Grateful

This morning I was reading this blog and I was reminded how very, very blessed I am to have my two children. I love Carson and Brooklyn so much and I can't even begin to imagine how hard it would be to ever have something like that happen. Lately several people that I know have had babies die. It breaks my heart to hear about things like that. But it does remind me to cherish my children even more. It reminds me that even though each day may not be easy, it is a gift to be able to have time with these sweet spirits. Even though there are difficult times, and moments where I feel like they drive me bonkers, and times I cry out of frustration, I am still grateful that I have been blessed to be the mother of these two children. Last night Brooklyn decided that it would be much more fun to stay awake rather than sleep. I spent most of the night trying different things to get her to sleep. I was exhausted and wished that she would just sleep. As I sat in the dark rocking her I took a moment to think about how lucky I am to even be able to have my own children to hold. So even if being mother sometimes means having lack of sleep I am still grateful for these two kids of mine that light up my life and have given me so much JOY.

Every once in a while Carson will come and just snuggle with me. I LOVE it when he does this!

I love this smile and seeing how happy just playing with his trains.

This sweet girl just melts my heart with her smile and giggles.

Love her!

Birthday and Uncle Mark

I still feel like I am about 22 or 23 inside, but I guess I'm now 29.-Scary! It's amazing how each year seems to go by faster the older you get. Kinda freaks me out that next year I will be 30. Thirty doesn't scare me as much as the fact that forty is just 10 years from that. Just seems a little too close for me. I guess I will just have to cross that bridge when I get to it. For now I am still 29 and so far it's pretty good. Anyway, for my birthday I went shopping with my cousin Holly. We had a great little time shopping and going to lunch. I also found the boots that I wanted in my size! Score! It was the first time I had taken the double stroller with both kiddos to the mall. Pushing that long thing around and weaving around all the clothing racks is a work out! Pretty sure I was a little sore the next day. Pathetic I know. Carson sang "Happy Birthday" to me several times, but didn't really understand that it was my birthday. I still thought it was sweet. That night Chad took me out to dinner to celebrate at El Matador. Love that place! It was so nice to have dinner just the two of us without the distraction of the kids. Thanks Erica for babysitting for us! Then we came home and our good friends came over and ate some cake with us. All in all it was a wonderful birthday.

Chad's brother Mark came and stayed with us for a couple days before he flew back to Missouri for Christmas. Mark is always fun to have around and so helpful. Carson adores him and talks about him for days after he leaves.

Brooklyn's Blessing

We were able to bless Brooklyn on November 27th. Brooklyn looked so sweet in her little white dress. Both of our families were able to be there and we feel so grateful that there were so many family members there for Brooklyn's special day. Chad gave her a beautiful blessing. Well at least from what I was able to hear that is. I was holding Carson on my lap and about 30 seconds into the blessing he started to throw a fit. I was disappointed that I wasn't able to hear the whole thing, but I guess that is just how it goes sometimes with a two year old who doesn't like to sit still. It was neat to be able to see all of our brothers, both our dads, and Chad's Grandpa Price participate in the circle for the blessing. We are so blessed to have so many worthy Priesthood holders in our family! After our sacrament meeting we all gathered at our house for some muffins, cinnamon rolls, and fruit. The food was delicious!-Thanks to all those that brought food to share! I think we totalled about 30 or more people were at our house that day. It was packed! But we had a great time all chatting and getting together for this event. We just love our little Brooklyn! She has been such a blessing to our little family. She our happy little girl! Love you Brooklyn!

Brooklyn with Grandma and Grandpa Price

Chad's parents and us.

4 Generation photo: My Grandma Petterborg, my mom, me, and Brooklyn

3 of my cute nieces just hanging out on our stairs.

Sometimes she grabs her headband and this is what happens. Poor girl

She has a contagious smile!

4 Months Baby Girl!

Two

It's hard to believe that Carson is two already! Carson is such a happy little boy. He is full of life and energy. We are already finding out that 2 is a hard age sometimes where he is pushing boundaries and using his agency , but it is also such a fun age where we are noticing how much he is really growing up and learning every day. Here are some of Carson's favs:

-Loves Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and asks to watch it every day.

-Loves Elmo and singing "Elmo's song"

-Loves Cars

-Still obsessed with balls and loves playing with his new basketball hoop.

-Pancakes are one of his favorite foods with syrup of course

-Loves taking baths and playing in the bath tub.

-Loves giving hugs to his baby sister and constantly tells people about her. He also thinks every baby is Brooklyn.

-Loves to line things up-Balls, cars, anything

-Often drives his food on his plate making car noises.

-Loves being around kids. He usually gets so excited he can't stop laughing and can hardly stand up.

-Is obsessed with the vacuum and tries to sneak into our closet several times a day just to see it.

-Loves to sing. Favorite songs are Jesus wants me for a sunbeam, Hello song, ABC's, Elmo's Song, Head shoulders knees and toes, Popcorn Popping.

I love hearing him playing in his room singing songs that I have taught him, saying the ABC's, or counting. It's moments like those that make my heart want to burst full of love for him. He is such a sweet boy and loves to help me.

I took him to his 2 year old appointment and here are his stats:

Height: 34" 39%

Weight: 27lbs 37%

Head: 18 1/2 11%

We had a little birthday party on his actual birthday (Nov. 16th) with a couple of our friends.
He was a little confused about the whole birthday candle thing and tried to touch it a few times.

I just love this picture of him playing in Grandma Price's backyard on Thanksgiving.

The big birthday bash was held a week later with all the family. Since Carson is loving Cars right now I decided to go with a Cars theme. Carson loved having all the attention and playing with all of his cousins.

The big two year old. Love that smile! Happy Birthday Carson!

Happy Halloween

This Halloween was extra special this year because it was also the day that Chad was sworn in as an attorney. He's official now folks! My Mom was great to come and support us and help me out with the kiddos. We drove down town and met Chad at his work and then we rode tracks to Abravanel Hall where the ceremony was held. Although I really didn't hear much since we were in the back with the rest of the noisy kids I was still almost brought to tears several times just thinking about the fact that this was the big finish line for Chad. No more law school, no more bar exam, no more endless studying!-IT'S ALL DONE! I was so proud of him and all the hard work and time he has put in to reach this point.

We also went to a ward trunk-or-treat at our church. It was so much fun to see Carson's reaction to the whole Halloween thing. He caught on to the whole treat thing about half way through the trunk-or-treat and even started saying trick-or-treat. So cute! On Halloween night we drove up to my parents house to see them and then took Carson around their neighborhood. He was such a good sport and had a great little time!

Family pic-minus Brooklyn who is in her carseat asleep behind us after the ceremony.

Finally got a picture of me with both of my kids. Love them!

All dressed up ready to go to the trunk or treat.

My little tiger and pirate.

Being a Mom

Being a mom is hard. I love being a mom to my two kids, but some days are harder than others and some days I just feel like I'm losing my mind. Anyone else ever feel that way? Or is it just me?

This little missy is growing like a weed and is chunky as can be.-Love it!

Sometimes it's nice just to snuggle up and relax.

Brooklyn is so happy and loves to give us big grins.

Although Carson is just a couple weeks shy of being two I know we have already hit the terrible twos. This kid is so full of it! He is busy as can be coming up with new things to get into or play with. We switched him from his crib to a "big boy" bed a few weeks ago and that just about did me in. Usually both of us ended up crying and frustrated. So now he starts out in the bed and if he gets out he has to sleep in the crib. Hopefully some day he will figure out that he should just stay in bed all night and all during nap time! :)

I never know what I'm going to find when I go into get him from his nap. This is his latest trick...pulling one arm out of his shirt.

I guess this is what Carson thinks the blinds should look like. Every day is a new adventure around here these days! I just can't help but laugh at some of the things he comes up with.

This is what I found when I came into his room during nap time a couple of weeks ago. He had completely taken apart his bed.

As you can see he's pretty proud of it.

Sometimes he actually sleeps during nap time wherever he randomly crashes on the floor.

The other day he fell asleep during lunch. It was so funny!

I took the kids to the fire station the other day and Carson was thrilled that they were giving out balloons. He became obsessed with this red balloon.

He insisted the balloon had to take a bath with him, eat with him, and sleep with him.

Yes being a mom is hard, but at the same time I feel so bless to be able to be a mother when I know there are many women out there that would do anything to have children. So I am grateful to have these two sweet kiddos to raise. Love you both!