Celebrating mothers day

It really is true what mothers say. Blink and you miss it.

How on earth did seven months go by so quickly?!  I swear it was just yesterday that I was holding that brand new baby in the hospital overwhelmed by the thought of motherhood and here I am over half a year down the road celebrating mothers day myself!

Becoming a mother is a funny thing.  I thought I was ready because I studied really hard.  That is what I do.  I research the heck out of everything I want to become good at. I read a gazillion books, asked for tons of advice, practiced what I could and prayed like crazy.

But that isn't how it works at all is it? :)

None of my "research" worked at all.  I didn't really learn a thing until I was thrown into it all at once.  The education starts the very first time you hold your child and doesn't stop, ever I think.  Motherhood is building a relationship with your child, and learning what works, and what million things don't work.  Ha! It is a big game of trial and error, and being patient with yourself and the journey.

There were so many things I hadn't planned on.  I didn't know I was going to be handed such a sick baby, and one who required so much around the clock care.  I didn't know that at seven months I have yet to get a full nights sleep.  I didn't know that I would be so exhausted that I would literally fall into bed at night and be asleep before I could lean over and kiss Brian goodnight.  I didn't know that I would spend most my days in pajamas and trying to balance the impossible.

But as time has gone on, we have learned to master a thing or two around here and along the way, I have realized that I have become a mother, and a very happy one at that.  Despite the hiccups and trying times.

My mom always looked at me growing up and said that I would never know how much I was loved until I had one of my own.  What a silly thing to say.  Of course I know how much I am loved because I feel like I love my mom as much as she loves me.  Boy was I wrong.

Everytime that child falls asleep in my arms I have to fight back the tears of love.  Sometimes I don't and wake him with my deep breaths and tiny sobs.  Everytime he falls asleep in his bed I wonder.  Is he cold? Hot?  Comfy?  Happy?  Dreaming sweet dreams? Are his socks too tight? Blankets warm enough? Temperature right?  Am I crazy?  Obsessed?

I care for him more than I ever thought was possible and I have realized my mother is right about yet another thing.  I love him more than life itself and I had no idea it was possible until I had him.  For once in my life I am happy to sacrifice everything I have for someone else.  My sleep, food, body, time, energy, free time, money, and anything else he requires I would gladly give up just to see that smile.

Becoming a mom is the hardest most wonderful thing I have ever experienced and I am so blessed to have this chance, and to raise a child to the best of my ability.  I am so thankful to the incredible mother who raised me and taught me everything I know and who is now the most incredible grandmother ever.

I sure feel blessed to spend my days with this delicious chubby mug.  We are best friends.  You will never know how much you are loved until you have one of your own Brody boy. Stop growing up so fast.  Mom is still trying to keep up :)

Happy Mothers Day friends and fellow mums.  It is the most important job you will ever do, and I am so excited I get to celebrate it this year. xoxo.

Six months already!?!

Hooray!

Brody is six months now and has even more tricks up his tiny sleeve.  Here is what he is doing these days. . .

Sitting up!  He still needs a pillow behind him because when he gets really excited he falls over! Ha!

Laughing like crazy and boy what a laugh!  I live for that giggly boy!

Sleeping a little better.  I still hope for the day he sleeps through the night without waking up constantly.  Darn that reflux.

Spending tons of time on his tummy now!

Reaches for anything and everything.  If it is near him watch out!  He will find a way to get it.

Saying how much he loves his bouncer is an understatement.

Recognizes all his favorite faces and grins so big every time he sees someone he loves.

Has started "kissing" us!  He grabs your face and yells and attempts to slobber and suck on it.  Pretty adorable.

Lives for eating and napping and playing with the pooch!

Dropped into the 80's for weight and still in the 90's for height.  He wears mostly 12 month clothing with the occasional 18 month outfit too.  He is one tall big boy!

Started solids and eats like a champ!

I swear he does something new every day.  It is so exciting to see him learn new things and notice the world around him but at the same time it makes me so sad too.  He will never be this little again, so I am trying my best to remember to love it all, and take millions of pictures.

Happy half birthday little one!

We made it to three months!

Guess who has two thumbs and just turned three months?!  This guy!!!

I can hardly believe we have had our little angel for three months already!  He is super cute and such a joy for me.  Here is what we have been up to!

1. Smiling like crazy!  And starting to giggle at all the silly things mom does :)
2. Sleeping and eating better!  Thank heavens!
3. Sitting up on his own, from a reclining position, and staying sitting up for 20 seconds. Big deal!
4. Starting to teethe!  A little early, but we will take it!
5. Starting to feel a little better with his reflux.
6. Just got over his first cold, poor little guy :(
7. Loves his toys, and is starting to recognize that they are fun to play with.
8. Putting everything in his mouth.  Yum!
9. Has the fattest most delicious cheeks and legs!
10. Follows us across the room with his sweet eyes, and watches everything we say and do!
11. Is in the 90th percentile for height and weight.  Not surprising this little guy loves to eat!
12. Can push up on his elbows making mom think he is going to crawl early.

It has been so much fun to see him grow and learn new things.  We sure love our little Brody boy!

So it seems we are at 2 weeks and counting

I have a little explaining to do. It has been a while. I know. 

It seems that this year has turned out to be the most eventful year of my life, and to be perfectly honest, I have been out living every minute out of it with not a spare minute to blog about it. 

I have so many beautiful pictures that document our journey over the summer and the most important thing to happen to us since we got married. . .

My pregnancy with our little one, who is due for an appearance in about 2 weeks here :)

The whole time I have been pregnant I have been holding my breath a little.  It is so surreal when you wait your whole life for something to happen, and when it finally does, your mind needs a little time ( or in my case alot ) to catch up to the whole idea. 

Experiencing this pregnancy has been one of the most beautiful things to ever happen to me and sometimes I still have moments where I can't really believe it is all real.  Even after he has danced in my tummy all afternoon long ;)

Seeing Brian and us evolve into parents has also been quite the experience.  I mean, he isn't even here yet, but yet there has been a significant change in both of us.  One that I can't quite explain, but one that has most definately happened. 

Even though I have been counting down I can hardly believe I have two weeks left. Expect lots of catch up posts to filter in as well as some exciting new ones when this baby boy decides to say hello.  If he is anything like his mama though, he will be fashionably late, quite!

Love to all of you. Thanks for hanging in there with us :)

Happy 4th Anniversary to us!

This year was my year to plan our anniversary and I was just plain excited to spend the day together. The morning started off with Brian's favorite breakfast and then we headed to the zoo to watch the all the animals play for way too long :)

The day ended with dinner at a new place for us called Flemings.  It was delicious and not only was the food top notch but the service was outstanding.  Since it was our anniversary they gave us a free appetizer and a $25 gift card to come back next time, and a box of truffles to take home which I promptly started munching on when we got to our car :)

The major thing I have noticed this last year is how we seemed to be so much more settled into our roles now then when we first got married. We have gotten into this rhythm as husband and wife where things just jive and I love that.  There are always the unexpected moments in life, but the day to day has turned into the most enjoyable patterns and I love that. 

I am so thankful for four years of that cute boy grinning at me and I hope time moves at a slow enough pace for me to truly enjoy them all.  Happy anniversary love. xoxo.  

The happiest of new years

We celebrated new years at the Bunkers house this year and it turned out to be lots of fun. The kids had the traditional fireworks and sparklers and some { Bunker Busters }from long ago even made their debut. 

It was a beautiful new years night and made me reflect on all that happened to us during the year.  It was a big year for us and one that helped us grow in so many ways. 

We experienced fun by: making and spending time with new friends, late night backgammon tournaments, trying new things, planning a weekly date night, getting out more in the beautiful outdoors, many trips to the cabin, going on vacation to coronado and to see family, traveling and taking beautiful pictures with our new camera, spending time together doing creative things and creating new traditions of our own. 

We accomplished by: Brian deciding to go back to school, and starting at Weber University!  Hooray Bri!  Reading lots of new books, blogging more about our lives, getting into a workout routine and dropping a few lbs, becoming healthier and more informed on my health and the adventures that lay ahead :) , making journaling a habit that stuck, having a much more organized home, and schedule. 

We grew by: going through the centerville storm and filing our first home insurance claim, patching our own roof and doing repairs, having to lose a special loved one, strengthening our marriage and our testimony's by spending time on what matters most, learning to be ready for life and what may come. 

We learned that: life goes by quicker than you can imagine and it won't stop or slow down just because you are busy, spending time with loved ones and serving them is pretty much all that matters, there is always time for a prayer of gratitude, the world is beautiful and one should spend a good amount of time in nature finding out why, that there is a plan for everyone and finding out what that plan is can sometimes be tough but so worth it. 

This year was a big year for us.  I don't really think I knew how big until I sat down and read my journal about the last year and everything that happened.  I am thankful for everything that happened last year even though some of the things that happened I would have never chosen to go through.  I know 2011 will always be a year Brian and I remember and we look forward to 2012.  It will be a big year for our family too and I can't wait to see what happens. 

We love all of you so much.  Happy 2012 friends.

Grandma & Grandpa's 60th Celebration

Grandma and Grandpa Siebenhaar celebrated 60 years of marriage a week ago.  They threw a rockin' party downtown at Chuck-o-rama complete with treats, lots of food, and plenty of good german company :)

Each of their children gave a speech and it was so cool to see how much of an example they have given their children to follow their footsteps in marriage.

My favorite moment though was when grandpa got up to speak and said that 60 isn't that big of a number.  He said they have been together for 21,900 days and that is alot!  He said you have to take marriage one day at a time and to try your best each day to try and make your husband/wife happy.

He said that the hard times in marriage are what have brought them the closest and that it is so important to see the good in every experience.

My goal is to have a 60 year anniversary someday and I hope that I can be as happy as they are in life.  I admire so much about these two people and I am thankful for such amazing grandparents who have lead by example.

{ Birthday } Girl

My birthday was incredible this year.  Not in the big blown out of proportion kind of way, but in the feeling content with my life, happy, and realizing more what is important kind of way.

I always thought I would freak out a little getting older every year, and a do a little, but I am finding just the opposite out.  I am in the very exact place I should be doing the exact things I am doing.  I find it hard to believe sometimes that my life will just continue to progress and I will become more and more happy as the years go by.

I have this friend who is incredible at writing in her journal, { you know who you are chick :}, and she is always inspiring me do keep one.  Well over the last year I have kept better journaling habits than any other year and I am amazed how much my thoughts and actions have grown just in one short year of time. 

It is an incredible thing to look back on things { you } have written and see yourself change.  I finally get what she is talking about and I love it.

Thanks to all of you for the bundles of phonecalls, texts, emails, birthday cards in the mail, presents on the porch, facebook wishes, and love over the years.  I am truly blessed to have so many special people in my life and I know my life is better because you are in it.

The week ended with a new summer dress, some twinkly vintage earrings, red velvet cake, homemade cafe rio salads, walks on the beach and lots of good times.

I am soooo ready for 26... bring it on :)

{ 3 year anniversary getaway }

Brian surprised me by taking us up to Park city for our { 3 } anniversary. I like the way we do our anniversaries, it is kind of fun. Brian plans the odd years and I do the even ones. So far he has out done me a little but I don't mind :)

We had dinner at an { amazing } steakhouse called Ruth's Chris. The food was incredibly delicious and as always we ate it all up! I swear it was the best steak I have ever had. I am already craving another one but I have a feeling it will be a while before we get to go there again.

I { seriously } can't believe three years has come and gone. We had so much fun together just being alone, with no cell phones, hooray!, and getting to talk and laugh about all our memories together over the years.

I am really glad we ended up together and that my life has ended up where it currently is. I genuinely wouldn't change a thing, and he is a huge part of that. I hope the next bunch of years don't go as quick, but I guess time flies when your having fun. . .

Thanks for the fabulous weekend love. I kinda wish every day was our anniversary so I could have you all to myself :)