Sneak peak!

My very talented sister in law, Tiffany took family pictures of us today in the park. Here is a sneak peak!

Isn't Brinley a peach!?

(and my new hair cut? Look ok?)

Refreshing

My best friend FOREVER, Maricela, came into town for a couple of days with her son, Abel. Just a brief history of Mars. We went to High School together in Seattle, WA. We instantly became friends. There is just something about Maricela that is so...refreshing...it is the only word I can think of. She is, by far, one of the few friends I have that really motivates me to be better. And just by talking to her and seeing her example, I know I CAN be better. I love her. She is the best listener, gives amazing advice, she is so beautiful, perfect example of being Christ-like, and is always a friend. Mars and her family moved to Charleston, SC a year ago and we finally got to see each other! They love Charleston and it is only 3.5 hrs from Charlotte, and only 6 from Tallahassee!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so excited!

We had a fabulous time together. We always joke that when we get together, we always cry. Well...we did a lot of that and a lot of catching up. Stacy, you were definitely in our thoughts! We missed you so much talking about our little "dip" in Lake Washington with Whitney. LOL We need to plan a get-away trip someday with just us 4 and no kids.

Maricela's son, Abel is 18 months and NON-STOP. 7AM-8PM...NON-STOP. I was exhausted just by watching Mars chase after him! He is adorable and such a sweetheart. Here are some highlights from her visit!

Pickles

Many of you know that my parents make homemade pickles every summer. We take it very seriously. Each jar is loved and adored. My dad, with his calling as Bishop, has "Snacks with the Bishop" with the YW once a month. They eat crackers topped with cheese and the Steele's Famous Pickles.

My Mom told me that my Dad dipped our binky's in pickle juice right from birth. Maybe that's why all of us Steele kids are OBSESSED with pickles. But I must say, completely unbiased, that my parents pickles are the best I HAVE EVER HAD. Seriously. Ask Ryan, he loves them too! Perfect amount of crunch, spice, and dill...To die for!

So, we thought we would try it out on Brinley.

SHE LOVED IT!

video time!

the sitter...

i love you brinny bo bo bo

Look at me! Sitting all by myself!

Watching her pal, Sophie.

Plank! Work it, girl.

Poor Brinley has a cold. I got a cold last week and of course passed it on to her. Look at this boggery slobbery face. Love her!

(Sophie did not come over and just sit next to Brin. I forced her. Perfect photo op!)

Just in the last two weeks....Brinley sits without support. Like, ZERO support.

She loves.

Mama loves.

Sophie loves.

It has been an interesting week. I started my internship (basically a glorified receptionist...Thank you for calling blah blah, this is Meagan, how can I help you?). I just have to work 10 hours every week. No biggy. With help of my amazing mother and husband, I get it done. One week down, 9 more to go!!!!

Ryan has been working like a dog this weekend. We saw each other for a total of 2 hours in the past 2 days. Lovely. He is such an amazing husband and I am so grateful for him. I know he hates being away from us, but he works so hard to save money before law school. I really miss him when he is gone!

As for what's going on here? Well, we love living with my parents. We joke and say that we should just permanently stay here lol but we do talk about someday moving close to Charlotte (or in Charlotte). We L O V E the south. I don't see us moving anywhere else besides this region. We talk about Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, or Virginia. The only place in South Carolina we would move to is Charleston...and we like that place more as a vay cay spot! I really want our kids to be close to Grandparents. My grandparents were always great traveling to come see us every year, but I know the older they get, the harder it is. I love that our nephew Benjamin knows my parents and carries on conversations with them through Skype. It is adorable. He yells "Gamma, Gampa, where's Sofo?" AKA...Sophie. The weather has been gorgeous. The humidity definitely allows me to get away with never blow drying my hair and not applying any lotion, but it killlllLs after about 10 minutes standing outside. THANK YOU for A/C!

Ryan is planning on driving to Tallahassee alone for the "finding a place to live that isn't in the ghetto" trip. It is the easiest for him to go alone. I think he would get more done and be able to see the law school without dealing with the constant attention of Brinley and I'm not too fond of having to nurse at the gas station hahah! Memories!

Brinley is such an amazing girl. She is changing DAILY. I swear, over night she has transformed into this little person who has the biggest personality. Exibit A. So, Brinley has been sleeping in our room since Day 1 of birth. We kicked her out that week, but with our apartment fish water through the roof problem, it really set us back from having her be independent from us. With moving apartments and it being SO FREEZING and nursing, having her with us was the best option. Well...she is 6 1/2 months. Come on. You don't need to nurse in the middle of the night. Lets be honest. She has figured out the game. Well, today, we took apart the crib, moved it about...20 feet away to the next bedroom, and I LOVE IT. We shall see if we make it through the night. She is capable of putting herself back to sleep. I can't wait for a complete nights rest! At her 6 month appt, the Pediatrition was like "Get her out of your room asap. She will never learn to sleep on her own." Alright, so tonight is Day 1. I will update soon!

Our Summer Plans:

>Memorial Weekend: State College, PA with my bro and his AWESOME family! We get to meet our new nephew!

>House sitting for 10 days. The lady we are house sitting for is giving us permission to use their boat. YES PLEASE!

>Jill, my sister is visiting over the 4th weekend! And my cousin Katie might be coming too. I know you read this Katie...so you betta!

>Calgary, Canada Family reunion trip! YAY!

>2 year anniversary!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (maybe an overnight get-away!! WOOHOO! I know, we're wild!)

>O geez, my 24th b-day

>Leave for Tallahassee the first week of August!

>School starts August 23rd!

What are your summer plans?

I'm planning on getting a wicked tan!

crawler....

Even though Brinley weighs only 14 pounds, she is on the move. We get great entertainment out of watching Brinley scoot around the house. Her greatest skill right now is crawling backwards. Oh my she is so cute! She gets on her hands and knees and just rocks...hahahaha It is so cute! And then she puts her bum in the air and she looks like she is doing the plank. She is also sitting up completely by herself! Crazy that within just a few weeks, she is sitting and starting to crawl. Funny girl!

Our camera battery charger is packed away somewhere...so once our battery is charged I will get a video of her asap. I need to find it soon because I'm afraid she'll be actually crawling in a week!!! YIKES!

Lately!

We have been SO busy lately. Here are some highlights over the past couple weeks:

HOUSTON:

Brinley and I flew with my Mom to Houston for my cousin's wedding. It was such a wonderful weekend. I haven't seen most of my cousins on my mom's side since my Oma's funeral. That was 8 years ago. It was great to all be together.

(it was 100 degrees the whole weekend. Hence, sweaty faces and red cheeks)

The Happy Couple: Mitch and Emily Guenther

My beautiful cousins: Katie, with her daughter Avery, and Cari

Brinley, just hanging out with Grandma

My dad, me, Jill, and my Mom. My dad had business in Houston the same weekend!

Jill and I at the reception.

Brinley and I dancing. My little turtle :-)

Jill caught the bouquet!

Brinley and her 1st cousin once removed...blah blah blah...her Cousin, Avery.

We had a great time! I definitely missed Ryan. It was fun being with my family though. Brinley did great on the flight! I nursed in the airport and fed her baby food on the plane. She didn't complain at all. She is a champ!

The way there...

On the way back...

Sorry peeps

Give me a few days to get a blog post going.

We just got back from Houston and I started my internship today. Life is BUSY once again.

but, we had a marvelous time in TX (really...Texans are CRAZY...sorry) and Mother's Day was wonderful!

I'll blog soon! I'm just too busy with Brinley as she is making her way slowing around the room. Yes, crawling has begun!

14

We went to the Doctors today...and Brinners is only 14 pounds!!!!!!! I swear I've been hauling at least a 16 pound baby around. lol.

I was so BUGGED that I had to find another Pediatrition. I told Ryan that if we could just bring our Rexburg doctors all with us when we move I would do it because they are all amazing. Oh well, change is good.

We found a great office in Charlotte, and the nurses were absolutely OBSESSED with Brin when we walked in. I usually just sit back and laugh when people constantly say, "Look how cute she is!" I know I know I know...lol Brinley is a DOLL. She is so petite and girly. and her big blue eyes are soooo dreamy.

The Doctor said Brinley is doing great. Even though her weight isn't crazy good but he said as long as she is still nursing before eating solids. Brinley has always loved nursing but she isn't like a power eater where she eats and eats and eats...she loves it but would rather look at Ryan when he walks around the house. lol.

More shots. Breaks my heart! but She did great once again. She cries initially, but it only last as long as giving the shots. She is such a wonderful girl. No more shots until 12 months. Hooray!!!

Here are some pics from today!

Brinley's new trick. She is CONSTANTLY doing this with her lips. We think she looks like a turtle :-)

Brinley is 6 months!

O my GOODNESS!

My little baby girl is 6 months old!

Brinley Kaethe Briggs born Oct. 31, 2009

6 Things I LOVE about Brinley:

(1) She yells and screams when she is happy. You know when Brinley is comfortable because she just lets it out and screeeeams. Especially at church :-)

(2) Her big blue eyes. They get more and more blue everyday.

(3) Morning cuddles. Brinley is such a sweet girl in the morning.

(4) She is so curious about everything. She needs to look at everything. Learning ALL the time!

(5) She has just started to blow back into our faces. She doesn't blow hard, but oh my goodness she is so funny. Those little lips are adorable. Along with major spit bubbles.

(6) Her attempts at crawling. Hilarious! She scoots backwards. She is such a cutie.

6 Things Brinley Loves:

(or at least I think)

(1) HER TOES.

(2) Her fingers.

(3) Touching peoples faces. Especially noses.

(4) Anything baby food. Sweet potatos, squash, beans, peas, pears, applesauce.

(5) Nursing. Still loving it. And I'm loving it too. I can't believe we made it 6 months already. The next 6 months are smoooooth sailing.... It's a daily battle to keep her focused. She gets so easily distracted!

(6) Being outside! It's a new adventure for her since the first 6 months of her life were spent in the frozen tundra.

Out on our morning walk!

The day old baby Blue Birds in my parents Blue Bird house in the front yard. SOOO cute.

Grandpa hanging with his girls.

Brinley tugging on Sophie's toy.

New dress from Grandma Steele and a new hair do!

( I am trying my best to tame the beast!)

First time out on the boat! She did great!

I made that flower headband! I am turning into a crafty person!

(Don't you know by now that I love bows and flowers completely outrageously oversized? Don't judge, just embrace)

Ryan, Brinley and I are doing great here. Who doesn't enjoy 75-80 degree weather in May? Except, the humidity kicked in today. Brinley, my Mom and I have been going on walks every morning. It has been great getting outside to exercise. I still have 5-10 pounds to lose until I feel comfortable (in a bathing suit especially!). Ryan started his job at a different country club here but doing the same thing as before. He is such a champ. We love being in NC and can't wait to get to Florida. We are making a trip down sometime this summer to register our car, get licenses, and finding a place to live. We are SO happy, but miss our good friends back in Idaho. but lets be honest...Everything is better on the East Coast!