Beautiful.

There are really no other words to describe the weather the last few days. It was a very long winter, and this sunshine is just so good for the soul!

This was Monday.

The weather has been crazy.  I didn't even blog about the ice storm that hit us a few weeks ago.  Some residents in town lost power for days, hundreds and thousands of tree's were damaged and weeks later the piles of branches up and down the streets are a reminder of the cleanup that is left. We luckily only lost power one night for 4 hours, and because we are in a new development with very few tree's, we didn't have near the devastation that others had.  Today I am outside blogging from the deck.  Beautiful!

Monday we got dumped on with snow, and by Thursday it was completely melted and warm enough for the boys to have their shorts and sandals on!   

Thursday morning, Boston's class took a field trip to Color Me Mine.  I wasn't able to go along because of daycare, but a sweet mom sent me this picture of Boston painting away!

Friday morning I checked into Avera at 6:45 AM for my second gestational diabetes screen this pregnancy.  I passed, but only by 1 point.  I lucked out and will not have to check my blood sugars, but I was given orders to follow a diabetic diet as best as I can.  My morning 'fasting sugar' is the number that gives me trouble (same thing I dealt with when I was pregnant with Brigs) so basically I can't overload on carbs before bed, and should eat more protein in the evening.  After the 2 hour test, I saw Dr. Scott for my 29 week appointment!  I gained a pound, baby boy's heart beat was 140's and I measure right at 29 weeks, so everything is looking great.  Beautiful!

The 2 hour wait can get to be long, especially when you are stuck in a waiting room with others coming and going, but I kicked my feet up and did some reading.  It was actually relaxing!

After my appointment, I picked Brigs up from a friends house and the two of us went to the park!  Brigham is so used to having Boston with us, so he was a little unsure of what to do on the playground.  He would walk up the ladder, slide down the slide and come running to me and give me a hug.  He was full of smiles and loved the fresh air as much as I did. 

Boston got out of school at 1:50 on Friday... which is right in the middle of Brigham's normal nap time.  I tried keeping him up and busy with errands, but as soon as we got to the school parking lot he crashed, and of course wouldn't continue the nap when we got home.  

 This handsome little devil woke me up at 5:50 on Saturday morning.  'Mommy up?! Outside!  Shorts!  Swing!'.  

'No Brigs, mommy isn't up.  Yes, I know it's hard to believe it will be another beautiful day, but lets go back to sleep for awhile!'  And he did just that.  He snored while I dozed off and on until 8.  

We spent the entire day outside yesterday and then ended the night at the circus!  It was Brigham's first circus and he stayed very entertained!  

The boys waiting patiently for the circus to start, and for their daddy to get off work!

 Love this shot of my boys.  So blessed.

 We were center ring, 4th row!  Excellent view!

And that's a wrap up of our week!  It's been a very busy few weeks, with some adjustments to what was our normal routine.  A few weeks ago, Derek started a new position at Billion as a Finance Manager!  This is something he has worked so hard for, and been so patient for.  I am so incredibly proud of him!  This new position means longer days, possibly a different day off each week than we are used to, but also one full Friday-Saturday-Sunday off every month which is something we haven't had in almost 4 years!  He basically works open till close when he's scheduled, which means that I am working open till close with the boys every day.  The days at home can be very draining, but at the end of the day, we have been so incredibly blessed by Derek's hard work and its my goal to look at the positives as we settle into a new 'normal'.  

Life Is Beautiful.  

Big Boy Bed for Brigs!

I have had intentions of moving Brigham to his big boy bed for weeks.  That was our plan.  As soon as the basement was live-able, and Boston could have his room down there, we were moving Brigs to his new room and new bed.  Those that know me well know I love my sleep and I was dreading the transition from crib to a bed thinking Brigs would be up and down all night long, which would mean less sleep for me!

Then the Ice Storm of 2013 came!  I did spring cleaning, rearranged closets, washed bedding & decided it was time for the move.  Brigs took a nap in his big boy bed on Wednesday, April 10.  I laid with him until he fell asleep, but then he was fine.  I did the same thing that night, except I only laid with him a few minutes and then said 'Mommy is going to get up for a minute, but I will come in to check on you in a few minutes.'  Poor little peanut whimpered a few minutes and it broke my heart that he was sad, but then he was out like a light!  Slept over 11 hours!  I wondered if he would yell for me when he woke up, or just get up and come out of his room.  Big boy got up all by himself and yelled from the hall in front of our bedroom door:  'Mama!  I'm up!'  :)

Prepping him for the change and talking about what a BIG boy he was now!

I washed up all of Brigham's crib bedding and put the new baby's crib sheet on so it didn't look like his bed anymore.  We talked about how the crib was only for babies.  I was kind of sad packing it up and moving Brigs to a bed.  I feel like I was just getting a crib ready for him!

I was up early that first morning and this is how I found him :)  Snuggled up to the wall!

Brigs was not 100% yesterday.  He took a 4 hour nap, and then slept another 11+ hours last night.  I no longer lay in his bed with him either.  I tuck him in, make sure he has all of his blankies and matchbox cars, we ALL say prayers (per Brigham's request), and that's that!  I am so proud of Brigs and make sure to tell him every time he wakes up.  He just smiles!

A long 4 hour nap!

 Morning #2 :)  The wall must be comfy?!

 Day 3 & still going strong!  

He is finally getting used to the blankets on him.  Take note of all the matchbox cars in his bed :) 

This transition has been so much easier than I thought.  Praying it continues to go so smooth!  Boston moved to a big boy bed when he was 1 1/2 and it was a nightmare!  We had him gated in his bedroom to keep him in his room.  There were many nights he fell asleep AT the gate after crying himself to sleep.  Brigham never tried to climb out of his crib, so we would still have him sleeping in it if we didn't need it for the new baby in less than 3 months!!   Nursery organizing and decorating has begun!

Back in business!

For the past several months I have had the daycare kids on our main floor.  If there weren't construction guys here working, the basement was still full of dust, tools and disaster!  It took some adjusting, but once we got all the toys, games & puzzles moved upstairs, it worked out pretty well for the kids.  These past few weeks though I think we were ALL getting anxious to have more play space again.  FINALLY, we are back in business in the basement and the kids have lots of space to run around and burn off energy!

I haven't blogged about daycare life for awhile, so I have some older pictures to share!  I'm still trying to stick to my Monday, Tuesday, Thursday schedule, but still do an occasional off day if needed.  Every night before bed, or right away in the morning, Brigham will start naming off the daycare kids to see who comes that day.  He loves having friends to play with and having little ones around is getting him prepared for a little sibling soon!  He absolutely adores Alliana and is so gentle with her.  I hope that he is just as loving to his little brother.

Owen celebrated his 5th Birthday in February!  He is off to Kindergarten next year!

 His reading skills are amazing (He is tutoring Boston :)!)  and he loves Dr. Suess books!    

Brigham loves having Owen around when his big brother is at school.  Owen is so patient with Brigs and loves to give him pony rides!

 Gracie is potty training and doing wonderful!  Her favorite treat to pick after going potty is a Peep!  

 Here they all are having a coloring contest.  Bennett boy missed out on the coloring.  He was still snoozing!

 Once in awhile, sweet Alliana has a melt down.  Gracie, Brigham & Mason weren't sure what to think this day when Alli just cried and cried.  I thought it was hilarious that they all just stood around her watching her scream :)

 And here is the new 'Toy Room'!  All the toys are cleaned off and back in one spot!  I was tired of having games in one closet, toys in Boston's room & all the puzzles and craft stuff in the pantry!  

 I have some neat Dr Suess prints to frame and get hung up yet!  

Easter Craft day!  Popcorn Sheep!

 Brigs and Chloe found a fun spot to hide out!

 This just melts my heart.  Brigs and Alli.  So sweet!

I got an unexpected surprise on Tuesday!  Just minutes after dumping my entire Diet Coke all over the kitchen floor, Crystal & Kinli delivered me cupcakes!  I had never had Oh My Cupcakes, and have been wanting to try them forever!  WOW.. they are fabulous!  I have 2 left, and I haven't shared any :)  

Thank you again! 

And since I don't have any recent pictures of Otto, I will post this video of Brigs and Otto from this morning.  It's a quiet day today (when these two aren't yelling!).  Just Brigs, Otto & Alliana.  These two boys just crack me up!

Easter Week

Our Easter break/weekend was full of fun and family.  Last week Wednesday, the boys were both battling a cold so they had a lazy day.  I had a cold, but knew there was work to be done, so no laying around for this mama! Our storage room was a disaster.  It was where everything was thrown during our construction downstairs, so we cleaned and organized that room for hours.  Feels so good to be able to find things easily again!

On Thursday, the boys were feeling better... but Derek came home from work early with a fever and body aches.  So glad that has now passed!  On Friday, the boys and I spent most of the day at home.  We ran some errands in the morning, but were home otherwise.  Brigham took a 4 hour nap!  I couldn't believe it.  He had been battling a cold for a few weeks and was finally feeling better so I think the extra rest was great.  There was a guy here working in the basement all day, so it was quite noisy at times.  He slept through it all.  I got some house work done, and some reading.  It was a very relaxing afternoon!

Before pictures of the basement.  Taken Friday morning.  

Our custom cabinets in boxes.

The bathroom full of junk :)

After!   Stone & a TV to come!

 The custom reading nook and book shelf under the stairs!

 Bathroom.  Still waiting on counter top and then the plumber can come & finish up!

 My sweet sleepy boy.  3 hours and 30 minutes in, and still snoring!  

Saturday morning I took the boys to Hillcrest Baptist Church for an Easter Egg Hunt.  It was a great event for the kids!   They put on a neat program and praise and worship before the egg hunt.  Afterwards, we had a delicious free breakfast!

Oaklee and Boston decorating their bag for all the eggs and goodies!

Brigs found his 6 eggs in no time!

The weather was beautiful Saturday!  I sat outside and read the entire time Brigham napped.  It was so relaxing.  The sunshine felt fabulous.  I even got sunburned!    A family friend stopped by my dad and Lisa's to visit around 3, so I brought the boys over there for awhile.  A nice afternoon to sit outside and catch up on life.  The boys also got to hunt for their Easter baskets:)

Brigs better hide those Peeps from his mommy!

 Gamma, Ron Ron & the boys!

 Saturday night, Derek and I took the boys to the Stampede Hockey game!  I won 4 tickets on a Facebook give away.  I never win stuff, so it was a nice surprise, and a fun night out for all of us!

The Easter Bunny stopped by our house!  Boston woke up before me Sunday...  He went to the front door looking for his Easter basket, because the bunny always leaves the baskets outside the front door.  He thought for sure the Easter Bunny had forgotten to stop. He didn't forget the boys... just thought he would try a new spot this year by the washer & dryer.  (I forgot to set out the baskets.. oops!)

Boston patiently waiting for Brigham to wake up so he can look in his Easter basket!

 Candy!  Brigs was pretty excited.

 Ninja Turtle tshirt!

 The boys love the Ninja Turtles so they are loving their new shirts!

Sunday morning we attended church and then had an Easter lunch at Glady & Les'.  Les' daughter and her family were here from MN, so it was nice to them again.

The little kids getting ready to find eggs in the backyard!