Christmas 2010

We had a wonderful Christmas this year. Full of family, friends and awesome food. It was great to be down in Payson with Scott, Michelle and the kids as well as having my sis fly in to spend this holiday with us. Here a just a few pictures to remember this Christmas.. Enjoy!

Christmas photo shoot of Bristol, of course! I loved her dress and sweater!

Story behind these ones- I wanted to get this awesome pictures where you change the apeture of your camera and it makes the tree lights turn into big circles behind the object you are shooting- Problem- Object has to sit still for about 5 seconds- that doesn't happen with a 7 month old.. But, these blurry pictures were my attempt.. She still looks like a very cute blur! 

Christmas Eve Dinner- prepared by myself and my SIL Michelle. It was quite yummy- afterwards the little ones opened up their PJs- a Kelly tradition- Look at all the presents after Santa came!

Christmas morning and day- We were wide awake at about 5:30am- Love little kids on Chrismas morning- Bristol loved the wrapping paper and boxes and bows- It was so fun to see her explore her new toys!

Look Who's Getting Into Things

Bristol is at such a fun age, but this age comes with some consequences. She is all over the place. And the scary part is, she isn't even crawling, yet! Oh my, I can only imagine what is coming next!

She loves looking in the boxes..

How can you get mad at this face?!?

She loves playing in the sink with the water..
P.S. Don't mind the messy house- she was home with daddy.. :)

Christmas at Temple Square

I love being in Utah just for the opportunity to visit temple square during Christmas. It is so beautiful there and they do an amazing job celebrating Christ with their Christmas light display. Here are a couple pictures from our very cold, winter night visit.

Christmas Cookies

This year I decided to make all the Christmas treats that I just love from my childhood as well as from my MIL, since we won't be around our {families} this year. It has been quite a feat, but so far they have turned out wonderfully. I love this season, the opportunity to reflect on Christ, spending time with friends and family, eating lots of yummy foods hopefully I can workout harder this month, and just enjoying the time I have with my family in our warm house drinking hot cocoa! We are so blessed this time of year and grateful for all of those who surround us.

Here are just a few treats I have created thus far..

Coconut Macaroons
Chocolate Gooey Butter Cookies
Peanut Butter Balls- Paula Deen Style

Get the recipes here.

Here Comes Santa

I was determined to get a picture of Bris with Santa this year. On top of that, determined to get her a picture with him in her cute Christmas outfits- This cute white winter ensemble from Gracy and Grandpa Kelly as well as the velvet Christmas dress I picked out for her. Well, so far this is our attempt- and as usual, she just sat there as her calm self-expressionless. None the less, we had fun standing out in the cold waiting for Santa to arrive. It was a great evening for our little family.
I have to get one this week in her Christmas dress.. I'm sure the *hubby* is thrilled!

7 months, already!

12/08/10
Dear Bristol-
You turned 7 months old on the 8th of December. It's hard to believe that our little girl has grown up so fast. I feel like, and I always say this, it's just zipping by and she will soon be a teenager! okay that's a little dramatic! She has changed so much this last month that it seems like she is so much older then she really is. Here is how you have changed this month:

Weight- 19.1lbs; Height- 27in

2 new teeth on Saturday November 13, 2010. Daddy saw them first- We knew they were coming- your middle incisors

You grind your teeth now that you have top and bottoms.

Top 2 lateral incisors- 1 week after your middle incisors came in you got these two- Saturday November 20, 2010- poor thing. You have 6 teeth now!

You love to rock while you are sitting on your bottom- we think you are about to crawl..

You jabber all the time- I’m sure you are about to say your first word.

You have so much personality already. It’s so fun to see you interact with the world around you.

You love to be held, even at this age you are so cuddly!- this makes me so happy

You are good at entertaining yourself. You can sit on the floor with a few toys for hours and be content. We love this!

You love controllers and our cell phones- I think it is because the lights on it turn on when you push a button. We can’t get them away from you!

You are eating close to 3 meals a day now. You still prefer breast milk, but you are getting better at eating ‘food.’

You love bath time- Now that you can sit up you are able to grab the ducks and play in the water.

You also love to drink water- We give you a sippy and you are a pro.

Bris- Your daddy and I love you so much. You are such a joy in our live and we are so blessed to have you with us. I can't wait to watch you grow and change through the next month and years to come.

With all my love,

Mommy

The First Haircut- At 6 1/2 Months??

After we were back from GJ, Sam and I decided to give Bris a little trim on the back and top of her head. Her hair has gotten so long that it was about 4 inches already! I couldn't believe it. She also had much longer hair this little tail growing out the back of her head that had to go. The night we got home, we decided to tackle her hair, and her too! She did great, and her hair is stunning, of course. I can't believe that we had to cut her hair already, but now it is so much more manageable and do-able! Love it!!

Giving Thanks- Kelly Style in GJ

We love the Kelly family and the opportunity we had to spend Thanksgiving with them. It is such a blast every time we venture to GJ and this one lived up to expectations. We were able to stay with Sam's aunt and uncle Swensen and enjoy the festivities along with 33 other adults and 14 children. Needless to say, when the Kelly's get together it is always a massive celebration. We enjoy yummy food, late night discussions across Steve and Connie's 30 foot table, and lots and lots of fun! Thanks for inviting us, and we cannot wait to make it down there again.. Hopefully soon!

6 Month Vaccinations

I have put Bristol on the alternative schedule for vaccinations, which means that I take her in every month to get 2 shots instead of 4-5 at once. It has been easier on her and on me as well. Look at this face, just a happy camper! Also some pictures of her being messy with daddy! She stained her clothes because daddy lets her get so messy when he feeds her!

Bristol is 6 Months!

I can hardly believe my little girl has turned 6 months on the 8th. It just seems like time is going by way too fast and that she is growing and changing so much. I love seeing her grown and learn new things. This stage has been so fun and I am excited to see what is next. I just adore this girl and love her so much, she is so fun!

November 8, 2010
My Dear Sweet Bristol,

You are 6 months today. How does that happen so fast? I just can’t believe my little baby girl is growing up so fast. I am taking it to heart that you will be 18 before I know it because it is so true! I feel like I was just in the hospital holding you for the very first time, and yet you are now a half of a year old. I adore you so much and just can’t get enough of you. Here is what you have done this month:
•You weight 17.4 pounds and are 27inches tall. You are in the 90-95% for weight and 95-100% for height.

•On Saturday October 16th you sat up for the very first time. It was about 5 days after we had family pictures and we were trying to get you to sit up by yourself and you just couldn’t do it then. But, now you can and it is so fun to just let you sit up and play. You love it!

•You love your stuffed animals. It is so stinking cute when we had you one, especially your doggy, and you get so excited and coo and giggle and put him straight up to your mouth and nose.

•You are always feeling your teeth, now that you have 2, with your tongue. You will sit there and roll your tongue over your teeth.

•You are so good at rolling over now. When we put you to bed you love to roll over on your tummy and sleep that way. It is so nice because you sleep longer.

•You had your first teething episode on October 23rd. It was really hard on me because there was nothing I could do. I had daddy run to the store to get you teething tablets to make it feel better. You cried for about an hour and a half before we had those to give you, then you fell asleep. Poor baby!

•You no longer suck your thumb. I really cannot believe it. Your doctor said it would happen by 12 months and I didn’t believe her. But, she was right and you are over that stage.

•You love being in your crib. I think it’s because you have your own space and you can roll over and sprawl out. It is fun to see you do this!

•You love reading books. We have been reading to you everyday and you can’t get enough. You love to touch the books and turn the pages. It is fun to see you enjoy them.

•I bought you a crinkle book and it has become your favorite toy. You like to crinkle in up so that it makes noise, put it in your mouth, because that’s what you do with everything, and look at the animals.

•You love plastic bags. They would be your favorite toy if I let you play with them. This is why I bought the crinkle book.

•You are still my cuddly little girl and I eat up every moment I get with you.

Bristol, this first 6 months have been amazing. I love you so much and you are such a blessing in our lives. We are so blessed to have such a healthy baby. You have really brought a new perspective to this life and we are so grateful for that and for you. You have grown up so fast and you are changing so fast. You are such a beautiful little girl and you capture everyone’s attention.

We love you with all we have.

Love always and forever,
Mommy

BYU Football

We had a lot of fun joining Dane and Aimee for a BYU football extravaganza! Thanks G and G Kelly for the tix. We all had a blast and Bris is becoming accustomed to being a sports fanatic! I think it's because it's her name-sake!!

P.S. Notice the cute BYU onesie.. homemade!

Our Family Pictures in October

Here they are! We went out to the Salt Flats, about 10 minutes from Windover, NV. It was such a beautiful night in October. They all turned out so amazing. Thank you so much SUS studio! We love you guys!
Side Note: The pictures of Bristol sitting on her own were done by Sam holding her up and then him letting go while Todd could get as many shots in as possible before she fell over. So cute! 



We also did a few shots in the studio a week later. Bristol by then could sit up on her own. How crazy things change in a week of time with this little girl. These one's are some of our absolute favorites of Bristol!

Starting Something New

Here I go, on a new journey. I have always loved to create new things, I think I take after my grandmother Kelly. It has been something I have always wanted to do and now is the time. I'm creating baby gear, for mommy and baby. It will be practical, yet charming, dainty and delightful. I hope you will visit my etsy shop to browse and buy. Also, I linked the Miss Bris blog to our blog in the left hand corner, so check out my items there. If you have any special items you would like to order, please feel free to contact me at missbrisbabydesigns@gmail.com to place that special order. I will match any item to your nursery, or for that bridal shower you are attending.
xoxo

Beck

Bristol is Eating "Food"

Bristol tried her first taste of the real deal last night. We bought rice cereal, fruit, vegetables and meat. She had some rice cereal and peas (disgusting). She has been wanting to eat what what we have been eating for about a month or so now, ever since she started grabbing at things. It was fun to watch her face as she tried the new "food". She always makes this silly face when something new goes in her mouth. I can't believe that we are now feeding her real food. Oh how the time has flown!

P.S. This is what she always does when a new and big thing happens in her life- She fell asleep in her chair. So stinking cute! I love this little girl.

Bristol's New Favorite Toy

Our daughter is in love with the crinkle of plastic bags. Are we bad parents if we let her play, which always turns into putting it in her mouth, plastic bags? She loves them and cannot get enough. So while I was out shopping one day I decided to get her an actual toy that would mimic a plastic bag, a little crinkle book that also has plastic edges for teething. It is perfect! She loves it and it is now her favorite toy. Who would of thought this super cheap, small toy would be my daughters play mate for hours?! Another fun thing about Bris- She can hold the bottle all by herself. So nice for daddy I'm sure.

Halloween 2010

This year for Halloween I wanted Bristol to dress up in a cute costume, like a bunny, bear, cat, you know those typical costumes you put babies in. So I decided on a black cat outfit, that I put together. Here are some pictures below.


Well, then we found out the VB's were having their annual Halloween Party and we had to come up with a family outfit. Being as creative as we are, yeah right, we decided on a funny costume that I found on the internet. Super cute sushi roll! So fun. We decided on our outfits to match her- a sushi waitress and chef- I ordered a kimono and Sam had a great chef outfit. We had a lot of fun at the party. Good food, great people and fun games. Pictures of that will come soon. Todd VB took pictures at the studio of everyone, I will post those soon. (As well as some of Bris in her sushi outfit!)

Pumpkin Carving 2010

Every year I have "made" Sam carve pumpkins with me. I love this tradition and now that we have a little one, I have more of an excuse. On Friday, I bought 2 pumpkins and we all sat down (on our floor because we don't have table just yet :)), and carved the pumpkins. It was a lot of fun. I wanted Bristol to dive right in a get all messy but she wasn't for it. I guess this might be a predictor of her first birthday bash where she will get to make a mess of her cake and herself. I wonder if she just doesn't like getting dirty? Who knows, but we had fun and by the end Bristol was tired, hungry and ready for a bath. I carved her pumpkin, notice any resemblance?

October is for Pumpkins

I have been trying for a couple of weeks now to get all three of us to a pumpkin patch and corn maze before Halloween. We finally were all together one night and drove to a little nursery in Layton and they were closed. I guess their pumpkin patch didn't produce very much this year so they were only open for one weekend this season. I had to come up with something else just so I could get some pictures of Bristol with some pumpkins, hay and all that. There is this little nursery on 5th South that I have been driving by everyday and notice that they had a ton of pumpkins, hay bails and cornstalks that I knew would be great to take some pictures with. I went by there a couple of days ago and bought a little basil and asked if I could take some pictures. It was great! The lady probably thought I was crazy, but she had so many great props- hundreds of pumpkins, great old chairs, an old truck, benches and much more. Bristol had just woken up from a nap, no smiles here, but they still turned out so cute. And, I'm so happy I got the pictures before the season ends.

Bristol Meets Nash

Our good friends Brody and Cara VB have an adorable little dog-Nash. He is just a tiny 3lb yorkie that is so stinking cute. (I love little dogs, if you can't tell, Sam's just not a fan). Of course, the first thing that Bristol does is grab onto his hair and pulls him towards her mouth. A little gross, but at least she knows what a dog tastes like, I guess. I also took a couple other pics, I loved Cara's red chair. Too bad Bristol didn't have a matching outfit on!

Happy Birthday Michael Swenson

We had a fun Saturday a couple of weeks ago at the Swenson's celebrating Michael's first birthday. It is always a fun time when the Kelly's get together. It was great to see everyone and to play with all the kiddos. Bristol, of course, was passed around from person to person, as she is now accustomed to. Sam and I love it because she is entertained by others. It was great to see everyone, even Don and Kathy from Oregon made the trip out to Utah! We love all of you guys and hope we can all get together soon! See some of you in GJ for Thanksgiving, can't wait!!
P.S. Gracy and Gom- Aunt Kathy was dying for me to take those pics of her for you guys!

Her Very Own Room

I finally finished the crib and got it all set up with her amazing bedding that I just "had to have." No regrets there because it is to die for. I love it! So her last night in her pack in play and her first night in here crib was just a bitter sweet moment for me. She's just growing up too fast! (I'm still working the nursery, more pics to come. Oh and sorry Lisa, the picture of the crib before was on the lovely hard-drive. Maybe in about 5 years I will post it! :))

Family Pictures in October

On Tuesday night, October 12, 2010, we trekked out to the Salt Flats, about 10 minutes from Windover, NV, to snap some awesome family pictures. This has been something I've been dying to do (I wanted our engagements out here, but you all know how Sam is about pictures). We made it out there our 5:45pm and had about an hour and a half to get all the shots we wanted. Our good friends, the VB's, were sweet enough to make the trip with us and get amazing pictures. I am still working on the editing but I will get them up asap. Stay on the edges of your seats because they are well worth the wait, I promise!! P.S. We also took some in the studio the next week, I will post those too, and by then Bristol could sit on her own. Crazy how in one week things change so much with this little girl!

Caught You!

Blackmail for her first boyfriend! Sam text me while I was at work one night and said that Bristol is sucking like crazy on her toes. I told him to hurry and snap a picture so we could keep it for her first boyfriend. :) He will be one lucky guy!

More Pictures of Bristol.. Of Course!

Here a just some pictures I took of Bristol wearing the shoes we bought for her before she was born that I used as a prop in my maternity pictures. The other pictures are of her wearing 2 sweaters that were my mom's when she was a baby and that I wore as well, vintage!

Devastation on the Home Front.. At Least for Me!

I think this happens to a lot of people at least once. I dropped our external hard drive, which was the back up to our crashing computer(we deleted everything from it, of course). It's been a rough couple of weeks. Basically, the result- A physically damaged device that has to be sent out to a company that can take out the drive and look at it in a clean room(a particle free room) which is going to end up costing us around $500-$1000. Worth it, you ask? Heck yes! Can we afford it right now? Heavens no. So, this little device that holds all of our precious memories [engagements, wedding pics (thank goodness for hard copies), all of Bristols pics(this is what tears me up inside), videos of Bristol(another one that rips me apart) and much more] is being stored in my dresser drawer between about 5 shirts of padding. I was/am devastated, called Sam and cried, a lot. But, what can you do? I've been taking pictures and videos of Bristol doing the things she's already done- rolling over, sucking out a straw, laughing, and so on. Typical mother who wants to capture every moment on video. The one thing I keep saying is we still have memories and our little girl.

Bristol is 5 Months!

October 8, 2010
Dear Bristol:
You turned 5 months today. You are almost a ½ year old. I can’t hardly believe it. You are growing and changing so much. This last month you have changed and progressed more than any other month. It’s so crazy to see these milestones happen. I kept hearing about them and wondering when they would actually occur, and now they have. You are so beautiful and so sweet. You are still such a wonderful baby. I feel like this time is going by so fast and I’m just trying to soak it all in. I still love each moment we get together. Your daddy loves his time with you too.
You are a blessing in our lives. You have brought so much joy to us and we cherish each day we get with you. You are going to be such a wonderful person. I love that I can already get a sense of your personality. You are so sweet and tender-hearted.
Here is what you have done this last month:
• You weigh 17.2 lbs and are 26 ¾ inches long. You are getting so BIG.
• You got your first tooth on Wednesday 22, 2010. Grandma Flory was here visiting with Aunt Katie and she noticed something white in your mouth. She put her finger in there and felt your first tooth! You are just so little, only 4.5 months old and you have your first tooth! Your second one came in on Friday September 24, 2010. You never even made a peep. You have been drooling non-stop for the past 2 months, but we just thought you were too young to be getting your first tooth. We were wrong.
• You rolled over, tummy to back, on Wednesday Sept. 25, 2010. I was just so excited to see you do this. Right after you did it you feel asleep on the floor in the hall. It was so cute, I think that wore you out. You have been doing it ever since, but only when you want to. We try to get you to do it more often, but you are having nothing of it.
• You sucked out of a straw on Friday Sept, 27, 2010. You have loved playing with my water bottle and the straw by putting it in your mouth but you have never sucked. That day you did. It was crazy! My friend Kim said that her son, Cooper, said he didn’t do that until he was over 1 year old. Now you have your own cup with a straw and can’t get enough of it!
• You are sleeping in your own room. You did this when we moved into our home. Your first night was Wednesday October 6, 2010. Daddy insisted that we put you in your own room and I complied, but only if he would get up in the middle of the night to get you when you cried and were hungry. Daddy said he would, but he thought you would sleep so much better. Well, daddy was right; you slept till 7 am the first and have been sleeping till 6-7 every morning. I can’t believe it. You are already so independent at this young age.
• You still LOVE your thumb. We always sneak in on you when you are asleep and you have your thumb in your mouth. I think it has 2 purposes- I know it helped you when you were teething because you weren’t sucking on it, you were biting it. You still do this sometimes. This is another reason why you are sleeping through the night. You have something to comfort you and help you fall asleep. At your 4-month check-up, your doctor said that you will get rid of this habit before you are 12 months. I don’t know what plan she has, but it must be good!
• You love to reach up and touch our faces. I think it is so cute. This might be a way you are figuring out the world around you.
• You get a big smile on your face when I sing to you. You have been learning the Old MacDonald song and Itsy Bitsy Spider. It will be fun when you can sing-a-long.
• Your daddy is officially teaching you Spanish, YAY! Mommy is so happy about this. I have been trying to convince him since before you were born and he wasn’t having any of it. Finally, after talking to someone who actually has done it, he was convinced! You are one lucky girl!
• You got sick for the first time this month. It started out as a cough and then progressed to congestion. We felt so bad for you because it was hard for you to breathe. You were a trooper though and still slept so well. Eucalyptus works so well for you at night!
Bristol, you are just growing up too fast. You are so perfect and still such an amazing baby. Everyone comments on how good you are and how they can’t believe that you are just so calm and relaxed. We love spending every second with you and love this time we get with you. This last month you have changed so much. You are progressing so fast, it’s hard to keep up. I still love the moments I get to cuddle with you in my arms, cherishing every second I get. I love that you cuddle with me and let me rock you to sleep at night. This is something I will always hold dear to my heart. You are so much fun and we can’t wait to see what you will do next month.

Love always and forever,
Mommy

Look at this happy, content girl after her vaccinations.

Bristol Rolled Over for the First Time!

On Wednesday, September 29,2010, Bristol rolled over, tummy to back, for the first time. We have been waiting for this day to come and she finally did it. Of course after she did it I grabbed the camera and tried to get her to do it again, but no luck. She just got really fussy and then fell asleep in the hall. It was so stinking cute. I think rolling over was just too much work for her!!

Another Photo Shoot by Me

So I have been obsessed, obviously, with taking pictures of Bristol. I just can't take enough and I feel like if I don't take pictures I will miss out on something. So here is a photo shoot I made Bristol do. I'm sure she is so sick of this, but I just can't get enough of this little girl!

Bristol's First Jeep.. Like Daughter, Like Father

My mother was insisting on buying Bristol a little toy that she would walk around in. Bristol has been spoiled in the clothing department but not so much in the toy department. It's been kind of nice considering it keeps my house looking tidy. But, my mom really wanted to get her a walking toy and so this is the one we came up with. She loves it! She can entertain herself for hours. She loves the noises it makes and just recently she has found out how to get it in her mouth.. It's pretty funny to watch her do this. She keeps sticking her mouth up to the wheel and slobbering all over it.

Bristol's First Tooth!

Bristol got her first tooth on Wednesday, September 22,2010. My mom noticed something white in her mouth but didn't believe it. She stuck her finger in there only to find her first tooth! We were all so excited and shocked! She is just too young. But, come to find out that's what all the drooling has been about for the last month or so. She hadn't been fussy or had a fever/ runny nose at all. We didn't see this coming. Her second one poked through on Friday.

September Visit from My Mom and My Sister

My mom and sister flew in for a couple of days at the end of September. It was so fun to have then around. We had beautiful weather here in Utah, and we were able to lay out by the pool and swim. Bristol loves the water now and she just fell asleep basking in the sun. We also visited Temple Square and took some fun pictures. We had a great time together, and I loved seeing my family. I wish we still lived close so we could get together more often. They both really enjoyed seeing Bristol, especially my sister who hadn't seen her since she was just a few weeks old. It's crazy how much she has changed.

Bristol Asleep in Her Bumbo

I was at work one night and I came home to Sam telling me this funny story about how Bris fell asleep in the bumbo. She has never done this before! It was so cute.

Welcome Little Levi

My cute friend, Michelle, had her litle Levi on Sunday September 12, 2010. We have been walking every morning while she was pregnant to get this boy to come out. He is so precious and so little. It's so crazy to see a newborn again. Even though Bristol is only 4 months, Levi looks tiny and Bristol looks so big. He was only 4 ounces smaller than Bristol, it's hard to believe!