MIA

Just wanted to let yall know...that we will probably be MIA (in the blogging world) for a couple weeks.

Our schedule as follows:

July 28-Aug 4 Canada Trip for my Grandpa's 80th Birthday Reunion

(Aug 3rd My 24th b-day!)

Aug 4-9 Packing up the Budget Moving Truck

(Aug 9th Our 2 year anniversary!!!!!)

Aug 10th Drive to TALLAHASSEE and check into our new apartment

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhh my this summer has FLOWN by and it is scary how much has happened since we got here April 24th.

I definitely can't begin to Thank my parents enough for all that they have done for us this summer. Living here for free is only ONE of the many things they have done.

Babysitting

Keeping us fed

Boating

Golf for Ryan

Movie nights

the best Night talks

Scrabble nights

intense Rook games

etc.

I am so thankful for all they have done for us. This will be our last time really spending THIS much time with them and I am sad to see it end. IWe joke that we are just going to move in, but we are ready to start the next phase of our life. It was never a question of us moving in or not. They opened their doors happily and were here for us 100% of the way. Brinley has really gotten to know my parents and she really trusts them. The first night she cried when my Mom helped with bathtime, but now she loves her Grammy and Gramps. I love seeing them together! (and it gives me a break too!). I have learned a lot about myself and about how much I can handle. This was a good test with what lies ahead of us. I had a lot on my plate and honestly, I am grateful for it. There were times where I didn't see the light or really have a full concept of "why," but now I see how much I have grown since April. Phew. April seems SO far away now. We have come a LONG way!!! I have the most supportive husband and I love him more and more everyday. We will be celebrating our 2 year anniversary in 2 weeks and I can definitely say, I love him more today than I did 2 years ago. That is a crazy concept because I was so head over heals in love and it is amazing how love just grows and multiplies (especially when babies come along!!). Ryan amazes me. I learn something new about him everyday. And I have gotten over the fact that his socks will NEVER be turned right side out in the wash. haha He is so optimistic and hopeful about the future. He is my sunshine when I'm having a hard day. I never would have guessed 2 years ago that we would be here right now. We have a gorgeous and spunky 9 month old, we are moving to Florida and Ryan is starting law school, and we are still crazy about each other. Life is good.

Life is REALLY good!!

Now, Where is that dang diploma I've been waiting 6 years for!!!!!????? 

More sewing projects

My mom told me the other day, "I hope you don't get upset, but I think you're turning into me."

How could I get upset about that!?? I've lived my whole life waiting to hear that come out of her mouth!

I made some fabric coasters out of the scraps I had from making my pillows!

Here is our new bedding. Well, it's hard to see. I made the two stripped pillows. The floral print is our new duvet cover from IKEA. We fell in Loooooooooooove.

We found these bedside tables from IKEA for $19.99. They weren't the best color so I painted them black. They look amazing. I sewed a little cloth to protect the top. It looks amazing together.

Our new project is refinishing this dresser we got from Ryan's parents. It is pretty banged up with all our moves. We have it already sanded down and I'm waiting for the perfect time to paint it black.

And then I made this table runner for the top of the dresser. It will look so complete and beautiful!

I know it isn't thaaaaaaat impressive, but I've really tried hard to teach myself and take some risks. I'm really looking forward to getting started on some more complex projects. Maybe something that doesn't include straight edges...Crazy!

Little People

Didn't you just LOVE the "Little People" from Fisher Price growing up? My parents have like a ba-zillion in the play room. It is a great room to...shall I say...shut the door and keep your kids contained in one room. Basically, it is MY kind of room.

Brinley LOVES the Little People. Perfect size to stick in her mouth without being a choking hazard.

Meet Mr. Clown and Mr. Pastor/Magician

And today at lunch time, Sophie was waiting so patiently for a Cheerio to drop to the floor.

Any fun indoor activities you do with kids when it's hot outside??

It has been over 95 for the past week and the humidity is absolutely out of control!

NEW VIDEO!

It is LOVE!

Apparently it was Christmas in July for the Briggs family.

For Ryan 

(well...it's really for law school but it was a good excuse to move up in society!)

Our new Mac Book Pro!!! Ooo I loooove you already.

And for me, Happy EARLY Birthday TO ME!

Thanks Mom and Dad!!!!!!!!!! I'm obsessssssssssed.

And here is another project:

I tried another flower and it worked sooo much better. I sized down the circles so the flower points are closer together. Do you know how hard it is to sew circles on a sewing machine!??? It was difficult but the shirt is still adorable.

Thanks Jane for the cute hair clip!!!!!

Phew...

I felt like I should share this. Since, most of my friends who read my blog are mommies, soon-to-be mommies, or future mommies.

These past few months have been pretty rough with Brinley. With regards to nursing. Now, don't get me wrong, I was 100% faithful to nursing until she turned one. Almost to the point, that I didn't really know what to do if something...didn't go along my schedule and "idea" about nursing exclusively.

It happened right around the time we did our 4 day drive out to North Carolina. Brinley slowly lost interest on the drive because we were stopping and nursing in gas stations. I think she started to feel that nursing was a chore and not a "moment" to share with me.

Right when we got home, we flew to Houston. It was around 100 degrees the whoooole weekend and Brinley basically didn't nurse at all. I didn't stress out because I knew she was out of her element.

It got worse and worse nursing her. We finally go to the point of only nursing in the mornings. Brinley is the type of baby that is soooo easily distracted and if mama isn't producing at lightning speed, she is not interested. Well, we all know that if you're not nursing, you aren't producing as much. That is exactly what happened.

I didn't want to "voice" my concern because I didn't want to feel guilty. I had thoughts that I wasn't a good mom. I wasn't nursing my child. She is underweight. She isn't getting the nutrients that she needs. blah blah blah I never gave Brinley formula because she was a great nurser. We tried and tried and tried...to give her formula. Everyday. Multiple times a day. She would just give this "ooo I know what you're trying to do. I'm wayyyy smarter than you, Mom."

All of a sudden, she has taken to formula like its her crack. I can't even believe it. I never thought this was a miracle in the making, but it really is. Brinley has been drinking over 20 ounces everyday for the past week. I cannot believe it. She FREAKS when the bottle is empty. I am so happy that she is getting what she needs and is happy and healthy.

Okay. What is the point of this blog.

Well, I guess what I'm saying is, that I was actually pretty judgmental about women who gave their babies formula. And please don't get upset at me. I was a first time mom, who believed that nursing was the ONLY way to feed your baby blah blah blah. Ya, I was one of those. But after Brinley started to wean herself around 6-7 months, I started to think...ummm well I guess we need to do the next best thing. I am so frustrated that I was oblivious to formula and the benefits when Brinley was first born. I wish she was able to take a bottle when I was late home from class. It would have made my life a whole lot simpler instead of pumping 10 oz a day....me and my pump were bffs. I love nursing. But, I do believe in being human as well.

I am so grateful she has adapted herself to drinking formula. I loved nursing her for those 7 months and I know she loved it too. I am so happy that we made it as long as we did and for my next baby I'll do my best too!

What I'm saying to those other mommies (you know who you are). Don't feel guilty (like I did) for giving your baby formula if the nursing thing isn't working. Do Not Feel Guilty. If you are exclusively nursing, good for you. But when things don't go as planned, you need to work the system and keep your babe healthy.

(now maybe Brinley will move up on the growth charts! She is such a little girl!)

(and if I offended anyone, sorry!)

Jazzed up Onesies

After my successful go at sewing pillows, I thought...Why don't I try...Clothes!?

I got this great idea from this blog but decided to do it on a white onesie.

I have like 5 plain white onesies for Brinley from living in Rexburg. We alwaaaays put a white shirt underneath to help with the freezing weather. But now, she prefers to just go naked because it is so hot and humid! I don't blame her!!

The onesies aren't perfect. It's actually super hard sewing on really small areas. It was super tight. Thank goodness I had my advisor aka Ingrid "the sewing genius" close by. She was verrrry helpful.

Anyways, like I was saying. The onesies {aren't perfect}. So...just admire how cute Brinley is in them!!

(she hasn't worn this one, but I have the perfect bow to go with it. Thanks, Jane!)

My mom caught us in the dining room this week looking outside when there was a crazy lightning storm going on! The south is known for their insta-lightning storms.

(is my hair really that dark?)

My mom and dad are getting me a sewing machine for my birthday! I can't wait to get going on some projects!

All you girls, please stand up!

Brinley LOVES to stand up by herself.

I caught her today standing up, by herself, not holding on to anything...

Here are some pictures from this morning. I couldn't help but bust the camera out because she looked so stinkin' cute in those jammies!

Oh, and she has ANOTHER ear infection. We took her in the other day. And guess what? She still weighs less than 16 pounds. I think she was like 15.14 lbs or something. She's basically 16 pounds right?? I just laugh because my nephew weighed 12 pounds at 8 weeks!!! Crazy. She's just petite :-)

For being so petite, she is so advanced. Officially crawling at 7 months. Standing up at 7 1/2. This girl is pro.

Concert in the Park

Summer time is awesome in Charlotte. All the little towns and suburbs have Concerts in the Park going on almost every weekend during the summer. The town my parents live in, Mt. Holly had one going on tonight. It was still super hot at 6pm. It is hard to recover from a 95 degree day. The air doesn't cool down thaaaaaaat quickly by 6pm. It was awesome, though! We were all surprised at how many people turned out for it and the cover band was awesome! It is a good time outside when you aren't sweating within 15 minutes. If your arms aren't wet within 5 seconds, the humidity is managable :-)

I love Summer!!

Share with me, Grandpa!

Ryan and I went out for a little dinner date today, and we came home to find these pictures on the camera.

And I found these the other day...

Me, the Domestic Goddess

My Mom and I ventured to Mary Jo's Fabric Store (yep, I said it right. We're in the South now, baby). It is a HUGE fabric store. Everyone, like everrrryone comes to Mary Jo's. I felt very out of place. I mean, I like crafts, but come on, you know me...Not the "creative" type.

Well, Ingrid has big plans for me.

She sent me in the right direction to look for some potential fabric to make pillows for our new apartment. I spotted this Gooooorgeous, Anthropology/Pottery Barn inspired fabric and FELL. IN. LOVE.

(You may hate it, but just say..."So cute!" okay?)

Today, we got started. After our sickness/plague set back, we are back and functioning like a normal household. THANKFULLY, Brinley walked away with just an ear infection. Easy to fix that's for sure!

We decided to do the floral print on one side and the striped on the other for BOTH pillows. Now we can do 2 floral or 2 striped. More options is much better. I know you're like...only 2 pillows? SO easy!

And you're right! It was So easy! I am thrillllllllllllled with how they turned out.

And guess what!?

So is Ryan!

sick sick...SICK

Ryan came home from work Wednesday night not feeling well. I was feeling normal. I knew he was in for a looooong night. He couldn't get comforable in bed. Around 2am he started to draw a bath. I knocked on the door and he said, I'm not feeling well. Go back to bed. I tried and tried but I wanted to help, not sleep. Then the throwing up started. My poop baby! He took his pillow and a bucket and went downstairs to sleep on the couch.

4:15am

I got up to go to the bathroom, and started throwing up. And basically didn't stop.

7:00am

Ryan went downstairs and told my Mom we were both in bed sick. She got right up and went straight to Brinley's room. My Mother has been a saint these past 2 days. I have only seen Brinley three. One time, yesterday, from the top of the stairs, and today at breakfast and in her room to watch her napping.

We were supposed to babysit over night starting Thursday, so Ryan called and apologized. Trust me, your girls do NOT want to get this.

I definitely got hit with the BUG much worse than Ryan, but granted, we aren't out of the woods juuuust yet. I haven't thrown up in 24 hrs and my body isn't as achey. Ryan felt great this morning, but now isn't feeling as hot.

Pretty sure I said this 20x last night when I was groaning with pain:

Me: "I would rather be in 15 hrs of labor right now."

Ryan: "No you wouldn't."

Me: "You bet I would. At least then, you get a reward after!!!!! and drugs to help with the pain!"

4th Celebrations

This weekend was fun. Like. F-U-N. Everyday we were doing something. The phrase "Sleep when you're dead" was repeated frequently at night when we were all falling asleep around 9pm.

My cousin Katie, and her 4 children came in Thursday night. We had dinner and then raced to the pool. It was actually pretty cold! hahaha after having 100 degree days for almost 2 weeks, it was only 85 out and I thought I needed a sweater!!

My sister Jill flew in on Friday morning. We immediately went out on the boat. It was a great boat day. Jill, Ryan and Katie all wakeboarded. We also did lots of tubing. The first tube ride, Jill, Katie, and I held on for dear life. Of course, I'm the weakest and couldn't hold on. My elbows were cut up and my arms were jello when I got off!

It was a challenge juggling the two babies, but my mother wins the Grandma Award of the Year (for the hundredth time!!). She volunteered to stay home and watch the girls so Katie and I could have a good time and let loose a bit. Thanks again, Mom. Seriously, we both needed it!

Our 4th wasn't too crazy. Ryan had work off (so happy!) and we all enjoyed Church together. Jill and I left early with Brinley because I forgot baby food and she was histarical. Good job, Meg. Cheerios and Puff's don't replace!

After our delicious dinner, ribs and potato casserole and lemon lush for dessert, we set up a challenging Croquette game. Somehow after losing the whole time, Tristan won!! He was very happy about his "skills." He isn't the type to brag, but I could tell he was very pleased he won.

When it got dark, we walked down to the dock and piled onto our friends parked boat and watched the neighbors shoot off fireworks along the lake shore. We all got eaten by bugs. We sang patriotic songs (thanks to Katie who knows every word to every song).

It was a fabulous weekend. We ate "A LOT of Bacon" and put together a few puzzles. We definitely missed the rest of the family, but all in all, it was a very well organized and safe weekend. Couldn't have asked for a better time!

Here are some highlight pictures from the weekend:

Katie, Addi and Avery

The girls: Jill, Mom. Brinley and Me

Addi, Tristan and Alicia

Dad and Sophie

Hanging out on the boat

Hey! That's me waterskiing for the first time! Got up piece of cake!

Addi rocking her goggles

Dad and his bicep

Ryan working the wake!! He is amazing!

Ryan and me

The babies

Mom and Brinley in the pool

The "players"

Me and my giiiirl. Right before bedtime.

Watching the fireworks!

Hope you had a wonderful and safe weekend too!