December

The month of December has gone by so fast... OK, every month goes by way too fast. We have had some fun times during this holiday season. Leila is now 6 months and growing so quickly. She has been sitting up on her own for a few weeks and does this cute little crawl thing working her way to actually crawling. She is wonderful eater and is getting so chunky. Orrin is as busy as ever and has the kindest heart. He loves Leila so much, the bond between the two of them melts my heart. Orrin is saying his prayers so well and loves church, which has been so neat to watch. Last weekend we were able to go down to Salt Lake with a few of Todd's brothers and sisters and his parents. We were also able to get together with one of Todd's mission companions and his family and even stay another day to spend more time with them. We have been very busy getting ready for Christmas and hope to post about it soon.

Orrin turns TWO!!

We celebrated Orrin's birthday almost two months ago and I am just barely posting about it. I don't really know why I fell out of the blogging world, but I'M BACK! He is so wonderful and the last two years have been so much fun with him. He definitely keeps me very busy and anyone entertained. We got the little guy a little Buzz motorized car since that is his favorite cartoon character. He has absolutely loved it especially when daddy is trying to go to bed. He also received many fun gifts from grandparents. He loved blowing out his candle and anytime I light a candle he sings himself happy birthday and blows it out. STINKER!! I was so pleased to see how all-knowing he was this year. He understood they were his presents and the day was to celebrate him. Orrin is so sweet and I enjoy watching him grow.

My Little Guy is Turning TWO

I can't believe Orrin is almost two. I love him so much and he has grown to be such a big boy. I remember when I found out I was pregnant with Orrin, it was such a happy day for me. From the beginning I knew the little one was going to be a boy, and sure enough he was. Orrin was always so active in my stomach the kid never stopped moving and it is the same today. I remember seeing him for the first time, I was such an emotional wreck. He made me a mommy, he looked so much like his daddy, and even after 14 hours of labor I was so grateful to see his beautiful face. He was such an easy baby and started sleeping through the night at 2 months (I know i'm spoiled.) He LOVES his Uncle Zachie, he just can't get enough of him. He grew up too fast and now he is stubborn, yet so loving. He tests my patience in every sense of the word, yet I know that is what I need. It takes him a while to warm up to new people, but when he does he is so funny to watch. Orrin talks so much, he loves to read, watch Toy Story and Elmo, and play outside with daddy. I can't wait to watch him grow even more. I love you Twinkle!!

Being A Mommy

Being a mommy has to be one of the hardest jobs out there. I love my children dearly and couldn't imagine my life any different, but it is difficult. It is difficult to look at an untidy house and knowing even if I clean it up it will be dirty in five minutes, I won't even mention the amount of laundry that piles up. It is difficult to have to shower with my two kids in tow... Orrin running between my feet whining because he got soap in his eyes and Leila crying because the water is splashing her as she sits in her bumbo. Difficult to be a human diaper and burp cloth, I can't even count the number of times I have been spit up on or pooped on. Difficult to not have time to get ready in the morning and at least look like I haven't been hit by a semi with Leila and Orrin in the drivers seat. Mommy hood is the most selfless thing any women can do. Every decision I have made is because of my kids because of my love for them. They are what make me happy and give me worth. I thought for sure two kids would be hard but it has actually been harder to feel as though I give them each enough time through out the day. I know that poor little Orrin spends a lot of time fighting for my attention as I feed Leila, burp Leila, change Leila's diaper and outfit a MILLION times a day, I know that Leila spends more time in her swing then I would like and I can't cuddle her all the time like I want to. I am so grateful I can stay at home with my children and I hope that they will grow to be great people. I hope they will always feel of my love and know that I can't say it enough. I hope that they will have strength in the gospel and know of their Heavenly Father's love, sometimes things get tough and things will always be a little easier with his guidance! To another day making selfless choices for my children.

Nearing Three Years

After three years of marriage we are finally getting around to get our pictures of our wedding. My brother-in-laws brother was kind enough to take our pictures at the temple. Life just took us in different directions and to be honest I forgot about the pictures. We moved into our new home and I have been wanting to put pictures up of not only us, but our kids. IT IS TIME!! Here are a few photos that I am having a hard time choosing from to go above our bed, please give me your input and let me know what you think.

Sweet Petite Stitches

Well, I have decided that I am going to start selling a few of the things I sew. Mainly beautiful hair bows, ruffled burp clothes, and tummy time quilts. I am super excited to get everything up and running and hope to have an etsy site and blog by Monday. I can't wait to show off some new things I have made. I plan to do a grand-opening give away so I'll make sure to keep you posted on how to enter and the great price you can win!!

My Sweet Leila

Leila is a little over two months old, it is so hard for me to believe. She has been such a great baby and we are so blessed to have her in our life's. She is truly a sweet spirit in our home and is always so calm in reminds us how simple life can be. She had her doctors appointment yesterday and that was hard for both of us because she had to get her shots. They gave her three shots as well as the rotovirus vaccine. She had such a hard time all day because her little legs hurt, she would wake up just screaming and the only thing that would calm her was a warm bath. She has grown so much and the car seat pictures (thanks Crystal and Racheal for the idea,) are proof. Leila weighed in at 11 lbs. 2 oz., 22 3/4 " long, and her head circumference was 15". It is funny to me how similar Orrin and Leila are, both head measurement and weight were the exact same and Orrin was only 1/4" taller than her. She has started to smile when you talk to her, especially when Todd does. She also loves her brother and just smiles whenever he tells her little stories or shows her his toys. I have a feeling they will be best friends. She has grown out of newborn diapers, but is still in her newborn clothes. Leila also loves to talk and coo at you, I love listening to her talk to daddy. She still fits nicely in her bassinet and I am thankful for that, not only does she fit but she sleeps ALL NIGHT in it without waking up. She hates being in her car/car seat, as long as it is moving she is ok in it, but once the car stops she screams even if she looked like she was sleeping. We started to put her in her bumbo and she loves it already just like Orrin did, I think it is because she gets to look around. Can't believe how quickly it has gone by, but boy do I love our sweet little girl. I'm excited to watch her little personality show through and share it with you.

My Sweet Babies

When Leila was just 12 days old I was able to meet with Jamie with Spin Design Graphics. I had a different photographer set up, but after she cancelled I was worried I wouldn't find anyone else. Luckily I found Jamie and she was willing to fit me in. Leila had been sleeping so well so I figured it would be a quick and easy thing and boy was I wrong. Leila would not fall asleep and it seemed like anytime we got her just right to snap a shot she would wake up. She was able to get a few shots of her without her diaper while I held her, and then of course she pooped just a few minutes later all down me and onto the background Jamie had set up. I was so embarrassed, but I cleaned it up and we moved on. Jamie had the neatest ideas and little poses. I am so sad I didn't invest in a good photographer for Orrin's newborn shots. I posted a few shots for you to see, I can't wait to have these pictures displayed. Here is her link if anyone is interest www.spindesignphotographics.com

Orrin vs. The Hose

I have absolutely enjoyed summer this year. Orrin is a riot when he is outside. He loves to go "wimming," and asks me almost every morning to call his Uncle Zachie and go get in the pool. A couple days ago, I was working on finishing up the bed so I decided to put up his little pool, hand over the hose to Orrin, bring Leia outside to enjoy the summer breeze, and well ENJOY SUMMERTIME! He was so funny to watch once he realized that there was water he could drink if he positioned the hose just right, as you can tell by the pictures it didn't turn out so well for Orrin but he could care less. Leila loves being outside even though she is always sleeping, for some reason if she is fussy and I take her out on the porch she calms down. We also went to the fair/parade yesterday and Orrin fell asleep on the way in. We thought for sure he would miss the whole thing, but as soon as the fire trucks went by with the sirens he woke up. We didn't let me him stand by the road, but he did eat his share of candy and played with his cousin Gabe. At the fair he loved to pet the pigs, but wouldn't pet the cows. I unfortunately left the camera out in the car so I didn't get any pictures of that, but I will sometime this week when we go again.

The BIG BOY BED!!

So after much contemplation on buying or making a toddler bed, I finally dove head first into plans I found at knock-offwood.com. It was much cheaper and I had the experience of doing it on my own (with a little help from a family friend,) WE DID IT!! I finished it up today and put it in Orrin's room and he loves it. I am hoping he will now move from the blow-up mattress he is currently sleeping on (darn camping trip,) to his new bed fairly easily. It honestly is the cutest little toddler bed I have seen and one day I will get a cute little quilt to put on top. Todd has decided that we are going to start making them and selling them so if anyone would like one please let me know!!! Above are the pictures.

Leila's Blessing

We blessed our sweet little girl this weekend and I was so excited. I couldn't wait to put on her dress, her cute little shoes my friend made (by the way her website is on the side of my page go check it out,)and most importantly listen to her daddy bless her with all she needs. I love listening to Todd when he says a prayer, talks of the gospel, and give our children blessing. His strength he has in the gospel inspires me daily to learn as much as I can learn and live the life I should. Anyways, he did such a fantastic job that brought tears to my eyes. Leila was so sweet and Todd said she only got a little fussy towards the end. Afterwards we took a few pictures outside the church and headed to our house to have lunch. We put together a little picnic feast, my mother-in-law brought some delicious pulled pork and baked beans, I made potato salad, a fruit cocktail salad, and cut up some watermelon... It was YUMMY! I wish I had taken pictures of the lunch but was too busy running around. It was a wonderful, blessed day as we all have the chance to watch this little girl grow. I honestly can't believe she is 5 weeks old. It has gone by so fast, and even seeing the pictures of her as a newborn makes me miss that. She has been such a sweet spirit in our home and gives us reason to always smile. We are so thankful that we are entrusted to raise her and take care of her well-being. We know that she will be all that she can be. I put some pictures above of our sweet Leila.

It's A Campout

On July 23rd, we headed of to go camping at Redfish Lake. We were unsure if Todd was even going to be able to go so I hadn't been planning for it, so as soon as we found out I got my lists together and got stared on packing. We went last year with Orrin and it was a lot easier to pack for a 10 month old then it is to pack for TWO children, one of those being a newborn. We were very lucky to get to stay in a camper trailer from 1985, The Taurus, but I think that was more difficult then just packing up a tent and heading out. Friday morning rolled around and I had everything packed... I thought... as we got on the road pulling this camper trailer which didn't make things easy Todd asked if I had sleeping bags and pillows, UMM NOOO! Who needs those things when camping anyways, so after getting in a little trouble Todd turned the trailer around and we headed back 3/4 of a mile to get just what I forgot. On the road again we once were headed on the two hour drive with trailer in tow. I was so excited to finally make it up there, Leila slept the ENTIRE time and Orrin was the best he has ever been on a ride in the car. We stopped at the cabin had lunch and headed to Redfish to set-up. Todd got the tent set up that him and Orrin would sleep in, while I managed to get 7 mosquito bites on one arm in that time. I got Leila and my blow up mattress set on top of the dining room table in the Taurus. We soon slathered on the sun screen and headed down to the rocky beach to play in the cold water and bask in the sun. This is how we spent the next two days. Playing in the sun, catching minnows, eating until we were stuffed, sitting around the camp fire singing PUNK to my brother-in-law rocking it on the acoustic guitar, and me getting my blood sucked by those darn mosquitoes. It was a wonderful weekend and I was sad to load up and head back knowing that was probably the only time we would go camping this year. I added a few pictures of the trip, but didn't take as many as I wanted.