Update on our Family

It has been a busy last 5 months and a lot of things have been happening in our family!

Cade is growing so big he is 5 months old now! He is about 15 lbs and growing out of all his 6 mo. clothes. Brinley is his favorite person and his face lights up whenever she is near. He laughs and giggles and is so interested in everything now, like hair and earrings and your food and grabbing at anything within his reach. I feel like I am slowly getting the hang of having 2 kids. It is twice the work, but so much fun.

We thought this was hilarious, these are Brin's sunglasses!

Brinley had her 3rd Birthday in February and was very excited for her My Little Pony party. She is wearing some of the dress up clothes she received for Christmas in the picture. She loves to dress up-especially the jewelry!

We had Cade's blessing in January and it was a very special day.

This is not the greatest shot of his blessing outfit, but is was a cute little knit outfit.

Halloween Cuties

Brinley was so excited to be a cowgirl for Halloween. Her favorite costume acessory-the six shooters, of course (which Daddy insisted she have :)!! Cade was our little pumpkin-what a cutie! Brinley had fun trick-or-treating with her cousins and Cade and Mommy stayed at Grandma's.

Cade Brian Twitchell

He is Here! Our baby boy, born October 14th @ 1:40 AM. He was 7 lbs 4 oz and 20 inches! We are so thrilled that he is healthy and doing well. Brinley loves her baby brother and likes to give him lots of kisses and hugs...she is still learning not to put blankets over his face and what "soft" means when she rubs his head or face :) Cade is such a good baby, he is cuddly and so sweet. We are truly blessed.

Quick Update

At my Dr. appointment today, I found out that I am dilated to a 1 and 50% effaced...so something is happening! I am not in a rush though I still feel so unprepared. I have definitely been in the nesting stage. I have washed all the walls, doors, and trim in my house, have been feverishly stocking up food and other necessities, and lying awake thinking of all the things I still need to do-like put the car seat in the car, just in case the baby comes today!

When I brought up all the baby bottles, car seat, bassinet, and baby swing yesterday and starting packing a few things for the hospital, Brinley started freaking out a little and wanted her old binky and bottle and wanted me to change her diaper and put her in the baby swing. I think the hospital bag pushed her over the edge because she thought I was leaving right then and she wanted to come with me! I just did my best to reassure her that I loved her and that she was my big girl and would be my helper with baby brother...I am not sure she's buying it :)

Brinley has taken off in her potty training. I think she has finally made the connection and wants to move on from diapers. We are all still learning around here...she wants to get up in the middle of the night and at 5:30 AM to use the potty. Which I am glad she wakes up but that also means we have to get up and help her since every potty experience she wants someone (Mommy or Daddy) to "watch her go pee." I have already had my fill of public restrooms in the last 2 weeks and know it is just the beginning! Potty training is wearing me out!! But I am glad to be doing these first weeks before the baby comes and hopefully she doesn't totally regress after the baby. We are just hoping for the best!

Brinley's Big Girl Room

Brian and I have been working for what seems like all summer to get this room done. We have had to shuffle furniture to move the computer room out of the bedroom next to Brinley's and then to move the crib, changing table/dresser, and recliner into that room which will be the baby's room. Next was the painting! Brian was such a trooper staying up late to finish and get the room done! We are still in need of a dresser for her and to hang pictures up but at least she is in her new room!!

I can't believe she is sleeping in a big girl bed, as we call it. Yes, I cried the first night she just seemed so old...where did my little baby go? Of course, Brian was very sympathetic and said, "Well, you know you have another one (baby) coming." I am a little emotional right now, but men definitely don't have that maternal side :) do they?

Some August Highlights

I thought I would just cram in a few things that we did in August since I haven't posted in over a month.

We went to the Treehouse Museum with my sister and niece a few weeks ago. Here is Brinley riding a bull at the little rodeo grounds they have. It was so cute! She and Maryn thoroughly enjoyed all the dress ups they have from princesses to cowboys to firefighters to fairy tales.

Our trip to Bear Lake! We went to Bear Lake and stayed with Brian's parents over the Raspberry Days weekend up there. Brinley loved camping! She especially liked going on 4-wheeler rides with Daddy and swimming. I liked being away from the normal for a day or so and putting my feet in the sand.
The County Fair! Oh, it was so hot that day but we wanted to take Brinley to do the kids' games at the Fair in Morgan on our way to Bear Lake. She had fun decorating this little bag and crown. She had fun playing with all her cousins who were there too!

Yes, This is How Potty Training is Going!

Our sweet Brinley Mae! Oh, I had high hopes at the beginning of June that Brinley would be potty trained in a matter of weeks (that wasn't unrealistic I thought). But here we are at the end of July and I think she has only successfully gone on the potty maybe 5 times. I decided to back off and not pressure her, I think she is just not quite ready. The idea was to be all done by the time the new baby comes-I'm not holding my breath!! Anyone out there have any wonderful suggestions? I will take them!