no remorse

Today while changing Alex's diaper I was recapping the events of the day with her, trying to get her to tell me about the things she did. We had spent the morning making cookies to send to Mexico with Danielle (she is volunteering building houses for a week on her spring vacation) at the Brady's house. I asked Alex, "remember when we were at Archie's house playing?" She replied in an excited voice "Ali play with toys, Ali bit Archie finger!"

Where did she get those lungs?!!

Today Alex was reading the story of Noah and the Ark to me before nap time. I was a bit surprised to hear, in her version of the story, that Santa Claus had a big boat in which he put 4 of every animal.

At 18 months I thought that the terrible 2's had arrived early, and by the time Alex actually turned 2 (12 days ago) I figured we had this child more or less under control. Unfortunately I was wrong and a moody little teenager has moved in and taken over where my little baby once lived. She hits, she screams, she throws herself on the floor, she makes messes deliberately and REFUSES to clean them up, she ignores me all the time and must always get her own way. Somehow in the last 2 weeks she learned how to scream like a banshee. She is a wonderful little girl 80% of the time, but boy, you thought Mr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde was something, you should see Alexandria Brady.

I don't know if it is my frustration that grows with my limited mobility, or crazy pregnant hormones, but I swear she is deliberately trying to make life hard. Tyler has tried to convince me that these are normal 2 hear old behaviors, and that I'm the crazy one ( the fact that Tyler is the calm and rational one telling me this, makes me think he might be right), but with 4 weeks left until baby 2 is set to arrive, I'm starting to rethink if I can do this?!! All I know is that another c-section is OUT OF THE QUESTION because i'm going to need every ounce of strength, and every advantage I can get if I am going to survive the month of May.

My Brilliant Husband

A few days ago Tyler got to represent UVU in medical terminology at the Skills USA competition in Utah. He has been studying hard and making Alex and myself learn them right along with him. Yesterday his hard work paid off as he got 1st place in the state competition and now gets to travel to Kansas City, Missouri this June to compete in Nationals!!! I am so proud of him.

Tyler is going to be having quite the summer traveling all over the place as he tests with various fire departments trying to get a job, finishing up his bachelors degree with summer classes, going to Missouri, oh and trying to juggle a family and a newborn at the same time. I keep thinking that life is finally going to be "normal" after paramedic school ends, but I need to keep in mind that in this stage of life there is no "normal" so I had better just make the best of where we are and what we are doing and enjoy it!

Speaking of awesome husbands, I failed to mention that Tyler bought me the mother of all knifes for my birthday. It is this fantastic fancy expensive kitchen knife that actually cuts!!!! It slices through apples and carrots like butter and on cucumbers and strawberries it's like there is nothing there. I feel like one of those professional chefs on TV when I use it and I've decided that 1/2 of being a great cook is having the right tools. It makes me happy when I use it, and after the sweet camera he got me for Christmas, it might just be the best (and most useful) gift i've ever gotten, especially because I don't think I ever could have brought myself to spend more than 10 bucks on a kitchen knife. Anyway, he is wonderful, and thoughtful gifts are just one of the reasons why.

Kristen's 25th Birthday

Poor Tyler spent all Wednesday running around with Alex and pampering her on her birthday, only to wake up early the next morning and do the same thing to me! I was very lucky to get breakfast in bed and then both Tyler and I got the chance to relax a bit while Alex played with the plethora of awesome toys she got at her birthday party.

We then went to Tucano's for lunch and then I got to wander around the bookstore for a bit while Tyler chased Alex around trying to keep her from pulling everything off every shelf. The afternoon plans were ice cream at the park, but it got really cold suddenly so we settled for ice cream and hanging out around town. This was especially fun because Alex got her very first ice cream cone.

She picked the most beautiful colored and disgusting tasting icecream flavor at Baskin Robbins.

It was so funny to watch her take these mini licks and then grin from ear to ear.

Tyler took over the camera for a minute and caught some fun pictures.

mom and daughter engrossed in their individual ice cream cones.

Giving Daddy a smile

Giving each other a squinty smile.

Giving Daddy another smile

Alex sharing her ice cream, after confiscating mommy's.

My little big girl.

After ice cream we went to the Brady's for a family birthday dinner. We had delicious Cafe Rio type salads and I was stuffed to the rafters after that wonderful meal. Ben even made me Brazillian lemonade (which was fantastic) and Carmel Rolls for desert (I will never again believe that you don't know how to make them correctly Ben, and make them for you out of pity. Those were the best rolls ever. Now you are officially in charge of carmel rolls, forever.)

We played the name game after dinner. My favorite part was watching Devin help Alex write names on the papers. It was 100 times more adorable than this picture, which is pretty darn cute.

Alex discovered that the quilt rack doubles as uneven bars, and now loves to pull all the blankets off so she can hang and swing.

After 2 long days of super fun, she ended her day with a back scratch from grandma.

Although nothing really grand happened, I'm pretty sure this was one of the best birthday's of my life. I got to spend the whole day with people I love, doing things that I like, got to eat lots of wonderful food, and Alex even behaved. Thanks to everyone for all the well wishes and thoughtful gifts!!!

Now only a week and a half until Tyler's birthday and then we have at least a couple months to breath before the next round of family birthday's starts up!!!

Alex's 2nd Birthday- continued

I think Alex had a pretty great birthday. She woke up (in my bed, after a terrible night) to daddy arriving home from a 24 hour shift at the fire department. She really hates it when he leaves and is always so excited to see him come home. We had green eggs, waffles, strawberries and chocolate milk for breakfast and then she got to open 2 gifts! The first was a stuffed kitty from Tyler, which she immediately fell in love with and the second was a wooden stacking ring thing she really liked as well.

Tyler was exhausted, so while he took a nap, we web cammed Grandma Asay in Montana and Alex got to open a special music box from her. She loved it, and loved seeing grandma on the computer.

Next came the ZOO!!!! Alex's Aunts Kara, Kate, cousin Archie and Tyler and I all went.

Here is our 'before' the zoo shot.

We had a lot of fun at the Zoo. Alex was enthralled with everything and had a blast. She was also very well behaved.

Looking at the Giraffes

I think Archie had a pretty good time as well, especially when we let him run.

These two are pretty much brother and sister these days.

I love how happy they both look in this picture

I can't remember what Archie was looking at here, but he was REALLY excited about it.

Although the reptile house smelled terrible, Alex and Archie had the most fun running from window to window looking at everything, it was adorable.

I refrained from posting Kate and Kara's measurements, to respect their privacy.

Here is pregnancy week 33.5. (i'm pushing my belly out to make for a more dramatic picture)

Alex wouldn't go anywhere near the big monkey.

Archie couldn't get enough of him.

After a long day of walking, here we are at the end of the day. Tyler has Archie, Kara has Alex, Kate has the strollers, and I started waddling ahead to get a head start on the hill.

Tyler and Archie, Kara (Tyler's sister) and Alex

After the zoo we came home, cleaned house, ate dinner and then had family over for a party.

Alex was so cute while opening her gifts, she even tried to share with Archie. Thanks for all the great gifts from everyone, she LOVES them all!

Here was the special cake with less sugary frosting that I made for Alex. She had a blast blowing out the candles, but refused to make a mess of eating it like Tyler wanted her to.

Here was the cake for everyone else. It took forever, and I don't think my hand will ever be the same after decorating it. Alex was very interested in taking a bite out of Elmo's face though.

This was all of the cake that Alex ate. After begging me for frosting and cake for 2 days, this was all she ate. Silly girl.

Alex's 2nd Birthday

I'm to tired to post much right now, but I promise full blown birthday posts later. Here are the Highlights!

The big 2 year old with her brand new kitty cat from Daddy

Kara, Kate, Archie, Alex and Tyler on our awesome birthday outing to the ZOO!!

Alex admiring the Giraffes

Kids on the way home from the zoo. Alex was eager to share the previously off limits to Archie kitty, after getting a new puppy (wolf) at the zoo from Daddy.

Loving all the attention!

It took about 5 minutes, but she finally blew the candles out all by herself!!! (And then wanted to do it again and again.

My 2 year old teenager

Alex is really starting to talk and understand what people say. We can hold conversations with her now, which are usually hilarious. For example....

The other night I was getting Alex in her PJ's when she started to kick my belly. I gave her a light slap on the knee to get her to stop and she said in a very serious and scolding tone "NO HIT KNEE".

I replied, humbled, "Ok, I won't hit your knee but you can't kick mommy's belly, deal?"

Alex responded "NO DEAL!"

Tyler laughed histarically in the other room.

Some of her new phrases she incorporates randomly into conversation include "No way dude", "Awesome!!" "Hey you" and "Cute!" After expressing confusion over where she picked these words up Tyler told me " you should listen to yourself talk on the phone Kristen."

Road trips and the beginning of birthday season

I'd like to warn everyone before I begin, that since Tyler got my my super sweet camera, I've been averaging about 600 pictures a month. It is save to say that 99% of these are of Alex, with the second most appearances made my Archie. Thats why this is all you see.

Today Kate, Kara, Alex, Archie, Baby #2 and I all went on a "road trip" to SLC! It was quite successful seeing as we had two toddlers and a pregnant woman, and although it wasn't the most adventurous, we did get to stop at world market, a park, and eat at the Cheesecake Factory.

Here is Aunt Kara, A.K.A mommy #2, and Alex looking for fish. Whenever Kara is around she oh so graciously takes on the role of primary "run the kids around, carry them, pick them up, feed them, play with, slide, and generally take care of" person. We loved having Kara around before she started doing all our hard work, but now she has made herself nearly indispensable.

Kate always has such cute Archie moments when I am behind her, that is why (although I am with her nearly every day) you only really get to see the profile and back of Kate.

Bridge at the park.

Bridge at the park.

Here is my 32.5 week pregnant shot.

Archie has the cutest smile in the world.

I love pictures of Alex on swings, I probably have 5 different copies of her in a swing, looking down, while in this coat.

cute Archie smile.

Awesome aunt Kara being safety patrol on the playground.

So Tuesday was Danielle's Birthday and on Wednesday we threw a little party for her. Unfortunately I didn't realize the flash was off until the end of the night, so all the pictures look terrible, but the subjects look really cute.

And no, the cake wasn't suppose to look like the Provo Temple. I was making due with the 1 cake pan and muffin tin I had, plus a icecream cone and no food coloring. It wasn't until I had finished frosting, and stepped away, that I realized Danielle's birthday cake looked just like the Provo Temple.

Alex and Archie enjoying snack time.

It's moments like this that make me so excited for Alex to meet her little sister.