Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

The snow is falling...and starting to stick.  

So, we went out and played!  

She's so cute even when she's all bundled up!

My little Bronco

She's just so cute! I have so many more pictures I need to post! 

Just Because...

Is she just not the cutest thing ever?!

Rain In The Forecast? Maybe In Her Dreams.

This is how little Miss chose to fall asleep tonight. She put her purple rain boots on to go to bed. (Does she know something I don't know?!) 😙

Her first REALLY fat lip.

Poor Brynlee fell out of her camping chair on the concrete yesterday. And she got tangled up and couldn't catch herself...so she hit her poor, cute little face. She put her teeth partially through her upper lip. And road rashed her left side of her face. There was a lot of blood...and a lot of tears...but we got through it. In fact, she was fine less than 15 minutes later (despite her huge fat lip!). She's a tough girl!

 

Rough Day

Today, Brynlee had to go to the allergy specialist to have her blood drawn. They poke you in the arm and draw blood as a toddler, just like they would an adult. They had me lay on my side...pin her one arm under my side...pin her legs between my legs...and hold her other shoulder down, while a nurse held her arm down...another poked her...and another nurse hooked up the test tubes to catch the blood. As soon as Brynlee started getting pinned down, she got scared and started crying softly. I think it hurt my heart as much as it hurt her arm! (Okay, probably not. But, it was hard for me.) After they were done, she snuggled right into me and quit crying. What a champ!!

The nurses were super nice and great. They even spoiled Brynlee after her draw by giving her bubbles, a mini stuffed animal, and a bouncy ball. 

The blood draw is supposed to give us an accurate count of how bad/severe her egg allergy is.  We'll find out next week sometime.  If her count isn't too high, she might get to have a bite of cookie or cake occasionally...and her allergy could go away sooner! Fingers crossed for low numbers!!!!

Not So Eggs-cellent News

We have been suspicious of Brynlee having a food allergy for quite some time now.  We could never get our pediatrician in Arizona to give us a referral for the specialist ("Why pay for something that you already know?!"  Really!!!). So, we patiently waited, knowing we would be moving to Idaho and could stick with the same specialist once we got here.
Last week Brynlee underwent food allergy testing.  Yep...all those miserable little pokes on the back (I think there were 8 total).  She was not a happy girl, I'll tell ya that!  But, within just minutes, it was confirmed that she has a definite food allergy!  Funny though...it's not what we suspected it to be!  It's not milk (although the doctor did confirm she has an obvious sensitivity/intolerance to milk).  But, it's just as bad...because it's in almost everything too!

LITTLE MISS BRYNLEE IS ALLERGIC TO EGGS!!!

And her Eczema is so bad on her skin that she can have a reaction to eggs through her skin as well! Not just ingestion!

Brynlee is also more likely to develop other food allergies because she already has one.  So the doctor has advised us to be cautious w/ peanuts, peanut butter, etc. as well.  If we make a peanut butter sandwich or eat trail mix, we have to wash before touching Brynlee...and no food sharing!

Because she is so young, she could also outgrow her allergy!  Fingers crossed!!!

What does this mean for Brynlee and our family?!  It means that Brynlee is not allowed to eat many foods...including:  eggs, pasta, bread, muffins, cookies, cupcakes, ice cream, mayonnaise, marshmallows, and many, many more things.  (She cannot have things w/ egg or albumin (also spelled albumen) in them.)  We have to be extremely cautious w/ sharing foods w/ her!
It also means that anyone that comes in contact w/ eggs (preparing, touching, etc.) has to wash their hands before touching Brynlee or she'll have an allergic reaction through her skin as well!  

An egg allergy typically won't be severe enough to cause anaphylactic shock, but it's still possible.   Brynlee will most likely experience hives, coughing, swelling, vomiting, trouble breathing or other symptoms.  Because it can still be severe, we are now the proud owners of EpiPens!  And we will want anyone that will be watching Brynlee w/out our supervision to learn how to use one properly.  :)

Here's to learning all about food allergies!  And an egg-free future!

9 Months

Our blue-eyed beauty! 

6 (and a half) months old

On January 19th I turned 6 months old.  Mommy & Daddy can't believe how fast I grow!  I am 15.8lbs and 28"long.

At 6 1/2 months old:

• I can roll to my tummy or my back really easy.
• I can sit by myself.
• I can get up on my arms and have started to scoot backwards a little bit.
• I eat pureed foods now! My favorite...SWEET POTATOES!!! Then Sqaush! :)  (I'm not a fan of the fruits...yet.)  I've also started eating the "puffs." (They have to be broken into smaller pieces and mommy or daddy has to feed them to me.  I haven't quite figured out how to feed myself yet.)
• I love to talk.
• I love to make noises w/ my lips and tongue.
• I love my binkie!
• I also love to suck on my thumb or fingers.
• I love to play w/ my toys!
• I no longer like to hold still while mommy & daddy change my diaper...I like to try to roll.
• I've started waving (I wave w/a closed hand and bend my wrist...it's cute!).
• I've discovered how to splash in the water and make a BIG mess when I take baths now.  :)
• I started swim lessons on my half birthday! I LOVE them!!! (I go once a week and take lessons at Aqua-Tots w/ Coach Kylie.  She's in our ward and she's so fun!)
• I've discovered a high-pitch little happy squeal in the last couple days (it's cute!).  
• I do throw little temper tantrums already.  I know what I want and cop a little attitude if I don't get what I want.  
• I love to go for walks in my stroller now.  Don't strap me in...just let me hold on to the front and take it all in!  I am very observant right now and love to see everything around me!  I love being outside!
• I love crowds...I love to watch! (We took her to the NFL Experience downtown before the Super Bowl...she loved it!)
• I'm super happy 99% of the time! I always have big smiles!
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   

Power Nap Princess

Brynlee has now been nicknamed "The Power Nap Princess." This little girl will only nap for 15-30 minutes...then she's wide awake!  And she only takes 2 or 3 naps per day! Don't babies need more sleep than that?! Crazy little girl!

My First Halloween (Oct 2014)

Mommy found me a really cute Ladybug costume at Kid to Kid for Halloween this year.  I wore my "First Spooky Halloween" onesie during the day.  And saved my costume for that night.
I fell asleep early, but Mommy and Daddy really wanted to put me in my costume. So, they woke me up and put my Ladybug costume on me...and I wasn't too happy about it.
We handed out candy for a while.  Then we went down to a friends house in the neighborhood and hung out.
Don't I make the cutest little Ladybug?! :)

My Little Look-a-Like

Steph's Baby Pic

Brynlee's Baby Pic

2 Months Already!

Hey everyone! I'm 2 1/2 months old now! And growing so fast!

I had my 2 months Dr's appointment a couple weeks ago. I had to get 5 shots for my vaccines and took 1 oral vaccine. I only cried a little right when the nurse gave me the shots...but she did it really quick...so it was over fast. The vaccines made me a little sick and I broke out in a rash. But, I'm starting to feel better again. The Dr's office said I'm in the 70th percentile for weight (11.9oz), 98th percentile for height (24" - I'm going to enjoy being tall while I can), and 50th percentile for head circumference (14). 

At 2 months old: 

•  I love bath time (except having my hair washed...I hate it!)
•  I smile a lot and talk/coo (especially in the morning right  after I wake up)
•  I follow Mommy & Daddy w/my eyes (I'm not letting  them outta my sight)
•  I've discovered my hands recently and love to eat them
•  I've giggled/laughed a real laugh a couple of times (Aunt  Tiffer made me laugh really big the  first time, then Daddy  got me to laugh too!)
•  I've rolled over a couple of times (but get mad 'cause I  can't get back over)
•  Even though I have a lot of beautiful hair, I don't like it  being washed, combed, played with, or  styled! Mommy  & Daddy tried to put a headband in my hair for  pictures and I screamed!  I wasn't having it! 
•  I hate my car seat most of the time. (You cannot take me  for car rides to soothe me.)

Blake & The Lake

Aunt Kelli & Uncle Dan came to visit us this last weekend in AZ. And we made the most of it!

Blake Shelton was in town...so we went! Brynlee's first concert! (Please, no judging! This was a tough decision for me...but I'm so glad we went! Brynlee behaved better than she does at home...she LOVED it!) She got to dance w/ Uncle Dan, Aunt Kelli, & Daddy. And she loved being outside! (It's an outdoor pavilion...it's awesome!) 

The next day, we decided to pack up the inflatable canoe, rent some paddleboards, and headed off to the lake. (It was our first time paddleboarding...this may become a new hobby for us.) :)

After an afternoon at the lake, we had to take Kelli & Dan to dinner at San Tan Flats. It's not a true Queen Creek/San Tan Valley experience w/out it! Dinner, dancing, and a live band...you can't beat it! (Don't forget the S'mores if you have room!) 

And then, of course, we went home to watch our favorite college football team (Go Broncos!)!

Fun With Cousins at the Splash Park

Kyle, Katie, Beckham, & Tanner came to visit us from Las Vegas over Labor Day. It was one of the hottest weekends we've had in a while, so we headed to the new splash pad in town.  Brynlee loved it! (Don't worry...we went in the evening when it was cooler and there was tons of shade.)

HELLO WORLD!!!

About 9 Weeks To Go! Or 60 Days...But, Who's counting?! ;)

Yep!  We're in the last trimester of our pregnancy...with a countdown of about 9 weeks, or 60 days to go!  I can't believe it has already been 31 weeks!  Where did the time go?!

Pretty soon our little bundle of joy will be in our arms instead of inside this body!  And we can't wait!

At our Dr's appointment last week, I measured 1cm smaller than I had two weeks before, and had not gained any weight, so the Dr did an ultrasound to check on the baby.  He measured the fluids and the baby and noted she is doing fine.  We even got to see a quick 3D image of our cute little girls face.  But, she kept hiding behind things so we didn't get to watch her very long.  She also measured for a later due date this time...so we'll have to wait and see what happens!

Our sweet little girl is now the size of a pineapple this week!  She's about 15.2 to 16.7 inches long and weighs about 2.5 to 3.8 pounds.  She's going through major brain and nerve development; eye development (her irises now react to light!); and all five of her senses are in working order (although she doesn't smell things until she comes out).

I, at this point, have swollen ankles after a long days work.  Can not just feel the baby move, but see her move too.  Am starting to get more muscle cramps in my legs and toes.  Am experiencing more fatigue and tiredness again.  And have MAJOR "Baby Brain!"  (My absentmindedness astonishes me lately!  I have never been so forgetful in my life!)

Also...a few more bump pics! :)  (I'm not as good about writing frequently now that I'm getting tired again, so I've been behind.)

What's a Rutabaga?

I have really slacked on posting lately, and so many things have happened!

I am 27 1/2 weeks and the baby is the size of a Rutabaga.  What is a Rutabaga, you ask?!  Honestly, I have no idea.  I have never seen a Rutabaga in my life...but, it's fun to say!  :)  I do know that the baby is now at 13.6 to 14.8 inches and 1.5 to 2.5 pounds.  They say that she's practicing inhaling & exhaling (amniotic fluid) with her rapidly developing lungs.  And she's showing brain activity!

A Rutabaga! :) 

One of the funny symptoms for me that I couldn't resist putting on here:  Snissing (that's peeing when you sneeze)! Baby puts a ton of pressure on your bladder and more frequent pit stops are recommended.  (I'm a first time prego...these things make me giggle a little!  Going through it for the first time is terrifying and entertaining...all at the same time!  I can't even fathom the idea of wetting myself...but, it's obvious that I'm going to have to accept it someday...in the near future!)  : 0

Our Recent Happenings:

Gestational Diabetes test was a week ago Friday. (The "sugar drink" wasn't nearly as bad as I expected it to be...in fact, I really didn't mind it at all.)  The findings:  We are NOT diabetic, but we ARE anemic.  I am deficient in Iron and had to start taking a daily supplement.  I was informed that w/ anemia, you can crave chewing ice, eating dirt, hair, etc.  I am glad that I have had NO cravings!!!  Aggghh!!!!  Can you imagaine?!  I was also informed that this explains my constant fatigue/tiredness.  (And I thought it was just from working over 40 hours/week, plus commuting 10-12 hours/week on top of that!  Oh, and being pregnant, of course.  Doesn't that make you tired?)

I'm also starting to have contractions.  Not just Braxton Hicks (not that I know the difference, but my Dr confirmed that what I was describing and where, is contractions).  Not a concern yet, but will be if they become longer and more frequent.  (Too much stress!)  

I celebrated my 34th birthday the same day I had my blood drawn for Diabetes.  Our friends Dave & Traci treated us to lunch at one of our favorite places, The Aloha Kitchen.  And Curtis accepted a job offer that day!  He is now working full-time as a landscaping superintendent and running his Auto D.R. business on the side!  He has even hired a part-time employee for his business.  I am so proud of him!  (What a hard working Daddy!) :)  (Not to mention all of the projects around the house he's been getting done!  Crib, Glider, Dresser, Laundry Room cabinets, Bathroom cabinet & shelves...we're starting our back yard this week!)  So many things going on!

Baby's Room Update:

Crib...Check!  Glider...Check!   Dresser...Check!  We found a dresser at Goodwill for the baby's room last week for a great deal!  We are going to paint it to match the other furniture and get new hardware for it. Now we need to get the baby's room painted so we can start getting the room put together!  Little Miss Hardy will be here before we know it!

Oh, and "The Bump!":

I feel like I'm doubling in size every week now that I've really started showing!  How much can one body expand?!  Ha-ha!  And I still have 3 months to go!

She's a Cantaloupe! And I'm 6 Months Pregnant (Wow)!

Our sweet baby is the size of a Cantaloupe now (one of my absolute most favorite fruits)!  The first fruit that seems realistic to my belly size - ha-ha! :)  She's 10.5-11.8 inches long and weighs about 12.7-20.8 ounces. Her skin is more pink and opaque now, making her look more like a baby.  And she never fails to remind me she's there...kicking and moving around at certain times of the day! :)  Can you believe we are already 6 months (24 weeks) along?!

Curtis will push lightly on the baby and she will push back...Curtis says they're wrestling!  :)  And he thinks that if he tickles my stomach and makes the baby move, that the baby is ticklish!  When technically, I think he's just doing it to tickle me and get away w/ it!  Ha-ha!

As for me...it's glucose testing time at the next dr's appointment!  Ugghh!  I have heard how UNAMAZING the Glucola drink they make you take is!  I opted for Orange (the other option was Fruit Punch).  We'll see if I picked the right one.  Either way I'm not anticipating a drink I'm going to want again any time soon. So, cross your fingers that we don't come out w/ gestational diabetes!

And...something exciting coming up!  Baby shower time!!! And I'll be coming home to Boise!  I can't wait to see everyone!  More details to come!!!

Baby's Room! :)

Here's a sneak peek at some of the things we have for baby's room! And some ideas of what we want to do!  Think Gray & White...w/ accents of Coral & Teal!  With patterns of chevron, stripes, circles, etc.!  (And an update: Baby is the size of a grapefruit! Around 11 inches long and 12 - 20 oz!)

Baby's Crib - Yes!  We have it!  :)  

Baby Bedding in Gray & White for our Neutrals
(might have to look into making this)

We love the stripes on the wall!
And the cute flowers.  :) 

Coral & Teal!  Our Accent Colors!