Meeting some Greats

Great-Grandma Doreen Long

Nana the Great Rena Thurber

Grandma Great Peggy Wilde




Grandpa Great Leon Wilde

Here's looking at you kids!

We like to think that the weather is warming up. No...we just know how to bundle up! But we have been having a great time strolling!

And these are the adorable faces that I get to look at as I push the stroller.

Wouldn't they entice you to go for a stroll? Works for me!

AWHC: Baby Animal Days

A week ago we packed up and went to Baby Animal Days! The weather was terrible, but that didn't stop us. It was nice that all of the animals were moved inside out of the weather. Bristol and I had been potty training hard for three days and were ready for a day out! I'm happy to report: no accidents! Anyway, back to the animals. Bristol LOVED them.

First stop, the baby chicks. So cute!

Next up the baby lamb. (It was a little crowded, so we are grateful for the pictures we got!)

The most exciting attraction were the baby bears. They were 2 and 3 weeks old all the way from Yellowstone national Park! Bristol wanted to hold them...but no sir! We were very content to watch. The claws on those little cubs were huge! They are honestly like little babies though. They just wanted to be held and cuddled.

And then the bunny. At first Bristol didn't quite think it was real...but got the hang of it real quick. Then she didn't want to let go.

And finally...SWOP. Say what? S.W.O.P. That is Bristol's frog's name. Ty won the frog for her because I made him...and now I am wondering why. I don't do slimy things...or any little crawly things very well. But...it was a spur of the moment purchase. we tried to get Bristol to name it Skip or Jump, but she came up with "Swop" all on her own. Such a funny little girl.

All in all, baby animal days was a success. We had a great time getting out!

Sibling Love

Last night Bristol was running in circles around the living room, and Tytan was being so content just watching her. It was so cute! He does smile...but as soon as I turn the camera on he turns it off. But he is still uber cute! And he loves his big sister!

Worth Losing Sleep Over

So...this is what's on my mind.Who knew that potty training could be so hard? Ya know how you can send your dog to behavior school? Totally wish they had those for potty training toddlers. One giant sleep over for kids all learning to use the potty. Hahaha! I really did think of that last night. But really, I finally got over one thing with the little Bris, and then something else starts up. I really shouldn't complain too much, so far she hasn't had too many accidents. Day 1: Bristol woke up and asked to use the potty. She was really rushed about it, so off we went. I wasn't planning on training her, but what a better way to start? So we were off! She went tinkle in the potty, and about an hour later a BM. So exciting! Then a few accidents. So we didn't end the day too well, but even better news is no wetting the bed!!! Not ready for that one! Day 2 (So far): Woke up and wouldn't go. She seriously gets the "pee shivers" but still won't go. Totally holding it. So guess where she goes? IN HER HIGH CHAIR. Sick. Nothing worse than eating your muffin in a couple inches of urine. I just don't do bodily fluids. I thought to myself 'There is a reason I'm not a nurse.' And then I laughed, besides the needles, I think that I do almost everything a nurse does! Clean up pee and poo, check temperatures, administer meds, change bedding, etc. Anyway...then she had a BM on the potty! Yay! But wait...another accident not long after. What is it with this tinkle??? Good news-she hates having accidents. It makes her cry. Now here is what I really lose sleep over: Going out in public. How do you get a kid that has to go potty RIGHT NOW to a potty? Do I hold her and run, risking getting peed on, or let her run with me and risk her just going all over? If we make it to the potty, what about the seat? I don't sit on public pottys, and my kids won't either. I've heard of these little potty seat liners for kids. Probably going to have to invest in a few of those :) Well, all problems are solvable. I just have to do it! Wish me luck. P.S. Any advice is welcome!

Bristol went tinkle on the potty!

Now for the fun part...

keeping her princess panty's dry.

It's Finally Here

"May we declare ourselves to be more

fully disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ,

not in word only and not only in the flush

of comfortable times but in deed and in

courage and in faith, including when the path

is lonely and when our cross is difficult to bear."

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

General Conference for The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints

begins tomorrow. I am so excited. I have always loved watching conference.

There is something comforting about watching our latter day Prophet of God

and those others who teach of Christ instruct ME on those things that I need

to do better. I love it. It is so uplifting, edifying, and comforting.

I hope you can watch!

Well, hello spring. How you been?

Good to see you my old friend.

Thank you spring for making your debut.

Three hours of playtime outside with the kids

was much needed. Please stay!

P.S. Don't you LOVE Lady A.?

You Know You're a Parent When...

You Know You Are A Parent When

• You can fall asleep anywhere, doing anything...as pictured
• You find infant socks in between your sheets
• Your Mr. says to you "I'm going to put on my jammies."
• You forget to go to the bathroom
  

What are your funny moments?

1 Month

Isn't he handsome? One month old today!

I can't believe it!

And what did we do to celebrate? We dealt with colic all day long...

But, I love you!

And watch out little leadies, his rear looks pretty

dang cute in those wrangler jeans!

Bristol's 2nd Birthday

Bristol had a fantastic birthday. Granted...I got home from a church activity a little late which made for a late party, but it was a lot of fun.

She is such a girl! Her new bracelet, purse, shirt, and vaccuum. So cute!

She was absolutely spoiled rotten. New outfits, tons of new toys, and a even a new potty

that will hopefully get used soon! The automatic bubble machine was sure

a hit. She didn't want to go to bed at all with that thing around!

NOW...DON'T LAUGH. PLEASE.

OK. Now you can laugh. YES, Mickey was out in the sun a little too much before the party.

But hey, give me a break. My very first attempt at a decorative cake.

Bristol loved it and it tasted really good, so I don't care...ok maybe a little.

I just don't quite have the patience or time for cake decorating. I want to

be good at it, but just don't have what it takes. I frosted Mickey in 20 minutes.

Now you're thinking I'm pretty good eh? I know...I'll take orders later.

NOT!

Bristol was so funny. Before we could even start singing she had bent

over and stuck her face in the cake. Haha! And then she pulled out the

candles to lick them. Where do kids learn to do this?

It was a GREAT birthday. I love my little 2 year old to pieces.

Her world has been turned up side down, and she has been

such a trooper through it all. It was a great day of giving all of

my attention to her.

Frustrations

I love technology, but at the same time I hate it. As previously posted, I've decided to go private. It is so bitter sweet, and maybe this is more hormones taking in effect than my normal thoughts, but it's a tough transition! I love knowing that people out there are reading my blog and keeping up with our latest and greatest, but I hate knowing that some people might miss out because they won't/can't sign up with google to read it. SO, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE message me your e-mail and I'll make sure to invite you! I really don't want anyone to miss out!

P.S. Once it's private I'll delete all e-mails left on the blog/facebook so others can't get 'em. Or just privately message me on FB or e-mail and all is safe! Thanks!

Going Private!?

Ok, the time has come. I think I might actually do it. GO PRIVATE. Not sure, it may be a while yet, but if you would like to keep reading send me your e-mail!

Thanks

P.S. Wanna know why? Have you ever checked your "stats" page on dashboard? It can tell you who reads your blog. I don't know about you, but I don't know anybody in these places that have looked at my blog.

Netherlands

Australia

France

Germany

Russia

Spain

WOW. Who are these people? And multiple page views too. Yikes!

He's a Big Boy

Tytan had his "2" week checkup today...even though he's actually 3 weeks. But here are his stats.

11 lbs 8 oz : 96th percentile

23 inches : 96th percentile

head circumference : 100th percentile

Still can't believe that this big guy fit in me. I don't know where or how. Poor thing was probably just cramped the whole time. I love him though!

March 16, 2011 Bristol is TWO!

My dear little girl is two years old! (I know, I'm a day late. But yesterday was CRAZY!) I can't believe how fast two years has gone by. I remember the day she was born like it was yesterday, and yet here we are. People have always told me that time flies by more quickly as you get older, but now is just when I would like it to slow down.

Words can't really do justice to express the love I have for my little girl. I love Love LOVE her. She makes me laugh, smile, cry (sometimes), which is just the way life should be. As she learns and grows, I learn and grow with her. My life just wouldn't be the same without her. I love you Bris!

Cutie Patootie Hats

Without permission from my good friend, lets call her Miss A,

I'm advertising her hats!

She is soooo good at making them!

(and she doesn't use patterns) WOW!

Here is Tytan in his Owl hat. SO adorable.

Remember this picture? She also made Bristol's hat!

SO, I've told Miss A before that she needs to sell them.

I think that she could make a pretty penny!

What do you think?

Introducing: TYTAN JEFFREY STEVENS

Here he his. My little man!

The story of his entrance into this world is quite lengthy...lucky for you I don't have time to write the whole thing here, so I'll give you the most important details in a sweet and condensed version!

*7:30 AM check in to the hospital

*8:30 ish start pictocin...low dose so as not

to cause uterin rupture

(only 1% chance)

*8:45 Dr. O. breaks water

*9:30 most wanted man on labor and

delivery floor enters...the man

with the epidural needle!

*10:00 in the most EXRUCIATING

abdominal pain EVER. Everyone

thinks epidural not working

*5:00 PM Dr. O is informed and comes

rushing upstairs. His words

"C-Section...uterin rupturing"

*5:15 enter operating room...4 of

the 5 layers of uterus had been

torn apart, last layer paper thin

with holes in it (please say ouch

out loud for my sake...it hurt BAD)

*5:48 PM Tytan Jeffrey Stevens born

9lbs 15 oz (1 oz shy of 10 lbs) 21 1/2 inches long

Minutes after Tytan was born. And while he lay there he was smacking his lips the whole time!

Dr.'s nicknamed him "Bubba" in the O.R. because he was so big.

His feet barely fit on the paper!



Still hungry a few hours after birth. (He had already eaten once!)


First time home! Bristol loved him!

I could list a lot of things that upset me about the whole situation, but I won't. It is unbelievable that I'm the 1%, and I don't think about the alternative. However, I feel extremely blessed. I am recovering well, and I have a healthy baby boy! I am so grateful that my husband was there to hold my hand during the operation, that my mom was there to help me through the long "labor," and that I still have somewhat of a uterus!!!

The Verdict

Not to bore you, BUT...

Today at the Dr.'s office my blood pressure was high. SO Dr. O. said that "it's time for the baby to come out." He doesn't work Wednesdays, so I'm being induced on Thursday morning! (Who ever has their baby on their due date?) I know I know, you're not supposed to be induced after having a C-Section. However, I am one of the lucky few that had a C-Section because of a breached baby, and not another medical problem, so my chances of having a problem being induced are extremely slim. AND on top of that, he is going to give me pitocin at a really low level, lower than normal and monitor me very closely. I am just excited to be seeing the light at the end of the tunnel!

Now for my TO DO list before Thursday morning:

• laundry
• make sure my packed bag still has all of the essentials
• re-charge camera/video camera
• take it easy!!!!

Wish me luck!

What's In a Name?

Yes, we have decided on a name. Mr. asked if I "gave in" or if I really like it, and I think I really like it. Of course the middle name was the catch, but I do like it! Ready for it?

Tytan Jeffrey Stevens

Tytan is after my TyRell, Jeffrey is after my Dad and of course Stevens.

Haven't quite decided if I like "T.J." as a nickname. But I do see myself calling him "TyTy" or something. What do you think? (Don't be too honest...cuz it's not going to change based on your opinion...but please do tell!)

Side note: I came up with the name after meeting the cutest little Titan in Riverside, California while we were selling. I was prego with Bristol at the time, but loved the name. We changed the spelling of course, but what is even funnier is that this same family just had a baby girl that they named "Brystal." I'm only assuming that they pronounce it the same as our Bristol. Isn't that a funny coincidence? Just good taste in names I guess!

P.S. Thanks cousin Bailey for "not minding" I use your blog name for my title!!!

Now if he would just get here...

Gratification

There is something completely gratifying about watching your "kids" (husband and daughter) having a ton of fun in the snow. I just love it. I would have been out there myself, but squeezing into my coat just isn't quite possible these days. So, I made some quick cookies and hot chocolate. I did however step outside to snap these photos. I love it!

Grocery Store Etiquette: Taking the Initiative

Just in case you were wondering...I did it! I made it through the grocery store without any mishaps. I will admit that leaning over the little credit card swiper with a belly to grab heavy items was a little hard, but nothing got squished! I may feel a little bit guilty for completely ignoring and "mmhmm-ing" the bagger while I quickly grabbed everything I was worried about, but not guilty enough. I'll totally do it next week.

...Just in case you were wondering...

Blessed

Today my Mr. came home for lunch and automatically said "What's wrong?" I didn't laugh, but it didn't take me long to respond.
" Well, I'm moody, uncomfortable, fat, and still pregnant."

I don't take pregnancy photos, but trust me that my belly is HUGE. People tell me that I'm all belly, but there is a little elsewhere. Trust me. My feet and hands are water filled!

Anyway,

After giving my gruff response, I realized that I have a lot to be grateful for, and could use quite an attitude adjustment. Yes, I may be fat and still pregnant. However, I'm healthy, the baby is healthy, my little Bris is healthy and happy, and I have a wonderful Mr.

And who knows...maybe actually being grateful that I'm pregnant will make the little man want to make his world debut!

Love Bug

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

xoxo TyRell, Stephanie, and Bristol

Little Lady

Last night Ty and I were looking at pictures from this last summer and realizing that our little Bris has become quite the little lady. I still call her my baby, and I don't think that I'll ever quit. But she sure isn't such a baby anymore!

I made some Valentine's cookies and let Bristol have a hand in the decorating. Wasn't as messy as I thought it would be! But I do believe that little missy enjoyed eating them even more. (Who doesn't though?)

Can you say imagination? Well, she's got it. The other night Mickey pooped. (Or should I say had a BM?) So, she got the diapers out and changed him. It was hilarious. I think that she will be quite the little helper when our little guy gets here!

Grocery Store Etiquette

I HATE grocery shopping. Who doesn't though right? Well, to make matters even worse are the circumstances under which I have been grocery shopping lately. Here is how it goes.
1. I grocery shop
2. I unload my full cart on the belt...all heavy items first and squishable items last
3. I nervously watch the bagger bag my groceries
4. I pay
5. I push my cart 2 feet and rearrange all of my bags because SOME HOW ALL OF THE HEAVY ITEMS were placed ON TOP of the squishable items. milk, soda, canned goods all on top of the bread, eggs, and fruit
6. I go to customer service because now my eggs are broken, juice boxes are leaking, and bread is squished
7. I wait...very impatiently...while the bagger runs around the store trying to find the items that got ruined
8. I make it home tired and hungry with an even crankier toddler
9. I unload my groceries and find even more ruined food

ARG!

SERIOUSLY!!!! There is nothing worse than having your groceries squished and ruined after buying them. Where I grew up, we were able to bag our own groceries. I seriously miss it. It is such a hassle to watch someone else handle my valuables. AND not only do i watch things get squished, but often the bagger has just finished wiping his snotty nose with his bare hands, and then proceeds to handly my food. YUCK!

So, what do I do?

I have no idea.

I don't want to change stores unless it's my last option, and I don't want to yell at the bagger.

So, what would you do?