11 Months and Counting!

Not only is this my 360th post but so much importantly, today is the 11 month mark for the arrival of our little Bubby into our world! That's right 11 months ago today was a Saturday morning and I was at IMC Hospital in SLC. Clancy had driven down in the middle of the night Friday to be there for our special day. She was my trusted confidante and I can still see her sitting across the labor room putting make up on and just being fabulous before go time. Having her there was such a safety for me. She was a presence of peace in my about to change world.

She ushered and welcomed our little Adalie into this world and I couldn't have imagined doing it without her! She bravely held my left leg and made sure she stayed connected with my eyes as I pushed through some difficult moments. Clancy Pants, I do so love you.

I don't have my camera with me at my Mom's or I would proudly post some killer pics of our Adalie Elizabeth. She is one serious ham and does so love attention. She is the happiest little gal and has a personality the size of third world country (a really big one!). She is steady on her feet and doesn't quit moving. She can walk 5-6 steps at a time and is an independent little sucker.

She has 4 teeth; 2on the bottom and 2 on the top. Her Dad calls her 'Sponge Bob' because you could seriously pack a semi between her two front teeth...and it's adorable! She has a fluffy tad bit of hair up top and little dimpled knuckles. She loves to be held but only for a few brief moments. She will eat just about anything including asparagus, steak, salad...you name it!

She finally sleeps like a champ and looks awesome with her cute toe nails painted! She loves to take a bath and has a special talent for mimicing sounds. She loves to play patty cake and is beyond precious when she pretends to take a rest and buries her head! Happy 11 Months to my pretty little girl!

On the B Side: Despite the challenging circumstances, I wouldn't take any of it back...not for a moment simply because Bubby makes it all so worth it. Yes, she really is that amazing and we do so love her! xoxo

Thursday 13 and Friday Fab 5

1. I am always a day late and a dollar short! Hence my Thursday 13 on Friday, which I think also easily covers my Friday Fab 5!!!

2. My birthday really was fabulous yesterday!

3. A call from the notorious W.I.H. always makes my day!

4. Gift certies from Victorias Secret, the Cheesecake Factory and Macy's didn't hurt either.

5. Cupcakes made with love by the coolest SIL eva' kicked off my birthday festivities!

6. I got cards that sing from both my Mom and Dad (I had to take them away from the children in an effort to preserve sanity) but the best card of all came from Mic and Jazzy...'nuff said!

7. Facebook allows for many birthday wishes! We're talking 30+ people that I would not normally hear from. I feel like a princess!

8. Little Two Scoops, Pink velour, ruffles and a hood are always to die for!

9. The girls were adorable in their Halloween costumes for school! DD's is today and I'm on a mission to find the cord to my camera so I can upload pics ;)

10. I still haven't got that call that I want but I'm hoping Friday is my lucky day, right?

11. It's precious beyond words when the little people in your life sing 'Happy Birthday' to you!

12. VM's from loved ones *trying* to sing made me laugh and yes, I did save them!

13. It doesn't matter where you are you can always enjoy life. My Mom went to the ER because of issues with her heart yesterday. Much of my birthday time was spent at the hospital with her and I'm headed back up today. I like the quiet meaningful moments the best.

On the B Side: A huge thank you to those I love most and to everyone who stopped to pause to wish me a Happy Birthday! All kinds of wishes poured in via the web, text, email and the phone. I am one lucky girl and I don't take it for granted for one moment! And Marky, the remote start on my tank will be used time and time again!

and no I shall not forget...HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Know what these are?

BOO BEES! (at least that's what she said! xxox)

Happy Birthday to Me!

Yes, today is the day! I am officially 18 for-EV-er! The festivities began with some simple birthday wishes from India yesterday (since it was already my b-day there!), cards from my Dad, my MIL and husband's Grandpa and the night ended with a visit, gifts and cupcakes from Jazzy and THE BEST SIL in the history of the world!

On the B Side: Time to hit the shower! My day has just begun and I WILL enjoy it!

She's Got A Way About Her

HAPPY 5TH BIRTHDAY

BETTY BEANS! AHHH! I can't believe my little girl is five today and I definitely can't imagine my life without her! Last night I got all choked up. We talked about how this was the last night she would ever be four and as we prepared for bed this song came on and it pretty much sums it all up! We laid together on the floor in the dark as I marveled at my precious little girl! She is an amazing little girl and darling as all get out! She is so full of fun and is way too grown up for her age! She has a personality the size of Texas and isn't afraid to tell people what she thinks! She is a girly girl to the core and loves to make people laugh. She is very selective about who she spends her time with and is way too smart for her own good! I love this little girl with all of my heart and can't wait for her to wake up this morning!!

On the B Side: Ellianne is an amazing blessing in my life! She is an original for sure and has a spark that just keeps on going. I LOVE HER SO MUCH! xxox

An Angel and a Pest #2

True to form and compliments to Ivanna here is my post.

Angel: Mo Mo. Squishy Bug. K Mo. Call her what we may, McKayla is this weeks angel and also today's birthday girl! Happy 6th Birthday to our not-so-little-girl! She is the care giver in our family. She is the one who worries about everyone else and never wants anyone to feel bad. She has a desire to do good and is a great listener. On top of it all, she is always telling me that I am the smartest girl she knows! I have no idea what prompted this but she also contends that I am way smarter than her Dad as well! "Huh, Britta?" she will ask after make these proclamations! She is darling and also a very special part of our blended little family!

Pest: J. Perry is the recipient of this title this week. While I have no idea who this person is I do know that this person recovered a check that I lost in February. Rather than doing the right thing this person took advantage dishonestly for the sake of personal gain. While it was written out to me, J. Perry took it upon him or herself to endorse and deposit this check. The bank took it upon itself to accept this check and hence is a runner up for the pest title this week. I only have two questions; 1) What the heck is wrong with people? and 2) Is the Bank really that careless? I hate dishonesty and incompetence!!!!

On the B Side: Mark and I get to spend the day with Kayla tomorrow! Also, once we get the mess straightened out with the bank J Perry will be held accountable as the moron deposited the check into his or her account. Way to go, Einstein.

Birthday Boys

Roses are Red

Violets are Blue

I know you think you're strong Nordic stock

But I don't believe you! Happy Birthday, Popsicle! We sure do love you! Thanks for sticking around ;)

and for my Jazzy...

Roses are Red

Violets are Neat

No matter how cute your wife is

You still have rubber feet!

Happy Birthday, little brother! You are officially older than dirt!

On the B Side: I am incredibly blessed to have both my Dad (who has been my best friend for forever and a day!) and my Brother (who has continually been my hero and saved the day on far too many occasions). Happy Birthday to two of my favorite Leos!

Happy Birthday Dayton!

My little man is 6 years old today! He had his big bash on Saturday at Classic Skate and it was a blast. He's busied himself with his Nintendo DS in anticipation of today. I had one more present for him that he put in his bed with him so that he could open it first thing this morning. Sure enough at 6:30 I heard him tearing into it with great excitement!

We picked up a cake on the way to school and Grandma and Grandpa Mikey stopped by his school to see him at the end of the day. Tonight his festivities consisted of Tepanyaki with his Dad and Mommy Amy (his favorite second only to any fast food joint with cool toys!) and then they were off to see Wall-E. He and Beans both have been really good and were super excited for their big night out

Beans has already informed us that she wants her birthday party at Classic Skate as well and that she wants a pink DS! I can't imagine one of them without the other. They are both growing so fast that it's hard to remember what it was like when they were little. 6 years ago today we had no idea what was in store for us and our world has never been the same!

So to all of the doctor's and specialists who told me I would never be able to have any children I would like to present our little miracle! It was a great lesson as I learned all over again that there is a higher power and while medical science is amazing there is so much more to it.

While it's rare to see a picture of me here is one taken towards the end of my pregnancy with Dayton along with Rubin and the Grateful Ed! They now reside with my Mom.

This is little Dayton Homet in the delivery room

This is me showing a little skin after we got settled in our room. We stayed up all night and watched him sleep!

At just a few weeks old Dayton got stung by a bee. If you look at his little cheek you can see the sting. Luckily we found out he wasn't allergic!

Little D in his very first swim suit at 4 weeks! I still have it to remember how ridiculously small he once was!

The D Man strikes a pose at 3 months

His first Halloween at 4 months!

I was 7 months pregnant when we attended the Opening Ceremony for the Olympics here in Salt Lake. We made sure we got Dayton his own little beret!

His first taste of food; turkey with his Grandma Packer at Thanksgiving! It wasn't a real big hit.

Dayton's first Christmas

Holiday fun in Pennsylvania with my family

Here is Dayton when he could crawl. I specifically remember this moment as he had shimmied his way up the door knowing his Dad was in there. He got stuck in this position and was unsure what to do next. He yelled and carried on for assistance and perhaps trying to get his Dad's attention. I couldn't resist catching him in the act!

Here's a big baldy and little Ute!

Once he was walking he was on the go and never minded being caught in the act!

Ten years from now he really will be driving! Grandpa John hooked him up with his first set of wheels at a rather young age!

Enter Ellie! Dayton was 14 months old and while he didn't totally understand he was a great big brother even then!

Holy cow! Could he be any cuter?!

My two little monkey playing in bed while Rubin watches over!

So pretty much I could go on forever posting pics of my little boy who no longer likes to be referred to as a little boy! I love this little guy and will cease posting pictures for now given that I only made it to 18 months here and have already posted quite a few pics. I am super proud of him and so glad he had such a fun 6th birthday! Tonight before bed he said he wished everyday could be his birthday. He is my little tenderheart and I sure do love him!!!

On the B Side: I am so thankful for miracles! I don't know that I really understood what it felt like to witness a miracle until we had him! I was a nervous wreck when I found out I was 14 weeks pregnant with him on December 18th, 2001 and it felt like an eternity until we told our families on Christmas morning. He was actually a twin and we lost one early on and now know it was just our little Betty Beans trying to sneak down early! She didn't waste any time hurrying back to bless our lives! xoxo

Disaster 101?

I am no Donna Reed. I do not aspire to be Julia Childs. I have no need to seek out any of Martha's tips and whoever that Rachel chick is on tv that does all of the cooking can freakin' keep it!

Tonight we had planned on a birthday dinner for my Mom and Step Dad. Ellie ended up home with me due to a low grade fever. She perked up throughout the day and required attention that made it difficult to get work done. Michelle called and we had a good cry. The chemo is actually doing what it's supposed to do so that was great news and from there it was sheer craziness!

We ran to pick up Dayton from school, stopped at the grocery store on the way home and I will spare the dramatic details of that adventure as I am still somewhat traumatized and trying to laugh it off! We didn't end up having time to pick up my meds as I had promised the kids a toy at BK.

Homeward bound I started dinner and during the course of this event that I am

A) No Good At
B) Do Not Enjoy

I had a rather difficult time not making a mess but I wanted to badly to do a nice thing for my Mom and Mike. Here is what the children did during my plight;

1) Ellie managed to clog one of the toilets. There was toilet water everywhere! So while Jazzy may not know where the Vatican is located he sure does know when to jump in and save the day! THANK YOU!
2) Dayton dropped the watermelon in the kitchen...CRACK. I didn't mind as he really had just offered to help me after seeing me huff/puff/struggle to carry the groceries inside. THANK YOU!
3) Ellie did a painful face plant from the exercise ball to the floor. Again, the poor dear has my complete lack of coordination at times. You could actually hear her face hit the carpet...ugh. I'M SORRY!
4) Dayton got a black eye from Ellie's foot while she was in flight moments before the face plant. They had done so well playing together and taking turns. Again, this was another audible experience we could have all done without! I'M SORRY!

Keep in mind that I was on the phone at periodic intervals trying to play catch up and be a good friend but having a hard time really listening and did I mention that Shell volunteered to cook? What was I thinking?!

Tomorrow I am of to Michelle's at her request to work remote. Between her recent heart surgery, chemo, bronchitis and steroid treatments I have NOTHING to complain about.

On the B Side: Perspective is a beautiful thing! Even though I suck at cooking I do enjoy the challenge and mostly I enjoy the satisfaction that comes at hosting loved ones in our home! Happy belated birthday to my Mom and Mike! I promise that I will sleep well tonight.

PS Jazzy, thank you for also taking the garbage out! You're a life saver!!

Birthday Bashing!

Marky had his 26th birthday on Sunday. It was more fun when he was 23 and I could sing, 'Nobody likes you when you're 23'! He has offically entered his late twenties! The kids and I made a heart shaped pizza complete with sparkling cidar. We *tried* to make him a heart shaped double decker cake...um that didn't work so well. I ended up buying a cake with a 'Robots' theme on it. This was the first movie that the 5 of us watched together while we were dating. He had a home theater and the kids would all dance together and have a blast so it seemed like a tender reminder of our beginning.

We had a nice dinner at his Mom's complete his favorite meal. The kids each got to write on the cake and we added some sprinkles. I'm sure the kids won't soon forget this birthday as Rodney Copperbottom caught on fire! They didn't know if they should laugh or if they should be concerned. It actually solved the on going dispute about who was going to get Rodney!

After we ate cake Mark took Rodney and the kids outside to further light him on fire! Kayla had mixed emotions about this. When they were unsuccessful in their adventurous endeavor (complete with all kinds of safety instructions and warnings) Kayla thru Rodney in the creek! They all made sure to say goodbye to him before we left.

On the B Side: Despite the fact that the cake was a huge flop and Rodney caught on fire I love the memory making moments we share together!