16 Months!

Happy 16 months to Miss Brynnlee! Yesterday Jeff was able to spend the majority of the day with Brynnlee, which we all love. I know Jeff hasn't had many days like yesterday. He had a meeting in the morning, but he picked her up at 10, and until I got home from work (and grocery shopping) it was daddy daughter time. We had a simple dinner, picked up a few things and then it was off to work for me. I had to complete the tax forms for the township. What a mess it is every year! I have all of the employee forms completed, but just need to tie up a few loose ends. Before I was working full time, the job was pretty decent. Once I took a 40 hour a week job, and had a baby it became difficult. I know this isn't the first time I have mentioned my stress level, and I'm sure it won't be the last either, but I am ready for the end of the term. I have 307 days left, and I plan to work my best until then. Once that days comes I can breath a big heavy sigh and move on. As of today, I will be out of office in 307 days. Hopefully after that point I will be able to spend more time with Brynnlee, focus on the house more and also focus on photography more.

Until then, happy 16 months to the most amazing, caring, beautiful, talented, smart, energetic, crazy, fake snoring, pooping in the tub, crazy haired little girl I know! You are wonderful and hands down have been the best thing that has ever happened to us. I hope one day you will read this blog and understand how hardworking your parents are. Of course we wish it wasn't this way, but right now thats the cards we have been dealt with life. When we are both working we know that you are in good hands. Last night I watched you hold up the number one on your tiny littlw fingers. I want so bad for you to just skyrocket and start counting, but on the other hand...please slow down! I miss my newborn, but I am so thankful that you take time out of playing (or watching Tangled) to come give me a hug and a kiss. Oh and those amazing kisses that you are now blowing to me melt my heart every time.

I have been following a few blogs lately. One is of a child who is 2 1/2. He has a rare skin disease and has recently lost his battle. His funeral service is being held today. Another blog I have been following is about a 15 month old who was born with a brain tumor. After multiple surgeries and now chemotherapy she is doing well. I pray for both families, they are stong and struggling all at the same time. For Tripp's family, I pray for them to find peace in knowing that he is no longer suffering. For Scarlett's family, I pray for continued success and for Scarlett to heal quickly!

Everyday I am so thankful that Brynnlee is healthy, and growing like a weed. It is bittersweet, but I can't imagine life any other way. It's funny, last night I was telling Jeff that I don't remember what life was like before she entered our lives. With as much as we laugh with her, and are amazed at her learning I can't imagine not having those moments in our everyday life. I continue to pray for our little girls health. We have been so lucky and I hope that never changes!

Last night....

It's becoming a tradition for Brynnlee to Skype with Jeff at night if he is working. We keep it brief, but she gets excited to see him. After the chat, I got Brynnlee ready for bed. She had her milk and I laid her down. Nowadays I will hold her hands and have her walk up the staircase. Last week she climbed out of her crib and as standing at the top of the staircase. We need to work on her skills with the staircase (and I need to work on cleaning them off)! Brynnlee always has her monkey when she goes to bed, but I also put her dog Violet in bed with her because she play lyllabyes. Nighttime was becoming a bit of a struggle, because she doesn't fall right asleep. She likes to play for awhile, talk to herself, gnaw on her crib and bang the crib rail protectors. Since this issue started I have removed the crib rail covers, and pray she stops eating her crib! I lay her down, turn on Violet and cover her up with a blanket (I usually leave two blankets in her crib. She will cover up with one and hold onto the other with monkey). Typically she will stay up any where from 10 minutes to 45 minutes. Last night she was up for close to an hour. She let out a little cry and whimper as I walked down the stairs, but that was it. Other then those noises she played until she finally caved in and fell asleep. About a half an hour after I laid her down I could hear her fake snoring. It was so cute! I love listening to her when she's in her crib. She talks and plays with her monkey and Violet (they must have a thing for each other because she is always making them kiss!). Bedtime routine is tricky some nights. She gets a bath every other night (which is time consuming because she loves her baths, and she typically poops in the tub...which extends her bath because I have to drain it and refill it). Then we try to sit her on her potty (which is extremely hit or miss, but we are just trying to introduce her). Once she has her milk, we have to try to remember to have her brush her teeth...this is my flaw. I NEVER remember to have her brush! Its one part of the night time routine that I need to work through.

Merry Christmas/Happy New Year and so much more!

Here it is almost a month since my last post. Things are moving along and we are just as busy as ever (if not more)! Throughout the months of November and December Jeff worked an insane number of hours. The paychecks were awesome, and it made Christmas amazing...but we all were burnt out. Brynnlee needed to spend some quality time with her dad, and we were able to do that at the end of December/beginning of January. The holidays have been a true blessing this year, and we enjoyed every single minute. Jeff had to work Christmas Eve and Day, so we worked things out a little differently this year. The week before Christmas we headed down to the lights at the zoo. We went on a Tuesday hoping it would be less crowded. Although I have seen it worse, there were a lot of people! Brynnlee was amazed at everything! She didn't get to see many animals, so we will make a trip to the zoo this spring or summer. While riding in the stroller she would "oh" and "ahh" at all of the lights. She would also say "what's that and what's this". It was a blast and I am so glad that we are able to start that tradition with her. We stopped to see the model train display, but she was more interested in the ornaments that hung from the ceiling. Brynnlee was all bundled up, but thankfully the night wasn't too cold. She did look adorable in her snowsuit though! I'm still not entirely comfortable with my camera and its settings, so there weren't a lot of pictures due to the darkness. Hopefully next year it will be better! Brynnlee loved the big tree all lit up in blue lights and the dancing trees. We can't wait for next year! The Thursday before Christmas we headed to Onsted for Christmas with Jeff's family. Since it was during the week Uncle Bill was unable to attend. Brynnlee opened her gift...a wooden Red Flyer wagon with a canopy. We are going to love having that around when the summer comes! Brynnlee also recieved a set of wooden blocks from Brent and Leslie. Jeff and I both recieved a new pair of pajamas. This year we bought two photo books for both of our parents, and we bought Grandma Meyer a white and purple zip up shirt. We had dinner, and Brynnlee played! She has a love/hate relationship with the blocks. She wants to play with them, but is irritated is someone else knocks down her tower, or if someone else tries to build a tower. Brynnlee is an amazing kid, but I see signs of the terrible twos already! Brynnlee spent the majority of Friday and Christmas Eve with my family. I stayed home and picked up the house, did laundry, cleaned the carpets and started to pack for our trip. I admit I was hesitant to pack. I didn't want to spend the entire 9 days up north. Jeff had worked so much, that the last thing I wanted to do was be away from him while he went out snowmobiling. With that being said, Jeff, Brynnlee and I headed to Mt Clemens to look at a snowcoach. We planned to rent it for the trip, and then buy it if Brynnlee liked it. We had high hopes, and planned not to make the trip back to Mt Clemens! We rented the snowcoach for $250.00 and the cost if we wanted to buy was $700.00. If we decided to buy it he would count that money towards the purchase price, if we didn't want it he would give us $100.00 back (it was considered a security deposit). On Christmas Eve I spent part of the day at home, and the other part at my parents house. After Jeff got out of work we met at our house and had our family Christmas. Brynnlee had so much fun! The first thing she noticed was the power wheels!!!! She played with it, climbed all over it and Jeff pushed the pedal so she could have a little ride. We actually had to lock the power wheels in our bedroom because she didn't want to open anything else! For Christmas Brynnlee recieved: pajamas, pots and pans set, puzzles, books, a kids cd player, sleeping bag, table and chairs, baby doll with accessories, a Sing A Ma Jig and more! I admit we went overboard, but I also spent very little for the amount of things I bought! Jeff and I opted to not buy each other gifts this year. We agreed to buy each other one small thing from Brynnlee. Brynnlee and Jeff bought me a photo frame! Its white with the words I love Mom written on it! Brynnle wanted to buy so much more for her dad because of all the hours he worked. She suggested buying him a laptop of his own, but it didn't stop there. She also bought him a car mount for his phone, Lions sweatshirt, trail camera and a few other things. He was surprised and had no idea! Of course he felt bad, so we agreed my gift would also include a remote car starter for the newer vehicle we purchased for me. After returning home from up north before Thanksgiving we had a few problems. Our basement was starting to flood from all of the rain, the sewer was backed up and my car was running horrible. After spending days with a flooded basement Jeff was able to stablize it. We pumped water outside, which of course flooded the road and caused icy conditions. So we moved the drainage pipe to the other side of the house. Now the basement is dry, but the water continues to pump out every now and then. The drain commission pumped out our sewer, and before the end of the month I traded in my car. We bought an '05 Explorer from Bryan Ford. It was exactly what we were looking for. The price was right, decent miles, dark blue, 4 wheel drive and a sunroof. But most importantly, room for us, Brynnlee and the dogs. Buying this vehicle relieves the pressure of Jeff's truck. The Explorer made it's first trip to the U.P. after Christmas. Christmas Eve night we put Brynnlee's new pajamas on, read The Night Before Christmas and set up her Elf on a Shelf. The next morning Jeff headed to work, a few hours later Brynnlee and I headed to my parents. We were going to celebrate Christmas, then when Jeff got out of work, he came over to open his gifts. My parents bought Brynnlee new things for her to play with at their house. They bought her a couch, Yo Gabba Gabba blanket and a Tangled pillow. She was inseperable from the couch! My parents bought me a Keurig (which I am in love with) and clothes. They bought Jeff a new drill, tool box and a few smaller things...his favorite gift was an Arctic Cat coffee mug. After we got home, it was a mad rush to do laundry and pack. The plan was to leave early the next morning, but we left mid afternoon. I wish I had been more motivated on the days before. Its tough having two jobs, a one year old and a husband who was working so many hours. As of today I have 312 days left in one of my jobs. I am saddened, but also excited at this. I am ready to be relieved of the work, but I am saddened that it has turned out this way. In essence, I like the job, its just not what I envisioned. Needless to say, I would love to find a part time position that pays decent. I would prefer to work part time, and regret leaving the position that I had. Granted we live life differently, and we are able to provide anything that Brynnlee may need.
The day after Christmas we headed to the U.P., there was barely any snow on the way. In Munising there was a little snow on the ground, not quite enough for snowmobiling. We had it scheduled to have a few friends from the fire department, but they cancelled due to the lack of snow. The day after we arrived we headed to the west side of the state. We stopped at the Houghton Hancock area. Although it was snowing and windy, we got out of the car for a few minutes. We were able to get out and stretch our legs. Brynnlee enjoyed it. We walked the store fronts, and she waved at all of the displays, and the cop in the police department! Sadly we didn't venture further, and shortly after we arrived we started on our way back. There isn't a lot to do in the winter, especially during Christmas break (and when we didn't have a chance to research and see what was around). It was a beautiful drive, and we can't wait to do it again! During our trip we went to Munising Falls, Scott Falls, Marquette and a few other places. We had some snow and needed to try out the snowcoach. The first time I rode with Brynnlee-what a mistake! Brynnlee did fine, but I was clausterphobic! As soon as the door closed I felt instant fear! We rode for a few miles before I told Jeff to turn around. It was uncomfortable to get in and out, but it was worse for me to ride in it. Brynnlee did amazing though, so it was worth the funny looks I got climbing into the coach! A few days later the three of us ventured out for our first snowmobile ride. The two days prior we had blizzard like conditions. The new snowfall was a great time for Jeff to meet up with a friend and do some riding. Brynnlee and I stayed home and enjoyed the snowfall. While out of the snowmobile ride Brynnlee took a nap, we had lunch and she was content the whole time! We decided not to take her out again though, she was a little chilly during the ride. Next time we decide to take her out we will install a small heater inside to keep her warm. We decided to buy the snowcoach and are sending the check in the mail (that drive was horrible). During the trip I had a chance to test out my new lens. So far I like it, and I was able to find perfect exposure on a few shots. Now I just need to tune up my manual skills, work on my composition and then work on Photoshop Elements. Its a slow process, but its coming along. New Years was a fun, but hard night for me. We decided to go out with a few friends and leave Brynnlee with a babysitter. The babysitter was watching two boy already, and we were able to drop Brynnlee off at their house. She did excellent. Too busy watching the boys to eat, but the babysitter did get her to go to sleep. About 10 of us went to dinner at Foggy's. We took the bus out there, and had a friend bring us back into town. That way we were able to have a few drinks. After dinner we stopped at two bars, and at 11:30 we called it a night and started walking to get Brynnlee. By the time we made it to their house (of course after Jeff had to go to the bathroom, and order a pizza) it was almost midnight. Brynnlee woke up just in time to get a kiss from each of us. Not exactly how I planned to ring in the New Year, but we were together and thats all that matters. We packed up her things and headed back to Nana & Papa's, they were still up and were able to tell Brynnlee happy New Year. On the 4th we headed home early in the day. I had to prep for a fully day work and a meeting the next day. It was a long day, and I was so glad to be home. But Thursday and Friday were tough!
Well thats all for today, back to work I go. Jeff works this weekend, and we have his fire department banquent on Saturday. Brynnlee won't be able to go this year :( They are having it at the Stables in Blissfield, so its right around the corner from my parents house. Tonight I have a few things to do for the township, ok so I have a lot to do. This year there are four elections to prep for, so I'm sure its going to be stressful, but soon it will be all over with!