A new blog to check out

I started a blog for the kids. You can see it at:
http://thedollkids.blogspot.com/

Takin' care of business

While I was going to the bathroom today taking care of my business. Caden and Kaysee decided to take care of their own business... While I was in the bathroom Caden came in, saw me and ran out. I noticed that he had red marker all over his arms. So I quickly hurried up to find him. He and Kaysee were sitting under the desk with a red sharpie. Writing on their arms and faces. I was really upset to say the least, and they both had to take baths. (I talked to Tim's mom and my mom to figure out the best way to get it out -- I ended up just scrubbing them the best I could.) I decided to take some pictures, and maybe one day I can laugh.

Caden doesn't look as bad because I had already started to clean him off.
Kaysee wins for having more red on her face.
The bath water afterwards.

Later tonight, Alexandra kept whining and I couldn't figure out why. I decided to give her a bath after dinner and I figured out why. When I took off her diaper she had pooped out of her diaper and all up her back. So I was trying to clean up that mess and then she started peeing all over the bath mat.

That is why I need some Serenity NOW!

SERENITY NOW

That is what I need today!

My Birthday

I realized today that in 58 days I will be turning 29.
That Sucks.

Baby, It's cold outside

It has been cold and rainy here the last few weeks. Tim took Alexandra for a walk yesterday to Safeway to get some baby food and Special K. I bundled her up so she would stay warm.

Alexandra, almost 10 months

Alexandra will be 10 months on Friday! The time has flown by. (I think I have said that many times before, but it is true!) She had her check up last Tuesday. She weighed in at 15 pounds 8 oz. And was 27 3/4 inches long. Still a little on the small side. But she does have a sweet personality and a determination in her. She is already babbling a lot saying "NaaNaa" "BaaBaa" "MaaMaa" and "DaaDa." I think she said "Mom" before "Dad." She has been teething again, a bottom tooth popped through yesterday. Which makes 3 on top and 3 on bottom. A 4th bottom tooth is slowly making its' appearance. I don't remember the boy's having that many teeth by the time they were one. She will be talking and walking before we know it. Tim noted the other day that she will be in nursery in September. Slow down!!

(playing with her toy Santa brought her)

(Look mom, Almost no hands!)

( I'm ready for Disneyland!)

Our Holiday Break

So I was accused of not posting anything for the last few weeks. So here is an update:
Christmas Eve: Tim and Alexandra went on a "Daddy/Daughter Date" and went shopping together. They were gone for 4 hours!! All he took with him was a 4oz. bottle (no diapers/wipes/nothing!) They went to Target, Toys R Us and Fry's and stopped at McDonald's for lunch. Tim picked out new shoes for her -- they are so cute! He did a great job, and they had fun together. Miles went with Grandma & Grandpa Doll & Aunt Suzi up to Sacramento area to visit Uncle Mark (and family) & Great-Grandpa Doll. They were gone most of the day. Caden & I stayed home. I made sure everything was ready for the next day. That night the kids opened their Christmas jammies and then we watched the "Bourne Supremacy." Miles was tracking Santa on Google Earth. He finally went to bed about 9:30. But he would wake up about every hour, come look at the computer screen to see where Santa was then would get back in bed. (That happened about 4 times). Tim and I stayed up and watched Heroes Season 1 on DVD. We finally went to bed. And then Santa came. We knew he had come because the boys were in the front room emptying out their stockings at 2 a.m. We told them they had to go back to bed, but knew that they wouldn't stay in there so they slept in our room the rest of the night.

Christmas Day: They woke up about 7:00 that morning. Miles got a guitar from Santa. Caden got the Chick Hicks die-cast car and a Cars play mat. Alexandra got a stand-up play table.


















{Miles Rocking out & Shaking his bootie}






















{Caden very excited that he got Chick Hicks}
Miles also got his own MP3 player. (And he is beginning to act like a teenager ... tuning us out and listening to music instead!) Caden got more Cars to add to his collection. And Alexandra got her own Christmas Cabbage Patch Doll, and a cute pink pig. Grandma & Grandpa Redding got each of the kids Disneyland hoodies and Alexandra got her first set of Mickey Ears.

Here is Miles' first song he wrote called "JeffMelinda"

Aunt Suzi came over and watched them open the rest of their presents. Tim made our Christmas breakfast. We had cinnamon rolls, eggs, bacon and hash browns.

Later in the afternoon, We went over to Tim's parents. More family was there: Steve & Jessica, Aunt Denise & Great-Grandma Duncan. We had our Christmas dinner and then opened more presents. (Actually Tim and I got our present from Tim's parents a week earlier -- they sent us a package of Omaha Steaks. Yum!) We played baseball with the boys in their front yard. Boys vs. Girls. I think the boys ended up winning. (I think they cheated.) Though, I have to say it is hard hitting a whiffle ball very far. And Caden tagged me out once. And watching Great-Grandma Duncan try to swing a bat was pretty funny. Then we celebrated Steve's birthday, by singing "Happy Birthday" and eating pie. It was a pretty good day, but the kids were tired and ready for BED!

Friday (Dec. 28): Tim and I went to Brother Ralph Baird's funeral. He is Jeremy Jacobs' grandpa. We went to support Jeremy and his family. Brother Baird was 93 when he passed. He accomplished many things and many nice things were said about him. (I hope that when I die people can say many nice things about me!!) Tim and I went out to lunch together afterwards. Suzi, Jana and Anthony watched the kids for us.

Saturday (Dec. 29): We went over to the Jacobs' house and visited along with our friends the Stuart's (who were visiting from Oregon.) Their house was full. Total: Adults-6, Kids-12 (4 boys, 8 girls). We ate peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and chatted for a few hours. Tim, Jeremy (Jacobs) and Jon (Stuart) have know each other since they were 4 years old. Then we went back to Tim's parents house and had pizza and played a few rounds of Apples to Apples. Great-Grandpa Doll had come down to visit for a while. We stayed there until Jeff, Melinda & Dylan drove in (about 9:00 p.m.) Suzi and I made a quick trip to the mall while we were waiting.

Sunday (December 30): We went to Church (the last 9:00 church for 2 more years), and then had some Prime Rib afterwards courtesy of Tim's mom. We came home and took naps (or tried to). Then went back to Tim's parents to play games and hang out. Miles played "Risk" with Tim, Jeff, Jana and Anthony. Steve brought his Wii, so we all took turns playing it. (I heard Grandma & Grandpa Doll were considering buying a Wii for their house - Hint Hint).

New Years Eve: We celebrated by going over to the Crawford's for an Adult only party. We had appetizers and sparkling cider and played Dance Dance Revolution on Tara's Wii. Tim and I both tried it once, but everyone got their butts kicked by Janelle and Jeremy Evans. A new bet hasn't been finalized, but Tim has put himself on the Special K diet and is trying to work out more. Chris told him that he was cheating -- he has to eat fast food like everyone else in on the bet.

New Years Day: I got to sleep in!!! Then we went over to Tim's parents house and played baseball with the boys again. And tried some 4-square. Then they took us out to lunch at Claim Jumper! I was so good and, as always, too much food. So we all got boxes for take home food, and that is what we ate for dinner! We watched High School Musical 2 that night as a family.

That about sums up our holiday break. I didn't take many pictures but we had a great time. Miles starts back at school on Monday and the routine starts again.

Things we are looking forward to in the next few weeks: Miles gets to attend his first scout meeting: the Pinewood derby. Miles turning 8. Our Disneyland trip. Miles getting baptized. Caden turning 5. Baseball season starting.

Another guitar song by Miles

We wish you a Merry Christmas

and a Happy New Year!

~ Miles, Alexandra & Caden ~
~ Brittany & Tim ~

Secret Santa Gift

This what I made for Hayley for the Secret Santa craft. I made it an 8x10 and had it printed at Costco, then I framed it. (Some of you were asking what it looked like; Hayley I hope you don't mind if I share.)

Christmas Cookies!

We have great friends who brought us all kinds of Christmas goodies last week. April Preston brought us some sugar cookies with green frosting. I gave Alexandra one, and she thoroughly enjoyed it, as you can see. (Check out the green frosting on her nose.)

Happy Anniversary!

It has been NINE years!

Has it really been that long?? Tim and I got married 9 years ago today in the Mt. Timpanogos Temple. I just want to say to Tim that I LOVE YOU!! (I already posted last month things about Tim that I was grateful for). Like I said before, It hasn't been easy all the time, but it has been worth it.

The first 2 pictures were taken the evening we got engaged. (August 15, 1998) We went to the San Francisco Giants game against the Florida Marlins. You proposed during the 5th inning. (You were so nervous/excited that you couldn't wait until the 7th inning stretch). I went to the bathroom and when I came back the box with the ring was sitting on my chair. You whispered in my ear and asked "Will you marry me?" I looked at the ring (and couldn't believe how big it was) and then I said yes! We then met up with your sister Kati and her boyfriend at the time and went to Planet Hollywood for dinner. While we visiting in California, your parents were in Utah, so your mom made arrangements so that I could stay with Erma McClintock. (Where we got the red carpet treatment). I pretty much met your entire family and extended family before I met your parents.

I love these pictures because it doesn't seem like that long ago that this all happened, but we look so YOUNG!! The day we got married was cold and windy!! We didn't get many pictures taken outside of the temple because of the wind. We were lucky to have so many family members and friends there to support us. (Even Grandma Doll was there.) I remember driving in the car with my mom and your dad on our way to the temple. I was pretty nervous, and kept asking myself if this was really happening? You seemed calm, but inside I think you were nervous too.

Funny things (and not so funny things) that happened on our wedding day:

*We had Boston Market cater our luncheon. They didn't bring enough mashed potatoes and we ran out! After few years later, you said that never even liked Boston Market food.

*We called to see what time the cake was going to be delivered to the church. They had wrote down the wrong date and it wasn't decorated. So our wedding cake arrived about halfway through the reception. (We had a fake cake sitting on the stand).

*After the luncheon, your parents took you back to the hotel where they were staying. And I went home with my parents. Didn't think anything of it until a few years later. Hmmm, that was weird.

*I couldn't find our plane tickets for our Honeymoon. I freaked out because I thought I had lost them. Turns out that you had them the whole time. (But I didn't know because you were at the hotel with your parents.)

It's hard trying to find the time to celebrate an Anniversary the week before Christmas, but we will figure out something this weekend!

Happy Anniversary sweetie!

Christmas Parties

Friday, Alexandra and I went to Tim's work Christmas Party. Tim's mom bought Alexandra a Christmas dress, so she could wear it to the party. She is so adorable! I did a little photo shoot in front of the tree before we left for the party. The party is always nice with a catered lunch at the country club in Clayton. They had jokes about Tim, a jazz band performed Christmas songs and Tim got his Christmas present (a visa gift card, which I was waiting to get!) We played a game where each table had to decorate a person sitting at the table like a Christmas tree with the supplied materials. Of course Tim got picked to be decorated.

Saturday afternoon, We went to the Oakland Inter Stake Center to watch Behold the Gift. A program of music and dancing that tells the story of Christ's life in Jerusalem and his visit to the Americas. We enjoy going because we know several people who perform in it. Afterwards we went to our Ward's Christmas party. With dinner and a program. We gave Alexandra a roll to eat for dinner. She devoured it. The primary kids sang 4 Christmas songs, but Miles refused to sing. So Caden represented our family. The program went long and most of the kids got restless and ended up running around the halls at the church waiting for Santa. Miles and Caden were the first to see Santa, so I didn't get any pictures. Alexandra was asleep so she didn't see him either. We may have to make our way over to the mall soon. If I don't post anything again for a while (because life if just so busy right now). I hope you all a great and safe Holiday season!

On the court

Miles had a cool experience last Wednesday. Tim got a phone call and was asked if Miles wanted to go on the court at the Warriors basketball game during the player introductions. Of course!! We didn't tell Miles where he was going all week. (We kept using it as a bribe so that he would be good.) So Wednesday night Tim took him to the game, and still he didn't know what was going on until he saw the tickets. Then he went to a special area and waited for awhile until he actually got to get out on the court. Then after waiting for about 45 minutes he got to walk onto the court. Then Andris Biedrins came out, gave Miles a high five and a warriors bags with school supplies in it (there was a puzzle, book, ruler, pencil, pencil bag with the warriors logo on them and he got a shirt). Miles was pretty excited. Tim ran down to take pictures, it was dark and a guy was yelling at Tim that he couldn't see and that he paid good money for his seats. Tim tried yelling back but didn't want to start anything and it was loud anyway. So the pictures didn't turn out great. (Miles is wearing the orange hat and blue sweatshirt)



This is during the "Star Spangled Banner" before the game started:

A little scare

Alexandra fell out of her crib last night. Poor little girl. Tim laid her down, turned around and was talking to Caden. She stood up and reached out for Tim, but he didn't see her and she fell.
We were worried about her this morning. She was breathing funny (but she also has a cold so we didn't know if that was the problem) and it looked like her neck was swollen. But she was crawling around. So I took her to the Minor Injury Clinic (after talking to an advice nurse.) She was fine! We just needed to make sure though. They were more worried about her runny nose than her falling 4 feet. Luckily babies are still pretty bendable and don't remember all the horrible things that happen to them when they are little! (Like shots, falling off the bed and being stepped on by older siblings).
The crib was still at the highest setting last night. So this morning the crib was lowered down after I got back from the Dr.

Bring in the Christmas shopping season at 4 a.m.

Thursday I went and bought a newspaper and looked at all the ads for "Black Friday." I was trying to decide what time to go and where. I couldn't make up my mind. I tried to go to sleep and after 45 minutes of tossing and turning, I decided to stay up and go shopping at 4 in the morning, when some of the stores open. So I bummed around the house and the Internet until 3:00 then hopped into the car. I first drove over to Mervyn's where they were giving out $10 gift cards to the first 250 people. There was 2 people in line, so I read in the car until 3:30. Then a few more people started to line up so I got out of the car and stood in line (in the cold, it was about 36 degrees) with the rest of the crazy shoppers. I was about the 15th person in line. I was amazed by the time 4:00 how many people were in line. I got my gift card. (The things I will do for free stuff/money). And went shopping and grabbed a couple things then got in line to check out. Not bad, took about 10 minutes. Then I walked across the parking lot to JcPenney for my free Mickey Mouse snow globe. Then I got back in the car and made my way over to Kohl's.
(Side note: I went on Wednesday and looked at everything I wanted at Kohl's. I found a few clothing items on the clearance racks for the boys. I hung them up on a bottom clearance rack hoping they would be there when I came back.)
So I went to Kohl's and channel 5 was there. (I'm not in it, but saw the lady there) here is the cheesy video link: http://cbs5.com/video/?id=28786@kpix.dayport.com
I picked up my items including the clothes in the clearance rack that were in the exact same place that I left them!! I got in line and had to wait about 30 to 45 minutes. By the time I paid the end of the line was backed up to where you pay. Crazy!! Then I went to Walmart. I got there at 5:45. I went to get one specific thing for Miles. They had only been open 45 minutes and it was already sold out! So I made my way to another Walmart hoping they would have it -- and they were sold out too! I did pick up a few other items and made my way home. I was home by 7:30 a.m. I was tired and ready for a nap. I went to bed at 8:30 a.m. and was up by 10:30 a.m. I was up the rest of the day. That's the first time I had pulled an all-nighter since college (I think?) It was a successful morning for the most part. And I had fun listening to the Christmas music on the radio. My sister-in-law, Suzi, went to the mall about 7:30 a.m. and said the lines were long and the traffic and parking was bad - so I am glad that I went early.
Today we put up our tree. The boys were so excited to do it. I pulled out the tree and unwrapped the ornaments. They decorated most of the tree by themselves. They did a pretty good job. There aren't that many ornaments on the same branch; as in years past. This year has gone by so fast. I can't believe that it is Christmas season already!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

We have a little tradition in our family that the baby will sit next to a pecan pie on Thanksgiving day. It started with me, so I am keeping the tradition going. And yes I made the pie. (and I think growing up we had ugly wallpaper at our house too!)

My crazy boys!

Look, I'm on the cover of a magazine!

What do you think of my new "do"? Yeah Right!! But this was fun to do! Here is the link: http://hairmakeover.instyle.com/makeover/

And in this corner we have Alexandra weighing in at ...

14 pounds 10 ounces!!

Yep! I took her to her Dr. Appointment on Wednesday and she is gaining weight! Nothing to worry about (even though I was never worried). She is still wearing her 3 to 6 months clothes. Even though she is 8 months now. She is such a petite little thing.

Here is a little comparison of Alexandra's weight and mine.

At birth:
6 lbs. 12 oz. - Me
8 lbs. 2 oz. - Alexandra

2 weeks:
8 lbs. 9 oz. - Me
8 lbs. 2 oz. - Alexandra

2 months:
10 lbs. 1 oz. - Me
10 lbs. 7 oz - Alexandra

4 months:
12 lbs. 4 oz - Me
12 lbs. 8 oz. - Alexandra

6 months:
13 lbs. 4 oz. - Me
13 lbs. 2 oz. - Alexandra