Flashback!

Finally Home! Gracie has been such a great big sister, or more like a little mama! Once he came home I think we all just stayed in our pjs and held him for two days straight. It was such a journey getting him here, but in the end it made it even more worth while! I am so thankful for my two healthy children and my great husband-

Eight days old and on our way home! Hooray!

Bubby in the NICU. He spent 8 days there!

The day I went to the hospital to deliver (which I didn't know at the time.) I was hoping they would just give me some meds to stop the contractions and send me home, but I made Dallyn snap this pic just in case. I had been contracting for about two days, and the Procardia wasn't cutting it anymore. Bentley had decided he has been in there long enough. He was born at 35 weeks.

The cutest dancer ever! I can't wait for the Spring recital!

A Bedrest Birthday! Luckily we had great food! My mom-in-law brought a bundt cake all the way to St. George and my super sis-in-law Meg made a super dinner! (She even got me crab that I didn't have to share with the Lady. Call me selfish, it was my b-day!)

Christmas Day 2010! The "Open Mirror"!! Yeah! We weren't sure I was going to be home for Christmas because of the whole premature labor thing, but they let me out of the hospital around 11pm Christmas Eve. I have never been more grateful to be home for Christmas!

We cut down our own Christmas tree this year. For some reason I thought it would be much easier than it was. (Not like I cut it down or anything, but trying to find it was the hard part!) Thanks to Dallyn and his brother, Steven, we found a good one, right before the sunset too! I'm thinking the Costco trees are a much easier route.

Thanksgiving 2010. We spent it in Cedar at Dallyn's uncle's house. Gracie was in heaven with all the snow, the dogs, the indoor slide, and the crab! Gracie requested we eat crab for dinner so they had it flown(sp?) in for her! Crazy girl! I already feel bad for her husband!

Thanksgiving 2010. Dallyn with Grandpa George who passed in February 2011. He was such a great man and example!

Dallyn of the Hood

Before Bentley was born we actually discussed naming him RobinHood (one word). Obviously that discussion didn't go far. haha.

This picture was actually taken while Bentley was still in the NICU. Dallyn went out and got himself a bow and arrow so "we could raise our son right". It's a pretty fun little gettup though. Gracie even likes it! Anyone up for a challenge?

Chunk of Love!

3 MONTHS OLD!

Yeah, we love this kid! And yes, HE is in a pink chair. (Never really thought going gender-neutral with Gracie. Should have thought that one through better.) He is now 3 months! Ahh! He has caught right up on his weight, and is now about 14 lbs! He is a happy boy (when dairy free), and lactose intolerant. He loves to smile, especially at his funny older sis. He laughs, but only in his sleep. He loves the bath/shower and getting his hair washed. Loves his swing! We think it's so cute when he coos, but he's more of a "grunter"- he's showing us he is a man! Often is referred to as "Bubbee"- hopefully that won't stick for elementary!

A Great Day

(This picture cracks me up!)

Bentley was finally blessed on Mother's Day this year. It was so fun to have all (well part) of the family together and Dallyn gave a wonderful blessing! Afterwards we all had a yummy dinner. Bentley pretty much slept the whole time and was passed between all the aunts and uncles and grandmas and grandpas. What a great day!

The Cutest Little Brother

(Thanks to Ashlee for these sweet pictures! I am so excited to see the rest! (Why did they upload so small?))

Bentley came home last Thursday, when he was eight days old. When we left the hospital he weighed 5lbs 11oz. At his doctors appointment on Tuesday he weighed 6lbs 4 oz! Obviously we are all doing much better now that we are together! It has made such a difference in our lives having him with us, and not just for the obvious reasons. :) He has such a sweet, peaceful spirit that fills our home. I was a little apprehensive about being a mom of two, but I'm really loving it! He is such a good baby too, which makes it easy. Gracie is such an awesome big sister and loves to hold her brother, ALL DAY. She would seriously lay on the couch and watch movies with him all day if I would let her. (and some days it is tempting)

Dallyn is loving having another boy in the house too. The day after we brought Bentley home from the hospital Dallyn came home with a bow and arrow... He is truly a firm believer in starting the kid young! Honestly, we have all enjoyed shooting it though. I am so grateful that he is such a good dad!

Baby Bentley

6 pounds

19.75 inches

I thought I would upload this picture while I had a minute before I drive back out to the hospital. Bentley was born on Wednesday! Crazy because I was not supposed to go off my bedrest medicine until Friday. I went into the hospital thinking they would just stop my contractions and send me home, but no, this kid was sick of waiting around! He was born at 4am Wedenesday morning. He has had some premie issues and is still in the NICU, but continues to improve everyday! They took him off the photo therapy this morning (for jaundice) and I just found out they took him off his IV fluids too! I am so excited to go and hold him without that dang IV in his arm! The kid is a champ and loves to eat. Every new nurse that comes in tells me how much he loves his food! Everyday he continues to improve, hopefully he will be home soon! I will post more pictures soon!

And Now Presenting...

Is this not the cutest thing ever? (Obviously I am biased :), but really!?) Every time I think about it I can't help but smile. Last week Gracie had her first dance recital. Her teacher is Miss Sweetie, aka my mom! She takes the class with her friend KD which makes it that much better. (Shout out to KD's mom for the great pics! brittany k photography!)

The accumulation of the last 3 1/2 years of parenting was repaid in this simple 65 second dance! I have dreamed about the day that my little girl would get up on stage and dance- and this was better than a dream...she was the cutest! She even kept her smile on the whole time! Afterwards her dad gave her roses and took her to Lucille's the (their favorite restaurant). I loved it all, the dancing and the eating part...ha.

"Earrings & A Open Mirror"

So right now I am awake with small contractions, I guess this baby is already preparing me for his arrival! (Although it is very convenient to update while everyone else in the house is asleep.) So, what better use of my time huh?

Over Thanksgiving Weekend we went to St. George..(surprise..haha). While we were there I finally got the courage to get Gracie's ears pierced. Her Auntie Dani and I took her to the mall where she got to pick out her own earrings. She picked the "snowflake ones". I am sure that I was more nervous than her, and she did soooo well! No tears at all! I was pretty impressed.

Here is the before picture

Here is the after! And she still has a smile!

Then we took her to sit on Santa's lap. She has never cooperated until this year, so this was her first time! All year she has been asking for an "open mirror". We have the commercial recorded so it is always fresh in her mind! It's actually a Disney Princess vanity set, but she refers to it as an "open mirror". So many people have asked her what she wants for Christmas and when she sees the confused look on their faces with her "open mirror" reply she has learned to further explain that "it it like a vanity." It's pretty hilarious. I just hope she has been good enough this year for Santa to bring it to her! :)

Halloween Enchanted

A Princess on a Mission!

We went on a field trip for preschool to the pumpkin patch.

Making pizza with Papa Brett

Making carmel apples with the grandmas! Grandma Whitney always has the best plans! (Gracie told me yesterday that I don't have plans, only Grama Whitney!)

Her Hero

Can you see the theme?

I love this one!

Their nightly routine!

Like daddy like daughter!

These past few months Gracie has grown to have a profound love for her dad! She only lets HIM brush her hair/teeth, do her hair (which he is pretty good at a pony tail now!), take her potty, get her dressed...the list could go on forever. Bottom line- She loves her dad!

I am so grateful to have such an amazing man who I get to be with forever and who is the father of my children! Love you! (And we both know Gracie does too!)

Oh Boy!

So today I am grateful that I can say I'm twenty weeks along, with a BABY BOY! We are super excited about the new addition. Although when we came out of the ultrasound I asked Gracie if she was excited to have a little brother, she said, "I think its a little sister Mom." Haha, no we are pretty sure, along with the sonographer, that it's a little brother. Dallyn is proud, he can't wait to have a little boy. Th entire time he said it was a boy, and with Gracie he knew it was a girl; I don't know how he knows, but he does.

Now Gracie has warmed up to the idea and is excited about a little brother.

The older I get the more I realize how much true happiness I get from my family. Other things are fun, like Dallyn went on a crazy hike yesterday in Kolob Creek in Zion, but nothing brings me joy like my family.

Since I have been writing this Dallyn told me that he would teach me how to repel, but he won't because I would die, so I guess we can count that out. haha. It's not really a desire of mine anyways. I would much rather spend a fun day at the beach with the fam!

On another note Gracie has eaten a cookie and a carmel popcorn ball for breakfast, and tonight we are going trick-or-treating. Needless to say we are at the grandparents in St. George and I know others can sympathize with me, Megan. What is a mother to do?

Birthday Lady!

Gracie turned 3! (in July...yeah I know..)

We had birthday celebrations with the Bleazard and Moody families. It was a week of celebrations for that girl. G&G Bleazard came down for a day showered Gracie with presents and took her to Chuckie Cheese and Grimaldi's (yum)! When we got to Chuckie Cheese Gracie said, "It's not broken anymore!" I couldn't figure out what she was talking about until I remembered that we had told her about four months before that we couldn't go there becuase it was broken ...haha. This girl is full of surprises, and is the princess of the house...to say the least!

Gracie, Dal, and G&G Bleazard at lunch. I am grateful for such awesome in-laws!

Handing Grampa the tickets at Chuckie Cheese.

Gracie blowing out the candles on her "Princess Cake." (I had good intentions of making a serious princess cake, but it kind of fell apart at the last minute. (literally) Next year, and for years to come, I will buy delicious Bundt cakes and ice cream cakes for the fam's brithdays. Lesson learned. ) Luckily for me, Gracie liked it.

Here is Grace in her all-time-favorite dress-up. She wears it around the house almost everyday. She got the matching shoes for her birthday. I think now she has almost every Disney Princess dress with matching shoes. This girl doesn't mess around when it comes to princess stuff! Even when we go to the library she refuses to check out any books that are not princess. I think we've read them all by now. I am so grateful to be her mom! Happy Birthday Lady! I love you!

Really??

I recently had a conversation with someone that left me thinking, "Really? Did she just say that? Is this really happening?", and unfortunately the answer was loud and clear: Yes, Brooke- this is happening...
A few weeks ago we found out that I was pregnant. We were ecstatic- more so, elated!- including the little lady. I have been sick and super tired, not to mention a couch potato and an avid Dora watcher.
When I went to my first doctor's appointment on Friday, which Dallyn met me at, I was so excited to see a heartbeat- at least I would know that this sickness would be amounting to something, we were expecting an eight week old baby. Too soon, we learned of the opposite. There was no baby...just a clot. My body still believes that I am pregnant, which explains the sickness, the hormones and my growing uterus. I hope soon enough this will change.
I decided to write about this for a couple reasons because normally I would think this is way too personal to put on my blog:

1. I do not want to have to explain to everyone who knew that I was pregnant what happened. I still get teary-eyed thinking about it, and I can't imagine explaining it over and over.

2. I want to share my testimony: I know that the Lord gives us trials so we can become stronger. I admit that I do not understand the reasoning behind this right now, but I know that it is for my own good. Through this I have a deeper appreciation for my knowledge of the Gospel. I am so grateful for my beautiful, healthy baby girl and my rock of a husband. Even more I am grateful to know that we can be together forever. I know that the Lord hears and answers prayers. "Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid; for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he has also become my salvation." 2 Nephi 22:2. Amen.

Bonnie Springs

(I guess if my hubbie has time to update, there's no excuse for me...right?)

Last week we took Gracie to Bonnie Springs. She was ecstatic (Fancy Nancy word)! She loves seeing all the animals, this place is better than any zoo Vegas has to offer! Here's a couple pictures to document our travels.

Giving the camera their "game face".

Wild ride on the mechanical camel!

Talking to Dad about pettin that pony. The signed warned that he may bite!

Feeding Bambi. Definite highlight!

Thinking bout pettin that llama. "Diego does it all the time Mom!"

Sitting on the train, that doesn't chug.

Alright, I have never done this so give me a break and don not plan on hearing from me for another couple of years.

I just want to wish Brooke a happy mothers day and tell her how much I love her and appreciate all that she does for Gracie and. She is such a wonderful example and tries in everyway to live like Christ.

Also, thank you for making life so enjoyable and always lookin so dam (yes the misspelling was on purpose) HOT.

I love you so much and always will.

Love, Dallyn