Youtube

OK.. Finally our internet seems to have it together! I started our video diary.. I think it's off to a sloppy/monotone start but we'll get better. I am recording one day and then posting that day the following day... So what ever is recorded Monday goes up Tuesday etc. It gives us a chance to edit.

www.youtube.com/brickofbacon

Please subscribe!! And feel free to leave comments etc. We are so excited!

Video Diary

‎"Mom, what did you dream about?" -Izzy

"I actually dreamt about my life before you were born" -Me

"Is that a nightmare?!" -Izzy

And that pretty much sums up my day! :) 

HQ was awing over Locke.

So.. I have decided to switch to a video blog. Ty and I have been talking about it for a while and decided why not. SO I am going to do a 1 year video diary starting tomorrow. I always dislike how I look and sound on camera. I think most do, but eh, I'll get over it! I'll let you know how to find it on youtube once I have it all set up. I don't have a big ol exciting personality or anything, but a video blog just made more sense with the animated family/life I have :) 

Uncrustables

I can't believe Wednesday is over! My days are are just flying by super fast. Perhaps if I hated my life they would slow down :) Izzy completed another story in her phonics level 3 and she can now read better than most second graders! Crazy what they can do when someone spends the time to teach them. 

HQ spent a good chunk of the day trying to find places to hide popcorn. She also had me read "Puppy Love" to her several times today. Just like Izzy she loves animals. I think most kids do actually. Izzy would like us to get a dog. However most apartments wont allow you to have one and I'd hate to have one without a yard for him to run in! I told her if we are ever fortunate enough to own a home we will get a dog. Ever since then she can't stop talking about "our house". 

We are finally getting around to mounting our TV. HQ likes to rub her sticky fingers on the screen and poke it. It needs to be mounted if we'd like it to last at least until she's 3... Anyway it ended up being a bigger job than we thought so we had to enlist the help of my dad.

Helping mount the TV

Taking proper measurements.

Grampa comes to help!

I have had one of those Pampered Chef Cut-N-Seal devices since Izzy was 1. I just started to use it and it is awesome! Have you ever seen or tried uncrustables? They look like that when they are done. This thing helps prevent the sandwiches from making a mess while the girls are eating them. No drippy condiments/PB & J/Cheese and it gets rid of the crust. How many kids like crust? Not many! Not mine.

Get one!

 My itch to sew NEEDS to be scratched and soon. It's tough finding time to sew with 3 little ones at home and a husband who isn't around a whole lot. By the time the girls go down to bed Locke demands my attention and likes to nurse on and off for about 2 hours before calling it a night. By then I am pretty exhausted too and Ty and I are lucky if we can squeeze a half hour of whatever movie/show we are enjoying at that time before conking out. At least Locke is now consistently sleeping a 6 hours stretch now. He then will wake for about 10 mins to eat and go back down for about another 3 hours. Not too bad for 6 weeks :D

Board Shorts

She's such a happy girl :)

 We went from Friday to Tuesday sans Izzy! That's rough. Our home feels so weird without her. Especially for that long. She brings so much to the table! On our way home tonight she said, "Wow Mom, I was gone for too many nights this time. I thought maybe I was on an adventure, but I am glad I can come home!" She couldn't stop smooching her brother and sister too.

I finally had my hair done well today! A friend of mine used to do it for me a couple years back, then she moved and had a baby. I have been to so many different places trying to find a replacement for her but to no avail! Fortunately she's back in the area. Yay!

Locke's first board shorts!

Today was the first time in about 3 months that Ty had the place to himself for more than 10 mins (nearly 2 hours actually). He said it was the best PVPing he's done in a long time. Anytime he's playing any sort of video/computer game HQ likes to hop on his lap and "help". And since we only have one computer right now we can't play any computer games together so he doesn't like to play when I am around/awake or he feels guilty. So I am glad he got some time to himself!

Today was like the 6th time I have driven since the accident. During the day wasn't really bad at all, but when night time hit I did feel a bit panicked. Especially having to switch lanes on the 405. During which Izzy wanted to play I spy. Hearing "I spy something green and you have to find it fast or you'll miss it!" many times made the drive more interesting. But I think driving is getting less and less scary for me. It has to!

But now, it is time for bed!

Mini Video

It was a beautiful day today! A little warm for my taste, but still quite lovely. 

Ty, HQ, Locke, and I spent the morning with Ty's mom. She allowed us to do our laundry at her house. Which is nice since we have to go to a laundry room to get it done. It costs about $3 a load which really adds up when you have 3 little kids! Plus, she loves any minute she gets to spend with her grandbabies! We even got sushi for lunch. Yum!

Ty went to work in the afternoon. HQ didn't like that one bit! She always acts so betrayed as he walks out the door. Shortly after he left she had a blast playing with her little brother.

 We got a new camera and this is my first try making a mini video with it.

My favorite part is when HQ notices the cell phone and contemplates whether or not she should grab it!

Poor Dolphins

Izzy and I like to watch documentaries together (A nerd just like her mommy). I like to watch them once first to make sure that they are appropriate for her. I firmly believe that what may be OK for one 5 year old may not be the case for another. Just rating something G, PG, PG13, and R isn't enough for men every child is different. Anyway, I watched "The Cove" in hopes of another good ocean themed documentary for her. Awesome documentary... but not for her yet. Dolphins are her favorite animal and what kind of mother shows her 5 year old a film where their child's favorite animal is slaughtered? Yeesh!

I cannot believe that Peanut will be 6 weeks old tomorrow. It seems like just yesterday I was depressed thinking that we were going to lose him. Ty and I were not planning on having another baby right away and at that time I was on medication that is known to cause miscarriages/birth defects. I cried when I took the pregnancy test and it came out positive. I "knew" this meant another loss. I quit taking the meds anyway and still prayed for the best. The doctor wouldn't even see me until I was around 10 weeks pregnant. So that meant 4 weeks of not knowing anything! Poor Ty had to deal with one crazy depressed emotional woman ALSO since I wasn't taking my medication I was dealing with sever mood altering migraines (I made the poor guy feel he was just as awful as a cheating husband for finishing off a cheesecake without me!) He's so strong and forgiving :) BUT! here our little boy is. Safe and apparently quite happy.

Ty should be home any minute. We hope to watch a movie before going to bed tonight. I suppose that depends on how tired we feel once he gets home. I miss him!

Funny Cheese

It seems that with each passing day I fall more and more in love with my family. I didn't even know it was possible. I have been so incredibly blessed with an amazing loving husband and 3 beautiful kids. My life is far from perfect, but there is honestly so little I would change. I wake up and go to sleep so tired, but so content.  I have found so much joy in being a wife and mother it's ridiculous! I still have yet to find joy in doing the dishes though.

Enjoying the park

Running away with Izzy's snacks

After Izzy was done with her bike HQ wanted to give it a try!
Notice her feet done reach the pedals :)

Izzy told me today that she would like to teach her little brother how to grow. "Just a little bit so he can play more games". She demonstrated some stretches for him. So far he still looks the same. I'll keep you updated.

Preparing for battle.

I just thought this was cute...

Doing homework together.

Admiring her little brother.

We brought Ty down his dinner at work today. It was a nice walk for me and the kids and HQ always enjoys Ty's work. The timing worked out perfectly so he was able to take is break while we were there.

How to fully enjoy a bagel.

She didn't even realize she was covered in cream cheese.

"Hmmm... this cheese tastes a little... funny"

Ty's and the kids tummies are all full. They are all safe, warm, and asleep. Knowing this makes me feel like I am doing something right.

Big Girl Bed!

It took us an hour to get ready to go to the grocery store today! Between finding shoes that fit, pulling hair back, and making sure that Locke's tummy was topped off it was a serious event to leave the house.

I started making anti-inflammatory meals for Ty and he has lost six pounds in a week! He will eat what ever is put in front of him, so I just make sure that I put good foods in front of him (and enough to make sure he isn't hungry so he wont want to stop off for fast food on his way to or from work which can be a tough job since he's a big guy). So far he has been content and very happy he's losing some weight (he's put on quite a few pounds since we got married too). 

Off to Whole Foods!

 The girls had a blast out shopping today. Especially at Trader Joe's. They had a good amount of "fans" there. Buy fans I mean strangers who were giggling their dancing and singing. Izzy has discovered the art of the "running man".  As we were checking out HQ noticed the "kids corner". She immediately walked right over there and started to take all the plastic twirly toys off the wall and knocking them on the floor (they also cleaned them up). Next time I'll need to have my camera handy while shopping! They also made it out of there with a bunch of stickers. Dancing, messing stuff up, and stickers?! That's one awesome shopping trip!

Homework time!

Yes, my kids snack on raw broccoli. And the little weirdos like it!
Hmm, now I want celery. 

:)

Tonight HQ is happily asleep in the bottom bunk in her big girl bed. We just got her mattress two days ago and she is already sleeping in it! Yay! Goodness they grow so fast! 

Birthday Sunday

Sunday morning Ty and I signed Izzy up for soccer. She is so excited! She told me that she hopes her team name will be "The Diamonds" and that their uniforms will be shiny. She and I are both excited for her to start. Unfortunately practice doesn't start until August and her games don't start until after labor day. That's a long time for a 5 year old to wait!

In the afternoon we headed to Ty's stepsister's (Aunt Jen) birthday party at Grandma and Grandpa Orpi's house. It was a nice time to see some family we haven't seen in a while.

While there Grandma Orpi helped Izzy pick a giant pink rose. She told me that she named her Rosie. "Isn't that a cute name for her, Mom? It's much better than naming her Flowery... oh! Do you think Grandma will let me pick another one so I can name her Flowery?" 

Izzy and Connor looking at the birthday cake.
Please notice Izzy's rose, Rosie.

Watching Grandma Orpi sing Happy Birthday.

Izzy and HQ helping Grandpa Orpi put together a marble roller coaster.

HQ and Grandma Orpi playing with a laptop.
HQ loves technology :) 

HQ just destroyed the marble roller coaster...
Ah, my littlest princess.  

Happy at "Damma's"

Enjoying pancakes and cereal at Grandma and Grandpa's!

HQ started calling my mom "Damma" (like 'Gramma' which is what Izzy calls my mom). So cute! I have always heard that your second child usually takes a little longer to say as many words as your first. It makes sense since Izzy usually monopolizes conversations... and sometimes you just get a little bit lazier with the second one... especially if you just had number 3! When Izzy was HQ's age she was saying 2 word phrases. HQ still just says one word (except for "more milk" she has that one down!) but it's really cute to hear her new words!

Swingin'

Izzy golfing

I have gotten bad news thrown at me from every which way this week and I was just emotional drained by Friday. The girls went to stay with my parents for the weekend so they could be exposed to some fun! My parents took them out for a barbeque and some outdoor fun. My mom also bought the movie "Tangled" (Izzy's new favorite movie) to watch with the girls.

Since we didn't have the girls today we decided to work on their baskets and run some other errands. We did finally get some good news that some dear friends of ours are expecting baby number two! Yay! Babies are always good news to me :)

Working on the kids' Easter baskets

Bummed

Ready for some shopping!

 We took the girls to the mall today. I needed new wash cloths and a pastry brush and Izzy wanted to spend some of her money. We are trying to teach her the value of money. Of course while we were there we had to check out Game Stop.

Checking out the video games

Ooooh!
She was bummed to discover that all these stuffed animals were  over her budget.

 Of course toward the end of our shopping Locke was "starving". He goes from zero to starving real quick! So that meant Ty got to run around the mall to distract the wiggly girls while I fed the little guy. I loved watching it :)

Combing her eyelashes with her new compact.

On the easter carousel at the mall.

Checking out the rabbit hole and the rest of "easter bunny land".

Lazy bum sleeping on the couch.

In the tent they made in their room.

Drawing a picture of our family.
Check out her hot coco! 

Tummy Time!
My strong little man :D

Well, Ty and I are a bit down tonight. We learned that a coworker of Ty's (who he worked with for a couple years) was killed in a car accident today. He had a young family which makes it even harder for me to swallow. I had only met him a few times, but I really liked the guy. He used to give Ty advice about kids and was quite in love with his own. Please pray for his family :(

"Mean Magic Carpet Maker"

It feels so amazing to keep getting more and more of my energy back. I am still only going on about 5 hours of interrupted sleep (waking once), but I still feel better than I did at 9 months pregnant! I also lost another 3 lbs. Yay!

Izzy told me that she knew the easter bunny had to be a person in a bunny suit and not an actual bunny. "How is a bunny supposed to carry all those eggs and presents?" We never really told her there was an easter bunny. We always give the kids baskets with candy and a nice little gift of two. So I told her today that there wasn't an actual bunny or person dressed as a bunny hiding stuff in our house. She didn't mind it and almost seemed relieved about it. I did also make sure I told her that some people like to pretend he's real so it wasn't her job to tell other kids otherwise. She understood and then asked me if we could pretend he was real. I said sure! But I don't really know what she meant by that...

Following in her big sister's fashion footsteps!

 Today the girls were in a super wacky mood. They spent most of the day acting like mini gladiators. In their more quite time they drug most of their toys out to the living room and got creative in that mess. They did make sure they cleaned it all up before bedtime though.

It's kind of hard to see, but the girls brought out all our blankets, pillows, and their most "stuffed" toys to create a "bounce house" in the living room. 

 Izzy begged for us to give her little brother a bath tonight. So after HQ went to bed (she seems to think the water is best in his eyes and up his nose) we bathed him. Izzy helped rub the baby soap on him and told him what all his little body parts were. He stared at her almost the entire time. Izzy then picked out her favorite jammies of his for him to wear. 2 minutes after being in them he "leaked" all over the place. Izzy thought it was pretty darn funny. Especially when I told she would do the same thing when she was a baby.

He loves his baths!

Izzy is telling Locke a bedtime story about beautiful princesses (named Izzy and HQ) who were captured by Phil the "mean magic carpet maker". Locke looks less than interested. I don't know why. Her story had everything! From unicorns to sharks, from candy to shamu she left nothing out. 

While looking up decorating inspirations today I found these sheet sets at Potterybarnkids.com.
Ty and I would LOVE these for the kids' room! Just need to get some extra Money!
(Who has EXTRA money these days?)

For Locke! (Ty might steal them)

For the girls!

Little Vegetarians

Izzy came home this morning while HQ was still asleep. But when she woke up she was overjoyed! Izzy came home with a bunch of goodies from her dad this time. Dress up clothes, toys, and a giant engraved pink heart diamond. She was excited to show them all to HQ. However HQ wanted to play "throw the ball at the couch".

Ty made me breakfast this morning. A yummy spinach omelet. He really enjoys trying "new" cooking things. Sometimes he gets a little TOO creative, but this mornings omelet was delicious.

I don't feel so good!

Attacking some ice cream.

Locke is a professional "turning from tummy to backer". He is a really strong little guy! He's also a big puncher..

HQ smooching her little brother.

So tired!

Both Izzy and HQ are practically vegetarians, so it's been hard tricking them into eating more healthy protein. I have been cutting up pieces of salmon and chicken and hiding it in their cheese paninis, pasta, etc. They eat is as long as they don't know they are. If I say "here HQ have some chicken", she wont open her mouth. Izzy wont even touch it on her plate, " I don't like chicken.. unless it's orange chicken". But tonight I made them free range turkey cutlets and both girls just gobbled them right up. Hooray!

Helping make dinner.