I Had A Birthday...

...Shout Hooray! One year older and wiser too. Well, one year older. Not so sure about the 'wiser too' part.

I cannot believe that I am 39. Seriously? 39? Are you sure? Let me check my birth certificate. Yep. Thirty-Nine! Wow...are you shocked? I certainly am.

I love my birthday. That should come as no surprise to many of you. And this year, like many others, my birthday was perfect! This birthday taught me some new definitions of love.

Love = Breakfast in bed cooked by husband.
Love = A surprise lunch with my mom and sisters. Tina took a three hour flight here and a three hour flight home, just to spend a couple hours at lunch to celebrate my big day. We ate at Normandies and of course, we had to have dessert! Together, my mom, Tina and Cheryl pulled off a fabulous surprise! Mom even showered me with confetti. That made it officially a party...=)
Love = A Thai Massage! Tyler secretly set up an hour massage appointment for me. We pulled up, he handed me my stuff and said he'd be back in an hour. Heaven!
Love = Dinner with my two favorite people - Tyler and Holland.
Love = New speakers for my computer and a bag of Recees Peanut Butter Cups!
Love = A no napping baby (aka Holland was awake all day!) Her daddy said she was just so happy about my birthday she wanted to spend the ENTIRE day with me. And she did.

Love = Phone calls, texts and FB messages from family and friends. Some of them even sang!
Love = Dinner and new books to read from my mother- and father-in-law. (Friday night.)
Love = Little gifts dropped off on my doorstep - like the precious necklace below from my friend, Lesa Wells. We serve in the RS Presidency together. Seriously - how thoughtful!
Love = Lunch with Sheri - without any babies. It was nice...and it was weird...and it seemed totally normal at the same time. I have a GREAT bestie! (Friday lunch.)

If all of that isn't LOVE, I'm not sure I know what is! Thanks for making me feel special on my special day...

Five Months

Dear Time,

It's been FIVE MONTHS? Already? Please slow down. That's all.

Love,

Holland's Mommy and Daddy

Holland is as obviously as surprised as we are about how fast the time has gone!

Four Years Later

Tyler and I had only been dating a few months when his parents happened to be in town visiting, so I got to meet them. I fell in love with his mom there and then! I remember thinking, if I could have her as a mother-in-law I would be the luckiest girl ever. Anyway, his mom snapped this pic of us at Tyler's grandma's house.

Brigitte & Tyler - September 2007

After the Greek Festival earlier this month, we stopped by Tyler's grandma's place on our walk back to his parents' condo downtown. While we were there his mom snapped this pic of us.

Brigitte, Tyler and Holland - September 2011

Four years later, I'm just feeling really blessed that Tyler picked me to be his wife!!! Oh, and, I'm thinking I want bangs again...

General Relief Society Meeting...

...of the Church of Jesus Christ of Later day Saints! To my friends that don't know much about my religion, click here. To hear or read what I learned at this meeting, click here.

Tonight I had the privilege of attending this meeting at the Conference Center with my mom and my mother-in-law - two women who are undeniably women of God. I love that I and Tyler both were raised by such incredible women. They are both patient, kind, loving, giving - and both are pretty darn funny as well! I love that they are both so well-rounded, healthy and stand up for what they believe in. They both have an incredible way of standing for righteousness.

And, seriously, look at this picture. Aren't they both incredibly beautiful and in EXCELLENT shape?? Holland is a dang lucky little girl to descend from these two women. Lucky-lucky-lucky! Not every little girl gets to say, "Ya, my grandmas are total hotties and they have sweet spirits too!"

From this meeting we were taught: "Through the blessings of the temple they will be armed with power and blessed to receive the 'key of the knowledge of God.'  Through the ordinances of the priesthood found only in temples, they will be blessed to fulfill their divine, eternal responsibilities, and they will promise to live as committed disciples."

 

 

Aria - No Longer Solo

a·ri·a [ahr-ee-uh] - an elaborate melody sung solo with accompaniment, as in an opera or oratorio.

Aria is finally home and with her sister, Siena. The duo, together again! She is still hooked up to oxygen and a monitor, but at least she is home with her family. It was so fun to meet her - finally! And, she's already up to 5 lb. So impressive!

Once Aria is "unplugged" we'll attempt a pic of the Three Musketeers. While we were taking these photos, Holland was rolling form one end of the room to the next. I can only imagine how she would have steamrolled right over Aria had we attempted a pic of the three BFFs together. Yikes!

On that note: Please see the next post...

Our Own Little Circus...

...minus the tigers jumping through hoops of fire, but definitely, the monkey is present and accounted for!

 Holland puts on a cute little circus for us daily, from the break of dawn until 9:00 p.m. when she sacks out for the night. Her acts include: acrobats (ie. rolling from one side to the other), clowning around (ie. making funny faces that make us laugh), training animals (ie. sucking on stuffed animals), trapeze acts (ie. swinging in her swing and maneuvering in her Bumbo), musical acts (ie. tooting, burping....and giggling), juggling (oh wait...that act is performed by me and Tyler!) and other stunt-oriented acts (ie. bending in half as to place entire foot into mouth - very impressive!)

She loves her little play mat, going for walks, rolling around on the floor, eating her hands...and feet! Laughing at silly sounds that we make. (Sometimes I think they are courtesy laughs. We may need to work on our material just a bit.) Let's see...she loves splashing in the tub. Seriously, the bathroom is completely drenched by the end of her tubby time. But, there is no way mopping up after her isn't worth watching her love "swim time" in the tub! She reaches for and grabs anything remotely close to her. After watching her reach for several things and immediately put them into her mouth, I had a brilliant thought: put a bottle in arms distance. You know, she's not too keen on the bottle, so I wondered what would happen. Yep - she grabbed it and shoved it right into her mouth. Brilliant! We only wish there would have been some milk in there. Darn. 

Oh ya, and when she reached for Tyler's camera earlier this week, we quickly realized that our house is in the beginning phases of mass-destruction at the hands of an almost-five-month old.

In fact, even nursing her is part of the daily circus routine. She wants to look at anything - everything! She wants to make sure I'm still there. Uh...yep...still here, my Baby Bliss, I'm the one that's feeding you - remember? If she hears a sound, she has to look around to see what it is. If I smile, she smiles. If I look at her, she smiles. If I look away...she smiles until I look at her...and then she smiles bigger! (The mouth in a smile has a pretty hard time latching on - FYI. Another little talent of hers is slipping her fingers in her mouth while she's nursing. She's so stealth about it.) If I have an itch, she looks at where I'm itching. She likes to grab my hair and play with it, brush her hand across me and reach for my chin or lips. (I really love when she places her hand on my cheek and looks at me....sigh...)

A circus, I tell ya! But a circus we are loving - every single second.

I mean, so what if our once-upon-a-time 30 minute nursing sessions can now last closer to 45 minutes? Or only 10 minutes when she just won't focus at all - we try again 10 minutes later. Honestly though, some sessions leave me completely exhausted! But so worth it when she falls asleep and is all warm and snuggled in my arms. But maybe these circus acts are why I'm so close to being back to my pre-baby weight!! I'm burning calories baby!!!

I digress...

So there you have it. A glimpse into our daily lives. We. Love. It...Ahem...HER!!

And today, let me just add, Holland took a Three Hour Nap. A THREE HOUR NAP!!! (I'm totally singing Gilligan's Island in my head. Maybe I should YouTube an episode. Do you think they have those???)

Anyway, Holland and her dad are on a road trip to Park City, while I sit here blogging...in my pajamas...at 3 in the afternoon. Goal: Shower before they get home! Ya, I have pretty simple goals these days...

Early Morning Hike

Last Friday, September 16, we had a free morning so we bundled up our Baby Bliss and took her for a hike. Bells Canyon. It was perfect! The trails were virtually empty, the sun was just rising and the air was cool enough to be a bit invigorating. Holland loves to be outside. She just stared and took it all in. It really is a pretty hike...and a very easy one too. If you have a free morning...GO HIKE!

 

Holland Met Siena

On Thursday, we officially introduced Holland and little Siena - one of her BFFs.

Here is their first pic together..taken seconds before Holland rolled over and yanked Siena's beanie off. Sorry Siena!

 

And then, we decided to get one of them together in the chair.

First we tried getting a good shot with each of them on separate sides...

 

Next we thought it would work better if we put them together...

Well...it was worth a try, right?

Here are a few thoughts of mine while looking at these pics: 

1. Wow...Holland has really grown a lot in 4.5 months, considering she started out just slightly bigger than Siena. Huh. How did my baby get so big?
2. Holland obviously does not like to share and/or does not like to have her space invaded.
3. I really hope Holland and Siena get along...
4. I wonder how Holland is going to handle a sibling? ...maybe we need to get cracking on that before she becomes too accustomed to being the center-of-attention! (Not that she won't always be the center of our world...ALWAYS...she, and any other siblings she may have.)
5. Holland cracks me up!!!

Baby Emails...

Subject: Good night Siena!

Look, Siena, I'm wearing the same jams as you!!I loved meeting you today.  Hope we can all play together soon. Tell Aria to hurry up already and come home.

Nighty, night. Your BFF. ~Holland

Subject: Good morning Holland!

I get to go to my first dr. Appt. Today. Wish me luck that they are nice and don't poke and prod me too much. It was fun to meet you yesterday. I can't wait to come play one day.

~Siena

 

Tummy Sleeper

Most people may think she looks just like Tyler, but if nothing else, she definitely gets her sleep style from me!!

Ever since she's learned to roll over both ways, so that she never feels stuck in one position, we've found her like this once she's sound asleep. Love it!

My Bestie and Holland's TWO Besties

Sheri had her babies this weekend...actually, their birthday is 09.10.11!

Siena and Aria.

I went to the hospital to visit today. Sheri looked GREAT! I got to hold Siena for almost an hour and loved it. Aria is in the NICU getting a little extra TLC since she was the smaller of the two. I can hardly wait to meet her when she's a little bigger and stronger...which will hopefully be SOON!

Isn't Holland a lucky little girl to have TWO BFFs???

I love, love, love that Sheri and I are first-time mom's together. We're going to have so much fun with play-dates and girls trips for years to come!

Greek Not-So-Festive(al)

This year was the 36th annual 2011 Salt Lake City Greek Festival. I've always wanted to go. Now that I have...no need to go again. I guess my expectations were a bit too high, although, I really have no idea what I was actually expecting.

I wanted to try some Greek food. We had Chicken Souvalki (shishkabob). I kind of wanted to try other things, but you had to stand in a long line to get other foods and other meat options...like lamb...and I wasn't really wanting to stand in a line. Anyway, I saw this after eating the chicken and was VERY happy to have chosen the the short line...and the chicken!

Holland experienced TRAX for the first time and she was thrilled about it...obviously!

 

The dancers that we saw and the tour of the Greek Cathedral were actually pretty cool. The cathedral was beautiful. I'm amazed that they just let anyone in there...in street clothes. I wanted to take a picture, but decided it might not be respectful to do so. But the windows were gorgeous!

While in the cathedral I did see a girl that used to be in one of my singles wards forever ago...the Madison Ward. Her name is Betsy and she has a bet stuffed animal she call squeakers. Oh the memories!

We went to the festival with Tyler's parents, his brother Brandon and Brandon's kids. It POURED RAIN while we were in the cathedral, but afterward it was perfect weather to walk back to mom and dad's condo near Memory Grove.

While walking back we saw a very special wedding taking place at the Gallivan Center. Loud, rocker music while the wedding party walked down the isle and the "minister" was a very tall girl with a very short dress on and very high heels. Interesting! Or should I say, VERY INTERESTING!

I think the best part of the afternoon/evening was back at the condo: dinner, dessert and watching the BYU game (even though they lost...boo hoo!)

ToMAEto...ToMAto!

On Labor Day my mom and I made salsa...with Tomatoes from my very own garden!

My mom sent me the recipe via email, thinking I was actually brave enough to just make salsa on my own. She's silly! I opted for the hour drive (each way) so I could have some hands-on training...and some one-on-one time with my mom. Best decision ever because she was just putting home-made bread in the oven when I arrived. Lucky me!

Thanks, mom, for teaching me. Next time I'll be able to do it on my own. But, we both know that won't happen. I'll just come home again so we can make it together!

SALSA

8 QUARTS PEELED TOMATOES –DICED-SQUISHED

6-7 JALAPENO PEPPERS (11 IS HOT)

4-6 GREEN PEPPERS

3 CUPS CHOPPED ONION

1 CUP SUGAR

½ CUP SALT

AFTER YOU SCALD AND PREPARE THE TOMATOES PUT THEM IN A COLANDER AND LET THE WATER DRAIN OFF THEM FOR ABOUT AN HOUR WHILE YOU ARE CHOPPING UP THE OTHER INGREDIENTS.

THEN, COOK 1-3 HRS  ON MEDIUM HEAT IN A HEAVY PAN.  STIR OFTEN SO IT DOESN’T STICK TO THE BOTTOM OF THE PAN.

PREPARE PINT BOTTLES.  WASH IN DISHWASHER SO THAT THEY ARE HOT WHEN YOU ARE READY TO FILL THEM. 

FILL UP TO THE NECK.  WASH RIM AND PUT LIDS, THAT HAVE SOAKED FOR 5 MINUTES IN HOT WATER, ON TOP AND TIGHTEN RINGS.

STEAM OR COLD PACK FOR 20 MINUTES, AFTER THEY START TO STEAM.

MAKES ABOUT 14 PINTS.

YOU COULD HALF THIS RECIPE IF YOU DON’T HAVE ENOUGH TOMATOES FOR THE FULL RECIPE.

LOVE YA, MOM

Go BYU!

We watched the game on Saturday, and thank goodness, WE WON!

I think we might have a future-Cougarette...

I sewed the Y onto her onesie and the boots were made my Sheri's sister-in-law.

Holland looks like she is totally into the game!

Is This How You Do It?

Holland's doctor suggested we try feeding her some rice cereal. She said that if she doesn't act interested we can wait a couple weeks and try again.

Well, I think she likes it!

Like Mother...Like Father?

I think Holland is a pretty good mix of the two of us, but...from these pics, I'm thinking she looks most like her daddy! What do you think?

Four Months!

Holland turned the big 4 months on Sunday, August 28!

I know it's cliche, but yet again, I must say that the time is really flying by and I just want to hit "PAUSE" now and then. Now=when she's sleeping so perfectly in her little bed. Then=when she tried rice cereal for the first time earlier today. More on both of those topics later. But for now...here's our little lady looking all fly.

I swear she looks like she wants to say, "That's right peeps, I'm four months old. Word!" Or maybe she's thinking, "Hmmm...four months? Seriously?" What do YOU think she's thinking??

Current Stats:

Height - 26" (95th percentile - but the doctor said she is actually off the charts, they just have to give a percentage. Seriously - MY child is off the charts for height? Who would have thought?)

Weight - 12 lb. 12 oz. (35th percentile)

Head - 41.5 cm (70th percentile)

She had her check-up with the doctor yesterday and she did SO GREAT getting her immunizations. She, of course, was SHOCKED and started crying as soon as the needle went in her little leg. It breaks my heart when she starts to cry and looks at me like, "Why did you let them do that?" Ugh. I really hate it! I do love that Tyler is able to be there for her doctor appointments. I think he handles it better than I do...maybe. By the time we got to the reception desk she was all done crying and only whimpered a few times throughout the evening when her leg would get bumped by her...or me or Tyler (oops!)

Holland Tried Ceral

It's hard to see just how much of the cereal was on her face, but it was definitely there! She wasn't sure what to think at first - I can only imagine how strange it must be to "eat" for the first time.

Here is a little glimpse, in order, of how the event went down. I think she ended up liking it...sort of! What do you think?