Our Little Babes

A little update on Bristol. She is so fun at this stage. She is learning so much and soaking every bit of it in. I have started school this month and she loves the fact that I am studying and reading books and taking tests. For some reason all of that intrigues her. So much, in fact, that she is enthralled in my pathophysiology book. It is pretty funny, actually, to see her interest pique when I have it out to study. She is all over it and for some reason drawn to the integumentary system. She love rashes! She loves the burns! I have let her look at it and tried to explain it to her, but also trying to sensor the information so that it stays basic. There are some things that she just doesn't need to know at this time and Sam and I both feel that she still needs to be a kid and to enjoy kid things! It is just fun to see her absorb the information and to enjoy it.

Burke is loving the bumbo. He sits in it all the time while I cook and he just giggles. Each night, after a bath, I give Burke a massage with some lavender oils. He loves it, but every time I massage his tummy, he arches his back. He seems to be pretty sensitive to touch and he does that every time, followed by a smile and a giggle. It is pretty cute! He has a new friend named Teddy, who is about 9 months. Teddy is the son of our new friends Stephanie and Scott, who is in dental school here at ECU. We've had fun getting to know them and spending time with them.

**Thank you Tio and Tia for the sweet nike baby shoes! Sam, I mean Burke, loves them! Also, thanks Gracy and Papa for the cute pink jean jacket. Bristol really does love it!

Labor Day Virginia Trip

We decided to make the trip to Charlottesville, VA to continue Sam's 30th birthday celebration. He and his friend, Ryan (who attended medical school at UVA), wanted to see BYU play UVA over Labor Day weekend. So, we made a weekend trip out of it and visited the school, went on a hike and traveled to Burke, VA and hit the Cafe Rio on our way home!

Sam enjoyed the game and had a lot of fun with the guys. I was able to spend time with Cheryl, Ryan's wife, and the kiddos. We had a lot of fun driving around the city and eating yummy food! 

Sam and I wanted to get a hike in before we left so we could enjoy the beautiful outdoors. It had been way too long since moving to NC and we knew we wanted to at least get one hike in. It was amazing! It was about 4 miles round trip. Bristol made it .9 mi before asking to be held. We were proud! Burke loved the moby and slept through most of it. It felt so good to get outside and do what we love to do! We miss it so much and cannot wait until we settle in next to the mountains in a few years.. 

We wanted to travel about 1 hour out of our way to go to Burke, VA and hit the cafe rio there. It was definitely worth the trip. It was fun being in Burke and visiting the small town, but Cafe Rio tasted great! We miss that, too!

3 months

August 31, 2013

Dear Burke,

Oh, we love you so much! You make us giggle and melt all at the same time! You are the sweetest baby boy and the best little person anyone could ask for. You are mild mannered and calm. You hardly ever cry, which sounds familiar to your sister when she was your age. You laugh at us and it makes us feel good. You are changing everyday and growing way too fast!

This month you have begun:

-Blowing raspberries, a milestone.

-Yelling and doing so very loudly. Your little voice is raspy, which is so adorable!

-You are laughing at us all the time, which has become on of our favorite things.

-You love your sister. She entertains you all the time, and adores you more than anything.

-You have begun to grasp and hold things but are still trying to get them into your mouth.

-You LOVE your fingers and they are definitely the best teether you have.

-You found your hands and continually are starting at them and putting them in your mouth.

Stats- 

Weight:  Over 16lbs!!!

We learned this month that you constantly have a achy tummy and that gas builds up. You were very scouly in your early days and you had that period of colic, which we have now learned it is because you suck in too much air when you eat. Being 3 months old, it is nearly impossible to change your latch while breastfeeding or eating from the bottle. We have begun to try to change it, but it will be a long process. Now that we have figured this out, you are much happier!

We love you buddy! You are the light in our lives. You and your sister are best friends and she cannot wait for the day that you can get up, walk and play with her. Little does she know that you will be tacking her and throwing her toys before no time! We cannot get enough of you and love to watch you grow and learn. 

Love always,

Mommy

Sammy's 30th Birthday

Turning 30! Crazy to believe that Sam turned 30 this year.. I am a little frightened for the big 3-0 but Sam handled it in stride. We had a wonderful day celebrating him and enjoyed the time with our little family. I took Sam out to Raleigh to eat at his favorite type of restaurant, Brazza, a brazilian grille. The meat was abundant and the servings unlimited. Yikes! Basically a self-induced meat coma. He loved it, of course, and wants to go back soon! We then came home and enjoyed a homemade chocolate cake, crafted by yours truly, and ice-cream (my favorite part!). It was a great day and we have a lot to be grateful for.

Oh, Summer!

Now it is finally summer around this house, and it feels great!! I have graduated from my first year of the program at ECU and I am so HAPPY!! Now begins the tough part.. studying for the NCLEX-RN exam to officially become an RN! My life consists of watching the kiddos every day and trying to fit in practice questions and studying. Note the picture below of Bristol combing my hair, Burke in the moby and me on the iPad doing practice questions.. the life! I love my life and wouldn't change it. This time is precious to me and I know I will look back fondly and remember all the wonderful times we had.

We have been able to go to a couple of the festivals, there is probably one every weekend, and enjoy the culture of NC. It has been a lot of fun experiencing what there is to offer here. Bristol started soccer this month and has had a lot of fun practicing outside. We have enjoyed watching her learn a new skill. She also has loved being around her brother and taking good care of him. I love to watch her interact with him when she doesn't see us.

All in all, this summer is off to a great start. I am starting to apply for jobs, but will not start until October 21st, if hired at the local hospital. That is probably where I will get my first job as an RN because they are most likely to hire new grads. I am going to thoroughly enjoy this long break with the kids before I have to jump back into work!

Burke is growing like crazy. Loving his tummy time and sleeping, a lot! He is defiantly growing up too fast and we are soaking it all in. He is so smiley now days. It is fun to see him grow and change. We love our blue eyed boy!!

2 months, already!

July 31, 2013

Dear Burke,

You are now 2 months old! My, how the time flies. You are getting so big and your little spirit is starting to shine through. We love this time we have had with you thus far. Your blue eyes still shine like they did the day you were born. Your hair is still dark brown, but getting a little lighter.

-Your laugh is lighting up our life.
-You are cooing all the time. It is fun to hear your sweet voice.
-You get excited when you see us, which melts our heart.
-You got your first cold, which is always tough on mommy and daddy, but we got you through it.
-You are starting to chunk up, which is the best! We love our chunky babies.
-You love to eat! Breastfeeding is going so well!
-You still live in the moby and love being held. We love it, too!

Stats-
Weight- 12.38 lbs
Height- 15.35in

You are a sweet little boy who knows how to light up a room. You bring us so much joy everyday and we are so thrilled to have you here with us.

Love always,

Mommy

Nana to Visit NC

Nana came from Oregon to visit us and to meet Burke! It was wonderful having my mom here to help us out and to enjoy what NC has to offer. We were able to make it out to the beach for a quick trip to Wilmington. We rode on the ferry and Bristol was elated with the boat ride. It was beautiful weather, a little hot, but wonderful. It always takes those who are not from here some time to get used to the humidity and heat. It can be pretty brutal in the summer and in July is when it really starts to heat up.

Nonetheless, we had a great time enjoying each others company. I had was still in my last clinical rotation, so Nana was able to spend some quality time with the kids while Sam and I worked. It was great having her here and we cannot wait until she comes again! We love you, Nana.