Party's Over!

Wow, I'm a bit behind in my "journal entries" for this summer.  Oh well, such is life.  I'm sitting here, depressed, as I type this because it puts it in writing that our summer's officially over, & David's back at school again.  I'm trying to decide if it was a good thing that we got him all to ourselves this summer.  I think it makes us miss him that much more after having him around 24/7 for 3 months.  We're back to the world of Dad leaving early/getting home late, seeing him for 30 mins while he eats dinner, & then again right before he goes to bed.  We miss him terribly, but love the weekends.  Brigston and I are back to our routine where our greatest excitement comes when Dad gets home and when we get packages from our family (Mom, you're seriously THE BEST!!!). 
Our summer was awesome, & it went way too fast.  We spent 6 wks up in Idaho with our familia, & it was lots of fun.
Our 3 weeks with the Dayton's:
Played BAREFOOT outside all the time
Brig went fishing for the first time (What can I say? The kid's got Dayton in him!)
Visited Great Grandma Dayton in the hospital
Found out we had a sweet new baby niece in Germany, Olivia Susanna was born to Marnie & Kevin. She is beautiful, just like her 2 sisters & mama!
Went to Shoshone Falls & the Twin Falls temple
Played glow-in-the-dark frisbee until 1am
Had 4th of July picnic, kicked some hiney at the bean bag game, got smoked in the golf challenge
Lit off awesome fireworks
Dorsey's came to see us & met Brigsy Poo ;) Man, how us Texans miss the Dorsey's!
Brigston got loved on by everyone! Auntie Ky & Aunt Jer came down every weekend to play. Thanks ladies.  And the Dayton grandkids get spoiled by Nana & Papa :)
Went to Bear Lake & had a great time at my uncle's cabin.  We laughed, ate way too much, swam everyday [Brig's 1st time swimming=huge success. Relaxed him so much he pooped & filled his ENTIRE swim diaper], saw a Pickville Playhouse play (say that 10 times fast), played lots of mini golf, had some wicked air hockey tourneys that produced some wicked injuries, & had ice cream & fresh raspberry shakes. There's never a dull moment when the Dayton's get together.  Love it!
It's always so hard to leave them...they treat us like celebs whenever we come home. Thanks, Dayters!

Our 3 weeks with the Sterzer's:
All Brig's aunts, uncles, & cousins got to meet him for the 1st time
Went to cute cousin Bridger's baby blessing & got to meet Great Grammie & Great Papa for the 1st time :)
Got a tour from Grammy Sue of the new I Center at BYUI (pretty amazing)
Went to Body World, which we absolutely LOVED
Celebrated Dave's b-day (Dave you were such a good sport)
Went country dancing...yes ladies & gentlemen, we still got the moves, baby!! :)
Tried incessantly to get the goats to faint
Went to a cabin in Island Park for the Sterzer reunion.  We again ate way too much, played lots & lots of games, watched movies, rode (and got bucked off) 4wheelers, played pool, saw a bear, fed the big fishies, & had fun watching the Hancock kiddos love on Brig.  They were so cute with their little cousins.  I loved it!  It was a fun weekend!
David pulled off his 10yr high school reunion. Don't know what possessed him to be Sr. Class Pres. Seriously. Don't know. Glad that one's over.
Went to Bear World with Carson & Tanner.
It was great to spend time with most of the fam on the Sterzer side & made for a crazy, fun house.
We came back to TX tired & sad we had to leave family yet again, but we were so glad we got to go.  Thanks for everything, Idahoans! Oh, how we love our beautiful Idaho, & it's fabulous summer weather!

We got a month here at home with David all to ourselves, & Brig & I loved it.  We lazed around, read lots of books, went swimming, went to some dental school BBQ's, went shopping, & played our hearts out with Brigston.  Can't believe our Brig man's 6 months old.  Where does the time go?  He's still very long & lean.  He was 28 in. @ his 6 mo appt (still in the 90th percentile), so he still has his mama's long legs.  He's such a fun baby!  He's sooo happy, & loves to play, talk, & giggle.  I think he'll be sitting on his own within the week.  He's super active, but still loves to snuggle.  It seems like he learns something new everyday, & he keeps us laughing.  When we got back from ID, he started taking 30 min naps again & has been waking up every 3 hrs at night.  I guess he's making up for not doing that as a newborn. That's been an adjustment since he used to sleep all night. (Any suggestions anyone?) But he's cuter than ever, & I love how we can love something so small so stinkin' much!  People are always in love with his eyes, often comment on what a great baby he is & how happy he is.  We're so grateful we get to be his parents!  So our party's over, but here's to a great summer, & to the start of another year of D-school for Dave.  OH, and a sweet, sweet woman from our ward at church gave us her old piano FOR FREE!  We finally have our 1st piano! I'm a happy girl, and we're loving having piano music finally fill our home.  

PS--Have I ever mentioned how much I hate the creepy crawlies here in H-town?  This week I had a flying earwig divebombing me in my house.  Not even kidding. Wish I was though.  Yeah.  I was traumatized.  Had no idea ALL of those little nasties can fly.  I can see it now....they're gonna make a movie called "Earwigs" just like the freaky old movie Birds. 

So I have a million pics I want to post, so I'll collage some of our favs from the summer.  Also, for the familia, here's the video I said I'd post from July.  Please ignore everything except for that cute lil giggle box!

Oh May Goodness!

Tehehe, thought my title was pretty clever, seeing how May is now over! OH MAY GOODNESS!  Where does the time go?  I've pondered some things this past month and need to write them down for the sake of a May journal entry on our blog.

#1:  Insurance companies are a pain in the hiney.  Usually, they just annoy the poo out of us, and make us want to throw shoes.  But for now, we love them.  Did the 'ole math.  Without it, my blood thinner shots would have cost OVER $24,000 for the last 7 months.  Yeah, choke on that for a while.  That's 8,000 bags of gummy bears' worth!  So we love ours.  We could throw kisses at them instead of shoes probably.

#2:  I'm not a normal girl, I think.  I chopped my hair and before the gal cut off my hair (prob about 10 inches) she asked me if I really wanted to do this.  "Yes."  Are you going to be okay with this?  "Yes."  Ok, I just want to make sure you're not going to have a breakdown while I'm cutting.  "Nope."  I contemplated faking one after she made the first cut, but didn't.  I've never really cared enough to be upset about a drastic change in my hair.  And if it gets screwed up, hello ponytail.  I should care more.  I'll work on that.  Maybe.

#3:  I'm trying to think of a way to keep David home forever.  He finished his first year! YAY! We're getting spoiled with him having the summer off.  I'm going to have a breakdown when he has to go back in August.  AND when he doesn't get any more summers off.  We love love LOVE having him home ALL DAY LONG.  It's blissful.  Think he'd be offended if I broke both his legs or something?  Would that keep him home longer?  (that's a joke) (maybe)

#4:  Brig's growing up way too fast.  In fact, our boy is already trying to figure out what he wants to do in life.  Here he is practicing doing a snowboarding board grab, bull riding, and singing opera.   

 #5:  Can babies get permanent lip marks in their cheeks from too many kisses?  Hmmm.

#6:  There's no place like home.  Idaho you have never looked so sweet!  Here we come!  YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!! 

Brig's Big Day

 

Brig had his blessing day April 10th.  He did awesome during his blessing.  Considering he was fussing for the 2 blessings before his, and he usually had gas pains at that same time most mornings, it was a tender mercy.  In fact, he was wide awake when David held him up after. 

I bawled the whole time (surprise, surprise, eh?). The rest hymn was "Families Can Be Together Forever", so I really lost it.  This is the song I sang to Brig every day when I was pregnant and now sing to him at night before he goes to bed because we're a forever family with this sweet boy. Coincidence? Nope. Tender mercy. 

Next, both his sets of grandparents were able to be there.  We loved having company!  It was so fun to see Brigston spending time with all of them.  What a wonderful day and week!

As for Brig man, his gas pains/probs seem to be gone. HALLELUJAH! They are a mom's nightmare, I hate seeing my baby hurt.  It was awful.  Prayer works...just sayin!  Plus, dairy, chocolate, and "gassy" foods are now the only things I can't eat, which is nice.  So glad to eat more than just potatoes, bananas, and carrots.

He's growing like a weed. Can't believe he's almost 3 months old.  He was 24.25in. long at his 2 month appt.  He'd grown over 4 inches in 2 months!  Guess that's why everyone says he looks so long.  We're soaking up his adorable smiles, snuggles, bubbles he's always blowing (pict to left), giggles in his sleep, how he stares at his hand and always has his fingers in the same funny position (pict to right), how he calls out when he wants us, and all his soft chubbies.  Every night I stare at him and wonder if it's possible for me to love this kid any more. The next day I do.  

I'm still getting absolutely nothing done.  My house is cluttered, my to-do list is a mile long and growing, there's often dishes in the sink, and more times than not I realize I haven't showered for a day or two, let alone even check my appearance in the mirror.  I often have puke on me.  But I don't care.  I won't even try to pretend "I've got it all together."  I can't pass up holding Brig, squeezing him, playing with him, and just cuddling him while he sleeps.  Heck, I even like changing his bum!  Chances are, I won't be able to do this as much with our next kids, so I'm going to take full advantage and not even feel guilty about all that other stuff.  I'm absolutely in love with not one, but TWO Sterzer boys now.  I'm like a giddy school girl just thinking about it.  Ridiculous!  Now if you'll please excuse me, I believe there are some lil velvety soft cheeks that need my kissy lips to get lost in them. 

(PS- I have a confession to make.  I like the smell of his spit-up.  David thinks I'm sick.  Please tell me there's someone else out there who likes it, too? Pretty please?)

New Nephew!!

We're so excited that our sweet nephew has arrived!  Kelsie and Brian welcomed Bridger to the world on April 21st.  We can't wait to meet this adorable little guy!  It will be so fun for Brigston to have a buddy his age.  They're going to have a blast, and I'm sure cause lots of trouble like their daddy's did :)  Love you little Bridger!   

Still Learning...

Lessons learned in the last couple months: 

Man-sized baby toots, burps, snorts, and grunts are funny every stinkin' time.  At least, we sure think so! :)

Not being able to brush your teeth good for 8 months because it makes you gag is NOT a good thing.  Sugar bugs still find teeth when you don't eat much sugar.  (good thing David's going to be a dentist)

I hate lovenox shots more than hormone shots in the rear. And I really hated those.

I love the side-to-side and front-to-back baby swing. Thanks LB for the trial run with yours. In fact, if they had them in adult sizes, I'd buy two for myself.  And one for David.  And for birthday gifts.  I'd just switch out the mobile for a candy dispenser that can hold gummy bears. (again, good thing David's going to be a dentist) 

Binge eating on a bunch of sugar cookie dough and canned frosting is never a good idea after not eating very many sweets/sugar for the past 10 months.

The smell of formaldahyde from anatomy lab is really hard to wash out of Dave's scrubs.  Ewww! 

My name is Kabree and I'm a pickaholic. I'm obsessed with picking at Brigston.  Seriously.  I have a problem.  I get a rush from getting a big 'ole booger out, or a piece of dead skin.  Toe fuzz?  Delightful!  Eye sleepers?  Even better.

I got brave and went to the store for a prescription.  Brig was sleeping so I got bolder and picked up some groceries.  Got into the checkout line, had a lady in front and behind me.  I was just thinking to myself what a piece of cake this was when Brigston started crying.  I mean, he was sad.  And I was blocked in. Trapped.  He had a bubble, and I couldn't get him out of his seat and checkout at the same time.  I'm sure the looks I got weren't near as disapproving as I felt they were.  But my cheeks were hot, and I was about to start crying myself.  But I rocked his carseat like mad and he eventually fell back asleep (felt like it took a year).  Lesson learned:  NEVER get cocky.  That's when all heck breaks loose for a fragile minded new mom. 

I can't control everything happening inside my body, no matter how bad I want to!  Yep, found another blood clot in my pelvis the week was I supposed to be cleared to stop my lovenox shots. Boo. Have I mentioned how much I hate those?  Twice a day.  Three more months.  Yeah.  Pure hatred. 

I still cannot nap, even after an all-nighter with Brig.  Yes, craziness.  I need brain surgery to get rewired on that one!  Thank goodness Brig's usually an awesome sleeper at night. 

Even though I said I'd never be "one of those moms" who uses a pacifier, I've become one. (shameful look) Brig is "one of those babies" that wants to suck on anything, everything, and everyone when he's not eating.  So, to prevent him from constantly trying to eat David and me alive and to prevent future hickies, we've had to turn to the paci to satisfy his strong sucking desires. 

David gets to be the designated lawn mower from here on out while we're in Houston.  I love mowing the lawn, but after chopping up frogs, big spiders, and as of last week TWO SNAKES, David's the lucky one who gets the job.  I DO NOT do snakes.

I've decided that the best job I've ever had, and ever will have, is being Brigston's mom.  I get to wake up to this everyday.  Priceless. 

 

 Aunt Ky spoiled us and flew down for a visit this month. Oh how we miss her! We had a great time, went on walks, snuggled with Brig, even went to the Houston livestock show and rodeo.  Brigston loves his Auntie KyKy! Wishing she could stay down here forever, or come at least every other week. I better put my order in for that. Thanks so much for coming, Auntie!

He's Here!!!

Welcome to the world, our sweet Brigston Lynn!  Words can't describe our tender feelings as this little angel entered into our family, into our world.  I can't believe he's already 2 weeks old...I honestly don't know what we ever did without him.  We are soooo in love with this munchkin, and we couldn't ask for a better baby.  He eats great, has a stinkin' cute fiesty temper, poos like a champ, is super ticklish, rarely cries (he doesn't even cry when he's hungry at night), and already has nights where he sleeps for 5 hrs straight! (HEAVEN) At his dr appt today, his dr declared him perfect, and perfect he is!  What a blessing it is to be his parents. 

Brigston Lynn Sterzer ** Born February 10, 2011 ** 6lbs 14oz **
20in long ** Beautiful brown hair ** Love him!!!

 

 

                         Mama Blues

Today I have a case of the mama blues, a different kind of mama blues.  My mom flew back home today, so now I have the blues.  I'm so blessed to have such a wonderful mom!  I'm only hoping that I can become a mother just like her.  She helped me learn the beginner ropes of being a mom, and I know I'll be calling her with questions regularly.  Brig will definitely miss dancing and snuggling with Nana!  She helped us so much, and we already miss her terribly. (Especially this morning when Brig pooped 3 times in 10 mins when I was trying to get out the door for his dr appt!)  So grateful for the relationship I have with my mama!  Love you, Mom! 

 

*Oh Boy!*

Well, we still haven't found a car yet.  You don't realize how much you rely on having two cars until you're scrambling trying to get each other to where you need to be (many times at 6 in the mornin), sharing the one. Kudos to everyone who does that!

David's having surgery on Friday.  Yes, that's right.  We found out 2 wks ago he needs surgery on his wrist to remove a ganglion cyst that's been hurting him/growing since Christmas.  Doc said it couldn't wait until spring break in March if he wants to be able to move his hand for school.  It needs done now.  Fabulous timing, eh?  Again, what luck we have! :)  Sooo glad it will be fixed so it won't hurt him anymore. 

My mom flies in on Saturday....YEEHAW! :)  Beyond excited for her to come and be here.  Nothing can make things feel like they'll really "Be okay" like a mom can!  She said she'd stay as long as we needed her.  I hope she packed her bags to stay here permanently...maybe I ought to give her the heads up? ;) 

Two weeks ago, when doc checked me I'd already started dialating and have been progressing ever since on my own.  Still battling with contractions whenever I'm up doing things, so I'm going crazy trying to "take it easy" and not put myself into labor.  We're crossing our fingers (and I, my legs, of course, and toes, and eyes, and everything else) that he doesn't try to come anytime sooner...especially not on Dave's surgery day (let me remind you we only have one car still), because we have the official date now!  I'm getting induced Feb 10, and we're so excited!  I've been eating like crazy to try to fatten him up because he was really small when they checked him a week ago, but this week he definitely grew (my bruised innards are proof), so it was an answer to prayers.  He's ready to go!

We can't wait for February 10th.  I walk in his little room or put things away we've bought for him and I just have to sit and cry.  We're so grateful for this sweet baby boy that's coming and so grateful we're going to be parents.  We're also really nervous, but so excited!  Pictures to come in the next post! :)

    

Our boy's going to share a birthday with this wonderful woman, Grammie Stokes!