Reflection

As I look back on 2009, I realize how blessed we have been....

This year saw my rolly polly 16 month old turn into a tall slender 2 & 1/2 year old!
who can carry on complete conversations and definitely has an opinion about everything! Watching him grow and become a little person has been one of the most wonderful and exciting times of my life. As I have watched his personality and vocabulary bloom, I am in awe of what he can absorb. I can only imagine how much he will change in the upcoming year. Celebrating his 2nd year of life has been a joy. He's my first baby and always will be, no matter what 2010 brings.

2009 allowed Blake and I to celebrate 7 years of marriage in June. Looking back, it definitely doesn't feel like we have been married that long - how time flies! We were just babies when we said, "I do!" and I couldn't be happier to share my life with such a kind, loving, patient, hard working, Christian man who, by the way, is the greatest father too!

This year began with the hopes of an 2009 baby, yet God had different plans for our family. Throughout the sadness in losing a little life in March, we were given such a miracle in another baby soon after. As I sit here tonight, I am enjoying HUGE kicks from my second child who is getting ready to make his/her grand debut very soon! A family of four....coming up!
We were blessed to travel to the Sunshine State three times this year, Key West, Destin and Disney. Each trip was unique, enjoying family, friends and new experiences that will never be forgotten.
Many of you probably don't know because I don't talk about it often (or ever)....but this year marked my journey back to school. In January, I began the road to my last and final degree, my doctorate. I have enjoyed the classes, even if it has been a challenge with a active 2 year old. Thanks to my husband, mom and dad, and in laws, the process has been attainable. I have one year under my belt, two years to go.

I have been so blessed to become an aunt for the first time to a sweet little girl. I have always been close to my aunt and now I can't wait to have that same relationship with Mady in the future. She and I are gonna be buddies! :)

And finally, a picture from my New Years Eve.
My two favorite boys, asleep before 10:00 p.m.
But you know what......life doesn't get much better than this.

As I reflect on 2009 and it's blessings, I can't wait to see what 2010 brings! On the eve of the new year, I pray that each day I give thanks to the One who gives and takes away. I hope to always place my faith in His hands no matter what the new year brings.

But my God shall supply all your need according to His
riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:19

About that time...

38 week doctor update:

2 cms dilated, 80% effaced

My doctor said that especially with a second baby, I am very "susceptible" to go into labor at any time. Not to mention the rough exam I got, that may very well do the trick! :) But if I haven't gone into labor by Sunday night - he will INDUCE Monday morning!

Crazy! We will be holding our baby in 6 days or less!! I think I am in shock and trying to absorb all that has happened today. January 4, 2010 sounds like a great birthday to me!

(AND not to mention the strange fact that me, Blake, and Layton were all born on Mondays! And this baby would most likely be too! Ironic, huh?)

Please keep us in your prayers as we move one step closer to a family of FOUR!!

Love,
Brittany

Tis the Season. part 2

Christmas last almost an entire week for us.

By the time we travel to our parents, spend a few days in each city...its about 5 to 6 days worth of travel. When we return home, we have lots of new things to put away and LOTS of dirty laundry. This year I didn't procrastinate and with the help of my sweet husband and mom, all of the laundry is done and the presents have new homes! Praise the Lord!

This is part TWO...the rest of our Christmas. I was disappointed that when we got to Blake's mom and dad's, my camera died and I had to resort to my still shot on my video camera. Not the best pictures, but at least I captured the memories.

Is this face not priceless? So excited about Christmas!
(right before my camera died!)

Reading one of his new books in his rocking chair

Uncle Bryson opening a giftUncle Ross taking it easy!He loved this violin!!

His first tricycle...I can't wait for him to ride it this spring!

And the most exciting gift.....started with a carrot....And them some new cowboy boots.....

AND THEN......

Butterscotch the Horse!

He is life-like...responding to touch, sound and he even eats and sleeps! Layton was SO excited!

We had a wonderful time and I can't wait until next year when I'll have two little ones to enjoy the joy of Christmas.

Tis the Season...

to enjoy the last Christmas as a family of three...

Kissing our little man...2 1/2 weeks before little bro/sis arrives!

My sweet baby boy! He enjoyed Christmas so much this year. He sang Christmas songs, and learned all about Jesus' birth.

Opening his first presentChristmas morning...seeing what Santa left! :)Trying out his new golf cart - it's just his size!

Deciding which club to use

Smiling with his cousin, MadyUncle Bryan w/ Layton, enjoying Mady's first Christmas

Pops and Mimi with their 2 grandbabies

Pops and Layton are BIG buddies

Mimi with her beautiful 8 week old granddaughterMy mom and dad

Great Grandma Maui, Layton and Pops

4 Generations of Baise's

Giving Uncle Andy Christmas KissesDancing with Pops

More Pics to come from the Richey's Christmas....

We had a wonderful Christmas and I feel so very blessed to have such an amazing family. Each year brings blessings abound, and I thank God for what He has given us. This year, with the anticipation of our new arrival, it made it extra special, however, a little more challenging. Yet, I will never forget how it felt to know that a Christmas baby could be on his/her way. We are all on pins and needles waiting for him/her to make their grand entrance!

38 week doctors appointment tomorrow!
Can't wait to know if we are any closer to meeting our sweet baby boy or girl!

Merry Christmas!

Luke 2:10-12
And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”

Look who...

I got to spend a couple days with....

Ms. Mady!

Danielle and Mady came this week to spend a few days with me and Layton. It was so nice to have girl time on these cold winter days. We watched Christmas movies, chatted, cooked, played games and enjoyed quality time together. We definitely made memories that will last a lifetime.

This was also a sweet picture below. It is hard to tell, but I am holding Mady and she put her hand on my belly. It was like she was giving her cousin a "high five"...we laughed at the fact that I had a baby on top of my belly and one inside!!

Update from the doctor this week: 1 cm dilated, 70% effaced.

No real worries, I was also like this with Layton at 36 weeks and stayed dilated until his due date. However, I have bets that he/she will be here before January 13th. #1 reason: this was our surprise baby...we really don't have an exact "date" to calculate a due date. Doctors are guesstimating based on ultrasounds when we conceived. So, it could be a few days to a week off??

New Years Baby, Maybe?

December Birthdays

We have lots going on in December, beside the regular "hustle and bustle" of the holiday season, we have two December birthdays to celebrate.
This year, with the preparation for Baby #2, it has been extra busy! :)

Happy Birthday to Granddaddy and Uncle Ross!

First, we celebrated on Granddaddy's birthday with a red velvet Christmas Tree cake that even had a # 2 on top just for Layton!

3, 2, 1....blow!

Hmm, Hmm....gooooood!

Grandmother and Layton enjoyed playing Christmas songs, as a duet, on the piano to celebrate the season.

Then....

We celebrated Uncle Ross's birthday....we also ate red velvet cake ( family tradition) and enjoyed a nice steak dinner, courtesy of Blake and his Big Green Egg Grill. Everything was delicious.

We had a little fun, too.

Jumping off the ottoman...

Pulling Layton in a "blanket" sleighTrying to pull Ross...ha! The boys

Happy 26th Birthday, Ross!

(Could we have another December birthday to celebrate soon?)

Diapers and Wipes

Blake and I had "Diapers and Wipes Shower" with a few of our close couple friends. Blake enjoyed getting together with his guys and I enjoyed hanging out with the girls. We chatted the night away about babies and what to expect with #2, since most everyone already has a little one or two!

The cake was delicious and we came home with enough diapers and wipes to last for a long time! :) It will be nice to not worry about running out on a cold winter day to purchase diapers, especially in the beginning when newborns go through SO many diapers each day!

I appreciated my friends putting this all together, especially ONE week before Christmas! It was a hectic time and we were missing a few couples due to sickness and traveling during the holidays! But we had a great time regardless.Here are the girls, the boys REFUSED to be photographed at a baby shower!! ha!

Before everyone left we all took a poll to guess the gender and birthdate.
I can't wait to see who wins!

Taking advantage...

...of sweet Christmas memories and time together, just me and my Little Man.

Little Man has definitely gotten into the Christmas spirit this year. We have enjoyed snuggling on the couch watching Christmas movies and making holiday goodies!

Some of our adventures include:

Making Jolly Rancher ornaments for the tree. It's fun and easy!

Just get some tin cookie cutters

Jolly RanchersHave your little one put a couple of Jolly Ranchers in each cookie cutterCook at 350 until melted...

Anxiously await a beautiful edible ornament!
Next we decided to make Chey's "Yummy Bars of Goodness"Directions: Have fun while stirring (and get the cake mix everywhere!)

Taste test #1 Taste Test # 2

They are finger licking good!