Lagoon!

Monday was Lagoon day for Nucor, where Travis's Dad works, so the whole fam goes. When I say the whole fam I mean all the aunts and uncles and cousins and everything. They take coolers full of fruit snacks and chips and other assorted yummy things, then every year they have the same spot as their "base camp" of sorts. So everyone goes on rides and eats and sits around in the shade and takes in the greatness that is Lagoon. I must admit, after turning about 16 Lagoon just wasn't as fun, but Nucor day is the greatest. A good time had by all. Last year Brenner couldn't go on anything but the merry-go-round, but this year he was able to do a few things:

He really enjoyed the cars and he liked having a buddy, and the only person we could get to go with him was this adorable little girl. Such a ladies man. She's actually younger than him, which I enjoy because she's bigger than him, and that doesn't happen very often. We were having a grand time and then we decided to put him on Puff the Magic Dragon. So his Grandma took him and he buried his head in her side and cried the whole time. Annette and I stood there and laughed (I'm a former Ballou, what can I say) and then after that we tried to put him on the little planes, which I think he normally would have enjoyed, but under the circumstances did not appreciate. I didn't go on too many rides, being with child and all, but I did have a great time with family. Of course there was white trash everywhere and 14-year olds showing everyone that this is TRUE LOVE, but it's Lagoon, so it's to be expected.

You might notice the butterfly bandages and bruises and such all over Brenner's face. That would be an attack from an archaeic bug zapper. We were at the River and Island Park this last weekend and he pulled a giant, old, metal bug zapper down on his face. It was a little traumatic, he gushed blood everywhere and was crying SO hard. Thank goodness nurse Nancy was there with antibacterial wipes and butterfly bandages. I think it will be a small scar, and it's near his hairline, so I think his high-fashion modeling career will be unaffected.

I guess that's it. We lost the charging cord to our camera so I'm taking photos with my iphone while we decide on a new camera. This being said, you'll know why I don't have a good picture of Brenner's face so you can really see the damage. I hope to remedy the problem soon.

Happy trails!

Kung Fu and a Fever

Yesterday was quite an eventful day for our little family! I went to school in the morning and back again in the afternoon, just like usual. When I got home we decided it was the perfect rainy day for a movie! So we took Brenner and headed to the theater for Kung Fu Panda. We got some popcorn and took our seats and Brenner was glued to the screen for the first fifteen minutes with a steady stream of popcorn from his Dad. The movie was great and there were tons of little kids in the theater, so I didn't feel bad when Brenner was yelling "Panda!" or "hahahah FUNNY!" Which he did a lot. So after the movie we headed home and the weather had cleared so we decided to head up the canyon for a hike. We wanted to get a little bit of a workout so we decided to try Brenner in the backpack. We had only tried it once before and he wasn't crazy about it, so we hadn't used it in a while. This time he was excited and we put a hat and jacket on him and off we went. It was beautiful, as Logan Canyon always is, and the weather was cool and perfect. We went a couple miles in and back and had a great walk. We took turns carrying the backpack and I decided it's a great pregnancy workout for me. The best part is when you take it off you feel so light, it's like instantly losing about 35 lbs! Here are a couple shots from the day:

We were almost to the car and Brenner started whining and crying a little for no apparent reason so we hustled down so we could take him out of the backpack. When I touched his head I realized he was burning up so we put him in his carseat and offered him juice and a granola bar on the way down the canyon, which he didn't even care about. If any of you know Brenner you know he's never one to deny food, so obviously I was a little worried. At home he didn't want to eat and I gave him some Tylenol and tried to comfort him. Travis' little brother Jeff was sick earlier this week with the same thing and the Doc told him it was just a virus. So now we're just trying to keep his fever low and make him drink. He's not quite himself but I think it should pass quickly. In the mean time we can't go camping tonight as we had planned so I'm bummed about that, but I'd rather had my boy feeling better.

Doctors

Well I went to the baby Doctor AND Pediatrician last week. Brenner is doing well, his head and height are in the 49 and 50 percentiles and his weight... well.. you can imagine it's up there. He's a growing boy ok? I felt so bad for Dr. Brown, Brenner started crying and scrambling for me to hold him as soon the Doc walked in. Everything is great with him though, and I am so grateful for that. We have a family member whose baby is at Primary Children's on a ventilator and it's not looking good. I went to see him and of course my hormones got the best of me and I started bawling my head off as soon as I walked in his hospital room. He's such a sweet baby boy.
Anyway. Enough sadness, the baby doc found the heartbeat of this little person inside me. "Strong." He said, and I was glad for that, and then he sent us on our merry way. Now I'm counting down the days until the ultrasound on the 30th to see if it's a man or woman!

Canyon Fun

We have been going to Logan Canyon frequently for hiking, climing, cook-outs, etc. Brenner LOVES it. He is such a tough little boy, he falls down a lot, but is quick to say "K!" (because I always say are you ok?) We have a lot of fun, and we just bought Brenner his own climbing harness, because he likes to "kym"
Here are some pics:

Brenner's Birthday

Memorial Day was also Brenner's birthday, so we had the customary BBQ and family fun while celebrating his fabulous second year. Thanks to all the Grandparents and brothers and sisters that came, we love our family! Here are some pictures of the Birthday Boy and the raging party:
Yes I'm pretty much Paula Dean with the gourmet coconut cake.

He couldn't quite blow the candles out but he really liked them and was quick to remind me "Danger, fire."
The party was, of course, ill. Proving to be a little too much for the great-grandparents.

I had put half the cake on a paper plate for someone to take home, but they forgot it, so it was sitting on the edge of the counter-a little too close to the edge you might say. Brenner was tempted and as we were getting ready to go somewhere the day after the party, he decided to attack. This is what I found:

I don't think he ate a whole lot but he was pretty happy about his accomplishment. Happy Birthday Baby.

A Few Things...

So it's been quite a while since my last post and we have been busy so I have much to say.

We did some yard work at our house in Ogden (which still hasn't sold by the way and is so cute and nice. hint hint.) Brenner was so funny. His newest obsession is his hat and gloves, as well as hammers. Here he is hard at work:

He's so freakin cute.

Next, let me just say how great Mother's Day was. We spent a few days at Trav's parent's house and I was able to spend some quality time with my sweet mother in law, who I love and learn so much from. She is just an amazing Mom, and such a great example to me. Then we went to Salt Lake to spend Saturday night with my Mom, who is an amazing Mother as well. I totally slacked off and didn't wake up early to make her breakfast, which I felt guilty about, but I did do the dishes for the AMAZING breakfast she made for us and the Missionaries that live with her. I hope those Elders know how spoiled they are. She cooks and cleans for them and is their little Mom away from home. Hence she is another unbelievable Mom on my list. Then we headed to my other Mom's house, Nancy, who is the world's greatest step-mom. She is truly just like another Mother to me. She is always giving of herself, and willing to help, and I love her to pieces. So that was Mother's Day weekend in a nutshell. Travis gave me the movie "P.S. I Love You", which make me cry and I can't get enough of, and he planted some stawberry and tomato plants in cute little planters in the backyard, because he knows how much I love both of those things. Such a sweet thoughtful husband, I am so lucky to have him.
This brings me to my next topic: the book "I Am a Mother", by Jane Clayson Johnson.
This book was such an amazing read. I sat in the car in Island park while I waited for Travis to talk to clients and ended up finishing the whole thing yesterday, as well as almost a whole box of tissues. I'm not sure if it's just the pregnancy hormones either, this was a tear-jerker. My Mom gave it to me for Mother's Day and I was like "Cool, thanks, never heard of it." Let me tell you, if you're a woman you should read this book. I can't say enough good things about it. That's all.
Next topic: the love of my life after my husband and my kids:

Yes I love my iphone so much. I went on a little "business trip" to Island Park with Travis and this little beauty looked up countless numbers, checked my e-mail, took pictures, gave me the weather, and the list goes on and on. I highly recommend it to anyone. The trip was fun and fast, and we ate lots of unhealthy food and tromped around in the snow and mud.

Here is a picture of what Travis lookedlike most of the time:

And what I looked like:

I did a lot of sitting in the truck, which was fine with me because as you read previously, I was bawling my eyes out with my book.

When we returned to Brenner in Weston he was counting the slivers in his hands from his "work" with the hammer in Ogden, and could count to ten all by himself. I was impressed. So now I am proud to report that he knows his colors, sings many songs, and can count to ten before he turns 2. I know every Mother thinks their kid is the best thing ever but Brenner really is. Except for when he does this to my house:

But even then, after I scrub red sharpie with the glorious magic eraser, I love love love that little boy of mine.
So thats is all. A lot I know, but it's been a while. Congrats to Whitney and Tiffany who just had beautiful babies.

The End.

The Doc

Well last week I had my first doctor's appointment! Everything went well and my doctor is a great guy who I hope I will like as much as my doctor in Ogden. The baby looks like a cute little alien-baby and everything is right on schedule to deliver November 21. I can't believe I'll have a 4 week old baby around Christmas. Crazy.June 30 we find out if it's a boy or a girl, and I'm really quite excited for that. I'm a litte more impatient about finding out this time than last time.
Anyway the Semester is over and I'm so happy with the results. Summer is already proving to be fun and busy with our little family. I'm excited for the adventures we will have, so I'll keep you posted.