Bridger is TWO!

Bridger turned two years old today.  We had the best day and could not have asked for a better boy than Bridger.  He is truly the light of our lives and the get in our goat.  I can't imagine a day without him.  I love this boy with all my heart and I am so grateful for my Bridger Owen.

 Bridger goes to the gym with my mom and today, he got a birthday bag.  He came home so excited.  He held onto that bag like there was gold inside, and for him, that is probably what he thought - fruit snacks and goldfish - his favorite treats.

We threw Bridger a construction themed party - in part because the only word he knows how to say well, is "TERRUCK."

 For dinner, we went to the Pizza Factory.  Bridger got his very own no.2 pizza.  He was the man of the hour. 

 I made him a construction zone box - the idea came from Pinterest - and he was in heaven.  He cried for 10 minutes straight when I took it away.  Why did I have to get him something so messy?

 Grandma Becks and Grandpa Tony got him the coolest CAT trucks and a darling book about construction trucks going to bed.  He will use those trucks everyday, whether it be in the dirt or in the bathtub.  They just spoiled him and he was thrilled.

My beautiful sweet parents.  I don't know what I would do without them.  I am getting emotional just thinking about leaving them tomorrow, so no more thoughts.  They are the best parents and they have made this summer beyond wonderful.  I love them dearly. 

Pregnancy #2

I remember being pregnant with Bridger because it was so new and singular.  I remember being so thirsty in the middle of the nights that I literally could not swallow.  I remember being nauseated.  I remember craving soft-serve vanilla ice-cream cones and green salad.  I remember thinking how wonderful and easy life was going to be just having one sweet tempered and quiet little boy, like his dad.  Bridger turned out to be definitely sweet, but not at all like his dad.  While he naps, I look around at the diapers, blocks, bread crumbs, and piles of clothes strewn across the floor and decide to escape to my bed.  I haven’t written about this second pregnancy yet or any of my thoughts about #2, so in the 15 minutes or so before the monster awakes, I am going to jot down a few thoughts.

First of all, it took Tim and me almost a year to get pregnant with Bridger; when Tim suggested we think about trying for #2, I said, “Sure,” since it would take us a while before we really had to worry about it.  Just like a little surprise party though, I got a positive pregnancy test three weeks later.  My first thought was, “Yay, I won!”  My second thought was, “Uh oh.”  Luckily Tim was thrilled because he would be on Christmas Break when it was due AND he was sure it was going to be a girl this time.

Fast forward 18 weeks – the baby is due before his semester finals begin AND it’s a boy.  Despite Tim’s initial disappointment, he is looking forward to another hooligan.  He keeps referring to his 1.5 kids as “his boys.”  Personally, I am elated it’s a boy.  So far, my plans are working out just how I want them to – two boys and two girls.  However, if #2 is anything like Bridger, we might rethink the two girls part.  This pregnancy has been a piece of cake, compared to my first (and my first was easy peasy).  Until last week, I couldn’t even tell I was pregnant – no symptoms at all.  This week however, I am a ravenous eating machine and have put on 10 pounds in a matter of days.  All I want to eat is steak and chocolate milk (and I do).  After getting out of the shower this morning, I realized that none of my pants fit and that my big butt is back.  I had high hopes of handling this pregnancy differently, eating only healthy foods and exercising every day, but when my stomach rumbles (constantly), all goals fly out the window.  I am also much more emotional with this pregnancy and feel more stress about everything.

We’re calling this baby #2 until we can find a name we both like.  Since that will take another five months, we’ll give it a number.  Boy names are so much harder to pick than girl names.  As far as looks go, I can’t imagine a cuter baby than Bridger, but maybe he’ll get my dad’s tall genes.  I am extremely nervous to have a brand new baby in the winter.  For my sanity, I have to get out of the house every day.  I don’t know if that will happen with #2 and Bridger in tow, especially during cold/flu/RSV season.  I had some serious baby blues with Bridger during his first winter months and I am looking for ways to prevent it this time.  I know the spring will come only four (or five) months after the birth, so I just have to keep the germs away, keep Bridger occupied in a tiny space, and a smile on my face until then.  Not too hard, right?  Overall, we are looking forward to #2’s arrival on December 10^th (probably sooner) and can’t wait to see what he will look like and be like - no doubt, the best Hemming yet.

Bridger and Ruby

Paige and her darling children have been staying with my parents while Bryce is doing his last rotation in Nebraska.  Ruby is only two weeks younger than Bridger and they are best friends and partners in crime.  It has been so fun having little kids around but a little bit chaotic as well.  These are some pictures off my sister's camera taken over the last couple of weeks.

This son of mine is always getting into something, whether its the toilet (his new obsession) or behind the TV, we are exhausted at the end of the day.  Thankfully, at around 14 months Bridger became the best sleeper of them all.  His naps are like clockwork and at night, he practically leaps into his crib.  He never wakes up in the middle of the night anymore and is always happy when he wakes up.  He is an intense little guy; when he gets excited, he starts shaking - still (I thought he might grow out of it).  He loves his daddy more than anyone else but only calls him 'bamama.' We are having the greatest time here despite the heat.  The firm Tim is interning with has asked him to stay until the end of the summer, so we are here for a few more months, and when this is all over, we are going on VACATION! 

St. George

Spring is more beautiful in Provo than almost anywhere else.  It might be the snow and freezing cold, but feeling that warm sun is literally like defrosting your body and mind.  The last few weeks before Bridger and I left for St. George, we enjoyed every possible second outside.  Leaving was so hard because I felt like we were going to miss the best time in Provo.  However, its not we'll be gone long.  Our internship is already half way over. These are some pictures we took in Provo a few days before we left.

 

This is absolute truth - St. George is a cut of paradise.  Bridger has been in outdoor heaven.  My parents have a grand backyard and it hasn't been too hot yet, so I just sit on the swing and watch Bridger run around like a mad man, smelling the flowers in my mom's pots, and flying down the slide.  Paige and her kids came up to visit for a few weeks, so Bridger has been playing with his cousins and having an absolute party.  Just thinking of going back to Provo gives me hives.  Its been so relaxing to be with family - Bridger is a little obsessed with his grandpa and my mom cooks the most gourmet meals and walks with me in the mornings.  I have the sweetest parents.  Why can't we just buy a little house down the street and live here forever?

I haven't gone into much detail about Tim's internship but they have just spoiled him and he is having the best time.  He is learning so much and really likes the guys he works with.  The best part of his job, for me, is that I get to see him at a normal hour every night.  He gets home around six, and then its a party until 10.  He is more than my best friend - there is no one I would rather hangout with than him.  I love him so much and I am so happy we have had this time to see more of each other.

Therapy

So sometimes I have a tendency toward melancholy.  At the beginning of our marriage, Tim would get frustrated and ask, "Why can't you just be happy?"  He doesn't get frustrated anymore, he gives me the night off.  Last night, he could tell I was done...with Bridger.  So, he took over and told me to take some time.  I did.  I went to the library and got a book I've been waiting to read and after, I went to the dollar movie.  I got my 30 cent candy and relaxed while I enjoyed a good show, "Life of Walter Mitty."  I came home so much happier and more appreciative of life and my family.  

Before Bridger came, I struggled with depression sometimes, but I knew I was fine.  Now it seems I struggle with anxiety as well.  Tim knows when I have nightmares and has to wake me up.  I have anxiety attacks more frequently.  Its exhausting.  However, there are some things that really seem to relieve these problems.  First and foremost, for me, is walking.  I don't like to run because it hurts, but when its nice outside, or even semi-nice, I get outside and walk.  Nothing else helps me feel dramatically better in such a short amount of time.  Granted, I walk fast and walk up hills, but I think just being outside is part of what makes me happy.  Plus, Bridger loves to get out and run the energy out, so win-win.   Lately, I've gotten into puzzles.  There is something so satisfying about putting puzzle pieces together and it takes up all my thoughts, so I don't have time to dwell on anything else.  Lastly, a good book - nothing takes me away like a good book.  

In the future, I hope to get a good babysitter (when we start making money), but until then, there are always things I can do to be happier now.

 

And lets not forget that this boy really does make me happy.

My mother-in-law gave Bridger all of these fun busy bags for Christmas and absolutely he loves them, so I've been trying to add to them..for under $3.  Golf tees and a foam block, check.

The zoo had a free day a couple of weeks ago, so some friends and I took our babies and checked out the sad animals (they really looked sad, but Bridger couldn't tell).  He loved the giraffes, elephants, and seals.  It would have been much more fun if I could have kept track of Bridger.  He was running around like a wild animal, very appropriate.

I think we live in one of the most beautiful places on earth, especially when the sun comes out.  I love the mountains.

This kid loves slides.  He climbs right up and goes down all by himself.  Unfortunately though, this was taken right before he fell off.  Bad mom, bad!

Movie Watching

Lately, I've been feeling like a bad mom.  Bridger has gotten into the movie-watching phase and I can't decide if its bad or good.  I feel bad letting him watch movies for 4 hours out of the day and I feel good not having to chase him around for 4 hours out of the day.  Its strange because I think, oh now I can get something done while he's watching a movie - I don't get anything done.  In fact, its 2:30 and I have yet to get in the shower.  What is wrong with me?  I've been feeling like it might be time to start thinking about another baby, but every time I do, I get panicked and realize that if I can't do much with one, how could I accomplish anything with two?  I wish I were more patient, outgoing, kind, happy, etc.  Can I become those things before number two rolls along?  I have serious doubts.  For now, I am incredibly grateful for my crazy wild man, Bridger and for my absolutely amazing, patient, beautiful husband.

 

I think this is the part when all the animals come and see Simba for the first time.  He's saying, "Mom, get out of the way."