What a wonderful Christmas we had this year. We have so much to be grateful for. We were able to spend it with family. It was great.

For Christmas Eve we went to Randy's parents house it was nice and quiet. We had dinner and just got to hang out it. Coming from such a large extended family, sometimes it is very enjoyable to have a quiet intimate evening.

Christmas morning. Santa spoiled us. You can tell by the confetti wrapping paper that Brad ate it up.

We went to my mom and dad's house for breakfast. Dad and Randy made us breakfast on a huge grill my dad made from scratch. (Not a suprise) After breakfast we played games. Notice that the whack a mole game is being played by the adults and not the grand kids. Randy and Steve practiced their golf swing. They even plowed a fairway and green with the snow blower in the yard. And then we slept and ate until we burst.

Daily Dose of Vitamin C

We asked Brad what snacks we should leave Santa Last night. After rummaging through the fridge for a few minutes I suggested some milk and perhaps some carrots for the reindeer. He agreed on the carrots, but insisted that Santa did not like milk he preferred orange juice. Apparently nobody told me that when I was little. I always left him milk. No wonder only half of the glass was missing in the morning back in the day. He likes juice.

The poor lost sheep

Yesterday Randy did not have to go to Bishopric in the morning. I guess it was a little gift from the Bishop. Anyway since we had Randy home on a Sunday morning I decided to have a little family home evening. We were trying to teach Brad the nativity with my little Willow Tree set. We asked him why we had Christmas and what it was all about. Of course he says Santa and presents. We talked about the Baby Jesus and the Shepards. He was very preoccupied with the sheep. I don't know how much actually sunk in about the nativity, but by the end we at least got him to tell us that it was Jesus' Birthday, and Santa's of course. We let him say the closing prayer. I am so glad we did. It was so cute. He said " Please help the little sheep find the barn to see baby Jesus." I guess he listens more than I give him credit for. Thanks Brad for giving me a reason to smile. Kids can teach us so much if we just listen and give them the time.

New Year Resolution

I thought I would get a jumpstart on my New Year’s resolution. Randy has been on my case for months about writing my history or writing in some kind of journal. He is so diligent in keeping one. I really enjoy reading his entries. I decided it was time to do something. Not to mention that I have had enough of the guilt. I love reading all of my girlfriend’s blogs. In fact I am a closet blog reader. I read them every morning. It is just as important to me as brushing my teeth every day. I love hearing about their lives and keeping in touch. It makes me feel less distant and busy. So, I guess blogging is going to be the closest thing right now to journaling, so here I go.

First, some minor housekeeping details. Randy and I married in 2001 (seems like yesterday). We had our son Bradley Blake in 2003. He will turn four in March. We just had our little girl Claire Ada on November 20th of this year. She is all ready 5 weeks old. Time sure flies.

Randy is finishing his degree in Business at the University of Utah this year. We can’t wait. School has become this terminal syndrome in our house. We keep thinking that one day when we grow up……we will have…….and we will be making………and we won’t be renting anymore……. Well here we are six years later and approaching our thirties and I still feel like we are not grown up yet. Maybe that will come when he graduates. Until then we are really enjoying life. I am able to work part time at the University of Utah Hospital in the trauma Operating Room. Randy only has to work part time so we get to spend a lot of time together. I am so grateful for that. We sleep in when the kids allow. And we love to watch rented movies from Blockbuster online (Best thing ever). Not that we don’t enjoy going to the theater but having 2 kids really puts the brakes on that idea.

Life is good maybe Randy being a student is not so bad. Grown ups come with added responsibility. I defiantly don’t need more responsibility.

And one more note... Thanks to all my dear friends for inspiring me. Thank you for your insight and stories. It is great to have such great women to look up to. You are fabulous.