She's 1

The cliché is true: Babies grow up so fast! Wasn't I just pregnant yesterday?

Nope It's been a whole freaking year!

(Mostly just me freaking!)

It truly has been such a blessing to have little Emma in our lives this past year.

She has brought so much joy to our lives. Just look how much she has changed from month to month. I don't know how we ever lived without her. She is perfect!

For her birthday, I decided to have a winter ONE-derland theme.

And the weather played into my theme perfectly by snowing the morning of the party!

We had a Taco Soup bar and a Hot Chocolate bar. Yummm!

I failed to take pictures of the taco soup bar and the adorable

snowflake cupcakes, But it was all delish!

Emma didn't waste anytime getting into her cupcake.

James blew out her candle just in time before she grabbed it! Strong work Daddy!

I also failed to take a full picture of her in her cute dress before she ruined it.

The high chair hides the cute skirt.

I love you Emma Grace! Watching you learn and grow this year has been so much fun!

Halloween

The weather this year was unheard of. The kids got to Trick-or-Treat in nice weather. Then the next day it snowed. I am thankful that mother nature decided to wait just one more day than usual this year.

James ran his traditional half marathon.

He beat his personal goal and I am very proud of him. He is getting fast! I am never going to catch up with him.

He ran with some friends from his Fire Department. He also talked my sister-in-law to run with him. Although she didn't finish the run, she inspires me to be a better person. She was so close! She did an amazing job. I am proud of her for trying to run. My husband is always wishing he had more people to run with him and with out fear, she gave it a shot. I don't think she will know how much that meant to my husband.

We then decided to take the kids to the Aquarium. Yes, Bella did have 2 costumes this year. In my defense, 1 was intended for next year because I got them on a super sweet deal. But she was excited (as was I ) and couldn't wait to put them on. The queen she only wore to the Aquarium, so she can wear that next year still!

The pirate she wore everywhere possible.

She only would respond when I called her Izzy.

She was Izzy from Jake and the Neverland Pirates.

We got lazy this year and painted pumpkins.

I also took the girls to a place called Red Butte Gardens...Several times. (Again, I had coupons!) The girls got to have some playtime with their friends. Aren't they soooo adorable?!?!

I took about a billion pictures of Halloween but it's late and i am trying to make this post short so I can go to bed before Emma wakes.

Yes she is almost a year old and still not sleeping through the night. Poor me right!

First Day of Preschool

My baby is no longer a baby. She started the big times....Preschool!

I never understood why parents cried while dropping their kids off for school, until now....

I was just fine with her going to school. It never even crossed my mind to cry. I got Bella dressed, did her hair, her back pack on, and she said, "How do I look?" and I lost it! Completely started crying. Bella told me not to cry cuz I will still see her when she is old. Which made me cry even more because she was so mature to try to sooth her mother's fear's.

I walked her into her class and put her name tag on, and found the place she hangs her backpack and she didn't even want to say good bye! She was to busy playing and making new friends. So I forced her to give me a hug and I left... Got into the truck and I broke down again, crying so hard I couldn't breathe. (It's making me cry right now just thinking about it!) I tried calling James to tell him I was upset about her going to school but he couldn't understand what I was saying through my sobbing.

Here are some of her teacher's.

I really like the school I picked for her, except most kids started school a month ago.

I feel like this should be old news.

There are so many teacher's it's a 2-1 ratio.

Such a grown up.

I can't believe how big she is getting!!!

And here is a picture of the day you were born, just because I wish you could stay little, a little longer.

I love you Isabella!

I hope you have an easy and fun time in school.

Road Trip!

When we were talking about a vacation this year we thought....

More camping?

Always a good time but we needed a change of scenery.

So we jumped into the car and drove 5 hours to Vegas.

The next day, we decided Vegas wasn't the scenery we were looking for and we drove another 5 hours to Oceanside California. My parents were staying there already and we thought we would crash their vacation.

Ooooh how I missed the beach. It was such a perfect vacation.

Even after the multiple hours in the car, the girls were still such angels. Well as long as I let Bella jump on the bed at each new hotel, she was happy. And really besides fornicating what else are hotel beds for?

The first night we had dinner at a restaurant on the beach. You may have heard of the place, Joe's Crab Shack. It was the first time I had been there so I felt like I was really trying new things on our trip. I even had shrimp!

It had a great view of the sunset and that's really all I needed.

The second day we spent most of our time on the beach and exploring and shopping.

We had a BBQ on the beach. That was some good wholesome family fun!

The 3rd, and last day, we went to San Diego. We went to a little place called Sea World.

Anyone who knows me, knows of my obsession with Dolphins and Whales. I was in heaven there. But I even have to say for the price they pay...I think Disneyland or even Lego Land would have been a better choice. Still pretty impressive those mammals. My parents came with us and it was nice to see them on our vacation. After Sea World we had more BBQ'N to do on the beach.

The drive home we decided to stay in lovely Mesquite NV. I know it's pretty ghetto but it's closer to home and doesn't have naked billboards everywhere which is a plus in my book. Who would have thought that the nicest hotel and beds we slept in would be in Mesquite.

I kinda want to go back to Mesquite (without the kids next time) and hit up the spa they had.

Maybe even get crazy and hit some slot machines!

I just can't get enough of the sunsets we got to witness....Insane.

It was a much needed Vay-K-tion. We had so much fun.

Emma even slept through the night, I guess she just sleeps better near the ocean too.

8 Months

Emma Grace is 8 months today.

Man that really went fast!

She has her 2 bottom teeth.

She is crawling everywhere.

I think I have my house cleaned, and she will prove me wrong finding something else to put in her mouth.

She will pull herself up on the couch and

let go. Then she realizes what she did and make herself fall.

Her smile is infectious.

She makes me so happy!

Bella's 4

My sweet girl turned 4 this month!

(And somehow the day she turned 4 she got a much bigger attitude)

Here are some highlights from her party.

We had a Tangled/Rapunzel theme.

We rented a pavilion at a local fishing pond. I wanted to do it at the pond because we bought floating lanterns and I wanted it to look like in the movie when they were in the boat.

(plus I didn't want the clean up at my house)

But the weather didn't play nice and rained the entire party. So we were unable to light off the lanterns. Maybe one of these days we will get around to lighting them off.

We had a good turn out of people even though it rained.

Some didn't come in fear they would melt I guess :)

We decided to get lazy and buy a cake this year.

It was super cute and yummy!

I felt guilty about not making a cake so I decided to try a Rice Crispy treat tower.

Got the idea from this website here.

I thought it turned out pretty cute...

Until this happened.

I guess Rice Crispy's don't like to be in the rain either.

This is where we would have lit off the lanterns.

The kids still took advantage of the fishing and didn't let a little rain stop them.

And as the guest were leaving, God gave them this sweet send off.

All in all, It was a good party. I stressed to much over it, and it was over to quickly.

I also spent way to much time on party favors and then in the end I forgot to give them to the kids.

HA! Serves me right for stressing over stupid things.

Happy Birthday sweet girl! You are my sunshine and make me so happy everyday!

Staying busy

My mind feels very scrambled this whole week.

We have had a very hard week. James' mom passed away, more on that once I can get my feelings and thoughts in check.

I have so much to blog about and I don't know where to begin.

So this post is just going to be everything thrown at you at once.

We have been trying to keep very busy this week.

Highlights of the little time we spent in St.Anthony's Dunes

We went inside a real Volcano.

You can swim year round and the water is 90-96 degrees.

Pretty cool!

Random pics of us staying busy.

Have I ever told you how amazing my husband is?

Well if you don't know this already, he is!

Saturday he ran the Utah Valley Marathon.

26.2 Miles!!!

He did an amazing job.

Thank you to my family that came to support him.

He really needed the support this year. Thank you!

We took the girls swimming.

Emma's first time swimming, and she LOVED it.

We took Bella to her first, Salt Lake Real Soccer game.

James got free tickets and we have been telling Bella we will take her when the weather warmed up.

Little did we know that it would still be winter at the end of May.

(Stupid unpredictable Utah weather!)

The day was nice and so we decided that was the day to take her, Then all of a sudden a monsoon hit and drenched us. We left at half time because Bella got way to cold. She said she wants to go again so we got tickets again and hopefully the next game we pick mother nature will play nice.

Pink Fire Trucks!!!!!

They travel the country and let everyone sign the trucks.

Bella said she wants to be a firefighter now like Daddy but, She has to be able to drive the pink truck.

We also went to the Salt Lake Bee's Baseball game. But I wasn't smart enough to bring my camera. Like I said, I've got scrambled brain right now.

Typical bedtime

Bella has learned in her short life that she, (like any other kid) can drag out the bedtime process quite a bit. Usually I threaten to sell her to the gypsies but since I was in a good mood today I found it very funny and thought I would track what she did and share her typical routine.

8:30

Me: "Bella, it's bedtime."

Bella: "Can I play for just one more minute?"

8:45

Me: "OK, Bella. Times up."

Bella: "But mom, I didn't get to play very long."

8:48

Bella: "Mom, I can't pick a pair of Jammie's. Will you help me?"

8:50

Bella: "Can I just come with you to pick out Emma's Jammie's?"

Me: "You can go potty and get a drink and meet me downstairs."

Bella: "But I don't have to potty!!!"

9:00

Me: "OK, Emma is ready for bed. Go pick your story and brush teeth."

9:10

Bella: "Just one more story mom?!?! Please, you tell the best stories."

9:15

Me: "Okay, That's it do you need anything? Drink? Potty? Rapunzel doll?"

Bella: "No, Mommy. I love you. Night."

Shut the door....

9:16

Bella: "Mom, I can't find Rapunzel!!"

9:17

Bella: "Mom, I forgot to go potty!"

9:20

Bella:"Mom, I need a drink!!!!"

Me: No! You told me you don't need anything. So you are not getting a drink. You need to get that before you get into bed."

Shut the door.....

9:21

Bella: "Mommy, won't give me a drink. E-I-E-I-O. I am so thirsty. E-I-E-I-O. Mommy, won't give me a drink. E-I-E-I-O. Mommy, won't give me a drink. E-I-E-I-O"

Then she switches her tune

"Yo Ho, Yo Ho. A thirsty life for me!"

9:40

She is still singing about her mean old Mommy.

Me: "OKAY! JUST ONE DRINK!"

And somewhere around 10:00

Her and Rapunzel pass out, and look like this sweet angel!

Isn't she so precious when she is sleeping?!

Softball

James started playing softball with the FD team.

Their first game was 3 weeks ago.

They lost. But doesn't he look super hot anyway?!

The score was something like 16-0

Then the rain came so me and the girls sat in the truck while they got beat even more. I'm not sure what the final score was.

Me and Bella found ways to entertain ourselves....

Week 2: I think the score was 12-0.....Again they got their butts kicked, not as bad though.

Week 3: Rain saved them from a butt kicking this week.

On to Week 4: I have high hopes

Stay at home Mom VS. Firefighting

Me and James were talking this morning about our jobs we have now.

We found out that our jobs are really not that different.

For example.....

• We both make a difference in someones life
• The pay really isn't that great for either job
• There is a siren (or loud screaming baby) That wakes you up abruptly in the middle of the night
• It's really hard work
• We both will find ourselves dealing with dirty and hazardous material
• We both can make good use out of rubber gloves
• We witness Trauma/Tantrums at times
• You sleep, eat, shower, and go to the restroom always in a rush, cuz you know you won't have a lot of time.
• There is constant training involved
• We've lost all sense of what a "weekend" really is due to our crazy schedule
• We both have a sense of pride and fulfillment in our career

On a side note.....

James was sworn into the FD!

Woot Woot!!! I'm so proud of him!

Taste the Rainbow

I decided to bring James a treat.

Really it was just an excuse to see him while he was at the Fire Department.

I wanted to do something St. Patrick's Day themed and got the idea from Family Fun.

When I told James what I was making he was worried people would start to question his sexuality but when he saw them he liked them and appreciated the effort.

The top picture I was trying to take it out of the pan and the top fell off.

The bottom picture I had to cut open, I was curious about the colors.

Now I just need to think of something to make for St. Patrick's day dinner.

Life as we know it.

I haven't blogged in a while and thought ya'll might want to know what we have been up to.

Here is the short version.

Emma continues to cover the world in drool.

I got a new hair style.

Bella got a job.

James turned to cannibalism.

Super "one handed" Mom

Emma will sit in her little chair for about 2.4 seconds

and then she wants to be held.

So lately I have been carting Emma on my hip and learning how to do things one handed.

Here is a short list of things that I can now do “one-handed” aka with Emma in tow.

• Take off my husbands Firefighter hat.
• Put in my contacts. (I was so surprised I could do this.)
• Play Barbies.
• Make cereal or a Peanut Butter Sandwich.
• Dishes/Vacuum/Mop
• Put on make-up. This has been interesting just go with it if my makeup looks like Bella did it. (sometimes it might have been Bella actually)
• Make bottles. Obviously this was the FIRST thing I learned to master with one hand.
• Update Facebook. Again, Very necessary.
• Read a book to Bella. (She helps me change the pages sometimes.)
• I haven't actually tried this but I probably could climb a mountain, cuz I am unstoppable!
• Write this entire blog post.

I just ordered a baby sling online so I can have my hands free.

James said I won't use it that often, but I will prove him wrong!

Steak anyone?

This probably isn't something new to you but it is to me. I just found out they really have this. It was made in 2008 so I am pretty sure I have just been living in a sheltered life.

It's Meatwater.

It offers the needy consumer such delectable flavors as Beef Stroganof, Dirty Hot Dog, Chicken Teriyaki, Hungarian Goulash and Fish N Chips.

I’m guessing to get satisfaction from all these flavors, you’d definitely have to remove your tongue.

I love Vitamin Water but I am not sure I would try even one one these flavors. Maybe the Beef Jerky. HAHA

They even have a song. Check out the other flavors here. Maybe it's something I could get used to, Might be good if I went on a diet. That way I could taste meat without the calories. But I'm guessing not.

Bon Appétit!

Learning as I go.

I Just can't get enough of those 2 faces!!!

I have been a mom for 3 1/2 years now. I am not going to pretend that I know what I am doing by now. Because I don't. I have however come to some realizations.

1-It's ok to take care of yourself first sometimes. If you have to go to the bathroom, it's alright to let the baby cry for 1 min or maybe 2. She won't die from crying.

2- 10 second rule can sometimes even turn into a 30 second rule.

3- Cleaning the house before Bella goes to bed is like shoveling the driveway before it stops snowing.

4- Play Hide N' Seek with your kids, especially when you need 5 mins to yourself.

5- I think Emma loves to pee when you take off her diaper just so she can have 3 baths a day. (Just more of a warning if you ever watch her)

6- It's ok to look like an idiot in the car if your kid wants you to sing. If she says sing, you better sing!

7- I am very spoiled. I have 2 really easy, happy kids.

8- My new theory on housework is, if the item doesn't multiply, smell, catch fire, or block the refrigerator door, let it be.

9- It's true, You do love the 2ND kid just as much as the first. I was so worried. I didn't think I was capable of ever loving something as much as I love Bella.

10- Having 2 is twice as nice. Seeing how much Bella loves her little sis is the best; and seeing how much little Emma's face lights up when she looks at her sister's eyes. She gets a big toothless smile and it is heart-melting. It won't last, of course. But for now it's all hugs and kisses, and that's what life is all about.

Random stuff Bella knows

My sweet Bella is getting so big. I sometimes forget she is only 3.

She is at the most perfect age right now and I wish I could keep her this way forever.

I love you sweet Bella, Stay little as long as possible!

New opportunity

A happy post, Ready?!?!

I'm not sure if I express this enough, I have the most AMAZING husband in the world!

(sorry single ladies, he's taken)

He got offered full time at his fire department.

He has Volunteered for 3 years and now it will be nice to get paid for him being away from the family.

He has worked so hard and deserves to show them what he is made of.

I am going to be honest. I am a little nervous that his life will be on the line everyday.

I trust him and I trust the people he will be working with. I know that it will be a big change for our family but I also know how bad he has wanted this.

On our first date 10 years ago, he told me he wanted to be either a cop or a firefighter (funny he is both) and I had my choice to run away then, but I knew he was going to make a great husband. He has always leaned towards firefighting and I can't blame him, the firefighter uniforms are much sexier!

Either way I know he will be protected. Now he gets to follow his dream.

I already know that I married such an amazing man. (He's kind of a big deal.)

Now he gets the opportunity to show off his skills!

First Hospital visit

Sad post, Ready?

Emma and Bella both have been sick.

We have spent so much money in co-pays for little Emma since she has been born but a small price to pay to know my sweet angel is healthy.

She has RSV. I didn't know much about it until she had it. For kids Bella's age it just shows up as a cold. But it can be super bad for kids under 3 months.

We have to take Emma to the hospital everyday for 7 days so they can stick a tube down her nose to clean out the boogies.

These are pictures of my sick family waiting in the hospital waiting room.

I stopped taking pictures once I heard the saddest cry I have ever heard in my life.

Lucky for us she hasn't needed oxygen or an IV yet. Trust me a tube down her nose is enough pain. I have never heard her cry that hard before. It's horrible.

Both my girls look like they are doing much better today.

I am sick now but I would much rather it be me than them.

I hate winter for this reason.

Old Lady

(This is my new nail polish color)

M: Hey, James Do you like my new nail polish?

J: Do you want the truth?

M: Of course.

J: No, I hate it. It looks like an old lady color,

Everything you own has an old lady touch to it even your shoes.

That smart remark is cause for a shopping spree.

I got my Jazee chair recharging, anyone wanna go shopping with me so I can get the "Old Lady" out of my stuff?

Visit from Santa

Every year my mom has a Christmas Eve party and we exchange gifts.

This year someone special showed up just to make sure he got his list right.

Bella was mesmerized by him and ran out the door after him to see if she could see his reindeer.