So much to blog about.

Since I didn't have a chance to post my mother's day post last week and this week flew by I will have to double post. Sorry if it's long.

Life is great. We are super busy around here. I have 8 days (and counting) left of school. I can't believe I will have taught 1st grade for two years. WOW time flies by. Bridger is loving to sit up (with a little assistance from us.) I know I need to go get him a little chair but I just can't help but to hold back because I want my little boy to not grow so fast. He is so interactive right now. Lots of smiles (no giggles yet). When he lays in bed with us in the morning he loves to talk LOUD!! Gotta say mornings are my favorite times. I love his stretches, coo's, smiles and naked little body. He has lots of little rolls and his skin is so soft. It's true when they say that baby's smell wonderful! I can't get enough. I am so excited for school to be. We have lots planned and to be able to spend every day with Bridger is going to be amazing.

Last week was bosses week at our school and 1st grade took on the challenge for the week. We had a lot of fun showing our boss our appreciation!!

Dixie Cups stacked up his door.



First Grade Field Trip to Kuna Ag Days

Ben is doing great, he has a lot of "projects" that he would like to get started on. We are going to try and work on doing some more stuff to the back yard next week. The challenge will be the little baby this year. It's a lot easier to do things with two people instead of 1 1/2 but we love Bridge and if that means it takes us an extra day or two that's okay. The plan is to get more dirt lay it with rocks and plant some plants on the side of the house. We also need to get the concert curbing done but I have a feeling that will have to wait depending on how long it takes to get those things done first.

A few things about Bridger (I don't want to forget):
1. He is will be 3 months old next Friday (wow)!
2. He is rolling on his side, but not all the way over yet. Only on the bed though.
3. He has found his hands and loves to suck on them. My mom calls it the prayer hold.
4. He is not a fan of riding in the car unless mommy is in the back seat with him.
5. He is FINALLY getting over his cold. Still some buggies but not nearly as bad as it was before.
6. He is sleeping and only waking once at night to feed, usually around 3am.
7. He is eating alot the past two days... could it be a growth spurt???
8. He loves daddy's bearded kisses, smiles BIG
9. When he is hungry you better make sure you have a bottle close or it is a bad situation.
10. Quickly growing out of 0-3 month clothing.
11. Size 1 diapers are starting to become a little small on him.
12. He is still in our room to sleep, I just can't bring myself to moving him to his room yet.
13. Lots of talking in the morning.
14. The girls at daycare love him to pieces and I am finally adjusting to leaving him during the day.

Have a great week. Enjoy the pictures.(I can't seem to get more pictures to upload) I will try some othertime.

He did it

He did it. My Boy. Bridger rolled over on his belly tonight. I was sitting down in the rocker pumping and Ben and laid Bridge on the bed, he was going to go look at the sprinklers. I could tell that Bridger didn't want to be left on the bed by himself and he started to kick his legs more then normal. I "yelled" for Ben to come back because I couldn't get up quick enough to catch him if he would roll off the bed. Just as Ben was rushing back in to see what the commotion was all about, Bridger rolled over!!! We cheered for him - I think he got kind of freaked out. Haha. Bridge will be 3 months on Friday. Wow time is going so fast. Happy Birthday to our dear Aunt Becky we will definitely remember this day.

FYI- I will try and post pictures of him doing it again later on this week.

Mother's Day 2012

It was my first Mother's Day and it was a great one! I love being Bridger's mommy and I couldn't ask for more. Life is great and the love I have is unconditional. Mommyhood is AMAZING!
Ben and Bridger treated me to a week long Mommy's week full of exciting things. Last Saturday we had the previldge to watch Audrey at the dance recital. Fanstastic and I loved every dance. Way to go AUDREY.

Sunday we took Grandma Parsons out to lunch at Flat Bread Pizza - it was a great time. On Tuesday (when Ben was home with Bridge) they did a litttle art project. Ben and Bridge made a clay imprint of Bridge's feet and hands. On Wednesday we went to the horse track for Bridger's first experience with horeses. Friday was Mommy's school carnival and yesterday we took Grandma to the outdoor market. We ended up with dill cheese and the biggest, reddest radishes I have ever seen for Grandma.

Daddy and his boy at the track

I bet my horse is gonna win!

Just reading the stats.

Mother's Day morning blowout

Getting a bath after the blow out

One of four baskets that first grade made/donated for the carnivals.

weekends, traditions, and the first grade bug

Who doesn't love weekends. Ben, Bridger and I look forward to weekends when the new week starts. There's such a great feeling knowing that we get to be together starting at 5 o'clock on Friday till Monday morning when we leave for work. Some weekends are full and packed and others are laid back and relaxing. I would say that this weekend was a mix.

Sunday dinner (Spinach Stuffed shells)

We went to Grandma and Grandpa Parsons for dinner and got to see Aunt Becky and Uncle Bill and Cousins Audrey and Nat. We talked about Audrey's dance recital and I even got to have a sneak peak at the dance. (I am soooo lucky) I can't wait to watch her dance. Brings back memories !!! Nat showed us all her gymnastic moves and Ben got the chance to do a little "rough house" with the girls while Bridge watched his silly dad do the horse with Nat. We had so much fun seeing everyone.

Saturday we had friends over for Cinco de Mayo and also the Kentucky Derby. If you didn't already know my husband has a LOVE for horse racing. He is like a little kid in a candy store. He gets all excited, reads the stats and watches the live coverage ALL DAY!!! In the evening we went to Sonic for a Strawberry Banana shake and an evening drive. Our intentions were to stop by some Parade of Homes in Eagle but we didn't get there till after 8pm. I love looking at the new trends. Even though I am scared of painting our walls and doing some other work to the house I love getting ideas and doing some dreaming (MAYBE ALOT OF DREAMING). I think we might try and got sometime next weekend.

Lots of loving!

Guncle Snake

Guncle Eric

Only daddy can appreciate this photo.

Traditions
Ever since Bridger was born we have spent Friday nights and a few Saturday's up at Grandma and Grandpa Parsons for dinner. The only Friday we missed was last week when he had his 8 week shots. I am so happy that this has become a tradition in our family. I grew up and so did Ben with our Grandparents/ relatives living far away and it was hard to develop such a close bond. Having family that lives in the same town is a blessing. Before Bridger was born Ben and I talked alot about moving to different states and experiencing life beyond Idaho, but now that Bridge is here that choice has been halted because we want Bridger to have his family close to him. It has been hard for me to not have my family here to watch Bridger grow and at times I find myself looking at flights for us to fly back and visit but with our schedules it's just not possible right now. We are however going out in June to see them for a week. So excited!!

The First Grade Bug:
After being on maternity leave for seven weeks I have been back at school and getting ready to start my third week. The last two years I am proud to say that I have never taken a sick day in my career. I give thanks to the immunities that my body has had to make and adjust to while being around 1st graders. Well this weekend that luck caught up to me and it started on Thursday with feeling a little scratch in my throat, that was the first sign and by today I had a runny nose, sore throat and alittle bit of a temperature. I even took a four hour nap this afternoon. Between having a new baby, going back to work and germs I must say my body has done a pretty terrific job. I won't be taking a sick day any time soon, but this is probably the closet to being sick that I have been in a while. Hopefully Bridge won't get it and we can get through the next 18 days so that we can ENJOY OUR SUMMER BREAK!!!!

Not feeling so hot captured by my husband.

I wonder if he will sleep tonight!

Here's to a great week! Enjoy.

many first



This week was full of many first for all of us. 

The first smile I have captured on camera

It was the first week back for mommy at work. It was Bridger's first time to daycare and it was daddy's first time watching Bridger at home by himself.

Lets start by recapping the entire week:

Monday- It was my first day back to work and my first day dropping Bridger off at daycare. I never thought that it was going to be as hard as it was. When I dropped him off I didn't even make it out of the doors of daycare when tears started coming. It was the hardest thing I think I have ever done in my life... to leave him with new people and not see him for 8 hours. I drove to work and the whole way there I balled my eyes out. Not exactly the way I planned to go to school. I was met in the parking lot by a few of my coworkers anxious to welcome me back. It is so nice to work with such a great group of girls. They really are a great support. My students were thrilled to have me back and I was happy to be back. The day went by very fast. And I couldn't wait for the clock to say 3:45pm. I hurried back to get Bridger at daycare and loved on him all the way home. Daddy met us at the house and we spent the evening loving on Bridge and daddy had to talk me through on how I was going to survive the next 6 weeks of work.

1st day of daycare

Tuesday- It was Bridger and daddy's day. Ben has decided to take some vacation days to be home with Bridger on Tuesday's and Thursday for the next six weeks while I am still teaching. This way Bridge only has to be in daycare 3 days a week. We all woke up and daddy insisted on driving me to school so that I could spend time with Bridge in the morning on my way to work. It was wonderful. Ben sent lots of pictures throughout the day and then they were there to pick me back up once school was out. Ben and Bridge went for a long walk with the dog and daddy also made dinner. Yummy crock pot tacos!!
The house was clean and everyone was happy.

Taking mama to school

Hanging with daddy

Wednesday- The drop off was still hard but I managed to make it out of daycare this time and only shed a few tears. I even made it to my 7:45am meeting just a few minutes late. Thank goodness everyone was totally understanding!! I left work again right after school to run and get my baby. On my way home I heard a song that made my heart melt and I started crying again because the lyrics are so true with what is going on in our life right now. The first few versus in this song apply to us at the current moment (expect Bridger is a boy): Here is the link to song
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5zCaRaJ-kE

Darius Rucker - "It won't be like this for long"
(these are the lyrics that apply to us right now)

He didn't have to wake up
He'd been up all night
Layin’ there in bed listenin’
To his new born baby cry
He makes a pot of coffee
He splashes water on his face
His wife gives him a kiss and says
It gonna be OK

It won’t be like this for long
One day we'll look back laughin’
At the week we brought her home
This phase is gonna fly by
So baby just hold on
‘Cause it won't be like this for long

Four years later ‘bout 4:30
She's crawling in their bed
And when he drops her off at preschool
She's clinging to his leg
The teacher peels her off of him
He says what can I do
She says now don't you worry
This’ll only last a week or two

It won’t be like this for long
One day soon you'll drop her off
And she won’t even know you're gone
This phase is gonna fly by
If you can just hold on
It won’t be like this for long
Thursday- Bridge and Dad dropped me off again and had a wonderful son and father day. They went on a lunch date with Aaron - Ben's buddy to Dicky's BBQ. Bridge did wonderful as usual and they have another lunch date set up again next week with Trent. I am so proud of Ben and his ability to know exactly what Bridger wants and can get him to calm down within seconds. It has been amazing to watch my husband bloom into fatherhood. I knew he had it in him but I could tell that he was little bit nervous the first week. Way to go daddy!!!

This is what I walked out to after I took a shower.

Friday- After work I picked up Bridge and we headed to the doctors for his 8 week appointment and to get his 2 month shots. Bridge had a great report from the doctor.
Height : 24 inches, the 90 percentile
Weight: 12lbs 12oz, 80-85 percentile
Doctor said that he is going to be a big boy!!!

I must admit that watching Bridge get his shots was so hard, poor guy screamed a scream I have never heard in my life. Around 9pm Bridge woke up and that same scream lasted for almost 13 minutes. Ben did a great job consoling him and told me to go to bed...one of us had to do night duty :) This morning Ben told me that he put Bridge in his car seat attached it to the bob stroller and then pushed him around in the house for 30 minutes. He said he also had to turn on the microwave fan and dishwasher to help make white noise. I can only imagine what the scene looked like. I am happy to report that tonight baby is doing fantastic and is done taking his Tylenol every 4-6 hours.

After getting home from the doctors and showing dad his shots. Poor guy

Saturday- we spent the morning up at grandma and grandpa Parsons house. Grandma had all morning with him while Ben and I got a chance to make small chat and watch the baby boy cuddle up with grandma. We were happily surprised that Bill and Nat came up later on and visited for a while. Bridge sure loves to see his cousins. That Nat sure gives great hugs to Bridge!

The happiest boy ever this morning. Love him to pieces.

Well that's all I got for the week, enjoy the pictures.

whitewater park

This afternoon we went and checked out the new whitewater park down in Garden City. It was awesome and made Ben and I realize just how much we miss living close to the greenbelt and the river. There were kayaks, paddle boarders and lots of people riding their bikes and walking outside today. Joe's Crab Shack was hopping and it made for a great afternoon in the warm weather. Bridger liked it alot too!! He's gonna be a little outdoors man when he grows up. I hear tomorrow suppose to be just as nice. I can't wait to see what Ben has planned for us. Enjoy your night.

maternity leave

My maternity leave is coming to an end on Sunday and I have lots of emotions about all of it. but what I do know is that it was absolutely wonderful to spend every moment of the 7 weeks with my little guy. He is changing so much everyday and it has be a complete joy to wake up to him and fall asleep with him all day everyday.

This week especially I have noticed Bridger's personality start to come out. He is a very easy going baby until he is hungry, tired or needs to be changed then his personality "shines". He's like a little pistol everything can be totally fine one moment and the next all hell is breaking loose. But with that being said his schedule is eat every 2-3 hours take a little cat nap in the swing and back at it again until about 5pm. Then up till 8, give him a bath every night since he seems to LOVE it and plus it calms him down right away which allows us to get a good feeding in then off to bed.

I can't forget one huge important thing to note about Bridge. He is a hot baby. He doesn't like to wear clothes and if he could have it his way he would be naked all the time. As much as I love to dress him up he hates every bit of it. This should be interesting this summer.

**Side note - last night Bridge went to bed at 10:30pm up at 4:40 for a feed, then moved to bed to nurse at 6:30 and slept till we woke him at 9:30am this morning. It was glorious.

This morning Ben, Bridge and I ran to school to get my lesson plan book and do a little housekeeping and I kept telling Ben, "I think I'm ready". He has been 100% supportive of every decision I have made throughout this time and for me going back to work makes me happy. Part of me knows that come Monday when I drop Bridge off I will probably be a complete wreck and cry but the other part of me knows that he is in good hands.

I found out this his main teacher, Ms. Chris, is actually the older sister of the special ed teacher at my school. That made things even better. Ms. Chris is an older lady and Bridger is the only baby baby. There are 3 other kids who are 5 months, 7 months and 12months. There are two teachers in his class room which is a nice ratio. When we went to visit everyone on Tuesday Bridge had his crib all set up with a cool little mobile above it, they had a swing just for him and I know he will be loved on by all the teachers. Before I left the head gal told me that if I wanted to come over during my lunch or Prep I could since I am only a few minutes away. That makes me happy.

On a side note I had an amazing long term sub who made the transition wonderful. I can't begin to imagine what it would've been like if my sub was a mess. I never once had worry about if she was doing a good. All the kids and parents enjoyed her and the teachers at the school were very impressed. Must say I am a very happy teacher.

We are going to enjoy our weekend before our new schedule starts with daddy being home with Bridge every Tuesday and Thursday till school gets out. Enjoy the weather and enjoy these pictures.

Naker baby



Daddy and Son time

This is what I woke up to this morning.