SO...since we had a crazy wee we knew that we would have a crazy week getting the house clean and getting the kids back on their schedules but we never thought it would be like this! We are all sick with a cold so that makes us tired and grumpy. Because of that we aren't cleaning like we wanted too and just eating junk which makes us feel worse. I don't think any of us have been sleeping well at all. Atti has been doing really well although he is fussy from the cold and whenever he gets in trouble he begs for his bumpuh (Grandpa). Nix is a real handful this week. She is little Miss Negotiator and Miss Fits when she doesn't get her way. She usually shares really well but she keeps saying that she doesn't want to share. They aren't eating what I make and then they fuss for food but they don't even know what they want. Ugh. I wish there was a way to detox her of the goodies and how spoiled she got this week. Oh well. Good news though...She kept her diaper dry for the first time last night and Atti went in the potty for the first time. I think I'll leave the diaper off her tonight and see how that goes. With Atti...I have been using cloth diapers so I will just go with the flow and see if he shows more interest. Brandon is taking a half day today and tomorrow off. I am excited to relax with him. What's funny is that even though he's been working I feel like we've been together constantly because he's not in school till next week. WooHoo!! In a way I want him to take a semester off for the arrival of the baby and Budgets at work but he won't. I know that the hard work will pay off in the end but for now it's hard. So about the pregnancy/baby... He/She is measuring 2 weeks too big which is what Nix was at this time. In the end she was 4 weeks too big. I will be excited to have another big baby like her! I feel pretty good except for morning sickness a few times a week and I'm tired. My appetite is kicking in so I'm getting big fast! I love it! We decided not to get the second ultrasound unless problems arise so we are trying to find both boy and girl names. Here is where we are at... Brinna Kate or Edison, Baron, Errol...(Joseph might be a middle name) The name Brinna is so perfect but we are having a hard time with the boys name. I thought of Baron last night and I love it! It means nobleman or free warrior. It reminds me that we are of noble birth and that he is a Son of God. Brinna is kinda a play on my name. When you say Brittany fast it sounds like Brinny. I have always hated that the TT sound is silent so I put a twist on it and came up with Brinna. Pretty! I'm so excited to have to baby! I am already nesting and getting the room ready. All of the neutral clothes are in the baby's dresser and there's a box of boy/girl clothes that is sorted for when we get home from the hospital! Phoenix was fussing that she wanted the baby to come out (probably because she thought we were taking the baby out at the last Dr. appt). I told her that if the baby comes it will have to stay in the hospital and she was not happy about that. She said that she wants the baby to come live with us so that the baby can share a bed with her! How cute! She keep telling me to help the baby grow so that it can come out!

Happy Birthday Atticus!

OnDec 18th Atti turned 2! He has been so wonderful to have in our lives. His silly personality and his big bear hugs make my world!

Our Christmas...These pics are out of order so I'll give you a rundown of our wonderful week! on the 20th we went to Rainier to visit with My sister Jennifer's family and Brayton James (my bro) was there visiting before he goes on his mission on Jan 5. We had a great time and the kids were thrilled to be with their cousins! We left there and stayed one night with Brandon's parents before we got home on the night of the 23rd. We got the kids to bed that night and for the first time ever we were able to put presents under the tree. When the kids got up the next morning I was already awake because I was SO excited about my big secret gift for Brandon so I decided to get started on Christmas Eve breakfast. I told the kids to wake up Daddy so we can open presents! They were confused and didn't want to wake him up. I'm not sure they understand presents yet. We got him up (as you see in the video) and we opened presents. After that we had a yummy breakfast. Brandon's parents and brothers soon came and we were opening more presents. After that we used the little wooden Nativity that I got to tell that story and we watched "The Nativity". We then had doughnuts and watched "The Grinch". What a fun day!! The next day we went to Pullman to have Christmas with Brandon's sister and her family. We had a great time there but got tuckered out quickly from all the traveling. The kids had a great time playing with Carson and Tino. We had a great turkey dinner (the turkey Brandon won for the Turkey Shoot during Thanksgiving). We left that night and Brandon's parents and brothers came back with us to spend Sunday and Monday morning with us. Oh yeah and we gave talks on Sunday. Whew! What a great week but I'm ready for a nap!!

belly pic

This is my belly at 21 weeks!! Cute Huh!! I really feel blessed that I am pregnant with my 3rd and still looking good! I have been using the elliptical almost every weekday and it has made a big difference in my energy level although my hip hurts some days. I was getting bloated too and I think it helped with that too. I have my weight gain goal and am sure I'll gain much more then that but today I look and feel great! In the past, gaining too much weight had been really hard on me so I hope to avoid it.

This week in stories

During breakfast Phoenix was talking about Spongebob. She has never seen the show but has seen toys at the store. I told her that Spongebob is kinda gross and we don't watch his shows. She put on her most dramatic voice and said, "Mom, I LIKE Spongebob. He's my best friend!" I said, "Phoenix I think you're being a little dramatic about this." She then replied, "I am NOT being dramatic! And daddy never comes to preschool with me and Atti sometimes hurts my feelings!" I immediately thought of the Romeo and Juliet situation I have going on between her and Spongebob and realized that it won't be the last time we have this conversation. To explain this next story you have to know a little about our dishwasher. It is a dish scrubber. We put the nastiest dishes in it and they are perfect when they come out! Woo Hoo! Ok so I was doing the dishes when the phone rang. I left to answer and when I came back I saw a sight that made me gag! Atti was eating food off the bottom of the dishwasher!!! Did I say that we can't get him to eat...EVER! He won't eat cheese, beans, crust of bread, vegetables, mixed food (like casseroles), etc... A couple weeks ago Brandon got a bike from a friend. We just had to fix it up and wait till the snow is gone and he'll be able to ride it to work. We put it behind the couch till we could decide where to put it. One day I couldn't find Atti and I found him behind the couch with a mouth full of bolts and pieces from the bike...ugh! Last week after I got out of the shower I smelled fire. I thought it was funny but didn't really worry a lot till Nix said, "We are picking up the fire things." I looked over and there were matches all over. Angels must have been watching over us that day!!

A loaded post...

Last month we did the silly quad screen for the baby because I didn't want to do the 20 week ultrasound so we figured we'd do a blood test to check for problems. Well it came back that the baby might have Downs Syndrome. We learned that going to a specialist would only tell us if the baby had a 20% chance without an amniocentesis then we weren't going to do it. The prenatal care and delivery will be the same for a DS baby but after the baby is born it will be much different then a normal baby. So with all of this we decided that we weren't going to bother with it and not even worry. A 5% chance is not going to get me up in arms, right? So I've read a bunch of books and will look forward to a DS baby or not. We havn't decided if we are going to get a regular ultrasound or not. I am leaning to not getting it because we have to pay a lot for it. Other news...the moles are ok. No cancer! The semester is winding down and after today Brandon only has one final then we get to see him for 3 weeks!! Woo Hoo!!

the new place

a few pics

Thanksgiving appetizers...YUM!!

The kids now have a art area! They love it!

We had a really cool FHE. We just got Netflix so I wanted to teach them about media but didn't know how to make it fun and understandable. So we talked about if there were bugs in our food we wouldn't eat it. We talked about the things in movies that are good and the things that are bad. Everyone got to pics a "plate" and "eat the food" and if there was a bug we would say, "EWE!! DON'T eat that!!" They loved it and we played over and over! We then had pudding with oreos and worms for dessert! YUM!

I stayed up late to watch a movie and saw this when it was over. CUTE!! They had a little sleepover!

Atti must not have wanted to nap but way trying to be obedient when he fell asleep by the door. Awww...

Atti's words

eh dant - elephant uh dup - I want a cup bank - blanket ah too - thank you Attix - Phoenix Mom - Dad Attis - Atticus you, hey - Hello! Hey! (whenever he talks on the phone) uhwella - gorilla watah - water cahs - cars ah show - I want to watch a movie dah boke - it's broken ah dow - I want up hoe due - I want you to hold me (hold you is what he's really saying)

Cancer...

Today I went to the Dr and got 3 moles taken off and I will get the results in a week. There was one that he was really worried about but took the other 2 just in case. My friend's brother died of melanoma and she had a melanoma taken off recently and she urged me to get mine checked. I'm glad that I did too. So...how did it go... I get there and had to wait a while. I wasn't really nervous till the Dr came in. Then for some reason I got really nervous. The numbing shot was SO painful. Especially the one on the bottom of my foot. I ended up getting so nervous that I had the shivers. From then on it wasn't too bad until... They were all done and left the room so that I could get dressed. I looked at the floor and there was blood dripping everywhere. I guess the stitches already tore. He had to do it again but luckily I was already numb. I guess I never thought I would need to get moles taken off. I am young and not a tanner. I am not covered in moles either. But I guess anyone can get it. I have joined a melanoma group on facebook and read of young people getting it all the time. So the moral of the story is...GET YOUR MOLES CHECKED!!

I'm grumpy. I hate being grumpy. Every little thing is being added on to the pile and that is why I'm grumpy. If I weren't grumpy then my pile wouldn't be added on to but things would be disappearing. See...so if I weren't grumpy then I wouldn't be grumpy. But, Because I AM grumpy...I am grumpy.

Thankful

I am thankful for my family, our health, Brandon's job, our home, the food we eat, the Gospel, technology, my talents, beautiful skies, friends, motherhood maternity, a car, heat, disposable diapers and other toiletries if you know what I mean, a dishwasher, snuggles, my pregnancy, the phone, the scriptures, revelation, Kalyn's Kitchen, Christmas lights and music, shoes, doctors, BYUI, double yolker eggs, hide and seek, photography, craigslist and thrift stores, In-Laws, my YW Leaders growing up, Cars the movie, Sisters, our Founding Fathers, babies, McDonalds Bacon Ranch Salad, smiles and giggles...

30 Things About Me

1. I love it when it's cold so I can sit on the couch with a blanket 2. Candy Corn is my favorite. 3. I secretly wish I knew how to dance. 4. Dinner is eaten here at 4:00 most days. 5. I love water...to drink that is...swimming...not so much. 6. I love kittens and puppies but get bored of them when they're mine. 7. Home Shopping Network is my weakness although I never buy. 8. The first thing I do after getting dressed is make my bed. 9. My mom is my best friend. 10. I like white walls. 11. When I grow up I want to be a nurse. 12. I am hopelessly inlove with Brandon...kinda obsessed. 13. I have no clue what my decorating style is. 14. My toes are chubby and I've always wanted pretty feet. 15. My favorite music is Christmas Music. 16. Candles and Lotions aren't my thing. 17. Heating Healthy isn't as easy and yummy but I do it because I have to. 18. I dream about spiders. 19. Watching movies isn't my favorite thing...just a waste of time. 20. The way to my heart is through my stomach. 21. I'm allergic to strawberries. 22. I am the middle child...of 11. 23. Yellow is my favorite color. 24. I play the trumpet. 25. When we go out to eat I always order the same thing, Burger and Fries. 26. Jesus Christ is the reason for my joy. 27. I'm very afraid of heights. Even 5 feet...ugh! 28. Board games! 29. I was a Cosmetologist, Dental Assistant and Nurse Assistant. 30. I make the yummiest Apple Pie EVER!

SO we are moved into our new place and I already love it. There are a few things that we miss like the wood stove and our Kali dog but there are also things that we don't like driving so far to get to Walmart! We have already been able to go to the park a few times, have dinner with neighbors, walk to the grocery store, and go to the library! The apartment is a nice size but I can't believe how much stuff we have collected!! I feel like going through the whole house and throwing everything away! UGH! Unpacking has been slower then usual because of that. I don't want to unpack and put away anything that I don't want around here. I already made a drop off at the thrift store yesterday. I'll be excited when it's all done and we can relax. Tomorrow and Saturday I will head over to the house and begin cleaning it out...ugh! I truly appreciate all those who helped us out when we moved from Rexburg because they cleaned so well. This time we will be doing it ourselves and I know it will take over 5 hours! ick! Other then that we are doing pretty well. I still have morning sickness at 17 weeks which is not normal for me and no fun. I have gained 9 lbs total (7 by my scale) and am really excited about that. People still can't really tell I'm pregnant sometimes. I have to have some moles removed next week and I'm really nervous about that. The Dr is worried about 2 so we'll see what happens. Brandon is hitting the final few weeks of school and I can tell he's getting stressed although he hasn't talked about it to me. He still finds the energy to take such good care of us when he gets home at night. Phoenix is acting kinda strange lately. She is hoarding everything. It's hard for me to watch because she refuses to share and Atti usually gives up, sad. On a good note...she is communicating really well. I can't believe all of the conversations we have. And her immagination is crazy! I love it! Atti is going through a fussy time. Teeth? Growing? Terrible 2's? Either way he spends a lot of time fussing. Right now both of the kids have a cold so they are both fussy. So there you have it. Us.

The Land Before Time

Rooter: Hey! What's going on here?

[Littlefoot starts crying]

Rooter: What's your problem? You're not hurt.

Littlefoot: It's not fair! She should have known better! That was Sharptooth! It's all her fault.

Rooter: All who's fault?

Littlefoot: Mother's!

Rooter: Oh. I see. I see.

Littlefoot: Why'd I wander so far from home?

Rooter: Oh, it's not your fault. It's not your mother's fault. Now, you pay attention to old Rooter. It is nobody's fault. The Great Circle of Life has begun, but, you see, not all of us arrive together at the end now.

Littlefoot: What if I do? I miss her so much.

Rooter: And you'll always miss her. But she'll always be with you, as long as you remember the things she taught you. In the way, you'll never really be apart, for you're still a part of each other.

Littlefoot: My tummy hurts.

Rooter: Well, that, too, will go in time, little fella. Only in time.

This is from The land before time and I love it. His words are such wisdom!

Packing and belly pics...

Since we are moving on Saturday I've been packing like crazy...which means the kids have been bored. I have been trying to let them help and make it fun for them. They like having boxes all over to climb on and color all over! Also...I am 16 weeks pregnant!! Time sure is flying this time and it'll probably fly by with the Holidays coming up! Sad because this might be the last pregnancy but good because I can't wait to see my little one. I had Brandon take pics of me because I havn't gained a whole lot of weight (we'll find out tomorrow exactly how much) and I feel great. I also get a new pair of jeans from Motherhood and I LOVE THEM! I bought them extra tight so that when they stretch they will stay up. I know that I'll have to buy another pair in 2 or 3 months but it's worth it to not have to tug at my jeans all day long.

So many firsts...

First time feeling my baby kick First time Atti has tried to cut his hair First time Nix called 911...yes the police did drive 45 minutes to get there! Yes we have had a crazy day! Especially after the phone call I got yesterday saying that we could move into our new apartment on Friday! Yes I'm packing like crazy and stressing a little bit too.

Jennifer sent me this...I thought it was interesting because we call Phoenix Nix and Nixie Encyclopedia nixie in Germanic mythology, a water being, half human, half fish, that lives in a beautiful underwater palace and mingles with humans by assuming a variety of physical forms (e.g., that of a fair maiden or an old woman) or by making itself invisible. One of three attributes may betray the disguises of nixes: they are music lovers and excellent dancers, and they have the gift of prophecy. Usually malevolent, a nix can easily be propitiated with gifts. In some regions, nixes are said to abduct human children and to lure people into deep water to drown. According to some sources, nixes can marry human beings and bear human children.

Thanksgiving Cards

We made Thanksgiving cards for the Grandparents today! They turned out SO cute. We traced the kids hands to make the Turkey feathers! Nix was so excited, she wanted to make more and more! Atti was just excited about scissors. This was the first time I have let him use them and he picked it up really quickly...too quickly. Happy Thanksgiving! I am excited about every holiday with my little family because every year we try new things and make new traditions. We'll see what this year brings! I have been thinking about making a Thankful Book where we all write what we are thankful for. We'll see...

Dear Brandon, You work so hard. You spend your day rasking your brain at work and school putting in longer days then you ever have before, then you come home and take care of us and things that need to be done around the house. You really are carrying us on your back these days since I have been struggling. So, yesterday I asked you a question, "Brandon...what can I do around here to make things easier for you?" Your reply, "I'll have to get back to you on that!" I know exactly what you're thinking, "Wow, that's a loaded question. Anything I say will hurt her feelings and make her feel that she doesn't do enough around here." This is what I meant to say... I do a lot around here but I want to make sure it's the things that you like seeing when you come home. If you don't like extravagant meals then I'll put my energy elsewhere. If you love it when the kitchen table is clean I will try to do it before you come home. Don't get crazy though...I'm not a 1950's mom who can do everything. I will try. I love you.

Atti...

On Saturday after I put Atti down for a nap I heard a little fist knocking at his door. I immediately knew that it couldn't be good. I put him back into his crib and told him that he needs to stay there till I get him out. I then heard more knocking at the door. He would not nap. I finally asked him if he wanted to sleep in Nixie's bed and he said yes so that is where he has been napping. So... tonight we turned his crib into a toddler bed and he is sleeping his first night in a big boy bed. Strange to think that my little almost 2 year old is a big boy now. Sad but great in so many ways. I knew that being pregnant Iwould need to help Nix and Atti prepare for the baby. I feel that they are getting closer and playing together a lot better lately and also becomming very independant. I am happy because my biggest fear is that I won't have enough arms for all three...and I won't. I know Brandon fears that too.

Pregnancy... I am still sick at 14 weeks (technically tomorrow I'll be 14). I am more tired that I remember ever being. I feel like I just woke up, in a daze, almost all day. I feel big and bloated. I don't want to eat ever again! Ugh...can you tell I'm ready to be feeling good again? I am craving fish and vegetables and water though. I have eaten so much celery and lettuce this week! I don't know why but veggies are the only things that don't make me sick. My cravings are a lot like they were when I was pregnant with Phoenix. I remember feeling really sick and only wanting veggies. Bread and Pasts are the worst! Sweets too...I get sick from just one bite. I always think I want chocolate then after the first bite I realize that an orange would be much better. Hopefully this goes away soon!!!

Belly pic!

It's likely that I have the 2 cutest kids ever...so far. Here is what they look like today. This is my belly. Yes I am not supposed to be showing yet at 13 weeks but I am and I did with Atti too! I kinda like it because I love people knowing that I'm pregnant! I don't like it because it makes me feel fat...as you can see though...it's clearly not fat. This week we got a sticker book from Grandma Diane (my Aunt). The kids love them and were so cute when they played with them. They shared really well!