Livin' on Love

Birthday Fun

2012-02-17T13:50:00.000-08:00

I had quite the birthday yesterday. I can't believe I am 29 years old. It's seems old to me, but I don't feel any different. Getting older has never bothered me though. And if I can grow old with my hubby and my Bean by my side, then I am all for it.
It was a really good birthday minus a couple hiccups. Starting with 8:30 a.m. breakfast plans with a friend gone way wrong. Lets just say I did a lot of waiting around, driving around, nursing in the back of the car and driving home with an empty stomach an hour and a half later. All of that can be really trying....then add an 8 month old to the mix and really its just a nightmare. But Nelly and I made the best of it and made birthday crepes at home. Just as good and just as fun. Everything with Nelly is fun so I can't complain.
Then we headed out yet again to spend the afternoon with Adam. He took me shopping and to lunch. He always does a great job at making me feel special and loved. I know shopping isn't his favorite thing to do. But my mom is in Hawaii and someone had to do it....so he offered. He is sweet like that. I love spending the day with my two loves. Really, there isn't anything better.

Lunch with my two favorite people

When we got home there were cute treats and cards from different ladies in the ward. I really love our neighbors. They have been so extremely good to me. Some of them have become really great friends. I just feel so lucky and blessed to have so many amazing people come into my life.
We ended the night by eating birthday cake in bed. Perfect ending to my perfect birthday. It helped that the cake was from Backers....the BEST cakes ever.

Thanks to Adams parents for the beautiful cake....I have almost succeeded in eating it all!

*****

Nelly is starting to be really silly. I love it. I love watching her funny little personality blossom. Just one look at her and I am completely overcome with happiness.

This is her new favorite trick. She does it all day long, all around the house. It is so cute to see that little bum go up in the air and then hear her burst into laughter.

I love her toes in this picture!

Valentines Day

2012-02-15T15:42:00.000-08:00

This year was by far the best Valentines I have ever had! I spent it doing what I love most, hanging out with my Nelly and cooking and baking up a storm in the kitchen. Adam gave me the most beautiful pearl necklace and the movie "The Help", which I have been dying to see since I finished the book a month ago. And lets not forget the box of chocolates he came home with that I devoured in minutes (I can't help it, I have a crazy bad sweet tooth and I am blaming it on breast feeding). Adam is always a very thoughtful gift giver. I love him so much and love that he is my Valentine, not only on February 14th, but everyday of every year. It was fun getting Nelly all dressed up for her first Valentines Day and as always she looked so stinking cute. She really is the sweetest thing in the world. Still can't believe she's mine.

Little Love Bug

My sweet little Valentine

Mama's Helper

Dinner time is usually a whirlwind at our house. When Adam comes home from work I am usually feeding Nelly her dinner. We often eat standing at the bar while I am getting Nelly cleaned up and then I whisk her upstairs for her bath and then bed. So we decided to wait until Nelly was asleep to enjoy our Valentine dinner. It was so nice to sit down at the table and just enjoy each others company and the yummy food.

Steak and Asparagus with Hollandaise Sauce and homemade whole wheat rolls

BAKED ALASKA - Chocolate cake and moon pie ice cream

And meringue to top it off

It was quite the process but very much worth it! I will definitely be making this again....soon!

***

Today when Nelly woke from her nap (yes, she is napping again thank goodness) I came into the room to find her standing up and talking to herself in the mirror. It was so cute. Had to take a picture. I simply can't get enough of her!

2012-02-13T16:04:00.000-08:00

We are on day two of Nelly resisting sleep. Yesterday she didn't take a nap until 3 p.m.and it was a 20 minute nap. That little turkey must be pushing some teeth through or something. She is up every 2 hours at night and then refuses to nap during the day. It kills me. Her nap time is really the only time I have to get things done around the house. But alas, the house can wait. I know everyone always has tips or suggestions on how to get your baby to sleep. But honestly, I just think all babies are different. And I think babies go through so much growing and teething and learning new things that it messes with their schedules sometimes. It's a phase. Nelly will sleep again.....someday. I love her to pieces and as tired as I am, I can't be mad at her.

Sometime last week Nelly went from being a big time Mama's Girl to only wanting her daddy when he is home. As much as I love her clinging to me with her death grip, I think it is so cute to see her reaching for him and lovin' on him. I have to admit that I kinda liked being the one and only person she wanted. But I guess I can share her with Adam. I wouldn't have that little angel if it weren't for him so it's only fair. Adam is loving all the Nelly attention too. It makes him feel good. He is such a cute dad. At night after I get Nelly down to bed Adam always says, "I miss her already". And then we lay in bed and look at pictures of her. It never gets old. I am glad to have such a sweet man to make babies with.

Today I left Nelly with my mother in law for a couple hours while I went to an appointment. I honestly NEVER leave Nelly. I have left her a total of 3 times now. I had anxiety about leaving her. Not because I think my mother in law isn't capable, she is! I just don't like to leave her. And I don't have to, so I choose not to. But it's good for both of us to do it on occasion and so I did. I know Janie had a lot of fun with Nelly. And when I walked in the door it looked like Nelly was having a lot of fun too. Lot's of people like to give me their opinion about my decision to not leave Nelly very often. Just like every baby is different, every mom is different too. And me, I can't think of anything better to do with my days than spend them with my bean.

I was talking to Adam's mom the other day about how some of our friends find it strange that we won't leave Nelly with a sitter to go out to dinner with them and she said "the best parents don't have kids" and it is so true. People without children always think they know what they would do with their kids, they have certain ideas of what kind of parent they would be. But honestly, until you have them, you have no idea. I was the same way though. When I was pregnant I read every baby/parenting book I could get my hands on. I had everything planned out. Anyway, I just thought it was interesting. I had never thought of it like that. Instead of being irritated when someone without children doesn't get it, I just have to remember that they really have no clue what it's like. How could they?

Poor Minnie

2012-02-10T07:54:00.001-08:00

Looks like my phone is working in the blog department again. This is a blog I wrote a couple weeks ago but just magically posted when I updated my phone.....

My Minnie sure has been having a rough few months! It seems like it's always something with her and it makes me so sad! But that is just life with an aging pup. Her seizures haven't come back since we started her on anti-seizure meds and I really hope they are gone for good! That was just too hard in both of us!

I noticed that Minnie's face was a little swollen the other day. I thought that maybe she had a spider bite. But the next day her face was huge! And she wasn't acting like her normal self. She wouldn't eat and she just stayed in the same spot all morning. It was getting bigger, fast! I took her into the vet and found that she had an abscess tooth. Poor girl! Who knows how long it had been bothering her. I hate that she can't just tell me when she's hurting!

I hate sedating Minnie especially at her age. I always worry that she won't come out of it! But it had to be done! Once Minnie was under and on the operating table the Vet called and told me that she had found other teeth that needed to be removed. I told her to go ahead and take out any that could be a potential problem down the road. I picked Minnie up that night. They wanted her to spend the night there but the thought of her alone in a kennel made me sick to my stomach. I wanted her home with me so I could take care of her and baby her.

By the next morning she was looking and feeling much better!! She is loving that I'm soaking her food in chicken broth so it doesn't hurt her sore gums. Lady has benefited from this too. She loves her some chicken broth!!

Poor Minnie. I really would do anything for her. She's brought so much happiness to my life. I hope I've done the same for her. Here's to many more years of me and My Minnie.

2012-02-08T11:49:00.000-08:00

I usually blog from my phone. It makes it so much easier for me. I can hurry and blog, post a few cute instagram photos minutes after I put Nelly down for her nap and publish it before I make it down the stairs. But for some reason my phone has suddenly stopped working in the blog department. Seriously, who has time to go upstairs to the computer, upload pictures and create a decent blog post while trying to keep this too big of a house clean, feed dogs, do laundry, pick up baby toys, shower, get dressed, make dinner.... And on top of that, I don't want to be the mama that is always on the computer, looking at her phone and too busy cleaning to actually have fun and enjoy my babe. I always feel like there aren't enough hours in the day to get everything done. I am figuring out really fast that indeed, there are not enough hours in the day to do everything and that is ok. Sometimes we just have to leave things undone in order to enjoy the things that matter most. I have started getting up at 5:30 a.m. to get a workout and shower in before Nelly is up for the day. That is not an easy task after being up all night with a baby that doesn't sleep! I thought I would be even more exhausted (if that is even possible) but it actually gives me more energy throughout the day to do the things I have to do, like clean my house, and to do the things I want to do, like go on a nice walk with Nelly! It also gives me a free hour to get things done while Nelly takes her morning nap instead of trying to hurry and get showered and ready for the day before she wakes up and is ready to go again!

Anyway...

What a fun stage we are going through right now in the Nelly Department! She is crawling and getting into everything, keeps me on my toes! She is starting to pull herself up to standing. It is so cute. But it is kinda scary in the tub. She just wants to sit then stand, sit then stand. I can't take my hands off of her for 2 seconds. But there is nothing cuter than her bare bum standing in a tub full of princess toys. She LOVES to eat and gets really excited when she sees me cooking her food. I love finding new recipes to try for her. I make all my own baby food and it is so fun! And by "baby food" I don't mean just boring fruit and veggie purees. Today's breakfast was steel cut oats, egg and pea scramble. It was actually really good! I try everything I make for her. She is starting to feed herself "finger foods". Her all time favorite thing is cut up avocados. I swear she would eat them all day long! I love watching her little hands pick up the little pieces and put them in her mouth. She has also figured out how to sneak Lady Bug treats from her highchair. And Lady learned pretty quick that right next to the highchair is the "place to be" at meal time. She still isn't the greatest sleeper. Some nights are really great and some are horrible. I have spent many nights on the nursery floor because I just didn't have it in me to keep going up and down the stairs. Nelly has started giving kisses!!! Oh how those slobbery open mouth kisses make my heart happy! She is pretty stingy with the kisses though. I am always excited when she feels like giving me one! Nelly is definitely a Mama's girl. She ALWAYS wants me right there with her. She hates when I leave the room. It makes getting things done a little bit trying sometimes. But I secretly love it. It makes me feel good to know that she wants me, that I make her happy and that I can instantly make her feel better. She sure loves her Daddy too. She gets excited when he walks in the door after a long day from work. I love seeing her reach for him. I love the smile on her face when he walks around with her on his shoulders or when he zooms her around on the wood floors. And I really love the smile on his face when she is wrapped up in his arms. I love what our little Nelly has done to my husband. He really is a great father and it makes me so happy. He understands how important his role in her life is, something I wish more dads realized. Watching the two of them is something so sweet and so special.

My little Cowgirl

Nelly and her daddy

Motherhood is a role that I think suits me well. I feel as though I am right where I belong. I feel more like myself than I ever have. I feel whole. I always wanted to be a mother, but I had no idea how absolutely amazing it would really be. I am continually amazed at how beautifully life has played out for me, how sweet life really is when you figure out what is truly important. And for me, there is nothing more important than my little family.

I love that little grin!

Nelly's new favorite toy

Just being a big girl!

This just kills me...

2012-01-24T18:15:00.001-08:00

YouTube Video

7

2012-01-24T11:14:00.001-08:00

This little bean is 7 months old today!

Time is going by way too fast for this mama! But at least we are having fun! Best 7 months ever!

Pumpkin

2012-01-18T11:59:00.001-08:00

Today Nelly tried Pumpkin! She LOVED it! In fact I had to get another serving ready for her and fast because she loved it so much!

I read about serving your baby pumpkin today and thought I would give it a whirl. Did you know that pumpkin is actually a fruit? I didn't! Pumpkins are high in Vitamin A and Beta Carotene. Also, canned pumpkin is the only exception when it comes to feeding babies canned food - its generally not recommended because of the BPA in the lining of the cans and also because of the water or syrups that most canned foods are canned in. Canned pumpkin is just pumpkin - no water or syrup. Anyway....I look forward to making our little family fresh baked pumpkin next fall!

I'm lovin' what I see!

2012-01-17T06:58:00.001-08:00

There is definitely a special little bond between these three! It's the cutest thing to watch! I've got a little animal lover on my hands and it couldn't make me happier!

TOFU

2012-01-14T11:46:00.001-08:00

Today Nelly tried TOFU! And loved it! I love that she loves everything so far! No picky eaters in our house!

I'm officially a Zombie

2012-01-12T07:16:00.001-08:00

This little Bean kept me up ALL night long! Every two hours. The only time she actually slept a little was when I was desperate and put her in bed with Adam and I (this does not make the mister very happy but it had to be done). Then she was up for good at 5:30 am.

(eating her new fave- eggs!)A few weeks ago this wouldn't have even phased me, it was the norm. But we just got used to her sleeping through the night and now this! It's like she's playing a mean trick on me. Giving me sleep and then taking it away! Maybe it's that cute second tooth thats just popped through her little gummers! Good thing she's cute and I love her so much.

2012-01-09T16:18:00.001-08:00

I love making healthy food for Nelly. It really has been so much fun experimenting with different foods. And I love that she is such a good eater! Today we made steel cut oats for breakfast. Steamed prunes for a little snack and made chicken, sweet potato and apples boiled and purred together for dinner. I try everything first and honestly it's all been really good and HEALTHY, which is the whole point. It's so nice to know exactly what is going into her perfect little body. And I love that we are teaching her healthy eating habits from the beginning.It's nice not to ever buy formula or baby food too! Breast feeding and making your own food is so much cheaper!

-

2012-01-09T07:08:00.001-08:00

Seems like Nelly is always a little wild when we have people over. I swear she is just happy as can be when it's just the three of us. I think a lot of it has to do with the time of day and her schedule getting thrown off a little but boy can she get fussy! I swear I spend the day telling everyone "she's not usually like this". Is it just us or are other babies the same way?On Saturday my dad and JoLynn came by to see the Bean. Nelly was a little fussy and just wanted her mom and dad to hold her. Right before bath time she warmed up a little bit and had some fun playing in front of the mirror with grandpa. After her bath she had a full blown meltdown and they left. She was asleep within 5 minutes of them leaving. She was just so tired!

Yesterday Brooke and Amanda came over for some crafting. We were dying mason jars and it turned out to be quite the process. And I couldn't really help because I was trying to keep Nelly happy. She was pretty much a fuss bucket the entire time! And then when it was time for bed it took much longer to get her down than normal. Poor B & A had to sit there in silence while I nursed and rocked the Bean. It was fun to hang out with the girls though and the mason jars are pretty cute!

From now on I should have people over for breakfast....Nelly is always happy first thing in the morning!

6 month update

2012-01-04T12:45:00.000-08:00

Nelly had her 6 months checkup this morning. She weighed in at 15 lbs. She is petite but perfect. I always dread taking her to get her shots! We both leave in tears! Today was no different. She is feeling better now that we are home cuddling and resting. I can't believe she is 6 months already! It's gone so fast. She is crawling a around a little bit which is really cute to watch. I guess it's time to start baby proofing!

We finally got Nelly moved into her own bedroom which has really helped to get her sleeping better -- and us too! But I also have to give credit to the book, "The No Cry Sleep Solution". We were desperate to start getting some sleep and I refuse to let my baby "cry it out". I just don't believe that it's the best way. I think babies are too little to understand why you aren't helping them. And I want my little babe to know that I am always here if she needs me. SO....I read the book and it gave me so many helpful hints on getting Nelly to sleep without making her cry it out. I also read a really interesting article about the cry it out method. If your interested you can read it here . Nelly is now sleeping from 7 p.m.-8 a.m. with one feeding at 5:30 a.m. It has been so nice for all of us! And it's been really nice for Adam and I to have some time alone before we go to bed for the night.

We started feeding Nelly food a couple weeks ago. We chose to exclusively breastfeed for 6 months after reading a lot about it and talking to our pediatrician. You can find a lot of good information on delaying solids here. I have been having a lot of fun making homemade baby food for Nelly and so far she has loved everything! I have made yams, peas, squash, carrots, applesauce and pear sauce. It has been really easy and is actually a lot cheaper and doesn't take a lot of time at all! I would definitely recommend making your own baby food. It has a lot of benefits for your baby. Lots of info on homemade baby food here. I can't wait to keep trying new healthy foods with my babe!

Last night after getting Nelly to bed I went to a ballet workout class. It was SO much fun! I forgot how much I love ballet and it felt so good to get a nice workout in! I always try to stay active and work out everyday but this seriously kicked my butt! I am having a hard time even walking today! The instructor was Bree Johnson from Good things Utah, which is where I heard about the classes. Bree started Ballet Blast a few years ago but it is new to Bountiful. I have really liked watching her on GTU, she is super cute and fun. In person she was even cuter and so genuinely nice!! She gave me a big hug and asked about Nelly and told me that she is really baby hungry. Unfortunately, she isn't the regular instructor. I can't wait to go back next week! I had a lot of anxiety about starting something new and not knowing anyone there and also about leaving Nelly. I worried that she might wake up and want to eat and Adam wouldn't be able to feed her since I am the crazy mama who has NEVER given her baby a bottle! Nelly did wake up right after I left and tried nursing on Adam which frustrated both of them a little bit. But Adam is super dad and he got her back to sleep and everything was just fine!!

Happy New Year!

2011-12-31T22:26:00.001-08:00

To say that 2011 has been a good year would be an understatement. It has been the BEST year! The year my little Nelly Bean made me a Mama. She came right into our lives and changed us forever. I am at home in my jams with Adam, Nelly sound asleep with her bum in the air (my favorite!) and my pups at the foot of the bed, I couldn't think of a better way to ring in the New Year. As amazing as 2011 has been, I know that it will just keep getting better because I have everything that ever mattered curled up right next to me. I am starting the New Year off happier than I knew possible and blessed with far more than I ever imagined.

Happy New Year to you and yours!

Nelly's First Christmas

2011-12-27T15:56:00.001-08:00

Nelly certainly made this the best Christmas yet!

We had Christmas Eve dinner with Adam's family and then headed to my moms afterwards. It was a lot of fun to see Nelly play with all the paper and get excited over new toys! She was definitely spoiled!

My moms Christmas Eve party was complete with a visit from Santa Claus! Nelly cried when I placed her on his lap. Come to think about it, Nelly cried when anyone other than Adam or I held her!

On Christmas morning we went to church. It was a really nice Christmas program with lots of music and not a lot of talking-- just the way I like it! Nelly looked too cute with her daddy at church, I had to get a picture. Adam says its frowned upon to take pictures in church but it's so cute, I'm glad I did it!

We spent Christmas day at home. We had lots of good food and just spent the day hanging out and having visits from our parents and my brothers. It was nice to stay home and not drive all over! Adam and I decided before Nelly came that we would spend Christmas day at home from here on out. I'm glad we stuck with our decision. It made for a much more relaxing day!

After all our visitors left we played "Just Dance". So much fun! Adam gave it to me for Christmas and I LOVE it! He also gave me the most beautiful pearl earrings - Nelly's birthstone. I had been wanting a pair for awhile. Adam is always so thoughtful!

The morning after Christmas we were surprised with the tip of a little pearly white tooth poking through Nelly's little gummers!! No wonder she was so grumpy with everyone!

I hope everyone's Christmas was as magical as ours!!

Temple Square Lights

2011-12-15T07:31:00.001-08:00

On Tuesday we took Nelly to see the lights at Temple Square. She seemed to really love all the bright lights! I love spending time with my little family! Really, I don't think there is anything better than being a wife and mama!! I am truly blessed.

We also stopped for a little sushi before heading to Temple Square. It was SO good. First time eating sushi since I found out I was prego...so it's been way to long! And for once Adam and I both got really good fortunes in our fortune cookies!

Pinching Myself

2011-11-28T16:09:00.001-08:00

Have you ever wanted something so much that when you finally got it you still couldn't believe it?

That's how I feel every day. I've wanted to be a mama so bad for so long! I'm 5 months into this motherhood thing and I still have to pinch myself. I look at that sweet little face and I can't believe she is mine. I feel like the luckiest girl in the world.

Nelly's First Thanksgiving

2011-11-26T15:38:00.001-08:00

I love Thanksgiving and this year I have so much to be thankful for. I have been blessed with far too much to list everything! But I am most thankful for my little family and the life we have created together.

I am grateful for my amazing husband who has really stepped up to the plate as a husband and a father. He is the best. He is loving, patient and oh so helpful. He loves me and takes care of me. And I feel so lucky to have his heart. He is so great with Nelly. He loves her like crazy and she loves him right back. There is something special between those two and it makes me so happy. I am so thankful for my marriage. We really are a good team!

I am grateful for my Nelly Bean. My heart beats because of her. I thank God everyday for sending her my way. She has opened my heart up so wide. Words cannot describe how happy she makes me. I am so thankful for the gift of motherhood that I have been blessed with. I treasure every single second that I get to spend with her. I feel truly blessed that I have been lucky enough to be a stay at home mom. There is nothing I am more passionate about than being a mama and nothing makes me happier!

I'm thankful for my furry babes. My Minnie and Lady Bug make me happy. I will always have dogs. I've said it before and I'll say it again, they make us better people. I'm very thankful for the unconditional love that only a dog can give.

*****

We sent Wednesday night at the Ranch with Adams parents. It was really nice for them to be able to spend time with Nelly and also with Adam and I. We had a really great time. On Thursday morning Adam and I went on a horseback ride while Adams mom watched Nelly. It was the first time I had ever left her so we made it quick. It was nice to spend some time alone with Adam! And it felt good to get back in the saddle!

We left the ranch early in the afternoon for Thanksgiving dinner with my family. It was a really nice dinner and Nelly tried Yams for the first time. I am exclusively breast feeding Nelly until she is 6 months but it was a nice treat for her!

On Friday Adam went to the Ute game with some of his buddies and Nelly and I spent the day with my mom. It was a lot of fun just talking and relaxing! I don't care how good the deals are, I would rather die than go Black Friday shopping!

I hope everyone had a happy Thanksgiving!!

The Reach

2011-11-20T11:43:00.001-08:00

Today while sitting in sacrament meeting Nelly did something I've been waiting for -- The Reach. Only I had imagined her reaching for me!! I had her on my lap and all of a sudden she reached out for her daddy! And although I thought for sure she would reach for me first, it made me happy. There really isn't anything better than seeing the man you love holding your sweet little baby. Adam and Nelly have something special and it really pulls on my heart strings!

Just seeing him with her makes me love him even more! I just love what having a baby does to a man. So sweet.

Adam to the Rescue!

2011-11-09T13:44:00.001-08:00

On Sunday night I came down with the flu...bad! I peeled myself off the floor to feed the babe -every hour or so because that's her new thing. On Monday after Adam left for work I really didn't know how I was going to get through the day. The only thing worse than having the flu is having the flu and having a baby who needs you to pull it together!

Adam to the rescue! My sweet husband showed up back at home around 10:00 am with a 12 pack of sprite, ready to take care of me.

I just have to say that I am so lucky. Truly. I stayed in bed all day long while Adam played with Nelly (he can get her to laugh so hard), changed her diapers, and put her down for her naps. And he wrapped her in her hot pink blankie and rocked her like it was nobody's business.

He brought Nelly to me when she was hungry so I could nurse her. And he brought me sprite and saltines all day. I really couldn't have gotten through the day without him!

Adam is such a good husband and he is the best daddy! When the day was over he told me how much fun he had with her all day. I love that man. And I love what our little Nelly Bean has done to him. It really melts my heart.

And just a little something about breast milk..... It really is liquid gold. No doubt about it, breast is best. The antibodies in breast milk will help keep Nelly from getting the flu bug from me. Now how cool is that??

Nelly's First Snow

2011-11-06T15:22:00.001-08:00

Today after church we headed outside to play with the dogs in the snow. Adam is the cutest dad, he made Nelly a snowman with her first snow.

We are having so much fun with our little family!

Poor snowman, Minnie ate his arm right off. She must be feeling better :)

Bananas!

2011-11-05T18:59:00.001-07:00

I have been really hesitant to give Nelly any food. I don't know why, I just haven't been ready. For goodness sake, I haven't even given her a bottle and she is over 4 months old! I really love nursing and I felt a lot better about having Nelly try other things when my pediatrician told me that it shouldn't change the amount I nurse. So we decided that today was the day that she would try BANANAS! We just gave her a tiny little taste but she LOVED them!!

***

By the way...I love the way Nelly opens her mouth like a little bird when I'm about to nurse her. This little bean makes me such a happy mama. I feel very lucky and very blessed.

***

Miss Minnie is doing much better! Still having a hard time getting around but we haven't had anymore seizures and her cute little personality has come back to life! Nelly kept laughing at Minnie's funny breathing but luckily for Adam and I she has quieted down a lot. She was being really loud before! I knew she was feeling better when she started barking at the neighbors again. Praying that the meds continue to work!

My Minnie

2011-11-03T11:29:00.001-07:00

My little Minnie is having a rough time. She had a seizure back in April and then she had 2 in August. And this week she had 5 seizures within 24 hours. She is now on anti-seizure medication and hopefully that will stop or at the very least slow down the seizures. Minnie is having a really hard time walking and getting up on her own. She is very unstable. I have to help her get up and help her get out to go to the bathroom. Poor girl, I found her stuck half way out the dog door yesterday :( She is also having a lot of anxiety and having a hard time breathing, which is a side effect of the medication. As she gets used to the medication the side effects should subside. So far we haven't had any more seizures. If the seizures do come back, and especially so close together, we will have to make a decision that I am really not ready to make. I never want Minnie to suffer though. Her quality of life is always top priority. And I have to face the fact that even if the seizures don't come back, Minnie is getting old. Especially for a giant breed. My heart is breaking. Minnie and I have been through so much together. Her name has been tattooed on my left wrist since she was just a puppy (it's a very bad tattoo that I can't bring myself to remove). I can't imagine my life without her in it. We are just giving her extra lovin' and praying for the best.

Here I am with Minnie right after I got her. I knew she was meant to be mine the very moment I held her chubby body in my arms.

And here we are last night. She actually let me snuggle with her. Snuggling isn't really her thing.

****

On another note....if Lady eats one more jar of Aquafor I will murder her!

Four Months

2011-10-25T12:21:00.001-07:00

I cannot believe my babe is 4 months old! The last 4 months have gone by so fast! I really wish I could put my life in slow motion!

Being a mama is everything I thought it would be and then so much more. I love nursing Nelly and watching her little hands rub her head and play with her hair while she eats. Our morning walks together- 3 miles of her pretty blue eyes locked on me while I tell her how much I love her and how I feel so complete now. I love how she sits in her bumbo and watches me do my hair and make up so intensely. I love that she smiles so big when her daddy comes home from work. I love the way he loves her, the way she fits so perfectly in his big arms. I love rocking her to sleep every night. And call me crazy, but I love getting up in the middle of the night for feedings when the whole house is quiet and I can just stare at her and take her all in. Really, I just love everything about Nelly and being her mama.

At 4 months Nelly weighs in at 13 pounds and is 24 1/4 inches long. She can roll from her back to belly and loves to giggle. She loves her pink piggy, her blankie, watching Minnie and Lady Bug and she loves her mama and daddy!

I can't get enough...

2011-10-22T20:29:00.001-07:00

2011-10-05T16:40:00.000-07:00

There is nothing better than snuggling with my little Nelly while watching the rain fall....

October 4th

2011-10-04T09:38:00.001-07:00

Three years ago today Adam asked me to marry him and I'm so glad he did!! We have built a really good life together and brought a beautiful little babe into the world!

We went from here....

To here....

Adam David- thank you for asking me to be your wifey. I love where we have been and I love where we are. I can't wait to see where we are going. I love you babe.

2011-09-26T11:35:00.001-07:00

We started our weekend off bright and early Friday morning at 5:00 a.m. for the Wananavu Kadavu golf tournament. I am a morning person so it wasn't too bad, but it's definitely more of a challenge with a baby. Adam golfed with Heinz and had a really good time! Nelly and I hung out with Jenni and Serena. Jenny and I walked our babies in laps around the parking lot to keep busy until lunchtime. It was fun to just hang out and Nelly and I loved spending our Friday afternoon with Adam. It made it feel more like a Saturday. My favorite part of the day (Adam's favorite too) was when Adam walked into the room and Nelly got a huge gummy grin on her face when she saw him. Adam said it made his day :) She is always so happy to see him. I love seeing the special bond that Nelly and her daddy have. It really is so neat!!

After the golf tournament we were exhausted and went home to relax. We were laying on the bed talking and all of a sudden Nelly started to giggle!! Best sound ever!! And it wasn't a little giggle! She just kept on giggling!! And then of course, Adam and I couldn't stop giggling!! I loved that sound so much that I got all teared up! I'm such a baby!! Oh how we love that little bean!

On Saturday our baby girl hit the 3 month mark! I cannot believe how fast time flies!! It feels like just yesterday my little angel was placed in my arms. I love watching her grow and learn and see her little personality come out, I just wish we could go in slow motion!

On Saturday my cousin Kelli got married *Woot Woot* I have really been looking forward to this day!! Kelli and I have been through lots together. We were roomies back when I was wild and crazy and she probably had to babysit me more than she would have liked to. We always had fun together though! I am so happy for Jared and Kelli!

The wedding dinner was beautiful!! I just wish Nelly would have been in a little better mood! She screamed all night long! Nelly is usually really good so I was a little thrown off. I hadn't planned on spending the night in the hall, half undressed trying to nurse a screaming baby! Luckily I have an amazing husband who came to the rescue so I could enjoy the rest of the night. Adam stood in the hall rocking Nelly for a long time. He said she was fine as long as he kept moving. And when you have a grumpy baby on your hip and nature calls and your wife is nowhere in sight what do you do.....you just tend to business as usual. Nelly had her first visit to the mens room with her daddy. I think Adam is adjusting really well to fatherhood!

Lucky for us, Nelly was so worn out from screaming all night that she slept really good for us!! So good in fact that we didn't wake up for church on Sunday morning! We slept until 9 am- and as any new mom knows, that is a rarity!

Mirror Fun

2011-09-22T18:24:00.000-07:00

Nelly loves playing in the mirror! It's so cute to see her smiling at herself! And who can blame her, shes quite the beauty! I love the first picture of us because it shows how similar our ears are. I love that little bean and I love that her ears stick out like mine :)

Daddy's Little Cougar

2011-09-20T15:48:00.001-07:00

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Lunch with Auntie Amanda

2011-09-20T15:47:00.001-07:00

State Fair 2011

2011-09-16T08:33:00.001-07:00

Every year Adam and I head over to the state Fair for some fried food and people watching. I am a sucker for the rides, especially the Zipper! No Zipper for me this year with a baby in tow, but we had a really good time. We ate chocolate eclair funnel cake which was to die for! Paid $1 to see the smallest woman in the world (and felt a little bit weird afterwards). The animals!! We LOVE the animals! My heart broke though when we came across a little piglet that clearly wasn't getting enough to eat. I wanted to bring him home and share my frozen milk supply!! The best part of the fair this year was Adam winning little Miss Nelly a stuffed bear shooting hoops, so cute!

2011-09-16T07:27:00.001-07:00

Here is my little Nelly dressed in the outfit that I came home from the hospital in! I should have put her in it long before now, but it still fit her and she looked adorable! I love that my mom saved some of my baby clothes so I can share them with Nelly. I plan on saving some of Nelly's special things so we can carry on the tradition with her daughter someday.

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Nelly's First Weekend at the Ranch

2011-09-13T14:24:00.001-07:00

We had so much fun spending the weekend at the ranch! I was worried about spending the night away from home for the first time but Nelly did great and loved taking it all in. We are having so much fun with our little family!

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2011-08-30T10:52:00.001-07:00

This little Bean slept 8 hours last night!! Yes, I said EIGHT. It was amazing. I sure do love my little Nelly, she makes me one happy mama!

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2 months

2011-08-24T14:13:00.001-07:00

Nelly had her 2 month checkup today. She weighed in at 11 pounds 2 ounces and 22 1/2 inches long. I was really dreading the shot part of the appointment and needless to say, it has been a rough day for both Nelly and I. She screamed like I had never heard her scream before! And she wasn't the only one crying--I was a big bawl baby right along with her! I have been cuddling and rocking her all day. When she wakes up she just starts screaming again. Poor girl! I hate seeing my baby hurt!

Nelly is so much fun right now. We love all of her big gummy grins! She has gotten so smiley. She is a really happy baby and I love spending my days with her. We are also loving her chubby little rolls on her legs and her pudgy little arms. She is so yummy!!

some of my favorite photos right now...

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Happy Birthday Minnie!

2011-08-22T13:25:00.000-07:00

The last eight years wouldnt have been the same without my Minnie by my side! We have seen each other through a lot of ups and downs. Looking forward to many more years with my first baby. She taught me a lot about being a mama and I'm happy she is around to see my Nelly Bean- even though Minnie isn't very interested in Nelly. Seeing Nelly and Minnie playing together someday would make me a very happy mom!

Thank you Minnie for being so good, for making me get out of bed all those years ago when life was a lot harder and I just wanted to stay in bed...forever, for being sweet and letting me cuddle with you even though I know you hate it, for letting me paint your toes and dress you up, for being so patient with Lady Bug (I know she is annoying!), and thank you most for loving me even when I didn't love myself. We have come a long way and life is good!

Yes, I celebrate my dogs birthdays. I think everyone should have dogs, they make us better people :)

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I Prayed for this child...

2011-08-16T16:17:00.001-07:00

I prayed for this child and the Lord granted me what I asked of him

Samuel 1:27

This little babe makes me oh so happy and my heart so much bigger! She was definitely worth waiting for!  

It's Official......

2011-08-09T16:46:00.001-07:00

I am obsessed

I can't get enough of her!!

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Six Weeks

2011-08-05T23:01:00.001-07:00

Six weeks ago today my little angel was placed in my arms. It has been so fun watching her grow into her own and seeing her little personality come out and shine but at the same time it makes me a little sad that it's going so fast! I hope she always let's me snuggle her and kiss her because I cant get enough!!

I am so madly in love with this cute little babe....can you blame me?

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Uncle Ben

2011-08-03T15:56:00.001-07:00

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Our Weekend according to my phone pics....

2011-08-01T09:03:00.001-07:00

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"At one glance I love you with a thousand hearts"

2011-07-26T16:01:00.000-07:00

We had 4 days left until our Nelly Bean was due and I still had a lot on my to-do list. I was sitting on the floor cleaning out my closet and chatting with Adam on the phone when suddenly my water broke. It was a Thursday afternoon. Four o'clock p.m. I called my doctors office and was told to go to Labor & Delivery to make sure it was indeed my water that had broke. I put the finishing touches on my hospital bag and off we went. Sure enough it was my waters and we were about to have a baby!

I was hooked up to pitocin to start contractions. Adam and I called our moms so they could be there with us. We were sure that it would be a long night and that we wouldn't meet our bean until sometime the next day.

Nothing was how I had imagined it in my mind all those months. My toe nails were red-they were supposed to be pink. I planned on having my hair and makeup all done so that I would look good in the pictures. And I had really planned on having my little babe on July 1st- my Gramps birthday. But I was excited. I was also scared. I remember thinking that I wanted it to go faster, I didn't think I could wait until morning to meet my little girl.

Adam left to go home and let the dogs out. I assured him that I would be fine while he was gone. My mom was with me and I had been having only mild contractions. The moment he walked out the door the contractions got stronger. I told my mom that I could handle it and not to call Adam yet. That didn't last long. I was ready for an epidural but I didn't want to do it without Adam there holding my hand. My mom called him and told him to come back. Once I had the epidural it was just a waiting game. My mom slept on the couch and Adam slept on a mattress on the floor. I didn't sleep. I couldn't take my eyes off the monitor. The nurses would come in to check my vitals and let me know how the bean was doing. They told me that every time I had a contraction her heart rate would drop. Then my contractions got too close together and her heart rate wouldn't go back up. They slowed the pitocin down to slow the contractions. It didn't help. Eventually they took me off the pitocin all together to stop all the contractions. Nelly's heart rate was low. I stared at that monitor, I never took my eyes off it. I was so worried.

I knew something was very wrong. I felt it in my heart. The nurse came in at 4:30 a.m. on Friday morning and told me what I already knew. We would have to do an emergency C-Section. At 5:00 a.m. I was rolled into the Operating Room. I squeezed Adam's hand so hard. I was scared. I didn't really know what to expect. But above anything else, I was ready. Ready to meet my little angel.

I have postponed blogging about Nelly's Birth for a couple reasons. First, I have been so busy just taking it all in. Staring at my little girl, thanking God that she is here, happy and healthy. I am loving being a mom and finding time to blog would take me away from Nelly - even just for a minute. But mostly I have not blogged about Nelly's birth because it is so special, so overwhelming and wonderful and I wanted to keep it to myself for awhile. When I found out I was pregnant with Nelly I started a journal. I wrote in it often throughout my pregnancy, sometimes directly to Nelly, in hopes that one day she can read it and feel the love that I have for her even before I met her. I wrote my thoughts down in that journal over the first couple days of her life while they were still fresh and have continued to write to her since. Now, a month after that beautiful day, I am ready to put down a just a few of my thought here to share with everybody - just a few - because it is impossible to properly describe just how wonderful and amazing it really is. And I don't want to cheapen it by trying.

At 5:42 a.m. on Friday, June 24th 2011 our little Nelly Bean was born. I felt pressure as her perfect little body was pulled from mine. She was held up for me to see - but only for a minute. Her cute pink body was perfect and she was crying. I was so happy to hear her little cry. Tears streamed down my face. I have never in my life felt so much love. It's amazing how in a split second you can fall in love so hard. When she was inside of me I loved her already but this....this was something I had never experienced before. Overwhelming, I would do anything for this little baby, my heart skipped a beat, LOVE.

Adam went to the next room with Nelly as they cleaned her up and got her weighed. There was a window to the next room and I could see Adam watching as they got her checked out. I could still hear her crying. The happiest tears rolled down my face. I couldn't wait to hold her, to kiss her and tell her how long I had been waiting for her. I wanted to tell her how special she was to me. I wanted to thank her for making me a mom.

Since I was having a c-section, I thought it would really bother me that I wouldn't be the first person to hold the baby I had been carrying for 9 months. But when I looked up and saw Adam walk into the OR holding that little bundle in his arms, and tears running down his face, I fell so madly in love with him all over again. This was the first time I had ever seen my husband cry. It was amazingly beautiful and it will forever be engraved in my mind. There is nothing sweeter than seeing the man you love holding your baby in his arms with that look on his face. Just like I had expected, she had melted his heart. Now I can't imagine it happening any other way.

Adam sat down next to me as they finished stitching me up. He told me how much he loved her and how happy he was. He pointed out that she had my eyes and he pulled down her cap to show me a head full of dark hair and her cute little ears -one like mine and one like his. She was absolutely beautiful. Adam and I had created this beautiful little being that was part him and part me. The three of us, our little family. We knew our lives would never be the same.

I remember them rolling me back to my room as they played "Rock a bye Baby" over the loud speaker. Adam was carrying Nelly, so proud. I remember Adam handing Nelly to me. I had this tiny baby girl in my arms and I felt like I had known her forever. I felt so connected to her. We were meant to be together. I had been waiting for her and she was finally in my arms. I kept telling her how much I loved her.

When we got back to the room I asked for some time alone with just Adam, Nelly and I. I wanted to start nursing Nelly right away and was told that it might take some time to figure out. Nelly latched right on. It felt so natural and it was easy. I loved looking down at her delicate face, her blue eyes with little eye lashes. Her tiny little hand rested just so on my chest. And at that moment I felt that she knew I was her mama. That bond that started when I first found out I was carrying her was growing. That bond between a mother and her child that can never be broken, I had that with my little Nelly. I felt so happy and special. I felt more love for my little baby than I ever knew possible. And I felt more beautiful and loved than I ever have in my life.

Nelly is now a month old. We have loved seeing her grow into her own and start showing her sweet little personality. But it goes so fast! It makes me a little bit sad. I wish I could put life in slow motion. We have been enjoying every little minute we spend with her. Adam races home from work to see her. And I send him pictures throughout the day to curb his withdrawals. I love being a mom. I feel like it has come very natural to me. And I know with all my heart that this is what I was meant to be, a mom. I love my little family and they make me happier than I ever dreamed possible.

Erica Nelly Rogers

2011-06-26T05:43:00.001-07:00

Our little Nelly Bean arrived on June 24th at 5:42 a.m.

7.5 pounds and 21 inches of complete deliciousness!! We are absolutely head over heels in love with our little Nelly Bean!

*more pictures and her birth story to come

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Waiting for the Bean

2011-06-22T16:19:00.001-07:00

Only 5 days until our little Nelly is due! We are so excited!! It has been nice to have a week off to get last minute things in order and also to just relax and take it all in! I don't want to be too busy or overwhelmed. I want to spend as much time with my hubby while it's still just us. I got my waxing in, got my hair did and am going for a pedicure with my mom on Friday.

The lump above Minnie's eye grew bigger and started bleeding last weekend and wouldn't stop. I am sure it was uncomfortable for her -- not to mention it was uncomfortable for us to look at -- and she kept rubbing it on the furniture making a big mess. I took her in yesterday to have it checked out again (we had it checked a year ago and were told it that it was fine to leave as long as it didn't get too big or irritated) and sure enough it had graduated from a harmless cyst to a tumor and it needed to be removed.
So on top of all the last minute baby stuff I have going on I had to get Minnie booked for surgery. I got Minnie all bathed and cleaned up last night. (I wanted her and Lady to have baths this weekend so they would be all sparkly to meet Nelly. But Minnie won't be able to get wet for 2 weeks after the surgery) I dropped Minnie off at the Vet this morning at 7:00 am. I left her with one of her blankets so she would feel more comfortable and so she could smell Lady Bug. I cried on my way home without her! It was a really simple surgery but I always worry when they put her under! It just scares me! And the older she gets the scarier it is!

They called me around 10:00 am to tell me that Minnie did great!! She was in recovery and I could pick her up at 2:30 pm. I was there at 2:27 and ready to take my baby home! She is still really groggy and a little out of it. Her eye is really swollen and looks a little droopy. The Vet said that the droopiness should go away in a couple weeks but it may not fully go back to normal because the tumor was so close to her eye and they had to be sure to get it all out. Poor Minnie. We also had a small tumor on the back of her ear and a black mole inside her ear removed while she was under. She looks pretty beat up. But it was necessary to have done and I'm glad we could get it taken care of before the babe comes. It cost us a pretty penny which was hard for the hubby to swallow - especially with all the extra expenses of getting ready for Nelly Bean - but it was worth it. Anything for my first baby!

Now I guess we just wait for the Bean. It's crazy to think that we will most likely have a baby sometime next week. We are still keeping our fingers crossed for July 1st but we will gladly take her whenever she decides to come! So exciting!

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Happy Birthday Lady Bug

2011-06-21T08:39:00.001-07:00

My little Lady Bug is 2 today! I can't believe that that wild, crazy animal that we got two years ago has turned out to be such a blessing in our home. Over the last couple years Lady has grown into a very sweet, soft hearted bundle of love that brings a lot of happiness into our lives. Lady is very cuddly and extremely sensitive. Even the slightest glare in her direction sends her hiding in the closet. I'm pretty sure she thinks she is invisible when shes in there! Lady loves playing fetch with her dad, cuddling with her mom, swimming, walks, hiking, harassing her BFF Minnie, play dates with her sister Daisy Dog and eating. I'm happy that she is ours.

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Blue Gems

2011-06-15T09:42:00.001-07:00

Adam was about to cut a dead tree in our yard down when he came across these little gems!! So glad he saw them before he started cutting!! The dead tree will now stay. I can't wait for the eggs to hatch! Hopefully I can get a picture of the babes without getting too close for mama birds comfort. We have been keeping a close eye on the nest and mama isn't leaving those eggs for nothing!

I love where we live! We always have some sort of animal in our yard! We feed the birds, squirrels and rabbits and the deer pretty much help themselves to whatever they can find. We also have weasels that are pretty darn cute!!

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38 Weeks

2011-06-13T13:46:00.000-07:00

Wow! I can't believe we only have 2 weeks until our due date! People keep asking me if I am done or uncomfortable or over it. To be honest I am still very much enjoying being pregnant! Maybe I am weird, I don't know. I still feel really good and I just want to enjoy these last couple weeks and take it all in, feel every movement my little baby makes and enjoy Adam's company while it's still just the two of us. Of course we are ready for the little babe whenever she decides to come.

I have been really emotional lately. I can hear the lyrics to a cute song and start crying, bawl when I see one of those dog commercicials -you know which one I'm talking about, tear up when I look at Adam and think of him becoming a dad and just yesterday I had a full on emotional meltdown in the card isle at Wal-Mart while picking out a Fathers Day card for my brother Vance. I can't even begin to wrap my head around the emotions I have been feeling. I am excited, scared, nervous and anxious all at once. But more than anytyhing I am happy like I haven't ever felt before. I never even knew I could be this happy, that my life could feel this good or that I would be blessed in so many ways. And really I never thought I deserved any of this - not until I met my Adam and he showed me that in fact, I do. Not to mention, we worked really hard for this little baby. Which makes this whole experience even that much sweeter.

*****

Over the weekend our ward threw me a baby shower. I was a little nervous about going because I have only met a few of the women in the ward. I had my mom come with me to help ease my anxiety. I was really blown away by how many people took time out of their Saturday to make me feel so loved and welcomed into the ward and neighborhood even though I haven't been to church since we moved in, nor have I gone out of my way to meet them. Everyone was really nice and I had such a great time. I also got a lot of cute stuff for Nelly and some things that were still on our "need" list. I can't even express how thankful I am to everyone that came!

37 weeks, a wedding and a blessing

2011-06-06T10:20:00.000-07:00

I cannot believe that I am at 37 weeks now! I am secretly hoping that my little Nelly Bean will stay in there just a little bit longer than expected! I would love to have a little July baby! Specifically July 1st which is my Grandpa's birthday. We are keeping our fingers crossed. Of course we are ready for her whenever she decides to make her appearance!

I am feeling really good still. My biggest complaint is that my hands and feet are really swollen and my hands hurt pretty bad from carpel tunnel. Other than that I am just enjoying the last few weeks of being pregnant and feeling my little baby move inside of me.

*****

Over the weekend Brooke and Jonny got married. Adam and I were honored to be a part of their special day! I was a little nervous about being a 9 month prego bridesmaid but everything was perfect! It was fun hanging out in the hotel with Brooke and her mom and the other bridesmaids all day getting our hair and makeup done. It was an amazing day and an amazing wedding! Brooke was the most beautiful bride EVER and her dress was to die for! I was so emotional when I saw her walking down the isle! Brooke has been one of my bestest friends for years and Adam and Jonny have been best friends since they were kids! Adam and I met through Brooke and Jonny 3 years ago. We love them so much and are so happy for them! I can't wait to see more pictures of the big day and I will have to post them! We got a cute picture of Brooke giving the Nelly Belly a kiss and I know I am going to love it :)

*****

On Sunday little Hugh was blessed. I just love that cute little stinker so much and I was so happy that we were there on his special day. He looked so handsome in his little blessing outfit that his dad was blessed in when he was a baby! I have loved seeing my brother Vance be a dad. It is so cute to see him so in love with that little baby! I can't wait to see that same look in my husbands eyes when he holds his little girl. I am looking forward to Hugh and Nelly growing up together so close in age!

Almost there......

2011-06-01T09:40:00.000-07:00

35 Weeks

36 Weeks

I am still feeling really good. Loving being pregnant but ready to meet my little Nelly Bean!

Memorial Day Weekend

2011-05-31T09:58:00.000-07:00

For Memorial Day weekend Adam and I went to Logan for Breakfast at Angies with my family to celebrate my Gramps. Afterwards we visited his gravesite. It was the first time I had seen his headstone, it wasn't there last year when I visited. It was so perfect and I can't wait to take Nelly there to visit and sit on the bench.

We also visited Grandma Minnie

We spent Monday at the Ranch with Adam's family. I love it there. Adam took me on a ride around the ranch on the golf cart :) I love sitting next to that handsome man!

Mother's Day Weekend

2011-05-09T10:47:00.000-07:00

Our weekend was pretty fun filled. We started out with a birthing class at LDS Hospital on Saturday morning. I can remember signing us up for the classes months ago and thinking how far away it was. I can't believe we are so close to the end.....or the beginning depending on how you look at it.

Needless to say, Adam wasn't thrilled when I told him that the class was pretty much an all day deal and that we had to bring 2 pillows. Adam didn't want to bring pillows but I insisted. Luckily I did, the instructor sent home anyone who showed up empty handed. I still can't figure out why it was so important. We used them, but everything we did with them could have been done without.

The class was pretty much a lot of information that Adam and I already knew. We have read so many books about pregnancy and labor. And having watched my little nephew being born in April I had already figured out a lot of things that would go on in the delivery room. I don't think that you can really prepare yourself for labor and delivery, let alone having a child, but I thought it would be something fun that we could do together. And like always, we made the best of it and had a good time.

We were by far the most normal couple there! Adam and I both laughed at inappropriate times and giggled when someone would ask an embarrassing question. When the instructor had the women get on all fours and told the husbands to kneel behind their wives and rub their "bums" I thought Adam would die. But there I was on my hands and knees getting a butt massage by my husband in a room full of strange people. I love Adam even more for doing it. And as I looked around the room, I felt really lucky. My husband REALLY knows how to give a good butt massage.

*****

Thanks to Adam for making me feel special on Mother's Day. He gave me the prettiest bracelet, it is so girly and dainty and I love it! He is always so thoughtful and sweet. Although I am not a mother just yet, I definitely feel an overwhelming love for my baby girl that is so indescribable. I cannot wait to meet this little angel that I have been blessed with.

Speaking of Adam making me feel special, which he does on a daily basis..... more than anything in the world Adam just makes me FEEL so loved. He doesn't have to do or say anything. Just the way he looks at me lights me up inside and makes me feel so good! It's a feeling that I can't describe and I know it is mushy, but it needed to be said :)

We celebrated Mother's Day by having our moms over for dinner. We thought it would be nice for them to be able to relax and not have to do all the cooking for once. We set out our china and had the table set really nice. It was the first time we have used our china that we got for our wedding. It was fun and fancy. I think everyone had a good time, Adam and I included. We love and appreciate our moms more than they know!

*****

Only 7 weeks to go! 49 days!! I can't believe how fast time is flying. It is so crazy to think that soon we will be parents and that we will have this perfect little baby home with us! I am still feeling really good and I love being pregnant! I can't wait to see our little Nelly, to hold her and tell her how hard we prayed for her to come to us, how much we love her. But at the same time I think I will miss her being right there inside of me, always with me.

There is no better way to end a perfect Mother's Day than this....

cuddled up between my girls and Adam rubbing my swollen piggies.

31 Weeks

2011-04-26T09:32:00.000-07:00

Only 9 weeks to go! That is only 62 days!

I can't believe how fast the weeks are going by!

Our little Nelly Bean will be here before we know it!

I have been feeling really good and feel lucky to have had an easy pregnancy so far. The only thing that has gotten hard is the standing! I stand for 7 hours a day, everyday. I am not allowed to ever sit at my job. I have to stand to eat too. There is an upside to always having to pee when your pregnant and working my job.....the bathroom is the only place you can sit down. And sometimes I hang out in there a little longer than necessary for just that reason! I have started to sneak a seat at the bar on occasion. After all, what are they going to do?? Fire me? I hate getting in trouble though and am always worried someone will say something. But I care just a little less each day. My feet no longer fit into my pretty little high heels and they get really swollen after a week of work! Lucky for me, my husband pampers me and takes care of me and my sore feet :) My last day at work is June 17th! I am really looking forward to being home with Nelly and feel very lucky to have been given the opportunity to be a stay at home mom.

Adam and I are starting to feel the pressure to get everything ready. The nursery is really coming together and is so cute! Adam is always working on the house to make it better before baby. I love having a husband that is so on top of things. He always does what he sets out to do and never leaves a job unfinished. Sometimes I have to remind him that everything doesn't need to be done right away! I think the nesting has kicked in a little. Last week I cleaned out all of the closets in the house and then I moved on to the kitchen cabinets. They had been bugging both of us for awhile but we just never got around to it. I removed EVERYTHING from every single cabinet and cleaned and rearranged things in way that actually makes sense! It feels nice to get all of these things done, I am sure we won't have time once the babe makes her appearance!

April 11th -- A Good Day

2011-04-12T08:33:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was our two year anniversary! It really seems like just yesterday that I was walking down the isle towards that handsome man, my husband. I can't believe how far we have come in the last couple years. How strong we have grown as a couple. How much bigger our hearts have grown for each other. We have gone through ups and downs and always come out stronger.

Thank you, Adam, for choosing me to spend your life with. You are a wonderful husband and you are about to become a wonderful father. I am continually amazed by your love and support, your confidence in me. I admire your strength and your motivation. You make me happier than I knew possible. You make me laugh and you make me cry the good tears. And, you have given me the gift of carrying our sweet little baby. We will forever be tied by the little life we created. I look forward to many more years of waking up next to you, my everything. ************************ Yesterday we also welcomed the newest member of our family. My brother Vance and his wife Jenny had their baby boy, Hugh Vance Sorensen at 12:40 p.m. He weighed in at 8 lbs 12 oz!

I was honored to be able to watch as Hugh was delivered. I knew it would be an amazing experience and I thought it would be nice to see what I am in for come June. But I wasn't exactly sure what to expect. I was completely blown away by how miraculous it was and how strongly I felt the presence of God. I can't even seem to get a grip on my emotions and how I felt when I saw him come out in all his perfect glory. I am just so in love with this perfect little man!

"I've been to church,
I've read the book,
I know He's there,
But I don't look,
near as often as I should,

His fingerprints are everywhere,
I just look down and stop and stare,
open my eyes and then I swear,
I Saw God Today" George Strait

The Nellymoon

2011-04-04T15:45:00.000-07:00

Adam and I recently took a nice babymoon to Mazatlan, Mexico. It was nice to have a little getaway before our little Nelly Bean makes her arrival!

We had such a great time walking on the beach, eating amazing food and just enjoying each others company. We can't wait for Nelly to come, but we are enjoying and cherishing our last couple months, just the two of us.

While we were there we talked a lot about what we were most excited for about becoming parents and what we are nervous about. I love listening to Adam talk about becoming a dad, seeing the excitement in his eyes tugs at my heart. Something about the way he says, "I can't wait to see her little feet" just kills me. I am lucky to have an amazing husband. And knowing that he will be just as amazing as a father makes my heart happy. I also loved when he told me that I would be the best mom and that that was one of the reasons he fell in love with me. He has told me this many times before but now it seems to mean so much more. Sometimes I doubt myself, but his confidence in me makes me strong and I know that we will make a good team in the parenting department.

Now that we are back the real countdown begins! We knew that once our Nellymoon was over we would have to kick it into high gear and get ready! We only have 84 days to go and lots to do! Our calendars are full so I think the next few months are going to just fly by! Can't wait for June!

26 Weeks

2011-03-21T09:23:00.000-07:00

We had an ultrasound this morning. When we were told that we would get 3D pictures we were so excited! Well, Nelly decided that she wasn't up for pictures today. She kept her arms over her face the entire time. It was still just as exciting! I never get tired of seeing her move her cute little hands and kicking her long legs. The 3D ultrasound was really neat and I am glad we were able to do it! Her weight was estimated at 2 lbs 1 oz. All her measurements were right on for 26 weeks.

Everytime I am laying there watching my little baby move around I am in awe. I love looking over at Adam and seeing that look in his eyes and knowing that he is going to be an amazing dad. Sometimes I still can't believe this is all happening to me, that this is my life. I am oh so happy. And I feel extremely blessed.

On another note.....I am starting to feel rather large! When I look down I cannot believe that that is MY belly! It's crazy and scary and wonderful all at the same time! I really do love it though. It's just one of those things that it so surreal, seeing my belly expand like that and knowing that there is a little life growing inside of me.......a life that Adam and I created! Amazing!

26 weeks

Double Digits

2011-03-20T15:07:00.001-07:00

The countdown has begun!! I can't believe we only have 99 days until our little Nelly Bean is due!! I am sure that the next three months will just fly by!

Just a couple years ago as we were planning our wedding we had a countdown on this same board so we thought it would be fun to do the same for our little babe.

We are so excited!!

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I was told today.......

2011-03-18T15:03:00.000-07:00

"You look like your going to pop" from a delivery man
"Are you having twins" from the little old lady sitting in the cafe after I told her I was due in June
"Looks like your going to have a huge baby" from one of the night cooks

I am so glad it's the weekend! Can't wait to relax and hang out with my handsome hubby and the girls......and let my belly hang out as it pleases.

Weekend Getaway

2011-03-14T09:26:00.000-07:00

On Friday Adam and I decided to head to the ranch for a last minute weekend getaway! On Friday night we played in the snow with the Girls and watched movies. On Saturday afternoon our friends Josh and Danielle came up for lunch and snowmobiling. I wish I would have taken some pictures of Adam and Josh in action! Josh is CRAZY! Being 6 months pregnant, I obviously sat out on the snowmobiling. It was a lot of fun to just hang out and relax and eat yummy food. After Josh and Danielle left, Adam and I were pooped! But we got bundled up in our snow gear and took the girls out on a long walk in the snow. My ski pants from last year were not about to button up over the Nelly Belly!! Maybe next year! I love that the ranch is so close that we can just hop in the car last minute and make a weekend out of it......yet far enough away that it feels like a mini vacay!

My Pretty Little Minnie

I can't get enough of that man and his kisses

A tired dog is a good dog!

Brunch and the Nelly Belly

2011-03-06T14:57:00.001-08:00

Today Adam and I had brunch at The Grand America. It was SOOO good!! We filled up on lots of shrimp and crab leg! Hours later and we are still stuffed! It was fun to have a little brunch date. Just the two of us. We always have fun together!!

24 weeks! 16 weeks to go!! I knew I had a baby belly on me, but these pictures make me look huge! I can't believe how fast the Nelly Belly has grown!!

Can't wait to hear Nelly Beans heart bear tomorrow at my doctor appointment! I love that sound :)

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Loved and Happy

2011-03-02T09:00:00.000-08:00

Today Adam had to be to work a little early so I got a head start on my day. I took my time. I made breakfast, put a little extra makeup on and made sure my hair was blown out just so. I love mornings that start like that. I knew what I was going to wear and it had been placed out on the bed nicely and was just waiting for me to finish cuddling the girls and put it on. I looked at the clock and I still had 45 minutes before I usually leave for work.

The second I got dressed I knew I couldn't wear that to work. So I tried on something else and then something else. I did this over and over until everything I own was sprawled across the floor of the bedroom and all across the bed. I put on pair after pair of maternity tights and leggings - which by the way are hard enough to get on and off without the help of my little Lady Bug. Exhausted and out of breath I decided to go back to the first outfit. I got the dogs fresh water and raw hides, kissed them both goodbye and raced out the door. LATE.

This scenario was a fairly common one for me before I got pregnant. I would do this most days of the week and it would result in me calling to complain to Adam that I had no clothes and I would let it ruin my day and inevitably ruining Adam's day in the process.

But today was the first time I have done this in the last 4 months or so. I get ready for work and find a suitable outfit that compliments my Nelly Belly and I go on my way. But for some reason while I drove to work today I still had a smile on my face. I called Adam and warned him that I had made a disaster area of the bedroom and the other end went silent. I knew he was just waiting for my meltdown. When he heard me say, "I'm not going to let it ruin my day" I heard a sigh of relief.

Honestly, how could anything ruin my day? I have a wonderfully, amazing husband who takes care of me and makes me feel beautiful and loved. I have a little Nelly Bean who is constantly kicking me and reminding me just how precious life is and how blessed Adam and I are to be going through this amazing journey together. Sometimes it is hard, but it is so important to remember what really matters. And what matters most to me is that handsome husband of mine and the amazing life we have made for ourselves and the love that we have for each other. And that is all I need to be happy....that and my Nelly Bean :)

I hope everyone else is feeling loved and happy today!

Little Nudges

2011-02-21T07:54:00.001-08:00

Last night Adam was able to feel our little Nelly Bean move for the first time!! It was so exciting! He had been patiently waiting and when it happened his face just lit right up! It was so cute :)

I have been feeling more movement lately. We have gone from little flutters to little nudges. I love every little move she makes!

*Lady Bug snuggling the Nelly Belly.

Lady definitely knows that something is going on in there! She loves to cuddle with me and rest her head on my growing belly. I love it. I think Minnie knows too, but she is completely uninterested! Typical Minnie. Their world is about to be rocked!

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28th Birthday!

2011-02-18T09:27:00.001-08:00

On Wednesday I celebrated my 28th birthday! My mom picked me up and we had a surprise birthday lunch at Jenni's house with my favorite - Litza's Pizza - My friend Katie also joined us with her cute little boy Grant.

Jenni is one of my best friends, I can tell her anything, I trust her and I admire her. My favorite thing about Jenni is that she is ALWAYS happy! She can always put me in a good mood and make me laugh! Her friendship means so much to me and I am so happy that I was able to celebrate my birthday with her!

Katie and I went to cosmetology school together and have been friends ever since! We don't get to see each other very often so it was good to just hang out and catch up! Katie is the sweetest person I have ever met. I don't think I have ever heard a mean thing come out of her mouth. I loved that I was able to celebrate my birthday with old friends, there is nothing better.

The four of us sat around eating pizza and laughing all afternoon. It was really nice of my mom and Jenni to put the surprise together and go to so much work!

My mom gave me this sweet necklace for my birthday and I LOVE it. It tops the list as my favorite gift along with the hot pink camera that Adam got me.

I had a nice visit from Mel and her cute kids who brought me cupcakes from The Sweet Tooth Fairy. They were SOO good! I was going to take a picture of the 6 cute cupcakes inside the box.....but they were gone before I thought of it!

And Brooke dropped off the cutest tea pot in the world. I can't wait to use it for my Tea Party Tuesdays that I already have planned out for Nelly :)

And my friend Rachel made me the cutest little headband for Nelly!!

Of Course, Adam always makes my birthday special. He came home early and he had made reservations for dinner that night at one of my favorite places, Cucina Toscana. But when a blizzard started up at our house we decided to cancel. When Adam suggested that I take Thursday off so I could have some more birthday fun, I didn't hesitate!

On Thursday my mom and I went to lunch and shopping and then Adam took me out for a nice, fancy dinner at Cucina Toscana. It was fun to get all dressed up and go on a date with my handsome man. I really am a lucky girl. He always takes such good care of me and makes sure that I feel special and loved.

I couldn't have asked for a better birthday. 28 is special to me because it's the year I become a mom! I know that this is going to be a great year for us!

2011-02-11T14:51:00.001-08:00

Beautiful flowers from my handsome Valentine. Oh how I love him.

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20 down, 20 to go

2011-02-09T08:46:00.001-08:00

On Monday we had our 20 week ultrasound. I cannot believe that we are already halfway through this pregnancy. I have loved every minute of it and I am excited for the next half. I am sure the next 20 weeks will fly by just like the first 20 weeks!

I am always amazed by the ultrasounds. It is so surreal to see my little baby wiggling around inside of me. It is just crazy to me that Adam and I made that perfect little bean!

I can't wait to kiss that cute little face

"No Pictures Please"
Already taking after her dad!!

Still a girl!! Thank goodness!In a weird way I almost feel more like myself than I have in a long time. Like I have found myself again. I love getting dressed up and looking at my belly in the mirror. I don't know how to explain it, I just feel good!I am obsessed with rubbing my growing belly and can't keep my hands off of it! Neither can Adam, which I love. We lay in bed and he rests his hand on my belly- just hoping to feel something. And he never leaves for work without rubbing the Nelly Belly. He is going to be a good dad. He has already made two rules1- no two piece swimsuits2- no dating until she is 21I love that man. And I love that he is already protective of his little babe.
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Random Thoughts....

2011-01-31T13:58:00.000-08:00

The flutters I keep feeling in my belly! I just started feeling them last night- AMAZING!
The nursery. Adam worked on it all weekend and it looks so cute! I love having a hubby who wants to paint the nursery all on his own without me asking him to do it :) How lucky am I? Pretty darn lucky.
2 weeks notice! Didn't your mother teach you anything? Who calls into their job and just says, "I am not going to work there anymore". Things like this happen to me every time I am managing! Which leads me to......
Quitting my job. I can't wait to be a stay at home mom. I feel really lucky that I will be able to stay at home with my Little Nelly Bean.
Why would you continue to call and text someone when they don't answer or reply?? Really, after the 6th try I think its time to give it up! They don't want to talk to you! Not to mention, it is ANNOYING!
Today a customer said to me, "you look so cute with that baby bump". It was the first time a stranger commented on me being pregnant. I guess it's officially obvious! I have had a perma-grin ever since. I LOVE being pregnant!!
I cannot believe how fast time flies! Only 147 days to go!
Saturday marked 2 years of Adam being tobacco free! I am proud of him. It wasn't easy! I think it should be celebrated every year. Way to go, Adam. You are a stud.
We have a name picked out for our little bean. Erica Nelly Rogers. Nelly is a nickname that my brothers have been calling me for as long as I can remember. A little tribute to my 3 brothers, who I love with all my heart. I Can't wait for them to be Uncles!

Baby GIRL Rogers

2011-01-21T09:44:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was a big day for Adam and I. We have been anticipating it for awhile and it finally came!! The day we would find out what kind of bean we have been growing!

We are so excited about our little baby GIRL!!

I can't wait to kiss those cute little cheeks and to see Adam's heart melt when he holds his baby girl. I am just so overwhelmed with happiness, words can't express how blessed we feel.

Of course we had to celebrate with PINK cupcakes

(made in my PINK Kitchen Aid)

And with PINK balloons from Aunt Brooke!!

And now I am going to spend the weekend celebrating our baby girl at the Ranch with my handsome hubby -who is going to be the best dad in the whole world!

Really, how did I get so lucky? What did I do to deserve that handsome man who loves me so much that he wanted to spend his life with me and make perfect little babies together?? I don't think it could get any better than this. I never knew I could be so happy or that I my heart could have so much love. Thank you, Adam for bringing me to life, for showing me how to love and to be loved. You are my everything and our little family is truly M.F.E.O.

Heartbeat

2011-01-11T08:31:00.000-08:00

I couldn't sleep last night, which is a very rare occasion for me given the fact that I am pregnant and would sleep all day if I could. But last night was different. Last night I kept hearing that loud strong heartbeat in my head. The heartbeat of our baby that is miraculously growing inside of me.

As my mom and I waited in the room for my doctor yesterday I told her how I get so nervous that they won't be able to find the heartbeat. I don't know if it's normal to be so worried. Maybe it comes from that dark place where I was once told, "there is no longer a heartbeat" and my fear of hearing it again. But the second Dr. Laine placed the Doppler on my growing bump, I heard that sweet sound again. Just thumping away. 151. It was loud and strong. I will never get tired of hearing that sound.

The last few months have been so great for me. I come here often to write about my pregnancy but I can never quite put the words together that would properly express how I am feeling, how amazing it is and how blessed I feel. And sometimes I don't even want to talk about how wonderful I think it is or how great I am feeling because it seems that there is always a negative comment that follows. A remark that is meant to make me feel bad for being happy, like all pregnant woman should be miserable. But I am not.

I have decided to live in my own little bubble where pregnancy is good and happy and great. I want to be surround by other positive people who think that pregnancy is nothing short of a miracle. I want to spend this short time enjoying every little thing that comes with the territory -- even the not so glorious.

And now back to my bubble.....

I am continuously in awe at how quickly our baby is growing. I can't get enough of the piles of pregnancy books stacked next to my bed or the monthly pregnancy magazines that come in the mail. I cannot seem to fill my head with enough information. Every Sunday Adam and I lay in bed and I read aloud what we have in store for us for the next week.

Our baby can now suck it's thumb
Our baby is now the size of a turnip-- 5 inches
Our baby can hear Minnie and Lady barking!!
Our baby can hear my voice and feel my caress when I rub my belly
Our baby is growing hair
Our baby is starting to see light through still sealed eyelids

The list goes on and on and it never ceases to amaze me. It really is an absolute miracle that we can grow life inside of us. And that we can be so connected and bonded with a baby we have never met, but have loved since that first positive test.

Next week we will find out what our Little Bean is. We are so excited. And either way, boy or girl, that Little Bean is going to be showered with love by a mom and dad who have been patiently waiting for them for a long time.

2010

2010-12-31T12:41:00.000-08:00

Our year.....

In January we found our dream house and put down an offer.

On February 16th I turned 27--and our offer was accepted. We celebrated both at the Old Spaghetti Factory.

In March we packed and got ready to move from 4th Ave. & D. It was bittersweet.

On April 11th we celebrated our 1 year Anniversary in our new house. Lucky me, I am married to my best friend and I look forward to many more anniversaries!

A week later we celebrated our anniversary AGAIN in Mazatlan. We had an amazing week of morning walks on the beach, playing in the waves, eating amazing food and just enjoying each others company. Mazatlan was beautiful and the company was even better. I can't wait to go back.

On June 21st our little Lady Bug turned 1. We thought she might settle down a bit.....we were wrong. Maybe she will mellow out at 2 years old. She is a mess. But she is our mess and we love her. She adds so much to our family.

We spent the 4th of July laying on the roof of our new house watching for fireworks.....we didn't see much. But it was the best 4th of July ever.

July 24th marked the 3 year anniversary of our first date. We camped at Curly Sage

In August we suffered a loss that crushed us both but brought us closer together
Adam turned 29 on August 6th! One year older but more handsome than ever!

My sweet little Minnie turned 7 on August 22nd! Her face still smells like brown sugar and I still think she is perfect.

We got a new nephew. He melts my heart.

On October 16th we found out that I was pregnant! 200 tests later we believed it!

Went to Connecticut with my mom for my friend Lisa's wedding. I was honored to be a bridesmaid. It was a beautiful wedding and I had a great time. But I got so homesick for Adam!

In November we froze our fannies off waiting in line for hours to meet George W. Bush and have our books signed......definitely worth the wait!!

On December 2nd we heard our Little Beans heartbeat for the first time - 170! AMAZING!

We spent our 3rd New Years Eve together at home, just the 2 of us :)

We are looking forward to what 2011 has in store for us! It is definitely going to be an exciting year!

Wishing everyone a happy New Year!

Baby Rogers

2010-12-16T08:34:00.000-08:00

Our Little Bean is due June 27th!We couldn't be happier!!

Merry Christmas!

Sweet Little Lola

2010-11-08T08:45:00.000-08:00

On Saturday we had to put our sweet little Lola down. She has been a part of our family for years. We will all miss her cute little stubborn personality. We all find peace knowing that she is now with her best friend Lucy again.

We are a family of dog lovers and it never gets easier to say goodbye to our pets. At times in all of our lives our dogs have been our best friends, sometimes our only friends, the ones we laugh and have fun with, the ones who comfort us when things aren't going quite right and the ones we cry with. I believe that their unconditional love is one of the most amazing blessings God has given us. Our family has been blessed with many different dogs throughout the years, all with their own special personalities.

I feel so lucky to have been raised by a mom who taught my brothers and I to love and respect all animals. To treat them as part of the family. I hope one day to pass that on to my kids so that they too can feel that special love that only comes from a dog.

"A dog has no use for fancy cars, big homes or designer clothes. A water log stick will do just fine. A dog doesn't care if your rich or poor, clever or dull, smart or dumb. Give him your heart and he'll give you his. How many people can you say that about? How many people can make you feel rare and pure and special? How many people can make you feel extraordinary?" Josh Grogan

OURS

2010-10-29T09:14:00.000-07:00

Ever since I layed eyes on Adam and fell in love, I haven't been a big fan of sad, depressing, breakup songs. So I was a little disapointed when I heard that Taylor Swifts' new CD "Speak Now" was going to be all about her bad relationships. I like happy songs. Songs about being in love, cheesy songs....because I can relate to them! Regardless, I couldn't help but run to Target the day it realeased to check it out for myself. Of course her songs are all amazingly written and they are very catchy, I just couldn't get into many of them. BUT wait, there was a bonus CD in the Deluxe Target edition that I bought. The first song, "Ours", caught my attention very quickly and has been stuck in my head ever since! It's a cute little song and I love it!

So don't you worry your pretty little mind

People throw rocks at things that shine

And life makes love look hard

The stakes are high

The waters rough

But this love is Ours

2010-10-11T09:07:00.000-07:00

We had a really great weekend. I would have to say that it ranks in the top 5. Mostly because my new little nephew arrived. There is nothing sweeter than a newborn baby. Their smell, their noises, their tiny little toes.... and in this case the HAIR! He has a full little head of dark hair just like his dad! This little guy better get used to me. I am his only aunt and I fully intend on smothering and spoiling him for the rest of his life! I love all of my neices and nephews. But knowing this little guy from the very begining is very special to me. I will always remember him like this. From the beginning... and I love that.

On Saturday (after getting my baby fix in and visiting with Adam's family) we took Ryley and Max (my neice and nephew who I also adore) to Pack's Pumpkin Patch for Colette's birthday party. I had never seen an actual pumpkin patch before! Weird, I know. But I usually go to Smiths and pick out my pumpkins. This was so much more fun! I think we will have to go to the pumpkin patch every year for our pumpkins. Ryley and Max were so cute, they searched the whole patch for the perfect pumpkins for Mikey and their new baby brother Marcus. And helped us pick some out for our house. I loved watching Adam with the kids. He is really cute with them. I know he will be a really good dad someday. That is something I really look forward too..... Adam being a dad :) Just the thought makes me happy!

Other highlights.....

Lady climbing the back wall like a ladder to get to Ryley and Max
Having a date night at Pagoda with my handsome hubby. We used to walk there weekly. We haven't been there since we moved out of the Avenue's.
Sitting in the hospital holding Marcus
Getting home from the hospital and Adam telling me that he wanted to hold Marcus but that he didn't dare
Making homemade Pumpkin Soup and soft pretzels - there is nothing better this time of year!
Apple TV. I can't wait for it to arrive! My brother in law is a good salesman to say the least
The weather! I love this time of year. It just might be my favorite!

I am in LOVE.....

2010-10-08T19:02:00.001-07:00

with my new little nephew

Marcus Benjamin Rogers

I can't get enough of his yumminess!! He is absolutely perfect!

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Two years ago today.....

2010-10-04T09:58:00.001-07:00

Adam asked me to marry him I am really glad that he did because I love being his wifey

My Sweet Little Softie

2010-09-28T13:32:00.001-07:00

On Friday night I found Lady in my closet with her nose in the corner. It was like she had put herself in time out! I felt really bad because I had been crying and it had obviously upset her! Seeing her so scared and hiding made me even more upset and made me cry even harder (I am such a girl!) which just made the whole situation worse!! She would not budge from this position. Adam pulled her out and she would walk right back in! Poor girl is just so sensitive!!

The next morning while I was vacuuming, Adam found Lady back in her spot staring at the corner! This really might be the saddest picture I have ever seen! But it's cute at the same time. Dogs are so funny. They all have their funny little quirks that make them so special. *Next up for Lady---losing 15 lbs! As you can see, she is quite hefty. She weighed in at 110 lbs at the vet on Friday. Needless to say, the vet was not amused.

My Stylish little Pumpkin!

2010-09-14T10:27:00.001-07:00

This is just too cute not to share! Mel found this beautiful pink Coach collar for Minnie's birthday! The perfect gift for the little 7 year old pumpkin! She looks so cute and stylish in it. Lady is jeal. But it is SO Minnie! Maybe for Lady's 7 year old birthday I can find her something just as fabulous...but I doubt it.

Adam decided that this will be Minnie's "special occassion" collar. As in -- she can wear it whenever she wants except to the ranch or hiking! Spoiled pup! I love that my husband kinda understands the importance of Coach and that he gets almost as excited as Minnie and I about it

Thanks Mel for being so thoughtful! We love you!

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2010-09-11T23:16:00.001-07:00

Lovin' my little baby....

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2010-09-09T09:39:00.001-07:00

Adam came home with these yesterday...

I'm lucky to have a man who knows just what I need, when I need it! Cheez-Its always make a crazy day better!

And then my crazy day ended like this....

There is nothing better than a nice long foot rub (especially when your job requires you to stand for 7 hours straight on a marble floor, in 6" heels) from the man you love!! Not even a whole box of white cheddar Cheez-Its!

I'm one lucky girl :)

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2010-08-09T08:26:00.000-07:00

We had a really good birthday weekend for Adam! I had been asking Adam for a month what he wanted to do for his birthday. I had offered to do a party, put together a big dinner with his friends, go to dinner just the two of us, ANYTHING he wanted.....Last minute Adam told me that all he wanted to do for his birthday was have dinner with Jonny and Brooke. We had a lot of fun and I know Adam loved spending his birthday with his BFF Jonny :)

On Sunday we headed to the Dwight Yoakam concert at Snowbasin. I was so excited! Words cannot describe how much I love me some DWIGHT! Thanks to our friend Cactus, we had VIP tickets which were great! We had a nice dinner and the show was amazing! I hadn't ever been to Snowbasin before, but it was a really nice place for a concert. It wasn't overly crowded and those nice little VIP tickets got us right up front to the stage. I have to admit that Dwights' moves make me a little crazy! I absolutely love him! We had such a great time! Now, if I can only convince Adam that I need to get my "Dwight Fix" again in Wendover this coming October :)

Happy Birthday, Adam!!

2010-08-06T08:28:00.000-07:00

Happy 29th Birthday to my Prince Charming!

Adam, you are my everything! I have been smiling since the day you walked into my life! I love you more than you will ever know! Thank you for being you and for loving me the way that you do!

Sweet Baby Jack

2010-07-27T11:03:00.000-07:00

Yesterday my mom and I headed to Logan to have lunch with this pretty lady. My cousin Megan is due to have a baby boy in August. We had a fun day eating, talking about her baby bump and looking at all her cute little baby clothes. I can't wait for Sweet Baby Jack's arrival :)

July 24th

2010-07-24T11:10:00.001-07:00

This is what I came home to yesterday. I'm a lucky girl! He's hotter than hell AND he cleans too! He's the perfect package! (he will kill me when he finds out that I posted this picture, but I couldn't resist)

Two years ago today Adam and and I went on our first date! Best two years ever! He makes me a very happy girl :)

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Happy Birthday Lady Bug!

2010-06-18T09:50:00.000-07:00

My little baby Lady Bug turned 1 today! She hasn't always been easy, but she has definitely been worth it. She is always happy to see us when we come home. Even if we have only been gone for 10 minutes, when we walk in the room she gets so excited! She has a sweet little personality that always puts a big grin on our faces!

Lady's favorite things to do are

Play with her sister Daisy Dog

Play at the Ranch and get DIRTY

Torment Minnie-- I think Minnie secretly likes it

Sit in the window and wait for Adam to come home from work

Play basketball and racket ball (she is actually quite talented in this department and can catch balls with her front paws)

SWIM, SWIM, SWIM

Chase and Eat bugs

Long walks with her stick

Eat, Eat and Eat more

Cuddle - this is my absolute favorite! I love curling up with this cute little cuddle bug!

Lady has become a big part of our family and we can't imagine not having her with us! I can't wait to go home and spoil her rotten on her big day!

Memorial Day 2010

2010-06-01T12:28:00.001-07:00

On Memorial Day my mom and I drove to Clarkston to visit Gramps. It was the first time I had been there since he passed away last July. I loved seeing all the flowers, flags and Coca Cola decorating his space. He is still so loved by everyone. It was really nice to just sit there and think about him. I miss him so much every single day. But I felt him there with me and it was nice. I will have to go visit more often. Maybe on a day that isn't quite so busy so I can spend some time there alone. Great Grandma Minnie - My little Minnie's name sake :)

Heinz met us in Clarkston and my mom and Colette rode home with him. I decided to drive home through Mendon and Welsville.

I stopped at the Mendon Cemetery to visit my Grandpa Allan. Sadly, I have not been there since he passed away in 1999. However, I felt a nice calm come over me when I found his headstone. I really wish that I had known him better. I only have a few small memories of Grandpa Allan from when I was growing up. But my Gramps always told me that Grandpa Allan was a war hero. Makes me proud :)

My favorite place in the world.....

2010-05-17T11:26:00.000-07:00

We spent our weekend at The Ranch and it was amazing!! I always love going to The Ranch and I always tell Adam that it is my favorite place in the world! And it truly is. I feel so lucky to have such a wonderful place that we can spend time at together. I wish we could go every single weekend! On Friday we packed up the car and loaded up the dogs! I think Minnie and Lady always know where we are going, they get really excited watching us get everything packed up. They can hardly weight to jump into the back of the car.

Once we got there, Adam threw sticks for the dogs while I made dinner. After we dinner we planted some trees around the barn and then walked around the pasture with the dogs running wild. I love taking pictures of them playing together and jumping in the ponds. I really can't think of anything better than seeing my dogs happy! Lady and Daisy are faster than the wind, they are so cute together! And I love that Minnie tries so darn hard to be included with the puppies. She wants to be right there with them all of the time!! Poor girl can't keep up with them, but I have to give her credit for trying.

On Saturday Adam took me through Peoa, Oakley and Kamas. We stopped at the cutest little diner that had juke boxes on all the tables. We played fun music and ate the best diner food. Adam got a free bumper sticker which he was pretty proud of. We stopped at all the cute little country stores in Oakley. Adam bought me cute, pink gardening gloves and some taffy that I used to eat when I was a kid. I picked some up for a my nieces and nephews :) We got strawberry shakes at Dick's in Kamas that were the best we had ever had!! I would drive there just for that alone! We drove to Rockport Lake, stopped and tried to pet some buffalo....not a good idea! It was really fun to just drive around with nowhere in particular to go, just wherever the wind took us.

Later that day Ed stopped by. It was a nice surprise and I think that Adam enjoyed spending some time with his dad. I left Adam and Ed to get some "Cowgirl Lessons" from Cactus. In the past I have gotten nervous on the horses because we don't do it very often. I have decided that it is such a waste to have all that beautiful land and all those pretty horses and not know how to ride!! I felt much more comfortable after working with Cactus and I hope that I can get up there more often. I am convinced that I was meant to be a cowgirl and I am going to make sure that that happens!

Even though I was SO flippin' sore from the hour I was in the corral, I agreed to a Sunday morning horseback ride with Adam and Cactus. The weather couldn't have been better! We saw close to 60 deer and a beautiful eagle. We had to leave Minnie and Daisy behind, since Minnie can't keep up and Daisy barks at the horses. But Lady came along for the 2 hour ride and she had the time of her life! She was running, swimming and rolling in the dirt! This was our first trip to the ranch that Lady was able to get in the water. When we got her last summer she was too little and the snow has just melted this year leaving lots of puddles and ponds. She was really nervous at first but once she took the plunge, we couldn't get her out! It really was the perfect weekend! We are heading to the ranch again tonight and I can't wait!!

UPDATE: My camera is not broken, I just needed to charge the battery! Thanks, Mom, for figuring that out for me :)

Just a few things on my mind lately......

2010-05-14T08:31:00.000-07:00

THE RANCH - it has been far too long since Adam and I have loaded up the car and headed to one of my favorite places in the world! Our new house has kept us very, very busy. There is always something else to do....more yard work, housework, laundry, hang this, hang that. We have been watching Daisy (Lady Bug's sister) since Monday and we think it is time to get them out of the house and into the open pasture of the ranch. It is a perfect excuse to go and leave the yard work for next week. 4:00 p.m. cannot come fast enough, I am ready to get this show on the road! I am looking forward to relaxing with Adam, running around with the dogs, sleeping in and possibly a horseback ride with Dave.

VEINS - I can't get my mind off of the fact that the veins on the backs of my legs are getting worse at a very rapid speed. I blame the fact that my job requires me to stand for 7 hours a day.....in heels.....on a marble floor. And I HATE IT! One day I will quit The New Yorker and I will never look back!

PEANUT M & M's - I have been craving them for 2 weeks now. But I am convinced that if I wait it out for just one more week the craving will go away......I hope.

EVITE - I have sent out my fair share of Evite invitations in the past. I have, because the respect I have for my husband, invited people that I wish I didn't have to sometimes. However, I have never had the balls to UN INVITE someone from one of my parties. I am continually amazed at the childish behaviour of some people. I am so over the drama that has ensued our lives since we got engaged. The lack of respect is unbelievable. I am DONE with it. Our life together is far too wonderful to be bothered with it any longer. A slap in Adam's face is a slap in mine, and vice verse. I have learned that as life changes, peoples true colors eventually come out. And sometimes it is ugly...

GIRLFRIENDS - I have realized over the last year how wonderful and sacred TRUE friendships are. I have been blessed with a handful of wonderful girlies who enrich my life, make me a better person, and who I have crazy fun with. Some of these ladies happen to be family, some happen to be old friends who I have reunited with and some are brand spankin' new. And I love them all.

WANANAVU KADAVU All is Well- Because of my mom's good heart and dedication, my family has been able to start a non-profit organization to help bring fresh water into remote villages. We have successfuly completed one water system and are now working on 2 more. I am proud of my mom for all of her hard work and time she has put into this. It has not been easy, but it is worth it. Now, we just need to get the name out there!! I am also really proud of my brother Ben for all of the work he has put it! He has been living in Fiji for over a year now working hands on as the Project Manager. He is one of the most caring, loving people I have ever met. And I am proud to be his little sister. On that note, I am proud to be the sister of all my brothers :)

GRAMPS - I miss him. I think about him every single day. I miss his cute smile, his laugh, his soft hands, breakfast at Angie's, nightly phone calls, him telling me to say my prayers....the list goes on and on. Plain and simple, my heart still hurts.

CAMERA - I need a new one. Mine broke after we got home from Mexico. I HATE not having one handy all the time.

DOGS, DOGS, DOGS Minnie, Lady, Daisy - We have an extra pup right now. Lady's sister Daisy is staying with us. She has a sweet little personality and Lady has loved having an extra playmate around. However, Lady and Daisy are still puppies and I constantly worry about what they are going to do to my house while I am at work. I worry that they are going to escape, cause chaos in the neighborhood or bark until my new neighbors hate me. So far we haven't had any accidents of any kind....but I still worry.

Mazatlan 2010

2010-04-30T11:09:00.000-07:00

Adam and I recently spent a week in Mazatlan to celebrate our 1 year anniversary. We had such an amazing time. We had Internet access but chose to celebrate our week just the two of us, it was really nice! Every morning around 7 a.m. we got up and walked along the beach. Those walks were one of my favorite parts of the trip. It was fun to walk along the beach and hear the ocean and just talk. We played in the huge waves and read books laying in the sun. And of course, we ate lots of amazing food!

It was such an amazing get a way! It was absolutely fabulous! We came back tanned and excited to see the girls, we missed the so much!

Livin' the Life

2010-04-16T08:51:00.000-07:00

I'd like to switch lives with my dogs just for a day......or maybe a week :)

1 Year Anniversary

2010-04-12T08:30:00.001-07:00

Adam and I celebrated our 1 Year Anniversary yesterday! The last year has just flown by so fast! I can't believe it!

We made a really nice breakfast and then layed around and did absolutely nothing all day long! It was nice to just relax! Adam is an "up and at 'em" kinda guy, so I was surprised that he was down to just lay around with me and the pups. I love every minute that I get to spend with Adam. We always have fun together no matter what!

Because we are officially celebrating our Anniversary in Mexico next week, we decided to save money and not get gifts for each other. Of course, Adam never plays by these rules and he got me beautiful gold hoop earrings! He spoils me :)

The last year has been so fun and we are looking forward to many more anniversaries to come! And if the saying "the first year is the hardest" is true, we are in for some smooth sailing because that was the easiest year I have had in a long time!

I love you, Ducky!! You make me the happiest girl in the world!!

Now, I can't wait for Mexico!! It snows at our house every single day!! We need sunshine!!

Happy Birthday, Dad!!

2010-04-06T08:39:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday to my Dad today!

I love you!

Blast From the Past

2010-04-05T10:56:00.000-07:00

My mom made these in 1979 and 1980, I found them in her basement yesterday. All three of them hung in our houses when I was growing up. They bring back memories from all of our different homes when I was a kid. They are even more beautiful to me now. I love that they can now hang in my own home. I want my kids to remember them when they are my age.

They aren't big expensive peices of art, but to me they are more special than anything I could go buy. My mom is so very talented! And on top of that, she is a wonderful mom. She really is one of my best friends. We always have fun toghether and I can tell her anything!

"I know you were on my side

even when I was wrong

And I love you for giving me your eyes

Staying back and watching me shine

And I didn't know if you knew

so I'm taking this chance to say

that I had the best day

with you today"

Friendly Get Together

2010-04-05T10:08:00.000-07:00

On Saturday Adam and I had over a few of our friends over for dinner. Adam and I cooked all day Saturday to get ready for the crowd. We had a really good turn out and I think everyone had a great time! We ate good food, played basketball, looked through old photos and looked up wedding stuff for the two brides to be! It was really good to see everyone together and having fun. I know that Adam was really excited to spend some time with the boys! I was really happy that my brother Vance and his wife Jenny were able to make it, I don't see them enough! And now that we have our new home, that is a great place to gather, we will have to have people over more often!

Destined to be Friends

2010-03-30T10:21:00.000-07:00

Adam and I went to Jenni's house on Sunday for Brielle's 1 year Birthday Bash! It was a fun party with close family and friends. I had met most of Jenni's family years ago and I had always liked them.....but now I LOVE them! They were all so nice and sweet!

I met Jenni's Grandma Beverly and learned that she and my Grandma Carolle Jean are BFF's that grew up together and remain friends to this day! She had the nicest things to say about my Grandma-- of course, I already knew that my Grandma was great, but it was fun to hear Beverly's stories. Jenni's mom Carole is actually named after my Grandma!! And Jenni's aunt Jean is named after my Grandma too! To top off all of this fabulous info, Beverly's maiden name is Sorensen--my maiden name too! And Jenni and I are distantly related! I have no idea how we didn't put this together sooner!

Jenni and I were destined to be friends! We came back into each others lives at the right moment, just when we needed each other! I know that we will always be friends, even when we are old and gray like Grandma Carolle and Grandma Beverly :)

Love you Jenni!

And Brielle too :)

The excitement of the new house has not worn off just yet!

2010-03-29T08:55:00.001-07:00

We worked hard all weekend doing yard work and putting the house together. It is really starting to come together. We will definently be doing a lot of yard work in the next few months....and probably forever, I suppose. It's been so much fun that Adam even turned down Jazz tickets from my mom for tonights game. He just wants to be at home, our home. And I couldn't think of anything better than doing just that!!

Our New Home

2010-03-18T11:45:00.000-07:00

I don't think it has really sunk in yet that we are actually HOME OWNERS! It is so exciting! We have been having fun getting everything unpacked and in order. Last night was the first night that we have been able to just relax and take everything in. We took the dogs on a nice long walk around the new neighborhood, played basketball in the court-- Adam and I against Minnie and Lady :) We won, but the dogs didn't know the difference! And we cuddled up on the couch and watched a little t.v. It was really hard to get up and go to work this morning, I just want to be at home!

Here are a few pictures of the place. I will have to post more as we make progress!

Next up.....YARD WORK!! I have never liked yard work, in fact I have always hated it. But I must say that the idea of working in our yard together gets me really excited!!

What Happens at The Ranch, Stays at The Ranch

2010-02-22T14:26:00.001-08:00

We had a fun weekend at the Ranch with Jordan and Krystal. We had such a great time!

We stayed up all night laughing and talking. I love hearing Adam an Jordan reminisce about when they were little kids! The stories that Jordan had about Adam were HILARIOUS! And it was really nice to see Adam and Jordan together having so much fun. We haven't really spent much time with them since we have been married and I haven't ever been one on one with Krystal-- it was nice to actually get to know her.

We took the tractor for a fun little spin in the middle of the night, hot tubbed and ate good food!! We got a late start on Saturday, but we still managed to hit the slopes! We took a lot of fun pictures and then I accidentally deleted them all, I was so bummed!

We will definently have to plan another fun filled weekend with the Kendall's soon!

2010-02-03T08:34:00.000-08:00

To celebrate Adam being tobacco free for 1 year I decided to make him a cake. I wanted to make a big deal out of it because IT IS A BIG DEAL!! I am so proud of Adam. When he wants to do something, he puts his mind to it and he does it!

He is strong and motivated.

My friend Rachel and I put our heads together and this is what we came up with! It is modeled after the can of chew that Adam was once so dependent on! I think we did a pretty darn good job! I couldn't have done it without Rachel!!

I hid the box in the back of my car and I surprised Adam with it when we arrived at the ranch for the weekend. He was genuinly surprised and HE LOVED IT! After all that hard work putting it together I wasn't too sure about cutting into it, but once we did it was DELICIOUS!

I think we will have to celebrate this every year! Anyone who understands the power of addiction knows that this is a great accomplishment!!

TOBACCO FREE

2010-01-29T08:07:00.001-08:00

One year ago today my handsome husband quite chewing tobacco! It wasn't easy and he sucked his way through many bags of black licorice, but it was worth it!

WAY TO GO ADAM!!! You make me so freaking proud!!!