Look at these cute kids!

Every time I look at my kids I can't believe how dang cute they are.  Did they really come from me? 

Thanks Aunt Amy for taking our pictures.  We love them!!

Madison's Baptism

Doesn't she just look adorable!?!  I can't believe I met this pretty lady when she was only 2 months old. Her baptism was a great day.  I am proud of Miss Madison's decision to become a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  She is the perfect person to be the leader of all the Bird grandchildren.  She is so sweet and helpful; and just like her aunt Shani (wink, wink) She loves all things sparkley, high heels, and just look at that dress.  Definitely something I would pick out.  I am lucky to be a part of her life and enjoy watching her grow!  Love you Madison!

Here is the whole Bird Clan, and Mike and Julie-so fun to see them

Love these kids!
Below is a picture of Madison and me 4 years ago a little before I finally Officially became her aunt.  She spend the night and we did fun girly stuff all the next day.  I love this little girl so much!

We also got to go on an Easter Egg hunt that day in Madison's neighborhood.  The boys' loved all their loot!

 Troy is very excited about his eggs.  He loved shaking them!

Life as a Stay at Home Mommy

     So, it's been about a year now since I quit teaching and became a full time mom.  I just love it, but it did get some getting used to!  The first few months we watched a little too much tv, the house was a wreck, and there was little organization in my life.  This was hard on me.  When Troy reached about 5 months I was able to pick myself up a little bit.  I started working out again, scrapbooking, and a new hobby: couponing.  This was good to start getting my life back in order.  Troy still wasn't sleeping, and there wasn't much cleaning going on; but my kids were being played with and loved.  That is always number one on my list. 

    I had a few friends try to talk me into Pinterest.  I held off for quite a while.  I was still a bit over-whelmed with life and felt like it would just add "things to do" on my "things to do" list.  I gave in, and it has been in inspiration.  I have found some great recipes, which has upped my cooking, useful cleaning and organization tips, and fun things to do with the kids.  I have promised myself that I would not just "pin" but also do the pins.  

   What a change has come over our house.  My mom has always teased me because I like to be organized, plan, and follow through with my plans.  See why I became a teacher?  That was one of the hardest things I've dealt with since being a stay at home mommy.  I really don't have deadlines and just let myself go.  I have now created a weekly planning paper that helps me plan meals, cleaning, workouts, and activities.  I have made a 2-week cleaning list and kept with it for 6 weeks! I have started working out everyday; even if its just 20 minutes.  All these things make me feel better about myself and I feel like I am doing what I am supposed to do.  I still spend most of my time on the floor or outside playing with the little cuties of mine!  Its amazing how quickly I can clean and I meal plan mostly on Sundays when Chris is home.  I love being organized and having certain things that I know I need to do everyday.  

     I loved teaching and will never forget those year.  I feel that teaching has made me a better mommy and I learned so much by doing it.  I am glad to have the opportunity to be home with my boys everyday.  

*Amy took these pictures of me during my boys/family photo shoot.  Sometimes these kids can drive me nuts, but we have the most fun together.  They are so loving and bring me happiness everyday!!

Birthdays!

My little Brighton is 3! I cannot believe it.  He still gets cuter and cuter everyday.  He has the funniest personality.  He loves to say silly things and make people laugh.  He eats all day long, but never enough to be full.  He loves hot dogs, tct, bananas, juice, milk, popcorn, and candy.  Brighton could stay outside all day long. He loves to watch Netflix! He can be the happiest boy; all the sudden a switch will flip and he can throw the biggest and loudest tantrum, and will not give up!  He loves his mommy and daddy so much that he cannot stand to be without us.  He won't stay in nursery or play at friends' houses unless we are there.  Every night he tells us that he doesn't want to sleep alone.  It is hard to leave him in there but we know it is best for him.  He sleeps about 9 1/2 hours at night, around 10-7:30, and still takes about a 3 hour nap.  He is potty trained during the day but still uses diapers at night. Brighton can count to 11 and sing his ABC's. He makes up words many times a day.  Most of the time he is so sweet to Troy, plays well with him, shares with him, and gives him tons of hugs.  Sometimes he has a hard time sharing the attention, will hug a little too hard, and take all his toys away. He loves to talk about how big he is getting and how he will be just as big as his daddy.  Brighton still loves to put on his Spiderman mask and shoot webs at everyone.  We play games, play dough, and blocks a lot.  He loves to help cook.  Brighton has a wonderful memory.  He loves to talk about things that happened weeks and even months ago and can remember specific things about the events.  His best friends are his cousins.  We are so lucky to live close to family.  He is very strong willed and knows how to get his way.  He is the cutest toddler I have ever seen.  I love playing with him and listening to all the things he is excited to say.

Our little Troy Boy is already 1!  He has learned and grown so much this year.  He is doing awesome at walking and getting the hang of it in shoes.  He likes to run away from me when I chase him.  He likes to go up and down the stairs.  To come down he faces forward and scoots his little bum on to the next step down. Then stands up and does it again.  It makes me a little nervous but he just will not turn around.  He continues to be a mammas boy but absolutely loves his daddy now as well.  He will call Dada around the house looking for him, giggles when he hears his voice on the phone, and gets SO excited when he comes home at night.  Troy also loves his big brother.  He wants to do everything that Brighton does and follows him every where he goes.  Troy gets so excited when he hears his voice will quickly crawl or walk to him and give him a big hug and lots of kisses.  He takes two 1 hour and 45 minute naps a day, and sleeps from 9-7 at night.  He is a HUGE thumb sucker and is uninterested with anything else.  He is great at drinking his bottles and learning to eat better.  He likes bananas, baby fruit, pears, tcts, and chicken nuggets.  Troy can say mama, dada, woof woof, uh oh, yeah, and no-taught to him by Brighton.  He loves to come at you with his fingers moving saying, "tickle tickle tickle".  He has started climbing on things and loves to be standing up tall on top of things.  Troy likes to knock on doors, look out the window, and play on his swing set.  He blows on his food to make sure that its not hot.  He is great and making a stand against Brighton. He won't easily give up his toys and will fight back.  He screams to get attention from others.  Troy makes little come here signals and lifts his arms up when he wants me to pick him up.  All Troy wants to do all day is play with his toys.  He loves to drive cars around the floor, stack blocks or cups, and play with all his ball bouncers.  He is always smiling and laughing and is such a happy boy.  He only gets sad when I walk out of the room. He will play and interact with others as long as they don't try to pick him up.  I'm so proud of everything he has learned this year.  His personality is so cute and he is such a sweet heart!

Family Fun

About 2 months ago Chris got us a Razor Side-by-Side. We love to go out riding together. Both boys enjoy it and its fun to spend family time out in nature!

Troy's 9 Months!!

I’m pretty sure this is my favorite baby age. Troy is so happy with himself and life right now. He plays and plays and plays; loves to be around on the ground with other children. He learned to wave. If he is playing and B and I are in the kitchen, Troy will often wave at us to make sure we are paying attention to him. He also likes to show/share what he is playing with or the food he is eating. He got roseola this month with a yukcy fever and slight rash. Troy loves to crawl up the stairs and thinks it is so funny when I come running after him to make him stop. If he sees me while he is crawling towards them he giggles and crawls faster. It is amazing how much he knows at this young age. On his 9 month birthday he looked at Chris, reached to him and said, “Da”. Troy is very agreeable and says, "yeah, yeah" all day long. He still loves his thumb and my hair. I've got to find something else for him to get hooked on, but so far nothing else will do. He stands most of the day, can walk along things, transfer himself to different objects, and loves to push his car walker around the room. He has stood alone for a few seconds a couple of times. He is always happy and has the hugest grin on his face. He loves to take baths with his big brother. They enjoy splashing one another and giggling when they get me wet. We love our little boy Troy!

Toddlers say the funniest things!

My little Brighton is probably the funniest person I know. I love spending the days with him; we just laugh and laugh. Here are some of our recent conversations:

Driving in the car

B: Mom, sometime I am going to sit up there and you will be back here with Troy

Me: Yes, you will get to drive someday

B: You better watch out mom! I'm a crazy driver!

Me: Yes you will be!!

B: Call dad and tell him that

(He is into having Chris and I tell each other things from him)

B looking at my wedding ring

B: Mama, sometime I will have a ring like that, but mine will be one like daddy's

Laying in bed after Chris had just been in

B: Mom sometime I am going to be HUGE!

Me: Yep, you are getting bigger everyday

B: Like as big as daddy! Mama, why are you not so big?

Watching The Incredibles

B: Mom, why does Mr. Incredible have boobies?

Me: Well, we all do, just sometimes boys' are small

B: Like mine? They are not big

Me: Nope, but see you still have some

Funny sayings he comes up with

-Ima mix you like hot chocolate milk

-I'ma change you like a diaper

-I'ma put you in the oven and cook you

-I'ma feed you like baby food

-I'ma scoop you like a spoon

He also tries to say things that he thinks will make me mad so he says, "Sucka" but its kinda cute and funny -he's not supposed to say suck. He also says things like peanuts and other such words trying to remember the name of his boy part :)

He loves to be silly and make me laugh