Life of the Childs Brigade

Here are just some random pictures of our morning...I have been feeling rather guilty of not being a camera freak like I was when Linnea was born so I decided to take some pictures.

I thought this was cute...Linnea made her bed with just a tiny bit of help from mom, this is the final result...pretty good for a two year old.

This is my artist in the making...she loves, loves, loves to paint...as you can see she has a wooden project to paint, but prefers to just paint the newspaper

This is Drew doing tummy time...uh well this is him after trying to do tummy time :) he worked too hard I guess

I love my little kiddos!!

I have a second...

Well I thought I'd quickly update on our life lately! Drew is now over a month old already it is just flying...it's weird to imagine how it was without him...I thought I was busy with Linnea and could never get anything done...wow now I know what squeezing time for myself is :) The kids are starting to get on a nap schedule that is actually at the same time so thankfully that has freed up some time for me to get things down or just sit down and be alone for a sec! Linnea has been so sweet with Drew the last few weeks, she has her moments, but for the most part I think her biggest challenge is she gets bored since I have to feed Drew so often she just gets hyper or starts to cause trouble, but I'm working on games we can play together while Drew is eating so hopefully that helps. She is going to be going to a dance workshop in July to see if she enjoys dance and if she does we will officially be signing her up for dance classes I'm so excited I think she'll really have a lot of fun.
Drew is such a sweetie, we've been having a pretty difficult time with feeding though. He has some reflux issues and he has the worst gas I have ever seen in a newborn. I had to take him to the doctor today because we have to hold him upright for over an hour before we can lay him back down or else he gets so uncomfortable and he just acts like he is in so much pain. The doctor said his tummy is just full of air and he told me it could be several things, it could just be him gulping air, it could be that his tummy gets too gassy while he is digesting, or he can't handle lactose. He suggested we try to put him on special formula and I would just pump for awhile while we see if that worked...well the poor guy HATES formula...he is so different from Linnea who would eat just about anything. So that means I get to go on a strict diet and cut out foods that can really upset newborns tummys...so no Dairy, corn, or soy....those are the big ones the doc told me to avoid. I had already been trying to avoid dairy...I haven't had regular milk for quite awhile just coconut milk, but I need to be more strict with cheese I love cottage cheese so I guess my little snack is out. I hope this works or else we're going to have to I guess force feed him the formula and that will be a chore! Other than that he is just wonderful and the stinking cutest little guy ever. We're getting pictures taken tomorrow so hopefully I'll have some super cute pictures to post soon.
I am still waiting on approval for my certification exam so I can take that stinking test and get school completely behind me. I have a job that is waiting for me to be certified. I'll just be hired on as on call for a few months, which is perfect since they pay more that way and I can tell them yes or no if I want to work so it'll work with the kiddos schedule and hopefully Derek can do most of the watching instead of having babysitters. Life is great right now, super busy, but we're doing our best and it has been a wonderful month with Drew in our family.

Dear College

Dear College...
We have been through so much together over the years. Our story first began down south at "party school" Dixie state...so much happened at this fantastic school...not much studying, more playing and discovering life away from mom and dad. I spent my days sleeping through classes, changing my looks deciding every new guy I went out with could be the next Mr. Emily Carter, and then turning around and chaning my mind. What a life! making life long friends and bouncing checks, going from being a teacher, social worker, occupational therapist, english major then back to occupational therapy. It wasn't until you introduced me to a shy, sexy guy that I decided hmmm...maybe there is more to college than playing around....




...you introduced me tothe love of my life and what a change that was! He was different than the other guys, he was GOOD! He knew what he wanted out of life he was kind to others...he loved me for me no matter what our differences were...and most importantly he made me want to be better each day! How can I thank you enough dear Dixie State College for introducing me to Derek. You watched us date and have fun and fall in love, then one day it happened...

...you watched us begin to plan a wedding...you watched us return to school newly married and SURPRISE... a few months later you saw me waddle around your campus fat and pregnant with our new adventure waiting to come out. You could've been nicer during this time...your buildings could have been closer and your weather could have been cooler, but whats done is done.

...I came back to you college after our sweet girl was born because you and I had unfinished business to attend to. Thank goodness this sweet blessing came when she did. I finally decided what I needed to do to end our relationship college...I decided on a degree!!! So we packed our bags and moved from my first college to finish what I had started.

...here at SLCC I began a program and once again made lifelong friends that will never be forgotten, you gave me that college. I found a degree that was perfect for my family, for being a young mom, and for giving me the opportunity to have a job someday that could really help my family especially in uncertain times. You saw me grow and do better than I had ever done in school in this program! You saw us go up and down with struggles, lay offs, and other frustrations.

And finally as I now say good-bye to you college you have once again watched as we have begun another new adventure, by welcoming in this sweet new life! I finally close the door on you college and welcome my new life as mommy with open arms. I have discovered in these five years since we've been together college, that although you were necessary and a very important part of my life...now I get to do what is most important!!! Thank you college for the lessons you've taught me, who knows maybe we'll meet again in the very very distant future, but for now you are just a long, long memory of good times and bad times!!!!

I did it!!!!!!