Disney World

We had a week full of sun, heat, swimming, and princesses, and that pretty much sums it all up. Here are the pics-->

The Belly

There is something about this that feels a little bit funny to me. But here it is. A picture of my growing belly. Baby Boy's first, non-ultrasound appearance on the BR Clan blog. I never can figure out how far along I am in months. I'm 23 weeks. So, if you are counting by the calendar, that makes me 5 months and one week, but if you are counting by every 4 weeks, that makes me 6 months on Monday. You decide =0).

You see this smile?

That means NO CAVITIES for me! WAHOO! Believe me, with a history like mine, its a relief every time!

EDIT: When I say no cavities, I mean no cavities this time around. just to clarify, I have had more fillings than I can count.

The Happiest Place on Earth

We just got back from Disney, and hot sun. More details to come later. For now...Brad and I are unpacking and washing laundry while the girls are catching up on lots of missed sleep =0).

Oh Boy, Oh BOY!

One of my favorite things has to be going in for the 20 week ultrasound and seeing our sweet little baby for the first time. Here are a couple pictures of our sweet little BOY! Can you believe it?!? What a a little angel =0). I really love finding out the baby's gender. It makes him so real to me. I can feel his little spirit. I feel like he's hanging out with us now, part of the family =0) . I can hardly believe we are going to have a little boy. How exciting! (Happy Easter!)

Hap-Hap-Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday Babe, I love you!

Second on the St. George

Saturday I took the girls up to the St. George river to watch Brad in his first kayak race. He has this friend who has introduced him to the sport, and convinced him to start racing this year. Mostly for fun. Saturday was a beautiful day. The girls and I headed out for the 1.5 hour drive and enjoyed the scenery near the coast. We met up with Brad just before he started his warm up, so we got to see him put his kayak in and then take his turn at the start. The race was a staggered start, 2 boaters starting at a time. Brad was in the second group. As soon as he started, we ran up to our car to drive to the first watching point where a bridge crossed over the river. We climbed through a snowy riverside to get to a great place where we could watch, and got there just in time to see Brad turn the corner 200 yards from where we sat. We got to see him pump through some rapids and keep upright =0) (way to go! That water looked COLD!). We ran to the car again to try to meet him at the finish line, but miss guessed where we were supposed to go, drove 10 minutes out of our way before I figured it out and turned around. Luckily, I turned off of a random side road and guessed right the second time around. We met him pulling his boat out of the water about 10 minutes after he finished. We stuck around to watch the rest of the boaters come in, while the girls had fun throwing rocks and covering innocent bystanders shoes with sand/dirt (oops!). Then we stayed to watch the awards ceremony. Brad's goal was to finish in the top half, and he ended up getting 2nd place! He did a great job. Way to go BR we are so proud of you! Gwen keeps saying, "Daddy did a good job racing." "I like Daddy's racing." It turned out to be a fun way to enjoy a beautiful day.

Hey YOU

There is a baby in our mom's tummy! (Most of you have probably guessed since she has disappeared for the last 3 months). We are hoping to find out if it is a boy or a girl at the ultrasound next week=0). Can't wait! Latest baby developments: The baby is starting to kick, Liv likes to talk to it and sing to it through mom's belly button, and Gwen is pretty much clueless, although she does hug mom's belly on cue, and mom's tummy is grooowing. The baby is due the first week of September, on Gwen's due date, the day before she turns 3. We are pretty excited and we'll keep you updated!

Uncle Fwad

Dear Carter,

Uncle Fwad got a really bad hair cut. He was really traumatized. Let me tell you a little bit about it. He has been growing his hair out for the last 4 months, and it was getting really long and a bit out of control. Last week he asked all around to find a recommendation on who he should go to to have it cut. This was an exciting apointment because it was the first time since we first started dating that I have not cut his hair, that means it has been almost 10 years! To make a long story shorter, Uncle Fwad came home like this--->

and refused to let me see the "DO" until after he showered. And I'm sad to report that even though he let me see it after he showered, he declined any pictures until after I fixed it. Never fear, I think I can describe it nicely. Chase (the "stylist") left the top long, lush and curly, he then went through and cut the sides and sideburns very short. Chase then took the short sides up to a nice ridge between them and the long top. He thought about cutting the back as well, but just could not part with Uncle Fwad's long, lush curls. So, instead Chase continued that nice ridge in a curve down the sides/back of Uncle Fwad's head between his buzzed sides and long top/back. Some might call the new do a mullet, but don't be deceived, Chase insists this was much more stylish than a mullet, although when I think of it, the only description that comes to mind is curly mullet.

My only regret is that I did not succeed in persuading Uncle Fwad to remove his hood so that I could see the way Chase had blown out Fwad's curls, feathering them back into a large flip that came down the nape of his neck, inches past his hair line. Although, the picture I have imagined is quite entertaining...entertaining to the point of tears and almost peeing my pants.

Never fear, Uncle Fwad was able to stand tall in public again. I pulled out my handy scissors and removed the mullet. And even Uncle Fwad is laughing now =0).

Daddy Daughter

Brad and Liv went on a daddy daughter date yesterday. Here is a snippet from their conversation.

BR: So How is school?

Liv: Good. I like it. I'm in love with Jack.

BR: Oh, so what do you love about Jack?

Liv: Well, he is nice. But sometimes he says bad words and I don't like it.

BR: Do you ask him to not say them around you?

Liv: Yeah, I just tell him that I don't like to hear them and I don't want him to say them around me. The one I don't like the most is "Ducky Head." "Ducky Head" and "Duck Head", I really don't like those.

BR: Yeah I bet.

Liv: And Daddy, there is one rule at school that I really don't like either.

BR: Which one is that?

Liv: No touching people. That is really hard, because I really like touching people.

YIKES!

Yes it has happened. Liv lost her first tooth! It's been a little bit wiggly for a while now. Tuesday morning she made it a lot more wiggly while opening a yogurt cup with her teeth and it hurt her. She let me know that she wanted Brad to pull it out for her at her cleaning appointment that afternoon. SO, out it came. I am feeling pretty sentimental about it. When Liv showed it to me in her hand, I saw just how sweet and tiny it was. I had to say goodbye and I felt way more sad about it than I've ever felt about first hair cuts. It has been with us since she was 4 months old!

Liv is pretty excited about the whole thing and tells me over and over that she is, "so glad she has a hole there now." Her class has been learning about teeth and she also informed me that the reason they are learning about teeth is because she lost hers =0). She also showed me today that the tooth next to it is wiggly too, I'm trying to cope!

I love her note to the tooth fairy. I asked her if she wanted to write one and she said "Yes" and she came up with it all on her own:

"Toothfery a you so happee with my toof, is not yelo, Fum Liv."
Translation: Tooth Fairy are you so happy with my tooth? It's not yellow. From Liv.

Just what have we been up to?

This evening definitely deserves its own post, but seeing as I'm trying to play catch-up, this will have to do. Our friend Hannah threw a very fun birthday party for her husband. It was entitled dress from the era you were born in.
Here are the Ladies
The MenBrad and I in our Good Will duds.
I had to use this picture to show off Brad's great pants....and if you look very closely, My fashion mole.
We had a fun night of games, food, dancing, and even a limbo competition.
Next up, is Brad's and my 7th anniversary, of which there are no pictures! Brad's parent's watched our girls and we headed down to Boston, saw Blue Man Group (one of my favorite things we've done), Went to China Town, Spent a morning at the temple. and more. A wonderful time with my hubby. Love you BR!

Then Came The dog sled races in Fort Kent. I have two things to say about it. BRRRRR and yummy food =0).It was fun to see how excited these dogs were to get going. They could hardly wait for the starting bell to ring.
Here are the girls enjoying a warm moment inside a local store.
Nora's parent's had obviously done this before, they new how to keep her nice and toasty =0).
And Lastly, and definitely not leastly, we had a wonderful visit from my mom, Grandma JoLynn. The girls and I were in heaven. We had so much fun with you mom, and miss you all the time. Thanks for coming to play! (even in the winter!!)

If anyone still reads this blog...

I definitely wouldn't blame you for giving up on any new information coming across the wires here at the BR CLAN. This time of year is always the season for me to get into a bit of a funk. I LOVE the snow until about February 28th and then come the beginning of March, I just look at it and measure the prospects of it ever melting. This year, the likelihood seems dim. Until about a week ago, I would drive around in my car and just laugh, thinking, "I can't believe we have SO MUCH SNOW!" When I say SO MUCH, what I mean is, the snow banks are so high that at some intersections you can't see whether a car is coming until you creep into oncoming traffic, where you can finally see past them. Now, I'm not feeling quite like laughing. It's not that we haven't had above freezing temps, it is just that the snow just keeps on falling. I expect that I will feel better about it tomorrow, since we are taking the girls for a sleigh ride near by, and it's supposed to be almost 50 degrees.

Then I wonder, is the reason I'm feeling this way because of the snow, or is it because I can't figure out how to get my girls to sleep! Liv is on the cusp of giving up her naps. I feel like I should let her, she will be 5 in 3 months! But, on the days I let her go without her nap, she is DONE by dinnertime, and I'm done too. Then, we're trying to get the girls to share a room, and that isn't going so well. I can't quite figure out how to get them to stay in bed and not play. It wouldn't be so bad except that playing+overtired=gitty, and then fighting. I've tried researching tips on introducing room sharing, and have had no luck. Anyone have any tips?? ideas?? I could use some serious help!

On a lighter note, I've started reading a book that I really like. "Christy." My mom recommended it, which means its historical fiction. It's been a LONG time since I've read a book I like. Also, I cut Gwen's hair again today, and I can't look at her without reveling in how cute she is. Liv too. She came to me the other day asking me if I would help her stop biting her nails, and wondering what I thought would help. We got some "stop biting" gross tasting nail polish and this has been her 4th day in a row not biting them. I'm so proud of her, and really haven't said much except what a great job she is doing. I'm so proud of her for motivating herself to do it and sticking with it. She has been really into learning about animals lately. Also, she can tell you a whole lot of information about beavers =0). She is captivated by the thought that they have bright orange teeth =0).

Also, on a positive note, I can hear the pouring rain outside....maybe that means the snow is melting (a little bit).

Sorry for a lack of pictures. I personally feel a post is nearly useless without a picture. But, I'm severely lacking in the motivation to pick up my camera right now. Maybe I'm boycotting it until I can take it outside with my feet on the grass =0). I will post a catch up post soon, with some snap shots from some fun things we've done this year.

Thanks for letting me ramble, and don't forget, I NEED input on how to get my girls to be successful at room sharing. Thanks!

Hair Cut

Something about this little girls hair combined with winter EQUALS STATIC!! I would fix her hair in the morning, and then seconds later it would all go out the window. Inevitably one elasticed pig tail would stay half way in while the other would be slipped completely out with every possible hair standing on end. I was starting to feel guilty that she always looked like I just pulled her out of bed. Thank you to everyone who went before me, brave enough to cut your little girls hair and then post pictures of how adorable they were in the end. I am in love with Gwen's new little bob. And maybe even more in love with the fact that I didn't have to do a thing to it this morning and it looked perfect!

New Hampshire

So, I have had a few people ask me how my birthday was. And I have to say it was awful, just awful. I was sick...flat on my back with the worst flu I have had in years. I was in a terrible mood and completely bummed. I LOVE my birthday and I was ticked. {It was only made better by all of my family who called me, my great friends who helped me out a ton by picking up Liv from School, bringing me saltines, gatorade and lunchables for my kids, etc., and Brad who always tries to make a huge deal out of my birthday.} Luckily, my birthday weekend pulled through for me. Brad and I took the girls down to New Hampshire {where we were supposed to meet the Plachinta's, but ended up missing them =0( }. We spent our time, swimming in the indoor 85 degree pool and 104 degree hot tub, eating a lot of Thai food, and snow shoeing. We got Liv her own snow shoes this year {she is too grown up to be pulled in the sled by Brad}, and she was a natural. We had a blast (even though it was cold...brrrr). I really love being out in nature, and I'm glad we have ways to enjoy it on cold snowy days. There is something so peaceful about the snow fallen trees. Love it =0).

Just so you understand these pictures a little better, The trail we went on was an integrated fitness trail, it had all sorts of things for people to stop and do, like pull ups and stretches, etc. And the last picture is the only one I am in....It's just Liv holding my hand. I love that sweet girl.

Sledding Fun

Liv had been begging to go sledding forever and the weather never permitted it on a day we could take her. Finally, the Saturday after Christmas we planned to go. It was supposed to be in the mid 40s and possibly rainy, but we were optomistic. Well, Liv woke up early at 5:45, and Brad was already up. He got her all ready in her snow gear and took her outside to shovel the driveway with him (she was stoked to get to use the new little snow shovel she got from Santa). Then, somewhere around 6:15 I was all wrapped up warmly under my covers.....in that great state where you are half sleeping and half awake, enjoying bed and knowing that you don't have to be awake yet. Brad came rushing into the room to say, "Hey Bets, um.... the weather is perfect and Liv and I are already dressed in our snow clothes....you want to go sledding right now??" This is one of my favorite things about Brad, He can be so fun. I hopped out of bed, we woke up Gwen. I got dressed as he got her dressed, and we headed out for a morning of sledding fun. The weather was perfect and the girls LOVED it. Luckily we took the chance when we could, because just as we left it started raining and we never would have been able to go that day.
This is a view of where we were. It is a park just by the river. So, just beyond our car drops down to the river and then what you can see is our quaint old down town on the other side.

Merry Merry Merry Christmas

The Christmas of 2008 is going down in my history book as one of my favorites. Having 2 girls ages 4 and 2 has made it all magical. Our girls made every aspect of the Christmas season exciting. One of my favorite things was their reaction to our overzealous Christmas light loving neighbor's yards. It almost made me want an inflatable snow globe on my own lawn =0)!

Christmas morning was simple, and exciting. Liv woke up first at 6:45, and came in to tell Brad and I it was Christmas. Gwen woke up shortly after and she and Liv played with their unwrapped gifts from Santa while Brad made us a scrumptious breakfast of eggs and bacon.

Then we took our time opening presents, playing with what we opened for a while and then moving on to the next.

The girls were the most excited about their Barbies that they got from Santa.

Christmas eve was a blast. We started out with an nice Christmas Eve dinner of the traditional Fish Chowder at Brad's parent's house. Liv helped Nana make bread, The top picture is of our families Ginger bread house in the ginger bread village. Liv did a lot of the designing herself. She is really into patterns lately (ever since she started preschool this fall) and she was pretty happy about the pattern in the roof edge. After dinner we went to our house for our annual Rand Family Follies. I love that Brad grew up having this same sort of tradition that my family always had. We had Brad's family over and our friends the Hymas' too. We had a great talent show/extravaganza, complete with magic tricks, funny faces, singing, kazooing, Reindeer games, word scrambles, a pipe bell chorus, a live nativity and YUMMY desserts. Brad and I made our own set of pipe chimes for our "talent" this year. Everyone participated as we sang Christmas carols and accompanied ourselves on the bells. Liv performed a great card trick and a disapearing trick, where she took a necklace, showed it to all of us, had us close our eyes, and when we opened them the necklace was out of sight.....pretty tricky! And Gwen performed her funny face for everyone.