Bradley is now 1 month old! Time sure does Fly!

He weigh's about 9 lbs.

Started our 7 lbs. 1 week - 6 lbs 7 oz. 2 weeks - 6lbs. 14 oz.

Not sure how long he is.

Breelyn likes to hold him. He prefers to sit next to her.

Mom and Bradley

Dad and Bradley

Mom and Bree, just because I love her.

Christmas Happenings

Breelyn and Bradley on the Sunday before Christmas. I never could find him a Christmas church outfit. Girl stuff is everywhere but it seems newborn boys have been forgotten. :)

Bradley was asked to play the part of baby Jesus in the Ward Christmas Party so his parents tagged along. He did a fantastic job.
Breelyn enjoyed sitting in the crowd eating all the christmas candy corns off the table since mom and dad weren't there to stop her. And she didn't look like she was about to listen to the wonderful primary girls who were watching her. She considers herself just as big as anyone in the primary and frequently has conversations with the older kids. I loved watching her the night of the Christmas party. She got all the little 4 year old girls to play with her in the foyer and started a happening little dance party doing the hot dog dance and ring around the rosies and 'cheerleading' taught by one of the 4 year olds.
My favorite part was when she invited M -a shy little girl from nursery to join in with them. Breelyn took her hand and started playing and m really opened up and fun with the other girls. It was so sweet.

Christmas Sunday
The Grinch's yearly visit. Breelyn wasn't scared and kept calling him Santa.
Grinch: "I'm not Santa, I'm the Grinch!"
Breelyn: "You're not the Grinch, you're Santa. That's Daddy, That's mommy, That's Baby Brother Bradley, I'm Breewyn... (pause- points to the girl) that's you, and you're santa."

We will have to teach her about the grinch next year. I'm determined to find Grinch gloves and give them to the guy next year. He goes to all the home of the people he works with and gives the kids candy and steals their presents. He could take ours but I'm sure Bree would just help him to the car with her gifts. :)

Baby Chesney

Chesney Noelle Howell

December 10 (her parents anniversary)

6 lbs. 9 oz.

She's adorable and so sweet.

Bradley is 1 month and Chesney is 1 week in these photos.

My Dad and I think he looks alot like my Grandpa Haskell, My Dad, and Devan. I see alot of Devan in the crying photos.

A quick Thanksgiving post

Just a quick post to say how thankful I am for these two adorable kids of mine. Bree loves being a big sister and Bradley is such a joy to have in our home. I mainly just wanted to post pics of Bradley with his eyes open. Breelyn is not hurting the little guy he's just fine. Bree loves to lay/sit by him wherever he is. She wanted to hold him and I let her for a split second. I'll have a better post soon.

Bradley's 1st Thanksgiving!

Today we took Bradley to church. It was the first day I was feeling really good and not sore so it was nice to get out of the house. He slept the whole time of course and we spent most of the time just looking at him and smiling at the little things Bree was doing. It was our Primary Program and Breelyn loved it. When the kids stood up Breelyn had to stand up to and sing along even if she didn't know the words. Her little friend Abby, a sunbeam, was participating so Breelyn kept pointing her out and saying "Look there's Abby! I see Abby!" She was totally ready to participate but will have to wait a while. During the Bishop's comments she started repeatedly singing her own song "Twinkle Twinkle", not quietly. She wouldn't stop even with my hand over her mouth but I think only a few rows heard. Someone had the quote I believe in Jesus Christ and Breelyn folded her arms bowed her head and said "Amen." I think Breelyn has grown up even more now that she is a big sister. She had absolutely no problem going to nursery today without mom. (She's had a hard time since I got released a few months ago, I had an even harder time leaving her in nursery and probably cried more than she did that first day.) It was even better since they were given small bags of popcorn and m&m's. :)

I can't get enough of my two adorable children, I love them so much. We feel so blessed to have them both and feel it's been an easy transition so far. We are going to miss Brandon having to go back to work tomorrow it has been fun to be all together this last week.

Breelyn and Bradley

Breelyn loves being a big sister. The first time she saw Bradley she wasn't so sure about him. She was loving the attention she was getting from her grandparents and was really excited to give Bradley a little gift Grandma let her pick out. (The little monkey in the bottom right). She is very particular about his name. She was also excited to take him home and had to make sure he was still in his car seat on our way out.

We can not call him by his little nicknames or she says "No, that's not his name. It's baby brother Bradley." She likes to call him a big, big, boy.

She loves to help out with him and asks if she can cuddle him. Or she finds blankets and gently lays them in his lap.

Bree kisses and hugs him just like I do her. 20 kisses at once same with hugs. She's so funny.

We were changing his diaper, which he does not like, probably since it's cold for him and so he cries. Breelyn get's very concerned and whimpers saying "Brother needs a diaper, he's cold." Repeating this while in a whimpery voice.

Top left photo: Breelyn gives him knuckles and high fives. She covers her mouth and giggles afterwards.

She loves to share with him. Especially her stuffed animals. Bradley screamed really loud and I looked over to see Bree had put a stuffed dog on his head. Good thing he knew to scream, later it was her giant Minnie Mouse. She hasn't done it again since the time he screamed though.

I set him in his carseat to take a few pics of him. Breelyn went and dumped out her pink box to use as a stool and sit by him to have her picture taken.

She walked in from church with Brandon today and goes "Hi, Mom!" walks over to Bradley and waves her hand in his face "Hi, Brother." They colored a family in nursery today and points "There's mom, dad, baby brother (a teenage looking kid) Breewyn and a baby."

She likes to push him in his swing. She also likes to swing in it herself. She still fits pretty good.

Some pics of our family...

Bradley & Daddy

Bradley & Mommy

Bradley & Breelyn

Our Family

(Very tired, frustrated and ready to go home, we didn't get checked out until 10 p.m. the next night after we were told 4 p.m.)

3rd Anniversary

So, Brandon and I celebrated our 3rd anniversary November 17, 2010! I have been teasing him through this pregnancy that Bradley would come November 16 and make it official that we have had two babies in under 3 years. Crazy! We are so incredibly happy to have our little family of four and have been so blessed to be sent these two beautiful little spirits!

Here's to 3 years and many more!

Baby Bradley's Birth Story

Here's Bradley's delivery story. I made it quick I think.
I had been having contractions for the last couple weeks. They were very strong and lasted for three to six hours at a time, I probably should have called and told my Dr. about them but they were really irregular and I didn't feel like I should be concerned. The night before my Dr. appointment I had been having contractions and just thought I would tell her when I got there. I was still having them that morning and they were finally getting consistent but I didn't know for sure if it was the real thing since it wasn't "supposed" to happen for a while yet and I didn't want to get my hopes up. I had Brandon drive me to my appt. since I was having a contraction every few minutes and didn't want to wreck or something.

Brandon decided to wait in the car with Bree while I went to my appointment. I figured the contractions would stop soon and just wanted to have my appointment and go home to deal with them. I ended up waiting for my appointment an extra half hour that felt for an eternity. There was only one other girl in the waiting room with me I think for her 6 week checkup and since I kept standing up and swaying every few minutes I could see hersmiling like she knew what was going on. Anyways on the way to the room I had to stop in between and get through a contraction, and then again before she took my blood pressure. I started crying because I had to stay still and it hurt. To manage my pain I find it best to "sway" and since I had to stay still it hurt too much. She asked what was wrong if everything was all right. I said I was having contractions and I was fine they just kindof hurt. She said she'd get the Dr and hurried out of the room. The Dr. hurried right in (the fastest wait I've ever had in that office). She immediately checked me and I was at a 5. She said to go up to labor and delivery just to get checked and see if I would progress further. I tried to call Brandon on the phone like 10 times but he wasn't answering.

So I went and got checked in and 20 minutes later Brandon and Bree popped in, they couldn't find me at the Dr's office and so asked the receptionist person who said I went to labor and delivery. Anyways the Dr. up there checked me and said I was at a six now and to get ready to have a baby. I sent Brandon home to get a bag packed (I hadn't packed one since I didn't want to jinx myself thinking it would be earlier. Stupid I know with Bree I was packed way early) He called his mom to get Bree and packed a bag, mean while I was getting hooked up and waiting for the anesthesiologist, so the nurse asked if i'd like to try new vein while I waited, I hadn't heard of it before so I asked if she recommended it and she said if they had it when she had had her kids she'd use it. So I tried it. Big mistake I started throwing up right then and it didn't wear off for a few days. Anyways Brandon got there just in time for the epidural. My water still hadn't broken when my Dr. came to check on me so she broke it and left the room. A minute later I got a new nurse who checked me and said I was at a 7-8 and turned and left the room. My Dr. walked in 2 seconds later and says she's going to check me before she goes home. She checks and says "Oh, there's a head, lets have a baby, my nanny can wait." I immediately feel like pushing, pushed and there he was! It was so much easier the 2nd time and went so much faster it's like delivery never happened. Recovery was harder this time since I tore further.

Bradley is an easy going, content, cuddly little baby. However, he likes to be held 24/7. Bradley is also an awesome eater. Breelyn was rather difficult with nursing so for Bradley to latch on immediately was such a relief. Bradley also developed slight jaundice a few days after being home since he would sleep for so long without eating. We just increased the eating times and it cleared up quickly. He didn't need a UV light or anything like that. We love him so much and life's even better with two so I guess it get's even better with each addition.

Introducing...

Bradley Gordon Riebeek

Date: November 16, 2010 (nope not early, will explain later)

Time: 5:51

Weight: 7 lbs (His weight would have been 7 lbs 1oz. making all his stats the same as Breelyn when she was born but while on the scale Brandon turned to tell me his weight was 7lbs 1 oz. and Bradley's ounce of pee shot out into the air and the nurse changed his weight to 7lbs even.)

Length: 19.5 inches

He's my handsome little guy. He is healthy, happy, and perfect. We love him so much and are so happy to be a family of 4! You will see a ton more pictures soon and get more info later!

Sleeping Buddies

Last night Breelyn wanted her "spotted puppy" to sleep with. A little dalmation looking dog. I couldn't find him anywhere and it took alot of little friends to make up for this one little puppy but she seemed really happy in the end. :) These aren't all her stuffed animals just the ones she wanted.

Halloween Post

Happy Halloween! As you can see Breelyn dressed up as the beautiful princess Snow White or 'Princess Breelyn'. She was so cute and absolutely loved wearing her costume we couldn't get it off of her the first day. Bree went to Halloween Story Time at the library and was so darn cute. We went to the annual Okleberry Halloween get together. Carved pumpkins, made caramel apples, and sugar cookies. Trunk or Treating at the Church and then trick or treating at Bish's Trailer's or something which was really lame but Ty and Amanda were there for Amanda's work so we went to see them which was fun. I think my favorite was Story Time. She was really excited Daddy and Grandma R came to watch her and was totally showing off shouting out answers to the questions and jumping around shouting "I know, I know!" and then making sure Grandma made stars with her hands for "Twinkle, twinkle."

Here is Grandpa and Princess Breelyn

My mom and I celebrated our Birthdays, October 30.

25 years old! My quarter of a century B-day. I've been excited for this one, I don't know why. Breelyn was so cute she's been telling me "Happy Birthday mom! I love you so much!" the past couple days. It's like the B-day that doesn't end! We had our usual family get together to celebrate which was alot of fun.

This little girl wanted to take a picture with Bree. I don't know why, probably because she's so cute. Breelyn's little pose is so cute I love it! She looks like a little teenager or something. She makes us laugh she loves to say cheese in her pictures and get's really cheesy grins on her face .

Here she is making her sugar cookie.

Baby boy is doing great too! He's strong and a real mover. We are so excited to have him here soon! 35-35 Only 5 weeks left!

Breelyn is so cute. Really quick story. She thinks she can spell her name " B-R-E-E! That spells Breelyn. That's my name!" she says in nursery. A Dad tells his son to say hello to Bree yesterday and she says "That's me! I'm Breelyn! Breelyn Michelle Riebeek!" Her L's aren't the clearest though so it sounds more like Breewyn! I love it Someone told her she looked pretty on Sunday. She sighs and says "Yha." and nods her head.

While i've been typing this she's been spinning circles in the living room waiting for her turn. She just walked over to me and whacked her little head against the desk since she was leaning a little to the left. It didn't phase her and she's back at it.

Don't kids just make the Holiday's so much more fun! There are so many little activities they just light up over! We are really looking forward to having a little Brother for Breelyn and to add to the fun and family time.

Peanut Butter Pizza

Breelyn's favorite food the last many weeks has been a "Peanut Butter Samwich" I love to hear her say it. She is a real sweety. Anyways, last night we had a really good dinner I thought but she kept saying "No, I don't like it! I don't like Dinner!" So after one bite and some fresh peaches Grandma gave us she decided she wanted a Peanut Butter Pizza. I told her we didn't have Peanut Butter Pizza but she could have a Peanut Butter Sandwich. Wrong thing to say. "No, I don't want samwich, I don't like it! Peanut Butter Pizza, Please! She continued to cry for peanut butter pizza but when I gave her the sandwich she was content. Anybody have any peanut butter pizza recipes? She did love her banana, peanut butter and chocolate chip snack today though.

(Brandon has been wanting me to post these stories for his sisters to read)

Oh, when she cries she has to have a tissue to wipe her tears. So sweet. I guess she's seen me emotional these last 8 months.

Breelyn Too Cute!

Breelyn is starting to not be so "camera annoyed" anymore and so when I had Brandon take a the monthly pregnancy pic Breelyn wanted to have her picture taken too. She was being quite the little model. Brandon was telling her how to pose and taking pictures. If only I had been taking pictures of his modeling moves as he showed Breelyn how to pose it was so funny!

Breelyn is really good about putting herself to bed. She just crawls in and goes to sleep. If it's getting late and you haven't put her to bed she tells you "Breelyn needs a nap!"At night though we read all the books she picks out, she then says "Go away mom I go night, night." ( I might have already posted that last one).

Then it was Brandon's Dad's Birthday. Breelyn started picking at the cake while no one was paying attention and after being told it's Grandpa's Birthday not Bree's she got into it being someone else's birthday and not her's. Now when ever she see's a birthday card or other she reads "Happy Cake to Grandpa!" She sings the song too. "Happy Cake to you, Happy cake to you!" It's so cute.

A Nursery Castle!

Nursery is the highlight of Breelyn's week. We live fairly close to our church building so she see's it often and say's "My church, go to nursery." After a prayer in sacrament and the Amen is spoken she shouts "Nursery, yay!" But it's usually not time. Anyways, Brandon left the Ensign out this morning and Breelyn found it while eating breakfast and opened it. I was in another room but Breelyn calls "Look mommy the sacrament!" So I go in to check on her and she's pointing to the temple telling me everything she can think of about church: sacrament, go see daddy (he is usually in meetings all morning so we go meet him at church) church... Anyways I ask her what is the picture of? "A nursery castle!" she says. Haha. I flipped to the front to find a different temple and ask what it is and she says "Temple, I find the nursery castle" And she flips through the pages until she finds the Nauvoo temple. She does know the general look of the temples but I guess the Nauvoo temple looks like a good place to have nursery.

New Baby Boy Photos!

So, we got our 3-D ultrasound Pictures done today! Brandon was nice enough to give into my pleadings that I needed to see him again and couldn't wait 2 3/4ish months to see him again! The receptionist told me I waited too long and that I probably wouldn't get very good pictures. I completley ignored her. What does she know? The Ultrasound Technician said they were the best pictures she's ever gotten from a baby. Hmph. That's my boy. They gave us so many pictures it made me very happy and he was very cooperative. The video is just amazing! And holding 2 1/2 quarts of water for an hour I was seriously in real pain!



I am so happy to see these photos of baby and share them with you! Here are some of my favorites!

This little guy has quite the pucker. His lower lips seems very full.

His little feet are crossed. Check out those legs!



I have a picture of each foot and there are officially 5 toes on each foot! Aren't they so cute!

The eyes kindof look scary but I love his little nose.

His little nose and lips.

I think he will look alot like Breelyn. I guess they should they are siblings. :)

He scrunched up his face alot. Oh, how we love him already!

We are so excited to meet him. Brandon and Breelyn really enjoyed the ultrasound, too. Bree would point and say "Look mom a baby, and there's a baby in mommy's tummy!" And he is still definitley a boy! Hurray for a healthy baby boy! It's crazy how long he is. Not that he is really long, he's not. Just how big babies get in general and knowing they have to come out somehow... His head was down low and his boy curved in a C with his head feet up in my left ribs. I can't believe he's that grown all ready!

Soooo many of you are having babies just within the next 4 months there are EIGHT of you (and more of you coming soon after). I think of you all often and hope you are feeling well and can't wait to see your cute babies!

Breelyn 2 Years Old!!

Breelyn's birthday was a small get together. I have no pictures. My camera was getting repaired and arrived the next day. But I do have an hour and a half of video. I had planned a monkey party but Bree is really into elephants so when she saw the monkey she said "No, mom. Elephant." So I made her a last minute fondant elephant, I think she really liked it. She received an elephant blanket two elephants and some elephant themed toys. I think ALL her b-day cards had elephants on them! She was really grumpy since we had to wake her up for the party but it was the most convenient time to get people there - after work. Bree also had a small birthday celebration the Memorial Weekend camping. We really appreciate our wonderful families for celebrating her special day with her!

(These pictures are from an accordion album for the grandparents)

We can't believe it's been two year's already! We can't get over the feelings of love we have our little girl and can't wait for our little boy to join us. We love her so much she is a very sweet little girl and is absolutely amazing! I have a post drafted on all the things she does and loves but I think I will hold it and maybe share it later. I think we will go private soon even though i'm sure there aren't that many people who look at the blog or even know we have one so there probably is nothing to worry about. :)