general conference weekend

 {Bren loving our borrowed bumbo chair. We've been testing it out- Thanks Beka!}

I love General Conference.

The words our Heavenly Father speaks to us through our wonderful church leaders always come at the right time just for me. I always hear what I need to hear, to once again be motivated to live life to the fullest.

I am also grateful for technology. We don't have cable, but were blessed to have internet to watch and listen to all four sessions of conference in the comfort of our home.

Our weekend started with a new family tradition - Friday night, sleep out back in our tent. This was Cohen's first backyard tent experience. And this is how it went....

He was STOKED to set the tent up. He has a book we read often called Just Me and My Dad. The dad takes his boy camping. This is where the idea came from. We told Cohen he could stay up late with us to set the tent up and to watch the Cougars BEAT the Aggies in football. He loved helping dad set the tent up and was MUCH help as you can see....

 {pumping up the airmatress - this was used as our sleeping bags we don't have}

 {bedtime snack, KIX. Also a treat that never happens}

 So after the football game was over, we got ready for bed, put our WARM jammies on cause it was in the low 50's outside, and got all snuggly. I wasn't sure how long I would be brave enough to just have the monitor out with me and my little Brendon inside. I thought I would just sneak inside after Co was asleep. Well...I didn't even have to worry. Because Cohen only lasted about long enough to take the picture above and he wanted in his bed! Poor boy was a little extra tired from the late night {parents fault}. We didn't want to pressure him or make it a bad experience, so we went back inside into our warm beds. Better luck next time we hope. He still thought it was great to be in a tent with his Daddy, just like his book.

 Saturday was so relaxing, and the boys did fairly well during both sessions. They had great naps {yay!} so Brock and I got some quiet time to watch conference. That night while Brock went to Priesthood session at our stake center, my good friends Vanessa and Beka & Nix came over to play. Beka brought a new friend, Talisha and her sweet baby Bridger. We ate Lemon sherbet ice cream {to die for!!} and hung out with our babies and had some girl talk.

Sunday we had a breakfast big enough to feed an army - pancakes, muffins, fruit, eggs. Again, Cohen did pretty good for not knowing exactly what was going on. He stayed busy building TEMPLES with his blocks. He said AMEN after every time he heard someone say "Jesus Christ" which made me laugh every time. At least we know he was listening. :)

 {little man attending the 'Big Bigger' temple - named by Cohen}

Sunday evening we went to Andy & Beka's house with Talisha, Matt & Bridger for a mexican dinner. I must say, we know how to make some dang good mexican food. We all stuffed ourselves of my chicken taco's {my dad's famous recipe} Beka's avocado salsa and lime rice, and Talisha's oatmeal choc chip cookies  and ice cream, my personal favorite.

We ended the night with a game of Apples to Apples, which ended when the babies started bending cards and were definitely ready for BED.

What a refreshing, relaxing and well needed weekend.

Church at home in your jammies, surrounded by your family all day long.

Heavenly.

 

g o a l s

 I've been feeling a bit DOWN the past couple of days. Not really smiling that much. Not sure why. I hate when I let myself feel this way, let my attitude change. Cause I know my attitude is a choice. Well, last night while venting to my wonderful husband that lends a listening ear at anytime, I think I figured out WHY I've been a little down. Of course I could say the normal small things that probably contributed a little like... I'm missing my family in Utah MORE THAN EVER OR I wish I could hang out with Loni today OR I haven't been the best mom/wife I could be this week. But I think Brock 'hit it right on the head' when he asked me if I have made any GOALS lately. I didn't even have to think about it, the answer is NO. I need to feel more productive, know that I'm working towards something important in my life. So...today I will be making some goals. I will name a few of the "not so personal" ones here:

1. Be the best mom I can be under all circumstances.

This is a HARD one, but needed. At times I get so caught up in life and worry about the not so important things, when I should be giving my all to my kids. This morning I asked Cohen what he wanted to do today and he quickly replied, "Vacuum!" Oh man. I need to get out with my boys more and stop cleaning so much when they are awake. It makes such a big difference in their day, especially Co's, if we get out of our house during the day. But most important I need to give them my FULL attention more during the day, instead of wanting to get everything checked off my 'To Do' list. Focus more on teaching them.
2. Keep a positive attitude and look forward to every day.

I need to keep the attitude of my sweet Cohen. Walking into Cohen's room first thing in the morning and before I can even get the door he happily yells "Mama, I waked up!" Without fail, everyday he is excited and ready to start a new day and make it good. I love that my two year old is already one amazing example in my life.
3. Live in the NOW.
At times I find myself wishing...or wanting time to pass by quicker so life can be "better" or easier. What am I thinking when I do this?! Medical school and two little boys is tough, but such an amazing experience already and we're just getting started. I don't want to find myself missing the small things in life. The other morning Cohen and I were having a dance party {trying to get my spirit up/exercise a little} and a Keith Urban song came on called "Better Life". Some of the lyrics are, "We ain't got much now, we're just startin' out. But I know somehow paradise is comin'. Someday baby, you and I are gonna be the ones, so hold on, we're headed for a better life." I believe these words when I look at things financially. But, in any other way...life can't get better than this. I was singing this song thinking "Yes, one day life will be perfect when I live in St. George again and have money!" I don't want to think this way. I want to live in the NOW and love doing it, whether I'm poor in Texas or not.
Anyways...
I'm feeling positive and ready to start accomplishing goals.
Wish me luck!
Oh, and here are some pics of reasons why I can never be DOWN too long...

 {Showing off the muscles after doing push-ups with Daddy}

 {The chubby cheeks I get to kiss all day long if I want}

 {What makes me most happy is when I see sincere brotherly love}

a few "FIRSTS" for a mother of two

 {Cohen doing actions and saying I love YOU mama}

{Brendon is now sitting in the highchair and loves it}

This week I have experienced a few "firsts" as a mother of two kids:

- Cohen woke up late one night throwing up ALL over himself and his bed screaming MAMA! He cried and cried after and kept saying "Mama, I spit!" He felt SO bad that he "spit" all over. Luckily, he didn't have a flu, something must have not settled right because he only threw up once, and there were no other symptoms.

- I cut Brendon's finger while cutting his nails - an all time first. I am DEFINITELY not proud that it happened, but for the many times I've cut Cohen's nails and Brendon's so far, this hasn't happened until now. Yes, I'm defending myself. I felt TERRIBLE. I wanted to cry. I actually did a little when Brock wasn't looking. Good thing Brendon naturally likes to make REALLY tight fists at all times so he held the toilet paper in place while it stopped bleeding.

- My big boy Cohen got his first case of Athlete's Foot. Who knew a two year old that wears flip flops or sandals every day could get it. Not me. We went to the store last night and got some "magic spray" which he thinks is great. Hopefully that will cure it quickly. It hasn't bothered him at all.

- I've had a nasty cold for a week, and lost my voice for 3 days, one of those days being Sunday when I spoke in church. Every time Brendon has woken up or made noise during the night I wake up and have one or multiple cough attacks. Positive side of that, my abs have been getting a work out from all the coughing.

It's been an interesting week for me as a Mommy of two.

I have felt all sorts of emotions, good and bad. Mostly not so good ones while experiencing these "first". But after they were all over with, yesterday morning was one of the best....

The boys and I were all awake and fed and happy. It was cool enough outside to open EVERY window in the house while cleaning house and listening to the IPOD on shuffle. Cohen and I danced and sang in our jammies, and he helped me clean, of course.

I thought to myself, life doesn't get much better than this.

Being a mother of two is CRAZY.

Enough said.

But I wouldn't trade my full-time job for anything.

I maybe could have gone without making my baby bleed or cleaning up chunky throw up late at night, but I guess there is a first for everything, right?

milestone

{one of my favorites...snuggling my boys}

 

Brendon is now sleeping in his big crib in his own room.

No more bassinet next to Mommy.

He has done pretty well so far. We have been fighting sickness {nasty colds} in our house for the past week or so, and I think his sleeping habits have been affected. He has waken up a few times before he wakes up to eat, which has been quite interested with a sick Mama in the middle of the night. I'm finally starting to feel better, and I was the last one to get the sickness, so hopefully it will be ALL GONE from our house soon. I guess with two kids, both are bound to get sickness together. Mr. Med School has been lucky enough not to catch it. Hope it stays that way...

 Also, Brend is getting stronger! Holding that head up well.

*Side note for Cohen - Saturday when we went on a run as a family, we ran to a park on the golf course. {which is beautiful!} There was a sweet dad and his two girls playing there. Cohen started following the youngest, Lyla age 3. They were laughing and chasing each other right away. So cute! This time at the park, Cohen played the best he ever has! Meaning, he was going down the slides all by himself without encouragement, backwards even. He went on some VERY high slides and couldn't get enough of it. Almost like something CLICKED and he wasn't scared anymore. 

Cohen has made two new friends this past week - Lyla at the park, and Lucy in our ward. A fact about Cohen is that he makes a "W" sound when saying "L" sounds. 

So... his two new friends are "Wucy and Wywa". 

I love to hear him talk.

RUBIX.

He did it.

He completed the Rubix Cube.

One more thing Brock can cross off his "list".

Colten and Vanessa gave him the perfect birthday gift.

He didn't stop trying until it was done.

{with a few hints from Colt}

Next on his list...

Complete it with his eyes closed.

Just kidding. 

Job well done Brock.

nothing better to do

You may think that I have nothing better to do than 
to take a million pictures of my two handsome boys.

 But I couldn't help it this time.

We were on our way out the door to go for a run/stroller ride and they were looking too cute. Also, I was excited that we all had to wear jackets for the first time in Texas.

Fall is on it's way!

This may look "sweet" to you. But Cohen is really 
trying to be sneaky and pinch that chubby cheek.

Brend's favorite face of mine - the pointy tongue smile.

Body slam!

Good thing Brendon is tough like his brother.
I sense some serious wrestling is coming my way soon.

trouble...

 Two of Cohen's new favorites are to get naked, and to unlock doors.
I found him doing this the other morning, then we had "a talk".

It's moments like these that I want to laugh THEN cry.
Yesterday was one of those days. It was a flat out rough day. Cohen wouldn't listen to a word I had to say, Brendon didn't sleep much and wanted my full attention at all times, and I was very sleepy from not sleeping the night before, due to a crying baby. When Brock was on his way home so I started dinner. Cohen was playing on his own very well, Brendon cried himself to sleep in the bouncer since he was crying whether I was holding him or not. Brock got home and told me I looked pretty and asked how my day went. I then started to cry. Sometimes it's easiest to just say "it was just one of those days". On a more positive note, the evening was a completely different story. Life is ALWAYS better when Brock is home. He took the evening off studying and spent it was me and the boys. We ate pasta, and Brock and Cohen cleaned dinner up. While they cleaned up the kitchen, I fed Brendon then we danced. As I danced with my baby I watched my other two boys laugh and yell together. I couldn't wipe my smile off my face and couldn't help but think how lucky I am. There is opposition in all things - we have to have bad days every once in a while to recognize the good ones.


These are moments I live for.
Ones I NEVER want to forget.

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26 years of life

 The birthday boy's day started out with breakfast made by his wife at 6:00 am before he had to hurry off to school. Poor guy. Two quizzes on your birthday. Bummer. Me and the boys borrowed our wonderful friend Vanessa's car to surprise him to have lunch on campus. We only got about 20 mins of his time, but it was worth it. After he got home about 5:00 pm he decided he would take a break from studying and RELAX with him family. We had a dance party, ate his requested birthday dinner, German Pancakes, open presents, and put the boys to bed early to enjoy our chocolate bundt cake and ice cream in peace and quiet. Brock's last birthday wish of the day was to GO TO BED EARLY. SO....we were in bed at 9:30 pm. Miracle. These past two weeks have been FULL from sun up to sun down, especially for Brock.

 We skyped with his family so they could sing and watch Brock 

blow candles out on his "fancy" cake I made.

 We thoroughly enjoyed our evening with our VERY LOVED Daddy and husband.

 Happy Birthday, you handsome fellow!

You make our lives worth living.

Thank you for being alive and 26.

We Love You! 

quotes by COHEN

 {pre-haircut on the back porch in 70 degree weather}


- Cohen sneezes then says..."Bless you. Oh, bless ME!"
- After covering Brendon with a blanket..."That feel better baby?"
- If he wants my attention while I'm talking to Brock..."Mom, don't talk! Talk to me."
-  While helping me clean the bathroom he said..."Mom, you doin' Ok? I'm doing Ok."
- As I'm putting him down for a nap and he doesn't want to sleep, he says...
"Mom, I wanna come out. Yeah, I do."
- During lunch Cohen asks..."What does my cracker say Mama? Oh, it's says Mooooo!" 
Then he laughs his contagious laugh.
- "We live in Texas Mom." He's big on randomly saying this lately.
- Walks into the room and says..."Hi friends! I'm here."

my BRENDON boy

 2 months old

HEIGHT :: 24 in {80 %tile}

WEIGHT :: 11 lbs 10 oz {63 %tile}

- He's my TALL boy. Wearing some things that Co wore are 6 mo.

- He can't decide if he likes being swaddled anymore. He isn't swaddled during the night, but naps I do both. Can't decide which way he sleeps better. Hmm... 

- Doesn't slobber at all, he just happened to spit up right before I took these pictures. He rarely spits up still.

- Does NOT like to be left alone when he's awake. He doesn't necessarily have to be held but he just needs to see that people are around him. Loves when I hold his hand. I guess it makes him think I'm staying close by for a bit.

- Has had a little cold this past week, just like Cohen, so naps have been not as long, and wakes up a few times during the night. He normally goes down at 8-9 pm and doesn't eat until 5-6 am.
He does sometimes wake up about 4 but goes back to sleep after I give him his binkie.

- Doesn't grunt hardly at all these days. Finally!
- LOVES to be held, of course. He sort of spoiled in that way, especially when Daddy's around. I guess I just neglect him a little more during the day being a mom of two.

- Smiley boy! He smiles and chats away after every feeding, except the 6 am one. He goes right back to sleep after and sleeps normally til 8 or 9.

- LOVES to hear and watch Cohen more and more.

- He is holding his head up very well.

- Loves to stand. Brock practices squats with him. ;)

- Loves car rides.

He's a snuggler.

And I love him.

A LOT. 


P.S. Being the only hair stylist in our ward I have been doing a lot of haircuts lately, even the missionaries. They came over today for cuts and Cohen brought his blocks out. Naturally, the missionaries started building "temples" instead of towers like we do. If we were good parents we would have thought to do that. ;)
I thought that was pretty cute and clever of them.
Also, I highlighted my hair by myself the other day. My sweet friend Vanessa was my painter after I parted. We were pretty impress with how it turned out. I'll definitely do it again. Next attempt - Brock trimming my hair this weekend. Stay tuned!

1st trip to the DENTIST

 I wasn't sure what to expect with this new "first" of Cohen's.

We have been trying to prep him and get him ready to visit the dentist. He LOVES brushing his teeth {mostly eating the fruity paste off his brush} but he has done a good job at letting Brock and I brush first, THEN he can have a turn and rinse and put it away. He was SUPER hyper while we were waiting for the dentist to come in. I was getting a little anxious while waiting as Cohen was pretty much BOUNCING off the walls. But to say the least, HE DID GREAT!

 The dentist asked me if he thought Co would lay back in the big chair and be OK by himself. I said yes {holding my breath that he didn't freak out from being scared} but he did great. As the chair leaned back he sat still and just looked around with wide eyes and a little crooked smile. Cute boy. The dentist told him he was going to brush some fluoride on his teeth and right away Cohen said "Ah!" and opened up wide. 

Well done Bud. Our practicing "Eeee" and "Ahhh" helped.

 They didn't do much other than brush with 

fluoride and check for cavities. Short and sweet.

 Showing off his pearly whites.

He was oh so proud that he was brave.

As was I.

Successful FIRST trip to the dentist.

Maybe because the fluoride was bubble gum flavor.

Or maybe because he got a Buzz Lightyear brush and bubble gum paste to take home.

Or MAYBE because on our way out he got a baseball Elmo 

sticker and two prizes from the treasure chest...

I think all of the above.

Way to be brave my boy.

pleasantly surprised

 This past week I received an early birthday present from my wonderful parents, something I have been wanting for about two months now. A DOUBLE JOGGER. The boys and I assembled and took it for a walk to the park in our neighborhood to test it out. I now feel like I can jog my worries away and get out of the house with no car and two baby boys. Sweet! Us three are all happier thanks to this great stroller. We love it, it's cozy for the boys, and easy for me to push, minus the extra weight of a second child. Hopefully I'll adjust quickly. Extra workout = Stronger Mama = a good thing.

Now if the weather would cool down and stay that way we would be even more happy.

Texas Fall, HURRY please! Can't wait to meet you.

 I was PLEASANTLY SURPRISED how much I enjoy running with my two boys. 

{even being my first post baby run, which was HARD}

THANK YOU MOM & DAD!

Happy "early" Birthday to me.

L A B O R   D A Y

 I love holidays. Especially when Brock doesn't have school. Although, he does have a test coming up and had to squeeze in a little study time. But for the most part, he was ours for the day. In the morning, I did a few haircuts while Brock and Colton fixed our car barring, which was successful! {Thanks boys!} We hung out and relaxed OUTSIDE in the 86 degree weather - felt heavenly! Almost needed a jacket in the shade because I'm so used to 100 degree weather. The weather itself made this day wonderful. For dinner we went to our friends Colton & Vanessa Salazar's house with Andy & Beka Philipp and sweet little Nixon. We had a VERY satisfying dinner, so good that I think we all ate til we were stuffed. And THEN had root beer floats. Oops. The boys loved playing on their MASSIVE bean bag and out on the balcony. We had the doors and windows open to soak up the cooler weather as much as possible.

 darling little Nix.

 Vanessa, Colton & Brock, doing a rubix cube.

 Andy, Beka & Nixon Philipp.

Could Nixon be any cuter?

I think not.

We are so lucky and grateful for our good friends.

They are making this hard-at-times med school experience tolerable and great. We are excited to keep making memories with these great people. 

I think there are MANY more to come...

To top the day off,
After the boys were in bed Brock and I slow danced in the dark.
For some reason I keep falling more and more in love.

date night at home.

 We have to get pretty creative these days with date night...

After the boys were in bed and sleeping {9:30 p.m.} Brock and I made DELICIOUS raspberry/banana smoothies that I'm still CRAVING. We went out back on the porch to enjoy them and play a few games of Bocce ball. Had a great little "chat time", which is hard to get these days with med school and two boys. Definitely needed and very important in a marriage, we are coming to find out more and more these days.

 {you better believe I took action shots}

 Brock was black, I was red. As you can see, he beat me. He beat me bad. My hand-eye coordination is not so great. I'll blame it on the dark. :)

 During our game we found this little guy...Cute little hopper. We have seen a few frogs out back at night. One night there was a HUGE hopper about the size of a big softball. Couldn't get the camera quick enough.

 I love this man.

I love date night with him.

Even if it is in our backyard.

He makes anything and everything exciting.

Go COUGARS

 {Cohen & Jane having some game time snacks}

{Brendon & Will hanging out on the ground - exciting}

Our friends the Gilletts invited us over for dinner and to watch the first BYU football of the season. We had a blast! The game was great, very exciting for the team to get their first win. We aren't avid fans/watchers now that we don't go to the games, or have much time to keep up on the players, but we felt like it at this house watching the game. It was great.

The children has such a great time playing and making a mess upstairs. Cohen thought their playroom upstairs was just great. The day after we were there, he said, "I played with Jane upstairs." I can't believe I only got two pics, and didn't even get one of Josh, Mary or sweet Henry. Next time...

Thanks Gilletts for giving us a great night out!

We loved being with you guys and enjoying your wonderful home,

and dinner was SCRUMPTIOUS.