The Great Irvine Park Adventure

Aunt Julie had a great idea to meet up at the The Great Irvine Park. We had such a good time riding the train and playing in the park with cousins Blake, Logan, & Sadie. Brock was asleep before we left the parking lot. He was in much need of his afternoon nap and I accidentally forgot his stroller so we missed seeing the zoo animals. It was a perfect beautiful spring day. Best part of the day was Logan showing Brock how to rub his hands in the dirt rock parking lot and throw rocks at cars.

Brock loves to swing

Sadie is now 9 months


Someone didn't want to sit on the train so he ended up safely in my lap.

Brock, Blake & Logan

HB Annual Womens Conference & Oscars

Yesterday I attended our annual HB Relief Society Women's Conference. My stake goes all out on their activities. It was from 8-12 which included breakfast and lunch with a fashion show to end it. This years theme was "Reasons to Rejoice" based on Alma 26, which we were all encouraged to read before attending the classes. A quick summary is through Ammon's mission he teaches us that his feelings of depression and hopelessness were met with comfort from the Lord and the courage to go on. I thought this was a great topic and could apply this to my life. The first class I attended was "Finding Joy in Motherhood". I loved when she said " The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world." She was a amazing speaker with 4 of her own children who were adopted and all of them "special needs". I felt really grateful at that moment how lucky I am to have a healthy baby. It ended on a note that "Mothers must fight against today's threats to their families with vision and strength." Another class I attended was "Fill Each Day With Rejoicing". I really appreciated this class she reinforced to me that I decide how to use my time each day and week. To establish my priorities and then executing my day around them. And most important for me was feeling successful even though I still have unfinished business to take care of in my home. Overall I left feeling inspired to be a mommy again.

Today as I DVR'd through the Oscar Awards there were two particular quotes that stood out to me among all the fabulous dresses, which is usually the most fun part for me to watch. Mo'Nique as she accepted her award I loved when she said "...Sometimes you forgo what is popular in order do what is right". I have not seen this movie but from from the clips it made me want to. The second quote came from Sandra Bullock "...Thank you to the moms who take care of the babies and the children no matter where they come from". I think that could apply to step-children, adoption, fostering, mentoring, etc. I thought it was very touching. Now this is my blog so it comes from my point of view and though I fully enjoyed her movie The Blindside I did not think her performance was award winning but the message of the movie was a WINNIER! I did LOVE her dress. I wish that my own mother could have attended this with me but she had prior commitmants. I want my mom to know how amazing she is to our family and to thank her pubicly for always "taking care of her own children"...no matter how good/bad we were.

Weaning the BOTTLE and 1st Dental Visit

For the past three nights, I have been trying to break Brock of his nighttime feedings. I know it's bad for his teeth, but part of me really knows I am being selfish. I just want my SLEEP . I read in my "toddler" book that if you opt to not go cold turkey, then try to replace his milk with water and pretty soon he will not want it all together. First, I cut down from 8oz of milk to 4 oz of water. I had to laugh quietly to myself; though it was dark, I could see him take a few sips then pull the bottle out of his mouth to look at it, only to put it right back in and guzzle the whole thing down. The past two nights he only drank about 2 oz, then he rolled over right to sleep. He does wake up 3 times a night to do this. I am hoping that pretty soon it will not be even worth it to wake up at all. I know he is not really hungry, as it's just a habit he is used to. In a few days, I am going to switch the bottle for his sippy cup of water, as he usually does not prefer the sippy cup while laying down. On another note, we took him to see the dentist for the first time. The dentist confirmed that he has 8 teeth on top and 8 teeth on the bottom, so there are a few more molars left to come in. He cried the whole time while she inspected his mouth, but quickly cheered up when she gave him a sticker and a toy car to take home. I don't know what he was so fearful of. Last week, he got round two of his flu shot and I swear he did not flinch or cry and acted as if nothing happened. I know he does not get that from me, as I am the scaredy-cat of the family. He amazes me daily and I am loving the long hugs he recently started giving me.