something pretty & not so pretty

the not so pretty first.

{don't read this post if you are offended my words like poop and pee......mom}

potty training.

hardest thing i've had to do as a mother so far.

about a month ago we transitioned him to the big boy bed which went 

over more smoothly than i ever thought it would. he loves his "big boy bed!" 

and only fell out once. here is him on the first night in his bed.

steele was showing many signs of readiness but i needed to be ready too.

i couldn't decide weather i should commit and do it now or after the baby.

all i heard from everyone was "wait until he is ready". 

well what does "ready" mean?

here is the run-down.
at steele's birthday party my friend michelle russell told me
she followed a 3 day potty training program, and it worked.
i liked the idea of the program because it was an "all in" approach.
i didn't want to do this back and forth thing between diapers, pull-ups and
plastic underwear. so i committed. wednesday was the day and i
really didn't even prepare myself.

i won't go into all the details of the program
but in brief it puts the responsibility on the child to to tell you when
they need to go. so instead of saying millions of times a day
"do you need to go potty? do you need to go potty....."
you say "tell mommy when you need to go...ok?" and
"steele if you need to go potty let mommy know..ok?"

another "all in" aspect of the program is day AND night training.
NO diapers at all. NO pull-ups. nothing. needless to say it has been
a whirl wind of a few days BUT i am so glad we did it.

the first day was by far the hardest. i shed some tears but did my
best to not let steele see my emotions. i stayed very positive and
kept saying i am ALL in, no turning back now.

long story short, steele is potty trained but still has a hard time pooping.
today he did for the first time but i'm not sure he meant to.
he has ALWAYS had constipation problems so that is normal.
he drinks murilax everyday to help strengthen his muscles by using them.

i know he will still have accidents here and there and that
is normal. but he has not peed in his pants since day two.
he has it down and tells ME when he needs to go.
even at nap time he has been waking up dry.
nights are still a work in progress but that will come soon.

the reason i say he is potty trained is he passed my "out to eat" test
last night and told us twice when he needed to go and he had soda.
and has passed the "driving in the car" test. he makes me so proud.
you know you're a mom when you are sincerely over joyed when your
son grabs your hand and tells you he needs to go to the bathroom. ha.

first car ride with no diaper. you could tell he didn't like not having the padding
between the belt and his crotch. but he was very excited to get a "pockadoo"
when he got to grandmas with dry undies.
{the diapers got put in the car to prevent me from giving in.}

can't tell you how happy i am that i did it now. 

i wanted to give him a few months before the baby came to

really master it so he wouldn't revert too badly.

the past 5 days have been exhausting. 

i couldn't image battling the toilet while having a newborn.

really emotionally draining....well physically too but worth it.

i really did love this program because it suited my parenting style.
for any of you mom's that want me to forward you the 3 day
program i am more than happy to. it was a success for us and might be for you too.

{now for the pretty}
my mom and i went to the Bijou Market yesterday and i was
inspired by all the hand crafted baby items. my mom is the type
to say...."you could easily make that yourself" but the problem is that
i usually don't so it makes it worth it to just purchase it then and there.
i did get an adorable crocheted bow head band for the babes.

she said she would help me make one of the cute skirts i saw.
i couldn't pass up the opportunity to create so i said ok.
we went to the fabric store. i spent a total of $7 and bought
enough material  for two skirts and sashes for both.

one skirt down. i am planning to make a golden yellow sash to for both.
don't you think the yellow will go nicely with the blue and pink?
and i'm loving the older style patterns on fabric.

sorry for the long post.
.................
xoxo
em

two....yes two

i caught steele just in time before he took a huge bite out of mr elephant

we had all sorts of yummy food. 

hot dogs are one food steele just loves 

{we'll say because of the mickey mouse hot dog song}. 

you can tell he enjoyed his hot dog by the ketchup on his face. 

with his aunt fergie

loves from cousin linny

loves from cousin mccoy

the "triplets" playing hide & seek in one of steele's birthday bags

thanks to everyone who made steele's birthday such a special day.

a special thanks to my mom who helped with all the food and let us party at her place.

ps potty training day 1 was today and it has been a rough go. 

more to come on our success....

soak it up

   

i can't believe i'm in my third trimester now (well a week ago).
not going to lie, i'm kind of sad to leave tri two behind.
it was so nice to have a little more energy and not be a giant hipo
and still fit into most my clothes...minus the jeans.
those stopped fitting ages ago as soon as my belly popped out..

i really do enjoy pregnancy. undoubtedly it's my lack of patience that
wants things to hurry along, but i kindly remind myself to embrace every stage.
her little elbow, or knee, what ever the round knob is poking out my right
side at all times is so strange. i almost can get a hold of it before she pulls away.
her crazy flailing is one of the most incredible experiences pregnancy brings.

life has been very busy for us. which is just the way i like it.
when i don't have a lot to keep me busy, i find myself feeling down.
even if one day i don't have any plans i kind of get antsy and grumpy.
most people would kill for a day of just lounging around. not me.
even if it is a play day with a friend or a trip to the store, it makes my day.

more to come on the birthday planning, nursery and the steelster moving to a big boy bed.
..................
xoxo
em

bring on the sunshine

i don't even know how warm it is outside.
i think i'll call the "time and temp" hotline like i did when i was ten.
it's gotta be at least 60. it's beautiful out there!

friday's are so enjoyable because brett only works a half day so he get's home at noon.
when he and steele wake up from their naps we're going to go for a walk.
we already had a picnic out on the play ground and yes steele was wearing shorts and a t-shirt.

whipped out a few cute felt bows last night for lil miss sunshine.
think these are a few of my favorites so far and were seriously a sinch to to make.
made the yellow ones small enough so they can be worn when she is a newborn.
have any of you eve glued a bow on your newborns head?
i don't know how that works exactly but i like the idea.

i figured i'd sport the blue bow today.
no joke steele saw me put it on my head and he said "so pretty mommy".
i don't think i ever tell him he looks "pretty" so i'm not sure where that came from. ha.

happy sunshine to you all.
i hope you can get out an enjoy it because i am.

nuggs

lil nuggs is my best friend. 

really who wouldn't be your best friend

 after spending almost two straight years together.

everyday is smiles, laughs and adventures.

steele will be two at the beginning of april.

two years! the first year went very quickly but 

the second year went by like a few months would.

when steele was first born i soaked up every second. 

i think a lot of this was because i love the baby stage

and was not really looking forward to the age where 

steele is at now. i thought by this age steele

 would get to that not so fun age of wining, bratty 

two year old. i never knew how sweet and 

light hearted steele would be. i know i got lucky 

with this little guy. he is absolutely lovable.

lately we have been spending most our time outside.

i happen to be a "true utahn" and like

the snow. my favorite are the big storms that 

bring loads of snow. i love letting steele

look out our balcony window and see his

eyes light up. nothing is better. 

after the last snow storm about two weeks ago,

i got steele all hyped up about going out and

building a snowman. i got all of our snow clothes on

and got ready to go out when steele said "i so essited!"

{note: steele still doesn't know how to smile with his eyes open}

snow never sticks around this time of year. 

it all melts hours after it falls. i don't mind when it melts. 

the sun comes out and it is spring again.

when the sun is shining you will find us outside. 

spring is so near it makes me smile. 

below is our "swamp" out in front of our condos.

it is a little stream with fish and this particular 

day we saw a large crawdad. tea wanted more than 

anything to dive in and eat the thing but

 the water is too muddy for me to let her. 

steele can't get enough of throwing 

rocks in and spotting out the fish. 

how could i not be in love with this little man. 

i love being in his world and i love him in mine! 

love you little nugget.

...................

xoxo


oh and funny story:
sunday 20 min before church i get a call informing me
that i will be released and recalled as the young women's
second counselor. yep, this will be my third presidency.
lesson learned. don't make assumptions.

for the youth

i have learned so much from being in the young women's program. i'm sad to say this sunday i'll be released after going through two presidencies now. it's been a lot of work but i have come to love each one of my young women. i'm the second counselor so i am with the beehives most of the time. we have a lot of inactive girls in our ward as well as many that come from split homes. this means a lot of back and forth between mom and dad's house. we also don't have much parental support. it is a strange thing for me because growing up it was never really an option not to go to church or activities. i was always encouraged to go when i didn't want to. definitely not the case in our ward. i feel like we have done so much to help the girls want to come to church and activities and we slowly activated a few. it is the best feeling in the world we you see one of your young women walk into church or say "yes come pick me up". really i never knew how much i would start caring about these girls and their future. my heart was really in it for them. 


i also got the opportunity to teach. this was my first teaching experience other than nursery and primary so i was very nervous. youth are difficult to teach because you have to keep their interest while teaching gospel principles. i wrote this poem for one of my sunday lessons. i really enjoyed writing poems for the young women.  

Who is She?

Faith is hope, Faith is love

Faith is trust in Him above

With marveling eyes I wonder how

Yet I know without a doubt

I am a daughter of a King

Divine I am in everything

My role is grand here on this earth

I have been noble from my birth

My worth is of rubies oh so fair

It strengthens me to evade Satan’s lair

Inside I know the truth of my heart

As does He, “How great Thou art”

My knowledge grows each new day

To learn of Him, is why I pray

I study in Faith to know the truth

Pledged I have, for I am Zion’s youth

Good or bad I must choose

My merit I will never loose

A gift to me, a whispering voice

Eternally, I will make the right choice

Blessed to serve those around

My Savor, now I have found

My works and actions are in play

This is my destiny in this latter-day

Honest in my daily life

To better myself and avoid much strife

With pure heart and two pure hands

I do as the Lord commands

Now at a caliber that will withstand

My virtue is above all the land

I am she of purity

Never swayed or worldly

Personally I must progress

I will always put forth my best

Striving to return to Him

I will refuse the urge to sin

With His guidance I surly know

Which path to choose and where to go

With the Savior as my guide

I will always have Him by my side

-Emily Brady, 2010 




below is my most recent poem. i wrote it this past week for our stake new beginnings program that i was in charge of. it was all put on me last minuet and i was very intimidated but it turned out to be such a great night. i had this analogy in my head of relating popcorn kernels to the young women. i had several different thoughts but i liked how the poem turned out. we did white chocolate cover popcorn in all the different value colors. in cellophane bags we put an assortment of the colored popcorn with the poem attached. they turned out really cute.

{i wish you could see the all colors better. the popcorn turned out really yummy.}

A quaint little kernel no imperfection is found

It is meek; it is humble and perfectly round

For this little seed knows not what it will be

Its potential unknown, faith is now the key

In goes the kernel to the piping hot popper of life

How will this tiny pearl deal with such strive?

Through the heat of life perseverance is learned

Boiling hot heat for good can be turned

Blossoming and blooming each at its own pace

Kernels bud one by one, for it is not a race

Unique each blossom, the heat now subsides

The flower knows its beauty, it finally flies

Possibilities are endless for flavor and for flair

Some candied and kettled, some savory and rare

Delicious each variation is to savor and to eat

Just remember the journey of this tasty treat 


-Emily Brady 2011

{feel free to use either of these poems if  you are in young women's} 

creations for lil miss sunshine

love how these experiments turned out. 

i love the yellow with antique jewel 

& the black cage veil turned out pretty cute too.

 ok i thought they all turned out cute.

 super simple and easy. 

now i just have to figure out different styles 

of headbands to attach them to. 

more creations to come. i'm in a grove. 

..................................

xoxoxo

being pregnant at 22 weeks

this morning i was in the tub and i SAW my baby girl move for the first time. i could feel her moving so i decided to hold still to see if i could see her. bam! she did some kind of summer-sault. ripples in the water immediately spread from my belly. it was a reminder that she is getting so big. the strange thing is that this pregnancy i am not getting nearly as big as i did with steele. i was measuring 6 weeks ahead by the time i was 26 weeks. this round i was measuring 4 days behind at 20 weeks. i don't know how i feel about it. i gained weight like crazy the first 18 weeks but now i feel like i'm plateauing. some days i even feel a bit smaller than before. i thought i would hit a growth spurt by now but i haven't. everyone says on your second you show faster and get bigger than on your first but i'm not seeing that. i've been a little concerned about it and will ask the dr at my next appointment. 

i love this stage because i am FINALLY feeling better and don't need my daily dose of zofran anymore. i have more energy and it is much needed. about a month ago i started watching my friend trudi's two little kiddos, nixon (2 yrs) and taytum (10 weeks or so). they are both so sweet and nixon and steele have so much fun together. it is hard with 3 but it has been a lot of fun. it also has been so good for steele to see mommy holding another baby. he is so sweet with her and helps me burp her and feed her the bottle. he also will try to give her her binki and says "shhh baby"... in sweet way, not a "be quiet!" way. i am hoping this is a sign of how he'll be with his sister. a quick funny story; yesterday he kept saying to me "shhh mommy". i said "why do i need to be quiet?" he said in a soft voice "sister sleepin...." and rubbed my belly. it was the cutest thing ever. i'm getting more and more excited for the two to meet for the first time!!

now that the weather is starting to be tolerable i love taking steele out to the playground and letting him run free. last summer he was too small to really do much climbing. now he loves to explore the slides, latters and rock wall. we also have chickens and bunnies behind our garages. he gets so excited to go see them and watch tea go wild as she loves to pester the chickens.

ps i've gone a little nuts on the girl shopping. now that i have some extra cash from watching the kiddos i've been in girly heaven. of course everything is on sale and i've found some adorable outfit combos. i'll have to post some of my finds very soon.

much love

 "love" day was a fun one this year.
i made some scrumptious devil's food cupcakes with creamy cream cheese
frosting for my young women and for a few neighbors. it was hard giving them
up because they were seriously delish! {sorry lara for the cupcake pan fiasco!!}
steeley and i made a valentine for auntie fergie along with a plate of cupcakes.
we made a surprise appearance at her work because busy season has
already started for the accountants of the world. steele had so much
fun coloring the big pink card we made her with a tissue paper heart.
i wish i would have taken a picture.

above; steele is smelling the pretty rose daddy got for mommy.
he thought he was such a little stud walking around smelling "his"
rose.  it was funny because he would even close his eyes when he
would blow air out onto the rose from his nose. i don't think he
quite understands that smelling requires you to breath in.
such a sweet innocent age he is at.

brett and i enjoyed a date night all our own thanks to bill and lynn.
we dropped steele off after putting our name in at carrabbas. the two
hour wait was worth it. i loved seeing brett get so excited over his fillet. i
think he said "mmmmm" over a dozen times as he devoured the thing.
it really was a perfect night. thanks baby for a nice night, just us.

...................

nothing to really do with this post but....the pictures below were from
our little family trip to get ice cream tonight. we often hit up macey's for their
amazing soft serve. it's just down the road and steele can't get enough of it.
it is fun making family traditions like this. especially when it involves ice cream!

 {i really wish i had a better camera....you should have seen how much ice cream was on his face, nose and even forehead} 

my career as a mother

food for thought- i am one who has always said "i love being a mom!" i know it seems every mama out there says the same thing but if you could hear me actually say those words you would quickly know how much i mean them.

a common debate between man and wife seems to be the "which is harder, a career or being a stay at home mom?" this discussion has never come up in our relationship until the "poopy diaper" debate started. who would be the lucky one? on weekends when brett gets the chance to change steele we usually just do the "not it!" game and then do "i changed the last one..." after that. this past weekend i made the mistake of saying "i change diapers everyday...". we quickly had to get ourselves back on the same page of our chosen careers.

i love that we both feel the same way and don't ever belittle what the other does. in this case, we needed a little sit down with a heart to heart. i may change diapers all day but that is what being a mother in-tales. i'm not saying that father's don't have to do any dirty work because it's "not their job" because being a parent is so much more than a job description. motherhood has a lot of dirty work and hard work but in the same respect to what brett does; he works exhausting hours and has to rack his brain over tedious details. brett has always respected the role of a mother and says that being a mother is one of the most important roles we can achieve as women. i have always respected him in that i try to not bombard him with a list of "to-dos" when he walks through the door. we both try to relieve each other's stress by talking things out. we each know our roles and recognize the importance of each.

all too often i hear someone say "i would much rather go to work everyday that stay home" or a husband say "do you know how easy it would be to stay home all day". i don't know how that would make you feel but i would hate to feel like what i do is less than my spouse. i am passionate about my career. it is my "chosen" field of work. i worked pretty darn hard to become a mother and am grateful for every minuet i have with steele. i love being in his world all day long. it is a blessing and i know that my career as a mother is one of the most rewarding jobs i could ever have!  

ps those of you working mom's get a standing ovation because what you do has incredibly difficult!