Brooklyn turned THREE

Brooklyn turned THREE yesterday. Happy Birthday to her!!!
Please feel free to join me for a little pictorial of her day.

When she was just 5 months old (Max's age) she came to be my "first" baby while her Mom went back to teaching school. That whole first year I had her AND Jayce everyday. She was SUCH a good little baby that it was totally easy to have her (and so was jayce). She grew and developed this total drama queen personality, even at a year old. I had funny stories to tell Jenny every day. That first year FLEW by. Then came the second, and she just got bigger and bigger, her hair grew longer and her smarts got smarter. She filled my days with smiles and help. Maggie was with us that 2nd year and I really came to rely on little Miss Brooklyn for all her help. Now, suddenly we're at THREE. How did this happen? That sweet little baby, funny little toddler has turned into this pretty little, dramatical princess:

She showed up resplendant in turquoise from head to toe. Please note the totally awesome jellies she's wearing on her tootsies. Apparently she'd told her Mom all morning that she couldn't WAIT for her crown. When Jenny tried to offer her her princess crown that she already had at home, the answer was a firm NO. She was waiting for her BIRTHDAY crown. She was remembering THIS:

Last year when she showed up she got this crown and a balloon. Her wee little brilliant mind remembered that. She slays me. Anyway, I guess I've begun a tradition. New crown and balloon each year.

So, on Monday Brooklyn picked out some lipgloss at the store. I told her it would be for her birthday. She was ECSTATIC when she finally got to open it and start applying. She has an obsession bordering on OCD with lipgloss. Anyway, she and Maggie (note the crown, we wanted her to enjoy the day too) ran straight to the hall and began applying like crazy.

Perhaps I'm not driving home the point enough. So bad is her obsession, that I finally had to impose an hour rule. Every hour I'd allow her to hold and apply the lipgloss. Otherwise, she would just endlessly put it on, each color, over and over and over again.

That morning at 6:30 a.m. when Dixie and I ran to Wal-mart (shutup) after our workout, I picked up a coloring book and crayons. I'm sorry, but how adorable is THIS little picture. Of course, I took this JUST before world war III broke out over who had ultimate control of the book. But at least there was a moment.

I threw some cupcakes in the oven so we'd have them for her birthday celebration with the cousins. She got to help me frost them.

Displaying the finished product, all ready to go to our lunch date. Did I mention she never stopped asking all morning long if she could eat one yet. No matter how many times I said no, or explained why she had to wait, she'd still come back like she'd never asked before. What is it with their tiny little brains that just does NOT hear what we say?

I got all nutty and decided we should meet up with everyone at Peter Piper for some lunch and fun. I'm here to tell you, what a great deal. They totally have a lunch buffet with yummy salad and all you can eat pizza for $4.99 adults, $3.99 kids, and any child 3 and under is free. Hello, so cheap!!

The kids had lots of fun, even if there were only two rides to go on. Brooklyn was pleased as punch, not that it was her birthday, but that all her cousins were there and she was out of the house and playing.

I think Maggie was a bit confused on the finer points of Skee ball. Oh well, she sure is cute.

Here they all are, minus Max who somehow just never gets in the picture. From L to Right we have:

Owen, Dane, Morgan (who was having fun I promise) Brooklyn, Jayce and Maggie. I'm soooo happy that there is this bunch of cousins all relatively close in age. They just love eachother so much and have such a good time together.

FINALLY the blessed cupcake was hers! She enjoyed it so much she ate another, while Jayce was wholly uninterested in his.

Last but not least I leave you with this pic of Maggie, truly enjoying her cupcake goodness. That girl definitely loves to eat, if she's in the mood.

All in all it was a grand celebration day for Brooklyn. It is amazing to me to see how much she has grown and changed over the last year. She is so smart, silly, maddening, adorable, funny, TALL, cute, naughty, frustrating and fun. I can't imagine my days without her and her million questions and comments. And for what it's worth, neither can Maggie. When Brooklyn is not around, she is missed.

Happy Birthday you little stink bug!

What's new...

As you may well have noticed...I've been a bit remiss lately in the posting. I just didn't feel like I had anything to say. So today I uploaded some pics and realized there were a few good ones in there. I figured I'd just do a picture entry and fill you in on small details. That's good enough right?


Sundays are a little difficult because we have church at 11:00. On the one hand, this is delightful in many ways. On the other, it falls SMACK in Maggies nap time. However, she loves nursery and was quite a good little church goer this last Sunday. She came out of nursery pleased as punch with her picture, walked out to the car, stayed awake on the way home and everything. It's now 2:20ish, and I assumed she should perhaps have some lunch. So, I put her in her chair, threw down a piece of pizza and let her go. While she ate I sat down at the computer to check some things. When she finished, she threw her plate down, I looked up at her, our eyes met, we connected. I knew she was ready. So, I finished what I was doing, told Max I'd be back after I helped sissy get in bed. I stood up and this is what met my gaze......

Apparently she was just far more tired than any of us anticipated. Poor thing.

Jere had a sleep study. Jere has sleep apnea. Jere got a mask. This is how Jere has to sleep now. Tragic no?

Purple polka dot dress compliments of Costco...$5.49. Purple hair bows from Target $3.00. That adorable face...PRICELESS!!

Max has started to figure out how to roll over. In fact, just this afternoon I went in and he'd totally turned over in bed. He had this look of bewilderment on his face, like, "what the...this is not how I began." Anyway, he'll stay happily on the floor for a little while now, so I happily oblige. The other morning Maggie found this piece of fabric and decided it would make a jaunty little cap for Max. He was such a sport about it. Just layed there with it over his eye for some time. Love this happy little boy.

I'm tired. Really, really, realllllllllly tired!! This day was a long one and I just thouht perhaps I should get a random, wierd shot of me in exhaustion. The good news is, that morning I rode 13.1 miles on the stationary bike. I had never rode anything more than 10.6. I had a goal to do it in 45 minutes, just went for it. I was riding along and at 43 minutes I still had a mile to go. I MIGHT have said S*%$ under my breath (well I thought it was under my breath, but Dixie heard it and hit me). I was DETERMINED to do it. So, I just started pedaling faster than I knew was humanly possible. I was going at 130 rpm's. It was AWESOME!!!! And know what, I made 13 miles right at 45 minutes. Got the .1 a few seconds later. That was a GREAT morning of exercise. And for all enquiring minds, wanting to know, I got on a spin bike again, and while still quite painful, it was slightly less so. The "nether regions" are healing. I also went and got a gel seat cover for the bike, hopefully it'll make a difference.

My little man is just growing soooo fast. He's getting all kinds of chub and adorableness! I'm so grateful for his happy, sweet little demeanor.

Look who can hold his own bottle now. He reallllllllly loves his bottle. He gets so excited when he sees me making it. He's just growing up so quickly!

Alrighty, hope that was a good enough update for now.

Fast growing and bad nappers,

Allyson

Workin it Gangsta style!

Maggie is always trying to put on Max's little beanie hats, which as you might guess, don't really fit her huge 20 month old noggin so well. So, one morning I dug out the little beanies they give you in the hospital, 'cause those have a lot of streeeeeetchhhhhh. She and Brooklyn had a great time running around the house all morning looking like little gangsta babies. I mean seriously, she's looking fierce here people, binky and all! Oh and P.S. that shirt so says it all! I think it adds to her authenticity. hehehe


Brooklyn workin the mean and ferocious look of the hat.

Ever tried to coach a 2 year old on how to give a good "street" look? It was comical at best. But, I think she sort of got it here. I mean, you buy her mad skilz here right?

Peace out Homies!

Allyson

Accomplished....at a price.

Five thirty a.m. found me dragging myself out of bed this morning. I carefully and stealthily gathered my things, combed my hair, changed my clothes and mosied out the door. You see, I had a rendezvous with destiny. Ok, perhaps not destiny, but with a little torture device known as a bike, and it's accomplice, "the road." Dixie has deemed Saturdays our day to work out in the real world. Get a feel for what it's gonna be like out there on the mean streets. So, by 6:10 a.m. we were at our pre-determined destination, bikes unloaded and I looked like this.....

Ready to roll............................................Ok, ::snort:: I obviously didn't look like THAT! I mean, I can't possibly stand up and ride like that! Perhaps I looked a bit more like this............................................

Huge booty, protruding belly and all. What a sight!

Anyway, Dixie took the lead, followed closely by Jenny, then me, with Dana bringing up the rear. Dana was riding her fancy new road bike, purchased just the evening before. Jenny was on her 10 year old Mountain bike that hasn't seen the light of day in that much time. Dixie was on her awesome craigs list find, and I was on a borrowed bike of Shanes. There was much anticipation on my part, and well...let's get personal here for a moment.

I have become quite adept at the stationary bike, in fact, I dare say I actually like it. Then, the hideous realm of the spin bike was introduced to me last week. It hurts, it hurts BAD and Dixie said that was a better gauge of what it'd be like out there in the real world. Not gonna lie, I was not thrilled at the prospects. So anyway, cut to this morning, my first time on a real bike (other than the spin on erics cruiser at Christmas) in a very many years. So, I hefted my large derrier over the seat, and gently sat upon it. Keep in mind it was already sore from the ill-fated spin bike time. So, I'm on it, we push off for our ride. Here's the thing, about 1 minute in I wanted...to....DIE! Why does noone REALLY talk about the excruciating pain involved in the crotchal area? I mean for reals people, it felt like perhaps, oh I don't know, a baseball bat had been taken to my most precious of areas. I don't think I can adequately describe the pain of it all. And apparently I'm the only one that was experiencing pain to such levels. There was numbness and bruising and pain like I've never quite felt. Frankly, I think a bat might have felt better. I don't know, maybe I just have an extra lot of FAT down there, and we all know fat bruises. Whatever the case, it was HELL. So, I'm one minute in and I'm like, ok, I'm outy. So, I convinced myself to just make it to Lindsey, then I got there and thought, OK fine, I'll just get to Val Vista and then stop. Needless to say, I "convinced" myself each mile to just hang on, because FOR SURE at Higley, I was DONE and I would get off and walk the 4 miles back. It was hard, no it was downright ridiculously hard, but somehow I convinced myself to stay on and I did the whole EIGHT miles. The dumbest part, or most irritating is, nothing else hurt at all. My legs didn't hurt, I wasn't even really breathing all that hard, my groin didn't hurt, my back, nothing...just my freaking hoo hah. So, like I said, I somehow finished and then extracated myself from the evil device of torture so I could go for a 2 mile walk/jog. Only at that moment I realized, "holy hell in a handbasket, my low back is KILLING me." Don't be confused, it hurt NOTHING like the you know wheresy, but it still hurt. So, I took off the helmet (and you KNOW I looked hot in it), put the bike away and headed out for the walk. My legs tricked me and felt a bit like jelly, the back hurt and the peeper was still throbbing. But, again, I prevailed! I made my 2 miles with even a bit of jogging in there. The back pain subsided, the throbbing didn't so much. And don't even worry, Dixie totally finished her 2 miles and then ran it again just for good measure. She's retarded, and I love her for it.

So, at what "price" did I do this? Let's just say, all day, every time I sit down or stand up, there is pain involved. Let's also just say, I seriously wonder how I might have "realtions", and finally...HOW do I ever get on a bike again and ride six MORE miles than I did today? Holy pelvic trauma Batman! Dana has suggested that perhaps I get a memory foam mattress and sit on it. Ok, that's not exactly how she said it, but at 7:00 in the morning, the mental imagery was downright hysterical and we got a good chuckle out of it. But, I think I MIGHT get some memory foam and shove that bad boy in my pants and see if it'll save me, 'cause honestly, I'm not sure I could endure the pain again.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

With that said, I love training for a tri, I love working out everyday and feeling like I'm doing something good in my life and for me!

And finally, I MUST be off. I teach Relief Society tomorrow morning and I haven't even read the lesson yet. Perhaps the next thing I work on and fix in my life is my SEVERE procrastination. Speaking of which, I have a pretty deep thought post brewing in my brain, have for over a week now, and someday I might get it written.

Hoohahs and torture,

Allyson

Tagged

My cousin Molly tagged me, and well, I figure it's the least I can do is oblige. I had to go to my 6th folder and pick the 6th picture.

This pic was taken in July when Maggie and I had just the two of us. A little too much time on our hands, so we went and wandered the aisles of Target and I found this little chair on TOTAL clearance (in hindsight I should have bought two). She was NOT excited to sit in it and pose for a pic. I'll have you know that this chair was like the best purchase EVER! It gets fought over constantly between she and Brooklyn. If she's really interested in something, I know it because she insists that i bring the chair out for her to sit on. When I look at this picture I'm just in awe at HOW MUCH she has grown and changed in what seems a short time.

I DID it! And lived!

Ok, I realize there was a bit of a pause there...that would be due to the fact that the sick just wouldn't die. On Tuesday after my kick butt workout in the a.m. my butt remained kicked and got worse as the day wore on. By the end of the day I was pretty much completely fluish. Achey everywhere, sinuses shut off, tired, SICK! I put in an impassioned plea to the doctor that I haven't seen in 4 years, and don't like, but he's the only one I have. I called and begged them to call me in a prescription of something, as I explained the whole situation at our house. Would you believe THEY DID IT! I got a Z pack and started it that night. So, super sick Tuesday, a little better on Wed., though nauseated the whole day and MUCH better on Thursday. Yesterday was good.







Friday took Max to the Doctor for his 4 month well check. I'd put a pic on, except I've apparently lost my camer. Little nervous about that. Anyway, Maxi is a champ.





Weight: 15.1 lbs.


Height: 26 in.





Long and skinny that kid. He took his shots like a pro and Maggie got her follow up flu shot. She survived it too, especially helpful was the super cool, silver sparkly, star shaped band aide, it totally diverted her attention. The bad news of the day was, after 10 days on his augmenton for the double ear infection, apparently, the left ear was still infected, so we've started a NEW round of omnisef. UGH!!





Anyway, the point of this post, or at least what the title is referring to is this....this morning at 6:00 Dixie, Dana, Wendy and I pulled ourselves out of our respective beds and found our way over to my parents neighborhood for a FIVE MILE run. When I say run, I mean, Dixie and Wendy ran...ok, Dixie ran, Wendy jogged (she's a super trooper 'cause she sprained her ankle and hurt her knee like .6 miles in and kept going) and Dana and I walked, power walked and occassionally bounced our fat around in what you MIGHT call a jog. For the record I have NEVER walked further than 3 miles, and I don't think I've ever exercised for longer than 50 minutes in my life. So, WE DID IT! It took Dana and I an hour and 40 minutes I think, but we did it. I really wasn't sore until the very end, and then it really set in. But, NOW, now I'm VERY sore. Every time I stand up and try to walk, OUCH! However, it's all good, 'cause I'm so proud of us. It's nice to know I can do it, and that in the triatholon I only have to do 3 miles. PHEW!








In other good news, in spite of only working out once this week, and eating in not so great a fashion.....I LOST ONE POUND. Hooray! Of course I want more, but hey, I didn't put in the work. Look out next week.








Ok, and just because it's been to long without pictures, I'm just gonna throw a random one in here. Goodness knows we need to see a pic to have an enjoyable reading experience.

Maggie is SUCH a little Mommy. She carried around her baby with this bottle for days making sure she was properly fed and loved. I freaking love this girl.

Groin pulls and blisters,

Allyson

Power of the P

Well, I just HAD to get on here and report of our "festivus miracle" or it could more commonly be called, miracle of the Priesthood. Man, I love the opportunity we have to receive blessings and to feel of the power and magnitude of our Heavenly Fathers love!





So, put Maggie down to bed at 7:30 and I kid you not, there was not ONE even mini peep out of her all night. Not a moan, not a cough, NOTHING. It was so freaky that at 2 or 3:00 a.m. I woke up and felt like I'd better go check on her to see if she was ok. Thankfully just then she must of rolled over in her sleep, 'cause I got a little movement and a sigh. Max also slept the whole night with no coughing. It was so great that I was even awakened by my alarm. MY ALARM! I haven't needed my alarm like ever. Actually, one other time since I've been getting up at 5:00 did I need it. But usually, I'm way awake long before it goes off. So yeah, it was awesome and amazing. Thank you Priesthood blessings!






Apparently while I was off kicking some serious biking butt at the gym, Maggie started coughing uncontrollably and gagging. That was sweet of her to wait until I was gone so her Daddy could deal with it. No worries, she's A-Ok. She's still coughing some, but other than that, seems really good.







Ok, back to the gym. So, it was a 39 minute bike ride this morning, followed by a 17 minute "run." On the ride, Dixie started slightly before me and was about 1/2 mile ahead of me the whole time. Well, at one point, she got a little sloppy, stopped paying attention if you will. But not I, not I with my eagle eye. I looked over, saw she was at a measley 80 something rpm's and I decided to go for it. I had been going at 100 for at least 2 songs, but I just went full force. I was up around 117 rpms for a good little amount. I'm not sure if I've ever sweated so bad ever! Anyway, I caught her, and I'm not sure, it could have been my arm raised high in the air, my fist pumping, or my loud exclamation of YES that tipped her off. We'll never know. All I do know is, she looked over, saw what I'd done, and silently said, "hell no you di - n't" and she started power peddling. Ok, so keeping in mind I'd been at 117 for awhile now, I kept at it. I was fighting hard, and I'll have you now, I stayed RIGHT WITH HER for at least another 1/2 mile before I nearly barfed. Seriously, it was AWESOME!!! Needless to say, I got in 10.6 miles in my 39 minutes. Woo hoo! The run, well, whatever. I did run at a 5 for 3 1/2 minutes, but holy crap, I just can't get it in me to go for it there. None the less, I felt great about my workout this morning. And as a side note, on Saturday, I toodled around 3 miles with the kids in their stroller and my Mom and Dana in tow. It was great, a good precursor to the five we have to do by Saturday this week. Wish me luck.





So, I lost 3.5 lbs. this week. Yea me for being the "biggest loser" on our team. I'm now 11 lbs. away from pre-Max weight, and a MERE 41 lbs. away from pre-Maggie weight. I know right, how depressing. But, I'll get there. I WILL get there right? Still waiting for any pants to fit me ANY better. Pretty sure the weight I'm losing is all coming from my eyeballs or something.


Well, I guess that's my update for now. So sorry no pics AGAIN. However, no fears, I have a GREAT pic for a post coming soon! My head feels like it might explode right now and I'm coughing uncontrollably, so ta ta!


Cough drops and remotes,

Allyson

Will it NEVER End?

Seriously folks, I'm about at my whits end here!!!!



The hideous sick, as documented in an earlier post was thought to be done. We'd kicked it to the curb, said bye bye, soyanara. The coughs were nearly gone, no fevers to be found, etc.



Wednesday I took Max back in, the cough was back, worse than ever, he had a fever. The good doctor said.....double ear infection, prescription of augmenton. Goodbye.



Saturday Maggie up and invited the fever back in. It wasn't too bad, only 99. But, the cough was back and she was hacking all night long. Sunday, fever again. After a night of literally no sleep and coughing like there was no tomorrow, this morning, the fever was higher than ever at 101.6. Dammit, I had to call the doctor, 'cause this clearly wasn't going away. So, off to the doctor we went. By the way, Max is doing MUCH better, coughing nearly gone, happy as ever. Anyway, lovely doctor listened to her lungs and stated "it appears to be infected, could be a touch of....wait for it......PNEUMONIA! Uh, HELLO! What the F Mom? My daughter that I've been dragging about town like she was just fine, is apparently NOT so fine. So, another prescription of augmenton and off we went. I gave her a dose of it at lunch and then put her down for her nap. I need to say here, she did not seem all that sick. She was still palying and happy, etc. Whellllllllll, upon waking up from her HALF HOUR nap Hell had broken loose. She looked like perhaps sick had come and kicked HER in the butt. Her eyes were glazed and blank, she was burning up and could NOT stop crying. For a good 1/2 hour, 40 minutes she cried, and she cried, and she cried. There was NOTHING that could help her feel better. No position, no hold, no rubbing, NOTHING. It was AWFUL. I just wanted to cry for her, or with her, but I was trying to be the strong one. All her crying was beginning to stress happy Max out, and then he got fussy. And to top it all off...Jere had just come home from the doctor where HE learned he had a sinus infection AND strep throat. AWESOME! Can you give me a freaking break oh ye gods of the sick. Give us all a BREAK! Not that I'm complaining or anything, but MY cough is back with a vengance and I'm so DONE with it all.




Anywhoooooo....two doses of tylenol and motrin (doctor prescribed to do so) later, she is finally calm and acting like a happy little human. I should also mention she got a blessing from her Daddy and Grandpa and that certainly has to play a role in her better feeling as well. I know she's feeling ok, 'cause she's walking around "talking" on the cell phone in a very spirited conversation with someone.



Yea, so anyway, please send happy thoughts. Let the sick be GONE!! And if not, then can someone go ahead and find me a padded room?



Thanks ever so much,


the frazzled Mommy