Happy Anniversary

Tim and I celebrated our 4 year anniversary on Wednesday.  We decided to take a quick trip up to Salt Lake City and go see the Capitol building.  I got this idea on Pinterest (the first one), and thought it might be fun to attach pictures of us (with lovey dovey quotes on the back) to balloons.  It was a total flop, since four of the balloons didn't have enough helium to hold the pictures, and two popped while tying them together.  Oh well.

 Nailed It.

 We stopped at City Creek first and ate at the Cheesecake Factory.  Since Bridger doesn't believe in sitting for more than three minutes, we took turns chasing him, while the other ate our meal.  So much for a relaxing romantic dinner.  

 The Capitol Building didn't disappoint.  It had been about 15 years since I was there - it was beautiful.  We walked around the grounds and let Bridger off his leash (if only we had one).  The inside was incredible too.  From a window at the top floor, you can see State Street going down for miles.  The weather could not have been more perfect - didn't need jackets and it wasn't too hot.  The only downside of the night was the nasty bite on Tim's shoulder - Bridger bit right through the skin.  I wish he could have just said, "Mom, I don't want a picture right now."  Luckily, Tim played it very cool and didn't throw him five feet.  I really love this man I married.  He is my best friend and is the best dad.  I'm looking forward to another four years.

Crib

For my first pregnancy, we spent all our money on a stroller and didn't have any left for a crib.  In my defense, our stroller is an awesome machine and we use it everyday, usually multiple times a day.  Luckily, my aunt gave us her used pack-and-play, so Bridger slept in that his first two years.  For this  pregnancy, Tim's parents bought us a crib.  We ordered it online and I was counting down the days until it finally arrived.  Tim and I had so much fun putting it together - I was super giddy the entire time.  We made it into a toddler bed, so Bridger has something to sleep in until we move to St George - then the baby can use it.  Win win situation (except the whole transition part...that's been tricky.)

I have 10 more weeks until #2 arrives and yes, I am excited to meet this new personality growing inside me, but I am probably more scared.  I know some mom's really get into the  new infant stage, but I did not.  In fact, I really hated it.  I hated recovering from childbirth, not being able to leave the house, being fat instead of pregnant, nursing, constant crying (from us both), and worst of all...little to no sleep.  This time, on top of all of that, I get a very headstrong toddler who is really into biting and hitting right now.  I just have to remember that most mothers go through this, new babies will grow, and there is always medication.

He hiked to the top of the Y all by himself.  He really is made of strong stuff.

 

He wanted to carry the garbage to the dumpster without any help.  It took about 15 minutes to get all 10 steps over there, but he did it.

 Will not sleep without his blankee.

Back to it

So we are back in Provo.  Tim had a couple of weeks off once we got up here and we had a nice break as a family.  We took Bridger to a bunch of museums (BYU's Dinosaur and Bean museum, the new Draper aquarium, etc) ate out a couple of times, shopped, and walked...a lot.  I think Tim was ready to get back into a schedule by the time school started -  however, now that school is in full swing, I'm sure he's wishing for another break.  We miss so many things about St. George, but NOT the heat.  It has been absolutely gorgeous here - Bridger and I are taking full advantage before it gets cold.  We've been in Provo for so many years that it seems bittersweet to think that it is our last year here.  We will always have very fond memories of Provo (probably not the winters) and after all the money we've given BYU, we bleed blue.  Here are some pictures taken over the past month:

 Bridger went crazy at the Aquarium.  He loved the penguins and the sting-rays.  The sharks didn't really do anything for him though.  After spending an hour chasing him around, we were exhausted.  We had a good time, but might wait another year before we go back.

 Tim's entire family came to Logan for his neice's (Nadia) baptism.  It was a great family reunion.  Bridger LOVED being with his cousins.  They would all go downstairs and play while I just sat and relaxed without worrying about what he was getting into.  Tim has the sweetest family of all time - I married very well, to say the least.

 I had my last ultrasound yesterday and got to check this little guy out before the big day.  We still don't have a name for him, but I'm hoping when I see his actual face, it will just come to me.....maybe.  He's measuring a week early so I'm just praying he comes after Tim's classes are over.

 These are from our walk the other night.  There is no doubt that what I will miss the most when we move, will be my daily walk from our house to Rock Canyon park.  Its up hill and always breathtaking at the top - then you get to saunter the rest of the way home, and think how lucky you are to have such a great walk to start your day.

This was taken tonight, Bridger kindly offered to help me sweep the kitchen floor.  In the process of cleaning, he got carried away and rammed the end of the broom into my face.  I'm pretty sure his sweeping days are now over.

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!