Brittany, Billy, and Baby Brodie

Say Goodbye...

2010-06-21T16:40:00.000-07:00

As most everyone knows, Harland and I are no longer together. It was his decision, and even though I was devistated, I have not felt like he has been in love with me for a very long time and would love to be able to feel like the person I was with loved me whole heartedly and if he didn't feel that way then it is better that I know now. It was very hard for me at first, I actually don't think I've ever been more upset... but I feel like we both got closure today. We had a good talk about how he is basically emotionless, that he was deeply in love with me at one time but can't help the way he feels and that it wouldn't be fair to me to be with someone who didn't feel the same way. We both pretty much agree that he is not a relationship kind of person. Yes, this breaks my heart...but I've been dying for him to show me real affection for so long that it does make me happy to know that I will be able to be with someone eventually who does feel that way. Of corse, I would prefer that to be Brodie's daddy but I can't change the way he feels...all I can do is be on good terms with him for Brodie. These few weeks have shown me that I am able to survive this and that this is probobly for the best. I hate that Brodie has to split his time between us-- but Harland and I decided to be great friends bc we still love each other, it just doesn't make sense for us to be together anymore. We will still be able to hang out together with Brodie which makes me very happy. While we were talking, I felt like he was my best friend again, and that I could completely be myself and talk to him about anything. My friend Jordan was watching Brodie while we talked, and heard us and said she was very proud of how we are handling the situation...and so am I. He said that if I needed anything, he would always be here for me. He also said he would pay my bills at my apartment...and of course pay child support.
I have been living with my AMAZING friend Jordan who, without her, I wouldn't have been able to get by. I plan to get my own apartment very soon and so is Harland--- we will probobly live very close for Brodie's sake. I am taking classes online so that I can get my life in order and I am stopping at nothing to get a job this week. Can't wait to start my new life and I can't wait to find out what's in store! You never know what is just around the corner...

This will be my last post from Brittany, Billy, and Brodie...thank you all for following our journey, but it's definitely not the end...of mine.

Just a Little Catch Up!!

2010-06-08T14:54:00.000-07:00

So if you haven't figured out yet, I don't have the internet at home...hense no blogs. boo. So while I'm at Jordan's, I'll catch you up real quick.

I took a month off school... I really hate my school. It's an hour away, have to wake up extra early, no one at my school is remotely interesting to talk to, no time to be with Brodie, ugggh i can't WAIT to graduate...which is going to take even longer with me taking off but whatever I needed a break.

Brodie is getting so biiiig. He's 25 pounds (100th percentile, 95th of his height and his head is in the 97th). He's crawling everywhere, standing until he realizes he's doing so, makes "duck" lips constantly, is talking like an alien, walking with a walker, starting to eat table food and finally feeds himself (he would never put ANYTHING in his mouth so I had to constantly feed him with his own hand to show him).

We've been going to the pool mmm..like everyday. Everyone says I look Dominican. Jordan graduated and moved close (FINALLY) so I've basically been a 3rd roomate to Jor and Kelsy (they tell me to do dishes hah). Erica did my hair twice, just went blonder the second time and I love it. Never been this blonde! We've been having lot's of couples game nights...LOTS of fun! I've LOVED just being a house wife and mommy...wish I could do this forever but it's time to get back to the real world. I just got a job at a Nannying Agency called Moms Best Friend...so I start in a few days and I can work when I need to. I'm suppose to start school in a week and am hating it. I'm considering going to school at night while B is asleep so I don't have to miss time with him.

Erinn and Jessica are getting married next month so congrats to both of you...can't wait to be there! So far we have 3 weddings to go to this year, which makes 10 weddings that Harland and I have gone to together... in 2 1/2 years. Holy Moly.

Brodie's Bday is next month!! 1 YEAR OLD! We are having it at the park across from my house and will probobly make it an adult party once the kids have gone to bed bc it's pretty rare that both Harland and I's friends all get together...esp with the friends from out of town. VERY excited.

It's definitely looking like the BEST summer ever!...

bummer.

2010-04-29T12:39:00.001-07:00

uggggh. need to vent.

does anyone know what the term "BEST FRIEND" means?! 4 times in my life i thought i had what a "bf" is suppose to be... and everytime got COMPLETELY f'd over.

-one kissed a very serious boyfriend
-one chose her boyfriend over me, who she ended up dumping soon after (apparently
she could be friends with me and have her boyfriend at the same time.)
-one stole tooons of my things including a LOT of money
-and now one just decided that she no longer wants to be friends with me bc of who one of my friends is!

i am so sick of feeling like this. why is it so hard to find a friend that truely loves and cares for you? i cared..and still care deeply for those girls, so how can they just drop me like I'm no one to them?! it's a very lonely feeling. i do have a lot of great friends but i don't really have that one person i can call at any time and tell everything to anymore (besides H of corse). i would love to have another Maid of Honor bc my sister is only 16 and can't really handle all of the MOH duties alone...but i dont really think that even any of my close friends would really qualify. MOH isn't someone you just replace. im extremely hurt, i really didn't think this friendship would end.

pretty depressed...going to go drown my sorrows in some mint chocolate chip icecream.

When it Rains it POURS!

2010-04-27T16:34:00.000-07:00

So much has happened since I last wrote...

Monday
Went to the park with Brodie (we have an awesome park in our front yard!)

Thursday

Lost my job at Chuy's! I was soo sick of that place, and coming home late then getting up early for school...not sad about leaving, just sad about lack of cash money!

Saturday

Went out to eat with Jess and Parker, then went to Alfred Angelo to watch Sonia try on dresses. She found a great dress, she looked gorgeous.

Sunday

Went to church and then Harland's family came over and we grilled out...then went to see Date Movie.

Tuesday

My brudder came over!

Wednesday

Hailee came over and WOW was that a crazy day. Her son, Blayden, has never met his grandparents, (from the dads side) so we spent two hours looking them up online. We finally got ahold of them and they didn't even know Blayden existed! Exstatic doesn't even describe how they felt. They drove from OK the next day to meet him. I am so glad I got to be a part of that! Love you Hails!

Thursday

Took the hardest test of my LIFE! Almost every single thing about hemotology... but made a 97 bc of a 10 point curve! haha

Friday

Amber and Kendall came over for lunch. We ate pizza and watched The Lovely Bones...bc I missed her bones. Jess, Parker, and Cody came over later and we did the usual...play board games haha. Then Harland, Brodie, and I went to the Chili's I use to work at and got some free food.

Saturday

Went to look at cars bc I can't pay my car payment, so most likely we're going to give my car back and just trade Harlands truck in for a car for me..and be a one car family. YAY. How are we going to do that? No idea. So we drove a bunch of cars and when we were on our way home I realized my phone wasn't in my pocket anymore. Son of a biscuit-eating-bulldog. Went back and it was no where to be found! urrrg. Later, I drove Harlands new truck (a manual!!) to Erica's and chatted, and got a haircut! :) She's the only one that's cut my hair in the last 2 years! LOVE you girlie! Then drove to my uncle and aunts house to watch my cousins. Harland supprised me by coming over and keeping me company :) My cousins are ADORABLE. I painted the girls nails, watched a barbie movie, read them stories, and tickled their backs. Conversations with a 3 and 4 year old are priceless. Audrey (3) says things like "It takes SO long to drive to Kansas, like 50 SECONDS!" and "Brittany, you're the best." She cuddled with me on the couch and put my arm around hers, while Allie sat next to me but didn't want to be cuddled. Then they talked about their dog Carlos having a boyfriend in Heaven, and when Allie had to go to the bathroom, Auds said, "THIS is going to take a while!" HAHA they just crack me up. After we put the kids to bed, Harland and I relaxed and watched Shawskank Redemption. SUCH a good movie!

Sunday

Church with Harlands fam, then went to Isabella's (one of Harlands' Goddaughters) 4th Bday party. It was great to see Taylor again, it's been a LONG time!

Then we went to Harlands softball game

That's Daddy in the background. I know, I should be a professional.

Today

Got out of the shower with Brodie, NAKED, and Hailee was in my room. hahaha. That was a nice supprise! She had a bunch of clothes for Brodie...and then she dropped a bomb. She's moving to OKLAHOMA!!! :( She wants to be closer to her sons family which is great, but not great for me :(
-----------------------------------------------
So when it rains it pours...

-lost my job

-lost my cell

-lost that closeness with a best friend

-lost a friend to OKLAHOMA

-oh...and got a friggin ticket.

But a lot of good has happened too...

Harland and I have only fought really about one thing in our whole relationship (besides smoking haha)..which is his drinking. He doesn't drink often but when he does... another person comes out. So after making some stupid decisions, we talked and decided we are just not going out without each other anymore. It's just not healthy in a relationship (unless you can do it right, and most couples can't.) There are certain times of corse when we will...for a few hours but it's definitely not going to be how it has been. We went to church last week and Pastor Bryan said that he felt that he was there to talk to someone, that someone needed his prayers and that if anyone wanted to come to the front to get a blessing, they should. So at the end of the sermon I was getting up to leave, and he said, "babe, I'm going to go to the front." I was like what?! So I went with him and he said that he has not been the spouse that I deserve and that he wants Gods help to stop drinking and he wants to be everything that I deserve. I, of corse, was sobbing. A couple tears were running down his checks as well, it was a great moment. Our relationship has been amazing. We've said to each other a bunch of times that we're like how we use to be...it's nice to have that feeling again, and know that he has it too.

This new MOD at school is by far the hardest. Anatomy and EKG (electrocardiography). So far I've learned a TON about blood, circulation, and the heart. 4 tests so far, (2 100's) and still no B's! Knock on wood.

Brodie has grown up SO much in just a few weeks. He is really crawling, he can stand on his own for a few seconds, he stood up in his crib for the first time today! (Pic later) Can't wait for his 9 month checkup. (doc's office was so busy they can't see him for 3 weeks!)

Here is Brodie crawling, starting at 6 months crawling backwords to turning his body, to army crawling to finally crawling for real. Enjoy!

The greatest thing that has happened is I am growing closer to God everyday. I have never had this type of relationship with Him before. I feel like a completely different person. I have kept true to my word, reading the Bible almost every day, going to church every Sunday, and praying everyday. I never realized how great the Bible is! I've never had any desire to read it but it's like a thirst for me now that has to be quenched. This is my favorite verse I've read so far that's really helped me in this tough time:

"Do not worry what shall we eat or what shall we wear for your Heavenly Father knows that you need them. Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be given to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:31-34

From now on I'm going to leave ya'll with a verse. Hope everyone has a great rest of the week!

Easter 2010

2010-04-08T20:36:00.000-07:00

Holy Moly..I hate having no time to blog, it all runs together and I literally have anxiety until I get everything out. So while Harland makes din din, I will write :).

Brodie had his first Easter (such an exciting holiday for a baby...but aren't they all!?). We went to church then my Uncle and Aunts house.

Cousin Michael with a pink stroller...

Allie in the bounce house

Brodie going down a slide for the first time!

(Not a huge fan.)

After the Easter Egg Hunt, Brodie scored two eggs haha.

Then we went to Dustin's Parents house for another Easter Egg Hunt.

Addy looooves Brodie, can you tell?

Sonia helping Ily put eggs in her basket

They were even until Brodie sat down...Ily went flying! ahha

Me and some short old man. :)

Two of my favorite girls!

Then we played Red Neck Golf... classic pics. (We beat Nick and Dustin both times...but what's new? muahaha)

Two AMAZING meals in one day. Great Holiday.

Brodie Bear....

...is

-getting closer to REALLY crawling everyday. I videotape everytime he starts scooting HOPING I can get his first real crawl on tape. But I'm sure it'll be when I'm at work or school.

-says Mama everyday.

-is starting to pull up, he gets one foot all the way up and the other one's stuck...and he starts yelling. haha

-makes what my sister calls the "butthole" mouth on command. haha

-stands holding onto something with one hand

-claps when you clap

-grunts when you grunt

-is starting to reach out to me when he wants me to pick him up (my fave)

-wears 9mo-18mo clothes.

-eats 2 jars of food and a bottle at most feedings

School

ohhhh school. I try to tell myself I don't hate it. buuut I do. can't wait to graduate!!! I'm in my 3rd Mod bc I took off a month to work when Harland didn't have work for what turned out to be a whopping 4 days. Anyways, I've made all A's on every test, project, quiz, and presentation...not just for this class but in everything I've done so far this year. Pretty proud of myself...but I don't think (actually I know) this wouldn't be the case without Brodie. We're doing urinalisis and such right now. Bleh.

Oh! And I might have changed my Major to Cardiovascular Sonography. They make about $200,000 a year, instead of Diagnostic Sonography who make approx $100,000. I'm not nearly as interested in the heart as I am with babies obviously, but for an extra $100,000 a year I think I could be! We'll see...

Work

Love the people I work with...hate the job. Can't wait to not serve ungrateful assholes.

Social Life (ha.) Well I did manage to find some time to enjoy myself the last couple of weeks...

Went to Orb with Sonia, Nick, and the rest of that crew for a few hours.

The next weekend we went to another bar for her cousin's bday

Monday was my friend Jen's babyshower... everyone from work was there...definitely the best babyshower I've ever been to. Beerbongs and shots of crown? You know I was making an appearance. I would put up pics but DAVID..sucks. :) David, Brehn, "Kamwin" (cough cough), and I got her the carseat she registered for. She got hooked UP from everyone at work!

The next weekend Harland and I went to my good friend Shantae's bday dinner at Houlihans (OMG AMAZING!) in Addison. New favorite spot! It was so good to see Shantae...he's one of the funniest, down to earth, wisest people I know. We definitely need to get together more often!

The next night we went to Jessica & Cody's. They brought their A game with fajitas and margaritas! Sadly for them they did not bring their A game playing Buzz Word, and got schooled 3 times in a row. and it was our first time playing. Their son Parker is 2 weeks older then Brodie and definitely showed him up in preeeetty much every single way. Crawling all over the place, pulling himself up...that boy's gonna be smart!

Harland & I
We're doing great...just wishing we could spend more time together! He just brought me in a salad and is making dinner as soon as he walks in the door from work...I guess I should go help!

Love, peace, and chicken grease.

Worst day ever?

2010-03-25T17:36:00.000-07:00

-6:30am: Got up, played with Brodie bc he was up for some strange reason, left for school.
-8:15am: Rear end the car infront of me on the highway. Look at damage...there is none. Don't have my licence or insurance on me bc I'm always with Brodie and it was in the diaper bag. I don't carry a purse bc my bag is ginormous. She decided to call the cops. I asked her to look at the back of her car bc there was no damage but one very small scratch. She said, "that's your opinion." and I said, "well that will be yours too if you get out of your car and look!" "No, I'm not looking." WOW. I call and get my policy number for her and when I do the cop FINALLY shows up.

-8:45: Runs my name and asks me to get out of the car. I had a ticket from years ago that I never paid bc I was living in Austin and thought I wouldn't get in trouble for it, esp when I have been pulled over since. (Yes, like a dumbass.)
-9:00: Got booked and felt up... and sat in a cell by myself for an hour (while reading a wedding magazine.)
-10:20: Constable took me to Irving Jail and I waited to get booked for 2 hours. Had to take my bra off at that one. I was lookin GOOD. I also had only had a 5 hr energy shot for breakfast bc I was planning on eating at school...I was staarving.
-12:00: Chicken.Pot.Pie. Who served it? A guy I graduated with at Allen. I started talking to him and he wasn't allowed to say anything back.
-1:00: Still not booked in...Harland has been waiting for hours. When I ask why people who got here hours after me are getting booked and I still haven't, I get the response, "YOUR IN JAIL! YOU SHOULD HAVE PAID YOUR TICKET!" oh and BTW, they told me that no one had asked about 'Barton' yet. I was freaking out thinking Harland wasn't there... when he had infact asked if he could bail me out countless times. BITCHES.
-1:20: I am still not booked, but I am taken into a cell? Hmm... (H can't pay and get me out until I'm booked...you can't be put into the actual jail without being booked!) As I walked into the main part of the jail I felt like I was in prison...Irving Jail doesn't mess around. It was very intense. Sat in my cell and looked at the wall until I made myself fall asleep.
-2:40: They let all the girls out of their cells and we lined up against the wall, head touching the brick, hands behind our heads. After the frisk, I stepped back one step and the woman officer SCREAMS "GET BACK IN LINE, HANDS BEHIND YOUR HEAD!" I looked at her and she said "THAT IS NOT A REQUEST!" I put my hands behind my head and started bawling. I felt like the biggest piece of white trash.
-3:00: As soon as it was over, they called 'Barton' on the loud speaker and I yelled "THANK GOD!" I brought my blanket and mat to the front and got my bra and changed out of my prisoner clothes. ($878 bail.) Walked out and Harland, Monica, and Brodie were waiting for me...like they had been for hours.
-4:00 Pick up my car from the impound lot. ($118...which is pretty friggin good!)

Total Money Spent on BS: $1,250 including the money Harland and I both would have made at work today. Oh and that's not including if that biotch who called the cops in the first place somehow does something to my insurance...but what the hell can you do when there was NO DAMAGE!?!

PS. All of that money came out of my wedding fund... now I'm down to $1,700 :(

Today blows.

Happy Birthday Ambularr!

2010-03-24T12:38:00.000-07:00

Amber requested that I post everyday (ha!) but for her BIRTHDAY I will put more effort into writting more.

SPRING BREAK! whoo-hoo!... ha. not what it use to be! But for me, AMAZING. I wasn't suppose to have one, but when H got laid off, I decided to take off a mod and work full time. So here was my SB:

Most important... HARLAND GOT A NEW TRUCK! We also took care of all his warrants (from unpaid tickets and probation) which has been hanging over our heads for a while! :) We just have to take care of his licence and pay probation now. Thought it would be years till we got here... sooo excited!
-was making some mad money, so decided to spoil Brodie for the first time. Went to Once upon a Child and Kid to Kid and spent $200 on toys and a nice highchair.
-had lunch at On the Border with Alyssa and Maddox
-bought B a new awesome car seat for his fat butt

-went to Blackfin with Erica, Megan, and Nicole...and BRODIE. hahah it was for lunch.
-had the best time I've had in Dallas on St. Pattys day on Greenville.

-ate at Blue Fish with Erinn, Harland, and Jessi
-had dinner with all the coppell girls for Kels' bday and went back to her house to party
-went to erica's new apt to take care of her dog...MAN i miss having my own place! haha
-completely re-did our living room, painted, hung up our new TV above the fireplace, moved all the furniture around...now we're painting our bedroom and I bought a bunch of new things for it.
-visited Harland's dad in the hospital, they had to give him 7 pints of blood (we have approx 10 in our bodies).

-we all went to Chuy's in Dallas afterward. It was the first time we've ever all been together, and the first time in 10 years that Harland was with his mom, dad, and all his siblings!
-went to my Chuy's with my siblings :)

-went to the bookstore with Brodie and played in the Kid Section and read books..and bought books.
-went to eat on the patio with Harland, Brodie, Monica, Nick, Sonia, and Ily at one of my FAAAVE places Mi Cocina. (Brisket tacos are to DIE!)
-out to eat at Maggianos with all of them also
...so basically I did a lot of eating out hahha. 8 times in one month... dang...and I'm going out to eat tonight for Ambers Bday haha.

BRODIE
He is 8 months and is...
-crawling (sort of) backwards haha

-JUST GOT 2 TEETH! never thought that was going to happen
-got his first booboo. he somehow got to the other side of his crib and knocked down his mini humidifier. poor baby!

-FINALLY SAID MAMA!! it was just once, but we got it on tape! haha
-says "nyny" when he's going to sleep! i think it's the first one he's said that he understands
-22-23 lbs. last time he was weighed was 2 months ago and he was 21.
-watching "Your Baby Can Read" and really enjoys it. I don't let him watch any other TV so that he will pay more attention to it.

-He is sooo much fun, and is literally the easiest baby. I love him to death.

PS. Thank you to all my AMAZING friends for helping me out with Brodie while I was working or going to school!
Sonia has watched him a million times.. I don't know what I'd do without her!
Stephanie you're always there for me and it's so appreciated!
Lynsey is driving all the way from Denton to watch him Friday morning!
My Mother in law to be is my lifesavor, I wouldn't be able to go to school at allll without her.
My Mom has watched him over night about 5 time which is so awesome.
My sister is amazing with him, and he's a big fan of his aunt winsey. haha.
My aunt Michele has 3 kids and still takes him when I'm really in need. AmAZing.
Hailee, Alyssa, Nicole, Andrea, my Gma...Thank you all so much! Brodie and I love you very much!

Quiz Me

2010-03-08T21:36:00.000-08:00

-How did you and your significant other meet?
weeelll... I was suppose to meet up with my friend Erica when I came into town for my moms bday one night. She was lazy (yes, woman i said it.) and asked her boyfriends' roomate to pick me up and of corse look who that turned out to be. so I'm at chili's where we're suppose to meet, talking to all the people I use to work with, including my ex, and he calls and said his car is about to break down. so I'm thinking what a loser, and what a bad excuse to not get me. he was thinking why am i waisting my time on this girl who lives in Austin and who I've never met. well his car makes it to chili's, and when I heard, "are you Brittany?" I turned around and was pleasantly suprised. We ended up taking my car, and talked the whole way to dallas about what I like in a guy?! haha. he wasn't saying a word, but I was describing him to a tee, and he was just smiling. we ended up going to Billiard Bar and had our first kiss... one of the most memorable nights of my life. I kept looking at Erica and mouthing, "O.M.G." haha. We had an unfortgetable 4 days together, then I had to go back to Austin... and he ended up coming 2 days later... and staying for good :)

-Out of all your friends, who is most like you?
Well the person that has the life most like mine would probobly be Amber, but personality wise would most likely be Sonia.

-What is something you do that even YOU know is weird?
a lot! where to begin? i talk to myself, i can walk around hobby lobby all day long if i could, im sure Harland could answer this Q a lot better than I could...

-Favorite shows?
Desperate (even though it's not so great anymore), Two and a half men, George Lopez, Roseanne, Nip/Tuck, Dexter, Enterouge (obviously don't know how to spell it.)

-Drug of choice?
coke. a cola.

-What are the things within arms reach of you right now?
Brodie's monitor, Bible, "The Love Note" (book), check book, Cosmo, lottery ticket, Box full of love notes and cards, alarm clock, st. pattys day beads, my daily planner, Alfred Angelo catelog, and my wedding planner. Geez.

-What is on your to-do list for the day? for the month? the year?
today: go see H's dad in the hospital, finish cleaning my room, go to work
month: finish another Mod.
year: save up approx $15,000 for the wedding and honeymoon!..and obviously plan the wedding.

-What are the colors of your bedroom? Living Room?
bedroom everything is turquois (sp!) and brown, living room: deep red and brown

-What is your favorite thing in your house?
my family.

-What is something that people probobly think about you that isn't true?
that's a good one, and i really have no idea. you'll have to tell me what you think about me and ill tell you if it's true!

-What is your morning routine?
if i dont have school, constantly check my video monitor bc Brodie doesn't cry when he wakes up, so he just chills in his crib till I come in there... and when I do he gets the BIGGEST smile on his face, makes my day. Then I feed him oatmeal, and we hang out together. when i have school i just get ready, kiss B on the forehead while he's sleeping, and leave.

-What perfume do you wear?
I wear a certain scent to certain events... (I'm VERY big into scents.) Everyday scent: I Love Love. Work: Midnight Fantasy which I get complemented on at least twice a day. Dates: Pink. Parties and big nights: Obsession Nights (My fave...and I've made it 3 of my friends faves too.) Family gatherings: Daisy. Must have all 5 at all times!

-How long have you and your significant other been togther?
in April it'll be 2 1/2 years.

-Your song with your significant other?
we have a few. first was "it's your love", then one day I went in my car after work and there was TONS of balloons, and a note he wrote and when I started my car it was playing "she got whatever it is" and I'd never heard it before, so that's our other one.

-What was your longest relationship?
i think Mark and I were about 2 1/2 but on and off.. so H

-Best day of your life so far?
OK I know everyone says "the day my child was born", but I'm going to be real. It was. I'll break it down...
the day I had the most fun was Memorial Day '08. Spent the night at my friends house, we went to Devils Cove right when we woke up. Hooked our boat with about 15 others, ended up knowing a TON of people already there (on their yachtsss), drank, danced, swam...it was a BLAST. That night we went out to eat with about 20 ppl... but I don't remember anything but yelling at my waiter for getting me enchiladas when I wanted fajitas (but apparently SAID enchiladas haha).
the most exciting day (no joke) was the day...or week rather...that I met Harland. Allll my friends know all about this. I knew he was the one RIGHT away...It was the most intense feeling I'd ever had, until of corse I had Brodie.
The most memorable and most important day of my life was, again, when B was born. It was very unreal to me, even as I was pushing, I was thinking, "I'm not really having a baby right now." haha. What hurts me to this day was my initial feeling towards him wasn't what I had thought it would be..infact I was a little upset at first. I wanna cry thinking about it... but my first thought when I saw Brodie was how much he looked like my birthdad. They could be the same exact person. (Not a fan of the birthdad obviously.) He still looks like him, because I look a lot like him, ESP when he frowns it's uncanny, but thank goodness he's looking more like H everyday. After that initial thought, as soon as he was laying on my chest, things changed...but I don't think I'll ever forget that unfortunately.

-What is your biggest insecurity?
my dark circles under my eyes. i get ask all the time if i got punched in the eye. how nice is that? that's like asking someone whos got a little belly how far along they are. DONT ASK UNLESS YOU KNOW FOR SURE!

-When is the last time you stole something?
haha well everyone at work knows im a big pen theif. if i see a good pen i like i get twitchy. hahah. Harland and I are funny about our pens, he likes the thin marker type and i like the really fat ones with big grippers that write smooth. we're wierd.

-What's your favorite hobby?
scrapbooking. anything with pictures really.

-Fave songs from the past year?
well all my fave songs are at the very bottom of my blog, minus some that wouldn't download, but from this year idk... music sure isn't what it use to be. um im gonna say "obsessed," that break up song from mario, "it wont be like this for long"... not a good year for music.

-Least Fave?
i could write all day in this category. ANYTHING from lady gaga. the second i hear "ra ra ohlala" I can't change it fast enough. that song 'according to you' OMG worst song ever. "1,2,3" from britney spears. HORRIBLE song... talking about how "living in sin is the new thing!?" awesome I get to raise my child in a world where a hit song says that on the radio.

-Fave Drink?
coke. alcoholic? bacardi O and redbull.... new fave is Incredible Hulk! yummmm! Hennessey and Hypnotic!

MONEY

2010-03-08T13:19:00.000-08:00

I was just in the shower going over certain people's IDIOTIC choices in spending money and I decided to write all the things that I spend money on to show that person how truly dumb their decision was.

(Let me note that I am so FRUGLE that I actually write down every dollar I spend, so I really do know what all I spend money on.)

*Brodie

(You would think that this would be where all my money goes, but bc of amazing family and friends, and MEDICAID, this is one of the smallest categories.... this might shock you.)

-Formula: have only had to buy 6 cans of formula in 7 months: ($81!)

-Clothes: this boy has about 3x as many clothes as I do, and only about $100 worth came from me.

-Diapers: we have used cloth diapers up until now bc they don't fit anymore and I don't want to spend $250 on the next size, (we got all the first size at our babyshowers), so we have only had to buy 3 packs of diapers: ($50) Wipes: ($30)

-Furniture: Crib on Craigslist: $200, made all the other furniture so money that we spent on parts only about $50. Paint: $40 Novelty items (scrapbook, piggy bank etc.): $100

-Books: $50... I only shop at the sale items at barns and noble...books are friggin expensive! Luckily he's already got a TON... I looove reading to my little man.

That's it! Brodie's grand total: $700!!

*Entertainment:

Movies: $20 a month

Drinks: $10-20 a month (and of corse $0 when I was pregnant) I go out about once a month now-a-days, unless I go out with Sonia then it's $190! (hahah jk girl!)

Out to eat: average $40 a month (for me only)

And that's about all my entertainment...

*Clothes

$0!!!

The last time I went to the mall in a YEAR AND A HALF was to buy Brodie's winter clothes!! The only money I've spent was at Plato's Closet for a bigger size for my "maternity wear!" ($75) That's right girls, a YEAR AND A HALF. I'd love to see any of you try!

*Makeup:

In the last year: $50. No lie people.

*Hobby Lobby: (my weakness)

Decorations for Brodies room: $50

Decorations for our room: $120

Decorations for rest of house: $100

*Pictures:

$30 in the last year

XMAS cards: $30

Engagement Party Invites: $40

Babyshower Invites: $40, $20

Stamps: $40

*Gifts:

In the last year: Ambers Baby, Sean & Brandi's Baby, Mom Bday, Audrey Bday, Allie Bday, Linds Bday, Harlands Bday, Valentines Day, (No Xmas bc we has no money!), Anniversary...

$650

*Wedding

Deposit on my dress: $600

=GRAND TOTAL: $3,400!! That's all the money I've spent this year besides groceries and gas.

Money that I've spent that wasn't a necessity: approx $1,000...and that's for me to have somewhat of a life with going to school, working, having a baby, and planning a wedding.

I thought I would just give reason to why I'm pissed off that someone can just gamble away almost what I spend in a YEAR, in one night!

John 3:16

2010-03-05T19:34:00.000-08:00

"God so loved the world, that He gave his one and only son that whoever belives in Him will not perish but have eternal life."

I have not written ANYTHING about my love for God and I think it's way past due. I've been going to a Northplace Church in Sasche on and off for 6 years. My ex, Mark, and I started going there together, mostly to youth groups and I would leave almost everytime in tears. Church never really got to me until I went there. I grew up Catholic and went to CCD every week and got confirmed when I was in highschool (for any of you that know...WOW what an ordeal that is!), but I never had the choice of what church I wanted to go to or if I even wanted to be confirmed. (Sorry family, I know it hurts to hear that.)
I wanted to go to a church that spoke to ME. I have nothing against the Catholic Church, I just want to get something out of going to church, and I never did when I went there. So I brought Harland to Northplace with me one time and he loved the Pastor, and even though it's a pretty good drive away, we have been going every week. We were a little discouraged when we went from church to church not finding what we were looking for, but luckily I get to spend my life with someone who has the same beliefs as me so we weren't going to stop looking until we found one. When we couldn't find one close to us, we decided to stick with what we knew was good.

Last week, Bryan (our Pastor) talked about the importance of reading the bible, and again, I left in tears. I have never read the Bible! I am actually a complete dummy when it comes to it. When I was younger I attempted reading the King James version which kind of answers why I stopped. At ten years old trying to read that? My grandma sure tried to get me to read it, she came over weekly to have Bible study which I really appreciate now... but I couldn't stand it at the time. I want to read the Bible to Brodie everynight. I hope I can make it interesting to him, but I don't want to force it on him if he disliked it like I did. I think it turned me further away from it. It was the fact that I had to read it as an assignment... no wonder I was turned off.

So after that sermon, Harland and I went to the bookstore and each picked out our own bible. We also picked up a book based on the movie Fireproof which is a Christian movie that we watched a while back (HORRIBLE acting but great message.... I still definitely recommend it.) It's about a marriage that is torn apart bc of the husbands obsession with porn (of corse they don't put it that way.) The husbands father gives him a 40 day "dare" that had helped his own relationship. That's what the book is about. It gives a Bible verse everyday and a few pages of great advice and how it relates to the Bible. At the end of each day it has a dare. The first day dare was about Patience. We weren't aloud to say ANYTHING negative to each other. (Wasn't hard, since we let God into our lives in such a huge way we have been like teenagers in love again.) The 2nd day is about Kindness. Again weren't aloud to say anything negative, but to also do one unexpected gesture. (I did two.) So we get in bed at night, read our dare for the next day, and read the Bible before going to sleep. It's my official goal for 2010, to finish and study the whole Bible for the first time. By the way it's going I don't think it'll be hard.

OK time to back up now...

So my Sister and Maid of Honor turned sweet Sixteen!! I threw her a suprise party at my house with the help of her friends. I hope she knows how much I love her :)

I went with Hailee, Sonia, Linds, and my mom and found.... MY WEDDING DRESS!! I want to put it on here so friggin bad but I won't. You'll just have to wait and see! But let's just say it is AMAZING! I never thought I'd spend so much money on a dress but when you're in love, you're in love! haha

Monday morning Harland got laid off for lack of work. For some reason I wasn't even worried. Something came over me and told me it would be okay and I was comforted. He had sidework for the rest of the week, but I decided that just in case he didn't get a job, that I would take off school for a month and work full time. Well he already got a job, 4 days later! And it pays 2 dollars more an hour, with a dollar raise every 6 months! That's an extra $300 a month! Thank you, Lord! So I decided to just work as much, and be able to save some moola for the wedding.

2 of my other bridesmaids have Bdays this week... can't wait to celebrate with yall! Kels and Krysten have a great 22nd!

MY BRIDESMAIDS...

2010-03-01T16:56:00.001-08:00

Remember when I said I'm going to have some HOT bridesmaids? Well I wasn't kidding....

Lindsay (Maid of Honor)
My Sister, Roomie, Best Friend. Also one of the craziest and funniest people I know

Sonia (Matron of Honor)

I've only known her for two years, but we got so close so fast. She is always there for me, and I haven't had this type of friendship in a looong time! It's a great feeling KNOWING someone always has your back! To top it off, she is Harlands' best friends' wife, so basically the four of us are attached at the hip!

Amber

I've known her longer than anyone. I met her when I was one year old! Our Moms were best friends, and now we're having babies at the same time as well! We have so much history, it's amazing where our friendship is today. I'm so happy to say I have a best friend that I've known for 21 years!!

Katie

We met our Junior year of HS and she was basically the reason I survived. I'm so excited that she's graduating soon and will *hopefully be moving back to Dallas!! (Oh and she's also the reason that Brodie was born... haha)

Erica

We met our freshman year of HS...and we have had some craazy times. She's the wild child :) She also is the person that introduced me to Harland!!

Megan

I've known her the least amt, but I love her just as much. She is one of the best friends I've ever had! We met in Austin at Chuy's a little less than 2 years ago...she is one of the sweetest, prettiest, most fun girls I know.. (and brains to boot!)

Hailee

I met Hailee on our soccer team in 1st grade, we also went to the same elementry school. We basically lived together growing up, our Moms became friends, and now we live about 2 streets away from each other! She is a very strong woman with her hands full, and she pulls it off well.

Jordan...

We met in Austin our Freshman year of College, and realized we went to the same hs...but she moved there the year I moved away and we never met each other, but we have all the same best friends! She lives in Tyler but comes back to Dallas as often as she can to visit! She is so sweet and always has a smile on her face, even if times are hard.

Erinn...

We met in 6th and I have kept in touch with her more than anyone from middle school. She is so much fun to be around... there is definitely not a dull moment with her!

Lynsey...

Was my absolute best friend in middle school, we lost touch for a few years but I am so happy that we are back in each others lives! She is goofy as hell...and I love it.

Kelsy...

We have been friends since 6th, but have never been as close as we are now. I wish I would have realized what an amazing friend she is earlier on! She is ALWAYS there for her friends, and has such a great heart. She's the kind of person that puts others before herself...I've never met another girl like her!

Krysten...

Also been friends with since 6th. This girl is TALENTED! Sings, dances, acts you name it. She also definitely is on the goofy side! :)

The 5 Girls...

My Ushers

Kenny

I met him the first day of 7th grade and was wow that's my new boyfriend (ha!). Fortunately, instead he became my best friend. He was also my prom date Senior Year. He is one of my absolute favorite people to be around!

Friends since 5th grade, we got closer every year. Ty is the absolute best person to talk to, he is as insightful as he is HILARIOUS. He has a great heart and great morals.

So I have a bridesmaid/usher that is a family member, one since birth, one from elementry in Plano, one from elemetry in Coppell, 5 from middle school in Coppell, one from Coppell HS, one from Allen Hs, one from Austin before I met H, one from Austin after I met him, one of Harlands friends... basically a bridesmaid from every era of my life! :) That's so weird! haha

i love you brittany, and harland im sure ill love you at some point :) i wish you both the happiest lives and an amazing future and marraige. there are no other two people that deserves this the most! you have a love that people look for their whole lives. im so happy for you two.
-erinn

i love you all so much.. thank you for being a huge part of my life. you really don't know what your friendship means to me!

To the hospital we go...and go again...

2010-02-18T08:06:00.000-08:00

As most of you know, we took Brodie to the hospital on Monday. I came home from school after my sister had called and said he was throwing up really violently. He has NEVER thrown up before. He spits up after some bottles but nothing like this. When I came home he was sitting in a towel after 3 baths and had the saddest face I had ever seen. I held him and he just constantly threw up all over me but I didn't mind a bit. I just wanted to comfort him in any way that I could, I was bawling. He sounded like a cat trying to throw up a hairball, it was heartbreaking. After throwing up about 4 times in 30 min, he started throwing up stomach acid. He had NO color in his whole body, I was terrified, and that's when I decided to take him to the hospital. As I was putting him in his carseat, I saw that his lips were completely blue. Lindsay and I sped to the hospital and when I sat down in the waiting room, a nurse came in to call the next person, saw Brodie laying on my shoulder like dead weight and said "WE NEED TO GET HIM IN RIGHT AWAY!" They rushed him into a room and about 6 nurses and a doctor were working on him at the same time. Again, bawling. He just layed there, with no color, no movement. They were doing turnikets and putting needles in him (over and over again bc NO ONE could find a vein) and he was just looking off into space. I took this pic once he got an IV in him and started getting color back in his face:

he was as still as could be, but at least he had color

We were in this room for about 3-4 hours and Harland, Brodie, and I all fell asleep

He started feeling better once he wasn't dehydrated but it was very clear his tummy still was hurting

The parametics came from Children's in Dallas and took him in an ambulance :(

You never want to see your baby on a stretcher

I rode with him and Harland followed behind. We stayed overnight at Children's and he had two spells of diahrea that stunk up the WHOLE floor. I heard people saying outside, "What is that smell!?" It was HORRIBLE. Harland and I slept on a fold out CHAIR and were woken up every hour by the nurses.

He's finally back to his old self, thank GOODNESS. I could not live without seeing him smile another day!

KENDALL GRACE COUGHLIN

Brodie's future girlfriend was born last week! She is the most beautiful baby girl I've ever seen! Brodie, Harland, and I went to visit her and her parents at the hospital the morning after she was born and then we brought her Taco Soup the day she came home from the hospital. I'm sooo excited that my best friend since I was ONE is now a Mommy too! I can't wait to have play dates and go and do lots of Mommy things together :) Congrats Amber and Kain!

WEDDING UPDATE:

So after many hours of deliberation, I decided that I can't decide on my bridesmaids. So instead of choosing, I'm having all 12! Before you freak out, 7 will be up with me, walking down the isle and such, and 5 will be greeters and such. The 7 will be in long dresses and the 5 will be in the same dress just a lot shorter.

Walking down the isle will be:

Lindsay -- Jimmy
Sonia -- Nick
Amber -- Dustin
Katie -- Foster
Megan -- Sean
Erica -- Lee
Hailee -- Chase

Erinn, Kels, Lyns, Krysten, and Jordan will be my other bridesmaids... I couldn't choose between them since were all such close friends, and I didn't want them to just not be in it so I had to find a way to have them all :)

Our ushers will be Kenny, Ty, Gleason, and Johnny.

After the wedding, we'll have a party limo that fits 24 to take us all to the reception! :) (Sry bro, you're a little too young for the party that will be going on in there!)

My Mom, some of my bridesmaids, and I are going dress shopping this Saturday while the dress I want is on sale! Hopefully we can decide on two bridesmaids dresses, too.

I've been reading some budget wedding books and I am just FULL of ideas.. I can't wait to save up this money to go through with it all!

I picked out the flowers as well...

I'm going to carry an orange bouquet, hopefully very close to the same color as the bridesmaids dress, and the girls that are walking will carry the white ones.

Sonia and I have been looking at wedding venues for her and we found 2 really good ones! It's pretty cool that my Matron of Honor and I can plan our weddings at the same time!

SCHOOL UPDATE:

I finished another Mod (2 classes) both with A's! 95 on both of my finals. 4 down, 14 to go. I started two classes on Tuesday, Medical Law and Ethics which I'm liking a lot (HATED my last classes) and my teacher is also a Wedding Planner! booyah! I'm also taking a Front Desk class which is a snoozer.

Hope everyone has a great rest of the week!

Something that made my day...

2010-02-12T07:59:00.000-08:00

Here's some comments that made my day, containing to the comment that someone wrote me a few days ago. Thanks so much for all the comments on fbook and here, yall really made me feel better :)

Anonymous said...
Britt.. ignore that ignorant girl. Just because you didn't get married first doesn't mean you're irresponsible. You took responsibility for your actions AND you're an amazing mother!! Obviously the irresponsible one was the female who aborter her baby.. there are shelters and halfway houses for women who WANT their baby despite not having support or money. She wasn't raped, the sex was voluntary, and abortion was the selfish easy-out.

Anonymous said...
Brittany. I don't know you, you don't know me, and quite honestly I don't know how I came across your blog, but you are 920802348% right about the abortion issue. After reading a couple of your posts, I have come to the conclusion that you might be one of the most inspirational young people that I have ever heard about. Yes, you have it rough, but you are doing everything in your power to provide a positive world for your baby. It is awesome to see someone who took what could be a horrible situation, find the positive, and embrace it. Brodie is a handsome little guy and SO fortunate to have such a dedicated mommy. God Bless.

PS. Brodie said his first word!! Unfortunately it was Dada. :( hahaha

Here Comes the Bride!!

2010-02-05T10:00:00.000-08:00

That's right people... we are finally putting together a wedding! I can't believe it... I'm actually planning a wedding! I'm getting MARRIED! I'm also pretty sure it's going to be Labor Day weekend this year! I can't tell you how excited I am! My grandma has a veryyy wealthy friend who has 5 acres of land and Harland and I are going to go look at it on Saturday to see if we would like to have our reception there. This way we don't have to pay for a place to have it and we can bring in our own food and alcohol! We also talked to our Pastor at church on Sunday and we are going to go to pre-marital counceling and he will most likely marry us. I'm not sure where the wedding will be but it WILL be at a church.

So now the whole Bridesmaids thing is driving me crazy. I have so many good friends and I can't decide who to choose! It's going to be 6 or 7 bc that's how many best friends Harland has. So here's my list of girls:

-Sonia (Matron of Honor)

-Lindsay (Maid of Honor)

-Amber Coughlin

-Katie Svetina

-Megan Cooper

-Erica Rondon

-Kelsy Hogendobler

-Erinn Moody

-Lynsey Marvin

-Jordan Beasley

-Krysten Cabel

-Hailee Handy

So basically 5 of my best girls won't be in it. Is there anything that the rest of the girls can do in the wedding??

To the girls above... if yall can help me come up w a way to decide please let me know! I'm seriously torn!!

I would also like Kenny Leddy, Ty Connor, and Tyler Dumar to be Ushers. :)

I've pretty much decided the main color is going to be tangerine.. so here you are ladies.. these are my faves so far:

And drumroll please.... the dress of my DREAMS!

Seriously, can't think of anything I'd like more... except for it to not be $1,500!! :( I told Harland (expecting him to freak out) and he said you should have the dress you really want! I was like whaaaat?? My Mom and Nana said they would pitch in for the dress so maybe I wouldn't have to spend THAT much! I would DIE if I got this dress! I actually really didn't even care that much about the dress until I saw this one.

Ok more about the wedding later... now to catch you up with everything from the past month.

(I found these pics on my gmas camera...)

Christmas

All three of our bdays

Papa and Brodie

Pasty-ness.

learning to sit up

My moms boyfriends 2 out of 3 beautiful daughters (I love B's face in this pic)

Babyshower w the girls from Harlands family. (future Mother in Law, Monica)

Monica, H's Cousin Tracy, Aunt Lynette, and Cousin Sara

H's Aunts Shelly and Missy meeting Brodie, and Grandma Ann

taking B on a stroller ride...wish the weather was more permitting so we could do it more often!

does he not look like 2 years old in this pic!

Cousins at Aunt Micheles

Trying to crawl

hahaha bitter beer face

standing by himself!

watching Backyardigans!

his best friend, Ace

That cat is so sweet it's rediculous

Taking a nap w Dada

Poor baby had RSV (Respitory Virus) so he was on breathing treatments for 2 weeks

2 weeks later at his 6 month well check up... doing a lot better! 20 lbs. almost 28 inches. The doctor could not get over what a happy little guy he was! Even after his shots, the second I picked him up he was LAUGHING. He is also clapping, and when the doc saw him she was blown away!

Yes, unfortunately we are related. hahah jk love you sis.

Went out to eat at Cheesecake Factory with my amazing Nana last night and had fun talking about the wedding :)

Mommy got to stay home on the snow day!! Took B outside for about 3 minutes before we froze our buns off. What happened to global warming?! I am SICK of the cold weather and I saw enough snow for years.

School is going good... pretty friggin sick of the constant studying but it's paying off! I've had almost 10 tests in 2 months and the lowest grade I've had so far is a 96! I'm almost done with this mod (mod is 2 classes a month) so I almost have 12 credits in 2 months! I use to do that in 5 months.

Harland and I are doing great, better than we've been since before I was pregnant! Now if we just had money, life would be perfect!

I'm working 4 days a week right now instead of 2 to catch up with things and save a little for the wedding.

We're having to move to afford a cheaper place unfortunately, but I'm looking forward to not having to pay $2,000 for rent and bills. I have NO idea where we're moving to but hopefully somewhere closer to school bc the hour long drive is KILLING me.

I guess there's no other news to report... hope everyone has a great rest of the week! And Amber, we're praying that baby comes SOON!! C'Mon Kendal!!! :)

To whom it may concern,

2010-02-03T13:34:00.000-08:00

Someone posted this on my blog...

Anonymous said...
"the pictures you posted are graphic. i don't care if you're pro-life or pro-choice, you're irresponsible for posting something like that on a PUBLIC blog. And to be honest with you...it doesn't sound like you were ready to have a baby either. You did it quite backwards and now you're sacrificing the most formative years with your child because you chose to get pregnant too soon. "I'm doing this to better Brodie's life." Really? You're doing him a dis-service and would have been better off going to school FIRST, getting married FIRST and then having a child. I respect your pro-life stance, but think you're absolutely judgmental."

Seriously i want to vomit. No, obviously Brodie was not planned but THANK GOD he came into my life because I have never had so much joy or felt so much love in my life. Yes, I very much wish I would have been married first and if we had the money to get married we would be married right now! I knew I was going to marry Harland the week we met. As far as school goes, since we are POOR as can be, luckily being able to buy Brodie's food bc of WIC, using cloth diapers so we don't have to constantly buy new ones, doing every little thing to just pay our bills right now, I would be doing a "disservice" by continuing to just wait tables. Let me remind you, whoever you are, that I took in my 15 year old sister without any outside help, and Harlands mom who pays rent by watching Brodie while I go to school. I would be doing him a "disservice" by not trying as hard as I can to make a better life for him, and at this point it's not just to give him the finer things in life, it's to keep a sturdy roof over his head, or to be able to keep my electricity on. I have bawled alone in my car countless times when I come home from school, have about 2-3 hours with him, then have to go straight to work. Do you think this is the life I imagined for myself or for my child? HELL no. But if I don't do something about it now then I will be living like this for a LONG time versus just 2 years. Luckily I only have that schedule twice a week, then the rest of the week I get to see him about 5 hours, and some glorious Fridays I get to spend all day with him.

As much as that hurts to hear that, it's nothing compared to the fact that you seem to think I should have had an ABORTION bc I didn't have my ducks in a row? Yes, I'm sure he would have prefered not having the chance to live versus spending time with him grandma, then myself, and then Harland. To me, I think that's a lot better than the working moms who have to take them to daycare!! (Not that anything is wrong with daycare...but I'm having a hard time seeing why him being with his family all day is doing him such a disservice.)

To tell you the truth, I didn't think it was going to be easy or even possible for me to get pregnant. I have Endometriosis which, for some women, means never being able to have children. When I found out I was pregnant, the LAST thing I thought of was throwing away such an AMAZING gift that God obviously really wanted me to have, or he never would have given him to me. And I can already see why...he's made my life so much more worth living. Whoever wrote that is obviously not a mother bc no one who has ever felt that kind of love would ever say that.

Alright, I feel better. Definitely needed to vent after reading that!

Craig...

2010-01-22T17:52:00.000-08:00

I just remembered how I met you!

I was babysitting at someones house I think in 8th grade. All of a sudden I hear something loud in the backyard so I go out to see what it was and you were mowing their lawn! I was like wow, what a cutie! hahah!

A few months later I went with Jordan to a East game I saw you. I was like weren't you that "cute" guy mowing their lawn? I was sooo embarrased that I let that slip!

I just can't stop thinking about this...

RIP CRAIG BISHOP

2010-01-22T10:08:00.000-08:00

I remember...

Spending the night at Vince's and we stayed up all night laughing and having a blast... I believe that was our first...and only kiss. haha.

Vlada's "3 night" party where everyone camped out for days at her house and you and I talked about...everything till about 4 in the morning. Oh and the pictures I have from that night are PRICELESS. Still to this day that was one of the best nights of my life!

finding and running to you in the hallway... bc all I have are memories of you always making me feel better.

Coming in town from college and going to your parents house... hanging out with all the boys, drinking beer, and wearing that OU shirt that you LOVED. haha.

Going over to your apt and you blarring music, thinking you were a badass. (but weren't you?)

Countless nights chillin in your backyard, then watching you get on that stupid motorcyle that took your life.

I wish I would have hugged you a little longer while I had the chance.

Abortion.

2010-01-21T10:20:00.000-08:00

So for those who don't know, I'm in school to become a Sonographer or Ultrasound Diagnostic Tech. In class we are learning about abortions and I am just not myself right now. I've always been Pro-Life, I've written countless essays on abortion, and my grandma even marches infront of Abortion Mills and because of her she's saved a few babies lives!

Now remember people, this is my blog and I am free to express myself fully... so if you don't like what I'm saying then don't read it. It just says a lot about your character.

Now one thing I didn't know about abortion is that as early as 4 weeks old, a fetus can FEEL their hands and legs being severed. How can someone possibly say that they are not a human? As early as 8 weeks the fetus has every single organ developed in their body, yet women are allowed to have abortions up until their SECOND trimester?! If that's not murder, I'm not sure what is. Not to mention murdering your own flesh and blood... someone who has a very good chance of looking a lot like yourself! So what if the baby isn't planned, it may not have been planned by you but God had a plan for them. He/she had a whole life mapped out for him and because of their selfish, self-centered parent, they will never know what was in store for them. They're in Heaven, wishing that their mother could join them one day but without repentence and asking God for forgivness, unfortunately that will never happen. (Again, fully entitled to my opinion.)

If ANYONE has any questions about abortion or is considering it, please PLEASE talk to me or someone that is knowledgable about the subject. Or even take some time to fully understand what you're doing to your BABY and even to yourself! I know at least 3 people that had abortions because they "weren't ready" and later on in life when they were ready, they couldn't have any children simply because of the abortion. That child still has a right to live, even if it's not with you. Adoption is one of the most respectable and selfless things I can think of, if you're not ready, someone else is. Not all pregnancies are planned, and yes I was scared when I got pregnant... I had many fears mostly about being able to afford a child, about me going back to school, about me not being married... but once I saw my beautiful baby boy, those worries all went away! If God puts you to it, he will get you through it. And He has. Brodie is BY FAR the best thing that has EVER happened to me. I never could have known what he could bring to my life while I was pregnant, and I never would have if I had aborted (which TRUST me..never entered my mind.) I would have been a completly empty shell. In fact, most of the people I know that had abortions use that exact description...bc I don't know one person that didn't regret their desicion. If you feel that you could ever have an abortion GET ON BIRTHCONTROL...and keep these pics burned in your memory.

Abortion Video

As I was looking up abortion sites, I came across something that absolutely disgusted me. A letter from Planned Parenthood saying how abortion is not shameful....and how to buy an "I had an Abortion"...and apparently proud T-Shirt.

Have you ever seen anything more revolting? If I saw someone wearing that shirt, there would be trouble.

For those of my friends who had abortions, if you truely regret your decision please ask God for forgivness. I'm sorry if I offended you, but I am more passionate about this than almost any other subject matter.

Sweet, Sweet Lovin!

2010-01-19T09:51:00.000-08:00

As you may have seen on Facebook, we had some hard times in the last few weeks. If I were to tell myself a year ago about everything that I am doing these days, there is no way I would believe....myself. I feel like I'm going 100 miles an hour, every minute of the day. School, Brodie, cleaning, Brodie, Work, Harland, study. So on Saturday I basically think of that day as Family Day. However lately it's been me at home playing with B as well as studying, you know, alone. To make a long story short, I've been upset that Harland basically has not been putting his family as his #1 priority. (There's more to it, but we'll keep it at that.) I spent a few days at my moms to basically let him know that I'm not going to continue to stay home and wait for him all night while he does what he pleases. Families don't work that way. At least mine isn't going to. I already barely get to see him and when you add that on top of it... basically I had just had enough. So he asked me to talk, and promised me things would be different. Once you're a mother or father your night life HAS to change. Yes you can still go out once and a while but the way it's been for him is far exceeding that limit.
Our relationship since our talk has dramatically changed. I haven't seen this side of him since before I was pregnant. He's been absolutely amazing, having meals waiting for me when I come home from work (and I do the same for him when I don't have to work), sending me sweet txts again, being tounchy feely, constantly kissing me and hugging on me, and just being CONSIDERATE. This is definitely the guy I fell in love with. I hadn't really even realized how much things have changed since we have not been able to put our relationship first, but now that we're really concentrating on it, I am extremely happy. :)

While we were going through our funk, me and my girls got together and vented.

All I did was send them a message saying I was upset and the next day they all made time to meet with meto make sure I was ok. Have I mentioned how much I LOOOOVE my girls?! This Saturday we're going to AUSTIN for Lyns' bday and to get the heck outta Dallas... I can't friggin wait! I haven't been back since I moved (besides for a few hours for my babyshower)! I can't wait to see my bridesmaid MEGAN and the boy I use to nanny for, Hunter.

School is going great, here's my grades so far:

On Anatomy tests: 97, 98, 100!!! I've turned in all my homeworks so I have 100 for that.

I haven't gotten my research paper grade yet but so far I have the highest grade in my class!

Brodie is just as amazing as ever. His mean ol' teeth won't leave him alone but he's still happy as can be. I constantly miss him but I'm doing this for him to have a better life. I know it will be worth it one day.

Monica (H's mom) is life-saving! I just LOVE her! She couldn't be sweeter or more helpful. I seriously would lose my mind if it weren't for her!

So recap: life is busy, but I really couldn't be happier!

DECEMBER 2009

2010-01-07T13:47:00.000-08:00

Oh Blog, how I've missed you! This has been suuuch a busy month.. probobly more than any other month of my life! Let's start with my birthday...

Dec.2
Harland can NEVER wait to give me gifts so right at midnight I got a cake, perfum, a card, and a dozen roses. (Sry, nothing will compare to what I got him for his bday...or more like what I had to do to get it, but we'll get to that.)

We were waaay broke so all we did that night was go to the movies.

That Friday Sonia, David, and I went to S4 (my first time!) I have to say that might have been the MOST fun I've ever had at a club before. We sat down to watch the drag show and I was called on stage. The tranny was friggin hilarious. After a few Incredible Hulk's (my new fave drink: Hennesy & Hypnotic), we met up with Kenny... and I gotta admit I don't really remember much else. Looking at pics the next morning kind of filled in some blanks... and it looked like I was having a BLAST!

The next morning I woke up to this. I really do have it all.

I got up to get ready for Amber's Babyshower and woooow it was hard. Harland made me a bloody mary to get rid of my hangover and luckily it helped. Amber picked me up and off we went to her babyshower. Jess did an AMAZING job! The decorations were awesome. It was a great turn out, I hope she had a blast!

That night we went out again for my bday. (My bday is a week long event.) All the Coppell people, Harland, and I went to Madison Ave. (I think that's what it was called.) It was a great bar, but not when you have a bunch of ppl with you... it was waaay too crowded.

Harland and I argued about the norm (smoking) so I didn't have that great of a time.

We talked the next morning and he told me he's going to make a better effort to quit and that's all I can hope for. As of now he's only smoked a few times so I'm really proud of him.

A few days later...

We went to go get pics of B with santa (I will upload them later) and we invited Alyssa, Charlie, and Maddox to go with us. He is seriously adorable... and such a happy baby. I wish we had more time to get together with all of them, I just love them!

OK this might be the funniest pic I've ever seen.

The next day we went to his brothers house for an early XMAS while his grandparents were in town. Brodie got his first xmas present, a blow up penguin that wobbles and camo overalls.

Monday, Dec. 14
Harlands Bday & my first day at Sanford Brown! We both couldn't sleep at all that night and when we woke up at 6 I was dead. I don't remember the last time I had to wake up that early... besides to tend to Brodie. I got on my scrubs and headed to meet Aunt Michele to drop Brodie off. She greated me with Starbucks and off I went to my first day of school. The drive is another thing I'm not use to. With dropping B off, it's an hour drive. Gross. When I got to school I had a 5 hour energy shot and wooow did I regret that later. I'm not a coffee person, so I was sick to my stomach... it literally felt like it was in knots, but I also felt like I wanted to do laps around the school.

I went to Michele's to pick up B and my breaks go out, while he is in the car! I pull over and have Michele take him back to my house. When we get back to the house, Nick and Sonia were there setting up the 32" flat screen TV that I waited in line for 6 hours to get on black Friday! He walked in and was veery excited! He wasn't excited, however, about working on my car the rest of the night so that I could go to school the next day. He was so sweet about it, didn't care that the only thing he did on his bday was go to work and then work on my car ALL NIGHT. Anyways, the next 2 days I dropped B off at Sonia's and Thursday Steph watched him. (I have the BEST friends in the world!)

So here's the breakdown with my school... It's an 11 month accelerated program. I'm taking EIGHTEEN classes worth 2.5 credits!! That's like taking at least 7 classes a semester at any other school. Only 4 is concidered full term. The only way I'm able to do that is because you take only 2 classes every month (M-T for 5 hours a day) and then you're done. I love it this way bc I can concentrate on only 2 classes at a time. So my first class is Medical Terms and Anatomy. I love it! My teacher looks like the dad from American Pie and everyone can barely understand him but I'm beginning to realize that his D's are P's, B's are V's and S's and C's always start with an E. (That was very confusing at first...we were constantly asking him to repeat things.)

My next class is retarded. Student Success. I think I have like 3 retard classes throughout the year... oh well, easy A.

The next weekend I had lunch with my sister, her bf, Brodie, and my gma at the Rainforest Cafe. Then Nana and I went shopping (haven't been shopping in a YEAR people!!) All I got was winter things for Brodie but I still had a blast. I've never been able to buy him really anything so that was a blast. Nana got him his first XMAS ornament, it's adorable. Then I met up with my mom and brother at the skate park in Grapevine Mills and watched my bro show off...

The next day we all went to my Gmas to celebrate mine, Harlands, and my bros bdays. Man, bdays are just not what they use to be when you have a child!

Speaking of....
here's my adorable baby boy

taking a shower with mom... one of my absolute favorite things.

The night before XMas Eve we went to PFChangs... our 3rd date since we've had B. He wasn't feeling well so we made it a short dinner and went back home. Around 1am I started wimpering and H asked whats wrong... and I RAN to the bathroom. He's like holy crap what is WRONG with you!? The only time I've ever thrown up since I've known H (and in the last 8 years besides one drunken time in Erica's car) is when I was pregnant. I was really freaked out. I've never once in my life gotten up to throw up. I went back to bed and thirty minutes later threw up again. This happened 5 times from 1-5am, Harland rubbing my back everytime even though he had to go to work the next morning. I just told myself to fall asleep so that I would stop... and I did until Brodie woke up at 7. I told H he didn't have to go to work and he was sooo relieved. He told me I should take a shower to feel better and I did... I sat down in the shower for an hour and tried to just sleep. As soon as I thought I would feel better I got out and the second I felt that cold air I was back to where I started from. I layed on my bathroom rug for an hour. I've never felt so sick in my life. I was shaking and had the worst nausea I've ever felt. All I could do was curse PFChangs over and over again. I went back to bed and a few hours later I was absolutely fine! I had thrown up absolutely everything so I guess whatever it was was out of my system. Thank God because a few hours later we were meeting up with my whole family.

Christmas Eve it snowed!! The whole family went to church together and the walk to the chappel was HORRIBLE. It was snowing and FREEZING... B didn't seem to mind at all though. After church we went back to my gmas for dinner and presents.

my fave family pic

all the grandkids. they were about to take the pic without me... I guess they forgot that I was one!

Siblings

My fave present he got!

That night I read him a christmas story (which I will every year) and we all slept by the fire on the couch together and waited for Santa!

We woke up and I said MEEERRRY CHRISTMAS to Brodie and it was like he knew what I was talking about, he was sooo excited!

Here's B Man after opening his present from Jamie (the woman I use to nanny for.. that was so sweet of her to think of us!)

Right after opening presents, we went to my Moms and opened more and had an amazing Christmas lunch.

His family came over to our house afterward and the girls WHOOPED the boys in some board games. (H's dad went to the hospital the night before. He had a heart attack but is doing better thanks to everyones prayers!)

That night we left for our cabin in Ruidoso, New Mexico. We all drove together (Nick, Sonia, Brodie, H and I) but Brodie and I slept pretty much the whole time. We got there around noon and basically slept till dinner.

Here's B excited to be out of his carseat!

This is my nana's cabin and she was suppose to meet us there a few days later but she didn't end up coming till the night before we left...so Brodster came with us everywhere, including skiing!

I stayed home so they could go snowboarding the day before so I could study, so the next day Harland, Sonia, and I took turns staying w B in the lodge.

The last time we went there wasn't much snow so many of the lifts weren't open... but this time was amazing. We were at almost 12,000 feet and skiied down 2,500 feet at one time!

The next day it snowed... and here is the famous pic of Brodie that I sent everyone.

The view from our back porch

H and Sonia had never made a snowman so...

The next day we went to town to shop

We took a pic here 2 years ago

hahah

We went skiing again once Nana got to the cabin but it was the day after it snowed and I was miserably cold. My toes were frozen and we went all the way to the top again and that was definitely a mistake. I told H we HAD to go warm up and I went to get by the fire and as soon as I got my feet out of my shoes, my toes started BURNING. There were probobly 700 ppl in this lodge and I straight out cried I was in so much pain. The blood rushing to my toes was unbearable. H was holding me and I didn't care at allll that I looked like an idiot. After that I was done. I basically skiied half a day and payed for a lot more. I went to the car and studied while everyone else skiied. A few hours later Sonia gets to the car crying and shaking and said she just threw up infront of everyone in the lodge. Nick said he felt like shit. We sat there for 30 min being miserable waiting for H, and he walks up all smiles saying he just skiied all the way down 3 times by himself. In the FREEEZING cold blizzard.

Mad man.

We went home, relaxed, and then got on the road again for Dallas.

We told scary stories as we got into Roswell which freaked me the F out. Brodie and I slept again and we got into D around 7am on NYE.

We slept all day and then dropped B off at my grandmas. We went to Dustins and played games and got waisty faced. I don't remember the ball dropping or our kiss.

We went to pick up B at 11 the next morning and she said she had a blast with him. She had never had him overnight so they had no idea what an easy baby he is. Sleeps all night and has a bottle at 7, then goes back to sleep till 10.

So the Monday we got back was my first test. I studied like a crazy person. My whoooole break I was hitting the books... so if I didn't get an A, I was going to cry. I got a 97!! He said the highest grade was a 97 and the whole class starts freaking out... "who the hell got a 97?!" I just put up my hands and gave a little "Whoot whoot!!" hahaha. I just hope I can keep it up! I am going to graduate at the top of my class.... period. There are about 120 ppl in the Medical Assisting Program and I have no doubt in my mind I can be #1. I want to be able to say that I was valedictorian when I go to job interviews. Man that makes me so excited to think about that.

Here's some even better news: Harlands Mom moved in with us! I know you're thinking, "you're excited your MIL moved in with you!?" Y-E-S yesss. She is amazing. I don't have to take B anywhere in the mornings which is the biggest plus, but I get home and my house is also CLEAN! With school, work, Brodie, and trying to have a LIFE, I have had NO time to clean. Plus Xmas presents and going on vacay it was pretty bad. Don't get me wrong, that's not the only reason I love having her there... she is such a joy to be around! She's very easy going and sweet and loving... and when she see's that I need to study, or really have my hands busy she keeps him busy. Everything is working out amazingly!!

In the world of Bro Man:

-he is officially sitting on his own

-he can already stand for a few seconds

-he's been able to roll over both ways for about a month!

-and good Lord he finally found his feet!

-that wasn't the only thing he found! hahah

hahahah he'll kill me for that one day. o well.

I hope everyone had a very merry CHRISTmas and has a great year in 2010!! I know I will! :)

Happy Turkey Day!

2009-11-25T13:56:00.000-08:00

I have SO much to catch up on... this is going to take forever.

Whew. I'm exhausted. We just got back from running errands... not easy when you have to carry a huge diaper bag and a HUGE baby in his car seat... not to mention change 2 diapers, feed him 2 bottles all in the middle of already doing a tooon of things. We went to the pediatrician (his 3rd because I still haven't found one that I like, and I still didn't love this one. I had to tell the nurse to write down the shots she just gave him on the chart I already gave her, they just didn't seem as professional as I would like. The doctor was nice but ehh... I guess I'm just picky. We might be looking again. He weighed in at 17 lbs, (78th percentile... gained 2 lbs in 3 weeks) and 20 1/2 inches, and has a 19 1/2 head circumphrence (97th percentile!! that's a lotta brain! haha)

After the docs office, we went to the WIC office and filled out paperwork and such and got my WIC card! Finalllly. Free formula, baby foods, milk and other things. That saves me about $200 a month! Thank you Lord!!

Thanksgiving was this week, and my family could only get together on Sunday, (which I work) so I couldn't come! So Harland and I decided to have Thanksgiving dinner at our house, with his family. His sister got to meet Brodie for the first time, and his grandpa saw him for the 2nd time! His mom couldn't make it till the next day, it would have been the first time in over ten years that they were all together. We were really sad she couldn't make it.

Here's the Thanksgiving outfit we WANTED him to wear. Unfortunately it only stayed pee free for about 2 hours.

I made the turkey, stuffing, creamed corn, and green bean cassarole. My mom brought the salad and another stuffing. Harland made the mashed potatoes and helped with the turkey.

I made the gravy, and I must say, it was DELISH.

I also made Brodie's Thanksgiving meal: Butternut Squash!

I made Pumpkin struedel cheesecake and pumpkin/chocolate pie.

Passed out from his meal

Harlands dad, he's so good with Brodie!

His Mom got to meet him for the first time!

That night I went all the way to Keller to meet up with Sonia and her family and we did some Black Friday shopping. (My first experience) So I had gotten up at 7am Thanksgiving morning, then stayed up till 7am the next day. I waited in line for Harlands bday present for 6 hours!! I got him a 32" flat screen TV... it was $250 on sale from $500. It's our first flat screen! Don't say anything to him about it, he has no idea! (He better FREAKING LOVE ME.)

That next day his Mom came over and I was DEAD tired. I had about 3 hours of sleep, but I really wanted to visit with her. We showed her all the videos of Brodie that she had missed (and of corse the lottery haha).

Saturday was our engagement dinner! We had our own room at Abuelo's. It was awesome! We had a buffet style dinner, it was just $20 for each person, I definitely recommend it for anyone who wants to have a dinner with lot's of people. We had a Bride's side and a Groom's side. A lot of people showed up, but unfortunately only ONE of my bridesmaids showed up! But she was the main one I wanted to be there bc I had been planning on asking her to be my Matron of Honor for a while! So I stood up in front of everyone and asked her. (I kind of felt like I was proposing! haha) She almost started crying, it was really sweet. I've known her less than all of my bridesmaids (except Megan) but we've gotten so close in the last 2 years and she has just shown me how it feels to have a truely great friend. I've had a lot of good friends but when it comes down to it, I've never really had someone who has NEVER let me down. I know I can always count on her and that's a really great feeling. I love you Sonia! My sister is my Maid of Honor (it's my wedding, I can have two if I want to! hah)

Anyways, my sister, Megan, and Amber couldn't make it but I'm not gonna lie I was pretty upset that the other 3 girls didn't even let me know they weren't coming. Why should I have them as bridesmaids when I have great friends who have been there a lot more and really want to be my bridesmaids? Doesn't make sense to me. I was suppose to go to Austin to be in a parade that Chuy's puts on every year, and then wanted to go to 6th to celebrate my bday but I changed it to that date so that a certain person would be able to come, and she didn't. Maybe I shouldn't be writting all this out, I'm just reaaaally sick and tired of depending on my friends and them not coming through. I am ALWAYS there for my friends when they invite me to ANYTHING. I like my friends to know they can count on me. Ok, enough venting.

Here are my AMAZING friends that came

And Harland's

All the girls except ERINN

Hubby & Maid of Honor to be

After dinner, Harlands bro gave us coupons for free entry and free drinks and Pete's Piano Bar! We had enough for everyone-- it was a BLAST. Then the girls paid for Harland and I to get on stage and we had a spotlight dance it was really fun. Thanks girls for doing that!

Brodie has grown up so much in the past few weeks. My sister went out of town and when she came back she said, "I knew I would miss everything!" She missed a ton! He is starting to eat solids! The doctor said as long as he's 4 months, holding his head up, and has doubled his birth weight then he is more than ready! He's had an insane growth spurt, he's up to 8 oz with or without rice cereal and eats solids for lunch, as well as 5 oz. I puree his own food, I've made carrots, butternut squash, and bananas. I'm using a baby cook book and it tells you when to do each thing. I regret the bananas though. He pooped FOUR times after that and when he spent the night at my moms, he kept her up all night bc he was in pain from his gas. Poor little man. We'll definitely hold off on the naners. Next were gonna try apples.

He's also already sitting up by himself! At four months! He can for up to about 5 minutes.

He is talking like CRAZY. I mean constantly. He really likes the sound of his own voice. And we're still working on him rolling over. Kinda wierd he can sit before he can roll over haha.

And here's the cute pictures of the week:

"Mom, please I just woke up!"

"What'd I say Mom? No more pictures!"

"Ok, now I'm angry!"

His new toy!

Already taking my money

His future wife

Turning his body so he can watch the TV!

I had to leave for work and he was sleeping so I said "Brodie I love you!"... and got this:

I pretty much starting crying.

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!

I am never cooking again!

Happy Birthday Erica!

2009-11-19T11:17:00.000-08:00

So I wrote on facebook that I did something that will change my life... and here it is. I officially enrolled in medical school! Sanford Brown in Dallas. Harland, Brodie, and I went up to the school to ask my last questions and figured out that the best route for me to go was to do a year of Medical Assisting. I'll get a job in that field, then return to school to do what I really wanted to: Sonography. (For all that don't know, that is the person who gives sonograms, usually to pregnant woman.) With my medical assisting background, I will have a higher chance of getting a job bc I will be able to give shots, do blood work and so forth, as well as do ultrasounds. The average first year sonographer makes $65,000 a year, so hopefully I'll be rackin it up after my 2 1/2 years of school and 5 month externship. Sounds great right?

Downsides:

My schedule is from 8am-1pm M-T, then I work Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday. That means 2 days out of the week, I can only see Brodie for a few hours, and that's while I'm doing homework! To add more craziness, Harland wants to start going to school to become an electrical engineer. I love that he wants to learn and provide more for his family, as do I, it's just going to be hard when we're doing it at the same time... and with a baby. I think the sooner we do it, the better, bc it's best to go while I only have one child, bc we want lot's more!.. and this way I'll be able to make money sooner.

Another Downside:

The MONEY. It's $52,000 ($42,000 after grants) in student loans, and I already have $30,000 in SL already! (big sigh.) But you know, when you have to pay for everything including your wedding (biiiig sigh) what do you expect? You have to get the money from somewhere, and it's either that or just not go to school and get stuck being a server the rest of my life. So my plan, as crazy as it is, is to work two jobs (basically just adding serving on the weekends so I can have nights with the family) and put everything I make from serving towards student loans, so that I can pay it off in 5-6 years, and it won't be heavy on my sholders the rest of my life.

So... I'll be out of school in 3 years, and after I start my career, after about a year, we can get pregnant again. Brodie will be starting kindergarden, it will be great timing. (Isn't that crazy to think of Brodie starting kindergarden!?)

Things will be crazy hectic, and I will be exhausted, but this is what happens when you have babies before you finish college. I HATE that I wont be able to spend as much time with Brodie as I would like, but I want to make a better life for him, and in the end I think he will be really happy. At least I hope so. He doesn't wake up till ten, so it's only a few hours less that I will see him M-T so that put my mind a little more at ease. Sonia & Nick offered to watch Brodie twice during the week which is HUGE, I seriously want to cry it makes me so happy that we have such amazing friends. (Thank yall SOO MUCH!) My Nanny also offered to watch him once a week, so I just have to find someone to watch him one day from 7-1:30. He's the happiest in the morning, he sleeps till ten and is all smiles until his nap again at one. If anyone is interested PLEASE let me know! Or if anyone can do once a month, anything is helpful... we can't really afford a sitter, and he is way too young for day care.

Here's some updates on Brodie:

-He got to meet his grandma (Harlands Mom) for the first time last week! It was only for a minute, but we are going to visit her on Thanksgiving. It'll be the first holiday we're spending with his family since we've been together.

-He is reeeally trying to roll over. Harland said he rolled over in his bouncy chair while I was at work (damnit) but I haven't seen it since.

-He can scoot his body up. He arches his back and kicks. In the middle of the night I looked over at the monitor and his head was touching the side of the crib! He scooted his body more than a foot!

-He's doing this wierd thing where he chews his tongue? He put's his tongue to the side and CHEWS it. Anyone know anything about that?

-He said his first word. (haha) Lindsay said hi! And he said hi right back! Harland, Linds, and I all looked at each other in shock, it was really funny.

**Update with his diapers:

EVERYONE SHOULD GET THESE!! No joke, I LOVE them. I was in the grocery store, in the diaper isle doing math yesterday, and I figured out that I'm saving a good $75-100 a month ($1,800-$2,400 by the time he's potty trained (if that happens when he turns 2) It's not just about the money, you never have to worry about running out and having to stop and run to the store when you realize you're out. Also, they stay in such perfect condition, people use them with mulitple children. That's minimum $2,000 a kid! I asked for them at my baby shower so I've never had to pay for any diapers! They are expensive, $10 a diaper, but when people are buying you diapers for your babyshower anyways, I just asked for these! Harland installed a sink in the garage, so when he has a "bad" diaper, I toss the liner in the toilet which has all the nastiness, then theres sometimes a LITTLE on the side, so I have stain remover and a scrub brush and I just run it under the water for a sec and it's gone. Then I toss that diaper in the pail with all the other diapers (pee diapers are just as easy as disposables... instead of tossing it in the trash I just toss it in the water bucket.) I have 25 diapers and I go through about 6-7 a day, so they stay in the bucket with water and a tiny bit of soap until the end of the 3rd day and then I do a load of diapers. The only inconvenience is doing an extra load of laundry, but how long does that actually take? 1 minute tops. They are also as easy to put on as disposables. If Harland can do it, anyone can. Oh and I also don't have to worry about a stinky trashcan.

Ok that's enough about diapers. Onto my new AMAZING phone.. the Droid!

They call it the "Iphone Killer." It has EVERYTHING the Iphone has, but the internet is INSTANT. The aps on it are insane. I have one that even if your phone is on silent and you can't find it, you txt it where r u from any phone and it beeps loudly for 5 minutes till you find it! I love it. It's been almost THREE months without a phone! I have the same number, so please txt me your name so I can try to get my contact list back! Everyone have a great rest of the week... and HAPPY BIRTHDAY to one of my bridesmaids, Erica! Love you girl!!

Save the drama for yo mama!!

2009-11-12T13:57:00.000-08:00

I'm so frusterated with... people. Do you people LIKE to be involved in drama?! Don't create it if you don't want to be in it!

I would love more than anything to get Brodie and Harland and just GO AWAY. Just get away from any and everything.

Okay, I'm making it sound worse than it really is... I just HATE drama. And I HATE being a girl. If I had the choice at birth I would have said... hmm. Cramps, periods, childbirth, breastfeeding, and sooo much more... vs. JUST HAVING TO SHAVE MY FACE? I'll take the razor burn. My doctor told me I wouldn't be on my period for a while with Mirena, but guess who already started.. after being on it for a month STRAIGHT. Plus.. really doc? You say no blood clots? How strange.

Yes. I am PMSing. And maybe I'm mega PMSing bc I haven't in almost a year. The only perk in being a woman is getting to spend most of my time with my little man.

Also found out today that only a certain number of people will be 'accepted' into the Sonography program at Sanford Brown and that I have to take an admissions exam, plus be eligable for $36,000 of grants or student loans, AND I have to take about 13 more hours of classes to get in. Just when I thought I was getting things figured out. Harland and I are going up to both of our schools tomorrow (that's right, Harland decided to go to school the same time I am.. who's watching Brodie? Exactly. No idea). We have to talk to them about FASFA and figure out if we're going to be able to go to school. STRESS.

So now that you see how much I have on my plate.. plus everything from my last blog plus having no money to do jack crap including GETTING MARRIED... please don't add DRAMA to my life. Thank you and have a GREAT friggin day.

TO DO List

2009-11-11T10:55:00.001-08:00

I was in the middle of laundry, thinking about my hectic life and how I wish I could put everything I need to into order... so I thought I would get everything out and blog about it.

The past week I have been on some sort of cooking craze... and I usually cook mmm... about once every three months (not including hamber helper and all the eazy schmeezy meals). I never had any interest cooking until I got to college, and unless my roomate Jess was cooking, I wasn't going to get any home cooked meals, so I had to do it myself. Once I learned how, I loved it. Scot and Chris (my old friends from hs) moved in with me and we cooked for each other all the time. That all changed when I met Harland. When he showed me his cooking skills I basically was like, "what's the point?" He put me to shame. He makes the worlds BEST: steaks (ask any of our close friends), burgers (ask anyone who's been to our cookouts), and tacos (ask Brandi & Sean). He turns the simplist things into my favorite things. If I was on death row and could have one last meal, it would be his steak, mashed potatoes (another worlds' best) and grilled corn on the cob.
Anyways, back to why I started cooking. Since Brodie was born, there hasn't been a lot of time to do things like cook... or anything that doesn't take longer than a few minutes. The only 'me' time I get, is when I'm writting these blogs... I use to love watching my shows or take baths and read a chapter of whatever book I was reading.. now I let my shows run while I run around the house cleaning or tending to Brodie, and well, I just don't take baths anymore. Or read. (I do watch Desperate Housewives with my sister on Sunday nights, after Brodie's in bed.)
So there has been a lot of frozen dinners and sandwiches... quick things. Harland and I have been so sick of eating the same thing over and over again, I decided what's one more thing to take on... making dinner. I looked online for 7 recipes, then Hailee and our boys went grocery shopping. I have made 5 dinners in a row (which has been more than I've made all year).
All these dinners I had never made before:
Friday: meatloaf (tasted just like my moms!)
Saturday: roasted honey barbeque chicken
Sunday: pot roast (the sauce was my fave part, it was like heaven)
Monday: chicken pizza.. on creasant dough.. it was soo yummy
Tuesday: baked maccaroni and cheese (my sister came home sick and wanted mac&chz and we didn't have any so I made it from scratch! It ended up being one of my faves!)

Harland will have to fend for himself tonight (which means roman noodle) bc it's Chuy's in Plano's first year anniversary (which hopefully means $$$... which reminds me, I made $100 tip on $113 tab the other day... cheeya!). There will be a TON going on, facepainters, Elvis, happy hour all day and more.

So here's the main reason I'm writting this: I need to get my thoughts in order.

TO DO:

Harlands 'legal' situation:
-talk to a lawyer
-save about $2,500 (so far we have about $1,000) for his fees
-save up even more to get Harland a car bc his is basically the worst car ever.

THEN we can save for a wedding. :(

-make an apt for WIC to get formula, then go up there... (an all day event)
-get my oil changed
-finish building the sink in the garage for Brodie's cloth diapers
-go grocery shopping... AGAIN
-pay bills
-finishing cleaning the house that never stays clean
-have H fix disposal
-get the cat a catbox with a LID
-take Deuce to get his nails clipped

and I have to do all this plus work and take care of Brodie by tomorrow. welcome to motherhood.

ps. this morning Harland asked, "do I not have any clean jeans?" I replied, "I dont know, did you wash any?" (ha.) I have only been washing mine and Brodie's clothes for the last week... bc he's a big boy, and I have enough on my plate right now. He goes to work, yes, but so do I. And when I go to work he just relaxes with Brodie on the couch. I am constantly up doing something. Always. I will be leaving a "honey do" list today... including do your own laundry. :)

Aces!

2009-11-09T18:30:00.000-08:00

A few months ago, I wrote that I love Brodie more and more everyday, and I don't know how it's possible, but it still continues to grow. His smile absolutely melts my heart. The thing I use to dread was having to wake up early in the morning, after waking up at whatever time I wanted to(noon) while I was pregnant. But now that he's sleeping through the night and the first thing I see when I wake up is his smile, I really don't mind it. (Actually, it's really not early.. we wake up around 9:30.)

So we had a very busy week this week (not that every week hasn't been extremely busy since he was born). Jess & Parker came over, so the boys had a play date. It's so wierd to be around a baby the same age, and see how they are progressing. We had sitting contests (haha) and the boys cooed at each other for hours.

This weekend I had a girls night with Erinn, Lyns, & Kelsy. Jordan and Krysten were suppose to come... still not sure what happened to them...??? Anyways, I absolutely love when we all get together. Sitting at dinner that night it was just like middle school, sitting in the cafeteria together. haha. We catch up and tell stories from years ago over cocktails. After dinner, we bar hopped in Addison. None of us were really in the drinking mood, so we went back to my house and watched movies and then the girls spent the night.
The next day, Harland, Brodie, and I went to my gma's cabin in Honey Grove so he could do some electrical work around the house. It was my first time there... I couldn't believe what a great job she did on the house, it was beautiful! Me and Brodster went on the trampoline while Harland went to work...

"Hey Ladies"

caught him mid-sneeze

As we were about to leave, we saw 3 kitties at the back door meowing to get some food, so, of corse, I instantly started, "aww babbbbe I reeeeally want a kitten!" And he, of corse, gave me that look like "why didn't we leave 5 minutes earlier." We had to get rid of our first kitten we got together bc the doctor said that the cat litter might have been the reason we lost our first baby. So when we found out we were pregnant again, he made me get rid of her. But look who's not pregnant anymore!! I didn't have to do much convincing, bc he knew how bad I have been wanting a cat... so... welcome Ace! Now we have a Deuce and an Ace! He is such a sweet cat, unlike our first. I didn't want him in the house until the next day when I could clean him up and get cat litter, so I put him outside and he hung out in our tree all night.

Where's waldo.

He's gorgeous! He's been in our spare bathroom, getting use to the house and has been doing great. I bathed him and he didn't mind at all! Brodie's falling asleep in my lap right now so I'm going to go read him a story and put him to bed! G'night all!

Brodie's First SHOTS!!

2009-11-05T11:14:00.000-08:00

Well the day I've been dreading had to come some time... Brodie's first shots. I'm a month behind because only a few pediatricians take Parkland Medicaid... so I called to see who took would see him in Plano, and they said it would take 6 weeks!! Well I thought that was for first timers only, but after his visit they said they didn't have another apt till JANUARY! And he needs his next shots in a month! So I don't care where I have to drive to, he will be on time for his next shots and all the rest. So here's how it went down: he needed 4 shots, and I told her I'm not doing more than 3. My uncle died the day after he had his first shots so I have been scared to death of this day since he was born. SIDS is most common in first borns, males, and if it runs in the family. So I have 3 out of 3. He will catch up with that last shot his next apt... I just don't want to overwhelm him. The doctor said he is perfect, that he is in the 85% of his weight (at 15.3 lbs) and 75% of his height at 28 inches (he's grown more than 4 inches and 9 lbs in 3 months bc he went down to 6 lbs the day after he was born). She said he's already way ahead in his motor skills which was pretty obvious... holding his head up since he was a day old, and being able to push it up on his belly since he was a few weeks, smiling after a few days, cooing after 6 weeks, and holding his own bottle at 3 months!! She was amazed that he could already do that. She said he should start to try to roll over in a month or so and I told her he can already twist his whole body around, but can't fully roll all the way over... that'll be next!) Anyways, after the visit I was a nervous wreck. I had to go to work and I was miserable, calling and checking on him as often as I could. One time I called Nanny and he was screaming crying... which he really never does. I got home and let him fall asleep on my chest (which I never do, I always let him put himself to sleep in his crib) but I wan't to just make sure he was okay. After Jeff (my uncle) died, my Nanny had my mom and other uncle sleep next to her for two years... as I'm sure I would have. You're such a strong woman, Nanny. I'm so sorry you had to go through that.

Here's Nanny and Brodster feeding himself :)

Since he started holding his own bottle, I decided to see what else he could do! I am retarded for not putting him in his Bumbo earlier, I just thought he was too small... but I could barely put his chubby legs in there! He LOVES his bumbo... and I LOVE it while I'm in the kitchen. He's just right there next to me smiling while I do the dishes... I love my little buddy.

Trying to put the bottle back in his mouth. He was a little off.
haha I thought this was too funny

I broke out his first hat, too! Megan got him this shirt it says "I'm with the hottie pushing the stoller." haha too cute.

I broke this play mat out a month ago and it wasn't too exciting, but now it's his favorite thing!

The last thing I tried was his "big boy bath" which I'm not a fan of yet. He's big enough, but I had to hold him still and I was just nervous the whole time, so next time I'll be putting the hammock back in it. He seemed to enjoy it at first, but after a few minutes he didn't feel secure. I'm with ya buddy!

I'm going to end with the 2nd cutest little boy I've ever seen... this will seriously make your day! (Sry Brandi I had to steal it from you!)

http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1610699488?bctid=31812464001

Trick or Treat!

2009-11-01T11:00:00.000-08:00

Hello All! Halloween was great... as it is every year, making it my favorite holiday. Our Halloween party was a blast.. it was my 3rd one and every time it definitely ends up being worth all the money we put toward it. (This year we charged and ended up making almost $250... just covering the alcohol.)

The creepy man Harland put together

Gomez and Wednesday Adams

Future brother and sister in law

Chuy's gang

The next morning we got Brodie Bear...

and discovered that he can hold his own bottle!!

This was his first time, he's a pro now!

Then me and Brodster went to Chuy's with Jor, Lyns, and Kelsy!

That night we went trick or treating as Romo, Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader, and our football. haha

We went with Sonia, Nick, Ily, Dustin, Addy, and his brothers kids.

hahah everytime the flash went off his eyes got HUGE

yes, we stole his candy. muahahahah.

Then we went out to eat at Friday's-- which I offically love. It's always gotten a bad rep but everything we had was AMAZING!

Speaking of AMAZING... Brodie is officially sleeping through the night! 3rd times a charm.. and this is my 3rd method of trying to get him to sleep... just letting him cry. I never really have. Now that he's sleeping in his crib, the second I would hear him cry, I would put the monitor on mute so Harland could sleep and I would just watch him on the screen. If he would cry longer than 10 minutes I would go and feed him but I only had to do that once... he would fall asleep everytime after 5 minutes. After about 3 or 4 days of this he would wake up less and less and now he wakes up at 630 (so about 9 hours of sleep straight), Harland feeds him only 2 oz. (bc he's up at that time anyways) and then he sleeps for another 3 hours and then we're up and I feed him 6 oz. I LOOOOVE my little man!!

Here's a video of Brodie saying his prayers before bed :)

Happy Halloweener!!

2009-10-26T12:22:00.000-07:00

I thought I would entertain you with some pics of my Halloween's throughout the years:

(05) Senior Year Dorothy (or Whorothy as my Mom called it). I miss my old room!

(06) Freshman Year of College: A Cop... Me and Jess had our first Halloween Party.

My roomate Jess and I in my room at our first place
(07) My first Halloween with Harland... the first night I was a devil..

..and the night of my halloween party I was a prisoner and he was the prison gaurd.

(08) 70's Party

(08) We carve pumpkins every year but I didn't take a pic of the first one. so here's our pirate..

and we decieded to go COWBOYS!

(09) We each did a pumpkin this year... let me know which one you think is better.. we have a bet going! He wears a OU shirt, or I wear a UT shirt!

This year we're having another Halloween party, our first in Dallas! We're also taking Brodster trick or treating the next night... you'll have to check back and see what we were!

Here's Brodie showing off his Halloween spirit...

WE'RE ENGAGED!!

2009-10-15T10:49:00.001-07:00

That's right people, Finally! In fact, that was my response when he asked me to marry him! There has been more going on lately than I can probably remember so here's to trying....

All my kiddos turned ONE in the last few weeks! My cousin Michael, Iliana, and the twins Brittyn and Kennedy.

Michaels First Bday Party

My Aunt Michele w Brodster

Iliana's First Bday Party

This is the toy box we made her

There were a bunch of our friends and some family, and after the whole celebration, I went off to get cake and heard Harland's voice on the mic. I turned around and was like what the hell... he is definitely not the kind to get on the mic infront of like 100 people! I thought he was telling Ily happy bday or something so I went to go get the camera. As I was turning it on (about to film my own proposal) he said, "We've been together for 2 years now and I love her very much." I obviously figured out what was going on, handed the camera to my sister, and watched him get down on one knee. He said "Will you be my angel." I didn't even say yes, I was totally in shock. We were both shaking... and I was completely numb. Everyone was like "Say yes!" haha. Instead, I said "Finally!"

We went out to celebrate afterwards at Zephyrs and had a blasty blast. While waiting for the bathroom, there was a looong line of girls and a girl said "wow that's a beautiful ring!" and I YELLED "I just got engaged!!!" Harland (as well as the whole bar) heard me, came around the corner, and I said "And THAT'S my fiance!" Everyone was cheering, it was hilarious.

A few days later was our 2 year anniversary. I took Brodster to get his first professional pics taken:

Framed this one...

This was in his new wallet I gave him...

Framed this one...

Framed this one for my mom..

He came home with 2 roses.. one for every year.. and said he wanted to take me shopping. I wasn't too impressed with that "gift". haha. For anniversary's I'd like something meaninful... Idk. Is that bad?

We went out to PF Changs.. one of our faves. Shared saki and japenese beer. Nich Deniz from HS greeted us... just the beginning of all the ppl I saw from HS this week. Kristen Egan and Morgan Estep at target, seperately.. Tyler Hurt was our server at On the Border.. went to babysit Stephanie Levesque's twins and Allison Smalley was at her house, in town from Cali. Weird!!

It was also my Mom and Cousin Audrey's Bday's! We had the whole family over at Uncle Greg's so we FINALLY got to tell the family that we're engaged!

There's also been a ton going on in Brodie Land.

FOOD:

I have officially given up breastfeeding. After working 8 hr shifts and not having time to stop and pump, I end up making not even an ounce! I was having to sit and pump or breastfeed for about 1-4 hours a day for about 3 ounces total. It was just way too much work for barely any results. If I started producing a good amount, I would breastfeed for a year. It makes me so mad... but at least he was breastfed for almost 3 months. I tried my best. After not pumping for 30 hours, I woke up and felt like I had huge rocks in my breasts, I pumped, and they haven't hurt since. That was it. One time and I was done... that's how much I was NOT making. Everyone I know said it hurt them for a whole month!

SLEEP:

He slept in his crib all night for the first time a few nights ago. I, however, did not get any sleep. I was constantly checking my monitor. But he's been sleeping aprox 8 hours straight, bottle, then back to sleep for about 4 hours, bottle, then falls back asleep again for about 2 hours. I get up after his second bottle and clean while he finishes sleeping. Last night he slept from 11-8. And we both didn't wake up once! (He was in the bassinet next to me... I can only put him in his crib on the nights where Linds isn't sleeping in the baby room. Boo. But the roomates are moving out at the end of the month, so Linds will have her own room and so will Brodie. And so will WE!!!)

SMILE:

He was in the bouncy seat on the floor while I was in the shower getting ready for work. I peeked out and gave him a big smile and he gave me a HUGE laugh! I've never felt a warmer feeling in my heart before. Everytime I peeked out, he smiled back at me.

DIAPERS:

He also started his new diapers. They're Kushie's, cloth diapers. It's great when he just has a wet diaper, just throw it in the water pail in the garage with some vinegar, but the "dirty" diapers.. oh man. I just did my first one. It'll be a lot easier when the sink in the garage is done... but I can't WAIT for Harland to clean one of those. I'll get it on camera, don't worry. Luckily for you, I did get one video of Harland changing one diaper. Enjoy... I know I did.

This is Jeffrey, Brodie's giraffe. It plays "A Dream is a Wish Your Hear Makes" and moves his head. He loves him.

And of corse.. the Ring. (Drumroll...)

Thanks for all the sweet messages on facebook! Love you all!

Things I Couldn't Live Without

2009-10-06T10:59:00.001-07:00

Saw this on your blog, Brandi, and thought I'd answer it!

Some Mommy things I couldn't live without:

Everyone talks about how breastfeeding gives them cracked and bleeding nipples... well not me! I'm in LOVE with these, it completely took my fear of breastfeeding away. We've been using them for 10 weeks and I completely recomend it!

His Mobile

He calms down the second he hears it, and he loves to watch the animals spin around

His Boppy

This is helpful in so many ways... 1st: Breastfeeding, a great positioner when you haven't quite got it down yet, 2nd: Brodie slept in his boppy up until a few days ago. It kept kim positioned where he wouldn't roll over and he could feel snuggled. 3rd: Props him up when you want to give him a bottle, but want to hurry and put some dishes away. 4th: Is a great seat while he sits with you on the couch!

His sleep sack

Mine are a lot cuter than this, but I couldn't find them online. They are for 0-9 months and I put him in this anytime he goes to sleep bc before this, I would wake up and find he put his blanket over his head.. very scary. This way, it feels like a blanket, and I can rest easy knowing he wont suffocate at night. I have 4 bc he always manages to get it wet in the middle of the night.

Born Free Bottles!!

I've tried Avent, Dr. Brown, Medela, and Air Vent Bottles and these are by far my favorite. No leaking and the filter inside makes for less gas, and it's BPA free. Very pricy though!!

His Video Monitor

The cheapest video monitor I found (only $100!) and works great! I love being able to see hows he's sleeping... if he rolled over on his tummy, if he scooted to the side of the crib and is barely getting any air, or if he put the blanket over his head... all things you need a video monitor for.

His bouncy (and vibrating) seat

I try not to use the vibe too much but I put him in here when I need my hands and he bounces himself

Bjorn

NECESSITY if you are grocery shoping alone (esp if you need the whole grocery cart). VERY helpful even when with your husband. (or boyfriend in my case :( )

Gas drops

he'll wake up in the middle of the night from really painful gas so we give him this before he goes to sleep

Wipe Warmer

He use to cry everytime we changed his diaper bc it was so cold, now he doesn't, but it sure helped the first month

Mirror for the car

Definitely recommend this! I love being able to check on him while I'm driving.

Aveeno bath soap and body wash

MAN this stuff leaves your baby smelling SO good

Johnsons Lavender lotion

same.

I wonder what Moms did before these helpful items!

IT'S A GIRL!

2009-09-25T11:53:00.000-07:00

I have been dying to catch yall up but I seem to never have the time anymore. Brodie is sleeping in his crib and I have the video monitor next to me so I think I can swing it right now. He has changed so much (I know I always say that but it's always true)!

Here's the biggest news: BRODIE SLEPT THROUGH THE NIGHT! 10 hours straight!!! It hasn't been like that every night but last night he slept 8 hours, ate, and went right back to sleep so we are getting there! We are also officially on the schedule I have been working towards: 8am feeding and diaper changing then back to bed for the first nap, then wakes up around 10:30, outfit change and I have my breakfast and get the day started while he enjoys his bouncy chair, his swing, or lately the TV! 12pm his 2nd feeding and it's all about Brodie time. I've been trying non stop to get him to laugh and he's SO close! He was lying in bed with me taking a nap a few days ago and I was studying his face for a while... he kept making different faces (mostly smiles) and then let out a HUGE smile and a little giggle! At 2pm he takes his second nap. I've been trying to get him use to his crib so I put him in there for that nap. At 4pm is his 3rd feeding and I try to keep him up the whole time until his last one at 8pm. Daddy comes home around 5 and that's when we have family time and have dinner. After his last feeding at 8 I put him in his basinett and he goes right to sleep every time! He has been waking up one time from 8pm-8am! I use to feed him his whole bottle in the middle of the night but I'm trying to ween him off of it by using a half ounce less every 3 days. Eventually (hopefully) he won't wake up for a feeding. I'm also not letting him sleep with us in bed, as much as I want to, and I'm not picking him up when he cries in the middle of the night. Just food, music, and some shush's while I "pet" his head. As far as his food goes I could NOT be more frusterated and actually really upset. I'm working SO hard to make as much milk as I can for him and it's just not working. I'll breastfeed him and after he gets realllly upset because there just wasnt that much for him. At the same time, he eats like a mad man (he's up to 6 oz! He's 2 months old people!). Or I'll pump and add that to the formula bottle... It's basically 1-2 oz of breastmilk and 4-5 of formula. I seriously want to cry thinking about it, bc I never wanted him to have formula. It's madning how hard I'm trying and getting barely ANYTHING!

Last Monday we went to Brandi and Seans to cook them some of Harlands AMAZING tacos... I (as Sean said) must have had tape worms in my stomach bc i ate SEVEN while everyone else got full off of 2 or 3. Here's a pic of my strong man at S&B's holding his head up.

Last weekend I went out for Kamwin's 21st bday at Pete's Piano Bar with Sonia, it was a blast! I love that place! Somewhere in the mix I lost my phone... Sonia called it and we heard it in my car, yet couldn't find it ANYWHERE. It ended up dying that night so we couldnt hear it, and when I got home Harland searched for it everywhere and couldn't find it. So if you've tried calling... sry! You can leave me a vm with your number though! Sonia's gonna let me borrow her old one until I get another so I'll have it back on soon. Anyways, the next morning we went to go pick up Brodie from Steph's house (who is a SAINT!).. here's the pics she took.

And some random pics:

(That's Harland under there... I was washing the sheets and he wouldn't wake up so I could put it under him. Sooo.. I just put it over him. He didn't wake up till 5am! And when he woke up he said "Baaabe, why didnt you take off my jeans?" haha I guess he didn't care about the sheet over his head.

He was having tummy time and fell asleep. haha

Sancy caught a smile! Speaking of, we woke up to my roomates car COVERED in white paint, shaving cream, and baby powder! Can you believe someone would be so evil?! I can't wait to MOVE!

Sonia's bday dinner and girls night is tonight! Can't wait! And Michael's first bday party is tomorrow! Fun weekend!

So you're probably wondering why I titled this it's a girl... No, I'm not pregnant--- but my best friend, Amber, is!! I had a dream that I went w her to see what the sex was and it was a boy. Then they went and checked again and it was the umbilical cord-- so it was really a girl! I called Amber and told her she was going to have a girl, then she went to the doc's office and found out it was a boy. She came over and I was like, I'm telling you, it's a girl, Amber! Well she just went back to make sure.. and I was right!! It happened exactly like in my dream. I swear, I can see the future through my dreams! haha. We can't wait to meet you, baby Marley!

Welcome Tucker Sean Laughlin!

2009-09-14T12:04:00.000-07:00

What do ya know, the day after I write that post, Brodie sleeps 7 hours straight! It's been about an average of 5 hours straight... but that 7 hours was the best sleep of my life! The waiting every 4 hours to eat thing has been pretty hard, he's eating about 35 oz a day.. and every book I read says he sould be eating about 25. He's just not satisfied-- so I let him eat as much as he wants, just not whenever he wants.

His new things are just constantly wanting to hold his head up, he wants to be on his tummy so he can push against the floor and hold his head up.. he's been able to do that since he was only 3 weeks old! I swear, he's the world's strongest baby. He also started cooing, the sweetest sounds I've ever heard. Sounds like he's talking, just in another language. He just stares at me.. and makes those sweet noises, it's an amazing feeling. He'll be laughing before we know it!

Saturday, the 5th, Kelsy and Lyns had a housewarming party so me and Erica rode in her new amazing convertable to Denton and saw a bunch of people from my old highschool... including my first kiss! Old school! I had a blast, but felt like I was out of place... like I was way too old to be at a house party. I actually said these words: I feel YOUNG again. haha.

Wednesday (09.09.09 <--how lucky!) Brodie's buddy, Tucker Sean Laughlin, was born! I was pacing around my house all day, waiting for Harland to get home so we could go up there... I was sooo excited to meet him! We went to the hospital to meet the little guy and ran into Harland's ex which was pretty funny. Luckily, unlike many of my friends, there is no drama there. Anyways, he is adorable. Dirty blonde hair and to me he looks just like Sean, and to Harland he looks just like Brandi. We're going over to their place tonight to cook them dinner and help them out with whatever they need. I can't wait to see him again!

Friday, I got to babysit Steph's precious twins! They are absolutely adorable! We watched veggie tales, and the girls swayed along to the music... and had me laughing all night.

This weekend Megan and her boyfriend, Drew, came in from Austin to see Brodie!! I absolutely ADORE her... and him! I'm so happy she finally found a great guy! Friday we went to some ghetto club and felt very white. hah. Saturday we went with Nick and Sonia to Maggiano's (my fave restaraunt) and had an amazing and very expensive dinner. My mom was watching Brodie all night (yay!) so we went out after.. but not for long, bc I wanted to make it to church in the morning. In the morning, we gave Chase Oaks Church another try, but were still not impressed, so we'll try another one next week. Then we went to my Moms to get my sweet baby and watch the Cowboy game.

I'm finally able to write a blog because (drum roll) I finallyyyy got Brodie to take a nap in his crib. He never naps long in my room bc I'm up doing things, but he hates napping in his room bc it's too quiet, and he has to sleep on his back. He usually sleeps in his boppy in his basinett. He's still on his back but it keeps him propped up... or falls asleep with his Daddy!

btw... I added pics to the blog below!

Baby Boot Camp

2009-08-31T21:55:00.000-07:00

I feel like I sit down every week to write and want to start: "MAN, what a week it's been!" Every week is a new adventure with the little one... and every week I want to say that this has been my favorite week with him so far. He is in what I call 'Baby Boot Camp' right now. I'm trying to transition him from the 2 1/2-3 hour feedings to 4, with 3-4 oz instead of 2-3. It's the first step in getting him to sleep through the night. Yesterday was his first real day of BBC and it wasn't near as bad as I thought it would be. Around hour 2 1/2 after his last feeding he started to get to get pretty fussy, because he's used to eating on demand... and now I'm trying to get away from that and get him on this schedule. This morning, I had to distract him from eating twice, for two hours both times to get him to eat at his 4 hour mark... (not very fun when your tired), but now that it's been 24 hours of this, he's doing amazing. There's been ZERO fussiness inbetween feedings, so that's basically 3 straight hours of a content baby! I'm so happy that I'm already seeing results. It's not the easiest thing to not give in, esp when your tired, but it'll be worth it when he's sleeping through the night! I bet he'll be sleeping at least 8 hours straight in a few weeks!

In other news: I FINALLY FINISHED THE NURSERY!
here's a sneak peak:

The amazing changing table/dresser/bookshelf that Harland made (I painted!) haha

The painting I did for him in his safari room

I was waiting for Harland to make the crib, but I figured it would take about 3 more months until he had time so I suprised him with one-- he was pretty relieved he didn't have to make it. Sonia painted the letters for one of his babyshower gifts! Pretty friggin amazing job.

He loves his mobile, thanks Abby!

His organized closet.. with clothes up till 2 years!

Let's see, what did we do this week...

Thursday I went back to work! I dropped Brodie off at his great grandma's and headed to work. It felt like the first day of school after summer break haha. It was great to see everyone, and great to not have to waddle around to get to my tables. Not so great to have rock hard boobs. I don't know what I'm going to do about pumping, I hope my managers are understanding about what I have to do... we'll see. Went back to pick up Bro man and he was KNOCKED out. Nanny must have put some rum in his bottle bc I was trying everything I could to wake him up to get some relief in my boobs. Putting a wet Qtip slightly in his ear finally worked. Then I picked up Linds and her friends from the highschool (WIERD) and took them back to my house to watch baby while Harland, Sonia, Nick, Omar, his gf, and I went to the new COWBOYS stadium to watch them practice.

Friday, after not being with baby all day, I really just wanted to stay with him--- so we all went to dinner with Sean, Brandi, Michele, Chase, and their parents.

looks like a gas smile... or maybe that he was in the company of huge boobs. and no, brandi still hasn't popped yet. c'mon Tucker!!

Sat was Nick's "Suprise" Birthday Party in Greenville... let's just say lot's of drama. LOTS. Sonia's sister was watching Brodie at her house so we went back there and spent the night.

Sunday we spent in recovery. In more ways than one.

Monday, Harland played hookey so we went to lunch with the Gonzales (we like them.. can you tell?) and then Main Event to whoop some ASS in shuffle board. Then I beat Harland in air hockey (shocker)... then moved over to shoot hoops. Total score: Harland 29, Nick 31, ME 41!! Not to toot my own horn but uh.. TOOT TOOT!! haha Nick's gonna be pissed when he reads this.

My babygirl Ily

Peek-a-boo!

Future husband and wife. hahaha

Today I had my 6 week check up... and I was suppose to have a biopsy on my cervix and to have Morena (sp?) put in. Well they didn't have it in their little chart that I was suppose to get either so I have to come back. I reaaally wanted to get that over with. And again, for more than one reason. :) Oh and to top it off, the doctor said, "Wow, you have really dark circles under your eyes!" Well jee, what a fun doctors visit that turned out to be.

Anyways, I'm waiting on Sonia to put up picks.. so check back in a few days for more on this blog.

Here's some funny pics of Bro Man...

He slept like this for 20 min straight... I guess he didn't want anyone touching his face

hahah sleep sitting

I was watching TV and all of a sudden I hear "MOM can I come play!?" and see this. I couldn't stop laughing.

Happy Birthday Michele!

2009-08-24T10:19:00.000-07:00

This has been the best week I've had in sooo long. Brodie has grown up so much... he's a completely different baby than he was last week... and the weeks before. He is so much more content. The only reason he cries is if he's hungry or wants to be held... which we are trying to do less. All the books I'm reading say enjoy your baby, and worry about training after a month. So the first thing we're doing differently is letting him cry--which is really hard. I've only let him do it for no more than 3 minutes bc I can't stand him being upset. I can definitely tell the difference in the "I'm hungry cry" vs. the "I want my mommy cry." Yesterday while I was getting a bottle ready for while we were at Harlands' game, he cried pretty hard and by the time I got back to him he had TEARS in his eyes! He was in his carseat so I couldn't pick him up but I felt horrible. He was like "YOU LEFT ME!" The second I kissed him and stroked his head he stopped crying. He just wanted his mommy. :) I feel like I actually know who my son is now. It's hard to basically figure out your own child in the beginning, you have to get to know each other and figure out his likes and dislikes, and now that I know, I feel a lot stronger bond.

Here are the "Adorable pics of Brodie" for the week... :)

My favorite outfit

This past week...

We took Brodie on his first stroller ride over to Dan's who made us an amazing meal. Half way there we realized the ride was pointless bc he slept the whole time.

The next day I went over to introduce Brodie to his future girlfriends, Brittyn and Kennedy, Stephs adorable twins. (Stephanie is without a doubt one of the best and most hardworking moms I've ever met!)

Friday, me and Linds went to Chili's at like midnight, and then took her 5 cheerleader friends home who were stranded. They piled in my trunk.

Saturday, we went swimming with the Gonzales'-- felt good to get out in the sun again. Brodie was in an air conditioned room right next to the pool where we could see and hear him. It was the perfect set up.

Goobers.

After not eating all day, we went to Ghengis Grill (YUM!) and then picked up my sister to babysit for the night. We went to Sting, a club in Addison, and I think I was the only white girl there. Nevertheless, it was one of the best nights I've had in a looong time. Harland and I were having a blast on the dance floor, and it was great to really have a good time with him again... it's been a whiiiile. We were limited on funds so we brought 2 flasks and just bought cokes (sneaky sneaky) and then I did something I'll never do again.. had our first shots of 151. The instant it went down, I regreted it. We went outside to get some air and let me stomach settle-- but after 3 cups of water I was feelin GREAT. :) Sonia showed me how to salsa.. and we ended up doing that on stage. ha. Great night. I missed that closeness with Harland because of constantly tending to the baby, but I feel it again.

The next day was Michele's birthday dinner at Nanny & Papa's. It was the first time Brodie was with his whole family (well my side) so I had to get a pic...

Michael crawled for the first time in front of all of us!!

PS. Harland hasn't smoked in 9 days!! Whoo-hoo!!

PSS. I'm going back to work this week... boo. So let me know if you want some Brodie time cuz I need sitters! :)

Weird things...

2009-08-17T12:44:00.000-07:00

Here's some random things I've figured out that might help other moms out...

Weird things that make Brodie stop crying:

*THE DISHWASHER. I'll put his chair on the countertop when the dishwasher is on and he falls right asleep.

*THE DRYER. Put him in the carseat and the vibrations and load noise calms him down.

*THE VACUUM. You can vacuum right underneath his swing and he crashes out.

^^The only downside is the SECOND any of these turns off, he wakes right up.

**THE COLOR RED. It's the only color babies can see besides black and white. I put him in his chair and he didn't stop crying until he turned his head and saw the curtains. Kept him entertained for like 20 min! haha

If I find any other strange things make him happy, I'll let you know! :)

Quite the turn of events..

2009-08-16T18:38:00.000-07:00

Lots of things are looking up! My left breast isn't producing enough milk for Brodie so I have to supplement with an ounce or two of formula which I hate to have to do, but for the first time in about 10 days he seems really satisfied after he eats... which has been leading him straight to sleep at night! Last night he woke up twice, ate, and went right back to sleep for four hours each time. We slept from 2am-noon... Thank you very much!

Thursday, Harland and Sean went to go watch the Cowboy game so Brandi and I hung out at her place... she took some really cute shots of Brodie and I with her new badass camera.

Friday, Harland and I went out while Lindsay watched little man, and she volunteered to watch him through the night! We warned her it wasn't easy, but she wanted to do it anyways. Do I have the best sister in the world or what?! We slept in the guestroom and every hour I woke up and walked by her door to see if he was crying, so I actually would have had better sleep if I would have slept with him myself. Oh well it was a good dose of birth control for her :) muahaha

Last night was Jess' 23rd birthday.. she had a Barbie and Ken themed party-- LOVE theme parties. I wore my old pink junior prom dress and went as evening gown Barbie. Good times. Wanted to stay longer but Lindsay was really tired from the night before so Amber took me home after an hour.

Another amazing turn of events: Harland says he's quitting smoking. This is basically the only thing we ever fight about... so if this were to magically happen, Harland would basically be superman. He has never lit up infront of me, but it breaks my heart to find lighters in his pants or when I can smell it on him. He says he's quitting because I hate it so much so it would mean the world to me if he went through with it. Cross your fingers!

soo sleeeepy

2009-08-13T12:19:00.000-07:00

Wow what a week it's been! Extremely busy, a little stressful, exhausting, but great week.

We're gonna go in reverse order since this thing wont let me move the pictures around.

Sunday the 10 Most Wanted (Harlands softball team) won!

Celebrating with some beers

Me, Lindsay, Harland, and Joel went to the batting cages first to practice

What style. haha

They love to sleep like this

My mom and sister came over to babysit so I went out for the first time in almost a year!.. and had my first legal drink!

but after about 2 hours I was ready to go home to my baby

when I got home my mom had compleeeetely cleaned my house! Later on, they also got up with him in the middle of the night so me and Harland could catch up on some sleep... not to mention not be around him when I was buzzed. They were WONDERFUL. love you both!

Friday we went to the doctor (my moms office) to get his PKU shot

not a happy camper

Wednesday, one of my very best friends, Ty, came over to see the little man

in his safari room

Poor guy peed all over himself so we rushed him to the sink and Harland put him in this little tub while we got everything ready haha.

So the last few days have been pretty rough. His appetite has increased dramatically so he's been attached to my boobs every hour... and about every hour and a half at night. We were doing so well!... Going 5 hours without getting up and now this... man I wish it was the other way around. I ended up in tears the last few days because of his demand for food. He use to be so content when awake, and now just constant crying... and has been going HOURS without sleep- up to 7 hours at one time! So yesterday I just spent all day in bed with him, making the room as dark and quiet as possible and he napped like a champ (FINALLY) but I still ended up feeding him almost every hour... 14 times in total!

So Lee's Mom came in town and wanted to meet the baby, so we went over there (sleeping the whole time) and as soon as we got home around 11, couldn't get him to go to sleep till 4!! That was by far the worst night we've had. We tried EVERYTHING: vacuuming, putting him on the dryer in his carseat, swinging, singing, swaddeling, changing diapers, and a grand total of SEVEN feedings.. in FIVE hours! So we're thinking obviously he's not getting enough milk. I pumped and filled up a whole bottle in 10 minutes! Not the problem. Maybe there's something wrong with my milk. Gave him formula for the first time. Still crying. Not the problem.

The whole time I keep saying to Harland to go sleep in the other room and he keeps saying I'm not gonna leave you- I don't want you to have to do this alone... and I feel HORRIBLE. He gets up at 7am! So he had a total of 3 hours of sleep and then went to work in the hot sun all day. :( He is so amazing... I literally have tears in my eyes.

So needless to say we're exhausted... but I keep looking over at him and he warms my heart so much that in the end it's definitely all worth it.

This is not NORMAL

2009-08-04T10:56:00.000-07:00

ugghh.. I'm so sick of feeling DISCUSTING.

boys: don't read the following..

No one told me about all the discusting changes your body goes through after pregnancy...

*NIGHT SWEATS.. wow. every night i SOAK my pillow-- ill switch it out and soak another one.
*i have to wear 3 pads at all times. 2 for the boobs and ill let you guess what the other ones for. ps. i was told when you're breastfeeding that you don't really have your period till after. LIES!
*my unbelievably horrible smellll. i never had to wear deodorant before, and now I have to use Harlands... bc I smell like a man. i have to take 2 showers a day.
*i am stillllll sore
*i have two different size boobs-- one's a D and one's an E! that's a HUGE difference!
*i have NO appetite... and usually don't eat until I get faint-- which I do a lot because of all the breastfeeding.
*i can't fit into ANY of my clothes... my boobs are too big for my shirts and my butt is too big for my shorts.

man, i can't WAIT to feel like a human again

Back to "Regular".. with an added Bonus!

2009-08-03T13:17:00.000-07:00

Wow, traces of my life before Brodie are starting to come back. Like sleep! Saturday night Harland got up with him everytime... of corse I was awake, but it's a big difference in just hearing him then being up tending to him. So the whole fight you hear on TV, "You don't think I get up when you get up!?" ...yah totally not the same thing. Then last night he only woke up ONE time! And it didn't take him 2 hours to go back to sleep! He ate for 30 minutes, cuddled with Mom for about 10, and went back to bed! When Harland woke up for work, he woke up again, but i layed him on my chest and he fell right back asleep... for 4 hours! So I'm starting to say... screw the feeding schedule, at least in the middle of the night. If I can get 4 straight hours without him wanting to eat.. I'm taken it! The books I'm reading are so conflicting. One says he needs to eat every 3 hours, and to wake him (during the day) for his feedings if he's sleeping. The other one says don't wake him during the day because he will actually sleep better at night, and feel more full from not being basically "made" to be hungry every 3 hours. Well I tried the waking him up to feed him and that led to about 3-4 hours of sleep at night, with no time to nap during the day bc of feedings... then yesterday I still basically stuck to the schedule, but without waking him to feed... and we got 8 hours of sleep total! He seems very content, so I'm thinking I'm gonna stick to this for now.

I also got a new video monitor and that puts a ton of "regular" back in my day. I cleaned all around the house without constantly checking on him-- bc I could watch and hear every little move he made. I also had my first worry free shower bc of it! I couldn't shower unless someone was watching him so I'm definitely starting to get my days back together.. just with an added bonus along with it!

Sleep sleep sleep. So precious.

Oh and I guess he was dreaming about his Mama bc I caught a smile! :)

Last night Brodster cheered on his daddy for his 2nd to last game.

Pretty good game.. Nick hit a home run and Dustin had a badass catch

Then we came home and watched a movie (another "regular") with Brodie. Everyday just keeps getting better... I can't tell you how much I love my little guy!

Worst week of my life to be sick!

2009-08-01T10:04:00.000-07:00

Yay! Nick and Sonia finally came home from Florida and got to meet Brodie... and we got to visit with our other child, Ily! :)

Aunt Lindsay

My sister has been staying over the past couple nights and has been an amaaazing help! She watches him while I shower, clean, and TRY to get the baby room organized, and cleans while I feed him. You're a lifesavor Linds! I love you!

Linds gave him his first mohawk haha

So I finally got the courage to drive with little man, and my sister.. I about had a heart attack 50 million times because of other drivers... I don't think I've ever been so nervous in my life.

Over the last couple days I've started to get a little sick and now it's full throttle-- probobly the worst week of my life to be sick... and I've been calling the doctor constantly (yes, I'm one of those Moms) bc I'm terrified of getting him sick. Well guess who has a stuffy nose now? I've already been checking on him constantly just to see if he's breathing and now it's a little rediculous. My grandma came over to see the baby and we got to talking about her first son who died of SIDS at about a month old, and even though I've always known about it, I couldn't really feel for her until now. I just started weeping thinking about going through that and how horrible it must have been. I can't imagine him not being in my life now... having this excessive amount of happiness taken away from you is just unimaginable... whooo.. getting teary eyed. So I have my Little Noses saline drops, bulb syringe, tissues, and sanitizer for me at my fingertips at all times.

He is succcch a good baby, very content, except for the 4 am feeding every night.. I don't what it is about it-- but he won't go back to sleep unless he's sleeping on one of our chests. His sleep is starting to get better, probobly because we finally have his feeding schedule down. The last three days he's eaten every 3 hours exactly. He hasn't been waking up until it's been about 3 hours since his last feeding.. which is a huge difference from the every hour feeding we had to do to flush out the jaundice (which has come down a ton). He's been sleeping in his swing (that doesn't swing) that his buddy Michael gave him, so that he can sit up and be able to breathe better. It's helped a ton.

Last night Harland was a great help. Since he didn't have to work today, he got up with us every time (1, 4, and 7am)-- and at 7 for the first time I didn't wake up to his cries... i was passed OUT. I had fed him at 10...and he didn't go to bed till after his next feeding at 1am. So I sleep for about 2 hours till his next, fed him, and layed him on my chest while sitting up (the only way he'll fall alseep at this time) and everytime I slowly try to place him in the swing, he cried. I can't sleep sitting up, so I turn on the Roseanne marithon and wait till he falls asleep again. This happened about 3 times before he was satisfied in his swing. So basically I got another hour and a half of sleep until he woke up for his 7am feeding... that I didn't wake up for. My boobs woke me up at 10. If you've breastfed then you know what I'm talking about. I look down and there's no baby and no Harland. Dazed and confused, I yelled for him and he came in and said he didn't want to wake me, so he brought him in the living room and fed him the breastmilk from the freezer and has just been enjoying some alone time with him. Right then I knew I picked a winner (not that I didn't know before :) I can't believe I had about 5 straight hours of sleep! Veeerry exciting!

It really doesn't get any better than this

So content.

Poor Deuce trying to get attention!

Our Family

PS. Erica: thank you so much for alllll the baby goodies.. and for the haircut! :)

Brodie's First Week

2009-07-28T18:02:00.000-07:00

I couldn't wait to get this little bundle of joy home!

(Before we had a good head support for him.. I ended up putting burp cloths around his head.)

First order of buisness, introducing Deuce to the baby

He was extremely curious... but now at night he sleeps with his head underneath the bed... I'm guessing to drowned out the crying!

After Daddy and Brodie took a very long nap,

...Brandi and Sean came over and brought us a home cooked meal, then Brandi cleaned my house like a mad woman! :) It was veeery appreciated!

Daddy and soon to be!

Then we "settled" into bed for one loooong night.

Brodie Burrito

The next morning we had a meeting with the doctor at the hospital to check out the little guy. He has jaundice, which most babies who are born early have, and they wanted to see if it has gone down at all... which it hadn't. On a scale of 1-4 he had a 3. His weight had dropped from 7.6 to 6.14... So the lactationist told me I had to double time with feedings, which meant I had to pump and breastfeed.. equaling NO time to do anything else... including going to Sean and Brandi's babyshower :(
Passed out after all the colostrum :)

Eventually I realized to maximize time, I would have to pump and breastfeed at the same time... pretty funny mental picture huh?! Of corse with all this activity, my milk came in. I woke up thinking someone had put silicone in my breasts while I was sleeping. Hard, sorrrre, and HUGE. What a huge transformation my body has been through in a matter of days, especially my stomach... in 4 days I went from 9 1/2 months pregnant to this...

I'm so excited to basically have my tummy back.. and with no stretch marks!! Harland's not mad about that at all! :)

Later that day, my Mom came over to make us a meal, clean, and visit her first grandson (that sounds so wierd!)

And then Sancy and Haylee stopped by with MORE food and to meet Brodie Bear!

Sunday we had another visit to check on the jaundice. The constant feedings dramatically helped-- he gained 4 oz in a day!! His bilirubin level drastically went down as well-- I was exstatic.

Later, my Aunt and Uncle came over with the kids and brought us a huge dinner!

So let's recap real quick:
-Erica brought me my first meal after the baby, a brisket sandwhich
-We got 6 free extravagent meals from the hospital
-Nana brought Cheesecake factory and champagne
-Brandi cooked enchiladas, rice, and made salad
-Mom brought lasagna and salad
-Sancy brought Maggiano's
-Michele & Greg brought Babe's

-My Nanny cooked homemade pasta

We have AMAZING friends and family :) Thank you guys sooo much for helping us!!

Monday, Harland's boss said he would give him a few more days paid paternity leave (YAY!) so we went to Walmart to get a few necessities for the baby with our gift cards.

haha he looks like I just picked him off the shelf

I feel a lot better about driving now... even though I haven't yet.

Later that night we went to Chuy's with Amber and Kain so I could show him off. Some people didn't know I had him yet so I got a few hilarious reactions.

Tuesday we had yet another checkup, but this one was at my Mom's office, so she got to show him off. Now his weight is at 7.2! I gotta pat myself on the back- haha.

Her friend clipping his nails, yay! I am not looking forward to doing that myself.

Lindsay came over to spend time with her nephew (wierd to say) and while I was teaching her how to change his diaper (correctly), he peed all over himself .. and ended getting some in his EYE. We freaked. It was definitely time for his first "bath".

Harland was so funny, "what do you wash him with!?"

Tonight Nick & Sonia are coming over and I'm so freaaaking excited for them to meet him! :)

Now the following are just adorable pics of Baby... enjoy!

First time in his swing... I think he looks just like my baby pics in this one

Flexing for the ladies

Calling the ladies :)

Harland thought he was doing hook-em... but he was mistaken.. just holding his binki in! :)

Loves being swaddled

More pics of him sleeping with Daddy

ummm adorable?! yes.

Brodie Rogen Mullins

2009-07-24T14:24:00.000-07:00

I'm a MOM!

Tuesday after work I had a doctors apt and he said I was dialated to a 3... and that he would be suprised if I was pregnant for another week! I was beside myself.. with excitment and anxiety. I called Harland and told him it would probobly be less than a week! Then I went to my moms' office to tell her the news, and while I was there, I started having some pretty intense back pain, and her boss let her off so we could go home and relax-- didn't exactly get this accomplished. Went to Mom's boyfriends and I started having contractions, about 8 minutes apart. Called Harland and told him to meet me at home, we might be having a baby soon! I DROVE home with my sister (it was either me or my 15 year old sister... pretty dangerous either way) and started packing. Luckily I had a list made of everything I needed so we weren't there long. I showered and ate since I knew I wouldn't be able to do that for a while, and I swear while I was drying off my water slowly started to break (don't know if that's entirely true or not). We got to the hospital and prayed we wouldn't be waiting this out for hours.

I was only .15 more dialated than I was 5 hours earlier. yaaaay. Regardless, everyone and their mom came up to see us. They put the iodine needle in me (first thing I was scared of) and blood squirted EVERYWHERE... luckily I decided I would pass on watching, but my mom and sister's faces made it a little difficult to not wonder what was going on... so I peaked, and freaked. Luckily right after I got the demoral, and since I've never had any drugs before, let's just say I was a litttle loopy.

Check back tomorrow for the entertaining video.

The Family trying to help me pass the time.

A little later I finally got to a 4 (epideral time!) Felt like a bee sting, but didn't last long... and definitely worth it. My contractions weren't that bad, and I told her I didn't really need it yet, (I was worried about running out.. I've heard HORROR stories) but the nurse said she would refil it if I did. phewww. It was about midnight by this time, and not much was happening, so we decided to get our last good nights sleep. HA. Every ten minutes some machine would go off.. and wouldnt stop until I pressed a button, every fifteen my blood pressure machine would go off and it would squeeze the hell out of my arm, the nurse would randomly come in and check on stats, and to top it off... Harland basically snored all night. So basically I was INSANELY tired and had to give birth. 9 hours later... I had gone up ONE centimeter... and everytime I tried to fall asleep someone new came into my room, and no one wanted to wait in the damn waiting room. Basically I ended up kicking everyone out, including Harland, and went to sleep.

For literally 30 seconds. The doctor came in to check how many centimeters agaaaain. Luckily, as soon as he went to check, my water broke! We were finally getting somewhere. Every half hour I went up another centimeter... and everyone rushed to the hospital.

Wow, swollen a little?! Jammed packed fulla drugs

Harland, My Mom, and sister were in the room with me. I pushed for about 30 minutes...

and during everyone was freaking out about the only thing they could see, his hair! We were both born with barely any, and actually barely have any now so that was a shocker. As soon as he came out they layed him on me and I instantly started bawling.
I was in total disbelief--- there he was! I was finally meeting someone I had dreamt about for my whole life.

We were all guessing at his weight, I was a million pounds off. Harland was right on the money!
7.6?! Did ANYONE see this coming!? And 2 weeks early! He would have been 9 lbs if he would have been born on his due date!

The best Daddy in the world!

Our Family!

My Family

His Family

Our Friends

Brodie's First Friend, Parker Chase!

We had so many friends and family come see our baby, it feels great to know how many people already love our little one!

So my biggest fear has been breastfeeding.. I really just did not want to do it at all.. but knowing how much better it is for him, it really wasn't an option for me. I have been reading a breastfeeding book to prepare me, but it actually scared me more. So I had a lactationist come and help me, and the first time I "breastfed" was infront of Brandi, Erica, Amber and my sister. After being basically ripped apart, I really could care less who sees my breasts. Anyways, I could not have been more wrong about breastfeeding. I love it. When people talk about the bond that it brings between the mom and baby.. they're not kidding! It is such an amazing feeling to be the only one to bring him what he really wants... a nipple.

After a 2am feeding.. I fed, Harland burped :)

We had the option to stay 3 days in the hospital and man we jumped all over that! It literally felt like we were on vacation. Harland got a week paid paternity leave, we got all our meals free, had tons of people come and visit with us, nurses to make sure I was constantly happy, and all the time in the world to be with my new baby.

Whoever said hopsital food sucks has not been to this hospital! Every meal was extravagent, especially our steak dinner . The next night we passed on the hospital food, and my Nana and sister brought us balloons, champagne, cupcakes and meals from Cheesecake Factory!

We also got roses from Michele, and balloons from Kelsy, Jordan, and Lyns :)

The best nap I've ever had in my life

Being a Mom is exactly how I had hoped it would be, but I really wasn't expecting to feel this way. It is the most intense feeling I've ever felt. I'm so insanely happy and in love with him, not to mention Harland. He has been the best support-- there is NO way I could do this without him. Everytime I need ANYTHING, he's ontop of it. Everytime I breastfeed, he is constantly making sure that I am comfortable, and feeds me if I can't feed myself. He is amazing with Brodie, he's the first to wake up in the middle of the night to comfort him. I'm constantly telling him that it's my turn, but when I get up he still gets up with me and helps me. When he needs to eat, I feed him and then he burps him. He loves Brodie so much, I've never seen so much fatherly love before in my life. I've just fallen so much more in love with him through this. I am so blessed to be with him. I've never been happier, not for one second, in my whole life.

The start of our family <3

Cheers to you Brodie Bear! We love you so much!

What I do for love...

2009-07-17T20:49:00.000-07:00

Today started off like any other day... ignoring my 9:30 am alarm and waking up at noon, (can't do that for much longer, might as well enjoy it!) until Joel (our roomate) told me our hallway was flooded. It just wouldn't be my life if everything was going smoothly. The faucet in the guest bathroom also has a constant stream coming from it.. costing us millions in water bills, so finally I call the landlord. This is the first job since we've been together that Harland has not been able to fix.. he's pretty much my hero. Anyhoooo-- I call the landlord and tell him to call a plumber, but instead says he'll be right over. SUPER. We have a dog that we haven't paid the pet deposit for and a roomate we haven't told him about. So I run him over to a friends house in the scorching heat, feeling like my baby is about to fall out at anytime (PS. Mom I need you to watch him Sunday night!!) and go back to the house to hide Joel's things. Well just like I figure, he can't fix it, and is coming back with a plumber Monday morning (hints why I need you to watch him!).

So last night I ask Harland what his plans are for Friday night since he's been all up his friends asses since we moved back to Dallas, and he said, "I just wanna be with you." But did that happen?! ha. Sean invites him to go 4-wheeling Saturday, and I hate that he is going to be 2 hours away from me when I could go into labor ANY DAY but I'll just let him have his fun while he can. Once the baby comes things are going to be A LOT different. So we decide to have dinner with Sean and Brandi-- and he asks the question I just knew was coming. "Would it be okay if i left tonight?" This wouldn't be such a problem if I could actually get some sleep without him next to me, but I've tried, and it's impossible. I hate it! He basically says he will owe me his life if I let him go, so I said okay go and get drunk for the last time, cuz it's not gonna happen for a looong time!

I wish I wasn't so obsessed with my boyfriend.

Great News!

2009-07-16T09:51:00.000-07:00

First of all, I have to say Happy 70th Birthday to my beautiful Grandma... when we say you don't look a day over 50 we really mean it! We celebrated Cousin Allie's 4th and Nanny's 70th on Sunday at Greg & Michele's and did my favorite thing since being pregnant.. SWAM.

Allie turning 4 and Nanny with the big 7-0

my belly looks TINY laying down! me with the siblings and my man.

Wednesday we all went to church and my grandparents had a sweet blessing on their marriage.. then dinner at Cafe Pacific...a $600 dinner!!! It was a blast, when the family gets tipsy you know it'll be a good time!! :)

right before this, Greg told us they might be expecting again and we all FREAKED... i wont put that pic up but let's just say Michele's face was PRICELESS! :) (he was kidding of corse)

this is BY FAR the best pic we've ever taken together! a-freakin-dorable.

the "let's get this over with" face

And on to the Good News!!! Last week the doctor told me my belly is measuring small (does this suprise anyone!?) so he scheduled me a sonogram to make sure the baby is growing like he should... Harland and I had a bet going for how big the baby would be when he's born... I said 5 lbs and he said 7! Well looks like I'll be changing the first 10 diapers because he's already 6 lbs 4 oz! I can't believe it! She also said he's dropped so low that it could be any time! Apparently that's why my belly is measuring so small-- because they didn't take into account that he would be so low! Also all his body parts are measuring perfectly. So I'm thrilled... I won't be delivering a midgit! So keep your phones on you, it could any time! :D

Hello World!

2009-07-15T13:21:00.000-07:00

Thank you, Brandi! This is the cutest thing I've ever seen! And now I won't have to have the same hour long conversation multiple times with everyone about my pregnancy! That frees up maaany hours of my week.. very exciting. So I guess I should just do a quick run through of everything that's gone on through my pregnancy and catch ya'll up!

Months 1-3 Everything was pretty normal... except turning 21 and not being able to drink!

10 weeks

This is on my bday, about 6 weeks pregnant

Kareokee!

Month 4: Worst month eveeeer. We moved to Dallas from Austin, and lived with some of our closest friends, Nick & Sonia, until we found a place of our own (that was the only good part about that month... they were AMAZING and so helpful). I thought I would never be able to be in a kitchen or have any food with TASTE ever again... sooo glad that stage of pregnancy is OVER!

15 weeks

Harland & I.. 4 months

Sophia's Wedding

Downtown Dallas

19 weeks

finding out it's a BOY!.. we also have a video on it!

Month 5: finally starting to show! We finally found a house to rent... and I wasn't near as sick as I was the month before so Harland and I were both in a lot better mood! (me because I wasn't vomiting every other day, and Harland because he wasn't cleaning it up anymore.. even though that didn't completely go away for another month)

24 weeks... look at that precious face!!

5 months

Our Housewarming Party

Amber's Bday

Month 6: Back to my old self! I've been at Chuy's over a year... and was starting to work more hours now that I was feeling better.

6 Months

Year & Half Anniversary @ Bob's Steak & Chop house

For April Fools, as many of you know, I pulled the ultimate prank on Harland... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlr-7KdA4CM click there to watch!

His Aunts Wedding in Brenham

Month 7: Can't breathe!! For the men out there who don't know much about pregnancy... your lungs move up and out 2 inches around this time.. so I was having a really hard time breathing and had to start taking it easy... time for a 4 table section-- and each of them only fit 2 people. Not a great way to save up for a baby!

7 months

Watching the MAVS!!

Campfire in New Braunsfels

Very much needed vacation... amazing trip

Month 8: Back & Feet are KILLING ME! When I came home crying because my body was hurting so badly, I decieded that was it for me, no more serving! So I became a host and now all I do is take names :)

8 months

Here's a video of the baby moving:

I also had my first baby shower--- in Austin. I miss and love all these girls sooo much!

Then a week later had my Family Shower @ Aunt Michele's (who has COMPLETELY gone above and beyond for me! Don't know what I would do without her!!)

Watching Dane Cook for the second time

Father's Day at his Dad's house

The next week I had my 3rd shower with my girlfriends that my amazing friends Amber & Katie threw for me...

Month 9: Enjoying my last month of sleep! Apparently I have started snoring... which is a great pay back to the almost 2 years I've endured it with Harland. I also have what my mom refers to as "Flinstone Feet" and can't put any rings on my fingers.

For forth of July we did the same as last year and went to Party Cove on Dustin's boat

Addisyn's (Harland's Goddaughter) bday

Erinn's Bday (We've all been friends for 10 years!)

And finally.. my 4th and last shower... Harland's friends

..and my mom :)

Brandi & I, Tucker & Brodie's first playdate!

soon to be parents!! :D