Somebody pinch me...

Okay I'm pretty sure I'm not dreaming, but somebody pinch me! Brexton just rolled over from his tummy to his back! I'm totally serious! Even before this phenomenon occurred, I had noticed that he was a strong newborn - holding up his own head, rolling from side to side while on his back, twisting in a circular motion while on his tummy, etc... but rolling over? Come on! The only Garrett-proof spots for Brexton in the house are on our 4 ft bed and the countertop... now I'm not so sure they are Brexton proof! Here's to hoping that it was just a fluke! I mean he is only 19 days old...

The Best Mashed Potatoes EVER...

Okay, so I know I never posted anything about Thanksgiving so here goes. As of Thanksgiving day Brexton was just 6 days old so I wasn't about to go traveling anywhere. So the Tompkinsons came to us from Tucson and I'm so glad they did. It wouldn't have been the same without having family to share Thanksgiving with... not to mention the fact that our dinner would have been severely lacking. I put myself in charge of the turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, rolls, and pumpkin pie. In addition we had green bean casserole, fruit salad, stuffing, and cranberry sauce (am I forgetting anything...?). The turkey turned out deliciously - my first attempt ever (thanks to Tressa for the recipe). The mashed potatoes were a huge hit thanks to Chef Jenny's recipe - Creamy Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes. They were so good that I made them again last night! I am willing to bet that they will top any mashed potatoes you have had in your whole life!

Chef Jenny is a new favorite blog of mine to check. I have tried one or two other recipes of hers and they are fabulous! You've got to check her out.

Under Construction

I'm trying to learn how to do a header, so bear with me...

3 days old...

My Mom and I tried to get some pictures of Brexton while she was here to help. Although he's pretty cute in these pictures, you'll have to believe me when I say that he's cuter in real life! Come and see for yourself. (As of today Brexton is actually 10 days old... can you believe it? Double digits!)

WELCOME...

We welcomed Brexton Charles into the world Friday Nov. 16 at 11:52 am after being induced at 8:30. It was a difficult labor amplified by the fact that he was face up causing some major back pains. But after lots of contractions, screaming, and NO epideral B made a safe arrival weighing in at 8 lbs even and 21 inches long. He's got seriously long feet and fingers and the Tompkinson nose.

G has been doing pretty well so far - and it has definitely helped having Jared and my Mom around all the time to assist in keeping him company. G is so soft and loving with B, wanting to constantly give kisses and hugs.

False Alarm...

Well, kind of. Tuesday morning I was realizing that I hadn't felt the baby move at all in quite a while. I was getting a little scared and perhaps that is compounded by the fact that I'm overdue. So, I called my docs answering service and the doc on call said to go to the hospital right away to do a nonstress test on the baby. Holly graciously took Garrett for us and we went in. The test showed that the baby is just fine - heart rate stayed normal with no decreases. That's good news! After monitoring him for 20 minutes they sent us home. Since then he's been moving quite nicely. I've had very few contractions here and there, but nothing that's sending me into labor. Hope my next post can say that I've got a cute little baby in my arms!

Keeping busy...

Keeping busy is a must when you've gone over your due date - this much I have learned. Props to all you women out there that have gone past... it pretty much stinks! You have your mind so set on a certain date that signifies the end of pregnancy. Then it comes and goes and I'm still pregnant! Oh well. In the meantime, here's what I've been doing.

Sunday after church Jared got out the Christmas decorations for me. (Probably because I was so grouchy knowing that I was 1 day past my due date). It certainly cheered me up. I love Christmas! We bought a huge tree two years ago after the holidays at a spectacular price but haven't had more than 12 ornaments to put on it. So, that was our Christmas gift this year - beautiful (but cheap) ornaments. A 100 pack for $90, but I love them.

Oh, and one of my all time favorite things to do is just sit on the couch, have only the Christmas tree lights on and look at them until they go fuzzy!

I was at Holly's one afternoon and she had purchased the cutest pumpkins you've ever seen and she wanted to make more for her Thanksgiving table decorations. You know me and crafts... knowing that she was going to make some, I wanted to be a part of the fun. Aren't they great?

The waiting game...

continues. I am not due until tomorrow, but just knowing that any time I could go into labor is making me crazy! I went to my appointment yesterday and was hoping for some remarkable progression, but nope. Still 3 cm (which I admit is still pretty good). I asked him to strip my membranes because supposedly it helps... with Garrett he stripped them and then 5 days later I went into labor, so maybe it doesn't do anything for me. I guess this little guy will just decide to come when he wants to. Maybe Jared and I will go for a curb walk tonight.

Oh and you know what else is driving me crazy? Jared and I can't decide on a name! I thought we were okay with a name and then last night he says that it just doesn't sound right - that it sounds incomplete. Should it be this stressful? Does anyone else fret unceasingly about what their child will be called for the rest of their life?

Halloween...

HAPPY HALLOWEEN! This year Jared carved our pumpkin into a ghostie - not too scary and very cute!

While Jared was carving, Garrett got a hold of the top - he thought the pumpkin tasted pretty good.
Garrett was a cow for Halloween this year thanks to a "hand-me-down" from Jared's cousin Sarah. Thanks Sarah! I think my favorite part is the tail. Isn't he cute?

I think I was trying to be a cowgirl, but didn't have much to work with.

A few pics...

I tried to take some pictures of Garrett at the temple the other day. With his increased mobility and intense curiosity it's hard to get a picture of the front side of him - he's always walking/crawling away! Combine that with the fact that the grass was drenched and the fact that there was dirt everywhere because they just replanted flowers... we had limited shooting spots. Since it was a Monday, I let him crawl up and around the steps of the temple. I love the temple. I think Jared and I are going to try and go tonight... even though I'm just 8 days away from my due date. Can you believe it?