Nice and Naughty

We started out cute.

Theeeeeeen we went a little crazy. 

Ahhhh...obsessed with my family!

Thanksgiving was great!

I'm sitting here next to Ryan (with both laptops on our laps...we're nerds I know), reflecting on our wonderful week spent with Ryan's fabulous parents and sister Hayley. We are listening to Christmas music, Amy Grant Tennessee Christmas to be exact. I still believe that only Amy and Celine do Christmas music justice. Yes, I know all the words to every one of their songs. Naturally...

Ryan's fam drove all the way from Chicago (a 15 hr drive!) and arrived on Wednesday afternoon. We hung out for a little bit before going out for dinner to Red Elephant, a fantastic pizza place here in Talley. It was hilarious to see Brinley watch them so curiously but when my mother in law pulled out a gift for Brin, she took out one of her new books, and went over to my mother in law, sat on her lap, and handed the book to her. I knew that this was a fabulous start to their stay. Brinley warmed up to everyone so quickly. She had a pretty hard time with her nap and bedtime. She just wanted to keep hanging out and I knew she was beyond tired at night and she just fought us. She is back on her schedule...until Tuesday when I'll be back in Charlotte.

On Thanksgiving day, we spent the morning lounging, cooking, prepping, and also drove around the FSU campus. We stopped by the Law school to show them around. I think it was great for Ryan's parents to see where he goes to school, and that he actually is in law school! I know it was a relief for me to see Ryan Briggs on a yellow folder amongst the other 1L students. The campus is so beautiful and it was a perfect 75 degrees out. I know it was a shock for them coming from Chicago's freezing winds!

I was mainly in charge of getting the meal put together. The unfortunate part is that our kitchen has little counter space and Brinley wanted to be close to me, which aided in the chaos. Our turkey ended up only taking 2 1/2 hours to cook, so we set it aside, went on our drive, came back and started getting everything else ready.

I prepared my mother's amazing dressing and homemade gravy, my mother in law whipped up her mouthwatering Sweet Potato Casserole and her Orange salad, and my father in law worked on the mashed potatoes as I kept the oven going with cooking the roles. We decided to fore go making pies because of our time constraints, but we got 3 tasty pies: pecan, apple, and of course, pumpkin.

I am SO thankful that my in laws came all the way from Chicago to be with us. I know they sacrificed a lot to be with us, and I appreciate them so much. It was so refreshing for us and I know it helped Ryan mellow out before his finals week. They drove back on Friday morning, and we are counting the days until we get to see them again. We love you guys!

And now I'm looking forward to spending time with my family over Christmas. My brother comes home in 3 weeks! WHATTTT??? Isn't time crazy? These past 2 years have flown by.

I need to pack.

And Ryan's first final is tomorrow afternoon. Please, if you love us at all, and want to see us succeed, keep him in your prayers tomorrow!

What she really thinks about us...

She loves us.

She ignores us.

(isn't her hair to die for?? I am seriously obsessed!)

And she.....you get the idea.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I will be busy cleaning, prepping, washing sheets and towels, and vacuuming tomorrow for my in-laws and for the week...sooo...

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

This will be my second year making a Turkey, my mother's famous cornbread stuffing and the gravy...ooo the gravy (please turn out!). But, this year, we are hosting my fabulous in-laws and sis-in-law, Hayley. Can't wait!!!

*sorry for those that are snowed-in in the Northwest! It was a unbelievable 81 degrees today!!! My mom told me to write down how great the weather is now because she said come June-Sept when it is 100 degrees and 100% humidity, we will want to poke our eyes out. BUT-for now, lets enjoy the goooorgeous weather outside!

Love you all! Maybe some day we can have Thanksgiving dinner together?? For some reason, Thanksgiving dinner is always better with more people. Even if they are German and don't speak English and bring weird gifts without saying anything...huh mom?? haha



Bath Time in Pictures

Bathtime is always an exciting time for everyone.

Brinley squeals when she hears the bath water run and we usually chase her down the hallway into her bedroom. She loves it!
Mom loves bath time because bath time means, bedtime! yay!!

Dad loves bath time because he usually conducts the whole bath time-bedtime routine. It is a great thing he does with Brinley since he isn't around all day. I love hearing them talk through the baby monitor. He usually sings to her and they talk about their days. Pressssh.

 Loving bath time!

"Look Auntie Chrissy, the duck is my favorite!" She loves to try to say duck. "duuuu" Thanks for the b-day present! She loooooves it and is usually standing up in the bath the whole time so she can touch it :-)

Wild baby hair!

Dad brushed my hair soooo nice and smooth.

Brush my TOOTH!

Books with daddy. Reading the famous, Goodnight Moon!

Flipping the light switch off.

Last snuggles with Mom before going down for bed.

I sure love that Brinley has always loved bath time. It has calmed her down when nothing could, it soothed her when she had a spiked fever, and it always makes bedtime so much better and easier!

No Complaining from this Girl

Instead of venting about my hubs study habits, I thought I would share this gem with you that we took last year.

Do you believe that is Brinley? She is so itty bitty!!!

Ahhh that video just puts a HUGE smile on my face. I sure love my baby girl. And I have So many things to be thankful for this year.

I am grateful for:

(this is a small list. There are maaaaaaaaany things, but here are just a few highlights I've had my mind on lately)

• Ryan being able to do minor work on our car so that we don't have to spend money and time taking it into a shop.
• Fabulous fall weather. I seriously dress for 50 degree weather, and forget that it is still 75 out. Sweaters do NOT need to come out juuuust yet.
• Patience and how terrible I am at keeping it. Thank goodness I have pleeeenty of opportunities to practice!
• For our good health.
• So thankful that my cousin's daughter, Kate (see link on right side of blog) has almost completely overcome her cancer in just 8 months time. Miracles happen! I have never met Kate, but we pray for her every night. She is such a strong girl and she has put up a brilliant fight. We love you, Kate.
• My brother having such success on his mission.
• and that my cousin, serving in Indonesia, has stayed safe through all the natural disasters that seem to hit continuously.
• My sweet husband, who makes me laugh everyday. It is so much easier going through life together. I do not even remember life before I met him. How did I survive?
• My new friends in Florida. This move has forced me to be much more outgoing with meeting people and putting myself out there. It is sure easy to sit back and not talk to anyone, but in the long run, that doesn't bring you happiness. So, to you gals that have connected with me, I thank you for making my life SO much easier these past few months. Love you all.
• My wonderful in-laws. How do I thank you? More grand kids you ask? Alright! hahahaaa I can't wait to see you guys this week!! Stay longer, please?
• So grateful that Brinley says "Mama" so clearly. Love her little girl voice. I love how much personality she has. And I know I said this at her 9 month mark, but this is really my favorite age :-)

There have been SO many countless blessings my family has experienced this year. It has been such a great year. I cannot believe that we are less than 6 weeks away from celebrating 2011. I really hate making new years resolutions, but I do support the fact that it is a time to make new goals and review the past year. Is it just me that 2010 fleeeeew by?

Have you started making a list of new goals for next year?

(sorry this post is kind of all over the place!)

Holy Geek

We don't have a time scheduled to see it yet seeing as though we are in the week before Ryan's pre-finals study week...so it will prob happen around Christmas.

Not to mention, I get tired at 9pm and could NEVER go to another midnight showing again!

Has anyone seen it yet??? I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO excited.



Play time

I think one of my favorite times during the day is when Brinley is playing by herself.

Like right now.

She is sitting on the floor. She has all except 3 books out, opened might I add, all over the floor around her. She keeps opening her big book called "Numbers" where each page has something that is a touch and feel object ie. smooth ball, fuzzy flower, fluffy duck, you get the idea. She has this "I'm concentrating so hard right now and I love to flip each page of every book." I love how quiet Brinley is when she looks at her books. She does this pouty lip opened mouth thing that is So cute. and her hands are so delicate when she flips the pages. She loooooves her books.

For Brin's b-day, my sister got her those Baby Einstein A-Z books where there is a little book for each letter. Let me help you out, there are 26 little books. On a good day, every one of those books are out around the house. Thanks, Jill!

Some of her books are pretty heavy for such a small girl, and sometimes they land on her and she can't move. She usually starts complaining asap but I can't help but laugh a little. Is that mean? Am I a mean mom because I wait to help her and just look at her?? Let me know.

And like yesterday, she was playing with the book so quietly, so I ran to the bathroom really quick thinking she wouldn't see me leave, and as I was washing my hands, I see her walk by, holding that same blue book, looking for me. Presh.

But, play time also involves clean up time. For the love. 5 or more times a day I clean up ALL of her toys. Remembering how she plays with them though helps me clean up happily!

Heck ya I decorated for Christmas! I leave in 10 days for Charlotte so I wanted our place to have some Christmas Spirit! And, I think it is going to help Ryan out with Finals too. Come on, who doesn't loooove Christmas?? I guess people who don't celebrate, but still. Let's forget them.

Oh. my. goodness. this meeeeelts my heart!

(and yes, I organized it for the picture).

Bouncing Queen

On Monday, Brinley and I left early to drop Ryan off at the school and to go to her 12 month appointment.

End of the semester=Ryan stressed to the max.

I am READY for a break and I am pretty sure he needs one too!!!

Anywayssssssss, so we got to the Ped early and had to fill out paper work again, blah I am SO ready to stay in one city long enough for Brinley to go to a Ped more than once! For the LOVE! So, we waited a little bit and it was getting closer and closer to her nap time. Not good. They finally called "Britney..." umm did you mean to say Brinley? She said ya, and we got up. hahaa that has happened once before.

She got weighed and measured:

19.4 lbs = 25%

29 1/2 inches long = 60%

Brin's milk mustache

The nurse and doctor just loved her and thought she looked so plump and healthy. YAY! A doctor that doesn't express concern that she isn't eating enough. Ahem, excuse me? I love that Brinley is on the petite side. I love that I can carry her without wanting to put her down 2 seconds later. She is perfect just the way she is!!!

I asked the Ped about switching to whole milk and what exactly she should be eating everyday. I guess I have been doing it right (thanks to you lovely ladies who helped with the advice!!). She basically drinks milk only out of a cup or in her oatmeal for breakfast. She loves it. I'm still pretty crazy about her not having any juice unless it is so diluted it just has a hint of juice in the water. Sorry, but after it taking 12 months to get that tooth, we want to keep it clean and healthy!!!

After we chatted for a minute, goals to quit the binky by 15-18 months, mastering the cup, no more sippy cups, and work on more words, the nurse came back in with the shots.

WORST ever. Especially now that she is older and more aware of what is going to happen. I KNOW she realized what was going to happen when she heard the paper on the table crinkle. yikes. So I was in charge of holding her arms down and the nurse did two in her left, rolled her back over, and 2 in her right thigh. She did the, let me see how long I can hold my breath for....and that was verrrrrry long, but she finally caught her breath and let out a loud wail. Poor thing! She needed some cuddles for a few minutes, but she passed out on the way home, I took her back upstairs, and she fell back asleep for 3 hours! Score! and mommy got in a little nappy too! Best!

I probably won't continue monthly updates like I did up until her year b-day, but I wanted to write down a few things she has been doing in the past couple weeks that just kill me:

>bringing us books to read to her. She comes over and sits on our laps and opens the book. She doesn't usually stay sitting longer than us reading the first page, but still! So cute!!!

>She knows what her bath toys are, the turtle, crab, duck.
>much more chatty. She loves to do expressive noises when she drops things, eats, sees new toys, and when she almost falls. It's a lot of "OooooOOOoooooooooOOo" Love her.

>Dancing to her favorite tunes, Mickey Mouse Playhouse and Dora.
>doing a better job at entertaining herself and keeping herself busy with her toys instead of following me around everywhere in the house.

L-A-R-G-E Bun alert!

Not that I'm being a poo and copying my girlfriend Brandilyn, but seriously....her bun rocked the other day.

AND!!!!!!!!!!!

She posted the tutorial that Sydney did because everyone wants to be like Sydney. or is it just me???? love her.

My bun is called the "Mama doesn't have time to wash/dry/style her hair so this is the doo." Ryan calls it "the huge bun" and he usually says it with a smile so basically he thinks I'm a weird-o.

(okay, so we usually have both blue towels out. Not sure why Ryan wanted to use the old Green one...please forgive the tackiness)

Do it! Feels so....stylish and fresh without really trying!!!!

Family Home Evening

Before we left Charlotte, we needed to renew our Temple Recommends, and the member of the Stake Presidency reminded us of the importance of Family Home Evenings. I'll admit, when Ryan and I were first married up until...like 6 months ago, we rarely did FHE. Maybe only once or twice every 3-4 months. we were bad...I know. BUT, he emphasized, it isn't necessarily quality or quantity (how long the FHE is), but instead it is:

consistency.

I always felt the pressure to make every Monday evening this big elaborate event, lesson, activity and treat, and by the time we came around to it, we did homework, forgot, or just didn't remind each other about it. I even started a FHE Journal. I looked back at it the other day and there were like two entries. We are sooo pathetic!

Thank goodness for repentance!

So, since having Brinley, we've tried this, consistency thing. It hasn't been perfect, but we've tried to make a better effort every week and get in the habit of reading scriptures as a family and making sure she feels the Spirit from them.

We read out of Brinley's new Book of Mormon pop up book!

and for activity, we danced to Raffi music:

Do you have any FHE tricks that has worked for you and your husband or family?? We (obviously) need some help!

MJ inspired

FINALLY. Tallahassee has cooled down enough for me to bust out some jackets.

This jacket in particular SCREAMED Meagan. If you are a true friend you know that I love:

1. anything in any shade of green.

2. structured jackets with a bit of edge (okay, not that much edge, but different).

My mama bought this coat for me while visiting my brother and his family in PA over Memorial day weekend. Like...6 months ago. Ryan calls it my "MJ inspired" coat. I would have to agree. So I have been eyeing this bad boy for way too long and FINALLY said to myself, today is the day. But then I quickly figured out, this is NOT a run around the city getting my To-Do list completed. It wasn't that cool out. Just a balmy 75 degrees. I took it off after our first stop.

(I know, you peeps in snow right now must hate me).

THEN I realized last night looking through pictures, there are like 2 pictures of me. Lots and LOTS of Brinley and some of Ryan, with Brinley. There are very little of me and Brinley. Today was a perfect photo opp. Hair inspired by my gal pal, Brandilyn.

(not enough hair grease for this doo and I lacked confidence in making it higher up...so this is what I came up with. BUT I am going to try it again soon. Be proud of me, girl!).

(Yes, Jane and Kristine, that sweater STILL fits Brinley. It is size 6 mon. Tell your Mom that Brin is still rocking it).

(yes, I really did pose like that on purpose)

Rough day for Brin in the hair department. She was CONSTANTLY pulling out her hair bow yesterday.

O MY! I LOVE my Mom. She told me, I popped some stuff in the mail for you that I thought you could use for your sewing projects. Little did I know that this package was a GOLD MINE! YAY!

We HAD to!!!



Our traditional Christmas video featuring:

Ryan, Meag, Brinley, Sophie, and Jared (my bro coming home from his mission Dec 17)

My 2 Lovies

You may have been asking yourself while looking at my post below, "Where was B while all this was going on?"

Brinley and Daddy were playing and having TONS of fun!!

I seriously L-O-V-E these two.

 Ryan doesn't have a nasty stash, it is just the shadow. BUT he usually has a scruffy face. Must be his, not-at-byu-idaho-rebellion-i-study-all-day-and-don't-care-about-shaving...thing going on. Just saying.

Not enough scruff for this girly to kiss!!! Brinners loooooves kissing her Daddy.

Don't you love her baby shag?? Her hair is so wild!



Purring like a kitten

I absolutely LOVE my sewing machine. I still need to experiment with more stitches and exactly what it can do, but for now, I have been busy with some fun projects!

When my Mom was here, she brought me TWO, TWO bins full of fun fabric. Mainly scraps, but just enough to get some of these projects started that I have been DYING to make.

First, I made a table quilt block for our table. My Mom had a bunch of awesome Christmas fabric. After I made it, complete idea in my head and I just went with it, I realized I set up the blocks wrong and so the center points aren't exact, but I put my fruit bowl on top and you'd never know!! I backed it with some cute Christmas-ie fabric too.

THEN. This was ALL done yesterday.

First, the real problem comes from my diaper bag. In midst of chaos, blow-out diaper, spit up, must-eat-now-or-I'll-diiiiie...you get the idea. I usually say to Ryan in Church while the chaos is happening "It's in the ziplock!" And he usually goes, "Which one????" So then I find Ryan rummaging through my purse, messing it up even more, and we're left frustrated, messy, and a really unhappy baby.

So, I made this. But, I did it this way. So much easier than her first directions.

Diaper Case!

I didn't have velcro, so I used my skills from the binky clips I made before and did a snap. I think it looks more finished than velcro anyways.

I fit 5 diapers! I measured it wrong and instead made it 7 inches, instead of 8 inches wide, so the wipe case doesn't fit inside, but hey, keeps the diapers together!! And it's cute too!

THEN, I looked inside my bag, and pulled out TWO more ziplocks. (I know, I'm ridiculous!)

And I made a SMALLER one.

About 8 inches by 6 inches

Surprise! A Girl pouch! Perfect! I would much rather have different things in here like, lipgloss or snacks, but these products unfortunately are needed. BLAH. Seriously, after not having it for 1.5 years, it is tempting to get preg again, girls!

AND THEN, I made ANOTHER one!!!

More cute fabric.

Just for my various medications, sunblock, and sanitizer! Perfect fit!

Okay okay, I didn't make another pouch, but I did make this! 

A grocery bag holder! We have it hanging in the kitchen and it is AWESOME. I'm thinking of making another for up in Brinley's room. I go through SO many of these bags for her stinky diapers. For the love, they are stinky. But, it probably holds around 50 bags! I do have 5 recycle bags, but I don't take those every time to the grocery store. I LOVE the little bags for my bathroom trash bags. Isn't it awesome??

She's resting for now. Good thing I have mutual tonight because I would be sewing up a storm again!!! My back was killing me last night! I probably need a break.