Goodbye...

...5 pounds and 9 inches! Don't you come back again!

Christmas Fun

This year, we spent Christmas eve with my family. First, we went to see Santa Clause, and Brody was so excited to see him. He ran up to him and gave him a big hug, and sat on his lap. Peyton on the other hand, wasn't so sure about that jolly old man in the red suit. Santa gave Brody a tractor...he was SO excited about his tractor. All day long I heard "Mom, I saw Santa Clause and he give me a tractor."



After Santa Clause, we drove out to the lake and had Christmas Eve lunch with my Nana, Aunt Emily, Uncle Ben, and Uncle Bill. We received so many wonderful gifts, and had so much great food! Brody loved all of his new toys, and Peyton has really done well with her new mobile. It is helping her relax in her crib. She slept in her OWN bed for 5 hours last night! Thank you everyone for the gifts.

Then, Christmas Eve night, Nick helped me prepare dinner for his side of the family. We cooked a turkey, mashed potatoes, home made stuffing, cranberry salad, and green bean casserole. Here is Nick peeling and chopping potatoes:

After the potatoes were peeled, and the turkey was washed, we baked Christmas cookies with Brody to give to Santa Clause. Brody is very independent and makes sure that he gets to do things the way that he wants to. He decorated his own cookies, and Santa and Mrs. Clause sure did enjoy them when they were deliving his gifts!


Brody and Peyton both went to bed with no problems Wednesday night. It was truly a Christmas miracle. I bet you can't guess what happened next? Yep! Santa came! He brought Brody an inflatable castle to jump in, a penguin (which Brody has repeatedly told me for about a month that Santa Clause was coming and was bringing him a Penguin), a penguin for Peyton, and a Handy Manny toy. Also shown in the picture are the Smart Cycle and V-tech Walker from Grandpa and June Shaw!

Brody woke up at about 8:00 and I told him that Santa Clause had come. He was so excited about his castle that he pretty much ignored all of the other packages for about 20 minutes. We had Nick's family over for Christmas dinner and we opened packages from them for about an hour and a half! They brought so many gifts, and all the kids had such a great time opening and playing together. We are so thankful to everyone who spoiled our children rotten this Christmas, and for all of our family. This was a magical Christmas!

I am still alive...well, sort of.

It has been a rough week in the Petersen house. Brody has not fully recovered (he still won't eat much, and complains of his tummy hurting, or his head hurting). Peyton got sick 3 nights ago...REALLY sick. The poor little thing lost everything in her tiny tummy. It is so hard when they are that little because they can't talk, and they can't tell you if they are feeling well enough to eat, and I just worry about her getting dehydrated. She only had it for 24 hours, but has been running a low grade temperature since then. Then, last night, she got sick again. REALLY sick again. I think I am almost out of laundry detergent from having to wash so many clothes. Nick and I have been feeling up and down, between headaches and slight nausea, we have definitely been fighting this thing. Lets all just hope that we are better for Christmas!

Poop and Puke...

That's what my life has consisted of the past 24 hours or so. Peyton has had a blow out EVERY night this week. Brody woke up at 4:00 AM throwing up, and has thrown up 4 times since then. On top of that, he had a blow out in his diaper that leaked all the way down to his feet. In the past 24 hours the kids have gone through approximately 12 outfits, 4 baths, 5 popcycles, 3 cups of juice, 4 cups of gingerale, 2 saltine crackers, 5 blankets, 4 pillow cases, and who knows how many diapers! Please say it will get better soon! My poor poor babies...

Itsy Bitsy Spider

Jesus Christ is our Brother...

Today in Sacrament meeting, Michelle Manning got up and bore her testimony. In her beautiful testimony, she mentioned how Jesus is our brother. We are all children of God, including Jesus Christ. I had never thought of Him this way. I always think of Christ as the Savior, our Lord, our Redeemer, but I have never thought of him as a brother, almost an equal. Her testimony brought tears to my eyes...it brought new light to my heart. Thinking of Christ as my brother made me feel that I was more capable of becoming like him. Although he is still my Savior, Lord, and Redeemer, he is also my brother.

John 20:17 states: "Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God." In this verse, Jesus is telling Mary at the tomb, after he was resurrected to not touch him for he had not yet ascended to HIS Father and HER Father. We are ALL children of our Heavenly Father. What a wonderful thing to know and to think about as we live our lives.

Whatever happened to Mama, Mommy, or Mom?

Brody: "Mommy! I mean, Nikki!"
Me: "Yes, baby, my name is Nikki, but you call me mommy."
Brody: "No, I call you Nikki."
Me: "Mom?"
Brody: "No, Nikki."
Me: "Mama?"
Brody: "Nikki."
Silence
Brody: "You daddy's BABE!"
Me: Laughs, "yes that's true, but I'm your mommy!"
Brody: "Okay, mommy."

Brody loves cuddling with his daddy

PJ buddies!

My mom is in town right now, and brought the kids tons of clothes! She got them 2 sets of "matching" jammies...they are made out of the same materials and so cute! Brody says he wants to wear jammies like Pey-Pey, so they get into their matching jammies at night. These pictures were taken when they were wearing their footie pajamas! So cute!

Teething time

Peyton is teething! She is getting her first tooth on the side of her mouth (not the very front...strange). She has been a trooper through it all, and is thoroughly enjoying her biter biscuits!

My, how she's grown!

From in my tummy...

To her first month...

And now, my little girl is 5 months old! What a big girl...

Gratitude Part II

Talking to my mom today, she pointed out that I forgot to mention two very important people in my lives, so...

• I am thankful for my brothers, Ryan and Erik. I'm grateful to them for teaching me how to be a tough girl (I had to be growing up with those 2) :o), for protecting me against stupid boys in high school and being there for me whenever I had a broken heart. As we got older, they have become two of my best friends, who I can tell anything to. Thank you for all that you have done for me and helping me get through some hard times. I am also thankful that you have met wonderful women, Steph and Tracey! I love those girls and am grateful that they will be my sisters and am thankful for all that they have done for me as well!
• Sitting in church today, I also realized that I forgot to show my gratitude for my primary class. I love them. I am thankful to Zayne for her crazy, spunkiness that keeps me on my toes. She is filled with the love of Christ, and always keeps us laughing. I am thankful for Obadiah for his reverence and his knowledge of the scriptures. I am also thankful that he acts silly when I'm not looking so I can be reminded that he is only 8 years old, and not 28! I am thankful for Morgan for her storytelling abilities, and her preparation. She always brings her scriptures, and is always willing to say the prayer. I am thankful to Jamison...or should I say...Bobalicious?! I am so thankful that he has come out of his shell over the past year and a half. He brings so much laughter and joy to my class and to my life. I am thankful to Sydney for her ability to be sweet and kind to everyone. She also has a strong knowledge of the Gospel and is willing to share it. She is a great missionary and friend. Finally, I am thankful to Aaron. His quiet demeanor tends to cover up his fun filled spirit. He is so sweet, and funny, and kind to others. He always knows how to choose the right, and is a great addition to my class. I love all of kids, and wish that I could follow right along with them throughout primary. They are amazing little people who will grow into righteous adults. Thank you to their parents for sharing them with me!

Gratitude

I wanted to follow in Valerie's steps and write my daily Thanksgivings this month, but life happened, and my blogs did not. So, I thought I would write tonight, while I have a few free moments, to express my gratitude for all that I have.

• First and foremost, I am thankful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I have been a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints for 3 years now. During those 3 years, I have been fellowshipped by some of the most amazing people. I have learned so much. So many questions that I have pondered throughout my 25 years have been answered. I feel a sense of wholeness in my life that I have always been looking for. I have seen a change in myself that is for the better, and I know those close to me have also seen that change.
• I am thankful for the Temple, to know that families can be sealed together forever. I am thankful for the opportunities that I had to attend the temple this year, in Dallas and in Oklahoma City. I feel the spirit so strong, and always leave fealing spiritually renewed.
• I am thankful for the Atonement of Jesus Christ. He made the greatest sacrifice for me, and I am eternally greatful.
• I am so grateful for my husband. This year has been a changing year in our lives, especially for him. He has gone from working a business part time, to working it full time by himself. He spends endless hours working on advertising, reading books, and learning new marketing skills to better the business for his family. He works long hours doing strenuous work by himself. All the while, he is going to school full time. He is working on his physical therapy degree, so that he can ultimately do what he loves: help heal people. He is always there for me, and our peronalities fit perfectly. We laugh at eachother's jokes, and can finish eachother's sentences. He is the perfect father. I love watching him play with our kids, pray with them, and teach them how to live righteously.
• I am grateful for Brody. Brody, you have taught me how to laugh like I never knew possible. I can never feel down with Brody around. You are my sunshine, and my best little buddy. Thank you for everything you do, not only for me, but for all the wonderful people who love you so much. You make us all so happy. You are a special soul, and have a very special purpose on this earth.
• I am thankful for Peyton. We had so much stress this year because of your health, and I am so grateful that you are here with us, and healthy. You are so beautiful. I never thought I'd have my little girl, and now I have the most beautiful princess. I know that you and I are going to be best friends, and I look forward to girls nights, pedicures, and shopping trips...just like my mom and I had.
• I am thankful for my mom and Steve. They live a very busy life, but always finds time to talk to me. I can tell my mom anything, and am so grateful to have been raised by a wonderful woman.
• I am thankful to my dad and June. They also lives a busy life, and even though we don't talk as much as we should, I know that they loves me and my babies.
• I am thankful for my Nana. She loves my babies as if they were her own. She takes care of them, and she is one of my best friends. I am so grateful to have her in my life still. It is so fun to watch Brody get the same joy out of seeing her as I remember having when I was young.
• I am thankful for my grandma and grandpa Shaw. I enjoy our phone conversations and e-mails. I wish that you didn't live so far away, and hope that we can see you all soon!
• I am thankful for my Aunt Emily and Uncle Ben. They have done so much for Nick and I this year. Thank you for all that you have done. I couldn't ask for better "great-great-grandparents" for Brody and Peyton Emily. Brody loves his Monday's, and I do too! I am able to get so much done!
• I am thankful for Nick's family. Thank you for letting us drop the kids off at the drop of a dime, any time. Thank you for feeding us so many dinners this year. You have helped us so much. Thank you Tashya for being such a fun aunt for Brody and Peyton. You are so great for them!
• I am grateful for the visiting teaching program. My visiting teachers this year have been wonderful. Thank you, Aimee, Jenny, and Wendy for the fun chats, the homemade bagels, and bringing friends for Brody to play with. Thank you to my companion, Michelle. I love that we are companions, and hope that we can become better friends, and start doing things together, outside of visiting teaching.
• I am grateful for all of my friends. Especially April and Jessica. April, you are the best "auntie April" in the world! Thanks for letting me come stay with you when Tommy is gone. I cherish our girls' nights and our scrapbooking weekends. I think about all that has changed in BOTH of our lives over the past 3 years. We went from co-workers and roommates, to joining the church, marrying best friends, and having babies! I can't wait until Lowden baby #2 gets here! Jessica, thank you for being my shoulder to cry on...even if it was through the telephone! You have been my best friend for the past 19 years! Holy cow! We are getting old! I am thankful that you also have found the Gospel and I can see how much it has changed your life! I look forward to the day when PeyPey and Bren get married! :o)
• I am grateful for my job. I am able to work 2 days a week helping children. I remember being 8 years old and telling my friend that I wanted to grow up and work with kids. I did it. It took 5 years of school, a thesis, countless hours of internships, but I have done it, and I love what I do. I love my kids that I work with, each and every one of them. Every child I have come into contact with in my field has changed my life and shaped me in one way or another.
• I am thankful for new friends as well as the old. I look forward to getting to know all of you through blogging, play dates, girls nights, book group, and scrapbooking weekends at Signed Sealed and Delivered. Let's make our friendships go beyond church!

This was a long blog, and there are so many more things that I am grateful for...but life is happening in my house right now, and there are kids to put to bed! If I forgot anyone, I am truly sorry, but just know in my heart that I am thankful for you!

HAIRCUT!

Brody getting his haircut the other day. He wasn't too happy, but with the help of Lindsay, and a blow pop, everything got taken care of! :)

Election Day Party

Not excited about the outcome, but here are the pictures (of the kids...somehow I didn't take any pictures of adults) from our election night party.

Freedom of Choice...

One of the great things about this country is our freedom to choose. For Brody, he likes to choose what to watch at night. Most nights it is Sesame Street...some, Blues Clues. Tonight, is a much different night. One Nick and I (being very conservative), never thought we would see.

Photos Courtesy of Legacy House Photography

Sweet Pea!

I began making my own baby food today. I am attempting to incorporate more "real" foods into our meals. Brody is so picky, so I am going the "Deceptively Delicious" route, and hiding fruits and veggies in his meals. So far so good. We have had english muffin pizza's with spinach and carrot purees in the sauce, and fruits dipped in "chocolate dip," made out of avocado, margarine, cocoa powder, and confectioners sugar. I am also taking the purees and pouring them into ice cube trays and freezing them. I believe that this will help us save money, as well as be healthier for Peyton.

Despite what her face may say, she LOVED the peas!

While I was busy pureeing, Brody was off in the bathroom getting into trouble. He decided to spike his hair with lotion, hairspray, and gel! NICE!